Monthly Archives: June 2009
Somehow I Think the New York Times Would Be Deeply Disappointed In This Conversation
Posted on June 30, 2009 79 Comments
Me: Hey, it looks like the New York Times has discovered that straight men and gay men can actually be friends! My Gay Friend™: Amazing. Me: I know! But they do say that there might be some Harry-Met-Sally sexual worry that the gay friend might like the straight friend. MGF: Uh-huh. Me: You don’t see […]
The New Space Opera 2: Out Today
Posted on June 30, 2009 32 Comments
The anthology The New Space Opera 2 comes out today, and as it happens I have a short story in it, called “The Tale of the Wicked,” which features ships and missiles and explosions and aliens and all the other sort of stuff what space opera got. And aside from me, it’s got authors like […]
Somewhere, Robert Christgau’s Head Just Exploded
Posted on June 29, 2009 57 Comments
The Los Angeles Times explores why Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” has become the go-to inspirational song of the 21st Century, and indeed will probably outlast us all as a cultural touchstone for the ages. I know the answer: Because it is awesome, in that “I am a human being equipped with the ability to recognize […]
Reminder: Vote For the Hugos
Posted on June 29, 2009 16 Comments
A reminder to those of you who have purchased your attending or supporting memberships for Anticipation, this year’s Worldcon, that you have only a week left to vote: More specifically, online voting ballots must be received by midnight (23:59) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) July 3. Don’t actually wait until 11:59pm on July 3rd to vote, […]
My “Snake Fist” Magic Spell Is As Potent as Ever!
Posted on June 29, 2009 24 Comments
That’s right! Annoy me and my very knuckles will emit snakes to vex and bother you! It’s not a skill I have much call to use — there are so few moments in life which truly call for the judicious use of snakes — but then one day you do need a snake, and on […]
For the Edification of All
Posted on June 28, 2009 46 Comments
I’ve just updated my “Availability for Interviews, Appearances and Writing Work” page with the following paragraph: First, a general note regarding both fiction and non-fiction: I do not write for others without being paid. This is my job. If you cannot pay me to write for you, do not ask me to write for you; […]
This Is the Devil’s Fake Drum Set
Posted on June 28, 2009 43 Comments
And I will tell you why: The “high hat” cymbal is where the crash cymbal should be, the crash cymbal is where the ride cymbal should be, the snare is where the high hat should be, and the tom is where the snare should be. The only two things vaguely where they’re supposed to be […]
Two For All the Kodi Fans Out There
Posted on June 28, 2009 24 Comments
Because I know you all think the cats get most of the blog love. So here you go: A double shot of dog. Don’t say I never did nothing for you.
In the Land of the Kickass Womenfolk
Posted on June 28, 2009 36 Comments
It was time for Athena’s bullwhip lesson. Why did Athena need a lesson in how to wield a bullwhip? I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question there. As it turns out, Athena’s pretty good with a whip, as is her mother, and our friend Yanni, the woman administering the tutorial above. Kodi is not very […]
Out Among Real Live People
Posted on June 27, 2009 30 Comments
We have guests! Real live guests! In the house! And we’re socializing! Like real live people! So, uh, the internets won’t see me much today. Sorry, Internets. Real live humans take precedence.
Today’s Obligatory Michael Jackson-Related Video
Posted on June 26, 2009 18 Comments
Also one of my more favorite mash-ups. For the impatient, the music begans at about 1:30.
Holy Crap, Michael Jackson’s Dead
Posted on June 25, 2009 83 Comments
The details. Lots to say, but for now: There was a life with a dynamic range to it, for better or worse.
That Inciteful Brandon Sanderson
Posted on June 25, 2009 31 Comments
He’s exhorting his minions to say bad things about me! On Twitter! To which I say: Excellent. Bring it on, meat.
The Big Idea: Sarah Rees Brennan
Posted on June 25, 2009 33 Comments
Author Sarah Rees Brennan likes the bad boys. I’m not telling you any great secret here. Her novel The Demon’s Lexicon features one of those bad boys: Nick, who among other things is the sort who keeps sharp pointy objects underneath the sink because, hey, you have to keep them somewhere. But while the “bad […]
Transformers: Revenge of Teh Suxx0r?
Posted on June 25, 2009
This week’s column over at AMC: Why Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, while almost certainly full of teh stoopid, does not herald the end of all that is good and decent about the motion picture industry. Because I know you were worried that it does. As always, feel free to leave comments over on the […]
Today’s LOLcat Picture Dedicated to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford
Posted on June 24, 2009 118 Comments
Seriously, now: Tell your staff you’re hiking in the mountains, and then use a state car to go to the airport to fly to Argentina to have sex with a woman who is not your wife on Father’s Day weekend? I mean, really: Walk through that one and you’ll see several places this could go […]
They’ll Regret It When Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Wins Best Picture
Posted on June 24, 2009 49 Comments
The Motion Picture Academy announced today that next year ten films will compete as Best Picture nominees, rather than the now-standard five. I’m not 100% behind this idea, in no small part because halfway through 2009, the only film I’d be even considering for Best Picture would be Up. The holiday season releases damn well […]
Dear Internets: For No Particularly Good Reason I Have Placed a Sheer Sock On My Head
Posted on June 24, 2009 64 Comments
It’s just that they’re terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future. Also, I believe — and this is just one man’s opinion here — this might be the sexiest picture of me EVAR. Now, please return to your normal lives.
Why New Novelists Are Kinda Old, or, Hey, Publishing is Slow
Posted on June 24, 2009 185 Comments
From the e-mail pile today: Whenever I hear about a “new” novelist, they turn out to be in their 30s. Why is that? It seems like you hear about new musicians and actors and other creative people in when they are in their 20s. Excellent question. Leaving aside the mechanics of why it pays to […]
The Big Idea: Diana Rowland
Posted on June 23, 2009 14 Comments
Sometimes writing is like a romance: You might need time away to realize how much it’s part of you. Author Diana Rowland can tell you about this. Life and other complications conspired to keep her from the fantasy and science fiction genre for years — and yet, here she is, with her novel Mark of […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying