The Issues

My publisher, Virginia Louise Davis, wanted a life story from members of her staff and me. Therefore, through 1998 into 1999, I wrote bits & pieces of my life story. Finally, in late 1999, I put them together into this one-shot zine. If nothing else, some of my readers will realize that there was science-fiction fandom before the Internet. For better or worse, here is my abridged life story on 18 pages with a color front cover.

In response to letters and e-mail asking about my past overseas trips, 
I've listed 64 of my favorite overseas attractions in this 14-page publication.
Half of these places are in London, England; the rest are in different parts of England
as well as Paris, France, and Geneva, Switzerland.
 

SUPPLEMENTS FOR VOLUME 1:  #1 #2 #3 #4 

ISSUE 1 covers seeing these events
and places in New York City and then a science
fiction convention report on Lunacon 2000:

• 01 - BROADWAY SHOW: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

• 02 - USS INTREPID

• 03 - OFF-BROADWAY SHOW:
       SECRETS EVERY SMART TRAVELER SHOULD KNOW

• 04 - SMITHONIAN MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

• 05 - OFF-OFF-BROADWAY SHOW: SCOTT AND ZELDA

• 06 - METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

• 07 - FILM: TOPSY TURVY

• 08 - NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM

• 09 - FILM: GALAXY QUEST

• 10 - STATEN ISLAND INSTITUTE
       OF ARTS AND  SCIENCES

• 11 - FILM: MY DOG SKIP

• 12 - BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ART

• 13 - RESTAURANT: MARS 2112

• 14 - NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE

• 15 - LUNACON 2000

ISSUE 2 covers these events and places:
New York City, a science fiction convention
report on Balticon 2000, and more places and
events in Ottawa, Canada; Philadelphia; and 
New York City again:

#2
APRIL FOOL'S WEEKEND IN NEW YORK CITY
BALTICON 2000
A CAPITAL TIME IN OTTAWA
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN PHILADELPHIA
NEW YORK WITH A FUTURISTIC TWIST

• 01 - NYC RESTAURANT: TEA AND SYMPATHY

• 02 - BRONX ZOO

• 03 - BALTICON 2000

• 04 - PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS OF CANADA

• 05 - SPARKS STREET MALL, OTTAWA, CANADA

• 06 - NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE OF CANADA:
       HARD TIMES FOR THESE TIMES

• 07 - NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA

• 08 - PHILADELPHIA THEATER: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

• 09 - PHILADELPHIA CINEMA: EAST IS EAST

• 10 - INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

• 11 - MUMMERS MUSEUM

• 12 - PHILLY RESTAURANT: HARD ROCK CAFE

• 13 - PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART

• 14 - NYC RESTAURANT:
       JOSIE'S RESTAURANT AND JUICE BAR

• 15 - ISAMU NOGUCHI GARDEN MUSEUM

ISSUE 3 contains these reports: 
about a weekend I spent in Washington, DC;
a media-science-fiction convention called Shore
Leave; and weekends in other places:
New Jersey; New York City; Philadelphia;
a revisit to Washington, DC; 
and a revisit in New Jersey:

#3
INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND IN WASHINGTON, DC
SHORE LEAVE 2000
FROM ATLANTIC CITY TO CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
TWO AUGUST WEEKENDS IN NEW YORK CITY
LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN PHILADELPHIA
A SEPTEMBER WEEKEND IN DC
A NEW JERSEY DAY TRIP

• 01 - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
       EXPLORERS HALL

• 02 - NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

• 03 - SHORE LEAVE 2000

• 04 - ATLANTIC CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

• 05 - NEW JERSEY STATE AQUARIUM

• 06 - UNITED NATIONS

• 07 - OLD MERCHANT'S HOUSE

• 08 - MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

• 09 - NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS

• 10 - FRANKLIN INSTITUTE SCIENCE MUSEUM

• 11 - PHILADELPHIA ZOO

• 12 - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

• 13 - WHITALL HOUSE AT RED BANK BATTLEFIELD
       (FORT MERCER)

#4
VISITING ENGLAND IN THE MILLENNIUM
PHILCON 2000

• 01 - BRITISH LIBRARY
• 02 - FARADAY MUSEUM (ROYAL INSTITUTE)
• 03 - MILLENNIUM DOME
• 04 - ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, OXFORD
• 05 - CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE AND
       CATHEDRAL, OXFORD

• 06 - THE ILLUMINATIONS LIGHT SHOW
       (VIA TRAM TOUR), BLACKPOOL

• 07 - GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL:
       COMEDY BONANZA

