Oh, Emerald City Comicon, where have you been all of my life? It was a truly great time for Cristi and me as we met fans from the Pacific North-West and beyond. This was our first trip to Seattle, and it definitely won't be our last. The area is incredible to see, which made our short visit even harder (we were only there through Sun-Mon and didn't get much time to see the sights... and Seattle has a sci-fi museum!). I went ahead and registered for next year's convention, so we'll definitely be headed back.

While in Seattle, we were hosted by Phil and Kaja Foglio, and we couldn't have asked for a better stay. As if being under the very roof where Girl Genius is made wasn't cool enough, we got to hang out in one of the most truly amazing domiciles I've ever been in. The sign in the bathroom alone was worth the trip: "Please do not flush while ship is inertialess." I've got to get one of those for our own house. Safety first, you know.

The con itself was non-stop fans and geeking out. Just about everyone in comics was represented there, even ones that were kind of on the fringe of the industry. I sketched a bunch too, with this one for "Space Monkey Comics" coming out particularly well, I think. Addendum: A scan of another sketch I did arrived via e-mail. It was done for a great Darth Vader costumer, and features the Sith Lord and Zodon! I was neighbors with both Here There be Robots, and the artist from "Spider-Man: Reign," Kaare Andrews. No, I didn't ask him about how Peter Parker's... "organic material" killing Mary Jane with cancer was dreamed up, though it was tempting. :) Also tempting was this item, but alas, it wouldn't have fit in my luggage. It's also kind of weird to think that it could probably all fit on one of those joystick-keychain things they sell for 5 bucks at Wal-Mart these days.

For those who've never run into me at a con, the Pulp Gamer Podcast interviewed me at GAMA, and and posted the results here. You can also get a feel for how my voice gets abused when I'm out at conventions; I do tend to go on and on with table visitors if the subject of TV, movies, comics, video games, RPGs, the internet, novelty music, or where the best restaurants are comes up.

But I said I'd been to Emerald City twice, and so I have: The wife and I went and saw "Wicked" for the first time this past week, and it's a darn good show. Only one tune really stuck in my head, "Popular," but the story is what grabbed me. In a nerdy-crossover moment, let me put forth the idea that "Wicked" is what the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy should have been: We knew Darth Vader, we knew a little about his past, but wouldn't it have been interesting to learn something suprising about him? I don't want to give away the play, but in "Wicked," we discover the origins of several Oz characters (according to this story, that is) as well as the early interaction between Glinda and Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). It also was a story about how "wickedness" can be applied to someone via public opinion, which was something I expected to happen to the Jedi in Episode III. Perhaps if Lucas were to write a musical...

I've also FINALLY witnessed the spectacle of "Iron Man." If you haven't gone yet (which would be a big suprise to me), you should go. Robert Downey Jr. is the perfect Tony Stark, the story is tight and doesn't have any terribly slow moments, and it's one of those films where two hours seems to fly past. I will say that there's a sequence that looks a LOT like an homage to Robocop 2, and Iron Man's superhero career consists of, what, about a week of movie-time? The now-famous Easter Egg after the credits fills me with hope, but I want the guys in charge of adapting superheroes to take note that Thor is very easy to get terribly, terribly wrong. On a trivial note, I patted myself on the back for noticing that one of the photos of Jeff Bridges as "Obidiah Stane" came from the movie, "Tucker."

Normally, I try to keep the links here clean, but I had to post this next set. Some preface: In the UK, there's a news-quiz show that's terribly funny called "Have I Got News for You." Currently, it has a series of guest-hosts anchoring the show, and recently, the geek icon Brian Blessed manned the center chair! Now, this is "uncut," so there's quite a bit of blue language, and it gets worse the longer it goes, so be warned. Anyway, here's part one, and the other 5 parts are in the "related videos" menu to the right. Vultan fans rejoice!

The first-run UK Doctor Who had a very clever twist to an old sci-fi setup, but it also introduced a new character that I'm not sure was the greatest idea. But I've been wrong before, so let's hope she's a good addition to the Who-niverse. Meanwhile, over in Battlestar Galactica, we got a bit more advancement towards Earth, I think, and thank the Lords of Kobol that we haven't seen a single flying motorcycle.

In other news, a Witchblade movie is in the works. My first exposure to the story came in the Yancy Butler TV series. The first season was the strongest, I think, with the exception of the second episode involving the guy with the flamethrower. The only other "hang on a minute" moment came with a remote-control snake that was, of all things, a fashion accessory for a photo shoot. The second season wasn't as coherent as the first, but it was still entertaining. I was rather looking forward to a third season when it was cancelled. So, I then sought out the comic. The comic wasn't the greatest thing I'd ever read; all of the female characters looked the same, and just about every story was an excuse for the Witchblade to undress its weilder. It came from the "bad girl" era of comics, so I guess that makes a kind of sense. I've not seen the Witchblade Anime, though I hear it has a reputation for being quite violent. So... there are multiple directions this movie could take, but I sure hope it doesn't follow the comic verbatim, at least not the early ones...

Links to make up for a lack of lucidity last Friday:

- A little Labyrinth behind-the-scenes: Contact juggling.
- I'd love to have this guy teach me some arts and crafts. Phenomenal!
- Time for some ninja-ing with Armed with Wings. Use your eagle and your sword to solve puzzles and vanquish foes.
- Not a very detailed trailer, but when a movie promises Moon Nazis, I think I need a ticket. "Iron Sky" looks like it'd belong next to "Sky Captain," I believe.
- Here's a game with an interesting mechanic: Planet of the Forklift Kid. Cleverly use (what else?) your forklift to reach the exit of each level.
- There's a new Galaxy Quest comic coming soon, where we can hopefully find out how Fred Kwan became Adrian Monk...
- Sadtrombone.com is a good site to keep handy the next time someone tells a joke that falls flat while you're at the computer.
- Something for the kids: Zombiez is a game you can break out at the next birthday party or other multi-kid gathering. Just be prepared to explain to the parents when the kiddos ask for brains on their mac & cheese.
- I'm always on the hunt for names when I'm writing, and this site could come in handy, especially if I ever start having martial arts characters that yell out the names of their attacks. If I do start doing that in a non-ironic way, please send help. :)
- Finally, this is the end of the internet. You know what to do...

Or, my own private web forum. As part of Gleemax, I now have a staff web forum that you can post to. You need a Gleemax account to post, but getting on is easy peasy.

Here's the forum's URL:

http://forums.gleemax.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=793

I have a log for my current D&D campaign there. I *think* anyone can start threads there, but I am not positive. If you can't, give me a holler here and I'll start a generic discussion thread.

After spending a few sad years away from Origins, I'm returning this year as a guest! I don't have my official schedule yet, but I'll be on hand to answer 4e questions and do the general guest sort of thing.

Origins is a really fun con. When I lived on the east coast and could drive to it, it was a great place to get in sessions of Earthdawn, Deadlands, Cthulhu, Shadowrun, and other games I don't normally get a chance to play. This year's event listing has just been posted on the Origins web site, so check it out!

http://www.originsgamefair.com/

Hello everyone!

I'm going to do my best to fill in for my sister while she's off gallivanting about. Please let me know if you have suggestions!

So, my first prompt is:

With a scream

~Your Interim Moderator

lady_revenant

Yesterday I had nachos. I like nachos.




















I didn't really have nachos. :(

So the other day I was riding on my motorcycle with my trusty helmet on (it's a stupid law, I should be able to explode my head like a pumpkin on the sidewalk if I want to! DAMN THE MAN) and came to a stop at a stop sign in a neighborhood, and omg you will not believe what happened. This ferocious beast of a dog ran out and tried to attack me. I had my two kids strapped to me sans helmets (only the driver needs one right??) as it leapt toward us tongue hanging out and tail wagging so I had plenty of armor to protect me from it's obvious raging rabies episode at least. Still, I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEBODY LET THAT BEAST OF A COCKER SPANIEL LOOSE. You could just look at it and see how dirty and mangy it was with it's shiny coat and ribbons on its recently brushed ears. I wanted to shoot it, but my gun was wedged between me and one of the kids so it was hard to get to.

Anyway before I could get the safety off this little girl comes out and calls the beast back to her so I screamed at her and told her how lucky she was because I could call the cops and sue and stuff. She couldn't have been more than 7 or 8, but that little bitch was ghetto and devious and I could see her plotting how to take over the world using her little evil cocker spaniel minion to attack innocent law abiding upstanding superior better than you citizens until she's rid the world of us all. Everyone knows cocker spaniels are evil.

That's why I don't drive through streets with sidewalks anymore. Fucking hell.

http://www.shadowrun4.com/wordpress/?p=228

The third Saturday of the month is rapidly approaching, and that means that it’s time for the monthly Catalyst Game Labs Shadowrun chat. This month, we’ll be opening things up to a general Shadowrun Q&A. So, come with your questions in hand, and the Shadowrun team will do their best to field them.

As usual, this will be held at the BattleCorps Shadowrun web chat. So, stop by Saturday, May 17th at 10AM Pacific Daylight Time.

To the writers of all_unwritten:

Hey everyone! I've so enjoyed sharing this community with you. However this summer I am off to backpack my way through Europe so your new mod will be my sister lady_revenant. She'll do her best to post prompts for you guys so everyone can continue to beat that writer's block back. Please show her the same kindness you have shown me and I'll be checking in with you guys when I can on my travels. If anyone wants to keep in touch with me personally please comment on my personal journal to be added as a friend. I'll be back to posting prompts in about two months. So until then I'll miss you guys! Keep enjoying the community!

~Your Friendly Neighborhood Mod
lady_aduial

violets are blue

"Laugher Is A Powerful Weapon" CDs Volumes 1 and 2, this month just $9.99 each with all sales to benefit natural disaster victims in China and Myanmar. 

Spread the word. Thanks.

Damn! I just ate another whole squash! This one spaghetti squash, which, as advertised, does comb out into little strands when you cook it! It's crazy.

Got done outlining today - tomorrow is practice exam and watching Eric's graduation. I forgot his LJ name, or I'd do the fancy tags for it. And then... last final of Spring 08! But it's not over then because then we get to apply to journals via some essay mechanism. Whatever. Then I get to start working at a real job!

The weather is insane here - down into the 40s for mid May! In related news, a note from rov and I. You're allowed to doubt the veracity of global warming, if you absolutely must, but please, I think we all know that it doesn't mean that the temperate zones are going to turn into fun tropical paradises. The term refers to increased heat - which is a form of energy - in the global system, which means higher temperatures in SOME places but also more violent storms, more droughts here, more famines there (in a relative sense) - more erratic weather, on the whole.

These random notes are inspired by various conversations and are a prime manifestation of the deep, crippling esprit de l'escalier with which I am tragically afflicted. It takes me at least a day to come up with these rejoinders. This is why I don't do "spirited conversations", y'all. One of so many reasons.

Enjoy the week! My last in NYC and hopefully the last time I wear a winter coat until MANY months in the future.