Bart King's Blog, page 227
September 22, 2011
Computers are going to be SO cool!
This computer guide came out in 1974. Those were innocent times; a computer was an electronic typewriter. That said, the design of this book is actually quite good.
As for the computer criminals of yesteryear, they were FAR more glamorous than today's seedy hackers!
From World of Tomorrow—School, Work and Play by Neil Ardley (1981,
Franklin Watts).
The Bulpington of Blup
If you've ever struggled to come up with a decent title for your story, blog post, or turtleneck sweater, rest assured that you can do better than H.G. Wells.
In 1932, Wells' novel, The Bulpington of Blup, was published. So no matter how bad your ideas seem, remember that you can never do worse than that!
Book from here.
September 21, 2011
How Much Is That Author in the Window?
Best-selling children's author Bart King will
be writing his next book in the front window of A Children's Place bookstore
(4807 NE Fremont, Portland, OR) from October 3-7.
Passersby will see King writing his new YA novel,
No Vampires. No Zombies. One Demon.
Additionally, they may be treated to rare glimpses of the writer chatting,
snacking, and goofing off.
King is engaging in this impressive act as a
lead-in to Wordstock, Portland's premier literary event. (Wordstock's main
events are October 8-9 at the Oregon Convention Center.) But he also has more selfish motives.
"There
are too many distractions when I write at home," the author said. "The bird
chirps; good grief, the chirps! It's maddening. But by sequestering myself away
from all human contact in this bookstore window, I'll finally get some work
done."
King's laptop will be projected onto a large
screen, so his progress will be visible to all. "I'll be open to suggestions as
I write," the author said. "I'm especially willing to listen to any film offers."
But wait—King is best known for his humorous
nonfiction. Why is he writing his first novel in a shop window? "True, this
project is outside of my usual comfort zone," King replied. "So I'm writing
this book in my DIScomfort zone. Ha! Do you see what I did there?"
This event will be quite a thrill for visitors
interested in seeing a writer in his natural habitat. Particularly grateful
onlookers may choose to take advantage of the author's Tip Jar.
The Oregonian
— A CHILDREN'S PLACE has been the premier children's bookstore in the Pacific
Northwest for over thirty years. While it has hosted events with authors like
Rick Riordan, Suzanne Collins, and Brian Jacques, nothing can match the
excitement the staff is feeling for this happening. (503) 284-8294
— BART KING writes funny books for younger readers and immature adults. His most
recent is Cute! A Guide to All Things
Adorable. Bart has over a half-million books in print,
B. King's Writing Schedule
Mon.,
Oct. 3: 3-6 PM Tues.,
Oct, 4: 2-5 PM Wed.,
Oct. 5: 3-6 PM
Thur.,
Oct. 6th: 2-5 PM Fri., Oct. 7th: 1:30-4:30 PM
September 20, 2011
Ballboy takes header!
And people say soccer isn't a dangerous sport...
Very Important News!
I have a guest post over at Raincoast Books today.
Hmm, I guess that's not all that important. Heheh, ouch.
"Prince of Librarians"
And here I had always thought that librarians were an egalitarian bunch. But if anyone could rise to a position of royalty among them, I guess it'd be Antonio Panizzi.
September 19, 2011
College is so awesome.
Here's how great higher education can be: Kate Miltner attended the prestigious London School of
Economics. And she's handed in her dissertation to get a Master's degree from
the prestigious university.
Her paper's learned topic: Internet memes. Specifically,
lolcats. If that sounds silly, here's how Miltner describes the work she'll be
doing for ad companies as translating "brands' needs into results-focused
digital strategies."
In other words, trying to come up with the next lolcat or
Old Spice Guy.
Of course, Miltner was doing independent study for her degree. But there are also plenty of readymade university courses
available to undergrads:
—How to Watch Television Montclair State
You're doing it wrong.
—Joy of Garbage Santa
Clara University
—Theory and History of Video Games Swarthmore
"Historical, cultural and
formal perspectives on video games, tracing their emergence as new medium, big
business, and social force."
—Fly Fishing Montana
State
MS also offers courses in
pocket billiards, bowling fundamentals, or Skiing, Snowboarding and
Telemarking.
—Physics for Future Presidents UC Berkeley
Special topics for future
leaders include spy satellites, medical imaging, nuclear weapons and energy conservation.
—Zombies in Popular Media Columbia College Chicago
"…final projects foster
thoughtful connections between student disciplines and the figure of the
zombie."
—Cyborg Anthropology Lewis & Clark College
"Cultural practices
surrounding the production and consumption of technoscientific and biomedical
knowledge."
—Tightwaddery, or the Good Life on a Dollar a Day Alfred University
—The Textual Appeal of Tupac Shakur University of Washington
"Explores the
philosophical, historical and literary influences of the late rapper and
activist, Tupac Shakur."
—"Oh, Look, a Chicken!" Embracing Distraction as a Way
of Knowing Belmont University
From the catalog
description:
"This course will pursue ways of knowing through
embracing [little ants, carrying a morsel of food across the table] what it
means to be a distracted [I could sure enjoy a peanut butter sandwich right
now] learner as well as [OMG--I get to go to the beach this summer] developing
an awareness [I need to trim my fingernails] of one's senses. The instructor
teaches in the school of music, [do I hear water dripping?] so there will be an
element related to that woven [spiders are amazing] into the course. [oh, it's
the fish tank behind me] Those registering for this section may even learn to
juggle [I'll be right down, I just have to finish this...what was I working
on?]."
Gilmore Girls screenshot from here. Undergraduate courses drawn from mental floss.
"Green Eggs and Ham, rehashed
Ah, there's nothing like sprucing up a classic with a more appropriate title and/or cover art!
Hamlet, reconsidered.
Stieg Larsson's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo just gets a different dragon.
And Joseph Conrad's Into the Heart of Darkness is now a Maurice Sendak-ish children's adventure!
P.S. I'm not linking back to the self-apparent source for family-friendly reasons.
