Gordon Dymowski's Blog, page 13

October 14, 2016

Seeking Your Help While I Help Mom


This past week has been....well, rough.

I've been shifting back and forth caring for Mom, and although the freelance work has been steady, it's been...well, declining. I'm still trying to find good, well-paying work.

And like many people, I've fallen a bit behind in my finances. So I'm doing what many do and asking for help.

You can read more details at my YouCaring page - it's a big amount, I know, but it will help take care of my immediate needs.

And please feel free to forward this page - I co...
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Published on October 14, 2016 08:54

October 5, 2016

Chicago Doctor Who Meetup's Now on Patreon!


As many of you know, I run the Chicago Doctor Who Meetup, which runs screenings, social events, and basically works to reach to Doctor Who fans throughout the city of Chicago.

But running the Meetup can be challenging, especially when many costs are out-of-pocket. Currently, we have been able to pay our Meetup fees through member donations, but with an increased demand for more Doctor Who-related events, we need more resources.

So I'm happy to announce that today, we're launching the Chicago Do...
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Published on October 05, 2016 14:25

October 4, 2016

Today's Quiz THIS, Pal! Post

Everyone,

The following pictures highlight....well, they all factor into various parts of my writing docket.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to figure out how they relate, and which two photos related to one specific piece.

Use only number two pencils, color inside the oval, and no cheating!











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If you can see this, that means you're reading this in a feed reader - why not visit the blog at blogthispal.blogspot.com?
(Be sure to avo...
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Published on October 04, 2016 11:04

October 2, 2016

Your Must-Watch Documentary About Australian Punk Rock

Seriously - Watch. This. Now.




You'll thank me later. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you can see this, that means you're reading this in a feed reader - why not visit the blog at blogthispal.blogspot.com?
(Be sure to avoid blogthispal.com for now - it's being held by a cybersquatter. And he doesn't deserve the traffic.)
Or check out any of my other activities via gordondymowski.com?

You'll thank me later.
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Published on October 02, 2016 17:55

September 26, 2016

Review: CARRIERS: PIRATE BAY/WATCHERS IN THE NIGHT

(Special thanks to Pilot Studios for providing electronic copies for review)

I have to admit, much of my enthusiasm for comics has waned thanks to the ever-prevalent cycle of reboot/revamp/recon of the majors....but sometimes, a comic can serve as a reminder of the power of the medium....and that, despite the material, comics can be imaginative and fun.

Carriers: Pirate Bay # 1   and Carriers: Watchers in the Night from Pilot Studios are imaginative, fun reads...and deserve your a...
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Published on September 26, 2016 06:52

September 25, 2016

Today's National Comic Book Day


So if you're looking for comics to read today, but don't have a ton of cash - check out the Digital Comic Museum, which possesses a large number of public domain Golden Age Comics available for download.
Also, download Comical to read them - it's an open source CBR reader. It's free (with no toolbars/malware), and will make reading your downloads easier.
Enjoy!

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Published on September 25, 2016 11:40

September 24, 2016

The Ballad of Terry Jones & Monty Python

It's cliche to say that we've lost many talented people in 2016 (both famous and common), but this is the first news that totally and completely guts me.

Yesterday, I was taking care of Mom's cat (another hospital visit....too many nowadays), when I read that Terry Jones of Monty Python was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia.

News like that is never easy to take - trust me, I've been living in the shadow of another's illness for awhile. With death, there's the sudden shock, followed by grie...
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Published on September 24, 2016 11:53

September 20, 2016

I Hereby Declare Today NATIONAL BLACK BAT DAY

Recently, while perusing Twitter, I came across this Tweet that was forwarded by this fine individual. 

And I agree...if we can have a "National Batman Day", why not a "National Black Bat Day"?

(OK, I have an ulterior motive....I'm looking to get people to purchase Black Bat Mystery - Volume 3 [image error] , which contains my story, "The Magnificent Anderson".

But why not a holiday? After all, the Black Bat is probably one of the best - and least known - pulp characters.

How cool is he? Well, check out t...
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Published on September 20, 2016 07:30

September 19, 2016

Mondays with Columbo: A DEADLY STATE OF MIND

Psychology was big in the 1970s....

...and when I say "psychology", I mean more self-help. There was a mix of both self-actualization/self-awareness with a slight sense of narcissism. Portrayals of mental health professionals tended to fall into two categories.

Bob Newhart played one type: George Hamilton played the other in this episode of Columbo.

In fact, I'll wager that the psychiatrist-who-has-an-inappropriate-relationship-with-their-client trope has become very overused, much like the "cri...
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Published on September 19, 2016 17:31

September 18, 2016

As The Blogaround Turns

Next Door Chicago 04

Things have been a bit...interesting. Nothing major, but plenty to keep me busy. And in that spirit, here are some other appearances and writings online - mostly to provide tons of reading pleasure and provide a little search engine love.

So if you missed it, I made another appearance on WBEZ's Morning Shift to discuss Star Trek....and in fact, there's even a short little video as well.

Not only did the most recent Trek-themed Chicago Now post earn a mention in the Nonprofit Quarterl...
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Published on September 18, 2016 07:26