check this shit out!
Scrolling down you'll note lifelong pal & blogrolled e-friend the Pelf rubbing shoulders with David Henry Hwang in the Best Playwriting of the Year category.
The shocking thing isn't that he won- he's been writing & honing his craft on the rougher edges of existence since forever.
No, the shocking thing is that he didn't send me a triumphant email- I had to read about it on his BLOG.
I see how it is.
He gets a taste of the big time and suddenly we LITTLE PEOPLE have to start sniffing around for scraps.
It won't be long until he enters his baroque Charles Foster Kane period and his wife finds him crying in the living room cradling a hunting rifle, dressed in gold lame and fishnets watching an old tape of DLH vs Trinidad.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
unsolicited testimonial
the HP Photosmart D7460 is a very nice printer.
The text is fine and the pics turn out much nicer than I expected.
It's also a lot more user friendly than any other printer I've ever had.
The ink's in the front and super easy to change, all the stupid buttons have been replaced with a neato touch screen, and it has a built in multi-card reader, one less thing to keep track of.
It also has an enclosed paper tray, which is nice because I don't do a huge amount of printing and our house is pretty dusty. It's got a seperate little tray for photo paper too, so I don't have to wrangle it every time I want to print out a snapshot.
Snazzy product, thumbs up to HP.
The text is fine and the pics turn out much nicer than I expected.
It's also a lot more user friendly than any other printer I've ever had.
The ink's in the front and super easy to change, all the stupid buttons have been replaced with a neato touch screen, and it has a built in multi-card reader, one less thing to keep track of.
It also has an enclosed paper tray, which is nice because I don't do a huge amount of printing and our house is pretty dusty. It's got a seperate little tray for photo paper too, so I don't have to wrangle it every time I want to print out a snapshot.
Snazzy product, thumbs up to HP.
quid pro quo
Behold, a flickr update!
Anner's heroic commenting the past few days stuffed a Viagra suppository up the hindside of my photographic muse.
enjoy!
Anner's heroic commenting the past few days stuffed a Viagra suppository up the hindside of my photographic muse.
enjoy!
the book business
Walking home I spy a bay of books on the front porch of a neighbor with a BOOK SALE sign, a price list and an honor jar for payment.
I bought four books for $7.
Walked home, listed three of them on Amazon for $50, the other one will go to the store for trade.
I bought four books for $7.
Walked home, listed three of them on Amazon for $50, the other one will go to the store for trade.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
the modern geek
Back when I was a geek, times were much simpler.
There were no furries, there was no cosplay, and you went to cons to game & hit the dealer room for some offbeat stuff.
Now look what they get up to!
here are some highlights:
True fact
Bobo once wrote several FILK SONGS and published them in the pre-internet game geek bible Alarums & Excursions.
There were no furries, there was no cosplay, and you went to cons to game & hit the dealer room for some offbeat stuff.
Now look what they get up to!
here are some highlights:
Harry Potter Through the Curriculum
Using Hogwarts style classes and curriculum to homeschool or supplement children's education.
Pagan Devotional Service
A pan-pagan ceremony for those who desire pagan fellowship.
Geek of My Dreams
Where is my Geek? Panelists discuss what makes someone a geek, and what makes them sexually attractive.
Cosplay
Cosplay is frequently seen as a Japanese subculture, centering on people who dress up as anime, manga and video characters. But is it limited to this, or does it simply mean wearing a costume? What sort of research and materials do you need for this? What makes a good performance in the con hallway or on stage?
Filk Circle with the Fan GoH
Come join our Fan Guest of Honor in the Filk Lounge as she presents a variety of her filk works.
True fact
Bobo once wrote several FILK SONGS and published them in the pre-internet game geek bible Alarums & Excursions.
true life customer stories
A gal comes in with a song and dance about how she called a few weeks back and we said we bought books so she drove all the way from Paso.
I can already tell this isn't going to end well.
Anyone who leads with "you said you buy books" tend to close with the same statement in a minor key after you reject the mountain of crap they've dragged into the store. Which is why I'm scrupulous about NEVER saying "we buy books". I say "we'll take a look at them". Not that it matters, since people mostly hear what they want to hear.
And anyone who emphasizes how far they had to transport their mountain of crap always expects us to pay the freight.
So I approach the stack of boxes with caution.
And it's worse than I expect- not only is it all mainstream hardcover fiction by people like Danielle Steel & Michael Crichton (translation: totally unsalable garbage) they're 95% Book Club editions, which we don't take under any circumstances.
So I trudge through the boxes (one good book can make a buy worthwhile and you never know what you'll find- also, people tend to get pissy when you glance over a buy and dismiss it out of hand).
"Well, I'm sorry, but there's nothing here for us. It's mostly book club editions, which we don't handle."
"But you said you bought books. I drove all the way from Paso."
"I'm sorry, but we have to be selective, we've got limited room. And we don't take book club editions."
"Well, I didn't KNOW they were book club editions!"
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?!"
I ain't Nostradamus, lady!
I can already tell this isn't going to end well.
Anyone who leads with "you said you buy books" tend to close with the same statement in a minor key after you reject the mountain of crap they've dragged into the store. Which is why I'm scrupulous about NEVER saying "we buy books". I say "we'll take a look at them". Not that it matters, since people mostly hear what they want to hear.
And anyone who emphasizes how far they had to transport their mountain of crap always expects us to pay the freight.
So I approach the stack of boxes with caution.
And it's worse than I expect- not only is it all mainstream hardcover fiction by people like Danielle Steel & Michael Crichton (translation: totally unsalable garbage) they're 95% Book Club editions, which we don't take under any circumstances.
So I trudge through the boxes (one good book can make a buy worthwhile and you never know what you'll find- also, people tend to get pissy when you glance over a buy and dismiss it out of hand).
"Well, I'm sorry, but there's nothing here for us. It's mostly book club editions, which we don't handle."
"But you said you bought books. I drove all the way from Paso."
"I'm sorry, but we have to be selective, we've got limited room. And we don't take book club editions."
"Well, I didn't KNOW they were book club editions!"
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?!"
I ain't Nostradamus, lady!
best author bio in a minute
courtesy Konstantinos, author of Nocturnal Witchcraft & the Gothic Grimoire.
Konstantinos (New York) has been a practicing occultist for over fifteen years. A Dark Neopagan, he pracitices a nocturnal path to spiritual advancement. When not pursuing occult interests, he enjoys Gothic music and singing.
Konstantinos (New York) has been a practicing occultist for over fifteen years. A Dark Neopagan, he pracitices a nocturnal path to spiritual advancement. When not pursuing occult interests, he enjoys Gothic music and singing.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
bookwatch
This is one of the more engaging cookbooks I've come across.
It's equal parts cooking, travelogue & philosophy.
It's had quite an impact on me, even before I've made a single recipe.
I've been thinking about rice all week.
Not that Devra has any idea what I'm talking about....and where are my cake pix you slacker!
It's equal parts cooking, travelogue & philosophy.
It's had quite an impact on me, even before I've made a single recipe.
I've been thinking about rice all week.
Not that Devra has any idea what I'm talking about....and where are my cake pix you slacker!
things you carry
meme stolen from Twain.
I think I tote around less than a lot of folk.
always carry
keys
wallet
almost always carry
book bag w/ 1 or 2 random books, notebook & pen
that's it!
I think I tote around less than a lot of folk.
always carry
keys
wallet
almost always carry
book bag w/ 1 or 2 random books, notebook & pen
that's it!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
two great tastes reprise
Errol Morris & Philip Gorevitch.
Gorevitch wrote one of the great dissections of a genocide, We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families, which achieves the signal feat of describing the Rwandan genocide without making you want to board a lead diving bell and see the bottom of the Marianas trench.
Gorevitch wrote one of the great dissections of a genocide, We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families, which achieves the signal feat of describing the Rwandan genocide without making you want to board a lead diving bell and see the bottom of the Marianas trench.
flickr mafia
added two new shots of the fiend.
note to anner:
this does not mean I have taken the oath of flickr Omerta, so don't get your hopes up.
note to anner:
this does not mean I have taken the oath of flickr Omerta, so don't get your hopes up.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
cooking: meat sauce
It's been a tick since I bored y'all with my culinary adventuring, so here we go.
I adapted this from a recipe in Cook's Illustrated for baked ziti with sausage.
I made a version minus the ziti and the baking and the mozzarella, and it turned out very well. It's cold and wet today, so I'm reprising it.
for the sauce:
1 or 2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes, depending on how 'saucy' you like your sauce
1 or 2tbs olive oil
1lb italian sausage, casings removed and broken up into bite-sized pieces
1 small onion, diced
garlic to taste, minced (I like 2 cloves)
1/4 tsp sugar
salt to taste
Heat the oil in a huge skillet & brown the sausage, removing when just done, about 3 minutes
Cook the onion in the oil until translucent, scraping the pan to release the browned bits, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic & fry for 30 seconds or so.
Add the tomatoes, salt & sugar, stir and cook until reduced a bit, 15 to 20 minutes.
