The Future Was Then

In 1967 I happened upon this book by Mac Kinlay Kantor and I was hooked into the world(s) of alternative history.  The fact that changing one small event could institute massive changes in history.  In fact, I would say that this is probably my favorite sub-genre of science fiction.

I am now reading "Roma Eterna" by Robert Silverberg.  The starting point is the Israelites failing to escape Egypt, and the resulting world where Christianity never evolved.  This book will also be available to mooch when I finish it.

Now, I love good Sci fi theater, but my (not so) guilty  pleasure is really cheesey Sci Fi.
I call these "Sharon Specials" because when my late mother-in-law (named Sharon, natch!) would visit and I was watching one, she would shake her head, take a breath, and say, "You watch weird shit!"

I would smile, nod my head and say, "Yeah, its great!"

Now I know that there is a lot of sci fi out there now, but most of it seems to be on the internet/web (whatever the term is) but unless its on TV (I have DirecTv) or DVD, I don't watch it.  Part of the reason is that I grew up in the era when cable was just getting started.  In my early years we received two (2) stations, the local CBS & NBC affiliates.   When we got cable, I was 13 and the number of channels jumped to 12.  I was overwhelmed.  Now I have over 200 channels, and most of the time I prefer to read.  But I digress, the other reason is that because I live in a rural area, wifi is sometimes sketchy and most viewing has multiple breaks and freezing.  I can do without the frustration. 

One of my pet peeves is a show I like that plays on TV and then disappears onto the web.  The most recent example of this is "The Orville".  For two seasons I have enjoyed Seth MacFarlane's Sci Fi comedy/drama, but it was announced that the third season will move to hulu.  pffffftttt! 

I think that in my next entry I'll focus on  comics primarily, but my attention span is like a cat in a room full of lazer pointers. 

Live Long and Prosper!