Yes. I'm blogging about American Idol. Again. Don't look at me like that. Seriously. Stop. I've taken enough crap about watching it from some of my friends. I don't need it from imaginary readers who haven't even said anything.
So, before the results show, some thoughts...
On the guys side, this week's show simply cemented my position that Bo and Anwar are very good, and everybody else is either meh or bleh. Bo showed versatility, which will help him later on. Also, his band has a website, with some samples. Travis is mega-bleh, and Constantine is the fakest rocker in the history of fake rockers.
On the girl's side, Nadia continues to be a cut above the rest. Great voice, great performance. Jessica won me over this week, and Mikhala was terrible in a song that completely didn't suit her. She took Simon's advice about not being so annoying way too seriously. I hope she doesn't get voted off, and can come back with that personality she used to display. Janay continues to be far and away the worst of the bunch. But then, she was the worst in the last two weeks as well, and still made it. She needs to go, although that would make the show go on longer for me, as I will no longer be able to skip ahead to the end of her song.
Simon was on the money this week in both his compliments and his insults. The other two are blind, deaf, and dumb. No, not mute (sadly). Dumb.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Manu and Marion
ESPN Page 2's Eric Neel sings the praises of two of my favorite nba players, Manu Ginobili and Shawn Marion. All I can say is - shout it out, brother man, for your words are truth.
I STILL can't believe I got Marion in the second round of my fantasy league.
I STILL can't believe I got Marion in the second round of my fantasy league.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
David Duchovny has a blog
This is pretty cool. It's to promote House of D, a film he directed, and as it's a personal movie, it's also sort of a personal blog, even with the promotional aspect. And heck, personal promotion works. Now I want to watch a movie I'd never heard of and might not have been interested in otherwise.
Link via pullquote.
Link via pullquote.
NBA fantasy blogging
It's been a while since I ranted about my fantasy team, and since I've been working so much lately I barely get a chance to read anything online, and thus don't have many links to share and comment on, I guess it's time for an update...
3 weeks away from the end of the fantasy regular season, my team is 10-8, three games behind the top team and two games above the three teams below mine in the standings, which are all fighting for the number 8 spot and the last slot in the playoffs of our 14 team league . If I win one more game, I'm almost certainly in the playoffs. If I win two, I'm there.
My Big Three - TMac, Marion, and Chris Bosh, have all been excellent. Bosh is actually making a bid to be my second keeper next year, though I find it hard to believe I'll part with either of my superstuds (currently both in the top 10 of my leagues fantasy player rankings).
I have two players who'll probably dictate how far the team goes - Peja Stojakovic and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Peja has been a huge disappointment for a 3rd round pick, but I'm hoping that now that the Webber shaped alabtros is off his back, and he's returned from yet another injury, he'll find that extra gear he had last year before Webber came back. If he does, he can play like a first rounder, and help me a lot. 'Reef has been a crappy fantasy player this year, largely through no fault of his own. Injuries, and the fact that he's the team's second PF behing head case Randolph have been hurting his value. He's back now, though, and with Zack refusing to play until god comes down from heaven to tell him the doctors are right and his knee is fine, he's getting the minutes and playing well. As long as he plays, he can be a huge factor for me.
Jason Hart sorta belongs in the same camp as 'Reef. When Brevin Knight plays, he's a dud, when he doesn't, he's a stud. Right now, BK is injured again, so J is contributing mightily. Dan Gadzuric is also struggling with minutes, which is ridiculous, as he does much more than Pachulia most games, and really shouldn't be losing minutes to him. Except when he gets in foul trouble. Still, he's almost always contributing, and can rack up 25 fantasy points in 20 minutes.
Tay Prince and McInnis have been on and off, but the fluctuations have not been huge. I'm obviously happier with Tay, but when McInnis has been on, he's been pretty damn good.
Finley, Deng and Griffin are injured, this crippling my roster flexibility. But all should come back. I have a gut feeling about Griffin - he comes back shortly before the fantasy playoffs, by which time the folks at Minnesota may give up on their playoffs hopes and realize they seriously need to rest Garnett's knee before causing damage that may really hurt the franchise. If KG is given time off to rest, and Eddie is healthy, I think he can be a monster. He'll play over 35 minutes, and get all thos blocks and boards he gets. They should have been playing him much more anyway (he's the team's second best defensive player, best defensive rebounder, best blocker), and if my prediction comes true, they'll have to play him.
If everything I hope happens really does happen, it could all mean a championship. If it doesn't, I can lose in the first round of the playoffs. I'll let y'all know what happens.
3 weeks away from the end of the fantasy regular season, my team is 10-8, three games behind the top team and two games above the three teams below mine in the standings, which are all fighting for the number 8 spot and the last slot in the playoffs of our 14 team league . If I win one more game, I'm almost certainly in the playoffs. If I win two, I'm there.
My Big Three - TMac, Marion, and Chris Bosh, have all been excellent. Bosh is actually making a bid to be my second keeper next year, though I find it hard to believe I'll part with either of my superstuds (currently both in the top 10 of my leagues fantasy player rankings).
I have two players who'll probably dictate how far the team goes - Peja Stojakovic and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Peja has been a huge disappointment for a 3rd round pick, but I'm hoping that now that the Webber shaped alabtros is off his back, and he's returned from yet another injury, he'll find that extra gear he had last year before Webber came back. If he does, he can play like a first rounder, and help me a lot. 'Reef has been a crappy fantasy player this year, largely through no fault of his own. Injuries, and the fact that he's the team's second PF behing head case Randolph have been hurting his value. He's back now, though, and with Zack refusing to play until god comes down from heaven to tell him the doctors are right and his knee is fine, he's getting the minutes and playing well. As long as he plays, he can be a huge factor for me.
Jason Hart sorta belongs in the same camp as 'Reef. When Brevin Knight plays, he's a dud, when he doesn't, he's a stud. Right now, BK is injured again, so J is contributing mightily. Dan Gadzuric is also struggling with minutes, which is ridiculous, as he does much more than Pachulia most games, and really shouldn't be losing minutes to him. Except when he gets in foul trouble. Still, he's almost always contributing, and can rack up 25 fantasy points in 20 minutes.
Tay Prince and McInnis have been on and off, but the fluctuations have not been huge. I'm obviously happier with Tay, but when McInnis has been on, he's been pretty damn good.
Finley, Deng and Griffin are injured, this crippling my roster flexibility. But all should come back. I have a gut feeling about Griffin - he comes back shortly before the fantasy playoffs, by which time the folks at Minnesota may give up on their playoffs hopes and realize they seriously need to rest Garnett's knee before causing damage that may really hurt the franchise. If KG is given time off to rest, and Eddie is healthy, I think he can be a monster. He'll play over 35 minutes, and get all thos blocks and boards he gets. They should have been playing him much more anyway (he's the team's second best defensive player, best defensive rebounder, best blocker), and if my prediction comes true, they'll have to play him.
If everything I hope happens really does happen, it could all mean a championship. If it doesn't, I can lose in the first round of the playoffs. I'll let y'all know what happens.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
There's a new, longer, Sin City trailer...
And it...
Wait for it...
Fucking RULES.
(That's a direct link to the quicktime version. Right-click and save as. The front door, where you can select format and bandwidth and see the final poster, is here).
Link via Heidi at The Beat, who's only comment was, and I quote, "Holy Shit."
Wait for it...
Fucking RULES.
(That's a direct link to the quicktime version. Right-click and save as. The front door, where you can select format and bandwidth and see the final poster, is here).
Link via Heidi at The Beat, who's only comment was, and I quote, "Holy Shit."
Monday, March 07, 2005
V for Vendetta press conference, website, thoughts
Dotan read the VfV press conference transcript at Newsarama, as well as Rich Johnston's little rant at the same website, and came away... not very optimistic. He looked at the official website and became a little more optimistic.
I read the same things and looked at the site and came away MUCH more optimistic.
First, Rich's rant. I like Rich. I read one of the issues of his comic and laughed, and I read and enjoy his column. But the rant is a rush to judgement if I ever saw one. He's ranting about the logo and some early art. I hope somebody tells him that the studio's publicity does not, in fact, make the movie. And, amusingly, by the time the press conference came around (a few days after the rant) they had the correct logo, and a better looking mask. Way to leap before you think, Rich. Also, he complains that they cast a star as V. Really? James Purefoy is a star? In what bizzarro world?
The Website looks nice. As I mentioned, the art is even correct, and I love the look of the mask.
There were several things to like about the press conference - first and foremost, the mask. Purefoy will be in the mask for the entire duration of the film. This is of the good. At no point do they shy away from the complexities. This is also good. Portman will be losing weight and shaving her head and will be undergoing a rather nasty treatment in the film. Not shying away from the nastyness is also good. And when Purefoy is asked about V's dialogues and monologues, he doesn't say "poetry? No, we made is understandable for the audience." this is critical.
Changes will be made, that is obvious. But I think this may be the first case in which the Warren Ellis quote Dotan uses about Hollywood's tendency to locate the hook in any Alan Moore work and tossing it away may be unwarranted.
My one concern is McTeigue. V is a big project for a first time director, and one which will require both brains and balls. He's worked with people with both brains and balls who've managed to create some of the best and worst mega-budget films ever. Let's hope he's learned to shoot for the fences, but managed to completely unlearn anything Lucas might have told him about directing actors.
I read the same things and looked at the site and came away MUCH more optimistic.
First, Rich's rant. I like Rich. I read one of the issues of his comic and laughed, and I read and enjoy his column. But the rant is a rush to judgement if I ever saw one. He's ranting about the logo and some early art. I hope somebody tells him that the studio's publicity does not, in fact, make the movie. And, amusingly, by the time the press conference came around (a few days after the rant) they had the correct logo, and a better looking mask. Way to leap before you think, Rich. Also, he complains that they cast a star as V. Really? James Purefoy is a star? In what bizzarro world?
The Website looks nice. As I mentioned, the art is even correct, and I love the look of the mask.
There were several things to like about the press conference - first and foremost, the mask. Purefoy will be in the mask for the entire duration of the film. This is of the good. At no point do they shy away from the complexities. This is also good. Portman will be losing weight and shaving her head and will be undergoing a rather nasty treatment in the film. Not shying away from the nastyness is also good. And when Purefoy is asked about V's dialogues and monologues, he doesn't say "poetry? No, we made is understandable for the audience." this is critical.
Changes will be made, that is obvious. But I think this may be the first case in which the Warren Ellis quote Dotan uses about Hollywood's tendency to locate the hook in any Alan Moore work and tossing it away may be unwarranted.
My one concern is McTeigue. V is a big project for a first time director, and one which will require both brains and balls. He's worked with people with both brains and balls who've managed to create some of the best and worst mega-budget films ever. Let's hope he's learned to shoot for the fences, but managed to completely unlearn anything Lucas might have told him about directing actors.
Friday, March 04, 2005
TV roundup - Lost, WW, Survivor, AI, Apprentice
Lost - the ep may have been a bit hyper-hyped, as my expectations were quite high. Still, it was a good episode. Much Hurley made for some funny (although less than expected, for... errr... plot related reasons), Sensei Locke (tm Cleolinda) was his helpful-with-a-side-order-of-creepy self. Such a great character. The possible reasons for the crash continue to mount. At least three different, unrelated characters may have caused the crash or have been related to the cause of the crash. That's pretty cool. It'll probably turn out to have been caused by something else entirely.
The West Wing continues its current streak of episodes that don't suck. Kate has totally grown on me (much like a fungus), and I thought her funny subplot worked. The main plot worked for me as well, as I like stories about the process, and this was a great showcase for Santos, and about time too. I so do not want to cheer for the Republican candidate, even if his the antithesis of every powerful Republica politician today (spoil-tagged for Israeli viewers who are a season behind).
On Survivor, Tom continues to build his superman rep. As a smart, likable, athletic, somewhat older fireman, he is a very, very good player. He needs to get an alliance in place, preferably with fellow strong player Ian. On Ulong, I like Steph. Everyone else is not very strong, or crazy, or suffering from some sort of emotional problem. Also, Koror needs to lose so they can vote off Caryn. She is tres annoying.
In American Idol, Janay survives yet again, despite being a towering pinnacle of suck, and getting called on it by the judges. I think that at this point, its pity votes because of how hard they've been on her. I like Mikhala and Nadia, and was happy to see them continue on. On the men's group, Bo and Anwar are very good. Anthony gets my undying hate for singing a Foreigner song and generally being a Clay-clone.
Finally, I'm watching both flavors of Apprentice. On Trump's regular brand, Audrey was annoying beyond belief. Tana and Angie are strong, and John would be strong if he didn't have such an inflated opinion of himself. Kendra was surprisingly strong.
On Alan Sugar's UK Apprentice, Adele survived another elim. I'm happy about that because, well... she's kinda hot, and crazy in a fun-to-watch kinda way. Matthew needs to go. He's an incompetent, anti-social idiot. Paul and Saira are a super-team of negotiations, sales and hustle. Miriam is also very competent. In general, I found the UK version to feature more competence and less hysterics, and Sugar is much less annoying than Trump.
