“I came back for my own purposes,” said the Time Traveler, looking around my booklined study. “I chose you to talk to because it was . . . convenient. And I don’t want you to do a goddamned thing. There’s nothing you can do. But relax . . . we’re not going to be talking about personal things. Such as, say, the year, day, and hour of your death. I don’t even know that sort of trivial information, although I could look it up quickly enough. You can release that white-knuckled grip you have on the edge of your desk.” I tried to relax. “What do you want to talk about?” I said. “The Century War,” said the Time Traveler. I blinked and tried to remember some history. “You mean the Hundred Year War? Fifteenth Century? Fourteenth? Sometime around there. Between . . . France and England? Henry V? Kenneth Branagh? Or was it . . .” “I mean the Century War with Islam,” interrupted the Time Traveler. “Your future. Everyone’s.” He was no longer smiling. Without asking, or offering to pour me any, he
Wow, that is awesome. Makes me want to try to learn how to solder again, so I can trick out my bike for the playa. Or just freaking out the neighbors...
ReplyDeleteWhoo! Are you a burner? I had no idea!
ReplyDeleteI want to make one of these for around town; I would be the coolest gaijin around.
Woo-hoo! Velocipede Mashup!
ReplyDeleteno seriously, it's cool. I love how PacMan is the entire wheel. That they can even get the ghost is abso-f*****g-lutely amazing.
Yessir I am; if you go back in the archives to late summer 2003 I go on at excruciating length about making playa gifts out of bottlecaps. I didn't go last year, for which I am still kicking myself; I am so going this year!
ReplyDeleteHave you been?
For me, EVERY day is BURNING MAN. Especially if I actually stand in sunshine. DAMN, I am pale.
ReplyDeleteNo, I have never been, and to listen to most burners, the last good year is always the one that was three years ago (no matter the current year, and congruity be damned). It looks like something I will do when I am back in the US, the kids have been to college, and I can cast off some responsiblities for a while. Look for me in 15 years or so; I'll be the fat, nekkid, sunburned bald guy who is so dehydrated that his pee looks like Bass Ale.
Michael; yeah, the ghost is hella impressive. I wonder if someone would sell kits for this...
ReplyDeleteYes, I know there is a kit, I mean like a "done kit." MAKE is for people with spare time.