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Exploring TV-land
Aug. 13th, 2013 11:38 pmThere is a lot you can hold against Google but they do cool things sometimes - like Doodles or Street View Easter eggs. Like Police Telephone Box on Earl's Court Road that you can walk inside by clicking the double arrow. It's bigger on the inside.
There are a lot of weird new sf series being produced.
High Moon - produced by Brian Fueller is producing this an adaptation of John Christopher's best-selling novel The Lotus Caves. High Moon creates a future where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon's resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover and exploit its powerful secrets.
Paradise is about a wrongly convicted doctor who gets sent to Paradise, aka the remnants of Las Vegas, which has been converted into a super-max prison. Made for NBC by people responsible for Arrow.
From Dusk Till Dawn is being turned into a TV series by Robert Rodriguez who is to write, produce and direct the series. Because we need more vampires on TV. Let's hope it'll at least be funny.
None of theses seems particularly appealing to me but I know that I don't have a good record for judging from concepts so I'll check out when they show up. Maybe something watchable will actually come out of this.
There are a lot of weird new sf series being produced.
High Moon - produced by Brian Fueller is producing this an adaptation of John Christopher's best-selling novel The Lotus Caves. High Moon creates a future where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon's resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover and exploit its powerful secrets.
Paradise is about a wrongly convicted doctor who gets sent to Paradise, aka the remnants of Las Vegas, which has been converted into a super-max prison. Made for NBC by people responsible for Arrow.
From Dusk Till Dawn is being turned into a TV series by Robert Rodriguez who is to write, produce and direct the series. Because we need more vampires on TV. Let's hope it'll at least be funny.
None of theses seems particularly appealing to me but I know that I don't have a good record for judging from concepts so I'll check out when they show up. Maybe something watchable will actually come out of this.
It's that time of the year
Apr. 1st, 2013 10:14 pmIn the periodic news about the greatest fantasy epic - tor.com reports all about the serious problems behind the scenes of The Shadow War of the Night Dragons musical even after John Scalzi's falling out with his creative partners (and firing them and threatening them with his Campbell award and accusations of addiction to the cough medicine or maybe they were all just dicks just like the sound bite shows). John Scalzi says it's all false reporting and threatens to sue. In the end the Paul and Storm songs are probably all we'll ever see from this project (at least proceeds will go to charitable causes). And this could've been such a dark and story night.
In other charity events you can help wikimedia foundation and make the dog grow (this morning it still fit on the desk) on today's xkcd. It's also fun to visit to see all the versions of the comic (companies and schools change along with some other info in the panels). Meanwhile the day on the beach on is still going and you can watch and scroll through it here.
Meanwhile Google decided to show their two new services. Google Maps now has a treasure map option. Google Search has option to allow you to search by smell - Google Nose beta was available to public today.
Locus broke the news about William Gibson's sudden change of genre. His switch from cyberpunk to near future was gradual but this? This is total surprise. And the review of his new heroic fantasy Realm of the Enchanted Unicorn book says it is first of dodecology. They also report that Detroit renames itself Boilertown and becomes first all-steampunk city in America. The last story was deleted and the whole thing almost made me skip all the Locus stories but the authors of didn't deserve to be punished by association and this is still fun.
Finally - here's some of the controversies exploding over on twitter - from new Hugo Poetry category to Continental Philosophy jokes. And all the other today's news in pictures including things we all want to have and Curiosity quitting twitter due to trolling.
In other charity events you can help wikimedia foundation and make the dog grow (this morning it still fit on the desk) on today's xkcd. It's also fun to visit to see all the versions of the comic (companies and schools change along with some other info in the panels). Meanwhile the day on the beach on is still going and you can watch and scroll through it here.
Meanwhile Google decided to show their two new services. Google Maps now has a treasure map option. Google Search has option to allow you to search by smell - Google Nose beta was available to public today.
Locus broke the news about William Gibson's sudden change of genre. His switch from cyberpunk to near future was gradual but this? This is total surprise. And the review of his new heroic fantasy Realm of the Enchanted Unicorn book says it is first of dodecology. They also report that Detroit renames itself Boilertown and becomes first all-steampunk city in America. The last story was deleted and the whole thing almost made me skip all the Locus stories but the authors of didn't deserve to be punished by association and this is still fun.
Finally - here's some of the controversies exploding over on twitter - from new Hugo Poetry category to Continental Philosophy jokes. And all the other today's news in pictures including things we all want to have and Curiosity quitting twitter due to trolling.
Today Douglas Adams would've turn 61 and google celebrates with pretty cool Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy doodle. Check if you can recognise all the references before it's gone.
We learn what Lydia did when she hid from public - she went to School of Thrones to pine on another wrong guy. So go where Stark's are hipsters and Greyjoys are waterpolo team and Dany still has a thing for dragons.
We learn what Lydia did when she hid from public - she went to School of Thrones to pine on another wrong guy. So go where Stark's are hipsters and Greyjoys are waterpolo team and Dany still has a thing for dragons.
Just having fun
Feb. 28th, 2013 11:01 pmWhat happens when a group of geeks go together on a cruise? They roleplay a crew of a starship, obviously. With Wil Wheaton as the captain. Now, we know how the rest of Wesley's Starfleet career went (the other crews can be found in links).
If that's not fun enough - here's Hank Green translating lyrics of popular dance songs to English. It left me glad I never heard of Soulja Boy before.
If that's not fun enough - here's Hank Green translating lyrics of popular dance songs to English. It left me glad I never heard of Soulja Boy before.
Happy Darwin Day
Feb. 12th, 2013 08:14 pmJust like in previous years Being Human comes with a webseries. This time it's Alex's Unfinished Business and the first two episodes are out
And a new Game of Thrones promo is here
Some of the local US TV stations had their Emergency Alert System hacked with Zombie Attack Warning
And a new Game of Thrones promo is here
Some of the local US TV stations had their Emergency Alert System hacked with Zombie Attack Warning
Good cause, bad back
Dec. 5th, 2012 11:50 pmJim C. Hines is prepared to once again risk his health and recreate poses of women on fantasy novel covers. He did it before for free but, as it is a hazardous behaviour, he now only does this for charity. You can donate to Aicardi Syndrome Foundation and make Jim Hines contort to your pleasing. And not just him. John Scalzi has been challenged to do a pose-off and he will also strike a pose and you can vote which one of the the three he will do. I (and many others) chose option 1 and that's just looks impossible and painful (those pointy toes). I'm pretty sure you cannot keep balance in that position. If people keep donating there will be more poses both from Jim and John. Let's hope they will still be able to walk after all that.
Cool things to find on the internet
Nov. 28th, 2012 11:53 pmAll popular things create parodies. Everyone and their mother did PSY parody and now it time for the Dumb Ways to Die. Of course the original is so awesome that it's hard to do better but someone found the way. Curiosity rover adventures and all the cool thing it could find including the coolest real ones (and spot the memes - my favourite are Curiosity found twinkies, killed the cat and helped Spirit rover)
Neil Gaiman posted about cool things he is missing by not being in UK but at least he gets reports and cool cast photos. The rest of us will have to wait for the finished products. I'm excited about Warwick Davies being both on DW and in Neil's episode and the whole episode sounds brilliant but the Neverwhere cast is just best thing in this post. Just look who's there and that's not even all the actors (notably Sophie Okonedo and Christopher Lee are missing and the photo is still full of awesome). Neverwhere is my favourite of Gaiman books (certainly favourite of his "fairytale" books which, for me also include Stardust, The Graveyard Book and Coraline) and this is so perfect I'm almost sad it's just an audio version (yes, I know about the TV series but still).
Neil Gaiman posted about cool things he is missing by not being in UK but at least he gets reports and cool cast photos. The rest of us will have to wait for the finished products. I'm excited about Warwick Davies being both on DW and in Neil's episode and the whole episode sounds brilliant but the Neverwhere cast is just best thing in this post. Just look who's there and that's not even all the actors (notably Sophie Okonedo and Christopher Lee are missing and the photo is still full of awesome). Neverwhere is my favourite of Gaiman books (certainly favourite of his "fairytale" books which, for me also include Stardust, The Graveyard Book and Coraline) and this is so perfect I'm almost sad it's just an audio version (yes, I know about the TV series but still).
The worst of the firsts
Aug. 18th, 2012 11:58 pmThe winners (loosers?) of the 2012 The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest have been announced. These awards are given to the worst first sentence in a book and is named for Victorian novelist Edward George Bulwer-Lytton who opened his novel Paul Clifford with "It was a dark and stormy night". It wasn't a cliche then but it is now so he became a patron of all of those who start badly.
This year's overall winner is Cathy Bryant of Manchester, England for this:
It makes for quite a dreadful read and it's hard to consume at once however my favourite is this SF Runner-Up:
This year's overall winner is Cathy Bryant of Manchester, England for this:
As he told her that he loved her she gazed into his eyes, wondering, as she noted the infestation of eyelash mites, the tiny deodicids burrowing into his follicles to eat the greasy sebum therein, each female laying up to 25 eggs in a single follicle, causing inflammation, whether the eyes are truly the windows of the soul; and, if so, his soul needed regrouting.There are also winners in individual categories: Adventure, Children’s Literature, Crime, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Purple Prose, Romance, Science-Fiction, Vile Puns and Western. There are also various Runner-Ups and Dishonourable Mentions for many of the categories plus some Miscellaneous ones and Grand Panjandrum’s Special Award.
It makes for quite a dreadful read and it's hard to consume at once however my favourite is this SF Runner-Up:
The real problem with the “many universes” interpretation of quantum mechanics is that if it’s true, then somewhere, in some universe, anything you can possibly imagine has already happened, which means that somewhere, another version of me has already finished writing the rest of this science-fiction novel, so I’m not feeling real inspired to do it myself. — Steve Lauducci, Bethlehem, PAHowever, I really think that John Scalzi was robbed. None of them had really said "It was a dark and stormy night" quite like him.
The three weeks of the Games
Aug. 12th, 2012 09:15 pmI love watching the opening and closing ceremonies of Olympics. I like everything about them. I even like the parade of the nations. There is something very SF&F about them. Very utopian. This one also very dream like.
I wasn't the only one who had thoughts about Tolkien watching the first part of the opening ceremony. From Shire being overrun by forces of Saruman to forging of One Ring. The lack of commentary didn't help with refuting this misconception. I missed Polish commentators who always explain what is going on and provide context for what is shown. Everyone already complained about NBC handling it (and I'm sure there will be more after they stopped in the middle to show some unfunny show tomorrow) so I'm not going to repeat it - for me it wasn't as bad as those in US who decide it to make it all about themselves and felt tribute to NHS was a comment on American healthcare (I'm still in awe of the fact that the dancers were actual hospital staff). I wonder if there'd be ones offended by Imagine.
I thought both the opening and closing ceremonies were great exercises in national pride. Basically it was all the iconic British stuff - from history to technological invention and from children's literature to all the British music. Closing ceremony was basically one big party.
The rumours about Spice Girls singing at closing ceremony turned out to be true to but they were part of the whole British music showdown. But for me the music guest that was most anticipated were Pet Shop Boys. I knew this Olympiad couldn't be complete without West End Girls. Still the best part was the whole stadium (including the athletes) singing (and whistling) with Eric Idle Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. I'm left with wanting the soundtrack.
Of course the artistic parts are just icing on the cake and in a way watching sports events is a little like genre TV too. After all many of the people we watch competing are mutant. Genetic abnormalities on the far end of bell curve selected out of thousands for their special abilities. Something that makes Alphas almost plausible. And this Olympics surely delivered from Chinese perfection to American gymnastic team flawlessness. From Michel Phelps and Usain Bolt proving again that they are superhuman to Tomasz Majewski defending his shot put title - the first man to do this in over half a century.
