Monthly Archives: October 2020
A Bit of Disclosure, Re: Sneak Previews and Special Events
Posted on October 19, 2020 11 Comments
In the last couple of months, I’ve — quite mysteriously! — been added to a number of PR lists inviting me to virtual sneak previews of upcoming shows and other related media events. The way it works is you’re invited to an online “red carpet” event, with either sneak previews of the show/movie or some […]
And Now, Some General Thoughts About the Election
Posted on October 19, 2020 90 Comments
And to do it, I’m bringing back the “talking to myself” format. Hello, me! Hello, you! Who, uhhhh, is also me. Indeed. So, what are your questions for me about this year’s election? Well, since you’ve already detailed how you think Trump will do in your own county, any thoughts on how you think he’ll […]
October in Ohio
Posted on October 18, 2020 11 Comments
You know what, it’s not too bad. Hope you’re having a pleasant Sunday, folks. — JS
Reporting in From Trump Country, 2020
Posted on October 17, 2020 103 Comments
Four years ago (almost exactly), I wrote about Darke County, the place in Ohio where I live, and how I expected it would vote in the 2016 presidential election. Darke County is a small rural county, and like most small rural counties in the United States, it skews pretty seriously conservative and Republican. As part […]
Small Business Saturday: Tarabusi Creek Cosmetics
Posted on October 17, 2020 8 Comments
Welcome to another Small Business Saturday! In case you missed the last one, this is where I write about a brand/company that I have bought and tried products of. These are not paid promotions or instances where I have been given free items in return for a post about them. These are just things I […]
Something To Listen To This Fine Friday
Posted on October 16, 2020 10 Comments
Today I have a song for you, and you may or may not enjoy it, but here it is regardless of your enjoyment levels. I actually first heard this song because it was used as the background music for the season 7 trailer of Voltron: Legendary Defender. It’s quite fitting for that show, which I’m sure […]
The Big Idea: Carrie Vaughn
Posted on October 16, 2020 3 Comments
When the main character is away, the side characters and antagonists will play! Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in a novel? Read on to hear about Carrie Vaughn’s newest book, Kitty’s Mix-Tape and see what lies beyond the first-person perspective. CARRIE VAUGHN: Sometimes a big idea is the culmination of a lot of […]
Today In “I’m Occasionally Reminded I Live the Life of a Hermit, Even Without COVID As an Excuse”
Posted on October 15, 2020 105 Comments
I went into a bank for literally the first time in years. Why would I do such a thing? Because Krissy, who usually does our banking, is currently laid up recuperating from her foot surgery (she’s doing great, thanks for asking, but she’s not up to doing errands out of the house yet) and I […]
The Big Idea: Amanda Bridgeman
Posted on October 15, 2020 8 Comments
Ever feel like your tech knows too much about you? Like it’s literally in your head reading your thoughts? What if it was literally in your head? In Amanda Bridgeman’s newest novel, The Sensation, she explores a world in which neural implants are a reality, but much like the tech we have today, it might do more […]
Once Again, My Annual Unsolicited Appreciation Post, Regarding WordPress
Posted on October 14, 2020 10 Comments
Every year around this time I take a moment out of my day to express my unsolicited appreciation for WordPress, which, in October 2008 and after a particularly rough year keeping my site up and running due to surging traffic, helped me transfer Whatever over to their tender care (specifically via their VIP service). In […]
This Just In: I Shaved
Posted on October 14, 2020 28 Comments
Why? Because, one, I was bored of my face as it previously was, and two, it’s been a couple of years since I saw my chin, and I was wondering how it was holding up. Turns out, it’s holding up okay! Also, the last time I was clean-shaven I was about 30 pounds heavier, and […]
The Big Idea: C.L. Polk
Posted on October 14, 2020 3 Comments
As C.L. Polk reveals in this Big Idea for her latest novel The Midnight Bargain, the state of affairs in our world can have a significant effect about the state of affairs in a fictional one… even if the connections are not immediately evident on surface of thing. C.L. POLK: When people talk about The […]
Mars Through the Trees, 10/13/20
Posted on October 13, 2020 16 Comments
Tonight we’re as close to Mars as we’re going to be for a few decades. I thought I’d go out and get a picture of it. You can see it just barely clearing the trees here. It’s bright and beautiful and I’m glad I got to see it tonight. If you have time and a […]
How “The Good Place” Kinda Messed Me Up
Posted on October 13, 2020 58 Comments
Do you ever wonder about life after death? If you’ve ever seen The Good Place, you know that their version of the afterlife is based on a point system that determines a person’s goodness. When a person dies, they either have negative or positive points, depending on what they did in their lifetime, and that score […]
The Big Idea: Christen Carter
Posted on October 13, 2020 4 Comments
Few things in this world are as quirky a choice of fashion as a button, and according to author Christen Carter, few things encapsulate a story as well as one, too. This is their power — which might be why the title of the book Carter co-wrote with Ted Hake is called Button Power. CHRISTEN […]
I Totally Forgot to Update the Site Today, So Here, Enjoy This Obscure Yet Tuneful Song
Posted on October 12, 2020 11 Comments
“Celebrity Sanctum,” by a profoundly unknown group with the unfortunate name of Dogs Die in Hot Cars. The song’s pretty nifty, however, the sort of tune XTC could bat out over lunch, because, well, XTC was like that. Enjoy.
The Last Tomato of 2020
Posted on October 11, 2020 21 Comments
To be clear, not the last tomato anywhere in the world, here in 2020. Merely the final tomato from our tomato plants, this year. Krissy has pulled up and cleared out the vines as part of her autumn overhaul of the plants and gardens. It was picked green and is ripening on our counter. At […]
Smudge Meets Buckley
Posted on October 10, 2020 4 Comments
Buckley being the neighbor’s pup, whom they acquired a few months ago. He’s friendly and decided to come for a visit. Smudge was not impressed. Ported over from Twitter because once again Flickr seems to be having issues. Come on, Flickr. Click on the tweet to see the whole photo. It’s pretty much a tableau. […]
New Books and ARCs, 10/9/20
Posted on October 9, 2020 11 Comments
Flickr, which I usually use to host my photos, is having some technical issues, so I’m going to post my tweet about this week’s new books and ARCs instead. Tell us what here interests you down in the comments! This week's stack of new books and ARCs that have come to the Scalzi Compound. What […]
I Feel You, Julie Nolke
Posted on October 8, 2020 27 Comments
The third time-traveling installment. The other two have been posted here before, but in case you missed them, here they are, and in reverse chronological order: Looking forward to/vaguely dreading what I assume will be the final installment, sometime in December. — JS
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