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System Failure
December 3, 2019 December 11, 2019 / Andrew Mather - The Quill to Live	/ 8 Comments
Welcome back to another end of the year list! 2019 is rumbling to a close, which means it's once again time to talk about the best books of the year. This year was a tough one for us. With our expanded set of reviewers, we got through a much larger number of new books and had a much harder time cutting them down to a top list. The competition was hot for every single spot this year, and our list is coming out a little later than usual due to all the discussions we had about where to rank everything. This year, the competition was so tight that we chose to include 22 books plus a few honorable mentions. As always, in order to get this list out in a timely manner before the end of the year, we have rolled December of 2018 into this list, and December 2019 will be rolled into 2020's list. Without further ado, let's dive into the panoply of good reads in 2019.
Honorable Mentions – Check out the reviews in the links:
The Lost Puzzler by Eyal Kless
Famous Men Who Never Lived by K Chess
Master Assassins by Robert V.S. Redick
Crowfall by Ed McDonald
Seven Blades in Black by Sam Sykes
22) The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbull – A more personal book that takes a large event and brings it home in ways that most first contact stories don't examine. There are no interstellar battles, no open threats of planetwide war, just three islands, the people that live on them, and the aliens that occupy them. It is an intensely close look at the effects of colonialism in its many forms and how it affects the relationships of those under the boot, literally and metaphorically. While major events rarely happen within the POV of a character, the rumors and feelings of those events bleed into the narrative, coloring the reactions of everyone in different ways. Turnbull makes every interaction feel deliberate, earned, and uncomfortable. He provokes the reader to think about the events of the book. If you want an intimate and contemplative character-based science fiction story, see if you can learn The Lesson.
21) System Failure by Joe Zieja – A surprisingly deep ending to an extremely humorous trilogy with a ton of excellent character development. With the publication of his third book, Zieja seems to be done with writing books for the near future–a damn shame, if you ask me. He has demonstrated that he is capable of creating thoughtful commentary and entertaining jokes at the same time, and I consider the Epic Failure trilogy to be one of the best satires I have ever read. Now that book three has stuck the landing, you can be reassured that these books are definitely worth your time. Unless you hate laughter, fun, and joy, and in that case, I am not really sure what to recommend you read.
20) Middlegame by Seanan McGuire – Middlegame was a book that flew under my radar for a while. In retrospect, I don't know how the description didn't jump off the back of the book at me. The book takes place in a near-future or the alt-universe United States, it's a little unclear exactly what year the book starts in due to the fact it's almost entirely about time travel and manipulating the flow of time. In this version of the USA, the magical practice of alchemy is real and there is a secret society of alchemists that have been pulling the strings of government and world development for centuries. The book follows a pair of alchemically created twins as they try to subvert the murderous intent of their maker and find a way to create a future for themselves. The time travel mechanic is handled fantastically, the magic feels truly mystical, and the singsong nature of the prose ties in well with the initial conceit of Asphodel Baker hiding her magic in children's books. We highly recommend you give it a try.
19) The Killing Light by Myke Cole – A stunning finish to an already fantastic series. Myke Cole digs deep offering a sobering but impactful piece of revolution and identity. Cole maintains a loyalty to his characters through to the end, providing rich character growth inside a bombastic action-filled trilogy. The excellent pacing will keep you on the edge of your seat, with a steady but explosive ramping of the stakes in the final act. There is barely a dull moment, but Cole manages to squeeze in the occasional introspective paragraph to develop the characters. While the prose may not be overly detailed, it conveys a range of atmospheres that sell the setting and the fight ahead for Heloise and her compatriots. If you haven't read the others in the series, this book is worth picking them up for.
18) The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie – Leckie's first fantasy novel is a slow burn and odd book to pick up, but definitely worth the time. Leckie performs an amazing juggling act by building a new world, exploring the power of language, and the nature of authority in a gripping tale of succession. There is nothing I like more than deconstructing a genre, and Leckie does it with admirable finesse. The human characters are not much to write home about but serve the story in interesting ways that don't betray who they are. Gods and kings are at each other's mercy in this robust world where faith is a contract, and not fulfilling it has vast repercussions. If you're looking for a book that cooks its elements like a stew, rewarding you with a satisfying finish after a deliberate and planned preparation, then look no further than The Raven Tower.
17) For the Killing of Kings by Howard Andrew Jones – Another of our Dark Horses, this book has all the hallmarks of a classic fantasy novel. It has an engrossing world, a fast-paced plot, and a smart well-written prose that explores complicated themes through a fun medium. The entire cast is fantastic and was really the high point of the series. The protagonists are intelligent, relatable, kind, warm, and show growth throughout the book. The plot is also no slouch, and I found myself throwing out my regimented free-time schedule in order to spend more time with this book. The mysteries in the story are well presented, and Jones has a real talent for teasing out clues and leads to build a larger picture. While I wouldn't say this book reinvented the wheel, I think it is both a stunning tribute to old school quest fantasy and a fresh and original take on some classic fantasy tropes. This book is worth your time.
16) Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir – A powerful debut from a new author with a stunning voice, Gideon the Ninth is a story I didn't know I wanted until I read it. A story with endless ambition and complication, Muir's debut built a window into her very chaotic and fascinating mind. It takes a clever artist to combine necromancy and a science fiction setting, and yet Muir's fascinating world seems as effortless as it is captivating. Her universe is both cool and believable, though not necessarily a place I want to live. Although her twists were somewhat unsurprising, her characters were bundles of mystery and watching them evolve over the course of the book was wonderful. Thank god the second book comes out early next year after the ridiculous cliffhanger of an ending in book one. Despite its unique outlandish premise, I can't think of a person I know who wouldn't enjoy it, and I suspect it's going to have a fairly large following pretty quickly.
15) This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone – I didn't expect a book about time-traveling super agents fighting a time war on opposite sides to be so…romantic. This Is How You Lose The Time War is a short book that feels so much bigger than it is. The ideas it contains and the relationship it explores expand in weight and depth far past what the short run time should allow. Gladstone and El-Mohtar have created a poetic romance of a sci-fi novella and luxuriate in it. Their prose is lavish but fitting and never feels overwrought despite always toeing the line of excessive. I was moved by this story to a depth that I have difficulty getting across in words and cannot emphasize enough how much everyone needs to experience the story Red and Blue live within its pages.
14) A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy by Alex White – Alex White is on a roll, making two of our best-of-the-year lists in a row with his next installment of The Salvagers series. A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy improved upon its predecessor on almost every possible metric. The action is more intense, the world is more exciting, and the characters are more lovable. Given the fact that I already loved book one, Bad Deal's improvements are all the more impressive and I have no doubt this series is shaping up to be a strong recommendation for any reader. The Quill to Live reviewers will always be drawn toward books that do a good job blending fantasy and science fiction, and White has a real talent for it. These novels are a mind exploding stream of cool ideas and blockbuster set pieces that keep you on the edge of your seat. My final thoughts on the book are that there better be more than three books in this series because I am nowhere near done with the plot, world, and cast and want to spend as much time as I can among White's wonderful creation.
13) The Hod King by Josiah Bancroft – Bancroft's incredible prose, delightful sense of humor, and mysterious storytelling are back again with the third installment of his The Books of Babel Series. The Hod King is the latest in an incredible character study and journey of the titular Senlin – and watching him grow book by book has been pure joy. Every damn chapter is a cliffhanger that will have you burning through the pages to find out what happens. Bancroft has steadily improved his combat writing, and a number of the fight scenes had me on the edge of my seat sweating. The book has heart and there were a number of touching scenes that deeply moved me. The book also does an incredible job setting up the story for final fourth book – a release date I am now watching like a hawk. The only complaint I have against The Hod King is that there wasn't enough of it to feed my Bancroft addiction.
12) A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine – Martine's debut is a frenetic political space opera that asks the reader to put in some work, for easily one of the most rewarding reading experiences of the year. The worldbuilding is near seamlessly blended into the narrative, allowing osmosis like an exchange between the characters and their world. It's a character-driven drama, wherein the characters have as much agency as the situation allows, leading to the characters to deeply question their own identity, especially when it comes to nationality and the goals of an inherited community. To top it off, Empire has one of the most exciting and bombastic conclusions I've read in a long while; it closes the book, but it opens the world.
11) The Bone Ships by RJ Barker – Do you like dragons? Do you like swashbuckling adventures? Do you like nautical terms and big beautiful ships? Do you like quirky crews of misfits learning to work together? Do you like detailed world-building and island nations with rich cultures? Do you like super cool hats? If you answered yes to any of the above, RJ Barker's The Bone Ships might be the next book for you. The world is top-tier in its quality and the plot is surprising in its direction and themes. The Bone Ships stands out as one of the most memorable, tense, and majestic reads I have had this year. If it were not for its painfully slow opening, I would likely have given it a perfect score. There is a beautiful synergy of old tropes and new ideas coexisting in this novel that speaks to me on several levels. This book was one of the only 'escort quests' I have ever enjoyed being a part of, and it was a privilege to watch the protagonists forge a legendary ship's crew from the ashes of failure. Do yourself a favor and give The Bone Ships a read.
Welcome to the top 10 of 2019. Please note that the competition for these top 10 spots was fierce this year, so all of these books should be given high accolades.
10) The Burning White by Brent Weeks – I gotta tell you, I did not have a lot of faith that Weeks could pull off a powerful ending for The Lightbringer – and wow was I wrong. This is one of the twistiest series I have ever read, and the more turns you have the harder it is the land the final reveal. The Burning White sticks a landing that would earn a straight 10 from Olympic judges. The final installment of this modern classic cements its standing in my mind and does a lot to alleviate some of the minor animosity created by book four in the series. Future generations of readers will not appreciate how lucky they are to be able to read these five books back to back, and will never know the pain of having to wait years to find out what happens in the story next. Give these books a spin if you haven't already.
9) The Wolf's Call by Anthony Ryan – Oh Vaelin, why do I never tire of you? From your broody attitude, to your brooding demeanor, to your brooding sense of fashion, you are a walking edgelord trope that should be terrible. And yet, through the skilled mind and hands of Ryan, you are given life, purpose, and depth. You are a fascinating character to read about. I love projecting myself into someone so weary and tenacious. Vaelin is a force of nature with a quiet contemplative mind that I can't stop peeking into. I am so happy that Ryan has brought us back to his original world, even if it is just for a duology. The Wolf's Call is a book that any fan of the fantasy genre will enjoy and is the closest spiritual successor of the original Blood Song. The book has a straightforward plot that explores doors left open at the end of Queen of Fire and sets the stage for an explosive new conflict for Vaelin to stumble his way through. I love Vaelin Al Sorna, and it feels so good to see him take the stage again in his glorious, broody, form once again.
8) The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling – Horror and science fiction have an interesting relationship as they can sometimes explore similar ideas with wildly different approaches. Luckily, Starling is an excellent matchmaker, highlighting both genres' strongest attributes in her debut, which also happens to be our top Dark Horse pick. The setting and the characters are the biggest stars in this book. Gyre and Em have layers to them that heighten the tension and horror of the deep caves Gyre is exploring. The first person perspective is purposefully disoriented, making the reader feel as if they are in Gyre's shoes, and needing to ask the questions she herself has trouble answering. The character's flaws are on full display in an incredibly human fashion. Their reckless decisions feel necessary, but also stupid and punishable. I never really felt safe during the story, especially when Gyre's radio only partner Em, seemed so questionable. The Luminous Dead has buried itself deep in my brain and will remain there for years to come. If you're looking for an intimate horror experience, turn out the lights and let the dead light your way.
7) A Lush and Seething Hell by John Hornor Jacobs – If I had my way this would be in the first slot. I have evangelized about this book to everyone I have spoken to about reading since I experienced it and will continue to for as long as I live. A duology of novellas, one longer than the other, A Lush and Seething Hell may be my favorite book of all time. The longer I've had to think about and reflect upon its story the more profoundly it has impacted me and influenced my thoughts. Each of the stories it contains is compelling and moving in the extreme, and while I personally have my favorite of the two either one would top a list of what my personal "best" short stories would be. The genre and subject matter means that by default this book won't be for everyone, but I think everyone owes it to themselves to find out personally. I will get my ARC signed by John Hornor Jacobs someday if it is the last thing I do, and I would highly recommend every single person reading this article to go and pick this book up. I cannot wait for what Jacobs does next.
6) Tiamat's Wrath by James S. A. Corey – I have been reading The Expanse for almost a decade, and for almost a decade it has consistently and reliably brought joy into my life. As such, there are few things I look forward to more every year than my next dose of The Expanse – until now. The feelings of joy and excitement when I look at these books have slowly morphed into anxiety and dread. It isn't because the books have gotten worse, they are still brilliant pillars of sci-fi excellence. It isn't because there is something better that has taken their throne, they are still the leading providers for me of great books. It's because, to quote Doctor Strange, "we are in the endgame now." The hundreds of plot threads and characters that the Corey duo have littered throughout their series are coming together as we enter the second to last book. Tiamat's Wrath is just as powerful, emotional, and enjoyable as its seven older siblings – but I couldn't help but think as I read it that now I only have a single core Expanse book left. Tiamat's Wrath continues the series tradition of excellent character-based storytelling. It is truly a marvel that after eight books Ty Franck and Danial Abraham's story is as captivating as it was almost a decade ago. I cannot contain my excitement over finding out how The Expanse is going to end, nor my impending feeling of dread that it will soon be over. Please do yourself a favor and go read this book/series. The Quill to Live collectively cannot recommend it more.
5) Exhalation by Ted Chiang – One of two books to sneak into the top five in the last two weeks of the year and cause a delay on the list. As far as I am concerned, Exhalation should be required reading for everyone. It is a book that evokes curiosity in the reader and kickstarts introspection. It is such a thoughtful and inspirational book and I can't imagine the kind of person who wouldn't enjoy it. In 300 pages and nine stories, Chiang will drop a boatload of wisdom on you and ask some questions that will have you thinking weeks after you finish the collection. This series of shorts pack punches orders of magnitude larger than other things that have come out this year, it a much smaller package. Just read it, seriously. You really owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of these wonderful stories.
4) A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie – Like anyone familiar with the fantasy genre is surprised this is in the top five. Headline: author who everyone agrees is dope as hell writes next installment of beloved series and it turns out really good – surprising no one and delighting everyone. Seriously, A Little Hatred is amazing. Abercrombie has ushered in a new generation of characters that are just as compelling, unconventional, and emotional as the last – without cannibalizing his own work. The book is confusing and emotional and my review will likely change two books from now when Abercrombie shows that I was wrong about everything – including things like who my parents are. The book is a gift of anxiety, lost sleep, depression, excitement, and betrayal. I don't know why I keep reading his books, all they do is upset me for a month afterward because I can't stop thinking about them. Everyone would probably live a happier and more carefree life if they never picked up a piece of Abercrombie's haunting fiction. I highly recommend it, one of the best books I have read this year.
3) Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky – With powerful narrative, Ruin builds upon the strengths of its predecessor allowing Tchaikovsky to prominently display his skills as a writer. The worldbuilding is incredible, with the book having a true alien atmosphere that you can immerse yourself in. The book has powerful emotional moments of shock, horror, and excitement that will have your heart racing as you read it. While Time had great characters, Tchaikovsky really upped the ante in Ruin. The cast of this book is phenomenal and I felt deep emotional connections to all of them. Unfortunately, this closeness led me to feel that some of their stories were not fully explored by the end of the book, but it did not dampen the power of the story overall. Children of Ruin, much like its predecessor, is an incredible piece of science fiction that I firmly believe will be considered a classic in the future. It is original, entertaining, thought-provoking, surprising, and takes an already very high bar and sets it higher. You owe it to yourself to read these magnetic books and experience life through a new set of sensory organs. Both Time and Ruin are two of my favorite books in recent memory.
2) The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – This sneaky little snake is the true reason our list is late again this year. The silver-tongued Morgenstern must have known what she was doing when she released 2019's arguably most anticipated book a week before reviewers like me had to put out best-of lists. I have not written a full review for The Starless Sea yet because I am still digesting how I feel about the book after binging it in a few days. However, I was only about ten pages into the book before I knew it would be a top contender for the book of the year on every fantasy and sci-fi list. With one of the most relatable protagonists of all time, The Starless Sea captured my imagination in a way few stories ever have. The book, simply put, is a work of art. With its stunning exterior and gorgeous prose upon its pages, I found myself holding this modern classic to my chest for comfort after it hammered my heart into oblivious with its touching story. There is just so much to like here that I hope everyone has a chance to pick up and enjoy this beautiful story. It has a slow pace, but you will luxuriate in it instead of wallow. So wait for sundown, get in a comfy chair, and dive into The Starless Sea.
1) A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay – This year it was a close thing. The difference in ranking between the number one and two books this year is minuscule, but at the end of the day(year) I had to give it to A Brightness Long Ago. Kay has crafted a masterpiece of prose, commentary on the human condition, believable characters, and exploration of what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself. This book is utterly beautiful, heartbreaking, and will be a favorite of anyone who has a pulse. This is a tale of people learning about how the world works, seeing how they can change it, and the decisions they make when push comes to shove. It's a story of how people are forged by their surroundings, and how they can rise to be more or fall to be less. It's about decisions that must be made in the blink of an eye that profoundly change the course of the decider's life one way or another. It's about one of my favorite subjects – the quiet unrecognized achievements of the people who changed the world, but what they did will never be known to anyone but themselves. It's about people who run towards ambition and influence, and those that do everything they can to live quiet lives and accept the influence of others being thrust upon them. All of these small things that A Brightness Long Ago is about builds to a deafening crescendo of emotion, poetry, and commentary on the human condition that make it one of my favorite books I have ever read. It is a flawless piece of literature that left me crying on a plane, kept me up to 5 AM on the edge of my seat, and challenged me to really think about the decisions you make in life. Every single thing that Kay makes is excellent, and this is one of his best. A Brightness Long Ago simply begs to be read and is The Quill to Live's #1 book of 2019 – I urge you to all go find a copy.
-Happy 2019 from The Quill to Live Team
System Failure – It's All Fun And Games Until The Universe Is Ending
November 14, 2019 November 14, 2019 / Andrew Mather - The Quill to Live	/ 1 Comment
November is science fiction month, so we have been trying to theme our reviews around this incredible versatile genre that has a lot to offer. The majority of the science fiction genre deals with serious subjects and deep philosophical conversations about the future of technology and the human condition – but not all of it. In recent years, we have been increasingly seeing satirical science fiction books that poke fun at the genre, making you laugh out loud while providing a fun science fiction adventure. Epic Failure, by Joe Zieja, is one such series. The books are a trilogy, comprised of Mechanical Failure (reviewed here), Communication Failure (reviewed here), and System Failure which came out about a month ago. Today we are going to talk about the series as a whole, where I feel it ended up in its journey, and what I think of the final installment in this memorable and funny series. I want to spend more time talking about more high-level summaries of the strengths and themes of the books. If you want to dig into the gritty details like the plot and characters I would recommend checking out the previous reviews of the first two books linked above.
If you don't have time to read my previous two reviews, my general thoughts on the first two books were as follows. Mechanical Failure is a fairly funny book that falls a bit flat but feels like it has potential. The story follows Rogers, a navy mechanic as he tries to avoid all responsibility and just relax in his position. He is a generally unlikable character, the book consists primarily of bad things happening to him due to the consequences of his actions, and for most of the book, it feels like the plot is fairly light and mostly used as a way to set up (good) punch lines. However, by the end of the book, the characters show some growth, and some actual plot begins to surface. In book two, Communications Failure, Rogers somehow ends up a captain of a ship and ends up having to navigate a complex political situation with finesse and poise. It goes poorly. Overall, Communications shows noticeable improvement in every metric. The humor is better, the characters all grow into deeper and more interesting people, the world is fleshed out, and there is an actual plot that is exciting to follow. The book is a whirlwind of fun from start to finish and it left me chomping at the bit to pick up the finale.
Now we have System Failure, the conclusion to this trilogy. System Failure is an interesting book, in a lot more ways than one. At the start of the book, Rogers finds himself once again promoted against his will to the admiral of a joint task force to save the world. The plot of the book follows his attempts to begrudgingly pull the universe together, rally everyone to fight a reality ending threat, and become a better person in the process. Now that I have finished all three books, it is really interesting to look back and see the percentage of page space devoted to humor vs. serious themes and plot. While all three books have both, the focus on humor decreases with time and the focus on themes and plot increases with time. System Failure sees a noticeable change in the focus of the story. While there is still a ton of humor and laugh out loud moments, the humor is now used as a lens through which to discuss serious subject matters, like taking responsibility for your actions, sacrificing for the greater good, and providing a bizarre and horrifying commentary on the reality that is the military. It is an interesting shift that I didn't expect to happen, didn't think I wanted, but now greatly appreciate having read the book. Zieja had to work very hard to make this transition happen, and although I miss some of the focus on humor I think his final piece of the trilogy is an impressive piece of writing.
If I had to focus on one place in particular that the book stood out it would be how Zieja handled the character arcs of Rogers and Deet. Rogers' character growth is subtle. You don't even notice it as it is happening until you start looking backward. His slow transition into a better person who takes responsibility is joyful to read. The emotional payoff is enormous, and it leaves you with a warm feeling that nicely balances out the hilarious but depressing commentary on the state of the world. Likewise, the major side character Deet, an AI coming to terms with sentience, is also captivating to watch. Although Zieja used humor and satire as his vehicle for Deet gaining awareness, I still felt like his character arc was an interesting take on how humans and AI develop emotions. Zieja uses humor, the mildly frustrating inane crap we all deal with, and empathy to showcase for his AI character what it means to be human. It is a hilarious and accurate portrayal of what it means to be sentient, and it's one of my favorite things that makes System Failure stand out. Finally, it is also worth noting that the end of the world plot is pretty exciting as well. There are awesome space battles and an action-packed climax that was supremely entertaining.
System Failure, and Epic Failure as a whole, is a wonderfully unique science fiction experience. Zieja is a man of many talents, and his ability to write a series that is humorous, heartfelt, and smart all at the same time is impressive. These books are one of the hidden gems of the genre, and if you want to read something that is extremely entertaining and can recommend to everyone you know, you should definitely pick it up. Although the Epic Failure series has had its last chapter, the ending of the book was surprisingly open-ended and I am crossing my fingers that Zieja will keep going with the story. I am not quite ready to leave this fun and thoughtful world quite yet.
Rating: System Failure – 8.5/10


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Getting a new Pa. budget; or the art of driving with no hands
More than a month past the state budget deadline, there's no clear road to a resolution.
Very little changes under the Capitol dome in Harrisburg.Read moreMatt Rourke
by John Baer | Columnist
Among way too many news releases flooding my inbox, one last week caught my eye as a good summation of the budget process.
A release from Rep. Rosemary Brown (R., Monroe) carried this headline: "Brown Introduces Hands-Free Driving Legislation."
Perfect. Let's let everyone drive their vehicles the way lawmakers drive the budget – trying to steer with no hands.
Now, of course, Brown's bill doesn't call for that. It would ban using hand-held phones while driving (allowing hands-free devices such as Bluetooth). But the headline hit me as an apt description of policymaking in Pennsylvania.
As in, while Gov. Wolf (the invisible man) isn't driving anything but his Jeep, the legislature careens along making policy "hands-free."
Who knows where it's going or who or what it hits en route?
More than a month past the budget deadline, lawmakers have no agreement on how to balance or pay for $32 billion in spending that started July 1.
This isn't new. It's Pennsylvania, where deadlines, duty, and constitutional requirements are regarded as mere suggestions.
Our budgets are late and unbalanced. Our debt rises, and we limp along with one of the worst credit ratings in the nation and no resources to fall back on.
Data released Friday by Pew shows us at the bottom of the states, down there with Arkansas and Louisiana, in terms of funds in reserve.
And our budget?
In limbo, waiting for the Republican House to act on or ignore a Republican Senate-passed revenue package with big borrowing and targeted taxes. When that happens is unclear; maybe by the end of the month, maybe after Labor Day.
Meanwhile, state Treasurer Joe Torsella just extended a $750 million line of credit to keep the state general fund from going dry.
This rewrites an idiom: It gives credit where credit isn't due.
And the narrowly passed (26-24) Senate revenue plan rewrites legislative rules of the road. It's interesting for its mix, and the fact it was supported by a bunch of suddenly relevant Democrats.
It includes a surprising $100 million severance tax (Wolf sought three times that) on gas drillers. That's something GOP leaders opposed for years. In fact, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, two days before voting for the tax, said such a tax was off the table.
Hey, when you drive with no hands you tend to swerve.
Ah, but the tax also includes regulatory "reforms" favoring the gas industry that environmental groups oppose and that, almost surely, will lead to litigation.
The Senate plan also includes $400 million in taxes on everybody's phone, electric, and gas bills. For that reason, Philly Sen. Art Haywood was one of just three Democrats voting against it, the only "no" vote from Philadelphia.
Haywood notes the energy industry is taxed $100 million while consumers are taxed $400 million and says, "I'm not in support of that ratio."
He also says, "This is a Republican budget, reflecting Republican priorities."
And yet, its biggest piece of new revenue is $1.3 billion in borrowing (which Republicans hate to do) against funds from the 1998 national tobacco settlement, which also could lead to litigation.
Wolf "generally supports" all this (reelection bids make people do strange things). But it has to get through the House, where leadership is known for opposing a severance tax, any new taxes, and most borrowing. So, you can see the problem.
The House could do something like the Senate with support from its own (maybe relevant) Democrats.
Or, according to Rep. Kate Harper (R., Montco), a 16-year House member who knows her caucus well, "I think we come back in September, and the House does something entirely different."
I'm picturing turn signals activated with knees, because clearly nobody's got their hands anywhere near the wheel.
Published Aug. 6, 2017
John Baer
John Baer has written about politics and government since 1987. Neither subject ever fails to provide him with stories of policies and politicians walking on or skirting by paths to perdition.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Swedish is the most widely spoken of all the Scandinavian languages. Closely related to Norwegian and Danish, it is usually understood by Norwegians, Danes, and Finns living in the south and south west of Finland.
The Swedish alphabet has just three extra characters in relation to the English alphabet and uses 'umlauts' like German. It is a Germanic language of the Indo-European family.
Over the centuries Swedish has borrowed many words from German, French and English. We, in turn, use Swedish words like 'smorgasbord' and 'tungsten', both of which derive from Swedish.
CLT clients who have studied Swedish for Business through us either on a weekly or intensive basis include online betting giant bet365 in Stoke on Trent, train manufacturer Bombardier in Derby, and the Billington Group in Rotherham, as well as global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.


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Il moralista è un film del 1959 diretto da Giorgio Bianchi.

Uscito a poca distanza dallo scandalo Montesi, nella trama del film si avvertono gli echi di alcune polemiche degli anni cinquanta che mescolavano lotta politica e gossip.

Trama
Agostino, irreprensibile ed ottuso segretario generale dell'OIMP (Organizzazione Internazionale della Moralità Pubblica), sembra un burocrate censore moralista ai limiti dell'assurdo, ma è in realtà un losco individuo che fa la tratta delle bianche e tenta di ingraziarsi l'influente presidente dell'organizzazione corteggiandone la figlia racchia. Nonostante venga smascherato, riuscirà a prendersi una rivincita mettendo alla berlina i capricci del presidente.

Produzione e cast
Il film segnò l'esordio sul grande schermo dell'attrice austriaca Maria Perschy. La madre romagnola di Mara Berni è interpretata da Lydia Simoneschi, qui al suo ultimo film. La giovane Sylvia Lopez morì l'anno stesso di leucemia.

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Film commedia all'italiana
Film ambientati a Roma
Film diretti da Giorgio Bianchi

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


We're loving the Color Me fabrics from Studio E, new in the shop! In addition to yardage and panels with cute frames, we also added Fat Quarter Packs with a collection of four fat quarters. You can color this collection with crayons, fabric paints or another favorite medium and we think it's the perfect Summer Sewing project to do with kids. Washability depends on the medium you use as some fabric markers and crayons are permanent. Fill vacation time with some fun; kids can color the fabric and then you can sew something together!
Joelle's girls are three and five, and they used fabric crayons on the fabric which they'll turn into pillows for the girls' beds.
Joelle suggests that for younger children a fat quarter would be just the right amount for coloring. Her five year old is showing the picture she drew in one of the frames on the Color Me panels (also included in the Color Me Fat Quarter Pack).
Sybilla suggests that if you use fabric markers you should use a light touch so the ink doesn't bleed, and she had a lot of success with taping the fabric down to provide a good work surface; this way the fabric didn't wrinkle as her daughter colored.
Paige from Where Women Create used her Slice Elite to cut Emma's name out from the fabrics.
The boys got in on the coloring action too! Emma picked out all of the flowers and colors on this cute banner made from the Daisy Natural and Allover Floral Natural Color Me fabrics.


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Chicken casserole | Jo's food bites.
Ingredients: 1 onion – chopped, 2 peppers – deseeded and chopped, can of chopped tomatoes, 2 tsp of turmeric, 1 tsp paprika, 2 chicken breasts, chicken stock and coconut oil.
Method: Heat coconut oil in casserole dish and seal the chicken breasts. Add the onions, peppers and spices and cook for a couple of minutes.
Add the tomatoes and sufficient stock to cover the chicken and veg.
Place in oven on low heat and cook for a couple of hours.


Whether you're looking for a role model for female students, a scientist to run a STEM workshop, or a speaker with some unique stories, please consider an author visit. I offer programs appropriate for school-aged children up through senior citizens, as well as science workshops for students and teachers.
See Resources>For Writers tab for consulting and editing services. Use Book Orders tab for copies of my work. Kindle and out-of-print books are available via Marianne Dyson on AMAZON.
Sharing my passion for space with members of AIAA at NASA Glenn, 2016. Photo by Ed Wong/AIAANOS.
Author Marianne Dyson shares her personal experience earning a degree in physics and becoming one of the first women to join the problem-solving team in Mission Control prior to and during the first Space Shuttle flights. How did a girl from Canton, Ohio became one of the first female flight controllers for NASA? What do flight controllers really DO? Historical anecdotes exemplify both the humorous and serious aspects of preparing for Space Shuttle flights, dealing with multiple system failures, fighting the "glass ceiling" at NASA, and juggling work and family.
Duration: one hour. Audience: grade 8 & up.
Author will provide a model of the space shuttle and historical artifacts for display.
Get Ready for the Moon!
It's been 50 years since the first humans ventured to the Moon. Are you ready to take your own lunar tour? Presentation introduces adults and/or kids to the Apollo Program by taking them on a mock tourist trip to the Moon. Trip includes an orbit around the Moon to familiarize tourists with lunar geography and then covers the major reasons why people are heading to the Moon. Spacecraft models, demonstrations, "pops" from the author's Apollo book, To the Moon and Back, help newcomers understand basic properties of the Moon and how its resources can be used to ensure humanity's long-term survival as well as for fun and profit.
Weather and schedule permitting, presentation can be followed by a 15-30 minute trip outdoors to observe the Moon and/or night sky (with the telling of a few tall tales). This option is a fun activity "after hours" at conventions.
With book stores closing, and Amazon controlling 80 percent of book sales, what options do authors have to publish and sell their work? What's the difference between traditional, academic/educational, and self-publishing in terms of reach and profits? Do you need an agent? What are the terms of a typical contract, and how can you avoid being scammed? What are the upfront costs? What goes into the proposal? How long does it take to publish a book? What will you be expected to do in terms of marketing?
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workshops reinforce concepts and practice math skills. Activities taken from my books were tested by either Scholastic or National Geographic consultants. Others were developed by me for use teaching astronomy to gifted kids in the Clear Creek Independent School District's WAVE program. Catholic schools: I have a Safeguarding God's Children certificate. Please see tab above "Resources> for Writers" for writing workshop options.
Dyson ready for launch in Orion!
This workshop follows the format of a simulated space flight with a launch, orbit and landing phase. During the course of the workshop, eight questions are answered via activities: 1) Why does everything float in space? 2) What does it feel like to go into space? 3) What's different about meals in space? 4) How do you weigh a weightless rat? 5) How does fire behave in space? 6) How do you pick things up in space? 7) How do you return from space? and 8) Why does it seem heavier things fall faster?
Duration is 3 hours with a short break in the middle. (Duration can be shortened a half hour by completing some activities at home using supplies/directions provided.) For student workshops, teacher must help supervise students. Max of two workshops/day with an hour break between workshops for reset and lunch.
Audience: Maximum 20 students in grades 4 to 8, or teachers of those grades.
Note, for local workshops, there is a $5/person supply fee. Host must provide water, copies of handouts, scissors, tape, and markers.
Author can provide scale models for assembly by students.
This workshop has participants compare living conditions on the Earth, the Moon, or on Mars in the future. It stresses scale modeling. Younger students can assemble models from parts precut or measured for them ahead of time while older students or adults can measure and make models using diameter, circumference, volume, distance/time, mass, and gravity data. Demonstration version takes about 2 hours, and Hands-On takes about 4 hours for adults, and longer for kids. This workshop can be followed by the Living Solar System for a full day of teacher inservice.
The workshop answers the following questions: 1) Where did the Apollo missions land? 2) How do the Earth, Moon, and Mars compare by diameter? 3) How far away is the Moon? 4) How far away is Mars? 5) Why is everything weightless in space? 6) How do the Earth, Moon, and Mars compare by volume and mass? 7) How much do things weigh on Earth, the Moon, and Mars? 8) How high/far can you jump on Earth, the Moon, and Mars? 9) Why are modules round in space? and 10) How might someone prove they were really on Mars?
Duration is 3 hours. (Duration can be shortened a half hour by completing some activities at home using supplies/directions provided.) For student workshops, at least one teacher or parent must be available to help supervise students. Max of two workshops/day with an hour break between workshops for reset and lunch.
Note for local workshops, there is a $10/person supply fee (because of PlayDoh!). Host must provide water, copies of handouts, scissors, tape, rulers, calculators, and markers.
Living Solar System requires a gym or outdoor area.
Participants create a solar system "May pole" with strings stretched from the sun at the center to cutouts of the planets (and major moons and dwarf worlds) to scale. They then walk the orbit of their assigned world and see for themselves how the worlds move relative to one another.
Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours. This workshop takes 90 minutes using author's premade parts, 2 hours for a class to make one solar system (each participant assigned a planet) and use it, or 3 hours for teachers to make a complete set to take home and practice using it. Activity requires a gym, hotel ballroom, or unobstructed sports field or parking lot with enough room for a 40-foot diameter solar system. Max of 3 workshops/day with 30 to 60-minute break between workshops.
Audience: Maximum 24 participants in grades 4 to 8, or teachers of those grades.
For teacher workshops, there's an additional supply fee of $5/person. Host must supply scissors, tape, and markers for each participant.
I live in Clear Lake near NASA JSC in southeast Houston. Therefore, I consider League City, Seabrook, Nassau Bay, and Friendswood as local. Please keep my location in mind when planning the time of your engagement. I would appreciate not having to drive in rush hour traffic! Thanks.
Keynote or Special Topics: Price varies from all expenses paid plus a token honorarium to several thousand dollars, depending on the venue and audience. Opportunities to sell books are appreciated, but are not considered in lieu of honorarium. Please contact me by email to discuss specifics.
Houston Area School Visits: $600 for a single presentation 30 to 60 minutes for afternoon or after-school events that require no more than a 4-hour commitment including drive time. For a single workshop, the cost is $800 plus any workshop supply fees. Price is $1000 for a full day of presentations or workshops for up to an 8-hour commitment. Discounts offered for additional days or repeat business in the same school year.
Long-Distance School Visits: $1200/first day and $800 for each subsequent day plus hotel and transportation expenses for visits that require multiple hotel nights. Author can present up to four programs during one day or repeat one workshop twice. So, for example, I can fly in on a Monday night, address four groups of students on Tuesday, do two of the same workshop on Wednesday, and then fly out Thursday morning for $2000 plus travel expenses and workshop supply fees.
Skype/Google HangOuts: I am willing to do short video chats with students or nonprofit or news organizations interested in interviewing me or discussing my published work. I charge $100 for 30-45 minutes (not including up to 15 minutes ahead of time to get the connection established and tested) between 10 AM and 5 PM Central time M-F. Add $50 extra for weekends or earlier/later times.
Local Houston: I usually bring a few copies of my most recent books for sale. I can accept cash or credit cards for purchases, and I have a Texas sales tax permit.
Travel Visits: Books are heavy and bulky, so I will only bring books that are paid for in advance. Go to my Book Orders page and use the PayPal buttons for Local delivery (no postage) since I will bring them with me. Otherwise, you may order copies from Amazon ahead of time and bring them for signing.
To Book an Appearance, Contact Marianne Dyson.
Copyright © 2016-19 Marianne Dyson.
Featured in cartoon and article by Dale Debakcsy on WomenYouShouldKnow.net, 5-31-17.
Guest appearance on podcast The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston aired 11-14-16.
Radio interview, "From the Houston Spaceflight Center to Mars; the Journey of Marianne Dyson," aired 3-22-16 on MSONEWSSPORTS.com.
Feature article by Brian Albrecht appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, on 1-31-16 & 2-1-16.
On Irish radio show Futureproof hosts Lara Dungan, Ian Brunswick, and I discussed The Martian.
I was on NPR "To the Point" 7-08-11 with Warren Olney to discuss the last Shuttle flight. Hear the entire show, in four parts: Me & Architect Thom Mayne, Mayne & Astronomer Jonathan McDowell, & Me & McDowell.
See more on my ARCHIVE page.
Speaking at Westview School in Houston, May 2018.
Addressing high school students at Laredo Public Library, May 2018.
Dyson with Bruce Foster, artist for To the Moon and Back, at Houston Public Library, 1-18-18.
Rice University Conference on Women in Physics.
Harvard Elementary Literacy Night, October 19.
Buzz Aldrin & I signed Welcome to Mars at Kennedy Space Center.
I sold my first copy of The Callahan Kids (left) at the Seabrook Library's Authors & Ice Cream event in July.
I was a featured author at the East Texas Book Festival in Tyler, Texas in September.
I toured the solar system with a capacity crowd at Freeman Memorial Library in Clear Lake in July.
Bay City librarian Andrea Savage poses with me and (L to R) DeAsia Abbott, Jynesis Battle, Taniya Abbott, Sami Simons, and Kati Simons after my "Tour the Solar System" presentation.
Harvard Elementary third graders compare the sizes of the planets in December.
Me and Great Day Houston host, Debra Duncan, on the set 6-10-09.
Me and former astronaut, Dr. Rhea Seddon, spoke at the annual Butterfly Luncheon in April.
More photos in my ARCHIVE.


Conflict coaching is a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that is becoming increasing popular for diffusing and resolving conflicts before situations spin out of control, and sometimes it is used after the dust has settled but there is still significant tension remaining.
It can be used as a preventative or proactive measure when companies are dealing with significant change and before tensions have the chance to reach an intolerable level. In addition, conflict coaching is valuable before or after mediation or in place of a mediation, to address a specific dispute when only one party is willing to participate. It can also be used to help executives, managers, and other leaders develop more effective communication and conflict resolution skills even when there are no burning issues or crisis to address.
Do I need Conflict Coach Training?
Conflict Coach workshops and training courses offered by John Curtis will employ a variety of tools, techniques and conceptual frameworks for analyzing conflict. Participants will learn to work with people one-on-one to help them gain a new perspective on their conflicts and uncover new possibilities for resolution.
Dynamic and engaging classes for groups or individuals can be tailored to your needs and will feature opportunities for interactive, real-world teachings, and personalized coaching and feedback.
Conflict coach training is extremely valuable for human resource professionals, managers, entrepreneurs, business owners, lawyers, mediators, coaches, and anyone responsible for building and managing strong teams and organizations.
For more detailed information on Conflict Coach Training, please contact John Curtis.


Revenge Fighting Physical 60 100 10 1 Power increases if user was hit first.
Agility Psychic Status 0 0 30 1 Sharply raises user's Speed.
Comet Punch Normal Physical 18 85 15 1 Hits 2-5 times in one turn.
Pursuit Dark Physical 40 100 20 13 Double power if the opponent is switching out.
Bullet Punch Steel Physical 40 100 30 16 User attacks first.
Feint Normal Physical 30 100 10 21 Only hits if opponent uses Protect or Detect in the same turn.
Vacuum Wave Fighting Special 40 100 30 26 User attacks first.
Quick Guard Fighting Status 0 0 15 31 Fast moves won't damage the user or its teammates.
Sky Uppercut Fighting Physical 85 90 15 32 Hits the opponent, even during Fly.
Mach Punch Fighting Physical 40 100 30 32 User attacks first.
Fire Punch Fire Physical 75 100 15 33 May burn opponent.
Ice Punch Ice Physical 75 100 15 38 May freeze opponent.
Thunder Punch Electric Physical 75 100 15 43 May paralyze opponent.
Detect Fighting Status 0 0 5 44 Opponent's attack doesn't affect you, but may fail if used often.
Counter Fighting Physical 0 100 20 53 When hit by a Physical Attack, user strikes back with 2x power.
Close Combat Fighting Physical 120 100 5 56 Lowers user's Defense and Special Defense.
Generate your own Hitmonchan qr code.