But the for me the most bizarre moment was when I was watching my favourite Olympics event. My favourite Olympics event is Eventing (I know - not very popular) or more precisely the cross-country part of Eventing (dressage and jumping have their own events on much higher level). I was watching it and of course there was a lot of coverage of Zara Phillips and I realised she was competing in her grandma's garden and then given a medal by her mum. In a biggest international competition there is. Somehow that was very British too. After all how could it be British without the royal family thrown in with all the other symbols associated with Isles. Certainly the image of the Queen and James Bond jumping out of the helicopter will stay with me for a long time.
And speaking of popular Brits (and for those who found it tl;dr) here are some for every generation of both SF&F and Olympics fan. Jean-Luc Picard and Arya Stark can get you any ticket you want - look what they did for Simon Pegg
PS. This being my first Summer Olympics in US I learned that sports I always considered pretty normal part of athletics baffle Americans - racewalking, pentathlon (and other -athlons). I admit racewalking is a weird sport (only well known in Poland because of our multiple medallist Robert Korzeniowski) but I didn't expect pentathlon to be so weird to Americans since triathlon seems very popular as an amateur sport - at least here where I live. It also seemed that like it was the first time they ever heard about dressage (and other horse events). On the other hands athletics and anything horse related except racing doesn't seem popular here at all. I've never seen any of the atlethic events on TV. Not the World Championships, not even the US ones (I'm not even sure when or if they happen). Now, when I think about it I think Americans only show team sports (and tennis) and only few of them (volleyball doesn't show up on the news or on sport channels when I channel surf except for the Olympics).
I wasn't the only one who had thoughts about Tolkien watching the first part of the opening ceremony. From Shire being overrun by forces of Saruman to forging of One Ring. The lack of commentary didn't help with refuting this misconception. I missed Polish commentators who always explain what is going on and provide context for what is shown. Everyone already complained about NBC handling it (and I'm sure there will be more after they stopped in the middle to show some unfunny show tomorrow) so I'm not going to repeat it - for me it wasn't as bad as those in US who decide it to make it all about themselves and felt tribute to NHS was a comment on American healthcare (I'm still in awe of the fact that the dancers were actual hospital staff). I wonder if there'd be ones offended by Imagine.
I thought both the opening and closing ceremonies were great exercises in national pride. Basically it was all the iconic British stuff - from history to technological invention and from children's literature to all the British music. Closing ceremony was basically one big party.
The rumours about Spice Girls singing at closing ceremony turned out to be true to but they were part of the whole British music showdown. But for me the music guest that was most anticipated were Pet Shop Boys. I knew this Olympiad couldn't be complete without West End Girls. Still the best part was the whole stadium (including the athletes) singing (and whistling) with Eric Idle Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. I'm left with wanting the soundtrack.
Of course the artistic parts are just icing on the cake and in a way watching sports events is a little like genre TV too. After all many of the people we watch competing are mutant. Genetic abnormalities on the far end of bell curve selected out of thousands for their special abilities. Something that makes Alphas almost plausible. And this Olympics surely delivered from Chinese perfection to American gymnastic team flawlessness. From Michel Phelps and Usain Bolt proving again that they are superhuman to Tomasz Majewski defending his shot put title - the first man to do this in over half a century.
But the for me the most bizarre moment was when I was watching my favourite Olympics event. My favourite Olympics event is Eventing (I know - not very popular) or more precisely the cross-country part of Eventing (dressage and jumping have their own events on much higher level). I was watching it and of course there was a lot of coverage of Zara Phillips and I realised she was competing in her grandma's garden and then given a medal by her mum. In a biggest international competition there is. Somehow that was very British too. After all how could it be British without the royal family thrown in with all the other symbols associated with Isles. Certainly the image of the Queen and James Bond jumping out of the helicopter will stay with me for a long time.
