I was logging into Audible this morning to download a book that someone recommended to me and discovered, in a note on the front page, that David Eddings had passed away on Tuesday. I was introduced to Mr. Eddings almost 20 years ago by a member of the staff at Oxford Books here in Atlanta, who almost negligently pulled the first few books of the Belgariad off the shelf and handed them to my ex-wife. We devoured those books, and went on the read the Mallorean as well. Later on I read the Elenium Read more [...]

NEW YORK (AP) — James T. Newman, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot whose rescues of downed airmen earned him the Distinguished Service Cross and other honors, has died. He was 73. Newman's son, Jay, said he died Sunday at the University of North Carolina medical center in Chapel Hill of complications associated with lung cancer. Newman was twice nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for valor. While he did not receive that medal, he did get a Distinguished Service Cross, the Read more [...]

...like the moon and the stars and the sun." 28 years ago today, John Lennon was killed. I was nine years old. My father is a HUGE Beatles fan, and consequently, I was raised listening to them. I remember being devastated and confused when I heard it on the radio. I couldn't understand why someone would want to kill someone else. I cried a lot the next day, and I remember my teacher asking me why I was crying and being somewhat stunned that a child of nine would be that upset over a musician Read more [...]

The tech community has been holding its breath for over a week now, praying for a man that most of us have never met. James Kim, his wife, and his three daughters disappeared without a trace after Thanksgiving while driving in a dangerous and remote part of Oregon. We allowed ourselves hope earlier this week when we found out that rescuers had located the car, and miraculously, the wife and children were alive and in reasonably good shape. Kati Kim kept her children alive against all hope through Read more [...]