Mark L. Van Name's Blog, page 4

A new accusation

Over at Goodreads, a comment on my blog from yesterday surprised me with a new accusation:

Why are all authors communist? 

As I said in response there, "I'm not. I'm a Democrat. Not at all the same thing."

I know quite a few writers, and very few identify as communist, so I find the question as a whole baffling.

In today's highly polarized America, though, I probably should not be at all surprised.  We seem ever more intolerant of those who disagree with us.

Such a shame.

Way to go, Alabama!

I spent my first year of college in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama.  Though I didn't fall in love with the state, I came to see a lot of good in it, and parts were downright beautiful.  I think often of my time there. 

Tonight, the citizens of Alabama rejected Roy Moore and instead elected Doug Jones to a seat in the United State Senate.

Well done, Alabama!

It's getting all Christmas-y around here

As well it should, given the date. 

Click the image to see a larger version.
This year's tree, while not the biggest we've ever had, is definitely on the large side and sits nicely in this very tall space. 

In a few days, we will adorn it, and then the sparkling and the twinkling will commence.

My sinuses are miracle workers

They violate the laws of physics every time I catch a cold. 

They can create enough snot to soak towel after towel after towel, so much that I am completely confident that I could fill a fish tank with their production (you're welcome for that image), and yet I lose not an ounce of weight. 

They can run all day and all night without consuming energy. 

They can produce things that H.R. Giger and Ridley Scott would reject as being too scary to appear in any Alien film. 

They can in seconds turn my face a satanic red--and with no warning.

I do not heart my sinuses or the cold I am slowly beating.

I am very fortunate

to be able to work with the great people at Principled Technologies.  Tonight was our annual holiday party, what we call our seasonal celebration, and seeing all of my colleagues and their guests reminded me yet again how lucky I am to get to work with them.  As one of the company's owners and leaders, my biggest job is to serve our clients and my colleagues.  I hope to continue to improve in that role over the coming year.

It's almost that time

Yes, yes it is.



Soon, soon I'll do my giant viewing of this classic. 

The cold is still kicking my butt

and I have a long and full work day tomorrow, so I am signing off once again.

I hope tonight I can sleep.

I fought the cold, and the cold won

At least, so far it has.  I appear to have picked up a cold in Las Vegas--I blame Kyle, who was getting it on Sunday--and it has turned my sinuses and my throat into battlegrounds.

So, for me, it's work and sleep and not much else for a few days.

Las Vegas holiday views

Over at the Bellagio, the Christmas decorations weren't up yet, but the lobby had added this statue to its amazing collection of Chihuly glass.

Click an image to see a larger version.
Meanwhile, at the shops at the Aria, the decorators felt a little Christmas tree might spruce up the place.


Sister hotel The Cosmopolitan had its own smaller but brighter tree up on the terraced roof we visit each time we're in town.


At the other end of this section of roof, people were ice skating in the early evening chill.


Not to be outdone by anyone, the Wynn's lobby opted for a very different color scheme but an equally opulent effect.


The Palazzo shops featured this ribbon construction that I found lovely and almost mesmerizing.


And, of course, they added a giant bit of love in front of an indoor waterfall.


Vegas certainly bombards you with excess, but sometimes it also offers great beauty. 

The Bayeux Tapestry

Admit it:  The Folio Society's continuous printing version of this famed tapestry looks amazing.  Add to it their book on the tapestry's meaning, and you have a perfect Christmas gift--as long as you're willing to spend a mid-range internal organ on the pair.

I think I'll continue to lust for the volumes from afar.