• 08 - BBC EXPERIENCE

• 09 - PHILCON 2000

SUPPLEMENTS FOR VOLUME 2:  #1 #2 #3 #4 

• 01 - BROADWAY SHOW: SWING
• 02 - MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
• 03 - OFF-BROADWAY SHOW: PETE AND KEELY
• 04 - FORBES MAGAZINE GALLERIES
• 05 - NYC CINEMA: STATE AND MAIN
• 06 - ROSE CENTER FOR EARTH AND SPACE
• 07 - NYC CINEMA: CHOCOLAT
• 08 - AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE
• 09 - INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM

• 10 - AMERICAN SWEDISH HISTORICAL MUSEUM
• 11 - PHILADELPHIA THEATER: CABARET
• 12 - PHILADELPHIA CINEMA: HOUSE OF MIRTH
• 13 - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
• 14 - FREER GALLERY OF ART
• 15 - SALEM COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
• 16 - PENNSBURY MANOR
• 17 - STATEN ISLAND FERRY
• 18 - THE CLOISTERS

• 01 - JERSEYDEVILCON 2001
• 02 - RIDEAU CENTRE, OTTAWA, CANADA
• 03 - (CANADIAN) NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND
       TECHNOLOGY
• 04 - CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION
• 05 - BYWARD MARKET, OTTAWA, CANADA
• 06 - BALTICON 2001
• 07 - MARIO LANZA MUSEUM
• 08 - INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART  

• 01 - ARTHUR M. SACKLER GALLERY OF ASIAN ART
• 02 - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART
• 03 - ARTS AND INDUSTRIES BUILDING
• 04 - SHORE LEAVE 2001
• 05 - THE PORTRAIT GALLERY IN THE SECOND BANK
       OF THE UNITED STATES
• 06 - 2001 WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION 

• 01 - FRANKLIN COURT
• 02 - VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
• 03 - FRANKLIN MINT
• 04 - LONGWOOD GARDENS
• 05 - ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS AT KEW
• 06 - KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL, CAMBRIDGE 

• 07 - FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM, CAMBRIDGE
• 08 - ROMAN BATH MUSEUM, BATH
• 09 - STONEHENGE (NEAR AMESBURY)
• 10 - ROYAL PAVILION, BRIGHTON
• 11 - NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (UK)
• 12 - NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING: ALADDIN 

SUPPLEMENTS FOR VOLUME 3:  #1 #2 #3 #4

• 01 - RESTAURANT: EMPIRE DINER

• 02 - AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM

• 03 - RESTAURANT: MANDARIN COURT

• 04 - JEFFERSON MARKET COURTHOUSE

• 05 - FARPOINT 2002

• 06 - RESTAURANT: CITY GRILL

• 07 - AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

• 08 - FILM: LAST ORDERS

• 09 - QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART

• 10 - LUNACON 2002

• 01 - JERSEYDEVILCON 2002

• 02 - BALTICON 2002

• 03 - ATWATER-KENT MUSEUM

• 04 - RESTAURANT: MACE'S CROSSING

• 05 - UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
       MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

• 06 - FILM: CQ

• 01 - HIRSHHORN MUSEUM

• 02 - RENWICK GALLERY

• 03 - SHORE LEAVE 2002

• 04 - WHEATON VILLAGE

• 05 - LANDIS VALLEY MUSEUM

• 06 - SPRINGWOOD, 
       FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT'S HOME

• 07 - SUNNYSIDE, WASHINGTON IRVING'S HOME

• 08 - LONG ISLAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART,
       HISTORY,AND CARRIAGES

• 09 - OLD WESTBURY GARDENS AND WESTBURY HOUSE

• 10 - NEW CASTLE COURT HOUSE MUSEUM

• 11 - WINTERTHUR

• 12 - BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART

• 13 - MARYLAND STATE HOUSE

• 01 - TRIPLE PLAY MEMORABILIA SHOW

• 02 - PULP ADVENTURECON 3

• 03 - RESTAURANT: RED, HOT, AND BLUE

• 04 - ATLANTIQUE CITY FALL SHOW

• 05 - CANADIAN NATIONAL (CN) TOWER

• 06 - CASA LOMA

• 07 - ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM (ROM)

• 08 - ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (AGO)

