Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · 13h

Reading MP Woodward's "Red Tide." Every time I pick it up, I can't help but think of the Dr. Rick Progressive ad where he asks "Who else reads books about submarines?" and the guy answers "My dad." I giggle to myself and then continue this excellent novel. #booksky

3

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · 5d

I'm finding one of my favorite ways to learn about current affairs and history is to read well-researched novels by respected authors. I've read a few in the past couple years. #booksky

3

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · 8d

I step away from Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series now and then but whenever I come back, I always wonder why I stopped. Such a good writer. #booksky

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · 17d

It took a while, but this book has finally turned past the explanation of the author's theoretical rationale and into an analysis of what our current state of affairs is. I appreciate how he interjects vignettes from popular culture as indicators of national and international atmospherics. #booksky

2

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · 20d

Happy 78th birthday to OUR United States Air Force!

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · 20d

Reading "The Fourth Turning is Here" by Neil Howe. I can't say I'm enjoying it necessarily, but I feel that it's definitely time well spent. It feels similar to "The Storm Before the Calm." If you're a History, Poli-Sci, or Sociology nerd like I am, you should add these to your stack. #booksky

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Sep 6

My dive into Nordic dark thrillers continued with this. I really enjoyed it. #booksky

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 28

I'm reading "China's World View" and it's, at once, fascinating and informative. My epiphanies are reminiscent of the first time I read Pressfield's piece "It's The Tribes, Stupid" back during the height of counterinsurgency. #booksky

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 24

a man with a mustache wearing a black shirt says but why

ALT: a man with a mustache wearing a black shirt says but why

media.tenor.com

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 23

Yep

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 23

Now do these cities.

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 21

My recent reads have been welcome escapes from my required professional development reading. I enjoyed Mickey 7. Both of the spy novels in this trio are continuations of two of my favorite series. Beaumont's is particularly relevant, timely, and thought-provoking. #booksky

1 1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 16

"Atomic Habits" and "The 4-Hour Chef" helped me understand and espouse this wisdom.

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 6

"Wait; what?!"

When one of the characters in the book I'm reading does nefarious things with a drug that happens to be one of my prescriptions. #booksky

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Aug 3

I started reading the third in the Thomas Kell series before realizing I had skipped this book. #booksky

1 6

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jul 26

I thoroughly enjoyed @alleneskens.bsky.social' haunting novel "The Quiet Librarian." It was perfectly paced and kept me engaged throughout. Now I am on to @araedunlap.bsky.social's "The Resurrectionist" and am enjoying it so far. #booksky

4

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jul 21

I was so happy to hear about a sequel to Rob Hart's "Assassin's Anonymous," and purchased it immediately. I've had a hard time putting it down. #booksky

3

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jul 14

The first Department Q novel was excellent and pulled me into the series. This second novel takes it up a notch. I can hardly wait to continue the series. #booksky

5

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jul 1

I love the fact that I have coworkers who can say things like "Alright; go poop and I'll be here when you get back," and neither of us show any concern.

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jun 28

When I travel TDY:

"I'm going to save money this trip."

<proceeds to buy an exorbitantly-priced mini-pharmacy at the airport convenience store because I'm allergic to, well, living and I don't want to be caught globetrotting with only witch doctor treatments as options for my many ills>

Reposted by Roy

The Story of Writing @sownow.bsky.social · Jun 28

It is the birthday of the comedian who wrote,
“Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.”
American director, playwright, and songwriter Mel Brooks was born on this day in 1926.
#MovieSky #BookSky #FunnyGuy #EGOT

And if he was sitting next to you, Brooks would say, “Yes, I’m still alive. Stop asking.”
Brooks got his start as an entertainer when he was a teenager in the Borscht Belt. He told Playboy Magazine that – at the age of 14 – he put on an overcoat and derby hat, then carried two suitcases onto the diving board at a crowded resort’s pool. After walking to the edge of the diving board, he yelled out “Business is terrible! I can’t
go on!” then jumped into the pool.
He did get funnier.
Brooks eventually became a writer for Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, then worked on comedy skits with Carl Reiner. Turning to movies, Brooks made a name for himself by directing the string of hits The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and History of the World Part I. He parodied the work of Alfred Hitchcock and George Lucas by making the films High Anxiety and Spaceballs! Then transformed his most popular films into musicals. He is one of the 21 EGOTs who have won competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards.

A black-and-white photo of Mel Brooks (l) with his wife Anne Bancroft in 1974. They're together on the set of “Annie & the Hoods,” a 1974 television special aired by ABC.

3 7

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jun 27

This book has been so much fun. Giving Game of Thrones and LOTR vibes while delivering laughs along the way. What a great escape! #booksky

1 3

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jun 24

Been reading some. I enjoyed "Kills Well With Others" and "A Dead Draw" but those were low-hanging fruit because they are both parts of series I enjoyed. I branched out a little with "The Hollow Places." I'm halfway done and hoping it gets better quickly. #booksky

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jun 20

Okay, it's settled.

I need one.

Red Panda World @redpanda--world.bsky.social · Jun 19

Feeding a red panda

#RedPanda #CuteAnimals #WildlifeConservation #AnimalLovers #NaturePhotography #EndangeredSpecies #PandaLove

1

Roy @roynickerson.bsky.social · Jun 19

My American Airlines flight was playing pleasant, ethereal music as we boarded. Over this soundtrack was the annoyance of several customers who had to roll their big-ass luggage back to the front of the gate to get their "carry-on" bags checked. The dichotomy was fun to watch.