Mac Smacked

After a morning of colored wheels and crashing, I fear my four-year-old laptop hovers between this world and the next. For, lo, its day has come; its poised to join the Choir Eternal; it shambles slowly toward the laptop graveyard.

In short, I need a new hard drive. Happy? Let's see . . . .

Mary McCann Back on the Air

In keeping with the family tradition of multiple part-time jobs, Mary McCann, has snared another radio gig. Along with djing Sunday afternoons on Seattle oldie station B97.3, Mary's now hosting the show on KPLU. Stream in Saturdays between 1:00 and 6:00 PM PST for jazz and NPR news. (But mostly jazz.)

And keep your eyes open for Friday radio gigs in the Pacific Northwest.

Western States Smoked Out

Due to wildfires burning all over northern California, the Western States 100 has been cancelled. All 2008 entrants are automatically enrolled next year, including Jimmy Freeman. As mentioned, Jimmy's been chasing the goal of completing this super-tough hundred-mile course for several years and it must be a stinging disappointment. (I know how I'd have felt if they'd cancelled Eugene the day before.)

Still, Jimmy is an optimist. After cursing and kicking things for a time, he'll find a silver lining.

This Old Hill House

I'm rereading Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Having just mentioned Norm Abrams, I thought of writing a story in which the Yankee carpenter arrives to rehang the doors in a sprawling, evil mansion. Themes would include isolation, madness and proper use of safety goggles. Maybe next month.

Freak DVD Interviews On Hold

Skip it. The DVD interviews have been cancelled. Will they be rescheduled? Or is this a cost-cutting measure? More shall be revealed.

Freakish Questions on Freakazoid

DVD director Troy of Trailer Park Productions emailed questions he'll use as spring boards during my upcoming interview. Fans will learn such second-season secrets as why a Saturday morning cartoon show would hire Norm Abrams to voice himself.

(Hint: I think I'll lateral this one to Paul Rugg.)

Kiss My Chitin

K says these bugs are beetles. Whatever they are, they're horny as drunken sailors in Singapore. Certainly they mate in positions almost as interesting. We'll soon be hearing the pitter patter of six little feet to the 10th power.