The West Wing continues its current streak of episodes that don't suck. Kate has totally grown on me (much like a fungus), and I thought her funny subplot worked. The main plot worked for me as well, as I like stories about the process, and this was a great showcase for Santos, and about time too. I so do not want to cheer for the Republican candidate, even if his the antithesis of every powerful Republica politician today (spoil-tagged for Israeli viewers who are a season behind).
On Survivor, Tom continues to build his superman rep. As a smart, likable, athletic, somewhat older fireman, he is a very, very good player. He needs to get an alliance in place, preferably with fellow strong player Ian. On Ulong, I like Steph. Everyone else is not very strong, or crazy, or suffering from some sort of emotional problem. Also, Koror needs to lose so they can vote off Caryn. She is tres annoying.
In American Idol, Janay survives yet again, despite being a towering pinnacle of suck, and getting called on it by the judges. I think that at this point, its pity votes because of how hard they've been on her. I like Mikhala and Nadia, and was happy to see them continue on. On the men's group, Bo and Anwar are very good. Anthony gets my undying hate for singing a Foreigner song and generally being a Clay-clone.
Finally, I'm watching both flavors of Apprentice. On Trump's regular brand, Audrey was annoying beyond belief. Tana and Angie are strong, and John would be strong if he didn't have such an inflated opinion of himself. Kendra was surprisingly strong.
On Alan Sugar's UK Apprentice, Adele survived another elim. I'm happy about that because, well... she's kinda hot, and crazy in a fun-to-watch kinda way. Matthew needs to go. He's an incompetent, anti-social idiot. Paul and Saira are a super-team of negotiations, sales and hustle. Miriam is also very competent. In general, I found the UK version to feature more competence and less hysterics, and Sugar is much less annoying than Trump.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Well, I guess it isn't a bad score for a non-native English speaker
Commonly Confused Words Test
Advanced
You scored 93% Beginner, 93% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 66% Expert!
You have an extremely good understanding of beginner, intermediate, and advanced level commonly confused English words, getting at least 75% of each of these three levels' questions correct. This is an exceptional score. Remember, these are commonly confused English words, which means most people don't use them properly. You got an extremely respectable score.
The exact same score as Julia. Much like in Julia's case, test stats indicate that 100 percent of people my age scored lower in all categories. Not happy about the 66% in the expert level. Oh, well. I've been meaning to buy and read The Elements of Style (which is, rather impressively, ranked 123 at Amazon right now) for a while now.
Advanced
You scored 93% Beginner, 93% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 66% Expert!
You have an extremely good understanding of beginner, intermediate, and advanced level commonly confused English words, getting at least 75% of each of these three levels' questions correct. This is an exceptional score. Remember, these are commonly confused English words, which means most people don't use them properly. You got an extremely respectable score.
The exact same score as Julia. Much like in Julia's case, test stats indicate that 100 percent of people my age scored lower in all categories. Not happy about the 66% in the expert level. Oh, well. I've been meaning to buy and read The Elements of Style (which is, rather impressively, ranked 123 at Amazon right now) for a while now.
A new season of Amazing Race starts tonight
With Survivor starting two weeks ago, and TAR starting tonight, my two favorite competition type reality shows are BACK, baby.
Before the first episode, I already rooting for Rob and Amber. I'm a pretty big Rob fan, as I thought he played the game of Survivor as well as anyone since Hatch basically created game strategy in in season 1. TAR is a very different game, which requires a very different skill-set, so we'll see how R&A do. I do have to say that I agree with the TV Gal - I don't care that they already won the million elsewhere. They provide quality entertainment, and deserve what they got.
Before the first episode, I already rooting for Rob and Amber. I'm a pretty big Rob fan, as I thought he played the game of Survivor as well as anyone since Hatch basically created game strategy in in season 1. TAR is a very different game, which requires a very different skill-set, so we'll see how R&A do. I do have to say that I agree with the TV Gal - I don't care that they already won the million elsewhere. They provide quality entertainment, and deserve what they got.
I've been testing mail-to-blogger
It seems to work (after not working for a while). This is quite nice as it means that, if I have internet access on my phone in Glasgow, I can blog from Worldcon even without regular internet access (which I should have at the hotel, I think).
Monday, February 28, 2005
Oscars wrapups and liveblogging
Cleolinda liveblogs the Oscars, and is funny.
Defamer liveblogs the oscars, and is mean, but funny.
Redfish wraps up the show, and is in Hebrew, but funny.
Personally, I watched the show. I thought Rock's monologue was mostly funny. I thought the gimmicks (on stage nominees, off stage nominees and winners) mostly worked. I was happy, happy, happy to see Charlie Kaufman win for Eternal Sunshine, and it was nice to see The Incredibles walk away with two awards.
Defamer liveblogs the oscars, and is mean, but funny.
Redfish wraps up the show, and is in Hebrew, but funny.
Personally, I watched the show. I thought Rock's monologue was mostly funny. I thought the gimmicks (on stage nominees, off stage nominees and winners) mostly worked. I was happy, happy, happy to see Charlie Kaufman win for Eternal Sunshine, and it was nice to see The Incredibles walk away with two awards.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Cleolinda Jones has SEEN Oscar's future
And she future-blogs all about it. And it is FUNNY. Also, be sure to check Cleo's lj before, during, and after the ceremony, as she'll be blogging the real one too.
Romance novel covers "reimagined"
This has been linked to all over the place, but it is of the funny, and you may not have seen it yet.
Vote for Veronica Mars, or don't vote at all
Eonline's Kristin Veitch is running her annual "Save one show" poll. Go there. Vote to keep Veronica Mars on the air. And if you live in the states, watch the damn show.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
New Hitchhiker's Guide trailer released
Optimism jumps through the roof.
You may recall how mild my enthusiasm was for the first HHGTTG trailer. Well, there's a new one, it is narrated by Stephen Fry, and it is F U N N Y.
Link, again, via fisheye.
You may recall how mild my enthusiasm was for the first HHGTTG trailer. Well, there's a new one, it is narrated by Stephen Fry, and it is F U N N Y.
Link, again, via fisheye.
My first published review
In 1989, I helped Dena Bugel-Shunra (that wasn't her last name then. Same person, though) publish a bilingual SF&F fanzine called About Sci-Fi, or Al-Madab in Hebrew. In it, was my first film review column. When reading it, please remember I was only 17 at the time. I do still enjoy my evisceration of The Running Man, although I've grown to like it more over the years. Still a crappy movie.
As I just wrote to Dena, it's interesting to see my thoughts on The Princess Bride then, now that it's an acknowledged classic, and a film I own on Special Edition DVD.
As I just wrote to Dena, it's interesting to see my thoughts on The Princess Bride then, now that it's an acknowledged classic, and a film I own on Special Edition DVD.
Friday, February 25, 2005
My Constantine review
Over ten years ago, when I was a member of the working press (well, a part time member, writing about computers and the internet on Maariv's local Tel-Aviv Newspaper Zman Tel Aviv), I managed to publish a couple of reviews. I wrote what may have the first Israeli review of Opus' translation of Ender's Game.
In the intervening years, I've written some film reviews for websites, and many book reviews in this site, back when the content was in Hebrew.
But now I've gone full circle, and had my first film review published in Maariv's weekend entertainment supplement, Promo. It's a review of Constantine, a film I liked more than I expected to.
I hope people read it, and I'd certainly be interested in people's comments on the review. It isn't available online.
In the intervening years, I've written some film reviews for websites, and many book reviews in this site, back when the content was in Hebrew.
But now I've gone full circle, and had my first film review published in Maariv's weekend entertainment supplement, Promo. It's a review of Constantine, a film I liked more than I expected to.
I hope people read it, and I'd certainly be interested in people's comments on the review. It isn't available online.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
The Webber trade
So Chris Webber got traded to Philly for Kenny Thomas and some dead weight. This is actually a good trade for both teams. The 76ers will benefit in the long run, as they probably make the playoffs, and possibly advance a round. They lose in the long run, as Webber is hobbled, 32, and scheduled to make 60 million bucks in the next 3 years.
For Sacramento, this is addition by substraction. Every time Webber has been out, Miller and Peja have been better. Peja was a superstar last year, until CWebb came back from injury.
While I don't have any of the players involved on my fantasy team, I hope to benefit in a big way. Peja was my 3rd round pick, and I've been hoping either he or Webber get traded. With Webber gone, Peja will hopefully go back to being the centerpiece of the offense, along the way bringing in some nice fantasy numbers. Now, if Shareef can traded in the next 5 hours (which is the trade deadline for this season), I may finally have a team that can legitimately contend for a title.
For Sacramento, this is addition by substraction. Every time Webber has been out, Miller and Peja have been better. Peja was a superstar last year, until CWebb came back from injury.
While I don't have any of the players involved on my fantasy team, I hope to benefit in a big way. Peja was my 3rd round pick, and I've been hoping either he or Webber get traded. With Webber gone, Peja will hopefully go back to being the centerpiece of the offense, along the way bringing in some nice fantasy numbers. Now, if Shareef can traded in the next 5 hours (which is the trade deadline for this season), I may finally have a team that can legitimately contend for a title.
Brief TV thoughts: VM, Lost, AI
First up, Veronica Mars. Russkie Business was an awesome ep for anyone who grew up in the eighties, and I guess it was good for others as well. Alyson Hannigan's performance as Trina Echolls was odd for me to watch. It's like it was a different kind of "Evil Willow." Not the flashy vampiric of witchy kind, just spoiled rotten. I'm a huge AH fan and a huge Willow fan, so I dug it, but I wish she'd show more range. As for the ending - W.O.W. The most annoying time possible for a month long hiatus.
The Lost episode, "... In Translation" was a terrific ep plotwise, and a little weak as far as dialogue. But weak in Lost standards, which are abnormally high. It was great to see Jin's side of the story we saw in "House of the Rising Sun".
American Idol. Yes, the lure of American Idol has finally gotten to me. It started when I was sick and bored, and now I'm compelled to watch. Sarah Mather, one of my absolute favorites was kicked off this week, after a really weak performance. Even with the weak performance, I thought she should have stayed. Others were weaker, not as talented, and frankly, not nearly as HOT. Annoyingly, she gave a better performance after being booted. Argh.
The Lost episode, "... In Translation" was a terrific ep plotwise, and a little weak as far as dialogue. But weak in Lost standards, which are abnormally high. It was great to see Jin's side of the story we saw in "House of the Rising Sun".
American Idol. Yes, the lure of American Idol has finally gotten to me. It started when I was sick and bored, and now I'm compelled to watch. Sarah Mather, one of my absolute favorites was kicked off this week, after a really weak performance. Even with the weak performance, I thought she should have stayed. Others were weaker, not as talented, and frankly, not nearly as HOT. Annoyingly, she gave a better performance after being booted. Argh.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Updating the blogroll
I try to refrain from having too many blogs on my blogroll, because when I encounter huge blogrolls, I may sample a few, but never check everything out. So many great blogs are not included. Everything that is included, however, is top notch, and you should check them all out.
I've removed Kathryn Cramer's blog, because she hardly ever blogs about genre related stuff, and I'm off American politics for the time being. I've moved Electrolite to the SF&F section, because it seemed silly having it and Making Light in different sections.
I've added Jonathan Carroll's blog, because Carroll is a wonderful writer, and while the blog gives only a tiny sample of his wonderfulness, even a tiny sample is a great thing. VanderWorld is a terrific blog, by an excellent author. Fafblog is funny. The Great Curve, The Beat, and Fanboy Rampage tell you everything you need to know about the world of comics, and Lifehacker tells you many things you need to know about many topics. Finally, two excellent Israeli blogs (both in Hebrew) added to the mix - Dror Foyer's blog which is one the best written blogs in Hebrew, and deals with many topics, including the tech-life connection and writing, and Aharon Hauptman's blog. Aharon is a futurist, and he deals with mostly in emerging (and future) tech and science.
I've removed Kathryn Cramer's blog, because she hardly ever blogs about genre related stuff, and I'm off American politics for the time being. I've moved Electrolite to the SF&F section, because it seemed silly having it and Making Light in different sections.
I've added Jonathan Carroll's blog, because Carroll is a wonderful writer, and while the blog gives only a tiny sample of his wonderfulness, even a tiny sample is a great thing. VanderWorld is a terrific blog, by an excellent author. Fafblog is funny. The Great Curve, The Beat, and Fanboy Rampage tell you everything you need to know about the world of comics, and Lifehacker tells you many things you need to know about many topics. Finally, two excellent Israeli blogs (both in Hebrew) added to the mix - Dror Foyer's blog which is one the best written blogs in Hebrew, and deals with many topics, including the tech-life connection and writing, and Aharon Hauptman's blog. Aharon is a futurist, and he deals with mostly in emerging (and future) tech and science.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Doing the meme thing
As taken from criminalenglish.
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the “coolest” book you can find. Do what’s actually next to you.
The book: Reveletation by Carol Berg
The sentance: 'The filth was never a part of me.'
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the “coolest” book you can find. Do what’s actually next to you.
The book: Reveletation by Carol Berg
The sentance: 'The filth was never a part of me.'
New International trailer for Fantastic 4
Looks much better than the first trailer. I remain cautiously optimistic.
I'm sorry, I don't have any JLU torrents
It seems I've had a big spike in hits in the last couple of days, due to people looking for torrents of Justice League Unlimited, presumably bacause I've talked about torrents and about JLU here. I don't have torrents. I don't have links to torrents. JLU really isn't very hard to find if you look in the major torrent sites, but you can't get from here to there.
I will say that the ep wasn't quite as crappy as I expected, especially due to Batman being very cool. Next ep - Gail Simone sctipt, Huntress and Canary and Question and Green Arrow. Should be fun.
I will say that the ep wasn't quite as crappy as I expected, especially due to Batman being very cool. Next ep - Gail Simone sctipt, Huntress and Canary and Question and Green Arrow. Should be fun.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Whedon and Cassaday on X-Men for 24 more issues
Wonderful news. Joss and Cassaday's run on the book has been terrific. In its own way, it has been as good as Grant Morrison's mind shattering run. Less mind blowing ideas, better characters, and an overall story that will hopefully be on par with Morrison's.
Edit: It seems it was initially misreported. It's only going to be 12 more issues. Bummer.
Edit: It seems it was initially misreported. It's only going to be 12 more issues. Bummer.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trailer
Well, it's now out in a decent format, right here. It doesn't look bad, but seems a bit action oriented. Still, it looks like a good looking movie. And Sam Rockwell is awesome, and I kinda Martin Freeman (even if he does act like he's still playing Tim from The Office).
So I'm looking forward to this with mild optimism.
Still, would it kill them to give Marvin a single sound bite in the trailer?
Link via Fisheye.
So I'm looking forward to this with mild optimism.
Still, would it kill them to give Marvin a single sound bite in the trailer?
Link via Fisheye.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Constantine
Watched Constantine at a special screening for Comics fans tonight (thanks to Yossi and Ofra of Comikaza). It was actually kinda good. The best part about it is that when you're laughing, you're mostly laughing with it, not at it, as was the case with Van Helsing and Underworld.
It bears almost no relation to Hellblazer, the comicbook on which it ostensibly based, but I spent the way to the theater telling myself "this is NOT Hellblazer" many times over, and it mostly worked.
I'd write more, but I'm writing a review elsewhere.
It bears almost no relation to Hellblazer, the comicbook on which it ostensibly based, but I spent the way to the theater telling myself "this is NOT Hellblazer" many times over, and it mostly worked.
I'd write more, but I'm writing a review elsewhere.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Next week's Veronica Mars preview
If you're watching the show on Israeli TV, don't watch this. If you're up to date, do watch it. I'm a bit worried about one thing - Hannigan's acting in the preview cuts a little too close to playing Willow. I loved Willow as much as the next Buffy fan, but this is a different show, and a very different character. I hope the preview does not accurately reflect the job she did on the show.
Funny article about sweeps, fans, and (sorta) google
Red Fish posted the link to this amusing article to the Ort SF forum. It talks about sweeps, and the things the networks do to get ratings. And then it becomes funny.
JMS to do some TV series on 2006
He says he definitely won't be doing Trek for the next year or two, as Paramount wants to take a Trek hiatus, but accepted an offer to do some other show for the 2006 season.
Bill Simmons writes Vince Carter's letter to Toronto
Sample:
Here's the deal. As I admitted a few weeks ago, I stopped trying in Toronto. Looking back, a number of things were at fault. First, the $94 million contract the Raptors gave me after my 2001 playoff duel with Allen Iverson. NBA contracts are, of course, guaranteed, so no matter how poorly I played, my huge check was going to arrive every two weeks. I mean, what would you do?
I stopped driving to the basket because, frankly, I didn't like getting knocked down. Once I started settling for jumpers I became easier to defend than Tommy Heinsohn in an old-timers' game, and players and coaches started to whisper that I was soft, that I was the biggest baby in the league. But, I swear, I suffered a bunch of nagging injuries, not to mention various allergies (to defense and rebounding). Within three years, we were back in the lottery. And everyone blamed me.
Read the whole thing. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson, it's funny because it's true.
Bill Simmons writes Vince Carter's letter to Toronto
Sample:
Here's the deal. As I admitted a few weeks ago, I stopped trying in Toronto. Looking back, a number of things were at fault. First, the $94 million contract the Raptors gave me after my 2001 playoff duel with Allen Iverson. NBA contracts are, of course, guaranteed, so no matter how poorly I played, my huge check was going to arrive every two weeks. I mean, what would you do?
I stopped driving to the basket because, frankly, I didn't like getting knocked down. Once I started settling for jumpers I became easier to defend than Tommy Heinsohn in an old-timers' game, and players and coaches started to whisper that I was soft, that I was the biggest baby in the league. But, I swear, I suffered a bunch of nagging injuries, not to mention various allergies (to defense and rebounding). Within three years, we were back in the lottery. And everyone blamed me.
Read the whole thing. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson, it's funny because it's true.
Lifehacker
From Gawker Media, the people who brought you Defamer, Wonkette, and Gizmondo, comes Lifehacker, a blog dedicated to all the little things that make life easier, mostly online but off as well.
Better search methods, email tips, useful apps, and tying stuff with velcro are amongst the recent topics they've covered. I've found it quite useful. Check, check, check it out.
Better search methods, email tips, useful apps, and tying stuff with velcro are amongst the recent topics they've covered. I've found it quite useful. Check, check, check it out.
DC solicitations for May are out, and I'm excited
Most of the fuss and hype you'll read online will concern DC's Countdown book and the mini series stemming from it.
But a few years back, when I first read Alan Moore's brilliant Top 10, there was a promise at the end for an OGN called Forty Niners, that will take place a few decades earlier in Neopolis' (the city in which the series took place) history. That book was supposed to be published "next year" several years ago. But never mind the wait. It's coming now, and seeing Moore and Gene Ha's workin on Neopolis again is just as exciting now.
Of course, what I REALLY want is for Top 10 to come back as regular series. But this'll do in a pinch. This'll certainly do.
But a few years back, when I first read Alan Moore's brilliant Top 10, there was a promise at the end for an OGN called Forty Niners, that will take place a few decades earlier in Neopolis' (the city in which the series took place) history. That book was supposed to be published "next year" several years ago. But never mind the wait. It's coming now, and seeing Moore and Gene Ha's workin on Neopolis again is just as exciting now.
Of course, what I REALLY want is for Top 10 to come back as regular series. But this'll do in a pinch. This'll certainly do.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Dudu Geva dies
More announced programme participants for Worldcon
Some of these names make me happy. Some make me indifferent. There's two guys I really, really, really don't like, as well. There's two whose books I've translated, which is exciting.
A long time ago, after his visit to Israel, I corresponded with Chaz Brenchley for a while. We've lost touch, but it will be nice to meet him face to face again.
I'm really excited about GRRM, Robin Hobb, Mieville, and Ken Macleod. There's writers here, like Cecilia Dart-Thornton and Suzanna Clarke, whose work I wanted to read but never got around to (or, in Clarke's case, was sold to another publisher before I got around to).
Seeing Gavin Grant's name made me check if Kelly Link will be attending. And she WILL. Maybe this will make a certain friend of mine, who's a even bigger Link fan than I am, change her mind about attending.
I checked the membership lists for new Israeli attendees, and found two new ones, and it's two people I don't know. Anyone know Uri and Levana Barkai?
A long time ago, after his visit to Israel, I corresponded with Chaz Brenchley for a while. We've lost touch, but it will be nice to meet him face to face again.
I'm really excited about GRRM, Robin Hobb, Mieville, and Ken Macleod. There's writers here, like Cecilia Dart-Thornton and Suzanna Clarke, whose work I wanted to read but never got around to (or, in Clarke's case, was sold to another publisher before I got around to).
Seeing Gavin Grant's name made me check if Kelly Link will be attending. And she WILL. Maybe this will make a certain friend of mine, who's a even bigger Link fan than I am, change her mind about attending.
I checked the membership lists for new Israeli attendees, and found two new ones, and it's two people I don't know. Anyone know Uri and Levana Barkai?
Monday, February 14, 2005
Lyda Morehouse interviews Tim Powers
Great interview over at Strange Horizons. Here's a sample:
Link via JP at criminalenglish.
I mean, what sort of statement can a writer make, in a story? "Racism is bad," "Sexism is bad," "Homophobia is bad." Well, sure—but a bumper sticker could have conveyed those, no need for a whole novel. And if you try to make a novel express these things, illustrate these things, it seems to me that the characters and settings and events just become jigsawed metaphor figures. Somebody once told me, "Dracula is actually about the plight of 19th-century women," and I said, "No, it's about a guy who lives forever by drinking other people's blood—don't take my word for it, check it out."
Link via JP at criminalenglish.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Must. Have. Lost. DVD.
Dayum. Even though the season is only a little beyond the midway point, I know I must have the DVD. Now, after reading this, I really, really, really Must. Have. It.
Monkeys love their celebrities and hot babes too...
A study has shown that monkeys will give up perks and suffer unpleasantness to watch pictures of dominant members of their troop, and potential mates. They have shown no willingness to do so for pictures of other members of the troop.
A note on the whiteness
About two and a half weeks ago, I changed the color scheme from white text on a black background to black on white. I asked what people thought of the change, and got mostly negative responses, online and off. Tammy and I preferred it white, though, so I kept it as is.
Now that some time has passed, and I have fairly valid (and very clear) data, I can say that since I made the switch, the blog's daily hits have risen by at least %50. I think I'm gonna keep the whiteness, y'all.
Now that some time has passed, and I have fairly valid (and very clear) data, I can say that since I made the switch, the blog's daily hits have risen by at least %50. I think I'm gonna keep the whiteness, y'all.
A note regarding posting comments
Those fine folks at Blogger have improved the comments system, allowing posters to add a name and a url to their posts. Please use the feature when posting, as I prefer to know who I'm talking to, and who's talking to me.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Sin City buzz at Entertainment Weekly
As anyone who reads this blog regularly probably knows, Sin City has been at the top of my Movies To Watch For list ever since the trailer hit. Now, Entertainment Weekly names it its number #1 movie they're dying to see this spring. They also gave it the cover (on which they speculate if this may be the next Pulp Fiction) , and revealed one scene was shot by Quentin Tarantino. And of course they have a large preview feature online.
Could I possibly wait for this film with any greater anticipation? I'm not sure, but we'll see what else they can throw at us. At least Israelis won't have to wait long, as it starts airing here on March 31st, one day before it hits American screens. And this is one film for which I'll definitely be making an extra effort to get an pre-screening ticket.
Link via the fantabulous Cleolinda Jones.
Could I possibly wait for this film with any greater anticipation? I'm not sure, but we'll see what else they can throw at us. At least Israelis won't have to wait long, as it starts airing here on March 31st, one day before it hits American screens. And this is one film for which I'll definitely be making an extra effort to get an pre-screening ticket.
Link via the fantabulous Cleolinda Jones.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Kung Fu Hustle
For years, American films have been inspired by Chinese and Japanese films. From Star Wars to Matrix to Kill Bill, and all points in between, martial arts films have been an inspiration.
Kung Fu Hustle takes all of those films, ingests them, and takes them back for to make a truly Chinese film. And makes it funny.
It is an awesome, awesome film. It is ridiculous and sublime, and eventually, even moving. And it has kickass action, laughs, great characters, and a pure sense of fun.
I didn't see director Steven Chow's previous film, Shaolin Soccer, but I certainly want to now.
ps. Don't watch the trailer. Massive spoiling of fun scenes.
Kung Fu Hustle takes all of those films, ingests them, and takes them back for to make a truly Chinese film. And makes it funny.
It is an awesome, awesome film. It is ridiculous and sublime, and eventually, even moving. And it has kickass action, laughs, great characters, and a pure sense of fun.
I didn't see director Steven Chow's previous film, Shaolin Soccer, but I certainly want to now.
ps. Don't watch the trailer. Massive spoiling of fun scenes.
I was almost ready to give up on Point Pleasant
As time passed from the second episode, which I praised, I realized it was mostly praise-worthy in comparison to the pilot. The show kept making baby steps, but it never actually became good.
Until this week's episode. This was actually good. Not mind blowingly good, but good, solid supernatural drama.
Before, I was kinda hoping it gets better before it gets cancelled. Now, I'm hoping it continues to build on the progress made, and finds an audience before it gets cancelled (something which rarely happens on Fox when series start out slowly).
Until this week's episode. This was actually good. Not mind blowingly good, but good, solid supernatural drama.
Before, I was kinda hoping it gets better before it gets cancelled. Now, I'm hoping it continues to build on the progress made, and finds an audience before it gets cancelled (something which rarely happens on Fox when series start out slowly).
Vogons
Some pics of the Vogons from the coming Hitchhiker's Guide movie. They look really good, errr, I mean bad, errr... you know what I mean.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Movies to watch for: Southland Tales
Richard Kelly is the guy who directed Donnie Darko. That alone makes his next film one to watch for. The fact that it's an sfnal musical comedy starring some of my favorite actors (SMG, Janeane Garofalo, Jason Lee, Tim Blake Nelson, Ali Larter, Kevin Smith) really puts it over the top. It shall clearly be a unique movie.
Now we have the first insider comments about it, from Kevin Smith, and suddenly I'm looking forward to it even more. Also, Smith comments about Clerks 2, which I REALLY hope won't suck.
Now we have the first insider comments about it, from Kevin Smith, and suddenly I'm looking forward to it even more. Also, Smith comments about Clerks 2, which I REALLY hope won't suck.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Superbowl 2005
Yeah. The Patriots won again. I'm not a Pats fan, and I've never been fond of teams that dominate this much. But the Pats win through hard work, brains, execution, and just being better. They're pretty much the antithesis of the Dallas Cowboys type of collections of mega stars.
I respect this team more than any team in pro sports today. They win because they're a better TEAM. And that's what team sports is all about.
I respect this team more than any team in pro sports today. They win because they're a better TEAM. And that's what team sports is all about.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Mirrormask wins Audience Award at Sarasota
The Sarasota festival isn't a very large one. Still, I would imagine that an award, especially one awarded by the audience, bodes well for a wider release.
Some more worldcon updates from Glasgow
Well, apparently, this weekend is ConStruction, when the people who will bring us Interaction, this year's worldcon, all get together in Glasgow and do a bunch of stuff and get a bunch of balls rolling for the con.
A couple of them (mostly Cheryl Morgan, but also Kevin Standlee) are putting up updates in the worldcon's livejournal and blog. Not so much Construction updates, more practical stuff for congoers, such as reports on the food, shopping, Wi-Fi, and such.
If you're going, check the updates out.
A couple of them (mostly Cheryl Morgan, but also Kevin Standlee) are putting up updates in the worldcon's livejournal and blog. Not so much Construction updates, more practical stuff for congoers, such as reports on the food, shopping, Wi-Fi, and such.
If you're going, check the updates out.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
An essay by, and an article about Jonathan Lethem
Jonathan Lethem is a writer I feel very strongly about. He's one of the writers I'm most proud to have published in Hebrew (I was the editor at Opus when we published his novel Girl In Landscape). And I'm very happy that he's become the sort of writer who gets significant space in places like The Washington Post, which published his essay about writing, and an article about his writing (free registration required, or use bugmenot).
I wish GIL had sold more in Israel, but it kinda fell between the cracks, as a novel some genre fans were uncomfortable with, and most mainstream readers never even heard about.
I wish GIL had sold more in Israel, but it kinda fell between the cracks, as a novel some genre fans were uncomfortable with, and most mainstream readers never even heard about.
Getting fired for blogging HELPS career
Comics creators - Mike Carey
This is the first in what will hopefully become a feature on this blog - an appreciation of some of the finest writers in comics. I figured a good place to start would be one of the most under appreciated writers in the field - British writer Mike Carey.
Carey writes two ongoing series for DC's Vertigo imprint. Both are spinoffs, and may well be the best spinoffs ever.
The first was Carey's first series for a major US publisher. Lucifer is one of many, many, many Sandman spinoffs and offshoots. But it is the only one which is ongoing, and certainly the only one that is destined to become a classic. In Gaiman's series Sandman, Lucifer quits his job as lord of hell and turns over the keys. Lucifer explores what he does after that, and it is a huge story, with gods and angels and great forces at work, but also with some excellent "regular" characters. The series has one major Achilles heel - the first few issues, collected as the first trade paperback collection, Lucifer: Devil in the Gateway, aren't very good. They're not horrible, but they're a bit muddled, and certainly not brilliant. This makes Lucifer a really hard sell. If you're an honest shop owner, you basically have to tell your costumer: "Buy this, it isn't very good, but it gets amazingly better, and you HAVE to read this to understand what comes later."
And it does get amazingly better. It IS worth spending your time and money on a mediocre collection, because the overall story (which still isn't finished) is staggeringly good. It's certainly the best fantasy comic I read, and I would say it's the best American fantasy comic on the marker (I don't really read manga, but Raz may comment on what he feels to be the best fantasy comicbook out there, and I know it won't be an American one).
Carey's second ongoing is one he was handed after several illustrious names have had their runs. Hellblazer started out as a spinoff of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, and has gone on to be the longest running Vertigo series by far (currently at 204 issues). Carey took over the series at issue #175, at the end of Brian Azzarello's controvesial run. He's been spending most of his time beating up on John Constantine, protagonist of Hellblazer and Vertigo's top anti-hero. It's been a very solid run, with some remarkable highlights (#200 was a brilliant issue). Recently, Carey wrote a Hellblazer OGN (original graphic novel) called Hellblazer: All His Engines, which showed that he definitely CAN write a strong Constantine. IMO, AHE has been the highlight of Carey's involvement with the character (and reading it was the incentive to writing this post). I certainly look forward to seeing the character be written this strongly in the ongoing series.
Last year, Carey took a break from the gloom of Constantine and the epic drama of Lucifer, and wrote a three part mini-series, My Faith in Frankie, which was a romantic comedy, with demons, a dead guy, and a god with one follower. This was a delightful series (and is a delightful tpb), which showed Carey can bring the funny as well as the scary and epic. The story of Frankie and her personal god Jerivan is funny, warm hearted, and very recommended.
One thing Carey can't seem to do as well as fantasy and horror is straight superhero fiction. He recently wrote a mini series for Marvel, set in Marvel's Ultimate universe, called Ultimate Elektra. It was better than Marvel's previous series, Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra, but was still nothing more than ok. Much like Fables writer Bill Willingham, Carey seems to be much better at writing Vertigo style fantasy than "regular" superhero stuff.
Carey was scheduled to start writing another superhero book, Wetworks, for DC's Wildstorm imprint, but I haven't heard anything about that in a while, so it's possible that it was quietly cancelled. He also has a teen fantasy series set in Salem due from Marvel, an upcoming movie (currently in prepduction), and a book deal. This guy is definitly going places.
For more information about Mike Carey, you can read Matt Peckham's excellent Lucifer Morningstar blog.
Carey writes two ongoing series for DC's Vertigo imprint. Both are spinoffs, and may well be the best spinoffs ever.
The first was Carey's first series for a major US publisher. Lucifer is one of many, many, many Sandman spinoffs and offshoots. But it is the only one which is ongoing, and certainly the only one that is destined to become a classic. In Gaiman's series Sandman, Lucifer quits his job as lord of hell and turns over the keys. Lucifer explores what he does after that, and it is a huge story, with gods and angels and great forces at work, but also with some excellent "regular" characters. The series has one major Achilles heel - the first few issues, collected as the first trade paperback collection, Lucifer: Devil in the Gateway, aren't very good. They're not horrible, but they're a bit muddled, and certainly not brilliant. This makes Lucifer a really hard sell. If you're an honest shop owner, you basically have to tell your costumer: "Buy this, it isn't very good, but it gets amazingly better, and you HAVE to read this to understand what comes later."
And it does get amazingly better. It IS worth spending your time and money on a mediocre collection, because the overall story (which still isn't finished) is staggeringly good. It's certainly the best fantasy comic I read, and I would say it's the best American fantasy comic on the marker (I don't really read manga, but Raz may comment on what he feels to be the best fantasy comicbook out there, and I know it won't be an American one).
Carey's second ongoing is one he was handed after several illustrious names have had their runs. Hellblazer started out as a spinoff of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, and has gone on to be the longest running Vertigo series by far (currently at 204 issues). Carey took over the series at issue #175, at the end of Brian Azzarello's controvesial run. He's been spending most of his time beating up on John Constantine, protagonist of Hellblazer and Vertigo's top anti-hero. It's been a very solid run, with some remarkable highlights (#200 was a brilliant issue). Recently, Carey wrote a Hellblazer OGN (original graphic novel) called Hellblazer: All His Engines, which showed that he definitely CAN write a strong Constantine. IMO, AHE has been the highlight of Carey's involvement with the character (and reading it was the incentive to writing this post). I certainly look forward to seeing the character be written this strongly in the ongoing series.
Last year, Carey took a break from the gloom of Constantine and the epic drama of Lucifer, and wrote a three part mini-series, My Faith in Frankie, which was a romantic comedy, with demons, a dead guy, and a god with one follower. This was a delightful series (and is a delightful tpb), which showed Carey can bring the funny as well as the scary and epic. The story of Frankie and her personal god Jerivan is funny, warm hearted, and very recommended.
One thing Carey can't seem to do as well as fantasy and horror is straight superhero fiction. He recently wrote a mini series for Marvel, set in Marvel's Ultimate universe, called Ultimate Elektra. It was better than Marvel's previous series, Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra, but was still nothing more than ok. Much like Fables writer Bill Willingham, Carey seems to be much better at writing Vertigo style fantasy than "regular" superhero stuff.
Carey was scheduled to start writing another superhero book, Wetworks, for DC's Wildstorm imprint, but I haven't heard anything about that in a while, so it's possible that it was quietly cancelled. He also has a teen fantasy series set in Salem due from Marvel, an upcoming movie (currently in prepduction), and a book deal. This guy is definitly going places.
For more information about Mike Carey, you can read Matt Peckham's excellent Lucifer Morningstar blog.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Be rude in a multitude of languages!
The Alternative Dictionaries contain swear words and rude expressions in a multitude of languages. There are some inaccuracies in the Hebrew dictionary, but it's still pretty cool. And potentially quite useful for translators.
Link via it's all one thing.
Link via it's all one thing.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Fafnir has trouble getting revenge
I keep telling you people to read Fafblog! Do you do it? I have no idea, as I have no way of knowing what other blogs you go to.
But I once again call to your attention a very funny post from Fafnir at Fafblog. This time, about the difficulties of getting revenge on your arch-nemesis. Truly, a universal problem. On most weeks, Fafblog makes me laugh more than anything else I read on the net. Some weeks, its the funniest thing I encounter anywhere.
But I once again call to your attention a very funny post from Fafnir at Fafblog. This time, about the difficulties of getting revenge on your arch-nemesis. Truly, a universal problem. On most weeks, Fafblog makes me laugh more than anything else I read on the net. Some weeks, its the funniest thing I encounter anywhere.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Justice League Unlimited season finale
I'm not sure the people who make the JLU animated series fully understand the concept of television seasons. Season 1 of JLU (which was also sorta season 3 of the Justice League series) ended yesterday, with the second half of a fairly strong time travel episode. Season 2 starts... next Saturday. In a series where one often has to wait a several weeks between episodes, airing the season opener one week after last season's finale is a bit... odd.
Still, scheduling issues aside, JLU is an excellent show. It is truly all-ages in its appeal, and episodes are written by some of the finest writers in the genre (a recent episode was penned by Warren Ellis, and next season promises an episode by Gail Simone). The conceptual change between JL and JLU, which allows the writers to use any hero (and, obviously, villain) in the DCU, makes for an interesting variety of stories.
The season finale was a bit odd in the fact that it only featured Green Lantern, Batman, and Wonder Woman. But is was a decent story, with interesting reveals regarding the future of the animated version of the DCU.
Still, scheduling issues aside, JLU is an excellent show. It is truly all-ages in its appeal, and episodes are written by some of the finest writers in the genre (a recent episode was penned by Warren Ellis, and next season promises an episode by Gail Simone). The conceptual change between JL and JLU, which allows the writers to use any hero (and, obviously, villain) in the DCU, makes for an interesting variety of stories.
The season finale was a bit odd in the fact that it only featured Green Lantern, Batman, and Wonder Woman. But is was a decent story, with interesting reveals regarding the future of the animated version of the DCU.
Moore on Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction is a rather brilliant concept for a radio show. Take a bunch of interesting people, and have them interview each other in a chain of interviews, so that this week's interviewer in next week's interviewee. This week, British comedian Stewart Lee interviews comics super-genius Alan Moore. Next week, Moore will be interviewing musical genius Brian Eno. You can listen to the whole show as aired, plus some bits that were cut for time. It's a very interesting and entertaining interview, which should not be missed by Moore fans.
Link via several sources, including The Comics Reporter, Fanboy Rampage, The Beat, and The Neil.
Link via several sources, including The Comics Reporter, Fanboy Rampage, The Beat, and The Neil.
Locus Poll and Recommended Reading List for 2004 are up
I'm always looking for new science fiction and fantasy novels to read. It's a big part of my job, as the editor of a genre series that focuses on translations.
