In the chance that the cover illustration somehow fails to convince you, this book was hand-selected for awfulness. I found it in the Science Fiction/Fantasy bookcase at ReCycle North, and God knows it had a lot of worthy competition from the battered paperbacks that surrounded it. What initially piqued my suspicion that this might be something special was the front cover. Additionally, this, unlike most of the books around it, had no quotes of praise printed on the back, where, instead, I found a semi-accurate synopsis that had me hooked for good.
The bulk of the story takes place in another universe, one of the sword-and-sorcery type, and centers around the sorriest bunch of protagonists I’ve ever met. In the kingdom of Coramonde, Prince Springbuck is supposed to fight his half-brother Strongblade to see who gets to be king. Prince Springbuck doesn’t want to do this, because he knows that Strongblade’s mother Fania and Yardiff Bey, the court magician, are going to make sure he loses. After unsuccessfully trying to abdicate, Springbuck has no choice but to escape, which consists of digging some war hardware out of storage, tying up his girlfriend so she doesn’t tell anybody, and running away as fast as possible.
He’s the hero. Just keep that in mind, because, despite high moral carriage, Springbuck often seems woefully underqualified for the tasks he sets himself to – tasks that amount to nothing less than civil war. Doomfaring.
Read MoreOn Monday, March 31, former United Nations weapons inspector and outspoken critic of the Iraq War, Scott Ritter, spoke to a standing-room-only audience in the Bentley Auditorium. The mood of the evening shifted from enthusiastic bouts of laughter and clapping, to silence, frustration, and, at times, conflict.
“This will not be a lecture. I am not going to sit up here and give you a monologue,” Ritter said. “what I will do is initiate a conversation. That is the most important thing we can accomplish here tonight.”
The tall, wide-shouldered, long-jawed Ritter spoke with conviction and animation about the importance of an active citizenry, the sanctity of the United States Constitution, and the influence of mainstream media in a time of war.
Read MoreOK, let’s get right to it-
Chef Ramsey is a caffeinated, chest beating, life-hating talent-less butt-hole, and his “Hell’s Kitchen” show is about as genuine as professional wrestling. There are a number of great shows about food which have elevated the craft as well as peoples’ appreciation, and H.K. is not one of them. But the show does seem to have a small disturbed following. I guess his rank personality is the key to what makes the show work, but personally I am disgusted by people like him and would love to tell him so in person.
OK. Glad I got that off my chest – let’s see… what else...
Read MoreIt’s that time again. Camisoles, airy skirts, shorts, dresses, swimsuits and the other spring necessities are about to come out of the closet. With sun and bare shoulders on the way, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect accessory…the perfect tan. It’s hard to embrace the winter-white skin for the summer time, so if you’d rather be bronze than pale, you’ve got a few options.
You could always lie in the sun and risk getting a sunburn. You could pay ridiculous amounts of money to bake in a tanning bed. You could also increase your risk for melanoma. I’m not suggesting that you never see the sun again. I am, however, suggesting that you at least use sunscreen with a high SPF everyday. Even if it looks cloudy outside, you can still get sunburned.
It may seem like you’re out of options. No tanning beds? No lying in the sun for hours? You’ve got another option, and it’s found in a bottle: sunless tanners. I can hear the comments now… “You want me to WHAT? Cover myself in smelly goop that doesn’t dry for four hours, tans my bedclothes rather than my skin and makes me look like a zebra who bathed in a Creamsicle? I don’t think so…”
Read Morewith Kevin Paquet
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Bill Doyle Polls Voters
According to Professor of Humanities and Vermont Senator Bill Doyle’s annual survey, 70 percent of Vermonters feel drivers should be prohibited from using cell phones while driving; 65 percent support the decriminalization of marijuana; and a solid majority support four-year terms for both the governor and legislature.
The 2008 installment marked Doyle’s fortieth consecutive annual survey, providing once again a snapshot of Vermont public opinion on a wide range of issues.
Doyle’s inquiries began in 1969, when he was a freshman in the senate, and Governor Dean Davis proposed a sales tax. Doyle didn’t think the tax was fair and decided to see how the voters felt. He asked every 20th person on the voter check list in 20 Washington County towns. In the end, 64 percent were in favor of sales tax, and then Doyle himself voted for it. He was pleased when he received not only participation in answering his questions, but also letters explaining why voters felt as they did.
Read MoreDespite its overall lack of cohesion or even distinct sense of purpose, this anthology of political cartoons, both new and old, still manages to entertain. ...
“Wunnerful, Wunnerful: The Autobiography of Lawrence Welk”
By Lawrence Welk with
Bernice McGeehan
404 pages
Bantam Books, 1973
There are probably about six living people who would enjoy this book. In an earlier age, polka bandmaster Lawrence Welk had a hit TV music show that was as corny as anything ever produced...
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