I’m not reading the whole article yet, but some Torchwood writers (including the actor who played Mickey the idiot) attended Comic-Con this year and talked about stuff, including (according to Whedonesque) what would happen if Captain Jack met Captain Reynolds.
Two items I did note: Torchwood starts this weekend on BBC America, and Russell Davies was not mentioned among the first set of named SDCC attendees.
I’ll read the whole article after I’ve seen some Torchwood.
Author Archives: Craig
Innocents Aboard Review
Innocents Aboard, Wolfe. Yes. It’s Gene Wolfe, which is enough reason to read it. As with all collections of stories I’ve ever read, the quality is variable, but it’s all Wolfe. The best writer I personally know once said something like “Gene Wolfe scares me.” What I would mean if I were to say that is that much of the time, I’m sure he’s doing things that I’m not even aware of. Fortunately, comprehension is not a prerequisite for appreciation.
The Companions and The Margarets Review
The Companions and The Margarets, Tepper. Yes. I read these two books in rapid succession, the first Tepper I had read in a long time, and there’s a reassuring consistency to her preaching. Since I am largely the choir, it doesn’t grate as much as it might, and her writing is solid enough. I was interested to note that her craft is not entirely without seam, though the primary reason I first noted the most memorable seam was that she hung a lamp on it (and a somewhat humorous lamp, at that; due credit), and exposition is always tricky. I have opted to combine the reviews, because I have trouble keeping the books separate in my head. I was thinking maybe I’d say something like, “If you only want to read one, then choose—” but, really, I expect if you enjoy Tepper, you’ll enjoy both. If you don’t, you won’t enjoy either.
Another one studies the dust
First, he went to the Canary Islands to gather more data, then he turned in his thesis, now he’s passed the orals (category two, meaning he “must make a few amendments to his work in the coming weeks”). I expect we’ll get one more news bump when he actually gets handed the sheepskin next Spring.
Construction update
I found it interesting to run across what was going to be where the Bellevue DQ used to be, along with an earlier version of the current plan. I had also not heard about/noticed/remembered the danger on the site.
A disturbing trend
It would be a shame to see text message voting banned here. On the other hand, everything I’ve seen indicates that US contest administrators are avoiding the abuses that caused it to be axed over there (and maybe the axing is Channel 4-specific).
Advertising works, dammit
Per the Motley Fool:
Sonic stands apart from peers McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Yum! Brands for its aggressive use of national TV advertising, introducing its concept to locales that have yet to see one of its signature drive-ins.
The result? Anticipation. Says Hudson: “Our average unit volume in these newer drive-ins, in these newer states, [where] we’ve had several years of national advertising … are averaging over $2 million in sales.”
Nothing to hide?
Here‘s why you should still care about privacy. I haven’t read the whole article, but it cites Bruce Schneier, so it can’t be all bad.
Pox Party Review
The astonishing life of Octavian Nothing, traitor to the nation; v.1, The Pox Party, Anderson. No. While the writing is not painful, it never really raises itself to the level of true goodness. The most interesting aspects of the book are historical, and, as the author points out in an afterword, you should read history if you’re interested in the history.