Locus magazine, and its excellent website, are invaluable to me in that search, and their annual Recommended Reading list is always a great way to see what I may have missed during the year. They have a great staff, and the list always has a combination of big sellers and lesser known gems. And there's always something interesting that I've missed.
The Locus poll has been the genre award with the biggest voting pool for several years, though this may be changing now that one can vote online for the Hugos. It's also the only major genre award with separate categories for sf and fantasy novels.
Locus magazine, and its excellent website, are invaluable to me in that search, and their annual Recommended Reading list is always a great way to see what I may have missed during the year. They have a great staff, and the list always has a combination of big sellers and lesser known gems. And there's always something interesting that I've missed.
The Locus poll has been the genre award with the biggest voting pool for several years, though this may be changing now that one can vote online for the Hugos. It's also the only major genre award with separate categories for sf and fantasy novels.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Will the real Mirrormask trailer please stand up?
A few posts ago, I mentioned the Mirrormask trailer being up. Turns out it was an early teaser trailer, hated by Gaiman and McKean. I thought it was a flawed trailer, which still looked awesome. I had no idea what I was talking about. The REAL Mirrormask trailer is online. Still not available in true quality (or in Quicktime, which is about the same when talking about trailers). But it doesn't have the stupid narration, doesn't indicate that the Henson company is the creative force behind the movie, and does mention McKean.
Also, it gives a much better peek at the awesome visuals, and has a nice bit of the funny and the creepy. Check it out.
Also, it gives a much better peek at the awesome visuals, and has a nice bit of the funny and the creepy. Check it out.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Whiteness
What do you people think of the new color scheme? Better? Worse?
Edit: I've made it a little less white (white smoke instead of white). Comments?
Edit: I've made it a little less white (white smoke instead of white). Comments?
To all sports writers - a requst
Please stop writing about the players in my NBA fantasy team. Seriously, this jinx thing is getting annoying. Eddie Griffin has only recently recovered from the slump he got into when every other NBA writer wrote about him and about how he's the key to the Wolves season. Tracy McGrady took a whole month to recover from pre-season talk about his teaming up with Yao Ming to create the best inside-outside punch in the league. Jason Hart got injured and was sent to the bench after being crowned the Bobcats' second best player by some writers. Shareef Abdur Raheem took the good press all the way to the injured list. Talk of Peja being an elite player has not been good for him either.
Please stop writing about Shawn Marion and Chris Bosh. My team is completely sunk without them. Marion just recovered from a slump (caused by Steve Nash getting injured after being crowned the league MVP by some writers), and Bosh is just asserting himself in Toronto.
Please people. I don't have the best team in my league, but with some luck, I could be a contender. Please stop messing it up for me.
Please stop writing about Shawn Marion and Chris Bosh. My team is completely sunk without them. Marion just recovered from a slump (caused by Steve Nash getting injured after being crowned the league MVP by some writers), and Bosh is just asserting himself in Toronto.
Please people. I don't have the best team in my league, but with some luck, I could be a contender. Please stop messing it up for me.
Wonderfalls on DVD
It may have been cancelled, but in the DVD era, any show with a cult following is likely to get a DVD release, even if it was cancelled after only a few episodes were aired. C0-creator Bryan Fuller credits the fans, but I have to think the success of the Firefly DVD set had something to do with it as well.
Fuller also uses to opportunity to praise ABC for pushing Lost and Desperate Housewives from the get go, and to wish Fox had done the same for Wonderfalls.
I only watched a few eps of WF, as watching unfinished stories always depresses me. But it was a very good show. Well written, clever, well cast, quirky. I wish it wasn't cancelled, and I'll probably watch the DVD set at some point.
Fuller also uses to opportunity to praise ABC for pushing Lost and Desperate Housewives from the get go, and to wish Fox had done the same for Wonderfalls.
I only watched a few eps of WF, as watching unfinished stories always depresses me. But it was a very good show. Well written, clever, well cast, quirky. I wish it wasn't cancelled, and I'll probably watch the DVD set at some point.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Mirrormask trailer online
Finally, on the day it debuts at Sundance, Mirrormask has an official trailer. Someone needs to tell Sony that flash-only sites suck. And the site doesn't seem to work very well in Firefox. The trailer's a little short, it's got crappy narration (which mentions Gaiman and the Henson Company, but not freaking Dave McKean), and it's available only in small versions, and only in Windows Media and Real Player... but it IS awesome. It's got a lot more live action than I thought it would, but it still looks like McKean art come to life. And that alone would be worth the price of admission.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Wilkens resigns as Knicks coach
I've never been a fan of Lenny Wilkens as a coach. He may have won more games than any other coach in NBA history, but he also lost more games than any other coach. Fact is, he just COACHED more games than anyone else. And while he may have won more than he lost, a record of 1,332-1,155 really isn't all that impresive.
And he wasn't working out as the coach of the Knicks. This is a coach who lost his team in the last two places he coached, and was on the verge of losing the Knicks. Wilkens teams seem to underachieve on a regular basis, and a team of career underachievers such as the knicks were bound to do perform unimpressively under his watch.
The Knicks have the talent to go to the playoffs, and even win a round. They have a very talented backcourt, made up of two highly gifted players with very problematic personalities - Marbury and Crawford. In Tim Thomas, they have a super-talented small forward who may be headed to that special Hall of No-Fame reserved for soft and underachieving players. The right coach (errr... Larry Brown? I can't think of anyone else) may be able to get TT to play to his talent, but I'd prefer the knicks benched him in favor of rookie Trevor Ariza, or trade him to some team stupid enough to believe his athletic skill will help them despite his softness and unwillingness to step up. Kurt Thomas is a decent power forward, but he's losing his edge, and would be better used as a backup to talented second year player Mike Sweetney. Nazr Mohammed is a solid center in a league that is very short on centers.
With Marbury, Crawford, Ariza, Sweetney, and Mohammed in the lineup, and Kurt Thomas, sharp shooter Allan Houston, and Tim Thomas on the bench, the knicks have a unit that, if motivated, could win quite a few games in the weak East. It would be a smallish team, but a fast and athletic team that could play the game the way the Suns play it - fast, hellblazing, energetic. They wouldn't be nearly as good as the suns, who have superior players in four of five positions (Crawford is more talented than Suns guard Joe Johnson, but is a wilder and less mature player), but they're playing in a much weaker division.
Herb Williams was named interim coach. I like Herb. This is a player who was retained on the knicks long after his physical talents have been depleted, because his voice in the locker room was so important. He's a smart guy, and a tough guy. Who knows, he may work out as a regular coach. But personally, I'd like to see the Knicks hire another former Knick - currently retired/free agent Mark Jackson. Jackson was a smart, smart player. And as a former point guard (and a great one at that), he could make the move to head coach fairly easily. He could really help Marbury learn to use his incredible gifts to become a better point guard. And I think he'd be a great fit in New York.
Of course, I'm biased. I became a Knicks fan during Jackson's rookie season in 1987, when he burst into the league with his amazing passing, and was named Rookie of the Year. Even after the Knicks foolishly pushed him out of favor for Rod Strickland (and later Maurice Cheeks), I remained a fan, and followed his career with great affection.
And he wasn't working out as the coach of the Knicks. This is a coach who lost his team in the last two places he coached, and was on the verge of losing the Knicks. Wilkens teams seem to underachieve on a regular basis, and a team of career underachievers such as the knicks were bound to do perform unimpressively under his watch.
The Knicks have the talent to go to the playoffs, and even win a round. They have a very talented backcourt, made up of two highly gifted players with very problematic personalities - Marbury and Crawford. In Tim Thomas, they have a super-talented small forward who may be headed to that special Hall of No-Fame reserved for soft and underachieving players. The right coach (errr... Larry Brown? I can't think of anyone else) may be able to get TT to play to his talent, but I'd prefer the knicks benched him in favor of rookie Trevor Ariza, or trade him to some team stupid enough to believe his athletic skill will help them despite his softness and unwillingness to step up. Kurt Thomas is a decent power forward, but he's losing his edge, and would be better used as a backup to talented second year player Mike Sweetney. Nazr Mohammed is a solid center in a league that is very short on centers.
With Marbury, Crawford, Ariza, Sweetney, and Mohammed in the lineup, and Kurt Thomas, sharp shooter Allan Houston, and Tim Thomas on the bench, the knicks have a unit that, if motivated, could win quite a few games in the weak East. It would be a smallish team, but a fast and athletic team that could play the game the way the Suns play it - fast, hellblazing, energetic. They wouldn't be nearly as good as the suns, who have superior players in four of five positions (Crawford is more talented than Suns guard Joe Johnson, but is a wilder and less mature player), but they're playing in a much weaker division.
Herb Williams was named interim coach. I like Herb. This is a player who was retained on the knicks long after his physical talents have been depleted, because his voice in the locker room was so important. He's a smart guy, and a tough guy. Who knows, he may work out as a regular coach. But personally, I'd like to see the Knicks hire another former Knick - currently retired/free agent Mark Jackson. Jackson was a smart, smart player. And as a former point guard (and a great one at that), he could make the move to head coach fairly easily. He could really help Marbury learn to use his incredible gifts to become a better point guard. And I think he'd be a great fit in New York.
Of course, I'm biased. I became a Knicks fan during Jackson's rookie season in 1987, when he burst into the league with his amazing passing, and was named Rookie of the Year. Even after the Knicks foolishly pushed him out of favor for Rod Strickland (and later Maurice Cheeks), I remained a fan, and followed his career with great affection.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Michel Basilières appreciates Fritz Leiber
Canadian author Michel Basilières writes a long and interesting appreciation of Fritz Leiber. I've long been a fan of Leiber's, and while they've sold quite poorly, I'm still happy I got to publish the first two Fafhrd and Grey Mouser collections in Hebrew.
Link via Jessa at bookslut.
Link via Jessa at bookslut.
Rules in fiction
Trent Walters writes about the necessity of rules in fiction. Matthew Cheney disagrees.
My own opinion is closer to Cheney's. I think it's important (and more than that, helpful) for a writer to know the rules. I don't think following them is important.
Trent talks mostly about the importance of consistency of character. But people do what people do, for whatever reasons they do them. Anything can happen in fiction. That's why it's called fiction. If it's compelling, I'll read it. If I care about the characters, I'll go along for the ride, even if they do things that may seem unpredictable, strange, or seemingly inexplicable.
My own opinion is closer to Cheney's. I think it's important (and more than that, helpful) for a writer to know the rules. I don't think following them is important.
Trent talks mostly about the importance of consistency of character. But people do what people do, for whatever reasons they do them. Anything can happen in fiction. That's why it's called fiction. If it's compelling, I'll read it. If I care about the characters, I'll go along for the ride, even if they do things that may seem unpredictable, strange, or seemingly inexplicable.
Friday, January 21, 2005
Point Pleasant eps. 1+2 aka Marti Returns
I now know why Fox decided to air the first ep of PP opposite Alias, which should have a fairly similar demographic - they hoped no one would watch it, and start off with the second ep instead.
For me, lowered expectations were the key to enjoying the pilot. I'd already read some very negative reviews before watching it, so I was pleasantly surprised by the parts that didn't suck.
The second ep was much better. Better writing, better plotting, and somewhat better acting. If the really annoying characters end up getting killed soon, this show can really take off.
Now, genre shows starting off badly has become almost a tradition - Babylon 5, Farscape, and Buffy all started out fairly crappy, and all became very, very, very good. So I'm definitely still along for the ride.
And I'm a Marti fan. Anyone who blames her for seasons 6+7 of Buffy is both underestimating Joss' control of the show, and is just misguided. I liked a lot of the last two seasons of Buffy, and I don't have a problems with bad things happenning to characters in shows. If it works. And apart from a bad stretch in the middle of season 6, I thought it worked.
And I will remind the Marti haters that this is the woman who wrote What's My Line 1+2, Surprise, The Wish, The Prom, New Moon Rising, Buffy vs. Dracula, Forever, Villains, and Bring on The Night. She can flat out WRITE.
And I understand Ben Edlund is on board as a writer. He's pretty damn good too.
For me, lowered expectations were the key to enjoying the pilot. I'd already read some very negative reviews before watching it, so I was pleasantly surprised by the parts that didn't suck.
The second ep was much better. Better writing, better plotting, and somewhat better acting. If the really annoying characters end up getting killed soon, this show can really take off.
Now, genre shows starting off badly has become almost a tradition - Babylon 5, Farscape, and Buffy all started out fairly crappy, and all became very, very, very good. So I'm definitely still along for the ride.
And I'm a Marti fan. Anyone who blames her for seasons 6+7 of Buffy is both underestimating Joss' control of the show, and is just misguided. I liked a lot of the last two seasons of Buffy, and I don't have a problems with bad things happenning to characters in shows. If it works. And apart from a bad stretch in the middle of season 6, I thought it worked.
And I will remind the Marti haters that this is the woman who wrote What's My Line 1+2, Surprise, The Wish, The Prom, New Moon Rising, Buffy vs. Dracula, Forever, Villains, and Bring on The Night. She can flat out WRITE.
And I understand Ben Edlund is on board as a writer. He's pretty damn good too.
Mysterious Poe Toaster strikes again
Apparently, every year for the last 56 years, an unknown man has been breaking in to the locked graveyard where Edgar Alan Poe is buried. He leaves three roses and a half empty bottle of cognac. This really sounds like something out of a Tim Powers novel.
And I think Cleo should write a movie about it.
And I think Cleo should write a movie about it.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Ed Zwick to direct Lions of Al-Rassan
Lions of Al-Rassan is one of my favorite novels. A somewhat fantastical re-telling of the Spanish Reconquista.
Ed Zwick was the co-creator of Thirtysomething, and the director of The Last Samurai. He also directed Glory. So he can make good looking movies with big stories.
Vera Blasi, tabbed to write the script, previously wrote two movies about chefs, neither of which I've seen.
I think the news that these two will be adapting Lions to the screen is good news. I certainly hope I'm right.
Ed Zwick was the co-creator of Thirtysomething, and the director of The Last Samurai. He also directed Glory. So he can make good looking movies with big stories.
Vera Blasi, tabbed to write the script, previously wrote two movies about chefs, neither of which I've seen.
I think the news that these two will be adapting Lions to the screen is good news. I certainly hope I'm right.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Hannigan to appear on Veronica Mars
On February 22, on the 15th episode of Veronica Mars, Alyson Hannigan will appear as a guest star, playing Logan's half-sister, Trina Echolls.
This is, obviously, a good thing. Zap2it, which reports the happy news, say the role may become recurring, which would be an even better thing. Proceed with caution to the link, as it contains minor spoilers for the series, and huge spoilers if you're watching the show on Israeli TV, where it premiered tonight.
This is, obviously, a good thing. Zap2it, which reports the happy news, say the role may become recurring, which would be an even better thing. Proceed with caution to the link, as it contains minor spoilers for the series, and huge spoilers if you're watching the show on Israeli TV, where it premiered tonight.
A couple of TV notes...
From zap2it.com:
Also, I watched last night's ep of The Amazing Race. Finally, the single most annoying couple in the history of reality tv are eliminated. And it was their constant bickering that did them in. Huzzah!
edit: And if you think I was happy about it, check out what the forum at TWOP had to
Every week, the cast of ABC's "Lost" gathers for a viewing party, generally hosted by the performer whose backstory makes up the night's episode.I just think that is so cool. It's such an excellent cast, and with the faraway island premise, they have very few guest stars, so I certainly has the potential of being a closely knit group.
Also, I watched last night's ep of The Amazing Race. Finally, the single most annoying couple in the history of reality tv are eliminated. And it was their constant bickering that did them in. Huzzah!
edit: And if you think I was happy about it, check out what the forum at TWOP had to
Speaking of Sin City...
Jim Henley links to the trailer that was shown at last year's San Diego Comic-con. It's isn't really a trailer. For one thing, it's a lot longer (6:23). It's also much slower, and some of the shots seem... unfinished (makes sense, it was shown quite a while ago). It's more of a showcase for fans of the books, saying: "here, this is how we took that shot, that scene, and put it in our movie."
If you're not a fan of the comicbooks, this trailer won't get you all excited about the film. If you are a fan, it won't do half as good a job as the real trailer did.
However, if you hate Josh Hartnett, you'll probably be happy to know that his scene in the trailer (a scene shown in full), should be his ONLY scene in the film.
If you're not a fan of the comicbooks, this trailer won't get you all excited about the film. If you are a fan, it won't do half as good a job as the real trailer did.
However, if you hate Josh Hartnett, you'll probably be happy to know that his scene in the trailer (a scene shown in full), should be his ONLY scene in the film.
Some genre movie thingies
Well, the future V For Vendetta film, based on Alan Moore's dark and brilliant graphic novel, now has one potentially negative indicator and one clearly positive indicator.
The negative indicator was the Wachowskis' decision to make career assistant director James McTeigue the director. McTeigue worked on some excellent genre films, such as Dark City and Matrix. Sadly, he also worked on the Matrix sequels and on SW: ep II. And he's been an assistant director for over ten years. The Wachowski bros may not know how to write more than one movie of any given series (a sweeping statement, given that they've only done one series, but I think said sequels were bad enough to warrant it), but they do know how to direct. Their visual touch, combined with Moore's story could be amazing.
But Natalie Portman was apparently cast as Evie, and this is a very good sigh. I'm not a huge fan of hers, but she just fits as Evie. If the casting of V is equally inspired, I may be inclined to start feeling optimistic. V is a tough, tough part to cast. Both villain and hero (particularly the latter), mad and sane (particularly the former). He's lethal and grandstanding. But he's a character the viewer MUST care about.
Also in genre films, the trailer for Fantastic Four is online. And it... kinda sucks. I'm not counting this film out quite yet, though. F4 are definitely A-list characters for Marvel, and while movies based on B-listers have generally, well, sucked, the A-listers have been treated quite well. And Julian Mcmahon won me over on the Globes red carpet, when he outed himself as a comics fan.
Speaking of Marvel B-listers... it seems Elektra blows. A shame, as I like Garner quite a bit. Oh, well. It's the other film Frank Miller related film that I'm really looking forward to.
The negative indicator was the Wachowskis' decision to make career assistant director James McTeigue the director. McTeigue worked on some excellent genre films, such as Dark City and Matrix. Sadly, he also worked on the Matrix sequels and on SW: ep II. And he's been an assistant director for over ten years. The Wachowski bros may not know how to write more than one movie of any given series (a sweeping statement, given that they've only done one series, but I think said sequels were bad enough to warrant it), but they do know how to direct. Their visual touch, combined with Moore's story could be amazing.
But Natalie Portman was apparently cast as Evie, and this is a very good sigh. I'm not a huge fan of hers, but she just fits as Evie. If the casting of V is equally inspired, I may be inclined to start feeling optimistic. V is a tough, tough part to cast. Both villain and hero (particularly the latter), mad and sane (particularly the former). He's lethal and grandstanding. But he's a character the viewer MUST care about.
Also in genre films, the trailer for Fantastic Four is online. And it... kinda sucks. I'm not counting this film out quite yet, though. F4 are definitely A-list characters for Marvel, and while movies based on B-listers have generally, well, sucked, the A-listers have been treated quite well. And Julian Mcmahon won me over on the Globes red carpet, when he outed himself as a comics fan.
Speaking of Marvel B-listers... it seems Elektra blows. A shame, as I like Garner quite a bit. Oh, well. It's the other film Frank Miller related film that I'm really looking forward to.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Finding Neverland
As I sit here, in front of the computer, with a rather nasty cold, let me tell you what those of you who can go out and do such things as movie-watching should do - go watch Finding Neverland.
It is a charming film. Moving and subtle. It plays fast and loose with the facts (about which you can read in Terry Windling's excellent article), but the story of the writing of Peter Pan shouldn't be ABOUT the facts. It should be, and it is, about the power of fantasy and imagination.
Johnny Depp is terrific, but then, he's Johnny Depp. I haven't seen The Aviator, but that won't stop me from proclaiming Depp was ROBBED at the globes (just like Lost, Eternal Sunshine, and Uma Thurman were). Kate Winslett isn't as brilliant as she was in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but her part is much less demanding.
Everyone else is very good as well. It is an extremely well made film, subtle and wise and moving. A bit mushy, so those who don't like mush should beware. But even the mush is quite well done.
As it arrived on Israeli screens on January, it will not be counted amongst last year's fare. It is, for me, the first excellent film in what seems to be a rather promising year of cinema.
It is a charming film. Moving and subtle. It plays fast and loose with the facts (about which you can read in Terry Windling's excellent article), but the story of the writing of Peter Pan shouldn't be ABOUT the facts. It should be, and it is, about the power of fantasy and imagination.
Johnny Depp is terrific, but then, he's Johnny Depp. I haven't seen The Aviator, but that won't stop me from proclaiming Depp was ROBBED at the globes (just like Lost, Eternal Sunshine, and Uma Thurman were). Kate Winslett isn't as brilliant as she was in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but her part is much less demanding.
Everyone else is very good as well. It is an extremely well made film, subtle and wise and moving. A bit mushy, so those who don't like mush should beware. But even the mush is quite well done.
As it arrived on Israeli screens on January, it will not be counted amongst last year's fare. It is, for me, the first excellent film in what seems to be a rather promising year of cinema.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
How the Mac was born
Great Cnet interview with Andy Hertzfeld, one of the original Mac's development team, and author of Revolution In The Valley: How The Mac Was Made. Talking about Apple (and the computer industry)'s past, present, and future.
Link via Guardian's Onlineblog.
Link via Guardian's Onlineblog.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Some Interaction program participants announced
Sailing The Clyde, the Interaction blog, has some names of SF pros who will be attending Worldcon and agreed to participate in programming.
Soem of the names I'm most excited about are:
* John Clute. The premier critic of SF&F literature. Co-editor of several encyclopedias, critic, and author. One of the finest minds in the field
* Ellen Datlow. Editor of Scifi.com's Scifiction, and numerous anthologies. A very influential editor, who publishes some of my favorite authors.
* Terry Pratchett. Need I say more?
* Mike Resnick. A very talented author, and appears to be an incredibly nice man from my brief correspondence with him.
* Robert Silverberg. He wrote "Nightwings." He wrote "Enter A Soldier. Later: Enter Another." Even if he hadn't written anything else (and he wrote a LOT. Much of it good, some of it great, some of it really not so great), those two would be enough to put him in the pantheon.
* Kim Stanley Robinson. Red, Green, Blue: Mars.
* Cory Doctorow. Haven't read much of his SF, but the guy is SHARP. Also, he's the main reason I read BoingBoing.
Not to say I'm not excited to meet some of the others named. But those are pretty damn big for me.
Soem of the names I'm most excited about are:
* John Clute. The premier critic of SF&F literature. Co-editor of several encyclopedias, critic, and author. One of the finest minds in the field
* Ellen Datlow. Editor of Scifi.com's Scifiction, and numerous anthologies. A very influential editor, who publishes some of my favorite authors.
* Terry Pratchett. Need I say more?
* Mike Resnick. A very talented author, and appears to be an incredibly nice man from my brief correspondence with him.
* Robert Silverberg. He wrote "Nightwings." He wrote "Enter A Soldier. Later: Enter Another." Even if he hadn't written anything else (and he wrote a LOT. Much of it good, some of it great, some of it really not so great), those two would be enough to put him in the pantheon.
* Kim Stanley Robinson. Red, Green, Blue: Mars.
* Cory Doctorow. Haven't read much of his SF, but the guy is SHARP. Also, he's the main reason I read BoingBoing.
Not to say I'm not excited to meet some of the others named. But those are pretty damn big for me.
Biggest logic flaw in this week's Veronica Mars...
By now, don't you think people will have learned that Thou Shalt Not Fuck Around With Veronica Mars?
Seriously. People repeatedly try and "get" Veronica in all sorts of ways. They always go down. Why try?
Other than that, a pretty cool episode. Didn't really further the overall plot in any meaningful way, but did contain some bits of info that may be important to The Big Secret. Mostly bits "we" knew, but Veronica didn't.
I would care about the subplot if I cared about the Echolls family. I don't (except for Logan, obviously. He IS one of the best sorta-villains ever), so... not so much.
Seriously. People repeatedly try and "get" Veronica in all sorts of ways. They always go down. Why try?
Other than that, a pretty cool episode. Didn't really further the overall plot in any meaningful way, but did contain some bits of info that may be important to The Big Secret. Mostly bits "we" knew, but Veronica didn't.
I would care about the subplot if I cared about the Echolls family. I don't (except for Logan, obviously. He IS one of the best sorta-villains ever), so... not so much.
Bookshop employee sacked for blogging
Like many bloggers, I was sad to read about Joe Gordon's firing from the Waterstones (a major UK bookstore chain) Edinburgh branch for having a blog (you can read about it at the botton of the Gaiman post I linked to in the previous post). It's always a bit scary and sad to hear about people's blogs being used against them in "real life."
After reading Charles Stross and Ken Macleod writing about it, I'm even sadder. As an editor who sometimes goes to shops to talk about the new SF and Fantasy books that have been published in my series, I'm always delighted to meet knowledgeable bookselles. In Israel, booksellers who know and like SF&F are few and far between, and whenever I meet one, I always know "my" books are in good hands. SF&F-savvy booksellers are a boon to bookshops and costumers and publishers alike. It's a niche market, with a loyal readership, who much prefer shopping where the booksellers know what they're talking about, and care about the books they care about.
Reading the story as detailed by Stross, it would seem some people don't think so. That, on top of the free speech issues and everything else (mostly Joe's own misfortune, of course), makes this an even sadder story for me.
