Monthly Archives: July 2009
Hey
Posted on July 23, 2009 36 Comments
While I’m off driving, you should read what Justine Larbalestier has to say about book covers, and specifically, her latest book cover, for her upcoming novel Liar. It’s a reminder, among other things, about what is in an author’s control as regards their book, and what is not. Incidentally: Liar is a genuinely excellent book.
Various and Sundry, 7/23/09
Posted on July 23, 2009 134 Comments
Stuff on my brain, aside from my peeling scalp: * I’m traveling again today and will be at the Confluence convention through the weekend, so you know the drill: probably fewer than usual posts the next few days, catch me on Twitter, don’t expect immediate e-mail responses and so on. Things will be back to […]
A Terminator Mystery
Posted on July 23, 2009
Over at AMC this week, I discuss how Terminator: Salvation can simultaneously have grossed half the box office of Star Trek, and also nearly twice as much. How does the film manage this neat trick? You’ll have to click through to find out. Indeed, I suspect the question will drive you insane until you do. […]
The Neck Issue
Posted on July 22, 2009 80 Comments
Truth to tell, I don’t really mind getting older in a general sense, but I have to say I really hate what it’s doing to my neck. Middle age has decided to make its beachhead there, and slowly but surely (and not really all that slowly, alas) my neck is losing its concavity and is […]
Slavering Hordes! I Command You to Take This Poll!
Posted on July 22, 2009 119 Comments
Inasmuch as it has been variously implied recently that the lot of you are slavering hordes what crouch for employment at my feet, a poll for you, my pretties. Remember, this is for posterity, so please, be truthful.
My Confluence Schedule
Posted on July 21, 2009 24 Comments
As most of you know, I am this year’s Guest of Honor at Confluence, which is going down this weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If you’re in the greater Pittsburgh area this weekend — and why wouldn’t you be, it’s a lovely city, with lovely people and lovely rivers — you should stop on by and […]
My Very Cool New Pocket Knife
Posted on July 21, 2009 46 Comments
It is thus: It was given to me as a groomsman gift by my friend Kevin, and it was personalized for me through the means of the ringed planet and moons on the handle. It is actually the first pocket knife I’ve owned since I was a child, and it really is excellent: It’s a […]
Donators to Justine Larbalestier’s Lindy Hop Fundraiser: Time to Pay Up
Posted on July 21, 2009 5 Comments
Because she learned how to Lindy Hop. The (filmed!) evidence is here. All the information you need on how to fulfill your donation pledge is also in that entry. Now, go! Donate!
My California Adventure
Posted on July 21, 2009 18 Comments
Here you see my friends Monica and Kevin (with Deven Desai, center, as officiant) just about to get married. Kevin I’ve known since the first day of high school, and is one of my closest friends; Monica is the gal he’s extraordinarily lucky to have gotten. These two are the reason I and my family […]
I Now Present to You the Most Masculine Name in the World
Posted on July 21, 2009 84 Comments
It is: Razorbeef McSlaughter. I could detail for you the conversation which led to this determination, but allow me to reiterate: RAZORBEEF McSLAUGHTER. I don’t think you really have to know the details. The name alone is enough.
On the Subject of to Whom to Address Your Literary Kvetch
Posted on July 21, 2009 249 Comments
People, you can stop sending me Adam Roberts’ broadside against this year’s Hugo slate. Yes, I’ve seen it, and no, I don’t see any particular reason to get worked up about the fact he thinks the slate — which in case you’re somehow not aware, a novel of mine is on — is mediocre. Adam […]
@home
Posted on July 20, 2009 7 Comments
Made it home alive; more details of the California adventure coming a bit later. In the meantime, the usual note about e-mail: I’ll be going through all the mail I’ve ignored since Thursday tonight and tomorrow; if you sent e-mail that you were hoping to have a response to and haven’t gotten the response by […]
Yet More Travel
Posted on July 20, 2009 15 Comments
Heading back to Ohio today. Thanks, California, you were fun. Let’s do it again. I’ll update when I’m back at home. Keep it together until then, okay? Excellent.
All Dressed Up
Posted on July 19, 2009 30 Comments
This is what I was doing yesterday: getting all dressed up and taking part in a wedding. I was a groomsman rather than the officiant this time, and it all went off without a hitch, and now my friends Monica and Kevin are married. Well done, them. Today we hang out more and then head […]
View From My Window, 7/18/09
Posted on July 18, 2009 45 Comments
It’s not bad. I’m mildly amused to read the comments yesterday concerning whether all y’all should be guessing where I am and tracking me down, etc. The short answer is that it’s probably not impossible to figure out where I am (or was, at least, since I’ve moved on since yesterday), but, you know, I’m […]
Where I’m At
Posted on July 17, 2009 25 Comments
This is what it looks like. Another small bit of travel today and then hanging about with old friends, so once more not a lot of time for all y’all. Hey, now, don’t be that way; I spend a lot of time with you guys, you know. But the real world has its charms too. […]
When God Uses His “Smudge” Tool
Posted on July 16, 2009 30 Comments
It looks a little like this. As I took this photo myself earlier in the day, it may give you a rough idea of where I am geographically at the moment. Most of the day was given over to travel; now I’m at the Northern California coast in a little in which is lovely but […]
Posting Notes
Posted on July 15, 2009 20 Comments
As an FYI, starting tomorrow through Monday, I’ll likely be posting very little, as I’ll be off on personal business. I’d tell you what it is, but, hey. Didn’t I just say it was personal? There you are, then. I’ll likely put occasional bits on Twitter, however. It really does come in handy, that service.
Rescuing a Lost Entry
Posted on July 15, 2009 55 Comments
You may recall two years ago I was having serious problems with my Movable Type blog software install (which turned out not to be a problem with MT, actually, but with the site host), so for a day or two I posted to my LiveJournal account while I thrashed things out. Which means the entry […]
When Guardian Columnists Say Dumb Things
Posted on July 14, 2009 198 Comments
Several e-mails today from people who want me to put a hammer to the Guardian’s Stuart Jeffries for this statement yesterday: This is a golden age for British science fiction, chiefly thanks to a wave of writers who are tackling an area their American rivals tend to leave well alone – far-future set, space-operatic, hard […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying