Science Lush

15 Minutes of Surfing: Science Fiction Authors

It started with today's Daily Dose e-mail from Flavorpill, which via io9.com, featured a link to Kyle Cassidy's photo series "Where I Write." In this project, Cassidy takes a look at science fiction and fantasy writers in their native habitats. His subjects include titans such as Frederik Pohl, Piers Anthony and Ben Bova.

While visiting Bova's site, I stumble across a link to an essay he wrote on tor.com about the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. Alas, when I click, I get the dreaded 404 article-not-found error. But the site, which I am unfamiliar with, is intriguing - the tagline is "Science Fiction. Fantasy. The Universe. And related subjects."

I pass up a post called "Buzz Aldrin is so GANGSTA" (so true!) to click on a tribute to one of my favorite sci fi authors, Octavia Butler. She passed away in 2006, and on July 22nd she would have been "62 and awesome," as described by writer Nisi Shawl. In the piece, Shawl talks about Butler's charismatic personality and her commitment to the increased representation of people of color in the fantastic genres. Butler's "Xenogenesis" series is still one of the most thrilling, sensual pieces of sci fi writing I've ever read.

And with that, my 15 minutes are up...

S'lush Fave

As "Going Green" becomes ever more trendy, there are a variety of sites out there that proffer tips to help us all make it just a bit easier. Recently stumbled across Ideal Bite. Their tagline is "A Sassier Shade of Green," and it's basically like Daily Candy or Flavorpill for the environment. The site succinctly delivers useful, easy tips that don't cost a lot of dough.  And on top of it, the founders seem to have a sense of humor...which is a nice change from the doom n' gloom usually associated with the current planetary condition.

I've just started scrolling through their archive...I think I'm actually going to finally start using those cloth napkins my mom keeps giving me everytime she cleans out her linen closet.