While the sauce is cooking make the pasta- I like Penne for this one, but any type will do. I've started salting the hell out of my pasta water with good results. 1tbs per 5 quarts works a treat. Drain pasta, reserving a 1/4 cup or so of the pasta water.
Add pasta & a splash of the water to the sauce in the skillet & stir to combine.
Check seasoning and serve hot with fresh grated Parmesan.
I adapted this from a recipe in Cook's Illustrated for baked ziti with sausage.
I made a version minus the ziti and the baking and the mozzarella, and it turned out very well. It's cold and wet today, so I'm reprising it.
for the sauce:
1 or 2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes, depending on how 'saucy' you like your sauce
1 or 2tbs olive oil
1lb italian sausage, casings removed and broken up into bite-sized pieces
1 small onion, diced
garlic to taste, minced (I like 2 cloves)
1/4 tsp sugar
salt to taste
Heat the oil in a huge skillet & brown the sausage, removing when just done, about 3 minutes
Cook the onion in the oil until translucent, scraping the pan to release the browned bits, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic & fry for 30 seconds or so.
Add the tomatoes, salt & sugar, stir and cook until reduced a bit, 15 to 20 minutes.
While the sauce is cooking make the pasta- I like Penne for this one, but any type will do. I've started salting the hell out of my pasta water with good results. 1tbs per 5 quarts works a treat. Drain pasta, reserving a 1/4 cup or so of the pasta water.
Add pasta & a splash of the water to the sauce in the skillet & stir to combine.
Check seasoning and serve hot with fresh grated Parmesan.
more hippy testimonial
Had a bit of a cold the last few days & my nose stuffed up last night.
Hit it with the Netti Pot this morning, and it's completely clear.
It doesn't make me proud, but I can't deny the effectiveness of this goddamn new-agey trinket.
Hit it with the Netti Pot this morning, and it's completely clear.
It doesn't make me proud, but I can't deny the effectiveness of this goddamn new-agey trinket.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
two great tastes that taste great together
Herzog chats with Morris
ERROL MORRIS: Yeah. The intention is to put the audience in some kind of odd reality. [To moderator] Werner certainly shares this. It’s the perverse element in filmmaking. Werner in his “Minnesota Manifesto” starts talking about ecstatic truth. I have no idea what he’s talking about.
But what I do understand in his films is a kind of ecstatic absurdity, things that make you question the nature of reality, of the universe in which we live. We think we understand the world around us. We look at a Herzog film, and we think twice. And I always, always have revered that element. Ecstatic absurdity: it’s the confrontation with meaninglessness.
ten neato firefox extensions
from off the beaten path
Anner is a big fan of StumbleUpon, and the Burl swears by Foxmarks.
I should probably install ReminderFox before I submit this post...
Anner is a big fan of StumbleUpon, and the Burl swears by Foxmarks.
I should probably install ReminderFox before I submit this post...
Sunday, March 9, 2008
fuck daylight savings time
every year I hate it more.
I'm not a huge fan of Arizona as a state but their steadfast refusal to participate in this national delusion is commendable.
Also, props to Hawaii and Puerto Rico for giving the bird to this nonsensical imposition.
I'm not a huge fan of Arizona as a state but their steadfast refusal to participate in this national delusion is commendable.
Also, props to Hawaii and Puerto Rico for giving the bird to this nonsensical imposition.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Stolen from Ivan
It's been too long since I drank Ivan's milkshake!
musings on book thieves.
The fellow knows his stuff, but is clearly working from a new book store perspective (Seattle is probably the only market left on the West Coast with a healthy ecosystem of independent new bookstores).
This comment gives him away:
The Urban Camper population has its own data stream and doesn't need input from a used book dealer to figure out what's going to make them a buck.
Also, any used book dealer who does more than recycle Danielle Steel pocket books can SMELL stolen books from across the street.
The type of books people sell tell you a lot about them.
When the books you're seeing don't match up with the person selling them, a bell goes off.
And it is impossible to finesse a new book to look like an old one.
Or rather, doing a good enough job to fool a book dealer would require a level of craft that made the exercise pointless.
Books that have actually been read have a certain ineffable quality.
It can't be duplicated by taking a new book and letting a gorilla sling it around for a while.
musings on book thieves.
The fellow knows his stuff, but is clearly working from a new book store perspective (Seattle is probably the only market left on the West Coast with a healthy ecosystem of independent new bookstores).
This comment gives him away:
It might have belonged to an unscrupulous used bookseller who sent the homeless out, Fagin-like, to do his bidding, or it might have been another book thief helping a semi-illiterate friend identify the valuable merchandise.
