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Spotted on the drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

I thought that company was Terminated.

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Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash

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Today is the day: Volume 39 of Writers of the Future is live!

Where to buy: Amazon | Apple Books | Audible | B&N | BAM | Bookshop | Google Play | Indigo | Kobo | OverDrive Libraries | Powell’s | Vroman’s

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Here’s the synopsis:

In the world of speculative fiction…

Your favorite authors…

Have selected the best new voices of the year.

24 Award-winning Authors and Illustrators 

3 Bonus Short Stories by Kevin J. Anderson • L. Ron Hubbard • S. M. Stirling 

Art and Writing Tips by Lazarus Chernik • L. Ron Hubbard • Kristine Kathryn Rusch 

Edited by Dean Wesley Smith • Jody Lynn Nye 

16-page color gallery of artwork • Cover art by Tom Wood

Check out the stories Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Robert J. Sawyer, Kevin J. Anderson, Jody Lynn Nye and others chose as the best of the best.

Be amazed. Be amused. Be transported … by stories that take you by surprise and take you further and deeper into new worlds and new ideas than you’ve ever gone before….

Twelve captivating tales from the most exciting new voices in science fiction and fantasy accompanied by three from masters of the genre.

A miracle? An omen? Or something else? One day, they arrived in droves—the foxes of the desert, the field, the imagination….—“Kitsune” by Devon Bohm

When a vampire, a dragon and a shape-shifting Chihuahua meet on a beach in Key West, fireworks go off! But that’s just the background. —“Moonlight and Funk” by Marianne Xenos

Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., faces one of his funniest and most perplexing cases ever—an enlightened ogre, a salamander with low self-esteem, and a raging fire dragon terrorizing the Unnatural Quarter! —“Fire in the Hole” by Kevin J. Anderson

The Grim Reaper, trapped in an IRS agent’s dying body, must regain his powers before he dies and faces judgment for his original sin. —“Death and the Taxman” by David Hankins

In a metaverse future, a woman who exposes falseness in others must decide what is real to her—the love she lost or the love she may have found. —“Under My Cypresses” by Jason Palmatier

Vic Harden wasn’t lured by glory on a daring mission into the reaches of outer space—he was ordered out there by his editor.—“The Unwilling Hero” by L. Ron Hubbard

Dangerous opportunities present themselves when an alien ship arrives in the solar system seeking repairs. —“White Elephant” by David K. Henrickson

With her spaceship at the wrong end of a pirate’s guns, a former war hero must face down her enemies and demons to save Earth’s last best chance for peace. —“Piracy for Beginners” by J. R. Johnson

Years after the Second Holocaust, the last surviving Jews on earth attempt to rewrite the past. —“A Trickle in History” by Elaine Midcoh

When I said I’d do anything to pay off my debts and get back home to Earth, I didn’t mean survey a derelict spaceship at the edge of the solar system—but here I am. —“The Withering Sky” by Arthur H. Manner

High-powered telescopes bring galactic life to our TVs, and network tuner Hank Enos figures he’s seen everything—until the day an alien boy stares back. —“The Fall of Crodendra M.” by T. J. Knight

Knights, damsels and dragons, curses and fates foretold—the stuff of legends and stories, but unexpectedly perverse.—“Constant Never” by S. M. Stirling

Determined to save his wife, Tumelo takes an unlikely client through South Africa’s ruins to the heart of the Desolation—a journey that will cost or save everything. —“The Children of Desolation” by Spencer Sekulin

When a terrorist smuggles a nuclear weapon into London, a team regresses in time to AD 1093 to assassinate a knight on the battlefield, thereby eliminating the terrorist a millennia before his birth. —“Timelines and Bloodlines” by L. H. Davis

The Grand Exam, a gateway to power for one, likely death for all others—its entrants include ambitious nobles, desperate peasants, and Quiet Gate, an old woman with nothing left to lose. —“The Last History” by Samuel Parr

You will love this collection of the best new voices because, as Locus magazine puts it, “Excellent writing…extremely varied. There’s a lot of hot new talent.”

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Perhaps you recently watched the F1 Australian Grand Prix, had to trim your cat’s nails, or experienced a similarly stressful moment. You may enjoy a few calming minutes spent with these birds of the world:

I know I will.

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Photo by Stephane YAICH on Unsplash

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Lieutenant Uhura is now with the stars.

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ dead at 89
Nichols was one of the first Black women featured in a major television series, and her role as Lt. Nyota Uhura on the original TV series was groundbreaking: an African American woman whose name came from Uhuru, the Swahili word for “freedom.”

“For the first time, we are being seen the world over as we should be seen.”

— Martin Luther King Jr., Star Trek’s Uhura Reflects On MLK Encounter

Nichelle Nichols showed us all that the future belonged to more than just white men, and then she helped NASA build that future.

“After Apollo 11, Nichelle made it her mission to inspire women and people of color to join this agency, change the face of STEM and explore the cosmos. Nichelle’s mission is NASA’s mission. Today, as we work to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon under Artemis, NASA is guided by the legacy of Nichelle Nichols.”

— NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

She demonstrated, with talent, conviction, determination and grace, that the future is brighter when all of us are in it.

“If they let me in the door, I will open it so wide that they will see the world.”

— Woman in Motion tells story of how Star Trek’s Uhura changed NASA forever | Ars Technica

She did. We did. And humanity is so much better for it.

“If you can see it, you can be it,” the saying goes. Nichelle Nichols gave millions of people the opportunity to see themselves on the frontiers of science and exploration, boldly expanding human understanding.

She inspired so many of us to reach for the stars. What a legacy.

— Hillary Clinton

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(NASA/Bill Ingalls) NASA Identifier: nasahqphoto-5161637425

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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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As a bonus Father’s Day gift, today I’m featuring a podcast I know he’ll like.

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs 

In it, Andrew Hickey discusses the history and culture of rock & roll as seen through 500 songs. He’s up to episode 150.

If you prefer to consume your media via the written word, each episode includes a transcript. I also found myself somewhat at a loss as to which, what and where, so (being me) I made an episode list with links. (If an index already exists, I didn’t see it.)

Note: I built the list by translating episode titles into URLs in Excel and haven’t tested every link, but hopefully they’ll get you to where you’re going.

Enjoy!

