The faded dusty
photo reveals a moment
of pure tenderness.

• • •

Read more haiku.

In a parallel universe, this site would be about one of my passions, science fiction.

And it would be written in Klingon. Not to show nerd cred, but because we would’ve been conquered by them long ago.

Asides aside, the second annual ImagiCon takes place Friday through Sunday at McWane Science Center downtown. The science-fiction/fantasy convention offers presentations from comics to Harry Potter to Star Trek and Star Wars, along with screenings, parties, merchandise, gaming and demonstrations. Among the featured guests:

• John Billingsley (“True Blood,” “Enterprise”);
• Gil Gerard and Erin Gray (“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”);
• and Bessemer’s Glenn Shadix (“Beetlejuice,” “Demolition Man”).

Other events include a “Lost” series finale viewing party Sunday at Old Car Heaven and something at the Nick. Frankly, the site is quite challenging to navigate.

Three-day passes are $55, $8 for children age 8 and younger. Day passes range from $15 to $35 and $8 for children age 8 and younger.

For more information, visit the ImagiCon site.

Moving from screen to
screen, absorbing images
and words and content.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Six men are running for governor of Alabama on the Republican ticket on June 1. Let’s meet these candidates for governor.

[Also: a rundown of the Democratic candidates.]

Robert Bentley

• Age: 67
• Elected to state House of Representatives in 2002
• Before that, doctor, founder of Alabama Dermatology Associates, service in Air Force. Graduated from University of Alabama.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “I have more experience dealing with state budgets than anyone else running.”

Video: Bentley campaign ad on “no salary” pledge.

Bradley Byrne

• Age: 55
• Elected to state Senate in 2002.
• Before that, state Board of Education, chancellor of Alabama Department of Post-Secondary Education and attorney. Graduated from Duke University and University of Alabama School of Law.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “When I have to educate myself about a particular issue, I like to think I have the ability to do that and then make the best decisions I can.”

Video: Byrne campaign ad on pledge not to raise taxes.

Tim James

• Age: 48
• Former business owner, including Baldwin Bridge Co. and asphalt and construction firms.
• Before that, formed and operated the Escambia County Environmental Corp. with family members. Graduated from Auburn University.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “I’m probably best suited to be governor in tough times.”

Video: James campaign ad on English-only driver’s license tests.

Bill Johnson

• Age: 51
• Elected Director of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs from 2005 to 2009.
• Before that, political consultant, Birmingham city council member, owner of industrial/commercial contracting company. Graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “As the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, I invested a quarter billion dollars in communities across the state, so I got to know mayors and county commissioners.”

Video: Johnson introductory statement.

Roy Moore

• Age: 63
• President of the Foundation for Moral Law in Montgomery.
• Before that, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Etowah County circuit judge and deputy district attorney. Graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point and University of Alabama School of Law.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “I’ve always fought the special interests. I can more closely identify with the people.”

Video: Moore campaign ad with doo wop sound.

James Potts

• Age: 60
• Financial professional
• Before that, service in the Air Force. Attended five colleges.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “We have beautiful golf courses. We need to take the prisoners, clean up our state parks, create hiking trails, camp sites, make it a haven for recreation.”

Video: Potts answers question asking to reveal
something voters may not know about the candidate.

Charles Taylor

• Age: 53
• Salesman for Buck Taylor Manufacturer Sales Co. in Daphne.
• Before that, graduated from Auburn University.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “Abortion must be stopped. It is unacceptable.”

No video available

Deciding factor: It’s a two-way race between Byrne the politician and James the businessman. James’ late momentum may send it to a runoff, but it’s Byrne’s race to win.

If you’re voting in the Republican primary, who will you vote for and why? Leave a comment.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Place a curse upon
the object of your disaf-
fection. Stir, stir, stir.

• • •

Read more haiku.

In 2 weeks, Alabamians vote in statewide primaries, or at least 60 percent of them, give or take.

Two men are running for the state’s highest office on the Democratic ticket. Let’s meet these candidates for governor.

[Also: a rundown of the Republican candidates.]

Artur Davis

• Age: 42
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2003
• Before that, attorney and federal prosecutor. Graduated from Harvard University.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “I got into politics, because I want to change Alabama.”

Video: Davis campaign ad on repealing the state food tax.

Ron Sparks

• Age: 57
• Elected as state agricultural commissioner; served since 2003
• Before that, assistant agricultural commissioner, DeKalb County commissioner, served in Coast Guard. Graduated from Northeast Alabama Community College.
• Campaign site
• Soundbite: “This campaign is really about issues, and I feel like they [black voters] are going to vote for me, because I can handle the job.”

Video: Sparks campaign ad on starting an education lottery.

Deciding factor: As my friend and political consultant Jeff Vreeland reminded me earlier this evening, “You can’t poll racism.” Will Davis’ lead evaporate in the privacy of the voting booth?

If you’re voting in the Democratic primary, who has your vote for governor and why? Leave a comment.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Down the lane, packs of
dogs march to the beat of a
thousand wagging tails.

• • •

Read more haiku.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’ cast reunion

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

James “J.T.” Thomas wins one last reward.

The epic battle of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” concluded Sunday, crowning Sandra Diaz-Twine the $1 million winner. Diaz-Twine, who beat Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz in the final three, previously won her season in the Pearl Islands.

But let us not forget James “J.T.” Thomas Jr., the cattle rancher from Samson, who finished in 10th place. As part of the jury, he cast one of six votes for Diaz-Twine; the other three votes went to Shallow.

Besides participating in the live reunion show on Sunday, the fans rewarded Thomas for his game play. Sort of.

Video: Jeff Probst crowns the dumbest move
in “Survivor” history.

Host Jeff Probst revealed the winner of an online poll for “Dumbest Move in ‘Survivor’ History,” which included game-ending moves by fellow Heroes James Clement and Colby Donaldson and Villain Tyson Apostol. Thomas won the trophy for his decision to hand over a hidden immunity idol to the opposing tribe, later used to oust him from the game.

Video: Thomas shares his thoughts on the final three.

Did the jury pick the right winner? And does J.T. deserve the award for dumbest move ever?

Previous: Episode 10 – Double dealing

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

Meat really shouldn’t
fall off the bones. Otherwise,
you’re stuck with just bones.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Thoughts unspoken give
first clues to internal gaps
in the narrative.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Hiding in a cave
is no match for venturing
out into the light.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Rules are issued. They
rebel. Lines are drawn. They cross.
Top down. They fight back.

• • •

Read more haiku.

The vines stretch for more
room, expecting fruit to burst
forth any day now.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Do we measure our
worth against the past, against
others or don’t count?

• • •

Read more haiku.

Video: “Lovesick Blues”

A Mount Olive feller by the name of Hiram King Williams won something from the Pulitzer Prize board in April.

Not for books or newspaper articles. For lyrics.

You know him as Hank.

The Pulitzer board awarded Hank Williams a posthumous special citation for “his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.”

The board awarded similar citations in music to jazz greats Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane in 2006 and 2007 and folk/rock master Bob Dylan in 2008.

Williams, who was born in Mount Olive, later grew up in Montgomery and producer 11 No. 1 hits. He died in 1953 at age 29.

Have a listen to the songs that made him a country legend.

Video: “Hey Good Lookin'”

Video: “Cold, Cold Heart”

Video: “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive”

Video: “Kaw-Liga”