The Smoking Lamp Literary Review...

Otherwise known as "What I'm reading now..."




Written by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo, the story is good enough to finish. If you are a Cussler fan, you'll enjoy it, but it won't be your favorite Cussler novel.

There is a lot of action involving an Ukrainian nuclear weapon stolen by Arabic extremists and a Western industrialist who wants revenge on the Arab world for his son's demise.

The story seems to be drug along by the plot instead of having a more organic flow. There is an almost mechanical feel to the story. I wished that the story were better constructed around the plot.

If you are looking to read your first Cussler book, don't read this one, but if you have been a fan for a long time and need a fix, this will do. But, it isn't a great book...it isn't a good book...it's a time filler.

The payoff was anticlimactic. The two unrelated threads finished up about a hundred pages apart. Add to this, the pacing and plotting seemed too cut and dried, and I came away with the feeling that there was never any real suspense. There was never any doubt that the protagonists were going to come through.

Sometimes, the hero should lose. Otherwise, the tension of the story is drained away and the plot seems more a series of events rather than a story.

I expected more. I wouldn't re-read this book.

I give it 2.5 out of 10 cigars.

puff

Hall of Fame Racing...Gentlemen, Call It In The Air...No, That's Not Right...Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

Aikman and Staubach's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup venture is finally getting off the ground. Announced over a year ago, they have partnered with Joe Gibbs Racing to get a leg up on getting into the racing game.

In the last few weeks, they have inked deals with a new crew chief, Phillipe Lopez, and a sponsor for the car, Texas Instruments. Texas Instruments will be the primary sponsor on the car for the first season.

No announcements on who their driver will be in their inaugural season.

They won't be able to use their NFL numbers either as Troy's #8 is Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Roger's #12 is Ryan Newman.

Hmmm, on the driver front, I wonder how retired Terry Labonte really is.

No Dueling in Michigan

A man challenged another man to a fight. The second man accepted. The first man stabbed the second man. They, both, went to jail.

Dueling is still a crime in Michigan, so, lock up those sabers and pistols.

Des, if you're reading, this means you.

Useless Trivia - Round II - Question 3

Available here.

The Glories of the Global Positioning System

Panda sex...

Yes...I said, "Panda sex."

The U.S. and China are working on a scientific program to chart and study the sex lives of pandas.

I wonder how much of our tax dollars are being spent to use the GPS system and to correlate the signals to tell some scientists that the pandas are getting it on.

Geez!

2000

Two thousand, zero, zero.

Party over.

We're outta time.

But tonight we're gonna party, like it's 1999.

Thanks to all of you who have visited Cigar Smoke since the opening. We had our 2000th visitor today.

Thank you from whichever one of my aliases you know me by,

puff
Frank
Cheese!
Tight Ass
Mark

Chauvinism in Car Racing...or...A Lesson in Class

Justin Labonte proved that all the confidence shown in his ability was founded in cold hard fact...or at least that his great potential is leading to a rise in ego that is ugly as hell.

In Saturday's Busch race, he wrecked Erin Crocker.

Why did he wreck Erin Crocker?

He said in an interview later that he had been trying to pass her for 5 laps and just couldn't make the pass. You caught that right, her.

That sounds like she had a faster car and was outdriving him. Yes...I said she.

In the first practice for the race, she had her #6 Everham Motors Hellmans Mayonnaise Dodge running 43rd speed-wise which was no guarantee of position in the race. Yes, that's Everham, as in Ray Everham, former championship crew chief for Jeff Gordon and, now, NEXTEL Cup car owner of the #9(Kasey Kahne) and #19(Jeremy Mayfield). His teams are Dodge's flagship teams in NEXTEL Cup. They lead the manufacturer back into major American stock car racing just a few years ago.

During the second practice, they figured a lot out. She jumped up to 11th quickest.

Then, in qualifying, she juiced that car up to 9th, which is where she started the race, 9th on the grid, inside of row 5. This put her ahead of such names as Matt Kennseth, Rusty Wallace, Sterling Marlin, Greg Biffle, and Jeff Burton.

Going into the first corner, she got freight trained a little, but she stayed to the outside and let the guys who were ready to run go. She kept her fenders clean and clear and settled in to race her race. No race is won on the first lap after all, which is something that some others should have remembered. Matt Kennseth in the Rousch #17 Waste Management Ford got spun on the first lap. Before the spinning had stopped, both, he and Michael Waltrip were done for the day. Thanks to Paul Menard, #11, again, like Labonte, a lot of talent, but little to no damned control or patience.

When the race went green again, Erin Crocker raced with Labonte for a couple of laps and was starting to work over the next car in line, Kevin LePage in the #72. She was trying to pass him on the outside, when Labonte in the #44 Coast Guard Chevy saw his chance to make that pass or to move her out of the way so he didn't have to worry about passing her.

If he had been more experienced..., or at least as good as he thinks he is, he could have probably tapped her just enough to wreck her and leave him clear to go on by. But no, it just wasn't in the cards. He tagged her. She spun. He hit the wall. She hit the wall and spun down through the track to go nose first into the inside wall where she got t-boned in the driver's side. In the melee that followed, a number of cars were collected into the wreck.

Before all was said and done, his not being able to handle the fact that this woman is more talented than he is and had a faster car ended up with a price tag in the $2.5 to 3 million dollar range. Figure that includes sponsors, crews, drivers, cars, trucks, trailers, gas, tires...all because he couldn't handle getting beat by a girl. Who he may have been able to pass later on, if he had shown the least little bit of patience. Heck, they were only on lap 11 of 200. A lot can happen in 189 laps.

She didn't get out and throw her helmet at him when he came by the next time(Robbie Gordon). Or flip him off when she exited her car(Martin Truex Jr.). Or rush to his pit box to scream in his crew chief's face(Kurt Busch).

She showed more class than we've seen in awhile. She got out of her car, did her interview with the media when she came out of the infield care center, made it clear she was mad and upset that this had happened...not to her, but to her sponsors and her team, and walked away to compete another day.

Class! The so-called "Young Guns" in NASCAR's Busch and NEXTEL divisions could take some lessons.

Read the article here.

The Smoking Lamp - Pendragon's Miracles Inc #11

Smoking Lamp #53
++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is lit...
++++++++++++++++++

Imprint: Pendragons
Series: Miracles Inc #11
Author: Trav Hiltz
Title: "She'll Make Her Way..."

As someone late to the party, I'll admit to being a bit confused. Winter Moran is Miracle Man's alternate reality wife, Miracle Woman, and Miracle Man's daughter...so in a way, she is her own mother who is confused about her relationship with her father/husband.

Wow! I thought this took place in England not in a trailer park in Arkansas.

Hmmm, a haunted house where the ghosts come out in the street and kick the crap outta drunk teenagers. Sounds like I'd enjoy living next door, with a big street facing bay window to watch the goings on...and lots of popcorn.

The guy in the red jacket sure seems familiar. Hmm.

Ivan Kragoff. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner.

And of course the arrogant SOB can't accept that if he would let the boy and Winter go, everything would work itself out.

Cool fight sequence.

I give it 7.5 out of 10 cigars.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is extinguished...Steady as she goes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

puff

Katrina, Rita, Oil, Natural Gas, Iraq and the Future of Nuclear Power in America

Show of hands, how many of us knew that the nuclear power planet at Waterford, Louisiana was in Hurricane Katrina's path?

It came through with flying colors and is already operating again while its energy producing brethren are just beginning to assess what needs to be done to get back on track.

I agree with the assessment here that we need to get moving on the future of nuclear power. The oil isn't going to last forever and our children deserve better than to be held over a barrel of the crap every time the political winds shift in the Middle East.

The picture above is of the TVA Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, not Waterford. Images of Waterford weren't available.

Sometimes You Need a Good Translator

The Taipei, Taiwan Visitor Information Bureau wanted to put out a new Hotel/Airport map for visitors.

They contracted with a local company who thought it would be a good idea to have a popular local Taiwanese singer on the cover of the map.

All seemed fine until the maps were delivered and began selling and one of the company officials who understood English looked over one of the maps.

The cover is below. Notice the slogan on the girl's shirt.

The French Government - Babies for Money or Money for Babies...Read the Article, You'll Get the Idea

The French being the great lovers that they are..., yeah right, have introduced a program that will provide financial awards to families who have a third child in a effort to boost sagging fertility rates.

"We must do more to allow French families to have as many children as
they want," Dominique de Villepin, the Prime Minister of France said.

Uhm, yeah...right.

France's fertility rate is at 1.9 children per woman which is the second highest in Europe, but below the 2-plus needed to prevent population decline.

The Arabic and other non-native populations are rising faster than the French population. Europe could be an Islamist stronghold inside of a generation or two.

I guess it makes sense, but the idea of paying someone to have children seems odd to me.

The Smoking Lamp - JLU-2001's JLA #31

Smoking Lamp #52
++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is lit...
++++++++++++++++++

Imprint: JLU-2001
Series: JLA #31
Author: Curt Fernlund with Plots by Curt Fernlund and Chris Munn
Title: "Enter: The Squadron Supreme" JLA/Avengers Team-Up: Part: Three

The opening with Superman tasting his own blood as Hyperion lays a whipping on him is a powerful scene.

HA! Its funny, Superman standing there taking a pounding from Hyperion thinking that if he doesn't put up a fight surely Hyperion will figure out he's one of the good guys. Yeah, right! Learning that lesson is going to hurt a lot.

Love the coolness of J'onn's character shown here. His coldly calculating the differences in himself and the Skrullian Skymaster.

And, of course, J'onn reaches out to find out what's really going on. Love his assessment comparing and contrasting the Supremes vs. the JLA.

Wasn't Skylark the Golden Bowman's girlfriend? Is she a black widow or what? The American/Blue Eagle is dead. And the Bowman's non-appearance leads me to believe that he is taking a dirt nap too.

Interesting that J'onn doesn't instantly make the connection between Shape's criminal past and Plas's. Of course, his discovery of the Behavior Modification Program threw him for a loop and kept him from delving deeper.

Mindwipes...trouble on the Squadron Earth and in the mainstream DC universe. Good stuff. Nice to see that get touched on here.

I love the way you have Batman assessing Nighthawk against Dick and his feelings on the subject. Wow!

The fight scene between Batman and Nighthawk. I've got just 8 words. Batman is a bad son of a..., but we all knew that. It is just really cool, when its well done.

The Flash vs. Whizzer fight is also a pleasure.

The imagery in this story would have made for great comic book pages.

Going for a "no" prize here...isn't Firestorm trapped in Ronnie's form? Wasn't he dampened by the collision or explosion on the Cosmic Treadmill? He wasn't shown transforming back into Firestorm, maybe I missed it. Or maybe, Ronnie auto-transformed on entering the Squadron's world since the event that forced him to change in the first place took place in the anti-matter universe.

Canary finally finds one of the Squadron members willing to listen and...Batman knocks her out. Canary is going to be pissed.

Shape vs. Plas is terrific and sad. Real sad.

Kyle letting his issues come to the fore and using those pent up frustrations against Spectrum. Nice.

And then, the consequences of going all out when you have the most powerful weapon in the universe on your ring finger. Poor Kyle. Poor everybody.

Wow! No, let me restate that...WOW! Good story. Rich in detail and action. Best one of the crossover so far. The standard just got awfully high for the rest of the crossover.

I give it 10.0 out of 10 cigars.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is extinguished...Steady as she goes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

puff

Daily Word Game

I've added a free daily word game to the bottom of Cigar Smoke.

Match the synonyms. It's fast. It's easy. Enjoy.

Just arrow down to the bottom of the page.

When Rednecks Attack...addendum or The $10 Million Dollar Helmet

Robbie Gordon did a good thing.

He wanted to sell the helmet that he threw at Michael Waltrip following their accident the other night during the NEXTEL Cup race on eBay and donate the proceeds to Hurricane Relief.

Some jackasses joke bid the helmet up to $10,000,000. Click here for the story.

Gordon and his representatives questioned the validity of the bid. eBay shut the auction down. And they have now re-listed the item in a manner that requires the buyer show their ability to pay should they win.

The problem is...if you go to the AuctionCause section of eBay and try to find the re-listed helmet...it's not there.

The Smoking Lamp - M2k's Avengers #37

Smoking Lamp #51
++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is lit...
++++++++++++++++++

Imprint: Marvel 2000
Series: Avengers #37
Author: Curt Fernlund with Plots by Curt Fernlund and Chris Munn
Title: "Accentuate the Negative" JLA/Avengers Team-Up: Part: Two

The comparison between Ra's and Midas makes a nice juxtaposition though both of their roles in the larger story are cloudy at the moment.

The description of Thor, beaten, but still magnificent, is excellent.

A question though is...Where's Hank? When last seen, he was miniaturized and chained naked in the Wasp's purse...and she's sitting at the table. If he's in her purse under the table, that is just creepy.

HA! The Beast quoting Star Trek. HA!

We're getting an awful lot of Negative Zone history here. Cool stuff.

Nice to see the FAA/downtown Manhattan launches question that I commented on addressed this quickly.

Good to see Thor going all Ragnarok/"this is a good day to die" and all that. Very Viking of him.

There are a few spots where the speaker of dialogue isn't attributed. I think one of them is Reed responding to Cap and, then, Cap responding to Reed...a Cap said and a Reed said would have made the section where they were discussing things on the roof easier to follow.

Love the Crime Syndicate's entrance. Very well done.

I give it 7.0 out of 10 cigars.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is extinguished...Steady as she goes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

puff

Weird Science - Slow Quakes

Episodic Tremor and Slip is a phenomena that is basically a slow earthquake, usually only detectable by instruments. They are incredibly slow in comparison to their more jarring kin.

ETS events can last anywhere from 6 to 15 days.

During an ETS event, the likelihood of a hardcore, big time earthquake increases 30 fold.

The reason why this is interesting right now...an ETS event started a few days ago on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington and southwestern Canada.

Lovely Rita, Meter Maid

Hurricane Rita has become a Category 5 hurricane and is bearing down on the Gulf Coast.

The target zone will be determined by a high pressure dome that is supposed to slip eastward providing the steering currents that are going to turn the storm. Current thinking is that it could hit anywhere between Corpus Christi, TX and Galveston, TX. With the area refining as we near the hurricane going "feet dry", Port Lavaca and Port O'Connor seem to be under the gun.

The news is showing all the highways out of south Texas clogged with seas of brake lights. 140 mile drives are taking 15 hours.

Everyone. Take a deep breath. And say a little prayer.

Hell...say a big prayer.

Useless Trivia - Round II - Question 2

Available here.

When Rednecks Attack...

Robbie Gordon was upset with Michael Waltrip because he thought he had spun him out during the NASCAR race on Sunday.

I didn't see the incident. I was busy watching my Packers get fitted for an asshat by the Browns. I saw replays of Gordon's upsettedness and saw this frame-by-frame online.

Thought I'd share.

The Right Kind of Democratic Response to the Katrina Disaster

Donna Brazille is a political consultant who managed Al Gore's Presidential run in 2000. She wrote this op/ed piece in the Christian Science Monitor.

It has the right tone at the right time.

There will be time enough for blame later. And there will be more than enough to go around from New Orleans officials not launching a mandatory evacuation or using idle school buses to evacuate the poor who didn't have another way out to FEMA political hacks who weren't qualified for the jobs they were needed to do and didn't listen to those with experience who from recent reports were telling them it was go time and were ignored.

FEMA has to be reformatted. One change that needs to take place is that if Americans are dying, FEMA needs to have the power to act...regardless of state's rights or the purview of local officials. When people start dying, the United States of America needs to be taking care of its own. This doesn't have anything to do with politics.

It doesn't matter if you are rich, poor, white, black, etc...if people are dying and they can be saved, ACT! Ask for forgiveness for the toes that get stepped on later...and while we're at it screw the people whose toes get stepped on, because if you are standing there with people who are alive and well because you acted and if you hadn't they'd be dead...that's all the justification you would need. That's all the American people would need.

The last line in Donna Brazille's op/ed from the CSM is too good not to quote here and remember she is a Democrat.:

Mr. President, I'm ready for duty. I'm ready to stir those old pots again. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

I like her. When is she going to run for office?

Save the Gulf Coast!

Give Blood!

And get ready for Hurricane Rita, she's headed this way.

Hurricane Bureau May Run Out of Names...

Every year, they choose 21 names. There is a very real possibility that there will be more than 21 storms which reach "named" status this year with almost two full months left in the season.

But don't worry when they run out of pre-chosen alphabetic names for storms, they roll on into the Greek alphabet.

Hurricane Alpha, anyone?

How about Hurricane Delta? Or is that going to be the new name of the area southeast of New Orleans?

1933 was the last time there were 21 documented storms.

Hold on tight, folks. It could be a bumpy ride.

Read the article here.

Calendar Quest...

Sexy librarians posing with books covering the parts that would normally be covered by their clothes.

Hmmm...

Naked women and books...hmmm.

I'm in.

Read the full story here.

Sorry Steve, there isn't a link to where the calendar can be purchased at this time or an online resource of the pictures from the calendar.

Beware the 40,000 volt Man...

I don't know if this is a hoax or not, but it makes an interesting story.

Wool shirt and a nylon jacket...this guy has my kind of fashion sense. HA!

Click here for the Reuters story on the 40,000 volt Man.

NASCAR: The Chase for the Just Us Cup - Week 27

The Just Us Cup totals, points, and information is in the table above.

You can access nascar.com for all the latest news and information about your favorite drivers or the Chase for the Nextel Cup by clicking here.



Chase for the Nextel Cup Points Standings:

Rank- Driver- Points

1 Tony Stewart 5230
2 Greg Biffle 5210
3 Ryan Newman 5190
4 Rusty Wallace 5190
5 Matt Kenseth 5180
6 Jimmie Johnson 5177
7 Mark Martin 5176
8 Jeremy Mayfield 5135
9 Carl Edwards 5121
10 Kurt Busch 5088

11 Jamie McMurray 3099
12 Jeff Gordon 3098
13 Kevin Harvick 3076
15 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2999
17 Dale Jarrett 2967
21 Michael Waltrip 2799
22 Kasey Kahne 2788
29 Ken Schrader 2381

Finish as of Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire - Chase Week One
Finish- Driver- Car
4 Greg Biffle #16
5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8
6 Rusty Wallace #2
7 Mark Martin #6
10 Kevin Harvick #29
12 Jamie McMurray #42
14 Jeff Gordon #24
15 Michael Waltrip #15
18 Dale Jarrett #88
19 Carl Edwards #99
38 Kasey Kahne #9
40 Ken Schrader #49

Tim Burton...

If you are one of those who loved The Nightmare Before Christmas or James and the Giant Peach, then Tim Burton is doing it again.

I'm looking forward to this.

No, its not the return of Jake Skellington and Sandy Claws, but its close.

I wonder if Burton realizes how high the bar is for this movie.

Just one more thing for those who have seen The Nightmare...

"I AM THE PUMPKIN KING!"

HA!

Useless Trivia...

Useless Trivia, now, has its own separate home.

I'll still be including a notice here when a new question or new answer goes up with a click through to allow direct access.

A new round starts soon.

Round II - Question 1 is available here.

Brown Sugar...You Don't Taste So Good

Bianca Jagger calls for US-Iran dialogue.

Hmm, well...hmmm...Did I miss something?

Who elected her to represent the will of the United States of America?

She is a goodwill ambassador for the Council of Europe. The COE is a group made up of representatives from almost every European nation. They focus on human rights, the rule of law and respect for democratic principles. They cover all major issues excluding defense.

America's relationship with Iran is none of the COE's or Bianca "Freakin'" Jagger's business. Just one more example of a quasi-celebrity talking down to America from a perceived moral highground.

What are Bianca's qualifications?

Hmm...well...let's see...hmm, she slept with Mick Jagger.

Oh, well, yeah, let's listen to her.

Yes, she was a spokesperson for Amnesty International at one point. That doesn't qualify her as a political voice in the United States. That doesn't give her an understanding of the socio-political and defensive postures between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America.

The Stones go on tour and everyone has to get their pound of flesh. I wonder what Jerry Hall is going to be pushing this time around.

Bah!

NASCAR: The Chase for the Just Us Cup - Week 26

The Just Us Cup totals, points, and information is in the table above.

You can access nascar.com for all the latest news and information about your favorite drivers or the Chase for the Nextel Cup by clicking here.



Chase for the Nextel Cup Points Standings:

Rank Driver Points
1 Tony Stewart 5050
2 Greg Biffle 5045
3 Rusty Wallace 5040
4 Jimmie Johnson 5035
5 Kurt Busch 5030
6 Mark Martin 5025
7 Jeremy Mayfield 5020
8 Matt Kenseth 5015
9 Carl Edwards 5015
10 Ryan Newman 5005

12 Jamie McMurray 2972
13 Jeff Gordon 2972
14 Kevin Harvick 2937
16 Dale Jarrett 2858
17 D Earnhardt Jr 2839
20 Kasey Kahne 2739
22 Michael Waltrip 2681
27 Ken Schrader 2363

Race Results for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 from Richmond, Virginia:

3 Greg Biffle National Guard
5 Rusty Wallace Miller Lite
8 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW
10 Kevin Harvick GM Goodwrench/Gretchen Wilson
13 Mark Martin Viagra
19 Ken Schrader Schwan's Home Service
20 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser True Music/3 Doors Down
21 Carl Edwards Scotts
30 Jeff Gordon DuPont
31 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts
39 Dale Jarrett UPS
40 Jamie McMurray Texaco Havoline

Useless Trivia - Champion - Congratulations, Craig

Answer 10

Mix and Match
[Worth 9 points]

Match the following name/items with the corresponding category/list...

There are three name/items for each category.

Categories

1. Shakespearean character names

c. Prospero
f. Iago
g. Hamlet

2. Jupiter's moons

b. Metis
d. Pasiphae
h. Amalthea

3. International Radio Alphabet designations

a. Lima
e. Tango
i. Victor

Answer 9

Final Score:

Craig (16)
Steve (7)
Cadi (4)

A new round of Useless Trivia will begin shortly.

NASCAR: The Just Us Cup - Week 25

Week 25 Race Results - California Speedway
Sony HD 500

Finished -- Driver Name/Car No. -(Your name here)

2 -- Greg Biffle/16 -(Jerry)
4 -- Carl Edwards/99 -(Mark)
6 -- Kasey Kahne/9 -(Cadi)
8 -- Jamie McMurray/42 -(Cadi)
11 -- Mark Martin/6 -(Jerry)
13 -- Michael Waltrip/15 -(Cadi)
14 -- Kevin Harvick/29 -(John)
15 -- Rusty Wallace/2 -(Nancy)
21 -- Jeff Gordon/24 -(Craig)
24 -- Dale Jarrett/88 -(Darla)
29 -- Ken Schrader/49 -(Mark)
38 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr./8 -(Stephanie)

Points after Week 25…

NEXTEL Standings - Driver Name/Car No. - NEXTEL Points -(Your name here)

2 - Greg Biffle/16 - 3361 --(Jerry)
4 - Rusty Wallace/2 - 3257 --(Nancy)
5 - Mark Martin/6 - 3149 --(Jerry)
8 - Carl Edwards/99 - 3014 --(Mark)
10 - Jamie McMurray/42 - 2929 --(Cadi)***
12 - Jeff Gordon/24 - 2899 --(Craig)
14 - Dale Jarrett/88 - 2812 --(Darla)
15 - Kevin Harvick/29 - 2798 --(John)
18 - Dale Earnhardt Jr/8 - 2736 --(Stephanie)
19 - Michael Waltrip/15 - 2611 --(Cadi)
20 - Kasey Kahne/9 - 2592 --(Cadi)
28 - Ken Schrader/49 - 2257 --(Mark)

***10th place is the line for the Chase for the Championship.

When NASCAR begins the Chase for the Championship, we'll start keeping score just based on those of us involved in the Just Us Cup. Our points system will be based on the driver's finishes in direct relation to one another instead of how they finish verses the rest of the field.

Giiillllliiiiiigggggaaaaaannnnnnnn!

He finally got off the island.

Say hey to the Skipper and Mr. and Mrs. Howell.

Godspeed!

puff

Useless Trivia - Question 10 - Answer 9

Mix and Match
[Worth 9 points]

Match the following name/items with the corresponding category/list...

There are three name/items for each category.

Name/Items

a. Lima
b. Metis
c. Prospero
d. Pasiphae
e. Tango
f. Iago
g. Hamlet
h. Amalthea
i. Victor

Categories

1. Shakespearean character names
2. Jupiter's moons
3. International Radio Alphabet designations

Answer 9

Literature
[Worth 1 point]
John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath is about...

c. The dust bowl disaster in the American Midwest in the 1930's.

Correct Answers:

Steve (7)
Craig (7)
Cadi (4)

Last question this round. If the leaders are tied at the close of Question 10, we'll have a sudden death question before the start of the next round.

Play now, its as easy as dropping me an email.

Send your answers to me at puffdoggydaddy@yahoo.com.

SciLan-GeoHis-GeoHis-GeoHis-Movie-TruFal-SciLan-Health-Lit-M and M

The Smoking Lamp Appendix #1 - 50

Chronicling the first 50 Smoking Lamps...

All Star Comics Group

Legend of Wonder Woman #1 --- 7 of 10 --- by Dave Tillinger

Avengers 2000

Alpha Flight #1 - 4 --- 6 of 10 --- by Tim Hartin and Gary Dreslinski
Ant Man #1 --- 8.5 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Ant Man #2 --- 9.5 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Ant Man #3 --- 10 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Ant Man #4 --- 8.5 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Avengers Team-Up #2 --- 5.5 of 10 --- by Travis Hiltz
Captain America #25 --- 9.5 of 10 --- by Michael Franzoni
Captain America #26 --- 8.5 of 10 --- by Michael Franzoni
Invaders #17 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Jeff Melton
Iron Man #32 --- 9 of 10 --- by Thomas Deja
Solo: On the Run #1 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Des Davies
Solo: On the Run #2 --- 7 of 10 --- by Des Davies
Solo: On the Run #3 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Des Davies
Squadron Supreme #13 --- 9.5 of 10 --- by Jason MacAskill
Super Villain Team-Up #10 --- 10 of 10 --- by Steve Seinberg
X-Men #1 --- 8 of 10 --- by Wolfert and Lambert
X-Men #2 --- 6.5 of 10 --- by Wolfert and Lambert
X-Men #3 --- 9.5 of 10 --- by Wolfert and Lambert
Warriors #1 --- 9.5 of 10 --- by Seinberg and MacAskill
Warriors #2 --- 8 of 10 --- by Seinberg and MacAskill

DC Dark Side

The Spectre #0 --- 7 of 10 --- by Baker and Reynolds

DC Heroes

Cliff # 1 - 5 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Gary Dreslinski
Doom Patrol #1 --- 6 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Green Lantern #4 --- 7 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Green Lantern #5 --- 9.5 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Green Lantern #6 --- 8 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Green Lantern #7 --- 7 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Justice Squadron #19 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Justice Squadron #20 --- 7 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Legend of the Hawkman #8 --- 9 of 10 --- by Barry Reese
Legion #15 --- 8.5 of 10 --- by Michael Franzoni
Wonder Woman #10 --- 8 of 10 --- by Des Davies

DC Year 2

The Atom #0 --- 8 of 10 --- by Bill Kte'pi

Justice League Unlimited - 2001

Batman: For You #1 --- 10 of 10 --- by Bertram Gibbs
Batman: For You #2 --- 10 of 10 --- by Bertram Gibbs
JLA #1-6 --- 8 of 10 --- by Will Short
JLA #29 --- 7 of 10 --- by Curt Fernlund and Chris Munn
JLA #30 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Curt Fernlund and Chris Munn
Superman #18 --- 8 of 10 --- by Stephen Crosby

Marvel 2000

Avengers #36 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Curt Fernlund and Chris Munn

Marvel 2015

X-Men: Prologue --- 7 of 10 --- by Michael Shirley

Marvel Other Worlds

Guardians of the Galaxy #65 --- 6.5 of 10 --- by Adrian Watts
Nova #1 --- 7.5 of 10 --- by Stacy Dooks

Marvel X

Fantastic Four #16 --- 7 of 10 --- by Des Davies

Pendragons

Dr. Who Monthly #1 --- 9 of 10 --- by Zack Crane
Miracles, Inc. #10 --- 9 of 10 --- by Travis Hiltz
Shadow of Dracula #0 --- 5 of 10 --- by Bob Gansler

Webspinners

Peter Parker: Spider Man #1 --- 6.5 of 10 --- by Stephen Crosby

10 of 10 - The Cream of the Crop – The Good Shit – The Top

Av2K --- Ant Man #3 --- 10 of 10 --- by Barry Reese

Imagine Clive Barker, Stephen King and Lovecraft all contribute genetic material to create a Barry-enstein monster of a writer. That’s how this series comes across. Great stuff in a creepy, creepy vein. - puff

Av2K --- Super Villain Team-Up #10 --- 10 of 10 --- by Steve Seinberg

I read the other nine issues in this series before I started The Smoking Lamp. This may be the best 10 issue run in all of fanfic. Do yourself a favor, go and read this. - puff

JLU-2001 --- Batman: For You #1 --- 10 of 10 --- by Bertram Gibbs
JLU-2001 --- Batman: For You #2 --- 10 of 10 --- by Bertram Gibbs

If this series rocks this hard all the way through, I might have a new all-time favorite. Issue #2 references Hitchcock and that's a good indicator of the feel of the series. Good stuff in an Elseworld-ly kind of way. - puff

Auditions...

Auditions for Batman, the Musical.

The Smoking Lamp - DCH's Cliff #1 - 5

And now a very special Smoking Lamp. For our 50th edition, we are smoking DCH's Cliff #1 - 5 by Gary D.

Smoking Lamp #50
++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is lit...
++++++++++++++++++

Imprint: DC Heroes
Series: Cliff #1 - 5
Author: Gary Dreslinski

#1

I like the introspective first person style of the story.

I love the line, "fixing the car is like fishing for grease monkeys." Very nice.

I'm guessing that Cliff thinks that's a figment in the Cliff-hanger. Sorry, I know, bad pun. It would freak me out, but then I'm not Robotman. Placed against the inner monologue from the grocery checkout line, I wonder if it is a figment. I wonder how much of this he is imagining.

I like the short serialized form. But at base, I am an action junkie and can't wait to see where this goes.

I give it 6.0 out of 10 cigars.

#2-Conversation with the Supposed-to-be-Dead

Love the snide feel to the exchange between Cliff and Arani. Married people and the previously married should recognize the tone. Great job.

Mechanized-American. HA!

The second issue leaves me with the feeling that Arani is bait to draw people to the Uncreator. Hmmm.

I give it 6.5 out of 10 cigars.

#3

Love the checklist as a kickoff point. Excellent.

"...you can never tell when it comes to obnoxious people suddenly coming back to life. They have a habit of making it all about them." I like that line.

Oh God! HA! That's great. The Uncreator. Duh, duh, duh! Splat! HA!

Feels like you were channeling Doug Adams with the line, "All things considered, him being squashed was best for all concerned."

Hmmm, shooting missiles out across the planet he just saved...not good.

Holy crap! To this point the story was almost Seinfeld-ian with the tone the last thing I expected was the General putting in an appearance. Good show.

I give it 8.5 out of 10 cigars.

#4

Okay. General Immortus smelling like rotten cheese is a class "A" smirk.

And the Arani-clone goes away and leaves him alone. Hmmm, not in character for the snide, argumentative, hyper-intelligent ex-wife of the Chief. She'll be back.

She was beautiful. Hmmm, let me guess...'57 Chevy? '34 Ford? '68 Mustang GT500?

Seems like you caught your stride here in #4. The pace and feel has definitely picked up.

#5

Hmm. So its not a car. Crazy Jane appears. And a Danny the Street mention...excellent.

Jane the Street recoiling from Robotman because she isn't ready to see him. Damn that would make a great comic book image.

Looks like Jane is afraid of feeling or afraid of what seeing Cliff's feelings manifest may mean for her in her form as Jane the Street. After all, he is a part of her Crazy Jane days.

Oh shit! Great ending. At the end of #3, you threw me with a tone shift. Well, you nailed me again here at the end of #5. Can't wait to see what happens next.

If you haven't read this series, go do it. Definitely worth the time.

I give it 7.5 out of 10 cigars.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The lamp is extinguished...Steady as she goes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

puff

NASCAR: The Just Us Cup - Week 24

Week 24 Race Results - Bristol Motor Speedway
Sharpie 500

Finished -- Driver Name/Car No. -(Your name here)

3 -- Greg Biffle/16 -(Jerry)
5 -- Rusty Wallace/2 -(Nancy)
6 -- Jeff Gordon/24 -(Craig)
9 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr./8 -(Stephanie)
11 -- Ken Schrader/49 -(Mark)
15 -- Michael Waltrip/15 -(Cadi)
16 -- Mark Martin/6 -(Jerry)
24 -- Carl Edwards/99 -(Mark)
26 -- Jamie McMurray/42 -(Cadi)
31 -- Dale Jarrett/88 -(Darla)
37 -- Kevin Harvick/29 -(John)
42 -- Kasey Kahne/9 -(Cadi)

Points after Week 24…

NEXTEL Standings - Driver Name/Car No. - NEXTEL Points -(Your name here)

3 - Greg Biffle/16 - 3186 --(Jerry)
4 - Rusty Wallace/2 - 3139 --(Nancy)
5 - Mark Martin/6 - 3014 --(Jerry)
8 - Carl Edwards/99 - 2849 --(Mark)
10 - Jeff Gordon/24 - 2799 --(Craig)***
12 - Jamie McMurray/42 - 2787 --(Cadi)
14 - Dale Jarrett/88 - 2721 --(Darla)
15 - Dale Earnhardt Jr/8 - 2682 --(Stephanie)
16 - Kevin Harvick/29 - 2677 --(John)
20 - Michael Waltrip/15 - 2482 --(Cadi)
21 - Kasey Kahne/9 - 2442 --(Cadi)
27 - Ken Schrader/49 - 2181 --(Mark)

***10th place is the line for the Chase for the Championship.

When NASCAR begins the Chase for the Championship, we'll start keeping score just based on those of us involved in the Just Us Cup. Our points system will be based on the driver's finishes in direct relation to one another instead of how they finish verses the rest of the field.

Pray

Pray for our friends and neighbors on the Gulf Coast.

puff