S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 78
September 4, 2016
Yesterday was a Pretty Good Day
Over all, yesterday was a good day in the world of sports. What happened? Well, first of all, the Washington State Cougars lost to the Eastern Washington Eagles. And the Eagles are an FCS team (i.e., not FBS because the school is too small to be FBS, which is the top college football division). The score was 45 - 42 with the Cougars making a touchdown in the final seconds but it was too little, too late.One of my least favorite teams, USC, lost big time to Alabama. Of course, Alabama is ranked #1 in the AP poll and USC #20. UCLA also lost.
And the Mariners lost to the Anaheim Angels, a team that has a .444 record (after that win). The Mariners have pretty much been eliminated from any chance for a while card slot. Their 4-game losses to Texas show they aren't playoff contenders.
The only downside to the day was that the Nike Ducks won their football game. But they were playing a FCS team and didn't "Coug" it.
But the best part of the day was that the University of Washington Huskies (Go Dawgs!) won their season opener against Rutgers, a FBS team (admittedly, not a very good one). The Husky defense held Rutgers to 3 points in the first half of the game. But the fourth quarter the Huskies were playing second and third string players, which allowed Rutgers to score some points. The final score was 13-48.
The Huskies looked really good. Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning is improved even over the end of last season. And John Ross III is back and showed his strengths by making touchdowns from long passes. The first half was a thing of beauty. When the Huskies started playing second string players in the second half, it sort of turned into a boring preseason-like game in the NFL.
Next week the Huskies take on the Idaho Vandals, another not-very-good FBS team. In fact, the Vandals are going to switch to the FCS in 2018. I'll have to watch that on DVR probably on Sunday or late Saturday because I have a family function all day Saturday. And we'll have to see if the Huskies move up in the AP Poll and how far down USC and UCLA drop.
The difference between FBS and FCS is explained here.
September 3, 2016
Red Hot Summer Giveaway Almost Over!
It's your last chance to participate in the Red Hot Summer Giveaway with lots of prizes including a grand prize of $150 in PayPal cash. Plus lots of books both paperback and ebooks. So hurry up and enter, or you can't win a thing. Giveaway ends tomorrow!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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September 2, 2016
The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Leon Margie and Margy Millet
Today and the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Leon Margie and Margy Millet.
Leon MargieLeon MargieBorn in Perth Western Australia, Leon comes from a family rich in mining history. With having worked in the resource sector for the last 15 years as a manager in all the major industry sectors, from gold to oil, Leon has developed a very good knowledge of how the industry functions.
Leon's Book:
Profit of Death
Leon's Link:
Margy Millet
I was born Margarita L. Millet in Arecibo, Puerto Rico in 1958, the second child of Antonio and Blanca. My family moved to Worcester Massachusetts in 1973. In 1980 I married David Perez. Together we have raised three children, Leticia, Sofia and David. I’m the proud grandmother of five grandsons Ricardo, Evan, Alejandro, Fernando and Emmitt. My passions include writing, Latin music, dancing, reading and sports. I’m an avid Boston Red Sox fan.
I studied Business Management at Quinsigamond Community College where I earned an Associates Degree. I began my career as a Premium Collection Specialist at Paul Revere Companies in 1981 and have held several positions in the company, my last was an Underwriting Specialist in IDI Business Operations that ended in July 2013. I began writing seriously on a part time basis in 2008 and then as of July 2013 I began writing full time.
Margy's Books:
Daughter’s Revenge
My Vampire, My King
Way to a Stranger’s Heart
Margy's Links:
Website/Blog
Faceebook
Goodreads
From today's Show: Jupiter's Moon Io has a Collapsible Atmosphere.
Tune in to today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.
August 31, 2016
My Brain
Back to the 30-day blogging challenge that I'm doing in 30 or so weeks.Today's prompt is: "Something you miss."
As you get older, you end up missing a lot of things. I mostly miss my young brain. My brain used to be able to hold facts and figures like a steel trap. I rarely had to study in school because I remembered everything. Or I'd simply read through my notes again and that would refresh my memory enough to ace the test (this assumes the test wasn't one of those awful engineering tests with lots of calculations).
Even in my early 30s, when I took engineering classes in college, my brain worked pretty well. Not as well as in the my 20s, but a lot better than it does now. I was always amazed at people who had to write down test dates and due dates as I could just carry all that in my head with perfect accuracy. As I got into my 40s, I still tried to do that but I would forget things or forget dates. I started using a calendar, first on paper, then on the computer.
Now in my mid-50s, my brain still works pretty well. But I'm not nearly as able to remember things as I could in my 20s and 30s.
When I lived in Seattle in my 20s, and I would drive the busy freeways, I would have a mental picture in my mind of where ever car around me was. And I'd update it ever few seconds by checking my mirrors, So I'd know if I car had sneaked into my blind spots. I can still do that, but only in low-traffic situations. And it annoys me.
So I miss my young brain.
August 26, 2016
The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Kristan Cannon and Andi Katsina
Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome Kristan Cannon and Andi Katsina.
Kristan CannonKristan CannonKristan Cannon was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario and educated in North Bay and Toronto. She is a staunch supporter of literacy, reading, and young writer's programs. She also holds a current membership with The Indie Writer's Network and is a member of the NaNoWriMo Ambassador's program. When not researching or writing, Kristan exists for sailing with friends and family... or for video games and books when snow and ice have the boat locked in its slip and she can't get away.
Kristan's Books:
After Oil (Kingdom of Walden Book One)
The Last Iron Horse (Kingdom of Walden Book Two)
Kristan's Links:
Website
Blog
Google+
YouTube
Goodreads
Andi Katsina
Hello my friends. My name is Andi Katsina. I'm English, of rich Irish, African descent. Born in London, as an orphan I grew up in Manchester, England.
I‘m a vegetarian and an environmentalist.
Throughout my school years I was a champion athlete and swimmer, going on to become an athletics coach, swimming teacher and youth leader. After which time I was trained as a Chartered Accountant. Interrupting my training, I branched out, working freelance as a trouble shooter in the field of accountancy. Six years of adding and subtracting, was followed by two years of trading as an international commodities broker. This led me to the sedentary position of ‘trader in antique, oriental carpets’.
It was at this juncture that I became completely inspired to become an Indie Author.
As a ‘school kid’ I very much enjoyed writing plays in English, Latin and French. Fortunately, for me, writing came naturally. I so enjoy writing stories that give people, especially young people and people young at heart, the chance to exercise their own imagination.
I love taking my readers on fantastic journeys. The enjoyment and taste of adventure my stories give to my readers, warms me greatly.
Andi's Books:
Mr. Fire
The Equinox Sequence; Fur
Phat Girl & The Sankara Parasite
Andi's Links:
Website
Fundraising
From Today's Show: Private Company Given Permission for Moon Landing
Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.
August 24, 2016
Some Cousins Have Issues
Back to the 30-day Blogging Challenge that I'm doing in 30-odd weeks.
Today's prompt is: "A family member you dislike."
I have these cousins, you see, and they are so set in their ways (some have even unfriended me on Facebook), that I have trouble liking them. I don't know how my family turned out these people. Apparently their parents didn't raise them right. But what are you going to do, they're family?
So, that was short.
Today's prompt is: "A family member you dislike."
I have these cousins, you see, and they are so set in their ways (some have even unfriended me on Facebook), that I have trouble liking them. I don't know how my family turned out these people. Apparently their parents didn't raise them right. But what are you going to do, they're family?
So, that was short.
August 21, 2016
Huskies are Ranked in AP Poll
The Associated Press (AP) poll of college football teams (I believe they poll sports writers where the USA Today Poll is coaches, I think) came out today. The AP poll is the older are more prestigious of the polls. It's also the one used to determine which teams go to the BCS playoffs.And in the AP poll, the University of Washington Huskies are ranked #14. They are the second highest Pac-12 team ranked, after Stanford (8). They are ranked higher than UCLA (16), USC (20), and Huskies' rival in the Pac-12 North, the Oregon (Nike) Ducks (24).
The Washington State Cougars aren't ranked in the top 25. They did receive enough votes to be #29 if the poll went that far. Also Utah would be #28.
So obviously Stanford is the team to beat this year.
The season starts September 3rd with a home game against Rutgers. I'm really looking forward to the start of college football.
It's been along slog since the early 2000s when the Huskies were dominate and won a national championship. We've gone through horrible coaches and the Pac-12's only 0-12 season. But now, with Coach Chris Petersen in his third year, it's coming together. We might even beat the hated Ducks, which we haven't since 2004.
Go Dawgs!
August 19, 2016
The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Isabeau Vollhardt and John Vespasian
Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Isabeau Vollhardt and John Vespasian.
Isabeau VollhardtIsabeau VollhardtIsabeau Vollhardt received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and English Composition from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, in 1980, where she studied Novel Writing with Charles Johnson, and the Philosophy of Science Fiction with Michelle Beer. A longtime reader of Victorian era authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, she was writing The Casebook of Elisha Grey in part as an homage to Doyle and in part as a result of her readings of esoteric works on Atlantis, when she began studies at Samra University of Oriental Medicine in 1991. Graduating with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine and receiving licensure to practice acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, she then went on to receive training in Reiki, reaching level IV (Seichem) Reiki training. Energy work and intuitive work in a variety of realms have been part of her personal and professional life since 1985 and encompasses study of Kuang Ping style taijiquan, shuilong qi gong, feng shui, clairvoyancy, Western Astrology, Native American journeywork, and Iai-Batto-Ho. She currently lives in Ashland, Oregon, where she has been in private practice since 1997, and continues to write. She has had several articles published in print and on line regarding feng shui and acupuncture, and her short story "Farewell at a Graveside" was published by Innisfree Magazine, a literary journal, in 1990.
