Monthly Archives: February 2010
Yet Another Snow Day
Posted on February 15, 2010 89 Comments
Athena has had school two days in all of February so far, thanks to a combination of being ill and then several snow days. So today was supposed to be a makeup day, even though it was President’s Day, i.e., an official holiday. But then nature decided today would be the day it drops an […]
Today’s “Dogs! And Cats! Living Together!” Moment
Posted on February 14, 2010 17 Comments
They get along quite well, actually. Oh, occasionally Kodi will chase Ghlaghghee and occasionally Ghlaghghee will whap at Kodi as she walks by, but most of the time it’s a peaceable kingdom. Which is as it should be. There’s a lesson for us all here, mostly involving the desirability of sleeping on the carpet, but […]
Sunset, 2/14/10
Posted on February 14, 2010 3 Comments
In real life, the sun pillar was a lot less diffuse than it looks here. But a mushroom cloud sunset is interesting in its own way, no? Disclosure: I photoshopped out the top of my neighbor’s TV antenna. Because it was in the way, that’s why.
Various & Sundry, 2/14/10
Posted on February 14, 2010 46 Comments
Hope your Valentine’s Day is full of love & chocolates, in the proportions most pleasing to you. Here’s some stuff I’m thinking about today, mostly not relating to love and/or chocolates: * Jay Lake explains why you shouldn’t listen to him (and by extension any established author) if you’re a new author, as relates to […]
Happy Valentine’s Day
Posted on February 14, 2010 12 Comments
Here’s some music for it. From this album, by this artist.
In the Words of Neo: Whoa.
Posted on February 13, 2010 38 Comments
In a very unique setting over Earth’s colorful horizon, the silhouette of the space shuttle Endeavour is featured in this photo by an Expedition 22 crew member on board the International Space Station, as the shuttle approached for its docking on Feb. 9 during the STS-130 mission. It’s nice to live now sometimes. Larger versions […]
All Sorts of Wrong
Posted on February 12, 2010 93 Comments
And yet, if you are of an age, also terrifyingly right: Seriously, these dudes have got to be high all the time to do stuff like this.
The Big Idea: Stephen Deas
Posted on February 12, 2010 16 Comments
The world is a complicated place — even when the world is a fantasy world with dragons. Or, at least, it can be a complicated place even when there are dragons. Why? Because dragons can be complicated… and more to the point, people are always complicated, no matter where and when they are. At least […]
Just Arrived, 2/11/10
Posted on February 11, 2010 11 Comments
Noting that given the snowpack, it’s a miracle the UPS and FedEx people can make it up the driveway at all: * The Boneshaker, by Kate Milford (Clarion Books): This is kind of an interesting thing, as Ms. Milford’s upcoming historical fantasy YA (pictured here on the right), is a mere definite article away from […]
Today’s Tale of Epic Cluelessness
Posted on February 11, 2010 31 Comments
Today I went to Jay & Mary’s Book Center, my local indie bookstore, to get some new books with Athena. I came through the door, saw a display for the Halo Encyclopedia, said “hey, cool,” and made a beeline for it, because I knew Toby Buckell advised on it and I wanted to take a […]
Winter Survival, Science Fiction Style
Posted on February 11, 2010
This week’s AMC column: Everything I Ever Needed to Know About Winter, I Learned From Science Fiction Movies. I offer up “useful” tips on cold and snow from The Empire Strikes Back, The Thing, The Day After Tomorrow and others. And yes, “useful” is in quotes for a reason. Go on over.
Buzz Buzz Buzz
Posted on February 11, 2010 45 Comments
Yes, like all forward-thinking folk I have switched on Google Buzz, because what I need more than anything else in the world is to have yet one more social network to be on. That said, my reaction to it so far seems to be similar to the reaction of most of the people I’ve seen […]
My Evanescent Internet Fame
Posted on February 11, 2010 30 Comments
Oh, look: I’ve cracked Technorati’s overall top 100, holding the anchor position, situated directly below Perez Hilton, which, I assure you, is a surprise to us both. This won’t last; last week due to Amazon/Macmillan I had a massive spike in readership (and linkage, which is what Technorati really tracks). It’s since come down to […]
John Scalzi Answers Mail, Generically
Posted on February 10, 2010 47 Comments
Because a number of e-mails I’ve gotten in the last week are similar to other e-mails I’ve gotten this week from other people, rather than respond to them privately with more or less the same responses, I’ll go ahead and answer them generically. Why haven’t you been talking about [insert particular political thing here]?/You should […]
New TGE Review, Plus Retailer Availability Update
Posted on February 10, 2010 25 Comments
There’s a new review of The God Engines at the book review site Blood of the Muse, and I couldn’t ask for a better recommendation. An excerpt: A vastly rich tale set in a theocratic universe, The God Engines is a modern sci-fi classic, an intriguing examination of faith and worship and godhood. Intelligent and […]
Ich Bin Gestucken
Posted on February 10, 2010 67 Comments
Our excellent neighbor Bob plowed our driveway yesterday afternoon, as he is wont to do when there’s lots of snow, but then snowdrift overnight covered the driveway once more, and deceptively so, as Krissy found out when she drove into snow she thought was a couple inches deep at most but turned out to be […]
And Now, the World’s Least Impressive Icicle
Posted on February 9, 2010 30 Comments
Icy stalactaciousness fail, on my very own roof. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
For the Kodi Fans Out There
Posted on February 9, 2010 20 Comments
Our dog in her natural habitat: Photo by Krissy, who took it whilst I was away.
Your Science Fiction Award Nomination Suggestions
Posted on February 9, 2010 87 Comments
Hey, kids, look! It’s Hugh, the Hugo-Impaled Headcrab! And he has something he wants to say to us all! Let’s lean in close (but not too close) and listen to what he has to say: “Hello, geeks of Earth! Did you know that this is science fiction awards nomination season? Well it is! Hugo nominations […]
There’s Snow Place Like Home
Posted on February 9, 2010 46 Comments
The last two days in LA were really nice and clear and gorgeous, but I am told that more rain is arriving today, so I escaped that… to come back to my house basically being encased in snow, with more snow falling today (and indeed, you can see that falling snow in the picture). To […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying