Science fiction used to look like the Vasquez rocks
In my youth alien planets were desert but today they are forests. To be specific, in my youth they looked like the Vasquez rocks outside LA and now they look like a Canadian forest.
Reviews, Blog, and the occasional Rant
Flash News
The Man Who Faked A Volcano Eruption – One Of The Greatest April Fools’ Hoaxes Ever
The Forgotten Story of the King of the Amazon
Why Modern Novels Are Getting Longer (And Why Readers Love It)
The Unbelievable True Story Of The Only Person To Be Hit By A Meteorite
The Dark History of Okunoshima, Japan’s Famous Rabbit Island
Alan Partridge From The Oasthouse goes full career circle
Thailand’s most famous ghost still has a shrine in Bangkok
The Strange History of Funny Surnames Around the World
Melting Roads, Strikes And Escaped Tigers: Disneyland’s Opening Was Disastrous
Birthdays around the world can weird, fun, and unexpected
New Year productivity and a shift in focus
Happy Christmas! Free book: ‘Haunted Thailand: Ghosts and spirits in the Land of Smiles’
The Secret Of Secrets By Dan Brown – Fun, Preposterous, And Exciting But More Of The Same
Inside The Fascinating World Of AI Poker Tournaments – Apparently AI Can Now Bluff
The Studio: Brilliant Cast, Big Laughs And Hollywood Meltdowns
Science Advises Playing Chess. Here’s A Great Way To Begin
Short stories are back – here’s why that’s great for writers
Substack Vs Medium – It Doesn’t Need To Be Either Or…
The Potsdam Giants: How A Prussian King’s Obsession Led To Kidnapping, Torture, And Eugenics
Perth, Rottnest Island, And Ridiculously Cute Quokkas. All You Need To Know
Tuesday, April 07, 2026