SF Trails #2 is out!

Getting something you wrote in the mail with a nice cover on it is a great feeling. Science Fiction Trails #2 looks cool and it is. To find out how to get your copy shoot over to www.sciencefictiontrails.com .

Halloween Bounty

I don't remember getting anything too weird in my bag when I went trick or treating as a kid. A neighbor gave me an apple dipped in carmel once. Then there was that ball of popcorn.

Like I said, not too weird.

It's another case for today's kids. On recent Halloweens past mine have gotten toothpaste, tooth brushes, stickers and a can of tuna.

Here's a picture of some of the stranger bounty from Halloween 2007. You've got the bracelet that says "God's Team." There's the coloring book. Some Arabic candy and goodies. Another Bible tract. The "I Love Jesus" notebook. Halloween pretzels.

It seems to me the neighborhood we went trick or treating in got a tad judgmental. Is the Bible tract intended to make some kid a Christian who otherwise wouldn't be? Too late, ma'm. We already are.

As for the coloring book - who's going to want to color pictures about Halloween when they're regularly getting two to three hours of homework a night and it's after Halloween?

Are Halloween pretzels going to make a kid thinner than he otherwise would be?

If you really wanted to be a judgmental about the American society of 2007, how about passing out little cards with exercises printed on them? Card No. 1: The Push-up. Card No. 2: The Sit-up. Card No. 3: The Jumping Jack . . .

That's a business idea just for you, for free.

Nevertheless, trick or treating is a great tradition - one I sincerely hope lasts for many years. Getting the strange thing in the bag every now and then only adds to the fun.