Category Archives: Casual Friday

Oxford’s Torment: The Latest Chapter in the Shakespeare Mystery.

If the rose were a pose, how sweet would that smell?The enduring mystery of William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, has become a little less mysterious. It may be that we can never fully plumb the genius of our ever-living Bard, … Continue reading

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Q: If a man goes dancing with a Dancing Bear, what, would you suppose, is his first name?

A: Claude. It’s a Fathertongue joke. You can run it by any young kids you may know to see if they have graduated to childhood. A child would have to understand Fathertongue to get the joke — to swap the … Continue reading

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I write as a writer: There has never been satire as concise and perfect as South Park by Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

To say anything is to block their light: Reverse CowgirlGet More: SOUTHPARKClyde Donovan,Randy Marsh,more… Simply brilliant. Pitch-perfect at every tone. What of our art will survive us? Almost nothing. But South Park will. As another guy said, their stories are … Continue reading

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A short history of creatively powered spaceflight

A short history of creatively powered spaceflight from the Niven Institute of Applied Plausibility New students to the discipline of plausibility are often shocked to discover that it was only three centuries ago that humankind toiled — for years — … Continue reading

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SplendorQuest: Someone to thrive with.

I wrote this nine years ago today, but it describes events that happened fourteen years ago. You’ll figure it out… This is my best-beloved and me yesterday: If you wonder what a gorgeous woman like that is doing with a … Continue reading

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Bubba cools out in the cold

A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story News is not my thing, but sometimes it falls into your lap. That’s what Bubba did — literally. He was half in the bag and he stumbled and tripped and landed his sloppy self right on me. For a while he just laid half across my lap, grinning stupidly at […] Continue reading

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“Jihad, Las Vegas!”

[Today is “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day,” and this is my contribution. I wrote this just before Independence Day in 2002. –GSS]  “Jihad, Las Vegas!” A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story “C’mon, Sahib,” the Cabdriver said. “Let’s get rollin’.” Sahib said, “Again I must remind you that my name is not Sahib. And also I must ask […] Continue reading

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How the bank robbed Bonnie and Clyde

[Normally when I post a Willie story, my purpose is a sort of didactic brutality. Not so today. This one is just for fun. –GSS]  How the bank robbed Bonnie and Clyde A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story “Stick ‘em up!” said Clyde. I swear that’s what he said. My first bank robbery. I was right […] Continue reading

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Cooler than a corpse…

A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story “I… uh… I thought we’d be meeting with the brands committee.” Manny Kant said that. He gnawed at his lower lip. The Big Boss lowered his girth into the chair at the end of the conference table. He took his time, and Manny accommodated him by breaking out in a […] Continue reading

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The Desperation Waltz

[Teri said, “Not unlike what you’d see in a sleazy club.” And I said, “Sly, beguiling lies.” Here is where the two ideas converge. –GSS]  The Desperation Waltz A Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Willie story “Hey, Tommy,” Jimmy said without looking up from the newspaper he had spread out on the bar, “what’s Reubenesque mean again?” “Jeesh! […] Continue reading

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