John A. Barnstead

Retired, after forty years teaching Russian -- thirty-seven at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA; three -- elsewhere.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@rosefox Well, I'm still alive and kicking -- whether or not that is something *good* depends on your point of view, dear Rose... <3 ;)

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

Seldom here, but thinking of friends who are this morning, and wishing them all well as a pretty awful year approaches its undistinguished conclusion.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@rosefox A very sad reality. Building an independent network requires enormous efforts, oodles of time, and risking having the whole enterprise sold out from beneath one.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@doctorow @robinson_spider Drop in. Sit a spell.
-- Or cast one. You never know.
It *might* change your life...

Trade in your slipslop
paper dolls for mannequins --
"No, no -- I insist!

This round is on me!"
-- And so we're swept away by
Old Persian spilt milk.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@scalzi The Late and Much-Lamented Pernicious the Musquodoboit Harbour Farm Cat, currently resting on his favourite perch (he's actually quite *fond* of fish) astride the pile of ham sandwiches comprising the Free Lunch at Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, *approves* of your feeling.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider Same here -- although I tend to *skulk* rather than meander, I must admit... Delighted to know you are anders als me --

https://t.co/ZjNW2a5mge

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider @Dublin2019 The Late and Much-Lamented Pernicious the Musquodoboit Harbour Farm Cat and his faithful amanuensis and general factotum hope that a visit to the richest country in the world (after all, its capital is always doublin') will not be confined to the halls of the convention hotel...

[🕷🐦🌞 @robinson_spider]

I will indeed be skulking around @Dublin2019 as an attendee. Light to almost no programming - the mind boggles.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider Argh! If somebody hasn't mentioned it, I will -- you make sure your shots are up to date, young man (and I don't mean vodka, either) -- anti-pneumonia, etc.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider @JohnPicacio @worldcon2018 Watched you folks on YouTube here in Nova Scotia -- and was impressed, amazed, and grateful to toddle on off to bed promptly at 2 a.m. local. Very happy to have seen all the photos, video clips, commentary, etc. -- it was great to take part vicariously. <3 -- @JohnABarnstead

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider Qui était cet homme masqué?

Her phiz lit right up --
was it his horse pistol or
his zippo holster?

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider Парадокс Ферми

"Where is everyone?"
The answer is quite simple:
everywhere there's noise.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider ...not sure we're on the same wavelength, though...

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

@robinson_spider Breaking news: I think I've found them.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

Confusing Chaos

Facing hocus, Son,
pocus need not be the *first*
response you think of.

[1] The title is from monsieur James Hetley; the first line is one of its anagrams.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

Осел

Why did milk-livered
Balaam spare this pest? Maybe
Tsar Vlad will keep him.

[1] "Maybe Tsar Vlad will keep him" was provided by monsieur James Hetley; "Balaam Milk-Livered Pest Why" is one of its anagrams.

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

https://t.co/gguAl0VyIn

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

In Memoriam: Stephen Hawking

1. 賭注

Glory? Length of days?
The Hawk King disdained to choose
and was granted both.

2. Красный флажок

Yon ghostly red flag
poses dread questions once more:
"Glory? Length of days?"

[1. "Wager." 2. "Red Flag."]
[ https://t.co/vMKSUA0vwA ]

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

Великие надежды

Another maybe.
Athena in embryo,
Homer abeyant.

Title: "Great Expectations." First line: donnée from monsieur James Hetley. Anagrams: "Athena embryo" & "Homer abeyant." Another is "Earthman obey" -- if I were Spider Robinson, I could do something with *that*...

[John A. Barnstead @JohnABarnstead]

На смертном одре

Weeds have been shortened.
Deathbed -- whensoever seen --
under green covers.