Voting results:

Once the current Firefly thread has reached its 10,000th post, should we discontinue the thread?

YES 43

NO 50

Total of 93 votes were cast.

Erika gets kudos from The House Next Door for her excellent High Hat article: [link]

Tonight:

The World Wide Word Radio Network Presents the next installment of The Eclectic Word on Friday, November 2, at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, where poet and journalist Victor D. Infante will discuss the contemporary short story with writers Jeff DeRego and Rachel Kann. Expect a freewheeling, wide-ranging discussion that will go into the value of narrative, writers using new technology and a bit about poetry and hip-hop. You really don't want to miss this one.

The Eclectic Word, an Internet radio show that delves into literature's fringe with poets, satirists, alternative journalists and even (gasp!) bloggers, stepping off the beaten path of literature, taking a close look at the odd, the eccentric and the cutting-edge. Shows are available for streaming shortly after the live program has ended.

Future shows:

On Friday, November 16, at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST, we'll be joine dby poets Derrick Brown and Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz.

Tomorrow:

If you are anywhere within a reasonable drive of New York City next weekend, here's where you need to be:

Victor D. Infante hosts a night of readers from The November 3rd Club, an online literary journal of political writing, including Tony Brown, Jane Cassady, Brian Dauth, Lea Deschenes, Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, Gary Hoare, Lynne Procope, Skip Shea, Jackie Sheeler, Rachel McKibbens, Michael Cirelli and Patricia Smith.

The Bowery Poetry Club 308 Bowery, New York, NY 10012 212.614.0505

Saturday, November 3rd 6 to 8 p.m. Admission: $7

Remember the Secret Santa Exchange?

If not, then this is a reminder: Anyone interested in exchanging small presents with other Buffistas during the holiday season, email me at my profile address with your Buffista name and a snail-mail location to which people can send your loot.

Please try to email me by November 9. I'll match names and send out notices by November 11, to allow for lots of present buying/making and mailing time.

Your truly,
Tiny Jewish not-Santa

I'm today's unshelved comic...which also mentions Buffistas. Surreal, right? I'm totally ordering a signed copy, yo.

[link]

Contract work op -

Our marketing people are looking for referrals for writers who specialize in the web. Background on what they're asking:

As you may know, we are redesigning our global web site and will eventually rework all the current content. I need recommendations on good writers who have specific experience in writing web site content (preferably business to business) for high-quality companies. The writers (and I'll need more than one) can be based anywhere in the U.S. -- they just need to have deep experience in this medium and be stand-out talent. We have a budget dedicated to writing for the web project, and we want to hire the best. Do you have any recommendations?

If this is you, or someone you know, ping me at my profile.

There will be a firefly watch and post starting in about half an hour with the pilot episode "Serenity" over in the firefly thread.

:waves:

I am notoriously Very Bad At Posting Christmas Cards. Bigtime.

However, once every decade or so, I not only buy the cards, I not only write the cards - I actually post the cards.

This seems to be one of those years. So if you'd like to take the chance and send me your snailmail address, there's a distinct possibility that you might get a Christmas card from Bangkok. I'm not promising, but - I have purchased cards, I have started to write cards, I intend to post cards. One of those cards could be coming to YOU, if you so wish.

Anyone? Bueller?

my email addy: thingsinvisibletosee at gmail dot com

Attention Buffista parents - yet another massive toy recall:

Millions of Chinese-made toys have been pulled from shelves in North America and Australia after scientists found they contain a chemical that converts into a powerful date rape drug when ingested. Two children in the United States and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads.

In the United States, the toy goes by the name Aqua Dots, a highly popular holiday toy distributed by Toronto-based Spin Master Toys. They are called Bindeez in Australia, where they were named toy of the year at an industry function earlier this year.

Scientists say a chemical coating on the beads, when ingested, metabolizes into the so-called date rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate. When eaten, the compound - made from common and easily available ingredients - can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.