Yes, we’re discussing a finale again, and you know what that means -- spoilers. Prior to its premiere this past fall, I was all excited for Fringe . After the premiere I was a little distressed, and soon grew more so. Eventually however, I started to really get into it. I had my quibbles here and there with the series -- like my dislike of Walter Bishop -- but the more I watched, the more I enjoyed. And now, last night, I think that they aired a pretty great season finale. Don’t worry, I have quibbles still, but I definitely enjoyed it more than I didn’t. First up, the good -- over the course of the season, the show created several mysteries that were intriguing, and they actually went and answered a few of them last night. We learned who William Bell was, we learned where he was, and we actually saw him. For me, those
Around 1964, Gene Roddenberry came up with the now legendary “transporter” effect for Star Trek, mostly out of necessity. I don’t think he believed that teleportation technology would actually exist within 300 years or so, but as a writer’s device, the transporter solved a myriad of production problems for Roddenberry’s planned TV series. Compared with having to build complex miniatures to show the USS Enterprise landing on a new planet each week, “beaming” actors off the set was a much simpler effect to insert each week.
“Land a ship fourteen stories tall on a planet surface every week?” Roddenberry exclaimed to writer Stephen E. Whitfield in his classic 1968 book, The Making of Star Trek. “Not only would it have blown our entire weekly budget, but just suggesting it would have probably ruined my reputation in the
Aprilynne Pike's debut novel, Wings , is a paranormal fantasy featuring an entirely new twist on the mythological realm of faeries. I recently published a review of Wings , and I was delighted to have the opportunity conduct an author interview with Aprilynne Pike, a fresh new voice in the young adult fantasy genre.
Damian: Your debut novel, Wings , manages to weave an intricate alternate history into a realm of faerie tale fantasy set in a modern world. You indicated in your bio that you have been “spinning faerie stories” since you were “a child with a hyper-active imagination.” Where do you find inspiration for your characters and their stories?
Pike: My brain has always been a well of strange — and often very strange — ideas. I can’t really say that I know where they come from. But I think one thing that helps is
This year allergy season seems more potent and early in many areas of the United States. The vigorous bloom of pollens has been bothersome for more than six weeks. In the Northwest we have seen many patients this season who have well known allergies struggling with symptoms more than they have in several years. Many clients who historically have not had allergies have also been affected this year. Most people are familiar with seasonal allergy symptoms and how bothersome they can be. It is not always clear which specific allergens are in the air at any given time. This time of year is a very fluid situation which plants are in bloom spewing pollen in the air. The amount of dust, mold and pollutants in the air can vary air quality greatly depending on the wind, humidity, and temperature of your locale.
The real challenge with seasonal allergies is that avoidance is not a choice. You
