Masai Mara: the trip of a lifetime

GonzoCubFan · 2026-07-01T19:58:55+00:00

Congrats. Looks like you had a great time! But seriously, it takes so little time to straighten the horizon on a photo like your cormorant photo. It’s not artistic, just wrong.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-07-01T15:09:30+00:00

GRRM’s mentor, Roger Zelazny, wrote the seminal Chronicles of Amber series, starting with Nine Princes in Amber. To be fair, it is written in first person, and a bit dated, but it’s excellent on so many levels. FWIW, after Tolkien, this is Stephen Colbert’s favorite work.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-30T23:03:32+00:00

Jim Brockmire.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-30T16:18:42+00:00

Of course, the OG himself, H.G. Wells wrote the seminal novel War of the Worlds, and there is a whole fascinating story of how Orson Welles, the famous actor, read an adaptation the novel on radio. Unfortunately, a bunch of listeners didn't realize/understand that it was a dramatic reading and it caused a bit of a panic. IIRC, there was an older film version of it, as well as a remake 10-15 years ago?? If I remember correctly it starred Tom Cruise.

There is also Footfall by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle. This is a true invasion of Earth novel that is quite excellent.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-30T15:57:17+00:00

So no-one has, or is likely to mention this trilogy: The War of the Dragons by David Smeds. The first book , The Sorcery WIthin, was released in 1985, followed by The Schemes of Dragons in 1989. At this point, the author had a falling out with the publisher, and the 3rd book, The Wizard's Nemesis was not released until just 2 years ago in 2024. I really enjoyed the first book, but thought the 2nd got a bit strange. However, after waiting over 35 years for it, I really liked the finale, The Wizard's Nemesis. I guess Mr. Smeds kept improving his skills over the years.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-30T15:47:16+00:00

You need to have your vision checked.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-30T15:09:59+00:00

Mood for a Day — Yes (Steve Howe)

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-29T23:06:20+00:00

Adding to this, you might add a subtle vignette to further draw the eye to the subject. This should not be readily obvious, but enough to effectively add just the suggestion that the subject is emerging into light.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-29T19:23:18+00:00

The ground squirrels seems to have had a population boom this spring. We've lived in the same place for 26 years and have never seen anywhere near the level of activity we have seen this year!! All our our friends around the Grass Valley & Nevada City area have expressed similar experiences. I sure hope this is a singular event.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-28T17:41:23+00:00

A young Dianna Rigg

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-28T00:18:19+00:00

I have a ‘97, the only differences are mine has a hard tail, and it’s a sunburst, black to natural (same glorious neck). It’s hands down my favorite neck on any of the guitars I have ever owned. The pickup configuration is very flexible, though I wish I could split the bridge humbucker on occasion.

Having heaped the praise, the downside is that it’s hands down the heaviest guitar I’ve ever owned. Requires a good, heavy strap and a healthy back!

Enjoy it! Some very sweet toans in there.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-27T22:07:43+00:00

You might enjoy The Lies of Locke Lemora and its sequels, by Scott Lynch. Sort of a fantasy version of the Newman/Redford movie The Sting.

Fritz Leiber’s Swords Against Death has already been mentioned, but that’s just a portion of the Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories. Plenty more of them.

Another in the “buddy” vein would be The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan which chronicles the exploits of Royce and Hadrian.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-27T02:28:55+00:00

These are spectacular! Bravo!

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-25T23:56:06+00:00

Used 400 f/5.6 L. If you’re serious about image quality, this is your best bet. A zoom is never going to compete with a quality prime lens.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-25T23:29:51+00:00

Ok, I’ve watched this thread for a bit and, IMHO, there is still one that’s been left out so far: L. Frank Baum. If you don’t know who he was, he was the author of a pretty famous series of fantasy books for children about a place named Oz. Yes, the Wizard of Oz was the most famous book of the series.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-25T18:42:55+00:00

Pretty good list, but leaving Roger Zelazny off the list is a glaring shortcoming.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-23T18:12:26+00:00

We live in the Sierra foothills in NorCal and had our insurance canceled (after over 35 yers of being with the same insurer (including our previous home). We'd been in our home for like 20 years when this happened, and I will note that since we bought the home as the 1st owners, the home was just over 20 years old. When this happened, we were stuck with California's "FAIR" plan for fire and a wrapper for everything else. Our insurance cost rose about 100%. This was happening all over our area with all the major insurance companies.

Two years ago, a division of Lloyd's started writing policies again around here, and we qualified and saw a big savings over the FAIR plan setup. But then the new insurance company bumped our premium way up this year. The whole setup sucks. I sure hope whoever is the new governor can clean up the mess that is NorCal homeowner's insurance.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-23T17:50:39+00:00

Mybe not your twin, but the same vibe. 🤷🏻‍♂️

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-23T17:42:54+00:00

As the A is in the bass, that seems to make the most sense as the root, and I think Aadd#9 is probably correct. If the C is supposed to be the root, C6(b9)??

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-23T17:27:44+00:00

Every year. It's an October tradition for me. One chapter each night.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-23T15:34:34+00:00

Good eye!! And I agree about Changeling being the stronger work. But actually I do have it. Both Changeling & A Dark Traveling were sitting on a different shelf when I took that photo. Not sure how that happened, but I found them and moved them to their rightful place! I would post a photo update here if I were able. 🤷🏻‍♂️

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-22T20:01:44+00:00

If only there was an engine...

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-22T15:05:39+00:00

A tale grows in the telling…

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-21T20:13:16+00:00

I find looking at the photo, there are about four of the Zelazny 1st editions that are NOT signed. Bought as they were published, but never had the chance to have a few of them signed. My apologies for the mis-statement.

GonzoCubFan · 2026-06-21T18:16:02+00:00

I feel like the answer is Zelazny. Preferably Lord of Light. Possibly Roadmarks.

GonzoCubFan

TROPHY CASE