Author Archives: Marcus

About Marcus

Who me? Introverted, neurotic, self-absorbed, increasingly cynical observer of human nature and part time social critic in hiding. Most of my life spent avoiding growing up. The naive idealistic passions of youth have evolved into the eclectic eccentricities of adulthood. Northeast Florida small-town native, related to people I can't relate to. Simultaneously my own best friend and worst enemy. Politically and spiritually unaffiliated, my personal ideologies put me all over the map or off it completely.

Rats, Lice and History by Hans Zinsser

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Marcus

Some of the (re)reading I’ve enjoyed while sheltered; Rats, Lice and History (1935) by Hans Zinsser is, as advertised, a biography of typhus fever. However, Zinsser covers a lot of ground on his way to telling the life story of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Another TBR stack

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Marcus

Four collections plus a play(?) by Ayn Rand. My first by Tenn and Shaw.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“To Be Read” Pile – Thanksgiving Edition

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Marcus

Visited my favorite used bookstore yesterday with this result- Based on the title alone my very first by Michael Bishop. ‘The Guardians’ by John Christopher which I began last night, finished this morning and enjoyed very much. (young adult dystopian … Continue reading →

Posted in books, dystopia, humor, paperbacks, philip k. dick, reading, sci-fi | 3 Comments

Securely sheltered from pop-culture

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Marcus

A recent work email about an upcoming network security related seminar contained this subject, “Get…tips from your favorite pop-culture icon” and offered these names- “Whether your hero is Rick Grimes, Saul Goodman, Tyrion Lannister, or a Guardian Titan, we’ve got you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2015 California QSO Party Results

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Marcus

185 contacts on 10, 15 & 20 meters (SSB). 47 counties. My goal each year is to work all 58 counties in California. Of the seven years I’ve participated, 50 is the most I have achieved.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Separated at birth?

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Marcus
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Back to reading sci-fi again

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Marcus

Finished with the re-reading of Jerzy Kosinski’s oeuvre. (I’ve read three in this photo since it was taken plus there are two Philip K. Dick novels waiting)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Jerzy Kosinski

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Marcus

Ten years ago I was introduced to the novels of Jerzy Kosinski. He quickly became one of my favorite authors. (in December 2005 I posted about it here) Besides the content and style of Kosinski’s writing the form he frequently … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

the end (for me) of a good thing

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Marcus

When paperbackswap.com announced earlier this year they were converting to a paid/fee based service I wrestled with the pros and cons of remaining a member and decided against it. I’ve received over 200 books since joining in 2005 but for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

That’s my poison

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Marcus

While reading Frederik Pohl’s ‘The Merchants’ War’, the author described a highly addictive but legal product called Mokie-Koke this way – “a refreshing, taste-tingling blend of the finest chocolate-type flavoring, synthetic coffee extract and selected cocaine analogues”. I think Pohl accurately … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment