Monthly Archives: September 2009
11 Years
Posted on September 13, 2009 73 Comments
Look at that; another year down. Eleven years ago today I started writing on Whatever, and at the time I would probably not have expected that I would still be doing it in the far distant age of 2009, much less have become reasonably notable for it. But then, eleven years ago, I probably would […]
Rationalizations Run Thick
Posted on September 12, 2009 157 Comments
Nick Mamatas, following the comment thread over at the Josh Olsen “I won’t read your script” Village Voice article, comes up with this whopper of a comment, from “Bierce_Bitchslap”: There’s thousands of writers in America – especially in the fly-over states – who will never have a chance at getting prestige status in their niche […]
If There is Karaoke In Hell, AND THERE IS, This is What’s Playing
Posted on September 11, 2009 85 Comments
“The Final Countdown,” performed by Leif Garrett. There are no words. NONE.
Incidentally: The Best Song Ever to Feature a Member of Night Ranger
Posted on September 11, 2009 63 Comments
It’s this one. Indeed, in the grand pantheon of Arena Ballads — of songs explicitly genetically designed to be played in front of 10,000 stoned denim-jacked blue collar joes and janes, each waving a lighter — this is one of The Great Ones, easily outranking “Sister Christian” — although not “Come Sail Away,” to name […]
Someone Tell Me Whose Bio-Punk Novel This World Is Turning Out to Be From, Please
Posted on September 11, 2009 27 Comments
Because, you know what, the idea that the best way to get stem cells into the brain might be by snorting them is just plan messed up. Hat tip: Futurismic
Night Ranger Winners!
Posted on September 11, 2009 17 Comments
As if anyone can actually “win” when Night Ranger is involved. Nevertheless, the judges — me and Bill Schafer — have selected two winners from this week’s contest. That’s right! Two! Because we couldn’t decide between them. They are: Newberry: And Pixelfish: Yeah, you pretty much can’t beat those. So Newberry and Pixelfish, congratulations! Send […]
Name in Lights
Posted on September 11, 2009 40 Comments
So, a screen capture from the DVD I just finished watching: Which is to say that yes, I have the series opener of Stargate: Universe in my grubby little hands at the moment. Which is making it very hard to type. Hold on, let me put it down. There we go. And how is the […]
A New Scalzi Short Story!
Posted on September 10, 2009 86 Comments
Well, sort of. Not bad for ten and a half. We’ll be entertaining movie option offers, starting at $1 million. And some Webkinz. And a pony. Update: Oh, look, Athena’s first fan art. Man, she’s way ahead of me with this stuff. I didn’t get fan art until I was, like, 35. I’m trying not […]
The Guy’s Saying What I Said, Except About Screenplays
Posted on September 10, 2009 65 Comments
Hey, remember when I explained why I won’t read your unpublished work? Well, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson is here to explain why he won’t read your screenplay. You will not be surprised to discover his reasons for not reading your screenplay are very very much like my reasons for not reading your unpublished work. It […]
Why Heckling The President During a Joint Session of Congress is Not the Smartest Thing You Can Do
Posted on September 10, 2009 488 Comments
Because it inspires people to send your likely 2010 Democratic opponent nearly $100,000 in contributions since the moment you opened your mouth. D’oh. The funny thing: The amount contributed to Rob Miller went up $3,000 in the few minutes it took me to write up this entry. I suspect the amount will be well over […]
Ranking Trek Directors
Posted on September 10, 2009
Over at the AMC column this week, I’m ranking Star Trek directors, because someone asked me to, and taking requests is easier than coming up with topics on my own. Go, path of least resistance! And let me tell you, JJ Abrams (pictured above) isn’t the best Trek director. Not even close. Who is? Well, […]
Here, Have a Place to Talk About That Other Obama Speech
Posted on September 9, 2009 209 Comments
You know. The one where he overthrew the capitalist system to give illegal immigrants federally subsided breast enhancements. Oh, sorry, wrong universe. I mean, the one where he talked about health care. Keep it mellow, don’t stab each other in the eyeballs, and remember that slapping down the “Obama = Socialist” card will get you […]
That Obama Speech, or, Expunging the Stupid Use of Words
Posted on September 9, 2009 229 Comments
Wow, that was sure some socialist speech Obama gave yesterday, huh? I went to pick up Athena from school, and all the kids marched out of building, singing “The Internationale” and clutching copies of the children’s illustrated edition of Das Kapital, distributed by smiling members of Young People’s Socialist League. Truly, it’s a new day […]
The Abject Holy Terror Of Night Ranger, or, a Contest
Posted on September 8, 2009 80 Comments
The video, I think, explains it all: For reasons that are simply too terrifying to detail now, except to say DIE BILL SCHAFER DIE, I am cursed to wear this Night Ranger shirt for the rest of the day. The picture below explains how I feel about this: Nevertheless I must endure. AND, this does […]
This Was Made Existentially Funnier By the Fact I Was Drinking a Coke Zero When I Read It
Posted on September 7, 2009 36 Comments
Online comic Rocket Road Trip has been running a subplot in which I (or rather a slightly chunkier, flat-headed version of me) have been kidnapped by hobbits, who are trying to force me to join their Lord of the Rings musical. This is how they finally made me crack. In other news it’s mildly odd […]
Yup, That’s About Right
Posted on September 6, 2009 42 Comments
Over at the Wall Street Journal, Joe Queenan pretty much sums up the Summer of ’09. I suspect my own summer was slightly better than most people’s because I got a Hugo out of it, but overall, yeah, it’s not a summer that anyone will remember as being vintage. Indeed, Summer ’09 gets my personal […]
Taking the Day Off
Posted on September 5, 2009 12 Comments
Go catch up on some reading, folks. See you later.
“Judge Sn Goes Golfing” Cover Art
Posted on September 4, 2009 30 Comments
Ladies and gentlemen, I consider this SUPER AWESOME: Yes, the cover and interior illustrations of my upcoming signed chapbook “Judge Sn Goes Golfing” are by none other than Gahan Wilson. If you are not aware of who Gahan Wilson is, you have my pity, but this is easily corrected. Suffice to say that he’s one […]
Various & Sundry, 9/4/09
Posted on September 4, 2009 140 Comments
Things and Stuff: * This study suggests that (presumably, straight) men get so flummoxed in the presence of a pretty woman that they actually get appreciably stupider around them. Having watched men walk into walls craning their heads trying to get a look at my wife, this does not come as news to me. Nor […]
Author GoH at Phoenix Comicon; 2010 Appearance Plans in General
Posted on September 4, 2009 23 Comments
As noted by this tweet from the organizers, I will be author guest of honor at the 2010 Phoenix Comicon, in (wait for it… ) Phoenix, Arizona, over Memorial Day weekend (May 27 -30 for those of you not in the US). It should be a lot of fun. Their Twitter feed has the details […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying