Jump to content

Smiley

Sysops
  • Posts

    953
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    23

Everything posted by Smiley

  1. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on October 22nd, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), October 23rd], for a discussion of the story The Belles of the Brawl by Jesse Weiner. The story is a recent offering of the Saturday Evening Post. Its an entertaining, light hearted, coming of age story that I think everyone will enjoy. It is not a story that demands a lot of thought or insight to understand, and I guarantee that it does not have any hidden meanings. It's the kind of story that we usually find leading to a really good chat. . This story is available at: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2016/09/30/post-fiction/contemporary-fiction-art-entertainment/the-belles-of-the-brawl.html Webchat address: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all at the chat, and please, don't forget to shanghai a friend. Log attached: the belles-log.txt the belles-log.txt
  2. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on Saturday, October 15th, 2016, 00:30 A.M., i.e. 0030 hrs, Sunday, October 16th (GMT), for a discussion of the story CHECKSUM Checkmate by Tony Daniel. Hurricane Matthew combined with some unfriendly bacteria and knocked several of our regular members off line over the weekend of October 8/9, so we postponed the discussion until the following week. Please join us then... Daniel, born in 1963, is an experienced science fiction writer, editor, and critic. He was a lecturer in science fiction as literature, screenplays, and in graduate writing workshops at the University of Texas at Dallas from 2006-2011. He was also senior story editor at scifi.com's Seeing Ear Theater from 2000–2002, where he wrote, produced and directed several productions. His stories have frequently appeared in Gardner Dozois' The Year's Best Science Fiction anthologies. As well as writing, Daniel is currently employed as an editor with Baen Books. He lives with his wife and two children in Raleigh, NC. This story, pure science fiction, postulates a future where artificial intelligence's assume an active roll in human endeavor. It explores the relationships between those "AI's" in their cyborg bodies and real flesh and bones humans, as well as examining the discrimination and frictions between those two types of intelligent life. (On one hand, the tale makes one wonder whether Fovea isn't an advance scout for a potential AI revolutionary army, on the other, it seems to examine the misunderstanding between ethnic groups in our own real world.) The story might require more than a quick read, but the quality of the writing (in my opinion) makes several readings both enjoyable and thought provoking. The story is available from: http://www.baen.com/readonline/index/read/sku/9781618240668 The link will take you to the cover page of an anthogy, and by clicking on the chapter 1 link (or by selecting the list option) you can navigate to the story. The entire anthology can be downloaded, gratis, in any e-reader format you choose, or you can read it on line. Webchat address: http://koach.com/chatlogin.php?chan=readers_corner from that page, type in your nick name, password if you have one, and click "login". mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope you all can attend. I look forward to some interesting discussion about the implications (both social and scientific) of the story. And I will bring a can of contact cleaner for use by any AI's that want to join us for the discussion.
  3. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on October 1st, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), October 2nd], for a discussion of the story How Voter-Gunknut Became 99.8% Jail by Robin White, a British expatriate currently residing in New York City. It is a tongue in cheek comment on the potential effects of excessive government regulation. It is an entertaining story that should give the reader a number of chuckles if not belly laughs. This story is a recent offering of the Saturday Evening Post. It's available at: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2016/06/10/post-fiction/contemporary-fiction-art-entertainment/voter-gunknut-became-99-8-jail.html Webchat address: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner Please put the chat on your calendar, and don't forget to tell your friends about us. Log attached: log_readers_20161001.txt
  4. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on September 24th, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), September 25th], for a discussion of the story Cadet Cruise by David Drake. It is a fun read. David Drake is one of my favorite writers, a specialist in writing military science fiction. Drake is a North Carolina native who, on graduation from college was drafted and sent to Vietnam where he served as an interrogator for the military intelligence detachment of the 11th Cavalry Regiment (the Black Horse Regiment). After his military service he graduated from Duke University Law School and for several years practiced law in the Tar Hill State. He began writing seriously in the early 1970's. Drake is most well known for a series of novels involving "Hammer's Slammers", a highly effective mercenary until with various contracts to support planetary governments facing civil war or intergalactic aggression. Those books reflect his service with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, with the equipment and tactics employed by the Slammers a modernized model of the weapons and tactics used by the 11th ACR in Southeast Asia. The story fits into the general plot line of a more recent sci-fi series about the "Republic of Cinnabar Navy". and deals with the adventures of a group of Naval Academy Cadets during a training cruise. I think you ill like it. To answer Dash's usual question of why I picked this story, I can gie two reasons. First I really like the story. Second, but not less important, a good old fashioned sci-fi yarn is always effective Star bait. The story is available from: http://www.baen.com/cadet_cruise Webchat address: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all for our chat, and don't forget to bring a friend. Log Attached: readers_corner...20160924.txt
