Last updated 6-28-2022
As I'm writing this, I'm suffering from some kind of cold, or flu, or virus. I'm not sure what kind of effect this will have on my writing.
On one hand, I'm drugged up right now, having taken two analgesics and one of those non-drowsy cold/allergy pills. In all fairness, they don't generally make me drowsy, but they do make me numb, and rather mellow. On the other hand, I rarely get sick, so when I do, it aggravates me to no end to be incapacitated in any way. I've been shut in all weekend; the highlight so far was my dad's chicken soup, which may well be the best in the modern world.
A few more thoughts about the Speaker with the lizard's name: Someone posted Mr. Gingrich's E-mail address on the Internet a short while ago. I'm sure that address (whether legitimate or not) was flooded with mail, both pro and con, but I really couldn't think of much to say to the man myself, so I didn't bother. I must agree with Gingrich's observation that space exploration is vital to us. A manned mission to Mars would undoubtedly boost the morale of the American people, just as the first Moon landing did. Granted, such an expedition would cost a lot, but it could be done in collaboration with the Europeans, or the Chinese, or just about anyone else who's interested and capable, really. I don't think we can afford not to go back to space. The Space Shuttle program is nice as far as it goes, but it's no substitute for the real thing.
I've shaved off my asymmetrical facial hair. Not because people begged me to (though some did), but because I got tired of it. It was a different look, which appeals to me (I've always related to the line in "Life During Wartime:" "I've changed my hairstyle so many times now / I don't know what I look like"), but, in the end, I've never been crazy about facial hair. It's a hassle to maintain, and you've got to keep food out of it. My fair skin is also a bit sensitive to the scratching.
I've been subscribed to the newsgroup "alt.zines" for three months now. I'm still very new to this, and reading the postings there keeps me abreast of what's going on in the 'zine world; I've learned a lot in the last few weeks. I saw a posting almost a month ago which read, "If you are a legit presence in the zine marketplace (stores, not just bedrooms and kinko's) and want to trade ads... I am always up for trading...on a dollar for dollar or circulation to circulation ratio." This irked me, and in my response I asked, "Have 'zine editors sold out and turned a revolution into yet another industry?!?" Anyone who takes himself so seriously as to elevate his 'zine above those produced in bedrooms and reproduced at Kinko's is no longer working on a 'zine, but is now doing a magazine. Which is fine; there is nothing inherently wrong with magazines. What most of us are doing is putting out our own concepts of what a magazine should be; what makes them 'zines is the fact that their circulations are smaller and they're independently produced.
There's also been some debate over whether or not 'zine editors should run ads. I haven't run any yet, and I'd prefer not to (except for the occasional trade with another 'zine, of course), but I suppose there really isn't anything inherently wrong with running ads, either. If I were to adopt a policy of allowing advertising, though, it would have to be under my terms. I would not accept ads indiscriminately but would have to make individual determinations. There are two important rules to keep in mind: 1) an advertiser cannot be allowed to have any say whatsoever in the creative process, and 2) one should only run ads for products or services with which one feels completely comfortable. I think this adequately sums up my feelings on the matter.
"Voyager" is getting better and better. Unfortunately, so is "Deep Space Nine," and so I'm stuck taping one while watching the other so that I can see both. John Leguizamo's PinC (that's Politically inCorrect, don'tcha know) "House of Buggin'" is also a good show, though I don't know how long the PC police will let it slide. And, finally, "Babylon 5" is really good this season. When the two-hour movie kicked off two years ago, I figured it was another knockoff of "DS9." Since then, however, I've changed my tune. There are some really strong characters (I was sad to see Sinclair go, but Sheridan's starting to grow on me) and some really thick plot lines. While Deep Space Nine is a station placed defiantly at the edge of a wormhole to enforce peace, Babylon 5 is a desperate attempt to maintain a precarious peace. My praise to this show's creators.
I still feel numb, but I think I managed OK. See ya later!
Last updated 6-28-2022
