Wednesday, June 29, 2005
People seem to be posting their worldcon schedules
So hey, I'll post mine (yes, I'm actually on the programme):
May seem like a strange choice, as I'm neither an artist nor a an art director. But for my series in Modan, I DO serve as a de facto art director, working with the cover designers to get the best cover for the books.
I'm landing in Glasgow at 17:30, so it should be a mad dash to the hotel and from there to the con. Thank GOD I'm staying at the Moat House, which is right next to the SECC.
Thursday 7:00pm How do You get to a Book Cover
Didi Chanoch
Simon R Green
John Picacio
Karen Traviss (M)
Artists and art directors from different countries/industries
discuss the differences in their markets. What unconscious cultural
preferences exist? What makes a good book cover?
May seem like a strange choice, as I'm neither an artist nor a an art director. But for my series in Modan, I DO serve as a de facto art director, working with the cover designers to get the best cover for the books.
I'm landing in Glasgow at 17:30, so it should be a mad dash to the hotel and from there to the con. Thank GOD I'm staying at the Moat House, which is right next to the SECC.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Gabe's baaaaack
Gabriel Chouinard, one of the most interesting critics in SF, has a new blog, and he seems to be motivated again. Good. At most points in its history, SF has needed a good kick upside the head. It needs it now.
Kick, Gabe, kick.
Hey, I just went to the site again and found this in the sidebar: "gabe chouinard believes literature needs to be dragged screaming into the streets and given a good ass-kicking." I swear I didn't read it before writing the above.
Kick, Gabe, kick.
Hey, I just went to the site again and found this in the sidebar: "gabe chouinard believes literature needs to be dragged screaming into the streets and given a good ass-kicking." I swear I didn't read it before writing the above.
Lou Anders on Batman and Batman Begins
Great, great post, recounting the history and development of The Dark Knight in comics, TV, and film. It culminates with an analysis of the new film as it compares with the mythos. And it compares very favorably indeed.
Link via Emerald City blog
Link via Emerald City blog
Two wonderful (and too short) seasons end
Season 27 of Dr. Who was my first season of the show. It won't be the last. The Doctor said it best in the brilliant finale "The Parting of the Ways" when he said:
Absolutely. I will sorely miss Eccleston. He was fantastic. A great actor doing a great character on a great show. Fortunately, we still have Billie Piper, wonderful, fantastic, amazing Billie Piper. I'm still schocked that a former teen idol singer can act this well. I shouldn't be. Lost has taught us that models can act. But still. Amazing performance.
I don't want to spoil the show, so I won't discuss the episodes in any depth. But it was a terrific season of science fiction. Clever and silly and dramatic all at the same time. It had genuine emotional depth, and how often do you see that, really?
Season 4 of JLA, which was also season 1 of JLU, was also very good. I wasn't crazy about the overall at parts, but in the end, it worked. The penultimate episode (and real finale, as far as the season's story is concerned), "Divided We Fall", was excellent, and reached a terrific climax. Finally, one of my favorite characters got some well deserved RESPECT. The last episode wasn't really a JLU episode. It was a Batman Beyond episode. Not that that's a bad thing, and it WAS a good episode. And hey, I like Batman, so what the hell.
"Rose, before I go, I just want to tell you, you were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. And do you know what? So was I"
Absolutely. I will sorely miss Eccleston. He was fantastic. A great actor doing a great character on a great show. Fortunately, we still have Billie Piper, wonderful, fantastic, amazing Billie Piper. I'm still schocked that a former teen idol singer can act this well. I shouldn't be. Lost has taught us that models can act. But still. Amazing performance.
I don't want to spoil the show, so I won't discuss the episodes in any depth. But it was a terrific season of science fiction. Clever and silly and dramatic all at the same time. It had genuine emotional depth, and how often do you see that, really?
Season 4 of JLA, which was also season 1 of JLU, was also very good. I wasn't crazy about the overall at parts, but in the end, it worked. The penultimate episode (and real finale, as far as the season's story is concerned), "Divided We Fall", was excellent, and reached a terrific climax. Finally, one of my favorite characters got some well deserved RESPECT. The last episode wasn't really a JLU episode. It was a Batman Beyond episode. Not that that's a bad thing, and it WAS a good episode. And hey, I like Batman, so what the hell.
The Slush God interviews Kelly Link
What more is there to say? She is Kelly Link, writer of wonderfully wonderful stories of wonder. And she is interviewed. Go read.
Dark Cabals
Scientists have created WHAT?
Science headlines often seem ripped from the pages of science fiction books. But in this case, they seem to come straight from a bad horror novel.
Scientists have created zombie dogs. Repeat: Created (as in, raised from the fricking dead) ZOMBIE DOGS.
The fuck?
Link via Warren Ellis
Scientists have created zombie dogs. Repeat: Created (as in, raised from the fricking dead) ZOMBIE DOGS.
The fuck?
Link via Warren Ellis
Monday, June 27, 2005
Bryan Singer's Superman Vlog
A vlog is a video blog. Bryan Singer's got one, in which he chronicles the making of Superman Returns. Check it out.
Link via The Great Curve.
Link via The Great Curve.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Survey says
Do it. Do it for the children. Well, ok. No children are involved. But science is, so if you blog, and have the time, take the survey.
Music Meme
Taken from many places.
1. Put your playlist on shuffle.
2. Post the first lines to the first 25 songs to come up (along with these instructions).
3. Have people guess the songs and artists in comments to the post.
4. A couple of days later, post the answers to the ones people guessed correctly. Post the first two lines of the ones no one got and get people to guess again.
5. Repeat, adding the next line to the unguessed songs each time, until they're all guessed/you've posted the whole song/you've gotten bored/no one's going to get the damn thing if you don't tell them.
1. Sir Hand, or is it ma'am?
2. You Say you want a revolution?
3. Shyness is nice, and
4. Remember Rio and get down
5. So I ran faster
6. Well it happened years ago
7. Step on up, enjoy the show
8. I saw a newspaper picture
9. He said something before you left
10. You are the latest contender
11. When the disappearing begins
12. I'm no barbie doll
13. He said you're just as boring as everyone else
14. Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee
15. I don't want to get over you
16. Wild is the wind that strips away our sins
17. What do we do for our freedom, oh, what do we do for our corn?
18. I still love the light on, baby
19. I know, cause I've seen it
20. She had an horror of rooms she was tired you can't hide beat
21. You have never been in love
22. Rosemary, Heaven restores you in life
23. And this I knew
24. I've been having a bad, bad day
25. If God had long hair
1. Put your playlist on shuffle.
2. Post the first lines to the first 25 songs to come up (along with these instructions).
3. Have people guess the songs and artists in comments to the post.
4. A couple of days later, post the answers to the ones people guessed correctly. Post the first two lines of the ones no one got and get people to guess again.
5. Repeat, adding the next line to the unguessed songs each time, until they're all guessed/you've posted the whole song/you've gotten bored/no one's going to get the damn thing if you don't tell them.
1. Sir Hand, or is it ma'am?
2. You Say you want a revolution?
3. Shyness is nice, and
4. Remember Rio and get down
5. So I ran faster
6. Well it happened years ago
7. Step on up, enjoy the show
8. I saw a newspaper picture
9. He said something before you left
10. You are the latest contender
11. When the disappearing begins
12. I'm no barbie doll
13. He said you're just as boring as everyone else
14. Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee
15. I don't want to get over you
16. Wild is the wind that strips away our sins
17. What do we do for our freedom, oh, what do we do for our corn?
18. I still love the light on, baby
19. I know, cause I've seen it
20. She had an horror of rooms she was tired you can't hide beat
21. You have never been in love
22. Rosemary, Heaven restores you in life
23. And this I knew
24. I've been having a bad, bad day
25. If God had long hair
Great olds!
Well, it isn't news, as it's over three weeks old. But I've been busy, and neglected my rss feeds and stuff (and this blog). Tonight I moved all of my rss feeds to bloglines (which seems to be awesome), and noticed this bit of news. Peter David's previously cancelled series Fallen Angel is being resurrected at IDW. It's been rumored for a long time, but now it's confirmed. This is awesome, as the same sales which were considered meager by DC, will be excellent for IDW. Also, the series is one of the best on the market.
David also has a sample of the series' new artist(JK Woodward)'s work, and it is awesome.
I'm well pleased.
David also has a sample of the series' new artist(JK Woodward)'s work, and it is awesome.
I'm well pleased.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
This film was all looks and almost no substance. But it was FUN. Not really worth going to the cinema for (unless you're craving two hours of sitting in a dark room and enjoying yourself without having to think. At ALL), but a really fun movie to watch at home on DVD.
Howl's Moving Castle
Watched it last week. Wonderful movie. Heart warming and beautiful and lovely. Not the visionary masterpiece Spirited Away was, but still a great, great, great movie.
Miyazaki really should stop talking about quitting directing and start making more movies. His last three were all knocked out of the park.
Probably the best movie I've seen in 2005.
Miyazaki really should stop talking about quitting directing and start making more movies. His last three were all knocked out of the park.
Probably the best movie I've seen in 2005.
NBA finals - final thoughts
The better team won. Duncan was great in the last game but didn't deserve the finals MVP. Manu or Horry should have gotten it.
Someone needs to start drilling into Tayshaun Prince that he is a superstar. He's got all the athletic gifts, but lacks the drive and the belief in himself. Dude needs to score 25 points a game and take over games on a regular basis. Maybe a new coach will help in that regard.
One more thought about the Israeli broadcast - Oded Kattash is insane. Whenever he spoke about defense, I had to laugh. When he spoke about the offense, it was as if he isn't aware that there IS a defense. When he said Pini Gershon would revolutionize basketball in the NBA, I shook my head. And when he said he'd rather have Anthony Parker and Sharras over Tony Parker and Manu... well... ahhh... have I mentioned he's insane?
Someone needs to start drilling into Tayshaun Prince that he is a superstar. He's got all the athletic gifts, but lacks the drive and the belief in himself. Dude needs to score 25 points a game and take over games on a regular basis. Maybe a new coach will help in that regard.
One more thought about the Israeli broadcast - Oded Kattash is insane. Whenever he spoke about defense, I had to laugh. When he spoke about the offense, it was as if he isn't aware that there IS a defense. When he said Pini Gershon would revolutionize basketball in the NBA, I shook my head. And when he said he'd rather have Anthony Parker and Sharras over Tony Parker and Manu... well... ahhh... have I mentioned he's insane?
Batman Begins - brief thoughts
Watched Batman Begins the other week. Thought it was very good, as well as the first Batman film to actually be about Batman as comics readers know him. A dark film, which dealt with fear and with icons, and was well written overall. R'as' dialogue was terrible, however. But then, R'as is a difficult character to portray in live action. Too bombastic and self important. Also, he never called Batman "Detective", which was justified as Batman hadn't become the detective he will become, but still disappointing.
Still, a good film. Not as good a film as Batman Returns, but better than any of the others, and much truer to the origins than BR.
Still, a good film. Not as good a film as Batman Returns, but better than any of the others, and much truer to the origins than BR.
Bydion
This year's Bydion (fiction) con was held this last Thursday. It was the second of what I hope will be many Bydions.
The con was small. Nay, tiny. One room, a strip of programming, including two panels. I was on the first one, which dealt with conspiracies, and spoke about Tim Powers.
Some of the other speakers were excellent. I was particularly impressed with Gali Golan, who moderated the second panel (on apocalypses). Joe Brown was excellent as usual, but had to brief as one of the speakers on his panel hogged the stage for way, way, way, waaaaaay too long.
Other than that, it was all very good. I had a good time talking with Mike, Vered, Joe, and several others. Here are some pictures of the mini con.
I hope next year's con will be bigger, and better advertized.
The con was small. Nay, tiny. One room, a strip of programming, including two panels. I was on the first one, which dealt with conspiracies, and spoke about Tim Powers.
Some of the other speakers were excellent. I was particularly impressed with Gali Golan, who moderated the second panel (on apocalypses). Joe Brown was excellent as usual, but had to brief as one of the speakers on his panel hogged the stage for way, way, way, waaaaaay too long.
Other than that, it was all very good. I had a good time talking with Mike, Vered, Joe, and several others. Here are some pictures of the mini con.
I hope next year's con will be bigger, and better advertized.
Monday, June 20, 2005
The Biggest Winner
For some time, in conversations with friends, I've been saying Robert Horry should be a hall of famer.
A few days ago, Sports Guy Bill Simmons wrote that there should be a special category for players like Horry in the hall. I disagree. And last night, Horry gave me the ammunition.
"Role player" and "spot shooter" Robert Horry took over the game. When nearly everybody else in the team was quaking in their sneakers, Horry just scored, scored, and scored again. 21 points in the second half and OT. He now has more threes in the finals than Michael Jordan, and if the Spurs win the series, he'll have as many championships.
Robert Horry may not have great stats. He may not be a great player in the regular season. But the playoffs, and especially the finals, are the true testing ground of the greats. And Robert Horry is great.
He should be a hall of famer. First ballot. Straight up. No special exceptions needed.
A few days ago, Sports Guy Bill Simmons wrote that there should be a special category for players like Horry in the hall. I disagree. And last night, Horry gave me the ammunition.
"Role player" and "spot shooter" Robert Horry took over the game. When nearly everybody else in the team was quaking in their sneakers, Horry just scored, scored, and scored again. 21 points in the second half and OT. He now has more threes in the finals than Michael Jordan, and if the Spurs win the series, he'll have as many championships.
Robert Horry may not have great stats. He may not be a great player in the regular season. But the playoffs, and especially the finals, are the true testing ground of the greats. And Robert Horry is great.
He should be a hall of famer. First ballot. Straight up. No special exceptions needed.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
NBA Playoffs - Divisional thoughts, finals prediction
San Antonio/Phoenix
I've already said that I shifted my support to the Spurs midway through the series, and I think they merited that. This was supposed to be the series of offence versus defense, and it ended up as the series of offense versus the complete package. If Joe Johnson were healthy for the whole series, this would be a six of seven game series, but the Spurs still would have won. They're just a better team, and they have playoffs experience on their side. And they've become fun to watch.
Miami/Detroit
In the end, the Pistons made it a war, and they won. I have no idea how this series would have played out with a healthy Shaq and Wade, however.
And now, the finals. Let's break it down.
Point Guard
Billups v. Parker
Chauncy is stronger, and a better shooter in the clutch. Tony is faster, and has a more reliable mid range jumper. But really, in a strange way, they're kinda the same player - mercurial, up and down, and as they go, the team goes. This would be the most important matchup of the series, but I think they kinda balance each other out. Still, if Chauncy can somehow dominate Parker, it gives the Pistons a much better shot in the series. I call it: Even.
Shooting Guard
Rip v. Manu
This matchup is gonna be fun to watch. Both are incredible athletes. Rip does everything within the team scheme, whereas Manu sometimes breaks everything down. But hey, he can do that, as he's more talented. I really like Rip, and he's proven that he can hang with players who are more athletically gifted than he his. But it's a cruel fate to have to play two straight series against players who are just ascending to greatness. I call it: Manu.
Small Forward
Prince v. Bowen
In last years finals, I predicted Prince would be the difference maker, and he was. In order for Detroit to have a shot, he's probably going to spend much of his time guarding Manu, but his matchup against Bowen is also an interesting one. Both are defensive prodigies, and both are role players on offense. But Tayshaun CAN be much more than that. If Bowen goes over to guard Rip, Prince must ABUSE Manu on offense. Of course, Manu is pretty good defensively as well. Still, I think Prince's talent and proven ability to come up big in big series prevails. I call it: Tayshaun.
Power Forward
Duncan v. Sheed
This is another interesting case. Physically, Rasheed is one of the very few players in the league who CAN matchup well against Duncan. He's almost as big, and is as fast and as athletic. Still, Sheed is only very, very good, whereas Tim-be-dunkin is great. This matchup needs to be close for the Pistons to have a shot. It may be fairly close. But still... I call it: Duncan.
Center
Big Ben v. Nazr
I've been going on about Pistons players who NEED to excel for the team to have a shot. This is the one matchup that goes the other way. Nazr needs to be a viable offensive threat in order to keep Wallace from terrorizing everyone else in the paint. He also needs to help on D on Sheed. The disparity here may be the biggest of all the matchups. I call it: Wallace.
Bench
Both benches are fairly deep, and both are filled with players who know their roles and do them well. Really, this comes down to Horry v. Dice as the best forwards off the bench, and Barry v. Lindsey/Arroyo at the guard. Barry is better than anything Detroit has on the bench, and I don't like to bet against Horry in the playoffs. So this is a fairly simple call. I call it: Spurs Bench.
Coach
Pop v. Larry
The two best coaches in the league square off. Larry is supposed to be the greatest coach in the league, and he's certainly the best at moulding a team. Pop has shown his greatness in the one area he was supposed to be lacking: Flexibility. By allowing Many freedom to operate, he made this team much more unpredictable, and much more dangerous. I think Larry should have done the same with Prince, but Prince's character may not have allowed it. Either way this goes, it'll be a great, great matchup. I call it: Even.
Intangibles
Experience v. Experience
Both teams are as healthy as can be expected at this point. Both have been there before. Pistons brought back nearly all of last year's championship teams, and most of the Spurs' key players have rings as well. If the Spurs have an edge, it's in the brains department. But the Pistons may have the bigger heart. Who the hell knows. I've started talking in cliches. Fuck it. I call it: Even.
