April 22, 2019
"17th Anniversary Issue"

Short

An excerpt from the novel Victory Highway.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to get up in the morning and face the world.

A fable, as told to children. (Draft excerpt from 'Natural Causes', a NaNoWriMo 2003 work-in-progress)(Originally appeared 11-08-2003)

Forgotten and dusty, alone and unwanted. Even the cast out can long for freedom, fulfillment, and the joy of seeing a different life ... Originally appeared 2007-05-14.

Nonfiction

Exerpted from the "Filthy Piker Cook Book and Survival Guide", invaluable advice you can't afford not to know.

Notes from a man without a country and without a camera. What did you expect to see while sitting in a German sidewalk cafe?

...It was then the valiant crew set forth on a 3 month journey across the Atlantic, from England to the middle coast of the New World. They would call the place Jamestown, and the ship was Godspeed. The year was 1985.

In which we explore the difference between the search for The Absolute Truth, and the search for A Useful Explanation So We Can Get On With Our Lives and Maybe Catch A Movie Later. First appeared 2003-04-14

All the cool kids are doing it... creating artificial intelligence programs that respond to complex input as a person, or animal, or imaginary character might. What are some of the concerns in designing such a program? Part 1 of 2.

How can you prevent bot abuse and control the manner in which the program is manipulated? How can you stop it from annoying people, especially in heavy forums discussions with emotional significance? Can a program simulate tact? Read on. Part 2 of 2.

Official mascot of a trip to Hunter Island, South Carolina.

Opinion

The line you pick at the grocery store always seems to move the slowest. What's up with that? Use science to improve your shopping experience.

A tribute to a Man, and a Dream

What's wrong with these damn kids?

Serial

Part one of Victory Highway, a NaNoWriMo novel. We meet the protagonist, Mark, and a giant elephant. Part 1 of 26.

We learn about the elephant, and a little more about Mark, that murderer.

Mark makes a decision which may very well change his life. Or not.

Mark at the crossroads, and a ray of hope shines as he finally escapes South Jersey.

Mark ponders Classical/Romantic Duality at Mike's Famous Roadside Restaurant and has a coupla brewskis *hic*

When you drink as much as Mark does, it's hard to say if a situation is surreal, or if you're just that wasted, but there's something about this pool game that seems a little odder than most. Mark may win the game and the favors of the fair lady, but is he running the risk of losing something far more important?

His family is dead and he's teetering on the brink of insanity. In a dusty Baltimore pool hall, Mark plays the game of his life. Is he really a loser?

We follow Mark as he scrambles out of Baltimore, meets the irrepressible Doris, and reaches the Alleghenies.

Mark remembers meeting Laura for the first time (and the Evil Dr. Laura, too).

Part way down US40 and smack in the middle of memory lane, the countryside reminds Mark of the long-distance relationship which brought his beloved wife Laura, now dead, into his life. Sweet memories commingle with his bitter feelings as he recalls falling in love with her.

We see Nick, Jack, and Natasha again for a bit of light entertainment, and Mark mulls over the strength and beauty of glass.

Mark continues his journey through his past. We meet his grandparents, who helped inspire his original thirst, the thirst for knowledge.

Mark and Cliff resume their journey, coming home to meet a Special Guest Star! (or two... or three...)

Mark contemplates Perfectionism, and finds out where a real Stiffy is kept.

Mark wakes up in scenic Collinsville, IL... meets Gordi, and remembers some good times.

Mark reminisces about the rest of his family, and his first descent into darkness.

How can you deal with being treated as a Nice Guy and Just Friends, when you're neither? Mark deals with his past anger and love of demon alcohol, while making his way across Missouri.

Mark loses his way a bit in a fond memory, and succumbs to Hunger.

Mark continues mulling over his love life. If he had one now, would he continue to live in the past, you think?

Mark ponders evil, and the lesser of two thereof. What on earth does that mean? Better to fantasize than deal with RealPolitik.

After blessed intervention from The Censor, we resume the plot portion of Mark's journey through life, and the United States.

In Deepest Kansas, Mark's night with his dream girl continues. (Note: Mature content.)

Mark, at the crossroads, gets a push in the right direction from some old nut.

Mark passes through a *lot* of territory, really quickly. He meets an old friend of the family for the first time.

Mark faces his worst fears, and sees what True Love really is.

Our last installment... Mark learns about Low Friends in High Places, and ends his journey. You have to end to begin again.

Comics

Some folks use a flat rock instead of a cat, but the rock doesn't ask to be let in! With the Amazing Mystical Weather Cat, you have Weather on Demand!