realthog: (sunset)
realthog ([personal profile] realthog) wrote2008-02-03 05:56 pm

why you'd rather be in Philadelphia (I hope)

The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (www.psfs.org) approached me a little while ago and and very kindly asked me if I'd like to address one of their meetings. You bet I would!

So . . .

This coming Friday, February 8, I'll be speaking to them on the subject of my latest nonfiction book, Corrupted Science (review at http://tinyurl.com/222tqe and sample chapter at http://tinyurl.com/3b6885). I'll be starting at 9pm. The address is:

The Rotunda
4014 Walnut Street
Philadelphia

(You can find handy-dandy directions to The Rotunda at http://www.foundationarts.org/directions.htm.)

All are welcome -- the more the merrier, as the cliche so very, very wisely says. I'm obviously thrilled to bits to be doing this. I'll try to remember to take the fabled digitoidal camera with me (after decades of not owning a camera, I'm very prone to forgetting to bring it to places) so that I can post pix as well as an account of our adventures.

OK: that's February 8, Philadelphia, 9pm. If I can write it down in my diary -- which I have! -- well, so can you.

 

[identity profile] hutch0.livejournal.com 2008-02-03 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Post a transcript. I would rather be in Philadelphia, as it happens, but unfortunately I'm stuck here.
BTW, do the people of Philadelphia know it's the name of a soft cheese over here? Just wondering.

[identity profile] realthog.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
"do the people of Philadelphia know it's the name of a soft cheese over here?"

I should think so. The exact same stuff is widely marketed here as well.

What would be interesting to know is if the people of Philadelphia, or indeed anyone, know what goes into Philadelphia's zero-fat version, which I buy because it's better for me. (I also quite like it, even though it tastes nothing like "real" Philly.)

The other day I realized there were a couple of opened packs of Philly at the back of the fridge, so I dug them out for my lunchtime sandwiches. Both had been opened at the same time; one was the One-Third Less Fat variety, the other the Zero Fat.

The One-Third Less Fat, when I looked inside the pack, had thoroughly gorgonzolified -- it was a technicolor mass that looked as if it might leap out and have me by the throat.

With a few girlish shrieks, I dumped it, then rather nervously peeked into the Zero Fat pack. Not a blemish. I sniffed it. Fine. Indeed, I quite happily used it for my sandwiches.

I can only conclude that Zero Fat Philly in fact has no organic content whatsoever that the various microorganisms could use as a substrate. This is rather worrying. Is it Zero Fat because it's actually a petroleum derivative? Should I check myself out with a Geiger counter? Am I going to develop sudden urges to extrude sticky cords from my hands and feet . . .?

[identity profile] hutch0.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
I think you may have succumbed to Zero Fat Madness, you know, the only known cure for which is a Full English Breakfast - the true breakfast of champions.

[identity profile] realthog.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
"a Full English Breakfast - the true breakfast of champions"

As has been remarked upon in so many obits.

[identity profile] hutch0.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, but what a way to go...
ext_13461: Foxes Frolicing (Default)

[identity profile] al-zorra.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
Ack.

We'll be in Boston then. WGBH calling ... Vaquero.

Love, C.

[identity profile] realthog.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
"We'll be in Boston then. WGBH calling ... Vaquero"

Good luck with WGBH!
ext_13461: Foxes Frolicing (Default)

[identity profile] al-zorra.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
We'll need all the good luck we can get. Gack.

Actually, I think we'll be coming back on the 8th. Whatevah.

Love, C.

[identity profile] realthog.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"We'll need all the good luck we can get."

Do you envisage problems there?
ext_13461: Foxes Frolicing (Default)

[identity profile] al-zorra.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
It's been over a year and a half of problems already.

We walk away.

They keep saying, yes, yes, yes you can do this, you must do this, we need you to do this.

Love, C.

[identity profile] realthog.livejournal.com 2008-02-04 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, well -- fingers crossed for you, anyway!