Tad Williams's Blog, page 38
January 22, 2011
Covered with Dog Hair
21 January 2011
Due to distractions tonight I have been just picking things up, reading for ten minutes, and putting them down again — some Raymond Chandler, a 70s Flash comic, Roberto Callaso lecture on Mallarmé, some Thurber, and one of Scott Adams' Dilbert management books. I can never find whatever I was reading last. My head has gone completely ker@#%$ety-bang.
via Marc Laidlaw. I agree completely. The social skills involved in my eleven year old daughter's daily life are dazzling.
Amy Chua Is a Wimp
www.nytimes.com
"Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" may denounce soft American-style parenting, but its author shelters her children from the truly arduous experiences necessary to achieve.
Consider yourself part of the furniture. (That means you're covered with dog hair.)
He was no sucker.
Memorial for World Cup oracle octopus
www.bbc.co.uk
Paul, the German octopus famous for correctly predicting each of Germany's 2010 World Cup matches, has been given his own permanent memorial, three months after his death at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen.
20 January 2011
This actually raises a very important point about progressive politics.
The Deal with Palin
www.talkingpointsmemo.com
When my colleague David published the letter from TPM Reader BW taking us to task for our coverage of Sarah Palin I knew he was poking a hornet's nest. And your emails confirmed my assumption. I thought David put it...
19 January 2011
This is extremely cool.
The Dreaded Stairs [HQ] — video on Facebook
There is a set of stairs, with a moving escalator next to it .... both of which lead to the same spot on the floor of the upper level. At first no one took the stairs, almost 97% of the people took the escalator. Okay. I think that could be a normal expected result. Then a group of engineers got together, and decided they wanted to change the percentage around. Notice what these scientists did. Clever huh. And now they have reversed the percentages, as a whopping 66% more people take the stairs, than ride the escalator.
You have to look under "shows", and then under "other", but there you will finally see Fatu pictures. Ah, Fatu — the South Sea's gift to Elvis lovers.
18 January 2011
I like this photographer's pictures a lot. The first one might be slightly NSFW depending on where you work.
Exhibitions | TAG | Tavi Art Gallery
www.taviartgallery.com
The first item on my Bucket List is, "Live forever." I figure that will give me more time to get to the other items.
The children are home. The yelling has recommenced.
Finally got to see the Coen's "True Grit." Other than the prettiness of the main actress (it's hard to believe anyone would call her plain) there's not an untrue note in the whole thing and it's shot brilliantly. A very, very fine movie.
17 January 2011
I am so far behind on everything. Maybe if I just stand still a little longer all of my work will lap me and then I'll be caught up again.
Lovely day playing loud music with friends and then having quiet but entertaining conversations with family members, as well as a lot of huddling time with young nephews and storybooks.
January 17, 2011
A Bad Case of Esoterica
16 January 2011
My profile picture says, "I'm still a Pisces, and if you want to change my astrological sign, you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead horoscope."
I worry about myself sometimes. The rest of the time I figure, eh, I'll come out all right in the long run.
15 January 2011
I WANT YOU to Get Off of My Desk.
"I look pretty tall but my heels are high."
14 January 2011
Another excellent Cyanide and Happiness. I think the guy who does it must live at my house and I just haven't noticed him somehow.
13 January 2011
I'm brushing my teeth. So?
Hey, Trent, look! Something ELSE to do!
Silk
weavesilk.com
Create your own generative art with Silk.
Renée Fleming singing "Chi Il Bel Sogno di Doretto" from Puccini's Rondine. Yes, to die for.
I have a bad case of esoterica tonight.
January 13, 2011
A Note about Partisanism
12 January 2011
Wonderful Understatement Department: A NatReview op-ed by J. Goldberg about Sarah Palin's use of the phrase "blood libel" begins: "I should have said this a few days ago...but I think that the use of this particular term in this context isn't ideal."
No, considering that the term has a centuries-old history and is specific to the murderous anti-Semitism, it probably isn't ideal for the right wing to "borrow"it.
11 January 2011
A Note about Partisanism
Just wanted to mention that in the last hour I've had two very sensible and humane responses from conservative friends whom I emailed about our online disagreements over the Arizona shootings.
This makes me want to emphasize my own very strong belief that a huge majority of liberals and conservatives in this country hate violence and hope for the same kinds of things for their families and communities and country. We just differ on what we think are the best ways to go about it.
That doesn't mean I'm taking back anything I said, mind you, but I'm going to try to be a bit less heated about stating my beliefs so I can communicate better and hear others better.
Sadly, my gig writing Aquaman comics ended before I could introduce Scuba-Doo, the Diving Dog.
It's going to be busy, busy, busy until late March. Then I'm going to kick back for about five or six hours and do nothing. Just try and stop me.
January 10, 2011
Sometimes I Lie To Our Turtle
9 January 2011
What a weird weekend. Tragedy and trivium and everything in between. Best wishes for happiness and good health to all — and I mean to ALL.
I am bitterly amused to see that many of the same people who call an Islamic cultural center several blocks away from Ground Zero a "mosque on Ground Zero" are now lamenting the "rush to judgement" by people who are apparently "politicizing a tragedy."
8 January 2011
The Glenn Becks and Sarah Palins of the world need to look to the results of their hate-filled, violent rhetoric. They're preaching hatred and all-is-justified to people who often have a tenuous grasp on sanity.
Flashback: Giffords Warned Of 'Consequences' To Palin's Target Imagery (VIDEO)
tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com
Back in March 2010, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) responded to the use of violent imagery and heated political rhetoric from conservative activists — mentioning Sarah Palin's use of crosshairs on a map over Democratic-held districts such as hers.
Profile Picture: "Captain Pigg, what is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies and see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.
Oh, and carrots."
Batmobile. Every variant. Extremely geeky. Yay!
This Is Every Batmobile Ever
jalopnik.com
Of all comic book fantasy vehicles, the Batmobile claims a special place among fans and car geeks alike, but few realize just how many variations there have been over the last 70 years. Here's every Batmobile ever drawn or built.
"...And so on and so on, blah blah woof woof."
—Jimi Hendrix, quoting my dogs
6 January 2011
So since she doesn't want to use it anymore, you may now call ME "Snooki". In fact, I'm going to insist on it.
defamer.gawker.com
Jersey Shore heffalump Snooki told the Daily News that she'd like to be called by her real name, Nicole, now that she's a published author. Here are some good reasons why that will never happen.
Clearly the folks in the Virginia DMV don't share my sense of humor.
Virginia DMV Revokes World's Greatest License Plate
jalopnik.com
A man in possession of the world's greatest license plate has lost his battle with the Virginia DMV, who ridiculously claim it encourages oral sex with kids instead of just cannibalism. Here's their predictably unfunny response to the funny plate.
Sometimes I lie to our turtle. Tonight I told him, "I didn't forget to feed you for six days, it was a special spa treatment. And you look wonderful!"
Dudley Do-right serves as an example (metaphorically speaking) of many if not most adult relationships: Dudley loves Nell Fenwick, but Nell loves Dudley's horse.
January 6, 2011
These Aren't Oompa-Loompas
5 January 2011
Exciting happenings in the back yard. These aren't Oompa-loompas — that's a big tree.
Remember, monkeys aren't just our cousins, they're also my heroes.
That was a prophetic profile picture I put in this morning. Clearly I was trying to warn myself about putting too much Sriracha sauce in my V-8 juice, as I just did. Whoof!
4 January 2011
Today I am working all day. Work, work, work. So why am I so happy? I'm not even on drugs or anything.
3 January 2011
It's important because it's Science.
University of Salford Tests Enormous Whoopee Cushion for Science (The One)
www.urlesque.com
I'm no scientist, but I'm guessing that the people over at the University of Salford are doing some really next-level, groundbreaking research
A fab jam and a spectacular video. Try some now!
Blockhead - The Music Scene
www.youtube.com
Taken from the 2010 Blockhead album 'The Music Scene', more info at http://www.ninjatune.net/blockhead Animated/Directed by Anthony F. Schepperd.
In this article, it quotes the prophet Jeremiah calling ancient Babylon "a gold cup in the Lord's hands, a cup that made the whole earth drunk."
Is that a gorgeous line or what? You go, prophet!
After Ravages of Time and War, Triage to Save Babylon
www.nytimes.com
Archaeologists and preservationists are turning to ancient sites in Iraq to combat any further deterioration.
2 January 2011
Couldn't get to sleep until about 4am because JUDGEMENT DAY plotlines were slithering around in my head like snakes in springtime. Fun, but lousy timing.
I would follow this young woman into battle with Life any old time.
Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"
www.youtube.com
Jessica has a day where she's feeling ... really good about her life. (December 2001)
The really poetic thing in the Life of Tad is that because of the general chaos of the holiday season and then a massive tree-fall in our yard, the inside and outside of our house are in identical condition.
January 2, 2011
Not Quite Ready
1 January 2011
I'm not quite ready to embrace a new year.
You know I was celebrating at least ONE good thing about 2010...
31 December 2010
Come home safe to next year, my friends.
Richard III? Swamp Thing? No, it's just Girl in the middle of streaking her hair green for the post-break return to school.
30 December 2010
6500 bucks to clear away the little trees from our big crash. Another 12K for the fallen big one. I think the big one should stay and become a natural part of the hillside, don't you?
Okay, I'm only doing this once. Now, everybody watch, go "Aww!", then leave me alone.
The Best Cat Videos of 2010 in 90 Seconds
tv.gawker.com
Each year, the Internet blesses us with a seemingly endless array of cat videos, and 2010 was no different! From cute to curmudgeonly, sappy to scary, tame to thrilling, and more, here's our compilation of the year's best feline-focused offerings.
December 30, 2010
Timber
29 December 2010
Awesome, yes, but I'm not looking forward to the clean-up...
Aren't you glad you weren't taking tea with us in the back yard?
Just had a 100-foot redwood tree come down in the back yard. Here's our ratty old rattan sitting-area, post-crash. The base of the tree that came down looks to be about six feet in diameter, but it's beyond my reach at the moment because of all kinds of big horizontal trees.
Lovely.
The High Definite » The Beauty Of Pixar
www.thehighdefinite.com
After spending 11 days re-watching all 11 Pixar feature films, Leandro Braga took 500 hand-selected scenes and made an amazing tribute to the best animation studio on the planet.
Now THIS is a god worth a comic book. Step off, Mighty Thor.
5 Real Deleted Bible Scenes In Which Jesus Kicks Some Ass
www.cracked.com
I would like someone to retcon me without joint pain. Or reboot me darker and grimmer, so that at least I could get some story mileage out of it.
Got halfway through the second Indiana Jones movie tonight when we realized it was way, WAY too much for our youngest. I forgot it was pretty grisly, what with the monkey brains and the hearts torn beating from human chests. Also Kate Capshaw.
28 December 2010
As this rainy Tuesday fades out, I'm reminded of the fact that it's named after Tyr, the one-handed Norse war god. Because of that, he was linked to their god Mars by the Romans, thus the "Mardi" of "Mardi Gras" — Fat Tuesday.
I finally figured out how to stop the cursed cat from bothering me at night (by treading on the keyboard, getting between me and the monitor, clawing gently at my leg for attention, etc.) I simply turn on the gooseneck reading lamp and lower it a bit and he basks under the warm bulb happily for an hour without bothering me once. You CAN teach an old dog new cat-tricks.
27 December 2010
Today's profile picture from the Sebastian Krüger website.
http://www.sebastiankruger.org/index.htm
Wonderful work, especially his blues legends.
The Art of Sebastian Krüger
www.sebastiankruger.org
26 December 2010
We had a very, very nice Christmas, an immediate-family morning and then a full-on Evans/Williams/kith-and-kin wingdaggle over in Santa Cruz. Everybody healthy and happy, the niece (our Girl) and Boy and all the various nephewlim Wii'd on each other for hours while the grownups ate, drank, and had some really good conversations. Many laughs were laughed. Perfecto.
December 25, 2010
More Nog, Mateys
25 December 2010
Having a lovely morning. Hope you're having the same.
24 December 2010
Christmas Eve is breathing on the back of our necks, slouching toward Bethlehem like a cat with sore paws. I can smell a long, late-night wrapping session in the air. More nog, mateys, and damned be he who first cries "Boxing Day!"
From the Catalonian region of Spain, it's Christmas favorite Uncle Pooping Log!
Quit whining, kid, or you'll lose the rest of 'em.
Why not? It's Multiple (and Merry) Meme-tastic!
Scary. But true.
Going to upload a few pictures that didn't quite make the cut for my Christmas Profile Picture. (Which is less spectacular than many of them, but very Tad.) First — Santa.D.O.K.!
Just to keep in perspective what's really important this time of year, here's a nativity scene. Made of tasty meat products.
23 December 2010
(via Jeff VanderMeer) I would worry too much about hurting people's feelings to write an omnibus review like this, so I value it all the more.
Worst Fiction, 2010! | stevereads
www.openlettersmonthly.com
It would be audacious to offer a common link for so many works conceived in so many different environments over so many years, and yet offer it I do!
December 23, 2010
A Christmas Lesson
22 December 2010
A Christmas Lesson
Many years ago at this season six year old Boy was trying to impress our good fortune on his baby sister.
"There are people who can't even afford Christmas trees."
"Really?"
"Yes, it's true. There are people who don't have any money or homes or allowances or anything. They're naked and they have to be alone."
He finished in a dramatic whisper.
"They have no pie. They live in the wild."
A rare video of a young George W. Bush opening presents.
BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS!?!?!?!
www.youtube.com
Ummm...
Boy goes crazy over a Pokemon Card...
www.youtube.com
ITS BLASTOISEEEEEEEEEEE BBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSS TTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIISSSSS EEEEEEEEE
I have Shopped. I am broke but virtuous. Well, except for helping to prop up the outmoded capitalist system for another twelve months. But I'm sure we'll fix that next year...
No tree yet. Presents still unbought. A zillion things to do.
I feel a nearly uncontrollable urge to nap.
21 December 2010
Despite being non-religious I can still get a shiver of spiritual connection out of Christmas carols — the religious ones, I mean, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, O Little Town of Bethlehem, like that. I don't get a big boost out of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer or anything.
Remember: The most cosmic time of the week is Tuesday, after lunch.
December 21, 2010
My Fabulous Wife's Birthday
19 December 2010
(via Chandler McGrew) Any of my conservative but sensible friends out there got some ideas about holding these people's feet to the fire?
ThinkProgress » Kyl Denies Health Care For 9/11 Rescue Workers Because He Doesn't Want To...
thinkprogress.org
Committed to the obstruction of any Democratic priority, Senate Republicans successfully blocked the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that gives desperately-needed compensation to first responders who contracted serious illnesses while working at Ground Zero.
Today is my fabulous wife's birthday. (Not suggesting I have other, less fabulous wives, btw.) Would like to give her diamonds, but in light of current economic realities, I bought her a lovely coal necklace. (I wanted anthracite, but the clerk told me I couldn't afford it.)
Life gets so thick and tangled sometimes. Not necessarily in a bad way, but the bonds of connection with (and obligations to) my fellow humans seem often to carry me through an entire day as though I were a marionette. Then, suddenly, the curtain comes down and it's time to go to bed.
18 December 2010
(via Marc Laidlaw) These are amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful. Thanks for the pointer, Marc.
Lori Nix's Stunning, Tiny Dioramas Depict an Abandoned World [Slideshow] | Co.Design
www.fastcodesign.com
Lori Nix says her photos are "saturated with color and infused with a dark sense of humor." This scene certainly gives new meaning to the phrase "dive bar."
And yet one more quote from the newly late Don Van Vliet, aka The Captain, this from 1969, about the Apollo landing:
"They're about to poke their genitals into our cream cheese moon right now. That's my eye — the moon is part of me. Why don't they poke it in the sun? They're not very daring."
Another fine Captain Beefheart quote:
"The largest living land mammal is the absent mind."
Went to a really nice party tonight and talked to a lot of really nice people. Then Deb and I danced. In fact, we danced so much we were effin' exhausted and didn't stay quite as long as we would have otherwise.
Also, we had to make sure the children hadn't eaten the sitters. They'll do that, and I'm running out of places to bury the remains.
Okay, I'm not saying you're totally misunderstanding the spirit of the season if you don't like this, but I'm really worried about you.
Gwar Christmas
www.youtube.com
Heavy metal holidays