Prediction
This absulutely will be a war. Once again, the Pistons face a team that will have the two best players on the series. But this is a much more balanced team the Miami, and a much smarter one. Detroit needs to play a perfect game every game, and it's damn hard to do against the only defense in the league that's as good as theirs. I call it: Spurs in Six.
I've already said that I shifted my support to the Spurs midway through the series, and I think they merited that. This was supposed to be the series of offence versus defense, and it ended up as the series of offense versus the complete package. If Joe Johnson were healthy for the whole series, this would be a six of seven game series, but the Spurs still would have won. They're just a better team, and they have playoffs experience on their side. And they've become fun to watch.
Miami/Detroit
In the end, the Pistons made it a war, and they won. I have no idea how this series would have played out with a healthy Shaq and Wade, however.
And now, the finals. Let's break it down.
Point Guard
Billups v. Parker
Chauncy is stronger, and a better shooter in the clutch. Tony is faster, and has a more reliable mid range jumper. But really, in a strange way, they're kinda the same player - mercurial, up and down, and as they go, the team goes. This would be the most important matchup of the series, but I think they kinda balance each other out. Still, if Chauncy can somehow dominate Parker, it gives the Pistons a much better shot in the series. I call it: Even.
Shooting Guard
Rip v. Manu
This matchup is gonna be fun to watch. Both are incredible athletes. Rip does everything within the team scheme, whereas Manu sometimes breaks everything down. But hey, he can do that, as he's more talented. I really like Rip, and he's proven that he can hang with players who are more athletically gifted than he his. But it's a cruel fate to have to play two straight series against players who are just ascending to greatness. I call it: Manu.
Small Forward
Prince v. Bowen
In last years finals, I predicted Prince would be the difference maker, and he was. In order for Detroit to have a shot, he's probably going to spend much of his time guarding Manu, but his matchup against Bowen is also an interesting one. Both are defensive prodigies, and both are role players on offense. But Tayshaun CAN be much more than that. If Bowen goes over to guard Rip, Prince must ABUSE Manu on offense. Of course, Manu is pretty good defensively as well. Still, I think Prince's talent and proven ability to come up big in big series prevails. I call it: Tayshaun.
Power Forward
Duncan v. Sheed
This is another interesting case. Physically, Rasheed is one of the very few players in the league who CAN matchup well against Duncan. He's almost as big, and is as fast and as athletic. Still, Sheed is only very, very good, whereas Tim-be-dunkin is great. This matchup needs to be close for the Pistons to have a shot. It may be fairly close. But still... I call it: Duncan.
Center
Big Ben v. Nazr
I've been going on about Pistons players who NEED to excel for the team to have a shot. This is the one matchup that goes the other way. Nazr needs to be a viable offensive threat in order to keep Wallace from terrorizing everyone else in the paint. He also needs to help on D on Sheed. The disparity here may be the biggest of all the matchups. I call it: Wallace.
Bench
Both benches are fairly deep, and both are filled with players who know their roles and do them well. Really, this comes down to Horry v. Dice as the best forwards off the bench, and Barry v. Lindsey/Arroyo at the guard. Barry is better than anything Detroit has on the bench, and I don't like to bet against Horry in the playoffs. So this is a fairly simple call. I call it: Spurs Bench.
Coach
Pop v. Larry
The two best coaches in the league square off. Larry is supposed to be the greatest coach in the league, and he's certainly the best at moulding a team. Pop has shown his greatness in the one area he was supposed to be lacking: Flexibility. By allowing Many freedom to operate, he made this team much more unpredictable, and much more dangerous. I think Larry should have done the same with Prince, but Prince's character may not have allowed it. Either way this goes, it'll be a great, great matchup. I call it: Even.
Intangibles
Experience v. Experience
Both teams are as healthy as can be expected at this point. Both have been there before. Pistons brought back nearly all of last year's championship teams, and most of the Spurs' key players have rings as well. If the Spurs have an edge, it's in the brains department. But the Pistons may have the bigger heart. Who the hell knows. I've started talking in cliches. Fuck it. I call it: Even.
Prediction
This absulutely will be a war. Once again, the Pistons face a team that will have the two best players on the series. But this is a much more balanced team the Miami, and a much smarter one. Detroit needs to play a perfect game every game, and it's damn hard to do against the only defense in the league that's as good as theirs. I call it: Spurs in Six.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
