Ray's X-Blog

(From Ray X X-Rayer #137.   http://efanzines.com/RXXR/index.htm ) A distraught woman called into the late night radio program.  She was upset, feeling sorry for the people who wer e abducted and taken to Mars to work on a secret project. For me the story causing her distraught was obvious: Alternative 3. Back in 1977 Anglia Television in the UK produced a factual series called Science Report.  But for the April 1st broadcast the company decided to become fanciful, creating a mockumentary called Alternative 3.  Distinguished newscaster Tim Brinton went along with the gag, serving as presenter-narrator for the program.  Everyone else involved in the production were actors pretending to be reporters and interviewees.  Brinton's participation led to some viewers assuming the story was real, not fiction.   The program, Science Report: Alternative 3 , [1] has been compared to the War of the Worlds radio broadcast in 1938.  Each broadcast had the semblance of reality but was

(From Ray X X-Rayer #137.   http://efanzines.com/RXXR/index.htm   ) I tried getting by without an ISP here at my new apartment.  Going around and using various public WiFi spots got old quick. There was a great coffeehouse, the perfect WiFi spot, quiet, good coffee – but it closed.  All that's left are fake cafes.  These establishments are run like bars, loud music blaring, caffeine instead of alcohol. Raucous rock and misogynistic rap driven into your head. One evening I went to a fake cafe and the music was blasting inside.  I went outside on the rear patio to get away from the distracting noise.  Across the street some bagpipers started up with their alfresco practice.  Then someone in the parking lot cranked up his car stereo.  Such a cacophony isn't conducive to creative thinking. For a quieter time I would sit outside a fake cafe after it had closed, using the WiFi on the street. At least there was a bench where I could sit.  I wouldn't be the only WiF