The moment after eclipse

I’m almost finished reading a collection of short stories by Brian Aldiss. He was such a prolific writer that he produced loads of these collections, readily available from second-hand bookshops, published on cheap pulpy paper.

This collection is called The Moment Of Eclipse. It’s has some truly weird stories in there, as well as an undisputed classic with Super-Toys Last All Summer Long. I always find it almost unbearably sad.

Only recently, towards the end of the book, did the coincidence of the book’s title strike me: The Moment Of Eclipse.

See, last time I had the privelige of experiencing a total solar eclipse was on August 21st, 2017. Jessica and I were in Sun Valley, Idaho, right in the path of totality. We found a hill to climb up so we could see the surrounding landscape as the shadow of the moon raced across the Earth.

Checked in at Valley View Trail. Hiked up a hill for the eclipse — with Jessica

When it was over, we climbed down the hill and went online. That’s when I found out. Brian Aldiss had passed away.

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Previously on this day

18 years ago I wrote Cre@teOnline Ce@sesCirculation

The editor of Cre@teOnline explains why the magazine is closing.

18 years ago I wrote Netscape DevEdge Redesigns As Standards Showcase

Eric Meyer and the gang have revamped the Netscape DevEdge site with Cascading Style Sheets.

19 years ago I wrote Back to school

I just noticed from my referrer logs that this site is listed in the "References" section for a course being taught at Penn State.

19 years ago I wrote Geek Love

Awww… isn’t that cute? Commander Taco proposed to his girlfriend on the front page of Slashdot.

19 years ago I wrote Move Over, BT: He Invented Links

It’s nice to see that most people seem to share my disgust at British Telecom’s spurious patent on hyperlinks which will probably get laughed out of court.

19 years ago I wrote Hefty bill with added insult shocks Telecom customer

This is not the sort of thing you want to see on your ‘phone bill: