tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post7738213510989501646..comments2023-05-14T21:11:23.699-04:00Comments on CHEESEBURGER BROWN: Story Wallah: The Secret Mathematic - Chapter TwelveCheeseburger Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384136287767500794noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-14751442828861227122008-02-28T01:47:00.000-05:002008-02-28T01:47:00.000-05:00Aah, thanks for the clarification regarding "opt-i...Aah, thanks for the clarification regarding "opt-in" - I was worried for a moment that I'd have to do without CBB stories for an extended period of time.<BR/><BR/>Also, here are my picks for good introductory stories:<BR/><BR/> Life and Taxes<BR/> The Long Man<BR/> Night Flight Mike<BR/> Three Face Flip<BR/> Pink Santa<BR/><BR/>Why: They are not too long, so easy to read quickly for someone who wants a sample; they are different from most regular sci-fi and fantasy and demonstrate the things I like most about CBB - the quirkyness, the intersection of technology and society, and the general feel-good nature of most tales; they don't require too much extensive back story; and they include stories that are totally non sci-fi. Also, life and taxes has a character with the same name as me...<BR/><BR/>-paramAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-16047750347052212722008-02-27T12:27:00.000-05:002008-02-27T12:27:00.000-05:00Also, eric... yes. The physical manifestation of ...Also, eric... yes. The physical manifestation of the chess pieces (much like the ones Zoran carved all over the freakin' place) is but one weird thing that happened in a long chain of paranormal events, triggered by Event Zero which happens in the future at McGill University and presumably involves Mr. Miss, Zoran, and most likely Lallo and Tenny, if not Bahram and others as well.<BR/><BR/>Read <I>The Taste of Blue</I> again if you want a real mind-blowing revelation about upcoming events :)<BR/><BR/>If all goes well, we will be witnesses to the actual happenings of EZ in this novel.<BR/><BR/>...and now, back to our story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-78308062591161325222008-02-27T11:11:00.000-05:002008-02-27T11:11:00.000-05:00Fred Savage might disagree.Fred Savage might disagree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-76215824127387038762008-02-27T11:01:00.000-05:002008-02-27T11:01:00.000-05:0050May the God of Mini-Coopers (not Winnie Cooper) ...50<BR/><BR/>May the God of Mini-Coopers (not Winnie Cooper) have mercy on us.<BR/><BR/>THE DanimalDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01657614872089173887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-30702759376138678912008-02-27T10:02:00.000-05:002008-02-27T10:02:00.000-05:00Part of me wants to wonder out loud what Dan think...Part of me wants to wonder out loud what Dan thinks everyone is wrong about, and another part of me just wants to get even closer to 50 comments on this chapter before the next one is posted. (Sometime today, probably!)<BR/><BR/><I>"The flesh-abacus...of prophecy born...we create...he who has been called...by the hidden calendar."</I><BR/><BR/>And I will guess that the flesh abacus refers to Zoran; the hidden calendar is the severed head (Jeremiah or not); the prophecy comes from the head and thus refers to Zoran, the head's maker; he who has been called is then Mr. Miss.<BR/><BR/>My best interpretation, anyway.<BR/><BR/>One more to 50!Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06946639624660520997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-48518093251816239092008-02-27T09:27:00.000-05:002008-02-27T09:27:00.000-05:00I think you all are wrong and I'm leaving any furt...I think you all are wrong and I'm leaving any further guesses or suspicionsfor Chapter 12 at the door.<BR/>THE DanimalDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01657614872089173887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-51302728936842604082008-02-27T04:25:00.000-05:002008-02-27T04:25:00.000-05:00"The flesh-abacus...of prophecy born...we create.....<I>"The flesh-abacus...of prophecy born...we create...he who has been called...by the hidden calendar."</I><BR/><BR/>Heck lets tie all of these together:<BR/>The flesh-abacus: Zoran<BR/>Hidden calendar: Jeremiah<BR/>Prophecy born: Mr. Missalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12330912850864917649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-74688625302362541232008-02-26T14:33:00.000-05:002008-02-26T14:33:00.000-05:00I'm a bit late in the comments here, but what the ...I'm a bit late in the comments here, but what the heck.<BR/><BR/>I just realized something that it blindingly obvious. The eroticised chess pieces are probably a combination of Zoran's two great obsessions, chess and his sister. It remains to be seen how they become physical, but there's got to be a connection there, right? <BR/><BR/><I>"The flesh-abacus...of prophecy born...we create...he who has been called...by the hidden calendar."</I><BR/>Here's my shot at this. The severed head is the hidden calendar, in that he is Jeremiah, and therefore lives for a hell of a long time. Also, he can prophesy all he wants since he knows the future since he's been there. The flesh-abacus he prophesied about is Zoran, the greatest math mind ever, who created his kind.<BR/><BR/>Nevermind, I just realized a problem with this. Jeremiah only went back to the time of Jesus, which is significantly newer than the pre-hellenic time mentioned by Dr. Hallow.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14140118713370148492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-86662954191430831882008-02-26T11:52:00.000-05:002008-02-26T11:52:00.000-05:00Holy crap, CBB. You own the original were-car?Ser...Holy crap, CBB. You own the original were-car?<BR/><BR/>Seriously, that comment was more a musing than a demand for production. You know we love you and we'll wait until the good stuff is ready while you take care of more important things.