Æon Flux (Aeon Flux) The Movie Worldbuilding Similarities to Mine and Possible Cartoon Influences

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Interesting heavy wooden furniture on Crystal Drive

This interesting bit of woodwork caught my eye around the 2400 block of Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/43759013

My first thought was "wow, heavy wood furniture!"  In a moment I was thinking it could be adapted as a play apparatus in Suki's apartment, for those play sessions with an early American theme.

Browse and Order eBooks and Paperbacks from the Suki Series

The Vanishing Payphones of Crystal City

I suppose this ties into both Suki series, since I never mention a payphone in either.  In the draft for the second Suki With A Twist story I mention landline phones in a hotels.  I recall people my age complaining about disappearing payphones a few years ago, but have not heard much about it lately.  For the geomapped versions of these pictures in higher resolution, click the link below each one.

All of the locations are in the Crystal City Underground.  The maps show the approximate position of the camera's corresponding "above ground" location.

These may be the only payphones left in the Crysral City Underground.

This was a surprise. The phones were next to that bench.

This was a huge surprise.  People used the payphones that were here all of the time.

The payphones that were here have been gone for quite a while.

On the north end, the food court is gone along with the phones.

The wood paneled wall is where the payphones were here.

There is one more location I need to shoot, by the old food court.  The last two images above are from the north end.  There are two remaining payphones closer to the METRO, behind the security desk at the public restrooms across from Dunkin' Donuts.

Browse and Order eBooks and Paperbacks from the Suki Series

AnimeUSA 2010 pix are posted at SukiProject blog.

I spent a bit of the weekend taking pictures of AnimeUSA.Org con attendees and posted them on the SukiProject blog.  Keyword AnimeUSA.  The care taken in making these costumes is amazing.

Browse and Order eBooks and Paperbacks from the Suki Series

Suki Series Books now at Park Sundries, Crystal City, Crystal Park III

Suki Series Books now at Park Sundries, Crystal City, Crystal Park III (link to cross post)

I am proud to announce my latest sales partner: Park Sundries, Maynine, INC, Crystal Park III, 2231 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22202.  Located in the same courtyard as Chipotle.  They currently carry one copy each of Suki I, Suki II: Sunshine Returns, Suki III: Never Let Us End, Suki IV: Finally A Vacation (War With Iran) and Suki V: The Collection (first four novels in one volume).  Also, one copy of Suki With A Twist: Part One (An Alternate Future).

Sign on Crystal Drive marking the entrance to the courtyard by Park Sundries, Chipotle, and Quiznos store #1777.

View Larger Map

Books on display, in order listed above, at Park Sundries

Park Sundries is center left in this frame, behind the black car.

Entrance to 2231 Crystal Drive (Crystal Park III). Park Sundries is in the left in frame.

This is as near to "ground zero" as one can get in the novels, making it a very special location to me.  Suki and her mother's offices are one block south, on the 2300 block of Crystal Drive.

In Suki With A Twist: Part One, the spa Suki attends is nearby, she and her friends dine at the Steak House on the 11th floor of this entrance.  Her apartment is several blocks to the north, on the same side of the street.  In Suki I, she walks past this location from her mother's office on the way to the METRO station and she walks past it several other times, including a few times with John the morning after their first date.

Much of Suki III: Never Let Us End, occurs near here too.

Many thanks to all who frequent Park Sundries and those who purchase my books there.

Cross posting to Suki Project.

Browse and Order eBooks and Paperbacks from the Suki Series

The Hyperinflation

In the 2030s environment set for both Suki book series, there is mention of "the hyperinflation" from earlier years.  Inflation is under control, but prices may seem higher to the reader compared with today.  I didn't want to change the form of currency, I stuck with the history that I am used to where prices go up and so do salaries (actual inflation) with a nod or two at price appreciation.  Manufactured goods continue to be cheaper and cheaper in adjusted dollars, etc.  In Suki I, Patricia tries to tip a pizza deliveryman $100 and she uses the same amount to bribe a cab driver into letting Suki smoke in the car.  Table dances at exotic dance clubs are $1000, but all of the items for a new gourmet kitchen are less expensive than a high-end refrigerator today.

No, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is not an ally of mine trying to make my books come true.  His latest move of printing $600 Billion, to buy bonds and flood the economy with money, is a made-to-order act to guarantee high inflation for the next several years.

Browse and Order eBooks and Paperbacks from the Suki Series

Suki V: The Collection now $4.69 on Kindle and Nook.