Draco Tavern & Ringworld by Larry Niven

I was as a loss for something to read this afternoon. Nothing on my unread shelf grabbed me. I walked over to my bookcase where the "keepers" stay. My collection of Larry Niven's books caught my eye. Aha, The Draco Tavern! An anthology that makes me think. Just what I needed. After each short story I just have to look away for a moment or three and reflect. Did two loads of laundry while reading.

Well, I finished Draco Tavern along with the laundry. I've always loved the works of Larry Niven. His Known Space novels, especially the Ringworld adventures, have always given me a sense of awe. So, now I'm reading Ringworld for perhaps the fourth time. I still feel the, "Oh Wow."

So you want a Kindle, eh?

Amazon has snatched the copies of 1984 & Animal Farm from Kindle owners. Here's one report.

Heh, heh. George Orwell said we'd have no privacy and Big Brother would be controlling our lives. I think he would have found it hilarious and disturbing that Amazon did exactly what he postulated. For whatever reason. Amazon as Big Brother. I laugh out loud.

Greg

Celebrity Deaths

Ed McMahon died last week. He was a great entertainer, but prior to his stage accomplishments he was a distinguished Marine Corps fighter pilot in WWII earning six Air Medals and attaining the rank of Colonel. He was discharged in 1946 and was later promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the CA Air National Guard.

Farrah Fawcett died last week after a long career in Hollywood as an actress. After she was diagnosed with cancer, she became an activist for cancer treatment and devoted her last remaining years encouraging people to seek treatment. She documented her plight on film and used it to encourage others to stay positive and upbeat despite their diagnosis and suffering.

Michael Jackson died last week. He was perhaps one of the greatest singers of modern time. He will also be remembered for his eccentric lifestyle that included sleeping with a chimpanzee, living in a carnival-like atmosphere at Neverland, his fascination with Peter Pan, and his numerous masks and costumes. He also admitted to finding pleasure sleeping with young boys and paying out millions of dollars in settlements to the families of these boys despite being acquitted by a court on one allegation of sexual molestation.

QUESTION 1- Which of the above did the House of Representatives declare a moment of silence for? (Hint - It wasn't the first two.)

QUESTION 2- Which of the above's family received a personal note of condolence from President Obama? (Hint - It wasn't the first two.)

Now you know what kind of leaders it takes to honor a pervert.

Dr Suess Quote

Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter,
and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr. Suess