For future reference

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.

What's my Theme?

I was quite fascinated by the assortment, cheapness, and eclecticity of the items sold by DealExtreme. My only guess is that it’s the output from a particular industrial city in China.

Some highlights:
Digital Buddhist Jukebox in Tibetan (5 Songs) $4
The Poking Man Pen Stand $8.72
Piggy USB 2.0 Multi-Memory Card Reader $5.74
Islamic Qibla Al-KAAB Compass $3.81
Sitting Pose Corrector and Reminder Alarm $8.43
Electronic Breast Enhancer and Massager $13.01
USB Heated Gloves Set $9.44

Title of the Day

Today’s title of the day is Cheetah Math: Learning About Division from Baby Cheetahs. Since, of course, cheetahs are the undisputed division kings of the jungle.

You knew, in your heart of hearts

Finally right there, in black and white, how American International Pictures developed a film:

“We do our planning backwards: Get what sounds like a title that will arouse interest [Think: “Dragstrip Girl” and “Night of the Blood Beast”], then a monster or gimmick; then figure what our advertising is going to consist of.

“Then we bring in a writer to provide a script to fit the title and concept.

“Now we bring in the producer–though he may have been in during the writing of the script earlier. Four of our producers are also writers and one, [Roger] Corman is also a director.”

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.