GNB is still Alive

HOWTO: Create a Model Solar System

What We're Up To

What does creating a Model of the Solar System have to do with GNB still being alive?

Well, from one point of view, nothing at all. From another, everything.

Our writers have been up to stuff, see. From the usual being ill and recovering, to creating and selling software, starting businesses, working, writing and editing books and screenplays, doing radio broadcasts, writing for other publications, and All That Jazz...

Yes, we know there's an election. Meh. I just don't seem to care. Especially with the President's Press Secretary trashing the "Professional Liberal Left" and saying we should all go get drug tested. I'll take that drug test about the time President Obama keeps his fracking campaign promises.

Bush Lite at best. And in many cases, it's precisely what GWB would have done, just with a liberal face. Oh, I'm glad we got health care and yes, it looks as if with the Supreme Court confirmations we're going to manage to save SCOTUS from going over to the Dark Side for the next 40 years. Especially if Justice Ginsberg will allow President Obama to replace her, although I don't think that will happen unless he wins a second term -- and that isn't going to happen unless both he AND the economy shape the hell up.

None the less, as I said before the election, what really matters in the 2008 election more than anything else, is the Supreme Court. With two Justices now replaced with women (liberal) votes, this, truly more than ANYTHING that President Obama has done or will do in his entire first term of office, is what -- when I get angry at the difference between Candidate Obama and President Obama -- I reflect upon, and relax and am thankful, for indeed, we have saved the Supreme Court for another 20-30 years, a full generation.

As for GNB. Yes, we are here. I imagine that we'll pick up writing again at a faster pace again as summer comes to a close and fall begins. Right now, its much too damn hot to think of doing much of anything. All I want to do is sleep and read and watch old DVDs and take pain meds. However summer will end and the tempo of things will pick up. Right now life feels very "Doc Hollywood"ish... laid-back and just wanting to stay that way. "That's a fine pig you've got there Doc" and all, and summer festivels late in the evening as the sun finally goes down when its still 70 degrees at 9 pm and the teens and the old folks are dancing in the square with the dogs parking and kids running around. That's kinda what it's like at the moment. Writing a bunch when I could be sitting back and watching all the fun, well. I'd rather just sit here and make sure no one steals my pig.

*hugs to all* and hope you're having a fine summer

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GNB Art Break; Summer Bubbles

Jason Tozer: Bubbles

Photographer Jason Tozer was asked to take some pictures of bubbles by Creative Review magazine, using the new Sony Alpha camera.

I have always LOVED bubbles. I like the kid-toy plastic bottles where you make bubbles with the tiny wand. I played with SUPER BUBBLES for a while. I even like the teeny tiny ones that sometimes pop out of the dish soap bottle when you squeeze it lightly. This photo series is amazing. What a fun way to spend some time... photographing bubbles. Here are some of the behind the scenes how to shots as well.

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Chill Out; Open Thread

It is HOT and I mean HOT HOT HOT oh, and HUMID here in Tokyo. Ick. I forget every year how bad it gets. The good news is, I am soon headed to Austin for Netroots where it is also HOT. So what do I do to chill out and cool down?

I day dream about my Christmas trip to the Alps last year. That photo is one of mine, taken in Germany and it was very much the opposite of hot that day!

So...

1. What are you doing to cool off?
2. What is your favorite season anyway -- or are you in one of those temperate all year 'round paradises.
3. One piece or bikini? For the guys-- trunks or speedo?

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“Um...We're Gonna Need a Bigger Shark...”

“Swimmin' just e-nough, just-e-nough for the ci-tayyyyyy! Ow! Ooooch! Stop it! Yowtch!”

As my beloved city meanders into another somber September 11th anniversary, there are many out there, beyond the city who seem to wet their pants every damned day in paralyzed fear.

This is allegedly in some sort of twisted faux solidarity with a “fear” they think New Yorkers walk around with every day. We are scarred in our own ways (which will be elaborated on in a post later today), but afraid?

I suppose you'd have to be here, to grasp the stupidity of that idea.

Either be here, or turn up at the wrong place at the wrong time like a certain shark did this past week on Coney Island Beach. Hat tip to the fabulous Zuzu:

NEW YORK (AP) - September 4, 2007 - When a Coney Island lifeguard spied a shark near an upset group of swimmers, he did what he thought was right: He rescued the fish.

Marisu Mironescu, 39, said he was prompted to action Monday after seeing about 75 to 100 people circling the 2-foot sand shark off the beach and "bugging out."

"They were holding onto it and some people were actually hitting him, smacking his face," said Mironescu. "Well, I wasn't going to let them hurt the poor thing."

He grabbed the largely harmless shark in his arms and carried it, backstroking out to sea, where he let it go. "He was making believe like he's dead, then he wriggled his whole body and tried to bite me," Mironescu said.

A bunch of New Yorkers, cooling out on the last summer weekend in the lolling surf—beat the shit out of a poor shark who rolled up on 'em.

With their bare hands.

Slappin' him around.

To where the lifeguard...gimme a second.—If I type this while laughing, I'll mess this up—to where the lifeguard... had to save the shark's life.

It's this kind of story that makes me love this crazy-ass town that much more every day.

Afraid? No. Unpredictable and crazy as hell? Oh yes.

And control freak, buzzkill-ass Rudy Giuliani be damned, real New Yorkers wouldn't have it any other way.

Belt it, Bernadette!

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