theunabonger

the Venture Brothers

2008-12-13 11:26:33

I am seriously jonesing for season 4 of Venture Brothers, when are they going to release it already!?!?!?!  Grumble, humbug, rabble, rabble.

<orpheus>I hope some Cosmic Calamity has not devoured the show's very essence, it would be a tragedy of Dire Import!!!!"</orpheus>

still waiting. . .

Jizz in *MY* Pants - SNL Skit

2008-12-10 12:38:09

Robert Anson Heinlein's Philosophical Legacy (as it relates to me, 30 years on)

2008-12-10 12:08:55

I believe Robert A Heinlein was the greatest story teller of the 20th Century.  Ironic that most of his stories took place in the 21st, 25th, 26th, 43rd, 44th, etc. centuries.  I have been listening to the audiobook version of Dune by Frank Herbert, and I realized that it has been exactly (more or less. . . ) 30 years since I starting reading SciFi and Heinlein in particular.

I don't remember if I first read "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" (still my favorite) or "Rocket Ship Galileo" first, but I remember that I would take all my paper route dollars (back before the MSM lawyers told them they could not accept the liability of kids riding bikes at 6 AM to deliver their papers) and ride the bus to the bookstore at the newly opened mall and pick a Heinlein book out at least once a week to purchase and read.

It struck me that the philosophies contained therein, and the humanity, with all it's fears, desparation, Love, and coolness in a crisis that Heinlein portrayed within the pages of his fantasy future shaped me as a human being more than any other cultural pursuits or education in which I took a part.

I had picked up a copy of a new (posthumously published) book by Heinlein, (as edited by Spider Robinson, noted Vancouver Sci-Fi heavyweight and Heinlein's clear "heir",) "For Us; The Living" and am currently about 70% of the way through it at this time.  It warmed me to read so clearly that same philosophy of human endurance, core kindness, and cultural oddities that while appearing normal in our society, Heinlein somehow makes you see them for the absurdities they are.

I thought of all the years that have passed since Heinlein's death.  I didn't get sad, however, as Heinlein has a clear "heir" in Spider Robinson, who was requested to flesh out a novel from an old story outline, has also finished another novel of Heinlein's in due form, which is as much "Heinlein" as any other of the Grand Master's great works.  "Variable Star"; for which it is rumored that a sequel may be in the works.  (I'm certain Spider Robinson wants to write one, as he says as much on his podcast, which he makes from his home on Bowen Island near Vancouver, B.C.

So, as I sit here listening to John Sinclair jam improvisational Jazz and Poetry recorded in 2008, and have Spider Robinson's podcast queued up next.  I think, "what a wonderful 30 years I've had", and how much I owe who and what I am to Robert Anson Heinlein.

To quote the master; "Genius is where you find it."