<BR/><BR/>As for comment 42... niiice. I would not have noticed that.<BR/><BR/>cars + computers = 1 step closer to Skynet, Will Smith robot-world-domination movies, etc.<BR/><BR/>And yeah, I agree with Teddy; a Transformer (i.e. Bumblebee, not Tennyson Smith) would be most helpful in such a situation. Heck, if you have another kid, all you need to do is brush up against a Honda Odyssey and presto -- instant upgrade!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-89300476097709482522008-02-25T23:55:00.000-05:002008-02-25T23:55:00.000-05:00Sheik was 42nd though, and I think that's cultural...Sheik was 42nd though, and I think that's culturally more significant...<BR/><BR/>Regarding Transformers: It would seem that only a decepticon can do any appreciable amount of damage, they're tough nuggets them. Furthermore, they should be mostly self-reparable, what with being able to shift their image and modulate parts so much as to actually go from the proto-form into something that can turn into a car or tank or plane or some such.<BR/><BR/>So really, if your mini were a transformer, a tiny wee little transformer, it probably wouldn't have too many problems, especially if a fellow bot like Ratchet were around.<BR/><BR/>TRHTeddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06429915965397673079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-2335715918868854762008-02-25T21:13:00.000-05:002008-02-25T21:13:00.000-05:00I hear ya, Sheik.The next chapter is coming soon. ...I hear ya, Sheik.<BR/><BR/>The next chapter is coming soon. Wednesday at the latest, I reckon. Life's been thick.<BR/><BR/>My car, apparently, is possessed by Satan and he's got all of Mini's finest mechanics crossing themselves and whispering anxiously, backing away slowly from the automotive evil.<BR/><BR/>The heart of today's modern car is, of course, the computer. Some say this is a sorry way for things to come to pass, because it spells the end of the user-servicable vehicle.<BR/><BR/>Maybe my car feels that way, too.<BR/><BR/>It has taken to eating the computers. These central processing and message relay units list for $1,799 a pop. Every time they replace the computer in my car, it comes out fried.<BR/><BR/>No electrical faults can be found in the vehicle. Nor mechanical faults, grounding problems or shorts. The fried car computer will not allow it to drive, however, having locked it down into a safety mode in which only first gear is available and all sorts of red lights flash and bells ding and shit to remind you that your Mini's having as assplosion of some kind.<BR/><BR/>So me and car have been in of the shop and out of the shop, disputing the bill with the shop, picking up loaners and trying to ward off the fear of malevolent spirits from the alpha mechanic.<BR/><BR/>I wish my car was a Transformer, who would flick all these troublesome chaffoids away like so much dandruff.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, a Transformer could be prohibitively expensive to maintain. I think the parts are imports.<BR/><BR/>So, anyway, my car is on a computer killing spree and I've missed some amount of work over it, which in turn has put me a little behind on TSM. Like I said, though, I'll bring on the next chapter by mid-week.<BR/><BR/>Hey, look at me -- I'm the forty-third comment!<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>Cheeseburger BrownCheeseburger Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384136287767500794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-63059282363027448952008-02-25T20:34:00.000-05:002008-02-25T20:34:00.000-05:00I don't know that half-Long means you'll live for ...I don't know that half-Long means you'll live for a hundred years; Lallo sure didn't seem to indicate that. And Bahram doesn't seem to posess any unusual strength, either... though that may just be hidden for now.<BR/><BR/>Man, we need a new chapter before we spec the heck out of this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-69440285928992529402008-02-25T18:17:00.000-05:002008-02-25T18:17:00.000-05:00Well, Lallo fought his son and they both initially...Well, Lallo fought his son and they both initially survived a direct meteor impact. The direct children of the Long are pretty tough nuggets, Bahram being at least half-long probably has well more than a century in him without being artificially improved, and I doubt that the Shah would take a mortal wife. The Long seem much to arrogant for that, although he'd probably have taken numerous short mistresses.<BR/><BR/>TRHTeddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06429915965397673079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-31261001732908925352008-02-25T13:59:00.000-05:002008-02-25T13:59:00.000-05:00My vote for an introduction to Chesseburger Browne...My vote for an introduction to Chesseburger Brownery would go to Night Flight Mike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-34884284098073765402008-02-25T13:06:00.000-05:002008-02-25T13:06:00.000-05:00Long blood... that would be a fascinating (and Hei...Long blood... that would be a fascinating (and Heinleinian) twist.<BR/><BR/>Bahram has claimed before that the Shah is his father, which would make the prior prince (Einstein's comrade) Bahram's older brother by a generation or so. I must admit that I never considered the possibility of his blood relation to the Shah, ever since the "protege" bit and realizing that someone else had been claiming to be the son beforehand... but it all fits.<BR/><BR/>Also, I was thinking that one or both of the Sandy stories would be good intro material.