Category: Miscellaneous
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Another Political Paradox
I've already mentioned that solidly loyal states are at a disadvantage in modern American politics, but there's another paradox I've noticed: Elections are determined by the people who don't care much about politics. After all, the party faithful are the ones who care. The ones who read political blogs and listen to Rachel Maddow or…
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Perfection
Some time ago I was making a long trip by car on a summer weekend, and so as I drove I could see a number of families enjoying the nice weather with back yard cookouts. It made me realize something. We will never know who made (or who ate) the greatest hamburger ever. It may…
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That Show I Watched
This week marks the 50th anniversary of two science fiction icons. One is me, the other is Star Trek. Since we're practically twins, I feel as though I can be brutally honest about the show, the universe, and what has become of them. First of all, it always surprises me how unfamiliar people are with the…
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MidAmeriCon II, Day 1!
You may wonder why I refer to Thursday, August 18th as Day 1 of the convention, when there were several events on Wednesday the 17th. To answer that I must refer you to Southwest Airlines, which decided to cancel my Wednesday morning flight so that I didn't arrive in Kansas City until Thursday. So for…
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A Political Paradox
In most of the United States, if your vote matters, then it doesn't matter. Huh? Let me explain. We're all familiar with the increasingly polarized nature of our national politics. More and more, the country is divided into "Red" and "Blue" states. I happen to live in one of the Bluest of the Blue States:…
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MidAmeriCon II, Featuring ME!
On August 17-21 I'll be a participant at the 2016 World Science Fiction Convention. The convention moves around and has a different name every year — this year it's called MidAmeriCon II, and will be held in Kansas City, where everything is up to date. If you're anywhere in central North America that weekend, stop on…
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Tales of the Dark Knight!
I don't write comic books, but I've been reading them for decades and I like speculating about the characters. The recent Batman Vs. Superman film got me thinking about how I would write Batman if DC Comics were to hire me. Bruce Wayne, Gothamite One thing which becomes obvious when you start thinking about Batman…
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Thirty-Six Hours Over Albacon!
Tomorrow I set out for Albacon* in romantic Albany, NY. I'll be at the convention for thirty-six hours, but those hours are packed! Friday, March 4, 11:00 a.m.: POV Waltz — Panel discussion about the use of point-of-view in fiction; part of the Albacon writing workshop series. Saturday, March 5, 11:00 a.m.: Autographing — As always, bring…
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Boskone 2016, Featuring ME!
Join me at Boskone (February 19-21, 2016) at the Westin hotel in Boston, MA for New England's longest running science fiction and fantasy convention. It's going to be a fun weekend filled with books, film, art, music, gaming, and more. For more information about Boskone, check out The Boskone Blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Visit the Boskone…
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David Hartwell
Earlier today I was at the memorial service for David Hartwell. It has been a week since he died, and in that week I have read a number of tributes, some heartbreaking, some funny, from his family and people who knew him for decades. I knew David for less than twenty years. I can't remember…
The Cambias Digression 