Author Archives: Lee J. Russell

Fantastic image of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from the Rosetta spacecraft. Rosetta was just 12.8 km from 67P when the picture was taken – the scale is 1.18 m/pixel and the image spans about 2.4 km. Our week through the lens: 8-12 August 2016 esa.int|By esa http://www.esa.int/Highlights/Week_In_Images_8_12_August_2016/

How the Sun took us to the brink of nuclear war on 23rd May 1967, just six days before I was born – makes you think, doesn’t it? 1967 Solar Flare Nearly Took U.S. and Soviets to Brink of War http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/1967-solar-storm-nearly-took-us-soviets-brink-war/ An historical study from former U.S. military officials found that a solar flare wasContinue reading ““1967 solar flare nearly took U.S and Soviets to the brink of war…””

Saw the RSC’s wonderful current production of Cymberline at Vue last night. A fantastic performance of an under-rated Shakespeare play!

Just had to shout out about Michelle Paver’s diary-form ghost story called “Dark Matter”. I don’t usually read this genre but the book is very well-textured with a ring of authenticity about 1930’s polar exploration. Paver’s homework shines throughout the book and I couldn’t put it down. My favourite line occurs near the beginning, whenContinue reading “From 30/9/15 – “Review of ‘Dark Matter’ by Michelle Paver…””

Just finished watching all 30 episodes of Twin Peaks from 1990-91 and what can I say? Weird, whacky, stylistic, very different, rubbish, brilliant, thoughtful, mindless… very engaging! Don’t expect to understand who did what to whom and why – but do expect to be entertained!

Finally, after 5 years of writing, editing and researching what to do with it, I have self-published this novel. All the learning about how to publish the book with the best chance of success was new to me. I’ve learnt a lot about producing physical copies, cover design, editing and marketing. I found getting toContinue reading “‘An End of Beginnings’ was published on 1st June 2016.”

  Whilst on holiday in Torbay, on 7th July I visited the “Visions of the Future” exhibition at Torquay Museum. This was a 9-week display of original props and costumes from some of the most famous, modern science fictions films. There were displays from Star Wars, Alien, Predator, Prometheus, Riddick and more. It was greatContinue reading “From 20/8/15: “Visions of the Future…””

Back on 21st June my brother and I visited the “Sci-Fi by the Sea” convention in Herne Bay… we had a fun day out! This annual event is organised by local people as an attraction to draw people into the town. There was a lot of interest and the tickets had sold out before theContinue reading “From 20/8/15: “Great fun at “Sci-Fi by the Sea” at Herne Bay…””

A good understanding of past events shapes our appreciation of the present and helps us to make plans for the future… Unfortunately, it seems to me that many people have learnt little from the garbled hodgepodge of History they were taught at school and probably don’t pay attention to contemporary news events. Their understanding ofContinue reading “From 28/7/15: “Some Thoughts About Societal ‘Culture’…””