Walter Jon Williams's Blog, page 53

Running Like a Deere

On Saturday came a fortunate coincidence both I and my little tractor were feeling well enough to get some yard work done. The tractor had been ill longer than I had.  I usually plan to kick off yard work season in February, just after we burn the dried-out weeds and leaves from the previous year, but weather delayed the weed-burning, and just when I was planning on getting the tractor out, it turned out to have a dead battery.  But thats normal tractor batteries are generally good for only a...

The Other Game

Fans of Wild Cards have long known that the series was inspired by a superhero roleplaying game run by George R.R. Martin.  But there was another superhero campaign going on, with more or less the same set of players, and that was run by me. Over on the Wild Cards site, you can find a brief essay explaining my vital contribution to the superhero oeuvre.

Screenings in the Sickroom

Ive been sick for 10 days now, and I improve day by day.  I am only rarely doubled over with coughing.  Occasionally my eyes will uncross and I can read and even plan ten or fifteen minutes into the future.  Kathys illness is about three or four days behind mine, but then hers isnt as severe, so shes doing well too. I dont think weve got COVID, and now that Im almost over it, Im almost sorry its not.  If I were recovering from COVID, I could relax a bit right now, because my immune system...

Kali in the Age of COVID

 

[thanks to Pat Cadigan]

Rates of Infection

So, lets compare infection and mortality rates in the different countries!  Heres a useful video courtesy of the BBC. Who wins? Who loses?

 

Now We Are Sick

So.  Apparently I started the self-isolation thing a little late, because I am now unwell. Its a common cold, so far as I can tell, but just because everyones talking about one virus doesnt mean the others go on holiday.  I started coughing on Wednesday, which raised a modest amount of concern, but I didnt have the continuous dry cough thats a symptom of COVID 19, nor did I have a fever, and until those things happened I was going to stay off the hot line, and let it try to help people who...

Hang On Little Tomato

All things being normal, Id mosey to a cocktail bar tonight, then walk down the street to the Kimo, the worlds only art-deco pueblo revival theater, to see Pink Martini. But things arent normal, I wont be in any theater anytime soon, and if I drink any cocktails Ill have to make them myself. But I can still listen to Pink Martini, albeit at some remove.  So here they are with a timely message, in Hang On Little Tomato.

The New Profiteers

Something I heard just today.  A couple weeks ago, before COVID really hit New Mexico, trucks from Texas appeared in nearly every community and bought up toilet paper from every outlet, including convenience stories like 7-11, then carried them back home. I kind of admire the enterprise of these guys, but I also want to shoot them in the head. Reno, are you there? Yes. Hand this Texans ass to him.

Ten Days to Shake the World

Youve go t ten days left to apply for Taos Toolbox, the master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, this year with Nancy Kress, George RR Martin, EM Tippetts, and myself. Theres a hard deadline of April 1.  Not to be pushy or anything, but you should probably get that manuscript in the mail.

In Place

Im rusticating in place these days.  Not because Im showing symptoms of COVID 19, but because our governor has closed all theaters, gyms, bars, and restaurants (other than take-out).  My karate school has closed, and so has my masseuse.  I should be in Orlando right now for the International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts, but it got canceled (and left me stuck with a non-refundable $700 hotel reservation).  The Jack Williamson Lectureship is moving to next autumn. Theres no place to...