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-45319908805425323322008-02-25T00:57:00.000-05:002008-02-25T00:57:00.000-05:00While I personally found SOS really compelling(and...While I personally found SOS really compelling(and even more so in a second reading), I know that some people have trouble with getting into the interconnectedness of it all. For that reason, I might choose some different stories to pimp the CBB to newcomers(not necessarily in order of preference).<BR/><BR/>1. Wile<BR/>Wile E Coyote as a tragic figure(could he be anything else?). I love the sympathy, it seems like a precursor for the feelings we have for Simon in SOS.<BR/>2. Sandy is a Spider/Boldly Gone<BR/>A double trap, and a woman with a dark knight-like revenge obsession.<BR/>3. Rocket Stumps<BR/>Pure Joy falling from the sky.<BR/>4. Enemies<BR/>I'm not sure if these series of stories are still available anywhere, but CBB's storytelling applied to his own life is what kept me coming back after I had finished SOS.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680056990468177565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-20912187419082300502008-02-24T16:36:00.000-05:002008-02-24T16:36:00.000-05:00random thing on the topic of book covershttp://io9...random thing on the topic of book covers<BR/><BR/>http://io9.com/349988/whats-wrong-with-this-philip-k-dick-book-coverTolomeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384928311920896699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-57354148056362665172008-02-23T18:46:00.000-05:002008-02-23T18:46:00.000-05:00Well, if it is "opt-in" as opposed to "invite", de...Well, if it is "opt-in" as opposed to "invite", definitely count me in. I've purchased deadtree versions of all the stuff that CBB has made available, excepting hardcover Simon of Space (bit of a financial crunch ATM, will buy as soon as it passes).<BR/><BR/>Not all of my comments are editorially constructive, but at least some are!<BR/><BR/>Also, RE: vampires -- well, if Bahram is not vampiric, then I vote that his life is being artificially sustained by blood transfusion from his uncle the Shah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-82223641867029270332008-02-23T03:58:00.000-05:002008-02-23T03:58:00.000-05:00Hmm...yes...I suppose I have to actually OPT at so...Hmm...yes...I suppose I have to actually OPT at some point...Yeah, totally want in on IMPOSSIBLE RAILROAD!<BR/><BR/>I kind of thought it was assumed that I'd want in, which it probably was, but for posterity's sake...<BR/><BR/>*ahem* Opt<BR/><BR/>TRHTeddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06429915965397673079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-61289830217783177342008-02-23T00:24:00.000-05:002008-02-23T00:24:00.000-05:00count me incount me inTolomeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384928311920896699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-60893425315365101502008-02-22T16:19:00.000-05:002008-02-22T16:19:00.000-05:00Then I couldn't opt in too much! Consider me sign...Then I couldn't opt in too much! Consider me signed up, please, good sir.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08722639974320971726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-45929635778429130252008-02-22T15:32:00.000-05:002008-02-22T15:32:00.000-05:00CBB, I also had not mentioned it as I was awaiting...CBB, <BR/><BR/>I also had not mentioned it as I was awaiting you to invite your chosen into working on the Railroad. But I'd be honored to work with you on the Railroad all the live long day.<BR/>And after hearing the overture, it's good "and Fries" gets a nod in SoS.<BR/><BR/>THE DanimalDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01657614872089173887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-41287276149787702992008-02-22T15:17:00.000-05:002008-02-22T15:17:00.000-05:00I doubt there's anyone who comments here with anyt...I doubt there's anyone who comments here with anything approaching regularity who wouldn't elect to opt in to the next project. That would just be silly.<BR/><BR/>I'm also rather enjoying how the spat of comments seems to have ramped up a little of late - certainly as this particular story has unfolded. Another reason why I am so much more fond (fonder?) of the lengthy witterings of CBB versus the shorter stories, because it gives us a chance to become more firmly entrenched in the story and, of course (aside from the camaraderie almost naturally engendered), permits readers to feel like minor contributors as well. (Which I know we are, to varying degrees.)<BR/><BR/>The same sort of thing happened (in an exceedingly geeky way) with Darth Side, and then with Simon of Space there was that sensation of being Part Of Something.<BR/><BR/>Where else but the Burgerverse are you going to find something that makes sense of universally anomalous behaviour, eroticised chess pieces, the Force masquerading behind mathematics, humans who live for thousands of years, chronically flatulent dogs and ninjews?<BR/><BR/>I mean, c'mon...<BR/><BR/>Part Of Something.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06946639624660520997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-7394923448552877792008-02-22T15:02:00.000-05:002008-02-22T15:02:00.000-05:00Dear Mark,I think it would've been more accurate f...Dear Mark,<BR/><BR/>I think it would've been more accurate for me to say <I>opt-in</I> rather than <I>invite only</I>.<BR/><BR/>So consider this a retraction: "opt-in" is the term.<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>Cheeseburger BrownCheeseburger Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384136287767500794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16435271.post-66374105415767755782008-02-22T14:55:00.000-05:002008-02-22T14:55:00.000-05:00I was going to just wait and let CBB choose the in...I was going to just wait and let CBB choose the invite-only folks, because of the words "invite-only" in CBB's comment.<BR/><BR/>No, come to think of it, I will just wait.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08722639974320971726noreply@blogger.com