Planning for the Fall
So, I have a busy fall (and could use more subscriptions ;). I am going to Michigan to road trip with some friends at the end of August. We’re mostly going...
Warp Beasts and Sith
Because we’re talking a bit about monsters. The Ark 2.2 “Kill Or Be Killed” With so few humans left, they really need to stop threatening to airlock...
It's The Little Things
I was watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony. My favorite part was the animatronic horse. My second favorite was the balloon cauldron. My least favorite part...
Gardens and Countries
Review: Young Woman in a Garden Stories by Delia Sherman I haven’t actually encountered Sherman before, although she’s been around for a while and been quite...
Awards Season Isn't Over Yet
There are a lot of SFF awards. And I’m honored to have been nominated for one! It’s the Washington Science Fiction Society Small Press Award for Short...
Copies, Copies, and More Copies
The Ark 2.1 “Failed Experiment” You know, the thing between this show and being good is a lack of understanding of the Problem Story. They simply don’t get...
Originals and Replicas – Why Museums Should Display Both
Stephenson’s Rocket moves around a lot, but in 2019 the precious locomotive was moved to the National Railway Museum in York, supposedly long term, although...
Finishing Off the Hugo Packet
It’s done! All voted! Reviews of the last two here. Right now I’m reading some comics, but then I have two 2024 books I got in the Nebulas book bag to go...
All the Conventions
So, first off, please join me at the Ivy City Atlas Brewing Company (not Navy Yard) on Sunday from 2 to 6. Yes, two in two weeks…for reasons. We’ll have...
Printout Shenanigans
Orphan Black: Echoes 1.2 “Jules” So, Lucy has abducted Jules and taken her to the AA safe house (because there’s an AA safe house, because of course there...
Forecasting the Weather
Blame the fact that it’s been too hot all week for this post. When I was a kid, the U.K. had a special kids’ meteorologist. His forecasts weren’t any more...
The Power of Music and Art
Review: Abeni’s Song by P. Djèli Clark Not many authors can do adult and middle grade with the same deft touch. Clark is one of them. Abeni’s Song is a...
See You Sunday
All local folks, please join me on Sunday afternoon at Settle Down Easy Brewing Company, 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church, VA, 2pm to 6pm (although we may be...
Why Are Pilots Titled Pilot? Be More Creative...
Review: Orphan Black: Echoes 1.1 “Pilot” I wasn’t sure what to expect from the sequel to Orphan Black. I wasn’t quite expecting this. Set in the 2050s, it at...
One, Two, Three Kinky Ladies - Sex Worker Positivity in Midsomer Murders
Sometimes, I watch detective shows. I don’t typically review them here because it’s not the focus, but I do watch them.Lately, I’ve been poking around...
Buried In Non Fiction
I’m still plowing through the non-fiction parts of the Hugo packet, but am about to move on to the Lodestar. Which means there will be reviews again. I have...
What a Week
Happy Independence Day, U.S. of A. Happy Yeet the Tories Day, U.K. Look, I don’t often talk about politics here, but that was quite an election. The Tory...
So...Uh...
Guess who hasn’t watched any spec fic TV this week. Yeah, that will be me.What have I been watching?Recorded science panels from Balticon. Midsomer Murders,...
But AI Is Great For The Environment - According to that One Study in Nature
This paper has started to circulate. It’s in Nature and appears to have been peer reviewed. So, is it true? Should I give up writing or use AI to write...
Ready for Summer Reading?
It is that time of year. I have two reviews this week, of very different books.Review: Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle Chuck Tingle is a satirical smut writer,...