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A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs 
Episode 1: “Flying Home” by the Benny Goodman Sextet
Episode 2: “Roll ‘Em Pete” by Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson
Episode 3: “Ida Red” by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys
Episode 4: “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” by Louis Jordan
Episode 5: ‘Rosetta Tharpe and “This Train”
Episode 6: ‘The Ink Spots — “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin”
Episode 7: ‘Wynonie Harris and “Good Rockin’ Tonight”
Episode 8: “The Fat Man” by Fats Domino
Episode 9: “How High The Moon” by Les Paul and Mary Ford
Episode 10: “Double Crossin’ Blues”, by Johnny Otis, Little Esther, and the Robins
Episode 11: “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats
Episode 12: “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” by Lloyd Price
Episode 13: “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean” by Ruth Brown
Episode 14: ″Jambalaya” by Hank Williams
Episode 15: “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton
Episode 16: “Crazy Man Crazy” by Bill Haley and the Comets
Episode 17: “Money Honey” by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters
Episode 18: “Sh-Boom” by the Chords
Episode 19: “That’s All Right, Mama” by Elvis Presley
Episode 20: “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets
Episode 21: “Rock Island Line” by Lonnie Donegan
Episode 22: “The Wallflower” by Etta James
Episode 23: “Pledging My Love” by Johnny Ace
Episode 24: “Ko Ko Mo” by Gene and Eunice
Episode 25: “Earth Angel” by the Penguins
Episode 26: “Ain’t That A Shame” by Fats Domino
Episode 27: “Tweedle Dee” by LaVern Baker
Episode 28: “Sincerely” by the Moonglows
Episode 29: “Maybellene” by Chuck Berry
Episode 30: “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley
Episode 31: “Only You” by the Platters
Episode 32: “I Got A Woman” by Ray Charles
Episode 33: “Mystery Train”, by Elvis Presley
Episode 34: “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard
Episode 35: “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Episode 36: “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins
Episode 37: “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash
Episode 38: “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
Episode 39: “Please Please Please” by James Brown and the Famous Flames
Episode 40: “Drugstore Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Janis Martin
Episode 41: “Be-Bop-A-Lula” by Gene Vincent and the Bluecaps
Episode 42: “Ooby Dooby” by Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings
Episode 43: “I Gotta Know” by Wanda Jackson
Episode 44: “Train Kept A-Rollin’”, by Johnny Burnette and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio
Episode 45: “Blueberry Hill”, by Fats Domino
Episode 46: “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man” by Chuck Berry
Episode 47: “Goodnight My Love” by Jesse Belvin
Episode 48: “Rock With the Caveman” by Tommy Steele
Episode 49: “Love is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia
Episode 50: “Honky Tonk” by Bill Doggett
Episode 51: “Matchbox” by Carl Perkins
Episode 52: “Twenty Flight Rock”, by Eddie Cochran
Episode 53: “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Episode 54: “Keep A Knockin’” by Little Richard
Episode 55: “Searchin’” by the Coasters
Episode 56: “Bye Bye Love” by the Everly Brothers
Episode 57: “Flying Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men
Episode 58: “Mr. Lee” by the Bobbettes
Episode 59: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis
Episode 60: “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke
Episode 61: “That’ll Be the Day” by The Crickets
Episode 62: “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley
Episode 63: “Susie Q” by Dale Hawkins
Episode 64: “Reet Petite” by Jackie Wilson
Episode 65: “Maybe” by the Chantels
Episode 66: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis
Episode 67: “Johnny B. Goode”, by Chuck Berry
Episode 68: “Yakety Yak” by the Coasters
Episode 69: “Fujiyama Mama” by Wanda Jackson
Episode 70: “Move It” by Cliff Richard and the Drifters
Episode 71: “Willie and the Hand Jive” by Johnny Otis
Episode 72: “Trouble” by Elvis Presley
Episode 73: “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens
Episode 74: “It Doesn’t Matter Any More” by Buddy Holly
Episode 75: “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters
Episode 76: “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price
Episode 77: “Brand New Cadillac” by Vince Taylor and the Playboys
Episode 78: “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles
Episode 79: “Sweet Nothin’s” by Brenda Lee
Episode 80: “Money” by Barrett Strong
Episode 81: “Shout” by the Isley Brothers
Episode 82: “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley
Episode 83: “Only The Lonely” by Roy Orbison
Episode 84: “Shakin’ All Over” by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Episode 85: “Three Steps to Heaven” by Eddie Cochran
Episode 86: “LSD-25” by the Gamblers
Episode 87: “Apache” by the Shadows
Episode 88: “Cathy’s Clown” by the Everly Brothers
Episode 89: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” by the Shirelles
Episode 90: “Runaway” by Del Shannon
Episode 91: “The Twist” by Chubby Checker
Episode 92: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by the Tokens
Episode 93: “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes
Episode 94: “Stand By Me”, by Ben E. King
Episode 95: “You Better Move On” by Arthur Alexander
Episode 96: “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva
Episode 97: “Song to Woody” by Bob Dylan
Episode 98: “I’ve Just Fallen For Someone” by Adam Faith
Episode 99: “Surfin’ Safari” by the Beach Boys
Episode 100: “Love Me Do” by the Beatles
Episode 101: “Telstar” by the Tornados
Episode 102: “Twist and Shout” by the Isley Brothers
Episode 103: “Hitch-Hike” by Marvin Gaye
Episode 104: “He’s a Rebel” by “The Crystals”
Episode 105: “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the MGs
Episode 106: “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen
Episode 107: “Surf City” by Jan and Dean
Episode 108: “I Wanna Be Your Man” by the Rolling Stones
Episode 109: “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Episode 110: “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes
Episode 111: “Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas
Episode 112: “She Loves You” by The Beatles
Episode 113: “Needles and Pins” by The Searchers
Episode 114: “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie
Episode 115: “House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals
Episode 116: “Where Did Our Love Go?” by The Supremes
Episode 117: “Don’t Worry Baby” by the Beach Boys
Episode 118: “Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy” by Manfred Mann
Episode 119: “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks
Episode 120: “A Hard Day’s Night” by the Beatles
Episode 121: “The Leader of the Pack” by the Shangri-Las
Episode 122: “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
Episode 123: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by the Righteous Brothers
Episode 124: “People Get Ready” by the Impressions
Episode 125: “Here Comes the Night” by Them
Episode 126: “For Your Love” by the Yardbirds
Episode 127: “Ticket to Ride” by the Beatles
Episode 128: “Mr. Tambourine Man” by the Byrds
Episode 129: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones
Episode 130: “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan
Episode 131: “I Hear a Symphony” by the Supremes
Episode 132: “I Can’t Help Myself” by the Four Tops
Episode 133: “My Girl” by the Temptations
Episode 134: “In the Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett
Episode 135: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel
Episode 136: “My Generation” by the Who
Episode 137: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown
Episode 138: “I Fought the Law” by the Bobby Fuller Four
Episode 139: “Eight Miles High” by the Byrds
Episode 140: “Trouble Every Day” by the Mothers of Invention
Episode 141: “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner
Episode 142: “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys
Episode 143: “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful
Episode 144: “Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees
Episode 145: “Tomorrow Never Knows” by the Beatles
Episode 146: “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys
Episode 147: “Hey Joe” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Episode 148: “Light My Fire” by the Doors
Episode 149: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Episode 150: “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles – A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

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Photo by Il Vagabiondo on Unsplash

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I am new to Formula One, or really, to any sport fandom. I tend to get emotional about the things I care about, and I have done my level best to avoid the crushing sense of disappointment one feels when one wants something deeply, and does not get it. Elections are hard for me. Wanting things in general can be a challenge, and investing in outcomes over which I have no influence? Rough. 

Which is why it’s a big deal for me to join Team Hamilton. He’s worth it. 

