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Archive for July, 2022

What do you know, some people actually did read Playboy for the articles!

Read 10 of the Best Stories Ever Published in Playboy ‹ Literary Hub

…while Hefner was indeed a man who collected and commodified women and called it “feminism,” it doesn’t change the fact that the joke about reading Playboy for the articles isn’t really a joke. The magazine has published some fantastic interviews, essays, and—most importantly for our purposes here—fiction over the years, the latter thanks in part to expert fiction editor Alice K. Turner…

Since its inception, Playboy has published work by Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin, Shirley Jackson, Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, John Updike, John Cheever, P. G. Wodehouse, Arthur C. Clarke, John Irving, Roald Dahl, Frank Herbert, Stephen King, Norman Mailer, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Annie Proulx, and many other greats.

Almost all of the stories on this list are available to read online (via sites that will not get you in trouble at work, bonus). So enjoy the classic fiction, folks, while appreciating the venues we now have for sci-fi and other fiction.

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Photo by Bernd Klutsch on Unsplash

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A drabble inspired by my love for science fiction. Also, the news.

Tipping Point, or, Oil Lobbyists Celebrate Over Drinks (London, UK, Earth)

Four oil lobbyists drank martinis around a mahogany table in a richly-appointed bar, celebrating. Their efforts had finally succeeded.

The lobbyist at the South end of the table grinned. 

“Did you see the news? 40C! God, we’re good.”

West puffed on a Cuban cigar. “They say it’s the new normal. I’d say we’re ready.” 

North shivered in the frigid air. “Agreed. Make the call.”

East opened a communicator that looked like a prop from Star Trek.

“Base? Terraforming is complete. Send the first wave of settlers.”

South looked at his fleshy fingers. 

“Can’t wait to get out of these clothes.”

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Photo by Jarosław Kwoczała on Unsplash

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Shopping

After many months, we are finally ready to start searching our local rescue for a new cat. Or two!

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Progress

It can be hard to measure progress. Incremental gains are often overpowered by a flood of negative, and hard to ignore, counter-programming. But every so often we take a step Up, and if we’re lucky, we can look back and see how far we’ve come.

The Webb telescope is one such step. Images from Hubble are impressive, but while the older platform has done a great job, it’s been at it for twenty years.

What does it mean for Hubble to now have a sibling out there in space? How much does Webb expand our ability to see into the cosmos? 

This much: Webb Compare.

It’s wonderful to see how far we’ve come.

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Photo by David Travis on Unsplash

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I am very happy to announce the publication of Parsec Ink’s latest anthology, Triangulation: Energy

The theme is sustainable energy: can we find a way to keep up with—or exceed—our present and future energy consumption levels while keeping our space livable? 

Is it science fiction? Yes. Does it showcase positive takes on our energy challenges? Yes. Was I fortunate enough to have a story in it, alongside a roster of terrific authors? Yes!

The anthology is available in Kindle and paperback formats. Curious about what’s inside? Check out the Kindle preview for a sample of the first three entries, including my own story, The Jewel of New Stoltz. I know I wrote it and all, but I’m happy to be able to share a story I love.

Hope you like it too.

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Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

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It’s Saturday, hooray. Thinking about streaming a movie tonight? If so, this site may be for you:

Movie of the Night

Let’s check out my options. Hmm, lots of maybes, some no thanks, but wait, what’s this? Deadpool

Yes, please!

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In my quest to prove that the internet is good for more than trolling, discouraging news and ridiculous conspiracy theories, I give you Typatone.

The act of writing has always been an art. Now, it can also be an act of music. Each letter you type corresponds to a specific musical note putting a new spin on your composition. Make music while you write.

Hello world!

Type directly or use the clipboard icon to paste text. Toggle the music icon to change styles. Click the plus sign to start anew.

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What is the sound of one drabble singing?

This.

And here’s the opening of Pride and Prejudice while we’re at it.

Delightful!

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Photo by Luke Leung on Unsplash

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Tonight, if you have a moment and remember that we are, after all, just passengers on a ship hurtling through space with only one true companion, look up. The Buck Moon will be waiting.

Supermoon / Super Moon – Why and When?

“Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”

― Paul Brandt

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Photo by Mateusz Klein on Unsplash

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I may have committed a little Wordle poetry with lunch.

Photo by Chris Briggs on Unsplash

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First Images from the James Webb Space Telescope | NASA

The dawn of a new era in astronomy has begun as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope…

NASA has begun to roll out new images from the Webb Telescope. They are (insert understatement here) impressive. This is one example, of the Carina Nebula:

Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

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Would you like to know more?

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