Again, The Robot Revolution: Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

[amazon_link id=”0385533853″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Robopocalypse: A Novel[/amazon_link]Scientists have a grand tradition of turning from writing academic papers to science fiction to transmit their manifestos from the ivory tower to the tech-savvy populace…and beyond. Daniel Wilson has been easing into sf with a string of books about the future, including Where’s My Jetpack?, a look at what happened to the future of sf’s golden age, and the very well-received How to Survive the Robot Uprising.

Wilson’s current book makes no attempt to hide its identity as the latter title, rebooted with 100% more characters, plot, and action. Well, maybe with 50% more of each. Despite Steven Spielberg’s excitement and affection for the book’s prospect as his next feature roboblockbuster, Robopocalypse is short on story, as well as being something of a disappointment as a work of hard sf.

You can read the full review at: SFSignal.com

Soup #20 White Corn and Tortilla Soup

Among the soups I’ve enjoyed in restaurants that I haven’t made yet, or made as well as the restaurant, is chicken tortilla soup. Red Sage in DC, gone now, had a chicken tortilla soup worth traveling into the city for. The Sedona White Corn Soup at California Pizza Kitchen lacks only chicken to be a contender. Do you actually need chicken to be a contender? Continue reading

Ern’s New Axe: Electrolux EL1014A ErgoRapido Bagless Cordless Handheld/Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Perversely, as a number of my friends will tell you, I like to clean. Nothing gives me a greater sense of accomplishment than to take someone (else’s) devastated living space and clear, sort and clean it. It’s a sickness, but it’s mostly harmless.

Got a collection of dead hamsters in the freezer that you haven’t been able to deal with? Can’t open the door to your bachelor pad because of the junk you’ve brought home from tech trade shows? Suddenly realized that the collection of magazines you’ve been hoarding is keeping you from getting through your living room?

(All true stories, btw, and you know who you are.) Continue reading