And speaking of popular Brits (and for those who found it tl;dr) here are some for every generation of both SF&F and Olympics fan. Jean-Luc Picard and Arya Stark can get you any ticket you want - look what they did for Simon Pegg
The Olympic Ticket Scalper with Sir Patrick Stewart, Ryan Lochte, Simon Pegg & Maisie Williams from Patrick Stewart
PS. This being my first Summer Olympics in US I learned that sports I always considered pretty normal part of athletics baffle Americans - racewalking, pentathlon (and other -athlons). I admit racewalking is a weird sport (only well known in Poland because of our multiple medallist Robert Korzeniowski) but I didn't expect pentathlon to be so weird to Americans since triathlon seems very popular as an amateur sport - at least here where I live. It also seemed that like it was the first time they ever heard about dressage (and other horse events). On the other hands athletics and anything horse related except racing doesn't seem popular here at all. I've never seen any of the atlethic events on TV. Not the World Championships, not even the US ones (I'm not even sure when or if they happen). Now, when I think about it I think Americans only show team sports (and tennis) and only few of them (volleyball doesn't show up on the news or on sport channels when I channel surf except for the Olympics).
Do you still like Doctor Who?
Jul. 7th, 2012 11:49 pmIt's too hot for anything deep so instead watch the conversation through time and space. Because there is nothing like a conversation with your 12 year old self about Doctor Who.
Couldn't have not referenced this, could he?
BTW - you've seen the spoilers about who is coming back to DW, right?YES! Cannot wait. And the bowler hat is kind of cool. Matt Smith looks good in hats.
Couldn't have not referenced this, could he?
BTW - you've seen the spoilers about who is coming back to DW, right?
Crack for the nerds
Jun. 22nd, 2012 11:43 pmWrite Like the Wind George R. R. Martin (or at least like Steven Erikson) or don't so there be someone elected in a contest to finish your series after you die and endless complains. Anyway it certainly is a source of frustration that's usually just whining but sometimes results in something actually fun:
"Six page descriptions of every last meal" indeed. That's why I always wished for a Reader's Digest version. However I appreciate how they actually acknowledge both sides of this argument with nods to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
grrm is not your bitch stance.
"Six page descriptions of every last meal" indeed. That's why I always wished for a Reader's Digest version. However I appreciate how they actually acknowledge both sides of this argument with nods to
grrm is not your bitch stance.Audio Book version
Jun. 11th, 2012 10:31 pmI'm waiting for the Ice Cream Sandwich update for my phone (few months after Poland but first one in US) and here's something to occupy the mind until it comes through. John Scalzi's Hugo nominated epic fantasy - The Shadow War of the Night Dragons - Book One: The Dead City - has been dropped on this unsuspecting man. See what it does to the unprepared:
Black, weak and with no additives
Apr. 21st, 2012 11:12 pmThis not my usual kind of post but I have a strong feelings on the subject too. As a person who is frequently stuck between explaining how my tea should be prepared and refusing I totally get it. I just feel so much better making it myself the way I like it. Making tea is serious business.
Luck and predestination
Apr. 2nd, 2012 11:24 pmI'm sure you know all I wrote yesterday was a lie. I spent the day cleaning :P
However, I forgot to link the xkcd comic as I was to busy trying to find all the versions. Luckily, Umwelt is still working and the comic you'll see will depend on your location, browser, OS, link you used, network and many other things. Hunt them all or go here.
[My favourite one is the Earthquake North Carolina version but we didn't have to wait 6 months for hurricane. I also loved the plugin will never exist on my android phone. Even the variations on snake would have made it awesome. The totality of this is mindboggling]
The Final Showdown For The Worst Scifi Movie Ever Made: Battlefield Earth Vs. Catwoman is up right now on io9 and BE is winning. Well deserved. I was betting on it from the start.
It seems I had a little less luck in predicting the finalists of the Suvudu's Cage Match as both Rake and Granny are loosing their semifinals. Rake's against big, big fandom and Granny is against one that rallied (you can see it in how good her opponent has done lately). Well, at least it looks like I'll get my battle in the third place match.
Felicia's Day channel Geek & Sundry has just started and the first episodes are up including Felicia doing blacksmithing and Wil's Table top games but there is also something extra from the cast of The Guild:
However, I forgot to link the xkcd comic as I was to busy trying to find all the versions. Luckily, Umwelt is still working and the comic you'll see will depend on your location, browser, OS, link you used, network and many other things. Hunt them all or go here.