After reading Charles Stross and Ken Macleod writing about it, I'm even sadder. As an editor who sometimes goes to shops to talk about the new SF and Fantasy books that have been published in my series, I'm always delighted to meet knowledgeable bookselles. In Israel, booksellers who know and like SF&F are few and far between, and whenever I meet one, I always know "my" books are in good hands. SF&F-savvy booksellers are a boon to bookshops and costumers and publishers alike. It's a niche market, with a loyal readership, who much prefer shopping where the booksellers know what they're talking about, and care about the books they care about.
Reading the story as detailed by Stross, it would seem some people don't think so. That, on top of the free speech issues and everything else (mostly Joe's own misfortune, of course), makes this an even sadder story for me.
Teresa Nielsen Hayden presents: Agents
I've linked to Teresa Nielsen Hayden's blog several times. It is one of the best blogs on the net, has one of the best communities of commenters I know, and is generally a great boon to all mankind.
One of the blog's best features is TNH's occasional posts about writing, editing and publishing. Being a writer, as well as an editor at a major publisher (Tor), she knows whereof she speaks.
When people asked Neil Gaiman about literary agents, he did a pretty smart thing: He asked TNH. She answered, and Gaiman posted it in his blog in a post he called Everything you wanted to know about literary agents... And rightly so. Anyone interested in writing professionally should read it.
One of the blog's best features is TNH's occasional posts about writing, editing and publishing. Being a writer, as well as an editor at a major publisher (Tor), she knows whereof she speaks.
When people asked Neil Gaiman about literary agents, he did a pretty smart thing: He asked TNH. She answered, and Gaiman posted it in his blog in a post he called Everything you wanted to know about literary agents... And rightly so. Anyone interested in writing professionally should read it.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
An incredibly bad trade
So Sacramento traded Doug Christie, their best defensive player, to Orlando. In return, they got Cuttino Mobley, a gifted scorer. Sacramento needed the added scoring punch, with Bobby Jackson injured. Orlando badly needed defensive help. On the face of it, this is a good trade for both teams.
I think it's a horrible trade for both teams. Unless further moves are made.
Sacramento is a team built around copious passing, with an already deteriorating locker room chemistry. Their best players, Webber and Peja, seriously don't like each. Mobley is a chucker. A shoot first, shoot second, shoot third, pass when you absolutely have to kinda player. He also isn't a very good defender. The only possible way this works is if teh Kings have a trade lined up for Peja. Preferably for a good defensive player. If that's the case, I understand the need for Mobley's scoring punch. Otherwise, this trade makes them the easiest team to score on since... errr... ever? It also makes them a team that's gonna need at least one more ball, with all the we-want-the-ball shooters.
On the Magic, the problem is purely a chemistry issue. Mobley is Stevie Francis' best friend. Francis is an emotional player, prone to pouting and throwing tantrums when things don't go his way. Last night, after being told of the trade just before tip off, Francis sucked all game long. Then he whined about the trade. You do NOT trade your best player's best friend. Especially when your best player is a bit of a headcase. In the short term, this is a nightmare. However, in the long run, it could work out. Mobley was a bad influence on Francis. If clearing him out opens room for Grant Hill to become a bigger influence on Francis, this may turn out for the best. But in the weakened East, the magic could have had a very decent season. Mobley's contract runs out at season's end. Why not sign-and-trade him in the offseason? Give Francis some time to adjust to the idea?
These are two situations that could implode for both teams. Both teams needed to make moves to get better. I just don't think they needed to make THIS move.
I think it's a horrible trade for both teams. Unless further moves are made.
Sacramento is a team built around copious passing, with an already deteriorating locker room chemistry. Their best players, Webber and Peja, seriously don't like each. Mobley is a chucker. A shoot first, shoot second, shoot third, pass when you absolutely have to kinda player. He also isn't a very good defender. The only possible way this works is if teh Kings have a trade lined up for Peja. Preferably for a good defensive player. If that's the case, I understand the need for Mobley's scoring punch. Otherwise, this trade makes them the easiest team to score on since... errr... ever? It also makes them a team that's gonna need at least one more ball, with all the we-want-the-ball shooters.
On the Magic, the problem is purely a chemistry issue. Mobley is Stevie Francis' best friend. Francis is an emotional player, prone to pouting and throwing tantrums when things don't go his way. Last night, after being told of the trade just before tip off, Francis sucked all game long. Then he whined about the trade. You do NOT trade your best player's best friend. Especially when your best player is a bit of a headcase. In the short term, this is a nightmare. However, in the long run, it could work out. Mobley was a bad influence on Francis. If clearing him out opens room for Grant Hill to become a bigger influence on Francis, this may turn out for the best. But in the weakened East, the magic could have had a very decent season. Mobley's contract runs out at season's end. Why not sign-and-trade him in the offseason? Give Francis some time to adjust to the idea?
These are two situations that could implode for both teams. Both teams needed to make moves to get better. I just don't think they needed to make THIS move.
Clerks, as written by BoingBoing editors
If you read BoingBoing (and really, you should), and you've ever watched Clerks, you should this parody hilarious.
Link via (who else?) BoingBoing.
Link via (who else?) BoingBoing.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Asaf Asheri leaves Opus
Well, now it's official. And public. Asaf Asheri, who did such a magnificent job taking over for me at Opus Press, is leaving the position. No official word yet on who will take over for him.
Asheri will be going off to work in mainstream lit, as well as juggling some scripting projects and a writer's workshop with author Gail Hareven. He's a brilliant and tremendously talented guy, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
The Israeli SF field will surely miss him.
Asheri will be going off to work in mainstream lit, as well as juggling some scripting projects and a writer's workshop with author Gail Hareven. He's a brilliant and tremendously talented guy, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
The Israeli SF field will surely miss him.
Why I haven't been posting...
First, there was this, which depressed the hell out of me. For non Hebrew readers, that's a link to a review of my translation of Childhood's End. A review which slams my work, and points to several errors that, well, are only errors if you can't do math, don't know how people get down canyons, and consider choices-you-would-have-made-differently to be errors .
Then there were this, this, this, this, this, and several comments in the talkback to the original review. All disagreeing with the slam. Which cheered me up.
I know one shouldn't comment on reviews. Reviewers should review, and translators should translate. And each should do the best job possible. But when one is slammed unfairly, remaining quiet is hard. And when a reviewer finishes a review in which she demonstrated a rather serious lack of understading of the text by offering to help "correct" it for the next edition... well.
So I'm breaking my silence here. I hope this will be my one and only post on the matter. If you read Hebrew, read my translation of CHILDHOOD'S END yourself and judge for yourselves.
We now return to your irregularly scheduled blogging about subjects other than the quality of my translations.
Then there were this, this, this, this, this, and several comments in the talkback to the original review. All disagreeing with the slam. Which cheered me up.
I know one shouldn't comment on reviews. Reviewers should review, and translators should translate. And each should do the best job possible. But when one is slammed unfairly, remaining quiet is hard. And when a reviewer finishes a review in which she demonstrated a rather serious lack of understading of the text by offering to help "correct" it for the next edition... well.
So I'm breaking my silence here. I hope this will be my one and only post on the matter. If you read Hebrew, read my translation of CHILDHOOD'S END yourself and judge for yourselves.
We now return to your irregularly scheduled blogging about subjects other than the quality of my translations.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Fisheye's annual Golden Fish awards
Fisheye is easily the best Israeli film-related website, and probably the country's best online community as well. Every year, Red Fish, the site's founder and co-editor, hands out Gold Fish awards for good films, trends, characters and moments, as well as Herrings for bad films, trends, and so on. My favorite part is "The years top twenty minutes", which count down the year's top moments in film.
This year, he names The Incredibles as the film of the year (with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as a close runner up).
This year, he names The Incredibles as the film of the year (with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as a close runner up).
FictionWise Nebula giveaway begins
Now that the prelimenary ballot for the 2004 Nebulas has been published, FictionWise have begun their annual Nebula noms giveaway. From now until April 30, they'll be giving away most of the stories nominated in the short fiction categories, in a variety of electronic formats. I usually get my stories in Palm Doc format nowadays, so that I can read them on my phone, but your mileage may vary.
Comic books and the human condition
Washington Post columnist Jabari Asim writes a potent short column about the death of Susan Sontag, Tsunami relief, and comic books. Too bad the comic he chose to shine the light of the Wa-Po on is the stupendously crappy finale of DC's Identity Crisis.
Will Eisner, RIPA
The news just hit. Will Eisner, quite possibly the most respected and influential creator in comics and graphic novels, passed away yesterday morning. He was 87 years old when he died.
Peter David mourns the passings of Eisner and fantasy artist Frank Kelly Freas.
Last year, there was talk that I might translate one of Eisner's classic graphic novels. While it never materialized, the thought of translating the work of a giant such as Eisner was both daunting and exciting.
You can read about Eisner's incredible career in the Newsarama link above. I'll post more links in edits to this post as they come on the wire.
Update:
Steve Pheley remembers Eisner.
As does Millarworld.
Update:
The Beat eulogizes Eisner.
And so does Neil Gaiman.
Update:
Brian Michael Bendis pays tribute to Eisner.
Update:
Variety's Bags and Boards blog eulogizes as well.
Update:
Now that some time has past, the mainstream press are also posting eulogies. The Chicago Tribune and the AP are the first I've seen.
Peter David mourns the passings of Eisner and fantasy artist Frank Kelly Freas.
Last year, there was talk that I might translate one of Eisner's classic graphic novels. While it never materialized, the thought of translating the work of a giant such as Eisner was both daunting and exciting.
You can read about Eisner's incredible career in the Newsarama link above. I'll post more links in edits to this post as they come on the wire.
Update:
Steve Pheley remembers Eisner.
As does Millarworld.
Update:
The Beat eulogizes Eisner.
And so does Neil Gaiman.
Update:
Brian Michael Bendis pays tribute to Eisner.
Update:
Variety's Bags and Boards blog eulogizes as well.
Update:
Now that some time has past, the mainstream press are also posting eulogies. The Chicago Tribune and the AP are the first I've seen.
Monday, January 03, 2005
House of Flying Daggers
I can't decide whether House of Flying Daggers is a crappy, pretty movie, or just a pretty crappy movie.
While not as morally odious as Zhang Yimou's previous film, Hero (moral of the film - mass deaths are supercool, as long as China is Great), it is a pointless excercise in colors and action. The film's plot is, essentially, meaningless, the love story is stolen (it is, in its way, yet another retelling of Romeo and Juliet), and even the pretty action isn't all that exciting. We've seen better in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. And in that film, the beautiful action served an actual plot.
The film's one saving grace is also its link to CTHD - Ziyi Zhang, who is as talented as she is lovely, and as lovely as anyone on the planet this side of Uma Thurman.
Mark R. Kelly, who liked Hero and House of Flying Plotlines much more than I did, asks if they (and Crouching, Hidden), are Fantasy.
I definitely think Crouching (etc.) is Fantasy. People don't just leap in an unbelievable manner, they actually FLY in the film. Human flight is Fantasy. I don't view the other two as Fantasy, though the martial arts certainly has fantastical elements. Feats of the type you see in these films are par for the course in Kong Fu movies. Leaping two meters into the air effortlessly is pretty much the essence of the genre.
House of Flying Daggers certainly strains the viewer's disbelief, but the plot is the aspect of the film I found truly unbelievable, not the leaping from slender, slender trees.
While not as morally odious as Zhang Yimou's previous film, Hero (moral of the film - mass deaths are supercool, as long as China is Great), it is a pointless excercise in colors and action. The film's plot is, essentially, meaningless, the love story is stolen (it is, in its way, yet another retelling of Romeo and Juliet), and even the pretty action isn't all that exciting. We've seen better in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. And in that film, the beautiful action served an actual plot.
The film's one saving grace is also its link to CTHD - Ziyi Zhang, who is as talented as she is lovely, and as lovely as anyone on the planet this side of Uma Thurman.
Mark R. Kelly, who liked Hero and House of Flying Plotlines much more than I did, asks if they (and Crouching, Hidden), are Fantasy.
I definitely think Crouching (etc.) is Fantasy. People don't just leap in an unbelievable manner, they actually FLY in the film. Human flight is Fantasy. I don't view the other two as Fantasy, though the martial arts certainly has fantastical elements. Feats of the type you see in these films are par for the course in Kong Fu movies. Leaping two meters into the air effortlessly is pretty much the essence of the genre.
House of Flying Daggers certainly strains the viewer's disbelief, but the plot is the aspect of the film I found truly unbelievable, not the leaping from slender, slender trees.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Knowledge can lead to heroism
10 year old Tilly Smith, who was on vacation with her parents in Thailand, saved 100 people by recognizing the early signs of Tsunamis, thanks to the fact that she listened in Geography class.
Bravo to her, to her teacher, and to her mother, for listening when her 10 year old told her they need to get off the beach NOW.
Bravo to her, to her teacher, and to her mother, for listening when her 10 year old told her they need to get off the beach NOW.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
It's difficult to blog in days like these
I've been planning to blog about several things these last few days. Things like movies I watched (Collateral and House of Daggers), or Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell being named Time Magazine's Book Of The Year. Maybe even Suprnova.org's mysterious announcement (which probably has to do with eXeem, the non centralized BT alternative they've apparently been working on). I certainly would have whined about losing in the nfl fantasy league semi-finals.
