Richard Dansky's Blog, page 66
August 7, 2009
Ah, Sweet Realization
I got into a minor flame war over on Craig Calcaterra's masterful Shysterball blog, largely because I used the term "witch hunt" in reference to the way in which certain aspects of baseball's "steroid scandal" have been handled, and one of the other commenters took exception to my usage. We went back and forth a few times. Straw men were constructed. Special pleading was done. Facts were neatly sidestepped. It was, in fact, a pretty bog-standard internet argument.
And then, about three or four ex
And then, about three or four ex
August 6, 2009
Culinary Update of Some Portent
As my brilliant wife, who would know, constantly reminds me, there is nothing unique about Black Angus beef. There are numerous other types of beef cattle that are just as, for lack of a better word, nummy.
With that in mind, a McDonalds Black Angus burger remains, permanently, hopelessly and ineluctably, a McDonald's burger*.
That is all. Thank you.
*with the added caveat that "bacon" and "chewy" are two words that you don't want in the same sentence.
With that in mind, a McDonalds Black Angus burger remains, permanently, hopelessly and ineluctably, a McDonald's burger*.
That is all. Thank you.
*with the added caveat that "bacon" and "chewy" are two words that you don't want in the same sentence.
Mild Irony
I am not at WorldCon, in Montreal, in part because I am charging full ahead for a project based in Montreal.
On the other hand, my last WorldCon was a fairly horrifying experience*, and I'm terrified by the possibility of the intersection of Klingons, hockey sweaters, and poutine. So, maybe it's for the best.
*File that one under "stories I'm not allowed to tell, White Wolf fiction division"
On the other hand, my last WorldCon was a fairly horrifying experience*, and I'm terrified by the possibility of the intersection of Klingons, hockey sweaters, and poutine. So, maybe it's for the best.
*File that one under "stories I'm not allowed to tell, White Wolf fiction division"
August 4, 2009
How Many Writers Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?
Ten.
One to change the light bulb.
Four to say that they'd already had the idea for changing a light bulb, but they didn't want to show anyone what they were doing until they'd polished their light-bulb-changing.
Two to point out that someone else had already changed a light bulb, so changing another one was unoriginal and thus not worthwhile.
Three to call light bulbs a new technology that was going to be catastrophic for traditional candlelight-driven writers.
And one to figure out that writers are
One to change the light bulb.
Four to say that they'd already had the idea for changing a light bulb, but they didn't want to show anyone what they were doing until they'd polished their light-bulb-changing.
Two to point out that someone else had already changed a light bulb, so changing another one was unoriginal and thus not worthwhile.
Three to call light bulbs a new technology that was going to be catastrophic for traditional candlelight-driven writers.
And one to figure out that writers are
My Life According to Richard Thompson (Silly Meme Division)
Courtesy of the estimable Robert Fleck:
Rules: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to at least 15 people and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think...
**********************
Pick your Artist: Richard Thompson
Are you a male or female? Fully Qualified to Be A Man
Describe yourself: Old Man Inside a Young Man
How do you feel: I’ll Regret It All In the Morning
Describe where you currently li
Rules: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to at least 15 people and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think...
**********************
Pick your Artist: Richard Thompson
Are you a male or female? Fully Qualified to Be A Man
Describe yourself: Old Man Inside a Young Man
How do you feel: I’ll Regret It All In the Morning
Describe where you currently li
August 2, 2009
Family Games: The 100 Best
I'm pleased to note that I've been asked to contribute an essay to Family Games: The 100 Best, the follow-up to the Origins Award-winning Hobby Games: The 100 Best. No, I can't tell you what I'm writing about, but I will say that it's a pleasure to once again work with the estimable James Lowder, who's editing the book, and to be included on the list of contributors.
What list of contributors, you ask? Well, if you want the gory details, read on...
FAMILY GAMES: THE 100 BEST
Mike Gray: Foreword
J
What list of contributors, you ask? Well, if you want the gory details, read on...
FAMILY GAMES: THE 100 BEST
Mike Gray: Foreword
J
Ten Years Ago Today...
...I thought I was going to die.
I was driving a loaded UHaul up I-85, having chased all over Atlanta to find the truck I'd been promised. With the able generous assistance of Mr. Aaron Voss - my housemates having overdosed on Vampire LARP the night before - I'd packed up my stuff and headed north in a truck that had given vague hints of transmission dyspepsia before I'd even gotten it off the lot. A wiser man would have demanded another truck, but as I'd spent all morning chasing down this one,
I was driving a loaded UHaul up I-85, having chased all over Atlanta to find the truck I'd been promised. With the able generous assistance of Mr. Aaron Voss - my housemates having overdosed on Vampire LARP the night before - I'd packed up my stuff and headed north in a truck that had given vague hints of transmission dyspepsia before I'd even gotten it off the lot. A wiser man would have demanded another truck, but as I'd spent all morning chasing down this one,
July 31, 2009
Michael Jack Schmidt Flipped My Father the Bird
30 years ago, Mike Schmidt flipped my father the bird.
For those of you who are baseball fans, this is probably amusing and/or impressive. For those of you who are not, Michael Jack Schmidt was the perennial all-star third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies teams of my youth, a Hall of Famer and the man widely regarded as the greatest third baseman ever to play the game.
And he flipped my father off.
Not that Dad didn't necessarily deserve it. He was at the game with some friends when Schmidt bo
For those of you who are baseball fans, this is probably amusing and/or impressive. For those of you who are not, Michael Jack Schmidt was the perennial all-star third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies teams of my youth, a Hall of Famer and the man widely regarded as the greatest third baseman ever to play the game.
And he flipped my father off.
Not that Dad didn't necessarily deserve it. He was at the game with some friends when Schmidt bo
July 29, 2009
Fifteen Important Things Learned At This Past Weekend's 3 Day Party
1. It’s best for the party if the cross-dressing happens after 3 AM. Before then, it gets in the way of the Rock Band.
2. Mexican wrestling masks are best saved for special occasions.
3. The words “Are flames supposed to be coming out the back?” are not necessarily ones you want to hear.
4. “Don’t Stop Believing” works surprisingly well when sung in one’s best Dr. Zoidberg voice.
5. Someone always wants another shot of salmiakkikossu. This is generally not someo
July 28, 2009
Peanut Butter Jelly Storytellers Unplugged Time
Because I am, in fact, a wretched curmudgeon who did in fact read too much Jane Austen in college, I give you Pride and Prejudice and Bitching and Moaning.
No zombies, though. At least not this month.
No zombies, though. At least not this month.
