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It has been a couple of long weeks, but I'm finally stepping back out on the book signing trail for The Developers. I'll be at the Evansville Barnes & Noble 10 a.m-5 p.m. April 29 for the store's AuthorFest, in support of WNIN's Ready to Learn Program.

Now that Easter has passed, it's safe to republish my Peeps column, circa. 1999 from the Crawfordsville Journal-Review.

Easter has come and gone like a gypsy caravan once again, but one thing still remains -- Easter candy. Checking expiration dates on bags and containers, 1999 Easter candy should last until 2450. People decide to buy candy following the holiday in hopes of big bargains.

A specific type of candy has intrigued many and plagued worldwide analysists with a simple question, "What is a Peep?"

If your old computers are starting to stack up in the basement at a rapid pace, there's good news for Apple users.

Apple recently announced that users will receive free shipping and envionmentally friendly disposal of their old machine with a purchase of a new one through the Apple Store or Apple's retail stores. The press release says the program expansion will begin in June.

The Purdue University Liberal Arts featured myself and The Developers in its spring issue. I had communicated with a representative in Alumni Relations about sending information for the magazine, but little did I know that they would devote more than a quarter of a page to me. I shared the page with Ted Allen, the cook from "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy," who is also a Purdue grad. On the preceding page, basketball great John Wooden, yet another Purdue alum, is spotlighted for receiving a reward.

Batteries don't seem to last long these days. Even if you have rechargeable batteries, they lose life the more you use them. My information on batteries is a little outdated, as I haven't graphed circuits since college.

Borders stores in Champaign, Ill., Evansville, Ind., and Poor Richard's Books in Frankfort, Ky., are now selling "The Developers." Well, I should say I'm assuming they are selling the books, as long as the shipments made it there and they aren't sitting in the back of the store somewhere.

If you happen to live in one of these areas and are ready to read the book, here's the information you need:

Champaign (Ill.) Borders Bookstore

802 West Town Center Boulevard

Champaign, IL 61822

Phone:217.351.9011

Every day, scientists are discovering more of space, which, I suppose, is still the Final Frontier. That is, unless you count the salad bar at truck stops, since that is another weird phenomenon as well.

There is an ongoing treasure hunt for sustainable-life planets. That's not surprising, considering the world's population is more than 6.6 billion (and growing, if you want to view). Where are all of the people going to go? There's just not enough space between the croutons and bacon bits.

Once again, there is proof people ACTUALLY read my column, even years later! The first time I visited Seattle, I wrote a column about many of my experiences there (click here to reminiscence). I also mentioned a car I saw, covered entirely in floppy disks. I asked readers to put me in touch with the driver.

Well, the driver found me ... here's her response to the column: 

By now you've heard, but to reiterate, George Lucas announced that "Revenge of the Sith" will be the title of the third and last movie of the prequel series.

Of course, we still have until May 19 until the movie comes out, but hey, it has a title, so Star Wars fans everywhere are rejoicing. What, you're not a Star Wars fan? Are you sure you really even exist?

With the presidential election nearing faster than teenage girls swarming the New Kids on the Block, it's time to make a decision. But why bother going to the polls when there are so many more interesting things going on, like National Fig Week? That's why I've put together for you Ben's Grab Bag of Political Information.