Umwelt is the idea that because their senses pick up on different things, different animals in the same ecosystem actually live in very different worlds. Everything about you shapes the world you inhabit --from your ideology to your glasses prescription to your browser window size.So I don't know what you will see. It's like we live in different worlds.
[My favourite one is the Earthquake North Carolina version but we didn't have to wait 6 months for hurricane. I also loved the plugin will never exist on my android phone. Even the variations on snake would have made it awesome. The totality of this is mindboggling]
The Final Showdown For The Worst Scifi Movie Ever Made: Battlefield Earth Vs. Catwoman is up right now on io9 and BE is winning. Well deserved. I was betting on it from the start.
It seems I had a little less luck in predicting the finalists of the Suvudu's Cage Match as both Rake and Granny are loosing their semifinals. Rake's against big, big fandom and Granny is against one that rallied (you can see it in how good her opponent has done lately). Well, at least it looks like I'll get my battle in the third place match.
Felicia's Day channel Geek & Sundry has just started and the first episodes are up including Felicia doing blacksmithing and Wil's Table top games but there is also something extra from the cast of The Guild:
Keeping with the news
Apr. 1st, 2012 10:45 pmI've spent the whole day in the pool watching the clouds move by but the news never stop and today was full of unexpected developments.
Tor announced that the bestselling fantasy trilogy Shadow War of the Night Dragon by John Scalzi has been turned into manga series due to its immense popularity.scott_lynch spouts accusations of bad writing, plagiarism and selling out all at once. Scalzi insists it's just jealousy. And the cesspool that is SFWA is once again exposed to the public.
Of course what we see now is nothing compared to what is coming. By the year 2018 the differences between subgenres will get so deep the Nebulas will become more dangerous then Middle East politics.
However, we have more burning problems as cats finally made their move for world domination. Beware of the indoctrination and brainwashing... Look, kitty!
Also Margaret Atwood Launches New SF Magazine. Entirety of Game of Thrones Season 2 has been leaked in some book. Lost Jane Austin fantasy book found among Conan's creator notes. And the musical Oscar! teaming up Oscar Wilde (Geoffrey Rush) with Oscar the Grouch (Carroll Spinney). And woot writers are at strike and all the write-ups are written by bots.
Almost can't believe it's all happening on Sunday.
Tor announced that the bestselling fantasy trilogy Shadow War of the Night Dragon by John Scalzi has been turned into manga series due to its immense popularity.
scott_lynch spouts accusations of bad writing, plagiarism and selling out all at once. Scalzi insists it's just jealousy. And the cesspool that is SFWA is once again exposed to the public.Of course what we see now is nothing compared to what is coming. By the year 2018 the differences between subgenres will get so deep the Nebulas will become more dangerous then Middle East politics.
However, we have more burning problems as cats finally made their move for world domination. Beware of the indoctrination and brainwashing... Look, kitty!
Also Margaret Atwood Launches New SF Magazine. Entirety of Game of Thrones Season 2 has been leaked in some book. Lost Jane Austin fantasy book found among Conan's creator notes. And the musical Oscar! teaming up Oscar Wilde (Geoffrey Rush) with Oscar the Grouch (Carroll Spinney). And woot writers are at strike and all the write-ups are written by bots.
Almost can't believe it's all happening on Sunday.
SuperHarmony
Mar. 3rd, 2012 09:55 pmTeam Unicorn climes important niche in dating sites - superhero matchmaking. It isn't just Christians and Jews who have special needs.
And I don't know how I could've missed this trailer to the classic MT3K fodder - Alien Beach Crashers:
And I don't know how I could've missed this trailer to the classic MT3K fodder - Alien Beach Crashers:
Sometimes I feel just like at home
Feb. 28th, 2012 11:59 pmIf i didn't recognise most of these men I could believe it was serious. I'm sure there are those who would just nod in agreement. Like all the church representatives back in Poland. Sometimes politics here reminds me what I vote against in Polish elections.
