Monthly Archives: May 2018
A Non-Intern Take on Solo
Posted on May 31, 2018 56 Comments
I liked it, quite a bit in places, and (snarking aside) I can also see why it did (relatively) underwhelming business in its first weekend: it’s light in the way Star Wars films haven’t been before. Star Wars films have had humor, and have had snark, and have had quips and banter (usually through the […]
The Big Idea: Brenda Clough
Posted on May 31, 2018 7 Comments
What happens when a science fiction writer goes back in time? A serialized novel following up one of the most intriguing woman characters of 1859! Brenda Clough explains how she got from here to there for her series A Most Dangerous Woman. BRENDA CLOUGH: I have always thought of myself as an SF and fantasy […]
Volunteering at the Humane Society of Preble County
Posted on May 30, 2018 29 Comments
One thing I wholeheartedly believe in is volunteering. Community service should be a part of everyone’s life, even if it’s a small part. Recently, I started volunteering at the Humane Society of Preble County. It is a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats in Eaton, Ohio. Eaton is over thirty minutes from my house, so […]
YouTube Shorts
Posted on May 29, 2018 19 Comments
If there’s one thing I love, it’s animated shorts. I have a pretty short attention span, so I particularly like watching shorts because they have so much to offer in such a short amount of time. Most shorts don’t have dialogue in them, or if they do it’s very limited, or sometimes the characters sing […]
The First Strawberries of Summer
Posted on May 29, 2018 55 Comments
Technically, the first strawberries of late spring, as we’ve got a four weeks to go to solstice. But here in the US our cultural summer is Memorial Day to Labor Day, so, well, here we are, with these very nice strawberries from the little patch we have right in the front of our lawn. Like […]
What You Should Be Watching: Voltron: Legendary Defender
Posted on May 28, 2018 18 Comments
Hello, everyone! I’ve decided to do a running thing called “What You Should Be Watching” and it’ll be me telling you about a show I think you should watch. To kick it off, I’m going to recommend one of my all-time favorite cartoons, Voltron: Legendary Defender. This more recent cartoon made by Dreamworks and Netflix currently […]
Headed Home + Posting Through 6/15
Posted on May 28, 2018 12 Comments
I’m sitting here in Sky Harbor, getting ready for the trek home. With any luck I’ll be there early evening. Without luck I will be stranded in DFW. I’m hoping for luck. Phoenix Comic Fest, where I’ve been for the last several days, was a lovely time with lovely people and I’m glad to have […]
Automattic Updates Its Privacy Policy
Posted on May 27, 2018 1 Comment
Automattic being the owners and operators of WordPress, which hosts this site, and on whose software this site runs. Here is their updated privacy policy. I’ve made a permanent link to it here on what is now called my Site Disclaimer, Comment and Privacy Policy page.
Solo: A Star Wars Story Review
Posted on May 26, 2018 32 Comments
Yesterday I went with my mom and grandma to the movies and saw Solo: A Star Wars Story. Personally, I have always felt very disconnected from Star Wars as a whole. Even though I grew up in and still am part of the science fiction community, I have never seen the original six Star Wars movies, only the […]
New Books and ARCs, 5/25/18
Posted on May 25, 2018 13 Comments
As we roll into Memorial Day Weekend, here’s a quick stack of new books and ARCs for you to peruse. Does anything here look like your ideal summer reading? Tell us which ones in the comments!
And Now, a Quick Update From Phoenix
Posted on May 25, 2018 6 Comments
Actually, everything is groovy. Wednesday was “Elevengeddon” at the Poisoned Pen bookstore, in which more than eleven authors signed books for people, and yesterday was given over to a couple of panels and then mostly hanging out with friends. Above you will see my friend Olivia, being force choked by Darth Vader. That Vader. What […]
Have Some Photos!
Posted on May 24, 2018 25 Comments
Good evening, everyone! Today I’ve been really busy with schoolwork and running errands, and I realized I should probably post something before it gets to be too late in the day, since not everyone is as much of a night owl as I tend to be. For today’s post, I thought I’d share with you […]
Music Time!
Posted on May 23, 2018 16 Comments
Hello, everyone! Today I’d like to introduce you to some songs I really enjoy, by an artist named Sam Tinnesz. I have composed a little playlist of my five personal favorite songs of his. His music is dark, intense, ominous, melodic, honestly almost hypnotizing, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. […]
View From a Hotel Window, 5/23/18: Phoenix
Posted on May 23, 2018 5 Comments
There is a parking lot below the building at the front, but I decided not to feature it in the photo. Hey! Not every “view from a hotel window” photo has to have a parking lot. Reminder to everyone here in the Phoenix area that tonight at 7 I will be at the Poisoned Pen, […]
Scalzi at Phoenix Comic Fest This Weekend
Posted on May 23, 2018 11 Comments
As a reminder, starting today(!) I will be in the lovely and very hot town of Phoenix for Phoenix Comic Fest (previously known as Phoenix Comic Con), to sign books, be on panels and do a whole lot of schmoozing. And you(!) can be a part of that, if you happen to be in or […]
Watermelon Salsa!
Posted on May 22, 2018 35 Comments
Hey guys! To kick off day two of writing on Whatever, I have decided to post a recipe. There were a surprising number of people in the comments of yesterday’s post that said they were looking forward to seeing what I make in the kitchen, and I was planning to make something today anyways, so […]
A Quick Note About Whatever, Your Data and GDPR
Posted on May 22, 2018 14 Comments
I’ve had a couple of people ask me how the European Union’s new General Data Protection Regulation law (which goes into effect on Friday) affects this site and how I run it, so, let me talk about that very briefly. One, on a personal level, aside from asking for an email address in order to leave […]
New Books and ARCs, 5/21/18
Posted on May 21, 2018 30 Comments
Here you go, folks: Another very fine stack of new books and ARCs that have arrived at the Scalzi Compound. What here is catching your eye? Tell us in the comments!
Hello, Whatever World!
Posted on May 21, 2018 127 Comments
Howdy, y’all. Today is my first day as my dad’s intern, and this is my first Whatever post! My dad is off writing some silly book or something along those lines, and because he is busy he tends to neglect this website a little bit, so I am here to ensure that posts are posted […]
The Big Idea: Cat Rambo
Posted on May 21, 2018 9 Comments
Where to start the second book in a series? If your answer is “after the first book, duh,” allow Cat Rambo to offer another option to you, which she employs in her novel Hearts of Tabat. CAT RAMBO: My second novel is out as of May 20, and it’s a satisfying feeling. At the same […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying