Monthly Archives: December 2009
Book Triptych
Posted on December 22, 2009 25 Comments
Just arrived at the Scalzi Compound: From the left: The Portuguese edition of Old Man’s War, the physical copy of The God Engines, and the Tor trade paperback edition of Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded. The first of these is out already; the latter two are imminent — TGE is shipping by the end […]
The Big Idea: Chad Orzel
Posted on December 22, 2009 16 Comments
Want a Big Idea that’s about a really big idea? Well, this week’s book is about quantum physics, and it doesn’t get much bigger than that (well, given the scale quantum physics works on, it actually doesn’t get much smaller than that, but you know what I mean — it’s a really big idea about […]
Bored With Myself
Posted on December 21, 2009 20 Comments
And thus will be even more boring to you. So taking the day off here. See you tomorrow.
Avatar Review
Posted on December 20, 2009 175 Comments
One word: Impressive. More than one word: Well, when Avatar was being discussed over at MetaFilter last week, in advance of seeing the film, this is what I said: Cameron has enough of a track record that even without seeing this film I pretty much know how it will be: Amazing visually and technically, with […]
Quote of the Day
Posted on December 20, 2009 19 Comments
Yes, I have been made aware that a quote of mine had made it on a Quote of the Day service today; you can stop sending me e-mail about it. Thank you, however. I too think it’s pretty cool. The quote was this one: My marriage had its ups and downs like anyone’s, but when […]
My Nail Makeover
Posted on December 19, 2009 59 Comments
As part of my daughter’s holiday/birthday party this evening, attended by fifteen 10 and 11 year old girls, my wife offered free nail paintings. As they say, one thing lead to another, and thus: So you can really appreciate the work, a closeup on two fingers, to highlight the red polka dots, which give the […]
Completing Today’s Cat Picture Trifecta
Posted on December 19, 2009 13 Comments
Ladies and gentlemen, Lopsided Cat. Thank you and have a lovely Saturday afternoon.
And One For the Fan Club
Posted on December 19, 2009 12 Comments
Because, heck, it’s getting near Christmas. This is Ghlaghghee looking at Zeus as he lounges with the bears, incidentally. I’m not sure that she entirely approves of his insouciance.
Zeus Hanging With His Christmas Homies
Posted on December 19, 2009 14 Comments
Yes, that’s right. Zeus is hanging out with a bunch of stuffed bears. You gonna make something of it? ‘Cause he’s ready to shred your face if you do. No one disses the bears, man. They’re all fuzzy and soft. Just the way Zeus likes ’em.
A Decade-Long Selection Of Music
Posted on December 18, 2009 71 Comments
Some of what I’ve liked over the last ten years. In no particular order. Update: Now put behind a cut so people won’t have to have their computers choke everytime they visit. But if you’ve not seen the videos, you want to click through. Your life would be sad without them. So. Very. Sad.
The Big Idea: Laura Anne Gilman
Posted on December 17, 2009 15 Comments
‘Tis the season for trying new things, and the group of writers behind the online publishing collective Book View Cafe are doing just that, releasing their first eBook anthology of original fiction: The Shadow Conspiracy, a collection of related tales taking place in an alternate, steampunk world. What does it take to build up a […]
Judge Sn Update + Limited Edition News
Posted on December 17, 2009 4 Comments
Subterranean Press just announced that “Judge Sn Goes Golfing” is now shipping, and also that it’s the perfect holiday stocking stuffer for anyone who enjoys science fiction, or golf, or both. Both of these statements are true. Subterranean also announced (yesterday) that it had acquired limited edition rights to both The Android’s Dream and to […]
This One is For the Writers Out There
Posted on December 17, 2009 87 Comments
Over at Making Light, Teresa Nielsen Hayden chronicles a thing which you should never ever do. EVER. Go now and be enlightened.
Who Wins the Decade in Science Fiction Film?
Posted on December 17, 2009
And equally important, who loses the decade? I know you want to know, which is why this week’s AMC column is all about The Winners and Losers of ’00s SciFi Movies. I guarantee you some of the winners will surprise you, as well as some of the losers. And of course you can yell at […]
I Got Your Author Mystique Right Here, Pal
Posted on December 16, 2009 44 Comments
Over at the Huffington Post, author Jason Pinter asks “Does Social Networking Kill the Author Mystique?” I’m quoted in the article, although I’ll note he didn’t use my direct comment to that question, which was “what author mystique?” Because, really. It’s not like SF/F writers were ever mysterious sorts of folks. We like hanging out […]
Running Late
Posted on December 16, 2009 168 Comments
On real work, can’t play right now. To keep you busy: Quick! Name your favorite obscure (i.e., non-primary, non-common secondary) color! Mine: Vermilion.
Tor.com Starts Podcasting
Posted on December 15, 2009 7 Comments
Tor.com, that groovy online site dedicated to science fiction, fantasy and other such wacky things, is inaugurating a weekly podcast, in which the folks there will discuss what’s new and notable on the site, and audio fiction will unspool, alternating between new fiction, and fiction already on the site. For the debut podcast, the fiction […]
And Now, An Excellent, Excellent Choice on the Part of SFWA
Posted on December 15, 2009 32 Comments
Joe Haldeman named a Grand Master of Science Fiction As the kids today say: This. You can see what Joe has to say about it over on his LiveJournal. This is going to make me happy for the whole rest of the day, it is.
The Big Idea: James Swallow
Posted on December 15, 2009 26 Comments
As the proprietor of The Big Idea, every once in a while I get to pull rank and pop up a book that’s of personal interest to me, and here’s one that is: Air, by James Swallow, which is an adaptation and novelization of the first three episodes of Stargate: Universe, which is, of course, […]
Anne, Brian, TAFF
Posted on December 14, 2009 4 Comments
My very good friend Anne KG Murphy and her beau Brian Gray want you (“you” being someone who participates in SF fandom to a greater or lesser extent) vote for them to be this year’s TAFF recipients. What is TAFF and why should they be its recipients — and can you vote, and if so, […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying