Tom Cruise blown up by LA police!!

OK, I may have read that story wrong: [link]

The Los Angeles Times and movie studio Paramount could face a federal lawsuit after a publicity stunt to promote "Mission: Impossible III" sparked a bomb scare, the paper reported.

Around 4,500 sidewalk newspaper boxes across California were rigged with devices last April that played the "Mission: Impossible" theme when customers opened them in the build-up to the release of the Tom Cruise blockbuster.

But several customers thought the music players were bombs and reported them to law enforcement officials. An arson squad blew up one of the newspaper boxes in Santa Clarita, just north of Los Angeles, as a precaution.

In an odd counterpoint to Allyson’s excellent publishing news, I just received an e-mail from “BenBella Books” trolling for contributors to a new series:

In this series psychologists discuss movies, television shows and book series through the lens of psychology, with the goal of both educating the reader on psychological principals and providing insights into popular entertainment using psychological tools. The essays are written for a smart but lay audience at the level of an introduction to psychology course.

The first project is The Psychology of Joss, which is an examination of the works of Joss Whedon - specifically Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly/Serenity, from a psychological perspective. You can focus on a specific character in one of the series, a psychological issue that cuts across the series, or even on Joss himself. We're very open to creative ideas and, as always, our ideal essay is one that provides insights into both psychology and the shows discussed.

The due date for Psychology of Joss Whedon is April 15

This looks like a job for Buffistas. I’d especially like to hear more about the concept of “psychological principals.” Would Principal Hottie qualify?

Presumably that's either a ripoff or homage of "The Philosophy of..." series, right?

Hey Allyson, remember that optics catalog that had you irate? (It was Edumd Optics, yeah?)

It's just hit the AAS Committee on the Status of Women listserv.

I think it's because I think I'm so lame, and that mostly everyone here is a way better writer than I.

That is so not true.

If I pre-order three, I won't have to pay shipping.

Presumably that's either a ripoff or homage of "The Philosophy of..." series, right?

I don't know that series, but it wouldn't shock me if this one was a ripoff.

I hope y'all are using affiliate links to preorder.

I don't know that series, but it wouldn't shock me if this one was a ripoff.

The Philosophy of the Simpsons, BtVS, LotR, Matrix and other pop culture subjects. AFAIK (well, what I've been told from the in-house philosopher) none of the authors of the included essays are significant philosophy personages.

Hey Allyson, remember that optics catalog that had you irate? (It was Edumd Optics, yeah?)

It's just hit the AAS Committee on the Status of Women listserv.

Because I'm bored, I googled that catalog, and got this blog: [link]

Oh thank god. I was told I was nuts for being so mad about it.

I feel vindicated.

ION, my hands won't stop shaking. It's really really really real.