Ask General Kang: What is the right amount of blogging?
Frankly, none. But never bite the hand that feeds you I say, particularly when it feeds you ripe fruit and vegemite sandwiches. This rule applies doubly for evil galactic overlords…
mark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys
Is it worth it?
Sometimes writing seems like a lonely, pointless, and possibly self-destructive activity. I mean, I COULD be doing other things with my time. Then you get a review like this, and…
A bloody funny book, plus giveaways
First off, I’ve got to mention this glowing review of Marvellous Hairy on Goodreads: My God this was a bloody funny book, a funny book with a potentially insanely important…
Don’t blink or you’ll miss the best part
First Look: Ultimate Teaser Trailer for Comedy Bang Bang, the TV show! Comedy Bang Bang is one of my favorite podcasts, so it’s kind of cool to see it turn…
Byron’s Epic Swims: Leaving England
Though most famous for his poetry, war heroics, and womanizing, Lord Byron’s greatest achievements all took place in the water. He was born with a deformity in his right foot,…
What is that all over his economy? Ants!
I’d like to see what Aesop would make of derivatives. Alltop enjoys a good fable.
The League of Peculiar Gentlemen: The Brits
Though not as well-known as other Leagues composed of remarkable individuals, the League of Peculiar Gentlemen (LOPG) is none-the-less, an astonishing story of sacrifice, heroism, and strapping things over your…
Summer reading season begins with sales
If you’re looking for some fun reading this summer, I have a couple of books I’d like to suggest. And both can be purchased this week for less than usual.…
Why Canadians celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday
Here in Canada we celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday, and it is known as Victoria Day. Why? She has been dead for more than 110 years, and our current Queen has…
Baboon-Washing Club Rules
You do not talk about baboon-washing club. You do not talk about baboon-washing club. If someone says “stop,” goes limp, or gets infected by a new virulent strain of baboon-born…
And now a word from John Cleese, the devil
This explains a great deal. Alltop is fond of burning things too.
Ask General Kang: Do you have infographics on your home world?
Do we? I have entire legion of hipster über-baboons devoted to cranking out these things on an hourly basis, clogging Neecknaw’s Datasphere with pretty misinformation. Before I recruited them for…
The Phrase Freak: Moving Forward
This piece of hackery is most often heard in business settings, but I’m afraid it has even crept into the hallowed halls of academe, where one is as likely to…
Ask General Kang: I can’t stop playing Civilization V. Can you help?
Hmm. Do you have access to an intergalactic armada and enough firepower to conquer another world? If so, then I think I can help you, but I’ll need to borrow…
Ask General Kang: Is it technically cannibalism if all you eat is a pinkie?
First of all, check the finger carefully. If it’s not a pinkie from the same species, then you’re probably okay. I was once really freaked out by Colonel (now Major)…
Laundry bills
It was an undeniably exciting sport, but its inventors, Jake and Josh Meridian (pictured at right, shortly before their deaths), never could manage a rally. Their best game (shown here,…
Fatal Beatings
“I was at school with his brother Bufty. Tremendous bloke. He was head of my house. Buggered me senseless. Still, it taught me about life.” Spot that quote! Alltop is…
Prophesatire: Network
Howard Beale: I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The…
Why doesn’t SF produce “big idea” books anymore?
“…today you don’t need to read SF to get a sense of wonder high: you can just browse “New Scientist”. We’re living in the frickin’ 21st century. Killer robot drones…