1000 buffalo stampede

I had gone to bed early on Sunday – really early, as a habitual night owl. Nonetheless, my eyes opened on their own at the cheerful hour of 4:30 am. I tossed and lulled myself back to sleep until 6:30, but there’s was no mistaking it – it was a Monday, and a piss-poor one at that.

The rest of the day rolled out with minimum of fuss and drama, thankfully. I just felt lackluster the whole damn day, though.

After dinner, I checked some news, and found that author John M. Ford passed away this morning. I didn’t read nearly enough Ford; no, not nearly enough. The last pieces I can recall solidly were “Road Show“, from the Journal of the Traveller’s Aid Society #23 (circa 1985), and GURPS: Starports (2000). There’s plenty more than few others in my collection that I’m just not recalling at the moment. John was a well known science-fiction author, gamer, and long-time fan of the Traveller RPG. I didn’t know him personally, but knew his writing. Too late, too late for that now.

“This is the Free Trader Beowulf … Mayday …”

Goodbye, John. I hope the stars are brighter on that side.

Send lawyers, guns, and money. The shit has hit the fan

You know, I’m not a big TV fan. I’ve spent a good portion of my adult life deliberately not owning a TV (yes, yes, I have one now), and I don’t tend to pay much attention to most shows, with a few shows excepted (Battlestar Galactica for one).

I have been watching the new “Justice” on Fox, though, and am actually really enjoying it. Fox’s write-up is pretty on the mark:

From Jerry Bruckheimer, JUSTICE centers on four brilliant lawyers who tackle the cases that captivate the country and provide compelling fodder for everything from water cooler chit-chat to tabloid glossies to 24-hour news channels. With the most cutting-edge forensic technology, these lawyers are a formidable presence in any courtroom. When the stakes are as high as they can be, you want Trott, Nicholson, Tuller & Graves in your corner.

I’m finding it interesting, and especially like the post-show wrap-up, where they show you what really happened at the crime scene, and not the defendant’s and the legal team’s claims.

Whether Warren Zevon would be pleased that his 1978 hit is being used for the title theme, I don’t know … but it does fit, don’t it?

I was gambling in Havana
I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns and money
Dad, get me out of this

Ok, so it is something of a rush to do the daily read at one of your news stops and realize that you’re reading about yourself. Don’t think I’ve been called outstanding before, that I recall.

Nah – writers don’t have egos. Not at a bit.

Well, it is practically Halloween. Hell, I heard people talking about buying Christmas gifts already, so Halloween is practically over at this point.

Where the time goes, I’ll never know. This September’s gone zipping by – along with 3/4’s of 2006 – in a complete blur.

But, at least it will be Halloween soon, which is my favorite holiday, bar none. I’ll have to find the time to take a drive up to Arcata and get some bagels (and Day of the Dead stuff) at Los Bagels.

Oh, what? Like you wouldn’t drive 5 hours for a bagel and coffee?

Well, I’m back from a long weekend on the East Coast, visiting friends in CT and family in VT. I had a lot of fun catching up with everyone, meeting new folks, seeing my parents, brother and sister-in-law and my 4 month old, more adorable than should be legally allowed niece, Katie.

And a little shout-out to American Airlines for cancelling one flight, making me run for the gate to catch another, and loosing my luggage to boot.

I hate flying.