Ep 757: No Fair Remembering Stuff: Chicago, Daley, and The Parking Meters

Photo by Josh Newton on Unsplash

Ep 756 The Professional Left Podcast

LIVE FOOTAGE: Backstage at the @GOP debate last night https://t.co/fqiLpWxapj

— Hal Sparks (@HalSparks) November 9, 2023

A Trial Run of Our Expanded Podcast: No Fair Remembering Stuff

Science Fiction University is BACK!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband.

Here's the mooshy song I promised you. xoxoxo

I love you so much.

If you wish to send best wishes (three dollars!), visit his place.

Science Fiction University Christmas Exam!

Remember, No Googling.  Send the answers you have to proleftpodcast@gmail.com.  The first five to send something with some correct answers in it will receive a diploma in the form of a postcard from Driftglass himself.  The judges decisions are final, and comments are closed for this post.  You can't answer anything here or email me about this.  Thanks!

1.  In which science fiction short story is Santa Claus really a James Bond-like secret agent?  Who was the author of the story and what was the name of at least one villain from the story. (Bonus point for knowing the greeting between employees of Santa's workshop)

2.  What 1964 Christmas SF movie disaster is always a fan favorite at conventions.  [Hint:  Pia Zedora]

3.  What dystopian science fiction movie is conspicuously set in the lead up to Christmas?

4.  In a Ray Bradbury short story, a young boy's parents are worried that travel regulations will make their son's Christmas suck.  But the young boy gets a most unexpected Christmas present.  What is the name of the story and what present does the boy receive?

5.  In an Arthur C. Clarke short story, a Jesuit priest's faith is sorely tested by a tragic discovery.  What is the name of the story and what does the priest discover?

6.  Had the internet existed in 1978 when this successful film franchise spawned one of the most universally hated holiday specials of all time, it might have doomed the career of Bea Arthur among others.  What was the film franchise and what was the name of the fictional holiday the awful, awful show purported to celebrate?

7.  What famous writer of science fiction (including the rarely seen "A Carol for Another Christmas") was born on Christmas Day?

8.  What science fiction movie is centered around the need to protect the miraculous pregnancy of an unwed mother from a violent world.

9.  In what tv series do Desmond and Penny finally connect via telephone on Christmas Eve?

10.  What author contracted with Scribner's for 12 years to produce a new "juvenile" novel each year for the Christmas season?   

Good luck.

My Husband, HBO Casting Genius

Photoshopped for his amusement.  :D

Bonus Podcast: A Conversation with @HalSparks

Photo:  The Boston Phoenix

This was a lot of fun. Thanks to Hal Sparks for taking the time to talk to us.

It's a really wonderful day, after all.

In addition to the great news above, The Professional Left Podcast was mentioned glowingly on The Hal Sparks Radio Program this morning.

And Driftglass got a (nother) link at Vanity Fair by James Wolcott.

I'm beginning to think his laptop is bugged, because not only has Paul Krugman been channeling The Tall One lately, but the thing with Lawrence O'Donnell banning Walsh was straight outta driftglass.blogspot. only a few days ago.

As DG said as we ate barbeque and slaw on pancake sandwiches (actually good) "Oh, it's going to be THAT kind of Saturday."

Congratulations honey. xoxo

The Miss Brooks School of Political Punditry

Listen to the radio ad here! Yay Centrism!

Weekend Photoshop

John Bolton and Bill Kristol judged the Miss CPAC 2010 competition, and in a surprise outcome, Miss Mubarek beat out Miss Grifty Reload McQuitter in the "Grifting," "Quitting," and "Self-Serving Word Salad" competitions.

Thanks to everyone who sent such kind words to me and Driftglass. We're very grateful and happy. We're not living together until the wedding sometime in August and we're still waiting for some "way open" on specifics. One thing I've ruled out is a change in this blog's title:

Happy Blogiversary, Driftglass

To a terrific friend in the blog world. So glad to know you f2f, too.

We said in the podcast last week that you were six but you're only five. Must be you're tall for your age. :)

Here's to the next five, Sir.

Folks leave your good wishes over at his place. Thanks

Driftglass and Blue Gal (PODCAST #2)

For those of you who just want the rss feed, it's

http://www.buzzsprout.com/229.rss

Thanks to my five year old for bringing us on, and thank YOU for listening!

Driftglass and Blue Gal talk about politics (PODCAST)

A lil' sumpin the amazing blogger Driftglass and I have been meaning to do for a while - podcast! (your player might say it's 43 minutes long, yii!, but it's only 23 and DG really brings it.)

We've got some of the technical kinks worked out and we'll be working on a title, intro, format etc. as the year goes on. Thanks for listening and for any feedback you might have.

And YES we will be able to have other bloggers on as guests, provided you have a skype account and we can work out some other minor issues. Can't wait to do that.

Driftglass is suggesting we call this show "F%#@%#^%@ it, we'll do it live" radio.