  5. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on September 17th, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), September 18th], for a discussion of the story Joe's Coffee House by Jack Bristow It is an entertaining blink into the world of the illegal firearms trade. It''s a quick read and I think you will enjoy it. The story is a recent offering of the Saturday Evening Post and is available on line at: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2016/04/29/post-fiction/contemporary-fiction-art-entertainment/joes-coffee-house.html Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all for our discussion of the story, and don't forget to bring a friend. Log attached: readers_corner....20160917.txt
  6. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on September 10th, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), September 11th], for a discussion of the story And Again to the Principal's Office by David Andrew Stoler. It is an interesting and in some places amusing examination of the frustrations faced by teachers in the American public schools. David Andrew Stoler is an experienced journalist and filmmaker; he has been honored by The New York Times, the Smithsonian National Museum, and many others for his work in film, print, and in the classroom. He teaches writing to at-risk children and young adults through the Teachers & Writers Collaborative, and undergraduates at City College (CCNY) & Berkeley College in New York City, and is the founder of "misanthropictures", a full service film production company. The story is available from Carve Magazine; this one in the Winter of 2016 edition: http://www.carvezine.com/story/2016-winter-stoler Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner i hope you all enjoy the story, and I am confident we will have fun discussing it in #readers_corner. Log attached: readers log sep 10 2016.txt
  7. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on September 3rd, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), September 4th], for a discussion of the story Adrift by Terry Burlison. During our last chat, 'cordnblu' indicated that he preferred the more classic short stories (those with a plot) and mentioned a few of my favorite authors (Asimov, Clark, etc.) as writers he enjoyed. I located such a story, albeit one recently written, and think it will make for an interesting discussion. Adrift is a traditional style Science Fiction story, one that depends on use of a sound scientific principle to resolve the conflict or solve the problem. The resolution depends on human ingenuity to apply that principle and limited tools at hand in an effective manner. I enjoyed the story and I am fairly certain that both cordnblu and Star will love it. The story is available on line at the Baen Books web site: http://www.baen.com/readonline/index/read/sku/9781625794987 Baen publishes an annual anthology of short stories available free on line. This story is included in the 2016 anthology. The link will take you to a cover of the 2016 collection of free stories. Click the 'next' link at the top right of the web page to get to the table of contents then click the story title "Adrift". Alternately, from the cover page, click story "1" box in the matrix on the left hand margin. Oh, the story can be read on line or downloaded into the e-reader format of your choice. Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner i hope you all enjoy the story. And please bring a friend with you to the next chat. LOG ATTACHED: #readers_corner.20160903.txt
  8. It looks almost like the bikers were trying to paint a picture with tire tracks in the ash.... or is that tyre tracks. At any rate, that's quite an adventure.
  9. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on August 27th, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT), August 28th], for a discussion of The Last Taco Truck in Silicon Valley by Michelle Richmond. This story is an earlier offering on the Cnet web site than offered us Eros, the story we discussed on the 13th of this month. Unlike that tale, this one is not science fiction, Its connection with the technical world is tenuous at best; the most connection to information technology being its setting in San Jose, California. it is a tongue in cheek examination of the economics of internet businesses. It is a funny story. Oh, like the other Cnet story we have discussed, the on line version is illustrated with some imaginative graphics. They are cleverly tied to the story and I think you will enjoy them as well. The story is available on line at: http://www.cnet.com/technically-literate/the-last-taco-truck-in-silicon-valley/the-last-taco-truck-in-silicon-valley Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner i will bring a virtual case of Dos Equis and Koach will bring his special appetizer of taco chips and green salsa dip. I hope to see you all for the chat. Don't forget to bring a friend. LOG ATTACHED: Readers Log 082716.txt
  10. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on August 20th, 2016, [00:30 A.M. (GMT)], August 21st, for a discussion of Pay Me by Zravka Evtimova. The story is one of an anthology of avant garde short stories, Articulated 2016, published by Tayen Lane Publishing. The story is an English translation of one originally written in Bulgarian. The story is available on Electric Lit an on line magazine of book reviews, essays, and similar articles of interested to readers web site devoted to reviews, essays, and critiques of interest to readers. The on-line version of the story is prefaced by an interesting introduction to both the author and the story. I recommend that you read that introduction before diving into the story itself; it may give you some insight into the author's outlook which will help in understanding the story. The story is available on line at: https://electricliterature.com/pay-me-by-zdravka-evtimova-38ae3c39a636#.30nip530u Please note: The story link opens to a large graphic of hands dripping with cherry juice, scroll down to the introduction and then farther to the actual story. You can skip the introduction and if you want by clicking the "jump to story" link below the picture. Webchat adress for the readers' corner chat room: http://koach.com/chatlogin.php?chan=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all at the discussion. Don't forget to bring a friend.
  11. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on August 13th, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT)], August 14th, for a discussion of Eros by Nayomi Munaweera. The story was discovered by Koach unexpectedly on the CNET.com (a web based technical publication offering reviews of electronics and computer software as well as downloads of various computer applications). The on-line magazine recently started offering a section called "Technically Literate" bringing a literary view to actual or anticipated technical developments. This story is one of those offerings. Eros poses the question: "When it's impossible to distinguish true love from passion induced by an illegal chemical, does anyone really care?" It examines the issue of marital fidelity when infatuation with another man threatens a marriage. I brings into question the moral, societal, and economic pressures of infidelity. Although the story falls into the general category of science fiction, I think that even those readers who do not normally appreciate scifi will like this tale. I am absolutely certain that it will provide grist for our chat mill. Fair warning, the story is published using BeeLine. According to CNET: "Reading long-form content online can be tough on your eyes, so we're using technology from BeeLine Reader that makes reading easier and more enjoyable. BeeLine uses a color gradient that guides your eyes from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, and their tech was featured by the American Optometric Association," fortunately that feature can be disabled. Oh, the story has some very nice illustrations on line. If you copy/paste the story into a word processor, those illustrations will not be imported into the copy. Some of the illustrations are large enough that you may have to scroll down to find the next section of story text, so don't confuse the end of a paragraph before the illustration as the end of the story. The story is available on line at: http://www.cnet.com/technically-literate/eros/#ftag=CAD-04-10aac3d Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all at the discussion. Don't forget to bring a friend. Log Attached: Readers Corner 08-13-16.txt
  12. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on August 6th, 2016 [00:30 A.M. (GMT)], August 7th, for a discussion of Cat in the Rain by Ernest Hemingway. The story was originally published in 1925 in a collection of Hemingway's stories. Like many of his short stories, the tale is brief may require more than one reading to fully understand. I think you all will enjoy the story and I am certain you will enjoy our discussion of it. There are many on line sources of information on Hemingway, his writings in general, and this story in particular. Google will provide links to many of them. The story is available as a pdf file for reading on line or downoad at: http://www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/resources/seminars/activities/handouts/Hemingway.pdf Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all at the discussion. Don't forget to bring a friend. Log Attached: #readers_corne-.20160806.txt
  13. I knew what they are, but you have me stumped trying to find the link to the web site.
  14. · If I had a dollar for every girl that found me unattractive, they'd eventually find me very attractive. · I find it ironic that the colors red, white, and blue stand for freedom, until they're flashing behind you. · Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool, so I gave him a glass of water. · Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity. · I'm great at multi-tasking -- I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at once. · If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame. · Take my advice — I'm not using it. · My wife and I were happy for twenty years; then we met. · Hospitality is the art of making guests feel like they're at home when you wish they were. · Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. · Ever stop to think and forget to start again? · Women spend more time wondering what men are thinking than men spend thinking. · He who laughs last thinks slowest. · Is it wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly? · Women sometimes make fools of men, but most guys are the do-it-yourself type. · I was going to give him a nasty look, but he already had one. · Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. · I was going to wear my camouflage shirt today, but I couldn't find it. · If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. · Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep. · If tomatoes are technically a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie? · Money is the root of all wealth. · No matter how much you push the envelope; it'll still be stationery.
  15. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M. (EDST) on July 30, 2016 (12:30 A.M., July 31st (GMT) ), for a discussion of The Sheriff's Children by Charles Chesnutt. Chesnutt was a black American author in the early 20th century and one of the first to address the issue of racism. We read another of his stories back in 2012. I think you will appreciate this story, and I am sure we will have an interesting discussion about it. The story is available on line at: http://fullreads.com/literature/the-sheriffs-children/ Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see you all for the chat. Don't forget to bring a friend. Log Attached: #readers_corner20160730.txt
  16. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M.(EDST) on July 23, 2016 (00:30 A.M. (GMT), July 24th) for a discussion of Every Hero an Hombre, Every Wolf a Clown" by Doug Lane. The story is a recent (February 2016) offering of the Saturday Evening Post. It's a humorous tale that should give you a few chuckles, if not any actual roll on the floor guffaws. I'm sure we will have an interesting chat about the story, and I have hopes that both the male and female segments of our group will find the tale fun. The story is available on line at: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2016/02/26/post-fiction/contemporary-fiction-art-entertainment/every-hero-an-hombre-every-wolf-a-clown.html Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner Don't forget to bring a friend (dragging them in by the heels is allowed). Log Attached: readers_corner20160723.txt
  17. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M.(EDST) on July 16th, 2016 (23:30 P.M. [GMT]), July 16th, for a discussion of The Age of the Warrior by Hank Reinhardt. Julius Henry (Hank) Reinhardt (January 18, 1934 -- October 30, 2007 was an American author, editor, science fiction fan, and noted authority on medieval weapons. He also founded the Historical Armed Combat Association and branches of the Society for Creative Anachronism in Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. Much of Reinhardt's writing was non-fiction dealing with the design, manufacture, and use of weaponry in the middle-ages. "The Age of the Warrior" is an ambiguous title, pertaining to the era in which a warriors ware key to the survival of civilization as well as to the chronological age of the protagonist. It is a study in loyalty and courage, and I feel certain you will appreciate its portrayal of a man of honor. The story can be read on line, or downloaded in any convenient e-book format. To read on-line visit: http://www.baen.com/readonline/index/read/sku/9781618240668 and select chapter 5 from the chapter matrix on the left hand margin of the web page. You may also download the entire anthology for any e-reader format you like zipped or long form by clicking the e-book symbol near the top left of your screen and selecting the format you desire. Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I feel sure we will have an entertaining discussion, and I look forward to seeing you all in #readers_corner for the chat. LOG ATTACHED: Readers_corner20160716log.txt
  18. Due to conflicts with 4th of July travel and weekend activities for many of our regulars, we will postpone the discussion planned for July 3rd until the following week, July 10th (Sunday, July 11th if you live on the other side of the Pacific). Sorry for the late notice. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M.(EDST) on July 2nd, 2016 (23:30 P.M. [GMT]), July 2nd, for a discussion of Great Black Wave by David Tallerman. David Tallerman is relatively new but fairly prolific writer who has written several novels, scripted several graphic novels (we used to call them comic books), and a number of short stories. This story was published (on line) in the June 2016 edition of Nightmare (online horror magazine) It might be interesting to track his development as an author. (There is a link to an interview with the author on the web site offering the story.) This story, basically a horror fantasy, is brand new, just published this month. It tells the tale of an ill fated military operation by a small patrol of British soldiers in Afghanistan. The real horror comes from the .ombat situation, Afghanistan being one of less pleasant places in the world, especially for foreign soldiers. I think that Dash will really like the story, but then I think we all will in one way or another. Without reading too much between the lines, i think the story reflects the horror of fighting a war in the mountains of Afghanistan (ooops--did I imply that there might just be a deeper meaning in the tale than just a simple goosebump maker). The story is available on line at: http://www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/great-black-wave/ Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I feel sure we will have an entertaining and chat (so many things to talk about and such a limited time to do so), and i hope to see you all there. LOG ATTACHED: readers_corner20160709.txt
  19. I was thinking of the London to Paris Boat Train or the TEE (Trans Europe Express)
  20. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M.(EDST) on June 25, 2016 (23:30 P.M. (GMT), June 25th, for a discussion of The Man With The Cough by Mrs. Molesworth. Mrs. Molesworth was one nom d' plume of Mary Louisa Molesworth, nee Stewart (29 May 1839 – 20 January 1921), a British author credited with the early development of children's literature. This story is not a juvenile, however, rather it is a mystery story from a time shortly after the turn of the last century which should appeal to all ages except small children. I think you will all enjoy it. It seems that all British mysteries involve a train trip of one sort or another, and this tale is no exception. What is interesting is that in my younger days my wife and I made the same trip from Germany to London on the same trains and ferry connections as the protagonist in the story. Although perhaps seventy years had passed since the travel described in the story, very few details of the trip had changed. There seems to be something mysterious, yet relaxing, about a European train. The story is available on line at: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/ManCoug.shtml Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I feel sure we will have an entertaining and stimulating discussion, and i hope to see you all there. Log Attached: #readers_corner.20160625.txt
  21. Please join us for our next chat in #readers_corner at 8:30 P.M.(EDST) on June 18, 2016 (23:30 P.M. (GMT), June 18th, for a discussion of The Big Deal by Jamie Brindle. The story is a relatively new offering on "eastoftheweb", one of our favorite sources of off beat short stories. This one provides an amusing look into the possibility of reincarnation (or should I say of incarnation for the first time). I am relatively certain that most of you will find the story enjoyable (no guarantee). I do guarantee that it will provide us with a lot of material for an interesting chat. The story is available on line at: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/BigDeal.shtml Meeting Place: Webchat: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner I hope to see a large turn out for our chat. I'll be there with bells on. Log Attached: #readers_corner20160618.txt
×
×
  • Create New...