Isabeau's Books:
The Casebook of Elisha Grey
The Casebook of Elisha Grey II
The Casebook of Elisha Grey III
Isabeau's Links:
Blog
John Vespasian
John VespasianJOHN VESPASIAN is the author of seven books about rational living, including "When Everything Fails, Try This" (2009), "Rationality Is the Way to Happiness" (2009), "The Philosophy of Builders: How to Build a Great Future with the Pieces from Your Past" (2010), "The 10 Principles of Rational Living" (2012), "Rational Living, Rational Working: How to Make Winning Moves When Things Are Falling Apart" (2013), "Consistency: The Key to Permanent Stress Relief" (2014), and "On Becoming Unbreakable: How Normal People Become Extraordinarily Self-Confident" (2015).
John's Books:
When Everything Fails, Try This
On Becoming Unbreakable: How Normal People Become Extraordinarily Self-Confident (non-fiction)
Consistency: The Key to Permanent Stress Relief (non-fiction)
John's Links:
Blog
From Today's Show: Black Holes Warp Spacetime.
Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.
August 17, 2016
Five Things I Fear
Back to the 30-day blogging challenge (that I'm doing in 30 or so weeks). Today's topic is "Five Things that I Fear."Well, other than venomous spiders and snakes, there are things I fear. I wrote the following on my old blog in 2009 and it just happens to have five things that I still fear:
1) Government: One only has to look at hell holes like Zimbabwe or North Korea to see how government can make humanity miserable. And the more power we give to government, the more power it will have to make our lives nasty, brutish, and likely short (socialized medicine). I believe this is the most likely threat to mankind as too many people see government as benevolent and wish to give it more and more power. Probability: High
2) World-wide Caliphate: Since the West is showing less and less resolve in standing up to radical Islam, we could find ourselves living under Sharia law (as is happening more and more in Britain). Even most Muslims don't want what the radical Taliban/Bin Ladin arm of Islam wants. But fewer and fewer have the courage to stand up to it. Probability: Medium
3) Disease: Some nasty, fatal, easily spreadable version of, oh, Ebola for example, develops from random mutations and spreads quickly across the globe killing most if not all human. And you need a certain critical mass to maintain our civilization so any survivors will be thrown back into the stone age. Probability: Low
4) Cosmic event: Asteroid or comet hits the Earth, wiping out most if not all humans. Or a nearby gamma ray burster fries the planet wiping out all life. Probability: Very Low
5) Geological event: The supervolcano at Yellowstone erupts plunging the planet into volcanic winter and dumping many feet of ash over most of North America. Or some other geological (probably volcanic) event. Probability: Very Low
August 12, 2016
The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Harry Heckel and Dina Rae
Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Harry Heckel and Dina Rae.
Harry HeckelHarry HeckelHarry Heckel started by writing pen and paper roleplaying games before moving into novels. He’s co-authored two Space Wolf novels set in the Warhammer 40K universe as Lee Lightner, and currently is the co-author of The Charming Tales series from Harper Voyager under the name Jack Heckel. He has a few independent novels under his own name and still does freelance work for roleplaying, board game and miniature wargame companies. He lives in central Virginia with his wife, daughter and two crazy cats, Nebula and Quasar.
Harry's Books:
A Fairy-Tale Ending
The Pitchfork of Destiny
HeroNet Files Vol. 1 – Hidden Strengths
Harry's Links:
Website/Blog
Website 2
Blog 2
Dina RaeDina RaeDina Rae brings an academic element to her novels. Halo of the Nephilim, Halo of the Damned, The Last Degree, and Bad Juju weave research and suspense throughout the plots. Her short story, "Be Paranoid Be Prepared," is a prequel to The Last Degree, focusing on the James Martin character. Big Pharma, Big Agri, Big Conspiracy is Dina's first nonfiction work.
Dina lives with her husband, two daughters, and one dog outside of Dallas. She is a Christian, an avid tennis player, movie buff, teacher, and self-proclaimed expert on several conspiracy theories. She has been interviewed numerous times in e-zines, websites, blogs, newspapers, and radio programs. When she is not writing she is reading novels from her favorite authors Dan Brown, Stephen King, Brad Thor, George R.R. Martin, and Preston & Childs. She also enjoys reading about religion, UFOs, New World Order, government conspiracies, political intrigue, and other cultures. Her newest novel, The Best Seller, is released by Solstice Publishing.
Dina's Books:
The Best Seller
Big Agri, Big Pharma, Big Conspiracy
Halo of the Nephilim
Dina's Links:
Blog
From Today's Show: How our Brains Learn Physics
Listen to today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.