But everything is dwarfed in comparison with the horror in South East Asia. The death toll is growing everyday. Amazon has dedicated its front page to collecting donations for the American Red Cross. The blogging community has been incredible in providing information, first hand reports, a center to find missing loved ones, and ways to help.
And I find myself mostly speechless. With some exceptions, this blog has always been concerned with escapist topics - literature, sports, films, tv, comics. Even when I've talked about politics, it usually wasn't about Israeli politics. Right now, I'm not sure if I can blog about the things that usually concern me. They seem so small, whereas the horror of nature gone mad seems so big.
But everything is dwarfed in comparison with the horror in South East Asia. The death toll is growing everyday. Amazon has dedicated its front page to collecting donations for the American Red Cross. The blogging community has been incredible in providing information, first hand reports, a center to find missing loved ones, and ways to help.
And I find myself mostly speechless. With some exceptions, this blog has always been concerned with escapist topics - literature, sports, films, tv, comics. Even when I've talked about politics, it usually wasn't about Israeli politics. Right now, I'm not sure if I can blog about the things that usually concern me. They seem so small, whereas the horror of nature gone mad seems so big.
Monday, December 27, 2004
A Short Film About John Bolton
A Short Film About John Bolton, the DVD of Neil Gaiman's first foray into directing, arrived in the mail today, as part of the first parcel bought with the Amazon gift certificate I got from my friends. The DVD contains a LOT more than the film, and it is the extra material that makes it a must buy for any Gaiman fan. A performance/reading by Gaiman, a "making of" featurette, an interview with The Neil, an audio recordign by Neil. It's a whole bunch of Gaiman related goodness.
The film itself was quite good, funny and creepy. However, I can't really talk about it without spoiling it. There's more to it than appears at first, when it seems to be a fairly run-of-mill documentary about fantasy/horror artist John Bolton and his latest gallery show. It's certainly a recommended short movie, which I hope will be shown at one of the annual Israeli cons. I'm fairly sure Neil will give permission for such a showing, as he's always been very generous with permissions of such sort in the past.
The film itself was quite good, funny and creepy. However, I can't really talk about it without spoiling it. There's more to it than appears at first, when it seems to be a fairly run-of-mill documentary about fantasy/horror artist John Bolton and his latest gallery show. It's certainly a recommended short movie, which I hope will be shown at one of the annual Israeli cons. I'm fairly sure Neil will give permission for such a showing, as he's always been very generous with permissions of such sort in the past.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Sin City trailer redux
As expected, it looks even better with a decently sized file from apple's trailer site. Visually, this certainly looks to be the most faithful adaptation of any comic book ever. And as the comics had amazing visuals, this is a very good thing. Hope this gets an Israeli release date soon, as this is definitely one to watch on the big screen.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
What suprnova.org's demise may mean
As many of you know, suprnova.org got taken down a few days ago, along with torrentbits.com and tvtorrents.net. I've been a happy user of all three sites for quite some time, as they provided me with the tv shows the Israeli cable and satellite companies haven't bothered to purchase. I have no moral qualms about using bittorrent to download tv shows. We have a full cable subscriptions, with all the trimmings. But Lost, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and Veronica Mars aren't ON any of their stations. And Angel, which is on, is several years behind (obviously, as it got cancelled last year...).
So it was quite distressing to discover that my favorite downloading sources were gone. However, the internet waits for no man, and I found replacements for these sites quite easily. And this thing is FAR from over. Mark Pesce wrote a very good article about what may happen next, in response to RIAA's moronic decision to go after the major BT sites, and exactly how much they may live to regret it.
Link via Napsterization.
So it was quite distressing to discover that my favorite downloading sources were gone. However, the internet waits for no man, and I found replacements for these sites quite easily. And this thing is FAR from over. Mark Pesce wrote a very good article about what may happen next, in response to RIAA's moronic decision to go after the major BT sites, and exactly how much they may live to regret it.
Link via Napsterization.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Some Autistics say: Don't Cure Us
Kathryn Cramer points to a fascinating article in the NY Times about Austistic advocacy groups fighting against attempts to cure Autism. Certainly reminds me of the point I made just the other day about ADHD having both drawbacks and advantages.
One more statement about Chris Weitz...
This time, from someone who has a bigger stake than anyone in the integrity of the film - Philip Pullman. Pullman is much more optimistic about the film than one would expect, and seems to have a great deal of respect for Weitz. While the possibilty (raised by Cheryl Morgan) that he'll end up as dissapointed as Ursula K. Le Guin was about Earthsea is a very real one, at least Pullman has seen script drafts and the like.
Monday, December 20, 2004
China Mieville's Christmass SF story
Mieville's fiction doesn't usually wear it's socialist heart on its sleeve, but I guess when you're writing a Christmass story for the Socialist Review, you kinda have.
Any way, it's a funny, clever story, which pokes fun at all sides of the equation. And it's quite short.
Link via The Mumpsimus.
Any way, it's a funny, clever story, which pokes fun at all sides of the equation. And it's quite short.
Link via The Mumpsimus.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Ursula K. Le Guin is NOT happy
After hearing nothing but negative things about it, I haven't watched SciFi channel's production which goes under the name Legend of Earthsea. Now, after reading Le Guin's story about the production, I'm happier than ever that I didn't.
Edit: I've changed the link to the Locus version of the same article.
Edit: I've changed the link to the Locus version of the same article.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
The Madness of Fantasy Sports
Earlier today, I was reading a post from the Walla Fantasy Sports and Gambling forum to Tammy. Upon hearing it, she quickly pronounced: "he's crazy. This is a married man with a child, why does he behave as if Fantasy sports is that important? Has he no perspective?"
And it's a valid question. In September, during the evening of the first day of Icon, I was at dinner with Guy Gavriel Kay. GGK is one of my favorite authors, a man I was thrilled about meeting. And yet, every ten minutes, I used the internet browser in my cellphone to check how my players were doing in the Fantasy NFL. To my mind, this was justified. My team was 0-3, and a loss would mean kissing hopes of the playoffs goodbye. But looking back, isn't it a bit silly? Here I am, in a restaurant with a great writer, the man who wrote Tigana, and all I can think about is Fantasy NFL? Why do Fantasy sports matter as much as they do?
I think the answer is a combination of factors. It all starts with love of the sport. One gets into fantasy in order to enjoy watching games more. When you have something at stake, you're automatically more interested in games which otherwise might be meaningless. A big part of it is bragging rights. Winning in fantasy means you have outwitted and outlucked your fellow players, and it is a great source of satisfaction. Beyond bragging rights is the desire to test yourself, your savvy, your knowledge, your research skills. Finding a site that has detailed stats other sites just don't have gives one an edge. Reading articles about teams and players allows one to have more insight. The element of luck also draws one in. It's a bit like gambling that way. You can have great players, but an injury or two will destroy your chances. This year, I've had to scramble after losing THREE top receivers in my NFL Fantasy league. Both of my top running backs were slowed down by injuries, and one of them missed several games. Overcoming odds makes one care even more. And even one's downfalls can add to the passion. Last year, my first draft pick in Fantasy NBA, Tracy McGrady, lost some games and was slowed down in others due to injury. My team did not go far without him. So this year, I built what I believe to be a stronger team. Now I want to show the others that I can win in Basketball just as well as I can in Football.
In our leagues, we have another bit of incentive - both leagues have weekly recaps and predictions written by league members, and the NBA league even has power rankings. So, added to everything else is the desire to read on Tuesday or Wednesday that my team demolished the opposition, or overcame odds to win. And winning when the prognosticators predicted a loss is as sweet in fantasy sports as it is in real sports.
So that's why I answered Tammy the way I did: "He has perspective. Fantasy NFL is IMPORTANT." It may be a little bit crazy, but I guess it's my kind of crazy.
And it's a valid question. In September, during the evening of the first day of Icon, I was at dinner with Guy Gavriel Kay. GGK is one of my favorite authors, a man I was thrilled about meeting. And yet, every ten minutes, I used the internet browser in my cellphone to check how my players were doing in the Fantasy NFL. To my mind, this was justified. My team was 0-3, and a loss would mean kissing hopes of the playoffs goodbye. But looking back, isn't it a bit silly? Here I am, in a restaurant with a great writer, the man who wrote Tigana, and all I can think about is Fantasy NFL? Why do Fantasy sports matter as much as they do?
I think the answer is a combination of factors. It all starts with love of the sport. One gets into fantasy in order to enjoy watching games more. When you have something at stake, you're automatically more interested in games which otherwise might be meaningless. A big part of it is bragging rights. Winning in fantasy means you have outwitted and outlucked your fellow players, and it is a great source of satisfaction. Beyond bragging rights is the desire to test yourself, your savvy, your knowledge, your research skills. Finding a site that has detailed stats other sites just don't have gives one an edge. Reading articles about teams and players allows one to have more insight. The element of luck also draws one in. It's a bit like gambling that way. You can have great players, but an injury or two will destroy your chances. This year, I've had to scramble after losing THREE top receivers in my NFL Fantasy league. Both of my top running backs were slowed down by injuries, and one of them missed several games. Overcoming odds makes one care even more. And even one's downfalls can add to the passion. Last year, my first draft pick in Fantasy NBA, Tracy McGrady, lost some games and was slowed down in others due to injury. My team did not go far without him. So this year, I built what I believe to be a stronger team. Now I want to show the others that I can win in Basketball just as well as I can in Football.
In our leagues, we have another bit of incentive - both leagues have weekly recaps and predictions written by league members, and the NBA league even has power rankings. So, added to everything else is the desire to read on Tuesday or Wednesday that my team demolished the opposition, or overcame odds to win. And winning when the prognosticators predicted a loss is as sweet in fantasy sports as it is in real sports.
So that's why I answered Tammy the way I did: "He has perspective. Fantasy NFL is IMPORTANT." It may be a little bit crazy, but I guess it's my kind of crazy.
Chris Kaman
ESPN Magazine has a fascinating article (paid registration required) about Chris Kaman, who plays center for the LA Clippers, is deeply religious, and suffers from ADHD. Naturally, it's the ADHD part that particularly interested me, as the article talks about both sides of the condition that has plagued me as well. ADHD is a blessing and a curse. In my case, it often makes it very difficult for me to "get into" a book I'm translating. But once I'm "in," the same brain wiring allows me to work extremely fast. And when I'm working super fast, I'm also at my best. Because then I'm in sync with the work, with the book, with its characters and language and world.
This quote, from Kaman's brother Mike, hit particularly close to home: "He was getting in trouble because he couldn't sit still. Working with hyperactive and ADD kids, I know that's their biggest problem. If you overcome that, they're like guided missiles. They chase their dreams with all the passion in the world."
Also of interest was talk of Ritalin killing Kaman's appetite. I've had some rather large weight shifts in my life. I was a fat baby, and at some point in my life, I became very slender. As an adult, I've been overweight, underwight, and overweight again. Could my five years taking Ritalin daily have had something to do with it? I'd guess the answer is yes, but I also know I have a tendency of blaming Ritalin, a drug I KNOW caused me more harm than good.
Kaman sounds a lot more hyperactive than I ever was. The AD (attention deficit) part has always been a bigger problem for me than hyperactivity (combined with the fact that I'm a lazy bastard, which negates a great deal of the hyperactivity). But I'm always happy to read about people who manage to leverage ADHD to their own advantage. Now I only need to find a way to make positive use of my Dyscalculia
This quote, from Kaman's brother Mike, hit particularly close to home: "He was getting in trouble because he couldn't sit still. Working with hyperactive and ADD kids, I know that's their biggest problem. If you overcome that, they're like guided missiles. They chase their dreams with all the passion in the world."
Also of interest was talk of Ritalin killing Kaman's appetite. I've had some rather large weight shifts in my life. I was a fat baby, and at some point in my life, I became very slender. As an adult, I've been overweight, underwight, and overweight again. Could my five years taking Ritalin daily have had something to do with it? I'd guess the answer is yes, but I also know I have a tendency of blaming Ritalin, a drug I KNOW caused me more harm than good.
Kaman sounds a lot more hyperactive than I ever was. The AD (attention deficit) part has always been a bigger problem for me than hyperactivity (combined with the fact that I'm a lazy bastard, which negates a great deal of the hyperactivity). But I'm always happy to read about people who manage to leverage ADHD to their own advantage. Now I only need to find a way to make positive use of my Dyscalculia
Monday, December 13, 2004
108-103
108-103. Chris Cooley, the little known tight end, had 75 yards and gave me 7 fantasy points. The mighty Terrel Owens had 46 yards and a fumble and gave his fantasy owner 2 points.
Fantasy Football can make you crazy, but it can also make you deliriously happy.
Fantasy Football can make you crazy, but it can also make you deliriously happy.
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