Author Archives: Brian

Google questions

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  • Here is a cool Google MP3 search – just replace songtitle with the title of the song you are looking for.
  • Anyone know how to add a number in front of Google search results? Say I do a search and I find my site in the results, but it’s way down the first page – how can I tell what number the result is? Is there a Firefox plugin to do this? or a Google option?
  • I read some stuff on Google Bombing today. I’d heard of it before, but never knew the details. I think my Google bomb phrase will be “polycarbonated java” (I know, I know, that’s not exactly how a google bomb works).


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Serenity screening cancelled

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I got my confirmation email for the Serenity screening I mentioned previously, and here is what it said:

Congratulations! You are one of the lucky bloggers to be chosen and confirmed for the screening of SERENITY for the time, date and the number of guests that you have requested. Please note, this confirmation DOES NOT guarantee you a seat at the screening.

To significantly increase your chances of getting into the screening, you MUST do the following:

* You MUST include the film’s synopsis on your blog (synopsis below) and you MUST link your blog to the SERENITY website (which has the trailer and production notes) http://www.serenitymovie.com and featured artwork. After you have screened the film, please discuss it on your blog. Please provide us the links to all of your blog posts on SERENITY at [DELETED]

* Print out and bring a copy of this confirmation.

* Arrive at the theater AT LEAST 45 minutes before the show begins.

I realize they want the screening to be packed, but my life doesn’t revolve around this movie – I don’t have 45 extra minutes to arrive there early with no guarantee I will get in. Yes, it would be cool to attend the screening and blog about it, but no, I don’t want to get there 45 minutes early and NOT get a seat. So, I will pass on the screening. If they could guarantee I could get in, I would do it.


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Some great free audiobooks

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Here are the current free audiobooks I am listening to:

  • Ancestor by Scott Sigler
    “On a remote island in Lake Superior, scientists struggle to solve the problem of xenotransplantation — using animal tissue to replace failing human organs. Funded by the biotech firm Genada, Dr. Claus Rhumkorrf seeks to recreate the ancestor of all mammals. By getting back to the root of our creation, Rhumorrf hopes to create an animal with human internal organs. Rhumkorrf discovers the ancestor, but it is not the small, harmless creature he envisions. His genius gives birth to a fast-growing evil that nature eradicated 350 million years ago — an evil now on the loose, and very, very hungry.”

    Scott Sigler’s last podcast novel, Earthcore, was fantastic, and two chapters into it, Ancestor looks like a worthy successor. A definite must-listen.

  • Potter’s Wheel by Andy Losik
    “Chuck Fagan and three of his teacher friends face the gamble of their lives when a trip to Sin City finds them ensnared in world class cyber-thief Potter’s latest scam.”

    It’s eleven chapters into it right now. It starts out slow and a few times it rambled enough that I almost stopped listening, but stick with it because it gets better farther into it.

  • Noggle Stones by Wil Radcliffe
    “In his tortured dreams, the mad goblin scholar, Bugbear, saw the coming war. Pride would crumble to dust. Glory would melt to tears. Wisdom would shatter to madness. And the shadows would reign supreme. Only an eldritch scroll, a humble bee, and Bugbear’s awkward human apprentice could win this desperate struggle… a conflict that began in a time now remembered only in faded parchments, fractured whispers, and a children’s rhyme…”

    I’m only 2 chapters into this one (and there are currently only 5 chapters released) but so far, I REALLY like this one. It has goblins, ogres, and magic and a fair dose of humor. The voice talent is EXCELLENT, though the choice and timing of the background music seems just plain wrong at times. If you like stories like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, check this one out.

  • AmerIndian 2192 by J. Scott Garibay
    “AmerIndian 2192 is a science-fiction novel that explores the intriguing possibilities of Native Americans in mankind’s star flung future. AmerIndian 2192 presents the story of two brothers, Wovoka and Keokuk, restoring the Native American people to a Homeland where their vibrant culture can thrive. Lodge ships, Cybershaman rituals and Tsimshian high technology are all elements in this action-oriented tale of interstellar politics and personal struggles.”

    I just started this one yesterday and only got through the first 30 minutes of the first chapter in my car ride home. It’s an interesting concept – American Indians in space in the future. I can’t give this a thunbs up or thumbs down just yet – I’ll have to listen to a bit more of it. I’m not crazy about the reading though – the woman reading it just doesn’t get me into it enough. I’ll save judgment for a later date when I have heard more.

  • Escape Pod – The Science Fiction Podcast Magazine
    Each week a complete scifi short story is presented. Sometimes the host reads it and sometimes other hosts or podcasters read it. Twenty stories have been released so far and I have really enjoyed about 75% of them. If you like scifi, you should DEFINITELY be listening to Escape Pod.

Both Noggle Stones and AmerIndian 2192 are being hosted on Podiobooks.com – I’ll have to do a separate post on just podiobooks.com.

All the free audiobooks I just mentioned are in addition to a few others free audiobooks I have listened to: EarthCore and The Pocket and the Pendant – both are complete now and available for complete download. Both are VERY good. I may post a page in the future that reviews the free audiobooks I have listened to (if anyone is interested, let me know).

I have made a point to donate money to the authors if I liked their book and istened to the whole thing. So far, I have donated to Earthcore, Ancestor, The Pocket and The Pendant, and Escape Pod.