Why? It’s not the winning. Ok, not only the winning. And it’s not just the fact that he reminds me of my favorite brother. It’s excellence. Hamilton is good at what he does, yes, but he has taken to winning while retaining a sense of the larger picture. 

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Again, I’m new to the sport so it’s possible that I missed more formative, brasher years, but since I’ve been watching what I see is this: support for his team, especially those who are often unsung, support for worthy causes, good sportsmanship, and generally using his platform and profile for good.

Lewis is a 7-time world champion, of course, tied with Michael Schumacher to be the winningest F1 driver ever, but he also acts like it. 

As I dipped my toe into the F1 waters last year, Mr Man asked what I thought of the up-and-coming driver Verstappen. “Meh,” I said. “Why?” he asked. “He looks like he could win the championship.” True, I said, but I like Lewis. He is considerate to reporters and kind to fans, doesn’t project the sense of entitlement that some drivers wear like a second suit, rarely says “I” in interviews, makes a point to thank the team back at the factory, has succeeded despite not (like so many other drivers) being born to the sport, and is outspoken on human rights and other social issues. His rainbow helmet was a thing of beauty and likely did more to promote rights awareness than a year’s worth of articles. 

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This year’s F1 car changes have put Mercedes at a distinct disadvantage. Unless they get those problems sorted, Hamilton may never win that next championship, the one that would break the tie for first and put him at the very top.

This year his helmet carries a quote from Maya Angelou: “Still, I rise.

And now I’m realizing what so many fans before me have: Despite the possibility, nay, likelihood, of disappointment, I’ll root for him anyway.*

His vision of excellence is worth it.

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* I’m not the only one. I spotted Michelle Obama and George Lucas in the Mercedes garage today.

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

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There is a lot of trouble in the world right now, but we are not helpless. We are not hopeless. And if there’s any better way to remember that today than Star Wars, I don’t know it. Just thinking of the theme song raises my spirits. Here’s to building a better future. 

For motivation, check out this piece on the history of John Williams’ rousing theme:

Behind The Song: “Star Wars Theme” by John Williams – American Songwriter

And then, of course, there’s our scrappy band of Rebels.

“Would it help if I got out and pushed?”

— Princess Leia

Always.

May the Force be with us.

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via Pixabay 

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I accumulate a lot of links. Work links, sure, but on my way to the data mines I often come across  fun, interesting, obscure or downright delightful corners of the web. They inform me when I need a bit of learning with lunch, cheer me up when the news is too newsy, and otherwise remind me that the internet, like the world, is not 100% terrible.

What sort of links? I’m so glad you asked:)

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Look Up! An Introduction to Identifying Raptors in Flight

  • Helpful, although I’ll probably continue to just say “hawk!” every time I see something predatory with wings. My bird enthusiast father’s reply is always (honestly, can he really be right all the time?*) “turkey vulture.” Just once I wish he’d say “dragon.”

* The answer is yes.

20 of the Best History Podcasts to Help Us Actually Learn From the Past

  • History is cool.

Honest Government Ad | Carbon Capture & Storage – YouTube

  • Is there swearing? There is. It’s warranted.

Introducing the Icelandverse – YouTube

  • Look out, Zuckerberg, Iceland is coming for you.

Bohemian Catsody – A Rhapsody Parody Song for Every Cat Queen and King! – YouTube

  • Since you’re already on YouTube. And like cat videos.

This man won a Guinness World Record for his tree that bears 10 types of fruit

  • “Hussam Saraf says his record-breaking tree with 10 different types of fruit is a metaphor for how he sees the world. … ‘[It’s] mother nature that’s united us all together. Doesn’t really matter how different we are in colour or culture or tradition. We are one, and we can respect each other as one.’” If that’s not nice then I don’t know what is.

rroll.to

  • Each time a user clicks on your generated link, there is a 50% chance that they will be rickrolled.

The True Story of the Blue People of Kentucky

  • Genetics, man.

Photos of the world above and below the sea by David Doubilet

  • Nature, man. These images are amazing.

Periodic Table of the Elements, in Pictures and Words

  • How many of these have you used today?

How to Identify that Light in the Sky

  • Brought to you by NASA and The League of Lost Causes, which is just about the most awesome name ever.

Scientists Create 3,000 TB Simulation of the Universe You Can Download

  • I don’t have the space for this, but maybe you do?

And since I’m a baker, here’s one last link:

All You Could Ever Want to Know About a Pumpkin Slingshot

  • I dunno, I want to know A Lot.

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Photo by Robert Katzki on Unsplash

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What am I reading with lunch? How about a graphic novel about a woman, space, and a spunky little robot? App and interactivity are optional (but could be fun).

NASA – First Woman (read onlinedownload PDF)

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NASA

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