The Urban Camper population has its own data stream and doesn't need input from a used book dealer to figure out what's going to make them a buck.
Also, any used book dealer who does more than recycle Danielle Steel pocket books can SMELL stolen books from across the street.
The type of books people sell tell you a lot about them.
When the books you're seeing don't match up with the person selling them, a bell goes off.
And it is impossible to finesse a new book to look like an old one.
Or rather, doing a good enough job to fool a book dealer would require a level of craft that made the exercise pointless.
Books that have actually been read have a certain ineffable quality.
It can't be duplicated by taking a new book and letting a gorilla sling it around for a while.
watchmen stills
looks cool.
Not that the visuals were a concern for the guy who directed 300.
His remake of Day of the Dead was stylistically arresting but absolutely tone-deaf to subtext, and I expect the same result here.
Of course the target audience isn't aging comic geeks like me, it's yayhoos like this, from the comments:
Sigh.
Looking for a silver lining, maybe we'll get a good Alan Moore screed out of it.
Not that the visuals were a concern for the guy who directed 300.
His remake of Day of the Dead was stylistically arresting but absolutely tone-deaf to subtext, and I expect the same result here.
Of course the target audience isn't aging comic geeks like me, it's yayhoos like this, from the comments:
i never read watchmen but these picz look cool
Sigh.
Looking for a silver lining, maybe we'll get a good Alan Moore screed out of it.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
True Customer Tales
dialog from a scrawny chin-free fellow to his friend on their way out of the store:
So yesterday was busy. I went to chess club, then I did that thing with the computer club, and then I visited that akido center.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
speaking of Oscars
Finally got around to the winner of last year's Best Foreign Film Oscar, The Lives of Others.
Just amazing. Highly recommended to all viewers.
It manages the neat trick of delivering profound emotional truths without making you want to slit your wrists, and has one of the best, truest and most satisfying endings I've seen in years.
The wife developed a mad crush on the main guy, who somehow conveyed a bottomless humanity and developing empathy without changing expression once.
Check it out, you won't be sorry.
Just amazing. Highly recommended to all viewers.
It manages the neat trick of delivering profound emotional truths without making you want to slit your wrists, and has one of the best, truest and most satisfying endings I've seen in years.
The wife developed a mad crush on the main guy, who somehow conveyed a bottomless humanity and developing empathy without changing expression once.
Check it out, you won't be sorry.
late to the (Oscar) party
Thanks to TERI for hosting another marvelous Oscar party.
I tied the Burl for 1st place in our Oscar pool in spite crashing and burning on most of the 'big' awards.
I swept the "what the fuck?" categories (live short, animated short, documentary short, foreign film) hit a couple of longshots (Tilda as best supporting, Once for best song) and nailed the Bourne Ultimatum trifecta for tech awards (I've noticed Oscar voters tend to reward sound and film editors who look like they're working really hard, so movies with big action scenes are a good bet).
Thank god Danny Day won best actor.
I really wasn't looking forward to torching the Hollywood sign and filling the Kodak Theater with bile.
The French hottie who won Best Actress (triggering a collective spit-take in the living room) had the best dress of the night. The wife, who'd actually seen the film, heckled her performance mercilessly. But we all agreed she gave a darling acceptance speech.
Bill Conti is going to burn in hell for blaring the orchestra over that poor Czech gal who won Best Song. He was notably restrained for the rest of the show, perhaps fearing a celebrity lynch mob storming the orchestra pit.
Too late, Bill, your suite in the fiery pit is already reserved!
I tied the Burl for 1st place in our Oscar pool in spite crashing and burning on most of the 'big' awards.
I swept the "what the fuck?" categories (live short, animated short, documentary short, foreign film) hit a couple of longshots (Tilda as best supporting, Once for best song) and nailed the Bourne Ultimatum trifecta for tech awards (I've noticed Oscar voters tend to reward sound and film editors who look like they're working really hard, so movies with big action scenes are a good bet).
Thank god Danny Day won best actor.
I really wasn't looking forward to torching the Hollywood sign and filling the Kodak Theater with bile.
The French hottie who won Best Actress (triggering a collective spit-take in the living room) had the best dress of the night. The wife, who'd actually seen the film, heckled her performance mercilessly. But we all agreed she gave a darling acceptance speech.
Bill Conti is going to burn in hell for blaring the orchestra over that poor Czech gal who won Best Song. He was notably restrained for the rest of the show, perhaps fearing a celebrity lynch mob storming the orchestra pit.
Too late, Bill, your suite in the fiery pit is already reserved!
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