November 30, 2009
GREENSBORO — Libraries are feeling some growing pains because of the increasing popularity of comic books. Sherrie Antonowicz , collection development manager for the Greensboro Public Library, said the graphic novel medium has matured in the past decade and gotten more attention with that maturity. But the thing that makes graphic novels, or long-form comic books, unique from their library counterparts might be the very thing that gets them in trouble, Antonowicz said. (via Comics for adults pose a challenge for libraries : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad’s most trusted source for local news and analysis)

GREENSBORO — Libraries are feeling some growing pains because of the increasing popularity of comic books.

Sherrie Antonowicz , collection development manager for the Greensboro Public Library, said the graphic novel medium has matured in the past decade and gotten more attention with that maturity.

But the thing that makes graphic novels, or long-form comic books, unique from their library counterparts might be the very thing that gets them in trouble, Antonowicz said. (via Comics for adults pose a challenge for libraries : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad’s most trusted source for local news and analysis)

November 29, 2009
The company lost $38.5 million in the quarter, vs. a lost of $172.2 million in the same quarter a year ago. Most of the Q3 2008 losses were non-operating, however; losses from continuing operations were roughly the same (a triumph, considering the decline in sales). Although losses were less than anticipated by analysts, shares were beaten down nearly 15% by the close on Tuesday due to the weak sales reported. Marshall described the results as “difficult and disappointing.” Borders continues to be outperformed by its larger rival, Barnes and Noble, which reported much smaller sales declines for the quarter. (via ICv2 - Borders Sales Continue to Fall)

The company lost $38.5 million in the quarter, vs. a lost of $172.2 million in the same quarter a year ago. Most of the Q3 2008 losses were non-operating, however; losses from continuing operations were roughly the same (a triumph, considering the decline in sales). Although losses were less than anticipated by analysts, shares were beaten down nearly 15% by the close on Tuesday due to the weak sales reported. Marshall described the results as “difficult and disappointing.”

Borders continues to be outperformed by its larger rival, Barnes and Noble, which reported much smaller sales declines for the quarter. (via ICv2 - Borders Sales Continue to Fall)

“ We’ve been told for a year that we need to pay for every dollar that it’s going to cost us to reform our health care system,” Obey told King, “That’s about $900 billion over 10 years. If we wind up being committed in Afghanistan for eight to 10 years, that’s also going to approach $800 billion to $900 billion. And if we’re going to do that, it seems to me that if we’re being told we have to pay for health care, we certainly ought to pay for this effort as well.
CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Obey questions Afghan war, explains his war tax proposal « - Blogs from CNN.com
Blog@Newsarama  » Blog Archive  » Hawkman, Dr. Fate and Stargirl oh my! I am a huge JSA fan - stemming really from JLA/JSA crossovers and All Star Squadron issues I bought as a kid. The first 12 issues of Infinity Inc. are still one of my favorite runs of all times. Until recently, I bought every JSA appearance in comics and brother, there were some lean years  and shitty comics bought but I have never gotten over my love for these characters and the history.  I guess I’ll be watching Smallville? I guess so. 

Blog@Newsarama  » Blog Archive  » Hawkman, Dr. Fate and Stargirl oh my!

I am a huge JSA fan - stemming really from JLA/JSA crossovers and All Star Squadron issues I bought as a kid. The first 12 issues of Infinity Inc. are still one of my favorite runs of all times. Until recently, I bought every JSA appearance in comics and brother, there were some lean years  and shitty comics bought but I have never gotten over my love for these characters and the history. 

I guess I’ll be watching Smallville? I guess so. 

Blog@Newsarama  » Blog Archive  » Hawkman, Dr. Fate and Stargirl oh my!

Blog@Newsarama  » Blog Archive  » Hawkman, Dr. Fate and Stargirl oh my!

“

“Holding people in what appears to be incommunicado detention runs against the grain of the administration’s commitment to greater transparency, accountability, and respect for the dignity of Afghans,” said Jonathan Horowitz, a human rights researcher with the Open Society Institute.

Mr. Horowitz said he understood that “the necessities of war requires the U.S. to detain people, but there are limits to how to detain.”
Afghans Detail Detention in ‘Black Jail’ at U.S. Base - NYTimes.com
“

CHARLESTON, S.C. — When Senator Lindsey Graham joined forces last month with Senator John Kerry on a compromise to the climate change legislation known as cap and trade, it was the last straw for the Charleston County Republican Party.

The county party, which has traditionally been considered moderate, voted by a wide margin to censure Mr. Graham in harsh terms.

South Carolina Rift Highlights Debate Over G.O.P. - NYTimes.com

Lindsey Graham - now somehow too liberal for the GOP - that’s really scary. 