• 09 - BIODOME

• 10 - BASILIQUE NOTRE-DAME-DE-MONTREAL

• 11 - MUSEE DES BEUX ARTS

• 12 - MUSEE D'ART CONTEMPORAIN

• 13 - PHILCON 2002

• 01 - OFF-OFF BROADWAY SHOW: ART, LIFE, AND
       SHOWBIZ: A NON-FICTION PLAY

• 02 - NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

• 03 - RESTAURANT: PLANET HOLLYWOOD

• 04 - NYC FIRE MUSEUM

• 05 - RESTAURANT: THE EMERALD

• 06 - NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

• 07 - RESTAURANT: CONSERVATORY CAFE

• 08 - HISTORIC RICHMOND TOWN

• 09 - FARPOINT 2003

• 10 - LUNACON 2003

• 01 - JERSEYDEVILCON 2003

• 02 - BALTICON 2003

• 03 - THEATER: MAMA MIA!

• 04 - RESTAURANT: MARATHON ON THE SQUARE

• 05 - PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

• 06 - ITALIAN MARKET ON 9TH ST.

• 01 - SHORE LEAVE 2003

• 02 - CONFLUENCE 2003

• 03 - NEW BRUNSWICK MUSEUM, SAINT JOHN, NB

• 04 - OLD CITY MARKET, SAINT JOHN, NB

• 05 - REVERSING FALLS, SAINT JOHN, NB

• 06 - MAGNETIC HILL, MONCTON, NB

• 07 - CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI

• 08 - CAVENDISH, PEI

• 09 - CONFEDERATION BRIDGE AREA, PEI

• 10 - ORWELL CORNER HISTORIC VILLAGE AND
       EASTERN PEI

• 01 - ANIMENEXT 2003

• 02 - NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM

• 03 - NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK

• 04 - CAPE MAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

• 05 - CAPCLAVE 2003

• 06 - HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD

• 07 - PHILCON 2003

• 01 - EVECON 2004

• 02 - FARPOINT 2004

• 03 - FILM: EUROTRIP

• 04 - RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

• 05 - RESTAURANT: OLD TOWN BAR & RESTAURANT

• 06 - NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

• 07 - LUNACON 2004

• 01 - RESTAURANT: VILLAGE DEN

• 02 - SMITHONIAN COOPER-HEWITT NATIONAL DESIGN
       MUSEUM

• 03 - RESTAURANT: EJ'S LUNCHEONETTE

• 04 - NEW YORK AQUARIUM

• 05 - BALTICON 2004

• 06 - ANIMENEXT 2004

• 01 - SHORE LEAVE 2004

• 02 - MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE ATLANTIC

• 03 - (NOVA SCOTIA) MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

• 04 - ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA

• 05 - DARTMOUTH HERITAGE MUSEUM

• 06 - WORLDCON 2004

• 01 - NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

• 02 - CINEMA: THE YES MEN

• 03 - FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA

• 04 - RESTAURANT: IMPERIAL INN

• 05 - CAPCLAVE 2004

• 06 - SMITHSONIAN CASTLE

• 07 - (NEW) NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE
       AMERICAN INDIAN (NMAI)

• 08 - BURLINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL
       SOCIETY MUSEUM GALLERY

• 09 - (YORK) HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

• 10 - PHILCON 2004

• 01 - COMFORT DINER

• 02 - EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

• 03 - SECOND AVE. DELI

• 04 - SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM

• 05 - FARPOINT 2005

• 06 - KATSUCON 2005

• 07 - LUNACON 2005

• 01 - 2005 INTERNATIONAL SPACE DEVELOPMENT
       CONFERENCE 

• 02 - BALTICON 2005

• 01 - NYC RESTAURANT "EAT HERE NOW" DINER 

• 02 - CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE

• 03 - BROADWAY SHOW: MOVIN' OUT

• 04 - BROOKLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

• 05 - SHORE LEAVE 2005

• 06 - VIRGINIA AIR AND SPACE CENTER

• 07 - PHILADELPHIA COMIC-CON

• 08 - ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE

• 09 - ONTARIO PARLIAMENT BUILDING

• 10 - MCCORD MUSEUM OF CANADIAN HISTORY

• 11 - CENTRE D'HISTORIE DE MONTREAL

• 12 - NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM'S STEVEN
        F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER

• 13 - BIG APPLE COMIC-CON 

MY CAPITAL TIME is a yearly column about my yearly trips to Washington, DC. Although a few fanzines published parts of this column, if you wish to receive the whole column plus two black and white pictures (for paper copies only; others get color pictures), I can send it to you for the following conditions: (1) e-mail attachment. (2) You can send me a 1.44MB DSHD 3.5" floppy disk, and I’ll send you back the disk with the DC column on it. (3) On the other hand, you can order a hard copy by sending me a self-addressed, stamped, legal-sized envelope (SASE) if in the USA. For those of you outside of the USA but in North America, please send a self-addressed, big-sized envelope (SAE) and one International Reply Coupon (IRC). If you are overseas, send me two IRCs with your SAE.

For 2006, I visited--

(1) The Library of Congress--a palace of literature.

(2) The West Building of the National Gallery of Art--a palace of art.

(3) The East Building of the National Gallery of Art--as modern looking as the West Building is traditional.

(4) The White House Visitor Center--the next best thing to a tour of the White House, maybe better in some ways!

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For 2007, I visited--

(1) The Folger Shakespeare Library--the world’s largest collection of William Shakespeare’s writings also includes an Elizabethan theater and exhibits in the Great Hall. 

(2) The National Air and Space Museum--the most popular attraction in Washington, DC, and the most visited museum in the world covers the history of air and space travel from ballooning in the late 18th century to speculation about future air and space travel. 

(3) The National Archives--where the USA’s most treasured documents and other recordings are displayed in this Neoclassical building.  

(4) Old Town Alexandria, Virginia--see George Washington’s hometown with its streets of 18th-century buildings and the place where he ate and danced.

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For 2008, I visited--

(1) The Supreme Court of the United States--Inside this Neoclassical building, you can learn about the history and purpose of the third branch of the US government.

(2) The Hirshhorn Museum--Although this may not be the first Smithsonian museum that most people visit, once they see the modern art inside, their opinions range from "interesting" to "bizarre."

(3) The Naval Heritage Center--While it's not the first attraction on most people's "places-to-see" list, this center offers a look at the history of the US Navy and explains its function in today's world.

(4) The Decatur House--Once again, it's not a major attraction. But after looking at the outside of the nearby White House, it's worth a visit here to see how some people lived in the US Capital in the early 19th century.

MOSTLY MATINEE TIME 2009:

Philadelphia Theater:

(1) Society Hill Playhouse--Say Goodnight, Gracie

NYC Cinemas:

(2) AMC Empire 25--Star Trek

(3) Landmark Sunshine Cinema--Moon

(4) United Artists 64th and 2nd--Julie & Julia

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips. Some publications (magazines and newspapers) publish portions of this column. However, if you wish to read the whole column, I sell that myself and include four color pictures. This column will prove that there are more places to go to in NJ than Atlantic City.

To order within the USA, send $3; in North America outside of the USA, send $5 in USA funds; and overseas, send $10 in USA funds.

Like my other publications, you can receive this column by e-mail attachment, by sending me your 1.44 MB DSHD disk (I’ll return the disk to you with my column on it.), or by paper copy. Just tell me which way you want it. 

Issue #1:

1. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY-take a tour of this lovely campus and feel like an ivy-league student for a day--regardless of your SAT scores.

2. JOCKEY HOLLOW-learn about how an 18th-century farm family and George Washington’s troops coped with the winter of 1779-80.

3. LAMBERT CASTLE-Once upon a time, a boy came to America to seek his fortune; in the 1890s, he became rich enough to build a castle.

4. WATERLOO VILLAGE-Step back in time and learn about life in the 18th and 19th centuries in this village, as well as what life was like for the local Native Americans.

5. NEWARK MUSEUM-NJ’s largest museum, located in NJ’s largest city, is a first-class museum for the arts, both fine and decorative, and natural science.

6. GREAT ADVENTURE-If you like thrill rides, fun entertainment, or just walking around the 11 theme areas of the park, this place is worth a special day trip.

7. SANDY HOOK-NJ’s northernmost beach area offers lessons in history and nature, or you could just have a relaxing time in this non-commercial beach peninsula.

8. SIX FLAGS SAFARI-Drive your own hardtop car or ride the tour bus through the largest safari outside of Africa; unlike Africa, this safari included animals from six continents.

9. MOUNTAIN CREEK-NJ’s largest ski resort also offers quiet autumn getaways for those of us who want to admire the lovely fall foliage.

10. DUKE GARDENS-Tour through 11 theme gardens at the estate of the late Doris Duke and feel like you took a trip around the world’s gardens--without the jet lag.

11. LIBERTY VILLAGE OUTLETS-Even if you don’t buy much in these 60 outlet stores offering merchandise at 25% to 65% off, just walking around and browsing at this re-created colonial village is worth the trip.

12. NJ STATE HOUSE-No matter how well or badly you think the lawmakers are running NJ, once you see NJ’s capitol building, you will be impressed from its gold-exterior dome to the floors inside.