John Scalzi is doing a One Star Challenge Roundup on his website. Last Thursday, you may recall, I posted a bunch of my one-star Amazon reviews and challenged other authors to do the same, the idea being, you know, that there are worse things in life than a negative Amazon review. And what do you
One Star Challenge Roundup Read More »
SF Signal The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, Volume 2 edited by George Mann and gives it an overall favorable rating. Mary Robinette Kowal’s “Evil Robot Monkey” is an affecting snapshot in the life of a chimp with an implant in his head that increases his intelligence. Unfortunately for him, that lands him in
SF Signal review The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, Volume 2 Read More »
While looking for something else entirely, I stumbled upon this ebay auction for aAntique Steam Pulley Driven Workshop with Lights. Good heavens. It’s got a lathe, jig saw, drill… It’s like a steampunk Shopsmith, but it’s real.
Antique Steam Pulley Driven Workshop with Lights Read More »
So… let’s recap today. Pilot overslept. Then thunderstorms. Still no pilot. Plane delayed by two hours. Miss D.C. connection. Rebooked on a flight for 6:15 am the next day. Sad. Get standby flight. Happy! Flight is delayed. Why? LaGuardia wasn’t letting flights in. Sad. Finally arrive in NYC. All buses are running! Happy! All buses
A mere thirteen hours later Read More »
I managed to miss both of the panels yesterday and think I have a taste of what the next year will be. Why? Because I was in meetings rather than at the panels. Strangely fun meetings, I’ll grant, but nonetheless. The Nebula weekend is largely unstructured, providing the members a chance to hobnob with each
SFWA Nebula Weekend: Day Two Read More »
The election results were announced today at the business meeting. President: Russell Davis VP: Elizabeth Moon Secretary: Mary Robinette Kowal Treasurer: Amy Casil Eastern Regional: Bud Sparhawk Overseas Regional Directon: Ian Whates Because the current secretary, Alma Alexander, couldn’t be here, I dived right in by taking minutes of the meeting. Fortunately, I don’t have
I am the secretary-elect for SFWA Read More »
This is my first Nebula Weekend, so I don’t have anything else to compare it to except other cons. After checking in, I found my way to where they were handing out free books. I mean, hey, books, you know? Gotta keep your priorities straight. Every member got two heeping grocery bags of hardbacks. Good
SFWA Nebula Weekend: Day One Read More »
The room is expensive and then they also charge for wireless. Why can’t they pony up for a fast connection? Otherwise, Austin seems fine. I’m enjoying meeting SFWA members with whom I’ve corresponded but not met.
In which Mary wonders why the internet is so slow at fancy hotels Read More »
See, marionettes are so useful for education. After that educational film, do you feel ready to stack haybales to protect your livestock from nuclear attack? Spotted at Bubble Boy Blog
Puppets educate farmers about nuclear attack? Read More »
I was getting into Austin at noon Friday for the SFWA Nebula Award weekend, but I’ve had to rebook my ticket. I need to get some things done for the show I’m working on and really, really need the morning to get it done. Alas. So, if you are going to Austin, I’ll see you
We thought we had the the system solved to deliver the donut “magically” to the middle of the stage. Alas, using a foam bunny as our test subject ((before carving it into a donut)) we discovered that the foam caught on even the tiniest bit of friction. When the friction released, the bunny shot into
Bunny delivery system Read More »
For Steve and Idi I need a fake jelly donut. I started with blue foam, the stuff used to insulate your house, and laminated two sheets of 1″ foam together to get the right thickness for the donut. Then I cut it out on the bandsaw. My beltsander and I rounded the thing. I used
Time to make the donuts Read More »
Things I say I’m moving back to Shimmer land. Screw the gods. Just be sure you aren’t screwing when the actors get there. Can I get a stiffer rod? I can retain his rods if I hold them between my pelvis and his head May I touch your dead animal head? He couldn’t get it
Things said at work, redux Read More »