November 19, 2009
“

“It was theirs to lose and they lost it,” said Raven Zachary, a technology analyst and owner of iPhone app development house Small Society. “They had everything they needed to execute, to do the right kinds of carrier deals to create an app store, create visual voice mail, touchscreens and so on. They’ve been in this space since the beginning.”

To Peter Hoddie, CEO of Kinoma, which develops a mobile media browser for Windows Mobile and other platforms, a major knock against Windows Mobile isn’t the OS itself, but rather the weakness of the bundled apps included with it.

“The sad part for Microsoft is that in terms of operating systems, they have a great one, and they had it long before anyone else did,” Hoddie said in a phone interview. “Their first problem is the built-in apps are uninspiring, so that sets a very low bar for developers who are coming to the platform.”
How Microsoft blew it with Windows Mobile - CNN.com
November 12, 2009
CA: After “S.W.O.R.D.” are there any other established comic properties you’d like to take a stab at? Any creator-owned projects on the back burner? SS: I like properties with robots and explosions. I’m not really picky. Well, I’d probably be a waste on something like “Daredevil” unless he goes into space or becomes a time traveling android or something. I have a project called “Ares Rising” on the back burner with Harold Sipe, who wrote “Screamland,” and is the best writer nobody’s heard of. “Ares Rising” involves a clash of a “realistic” sci-fi future Earth and a John Carter of Mars/Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers sci-fi human population of Mars that developed concurrently. Indy comics don’t really pay the bills, though. I need a robot clone to do this for me because I really want to make that happen. (via Exclusive: ‘S.W.O.R.D.’ Artist Steven Sanders Discusses His Marvel Comics Debut - ComicsAlliance.com)

CA: After “S.W.O.R.D.” are there any other established comic properties you’d like to take a stab at? Any creator-owned projects on the back burner?

SS: I like properties with robots and explosions. I’m not really picky. Well, I’d probably be a waste on something like “Daredevil” unless he goes into space or becomes a time traveling android or something. I have a project called “Ares Rising” on the back burner with Harold Sipe, who wrote “Screamland,” and is the best writer nobody’s heard of. “Ares Rising” involves a clash of a “realistic” sci-fi future Earth and a John Carter of Mars/Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers sci-fi human population of Mars that developed concurrently. Indy comics don’t really pay the bills, though. I need a robot clone to do this for me because I really want to make that happen. (via Exclusive: ‘S.W.O.R.D.’ Artist Steven Sanders Discusses His Marvel Comics Debut - ComicsAlliance.com)

October 31, 2009
“

Sometime after the South Carolina debate Plouffe got a call from a senior Edwards Advisor who said Edwards was willing to announce the end of his campaign and join forces with Obama to defeat Clinton. When Plouffe asked if he could raise this with Obama the Edwards advisor said, “Yes.…Just to be clear we’re going to talk to the Clinton people too. That’s not where John’s heart is, but he is at the point of maximum leverage now.”

“Obama’s answer,” Plouffe writes, “was quick and firm: he would cut no deals.”
Read It Here First - George’s Bottom Line
October 24, 2009
Today was about the gloomiest day ever in KC. Overcast sky, windy and about 33 degrees. A day of mourning indeed. My old boss from the now closed Recycled Sound record store died in her home last night. For some details on her check out the Star article and the Wayward Pitch Blog story. I worked at RS for about 4 years. The last years were tough times for the shop. MP3s were really starting to kill the record stores and Anne tried her best to keep the store going but it didn’t last. Working for her was like being part of the family. (via A moment of silence | Sikenomics)

Today was about the gloomiest day ever in KC. Overcast sky, windy and about 33 degrees. A day of mourning indeed.

My old boss from the now closed Recycled Sound record store died in her home last night. For some details on her check out the Star article and the Wayward Pitch Blog story. I worked at RS for about 4 years. The last years were tough times for the shop. MP3s were really starting to kill the record stores and Anne tried her best to keep the store going but it didn’t last. Working for her was like being part of the family. (via A moment of silence | Sikenomics)

October 23, 2009
“ A well-known Democratic strategist in Virginia is blasting the White House for placing anonymous quotes in the Washington Post in a pre-emptive effort to blame Creigh Deeds for what might be a loss in the state’s upcoming gubernatorial election.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time - Blogs from CNN.com

Wow - now that’s backstabbing you can believe in.

October 22, 2009
One of my first tests on 3D rendering - its been a while, but the whole process has been as fun and relaxing as I had hoped. Need to focus more on writing, but have such baggage around that now I find it hard to focus.

One of my first tests on 3D rendering - its been a while, but the whole process has been as fun and relaxing as I had hoped. Need to focus more on writing, but have such baggage around that now I find it hard to focus.

Wisegal Screenshot

Wisegal Screenshot

Wisegal Screenshot

Wisegal Screenshot