Harry Connolly's Blog, page 203

qotd, political edition

I don't usually follow this particular writer, but this really hit home for me:

Revenge killings don't pass the test for me. They're unacceptable under international law. I want to know that any target is selected because there is verifiable intelligence that he's actively planning a terrorist attack on the United States or its allies; that the danger is pressing; that arrest is impossible; and that civilian lives are not wantonly risked.

That's Roger Cohen in today's NY Times, and I want to...

I think parents around the world would find this word useful.

Per this thread on Making Light, I proposed a definition for the word "darf". I re-post it here to secure my place in the glorious history of the English language.

"Darf" v. to claim to be engaged in and winning a non-existent fight or contest against a more powerful opponent. Usage: "That's when I discovered my son had been darfing me in a potato chip-eating race."

Yes, I'm aware that there are a couple of "definitions" (picture air quotes here) at urb*nd*ct**n*ry.c*m, but the misogyny and t...

Superheroes and their costumes (longish)

Is this really a good idea?

No, I don't mean swinging high above the city from a thin strand that was liquid seconds before, and that you made yourself with a basement chemistry set. I mean the suit. Should Spider-man be wearing a suit with webs and spiders on it?

Hey, you're thinking, it's a theme. I get that. I get the theme, but as soon as you see a superpowered guy with a spiderweb on his clothes, don't you immediately think "I'll bet he has spider powers, like climbing walls and...

Randomness for 2/24

1) A Book by its Gorey Cover. And Part 2.

2) That Old Spice "I'm on a horse" commercial–and an interview with the guys who made it. CGI or no? via madrobins

3) The Brad Pitt Guy, part 4.

4) "It's like MOBY DICK, right, but with a white dragon!" I'd better get started on my ROBO-MEO AND POD-PERSON JULIET story, quick!

5) A restaurant dessert like no other. I don't even know what most of this is, but I want it.

6) Twilight invades every aspect of our culture.

7) The Brad Pitt Guy, Part Last....

Because it wouldn't be a blog without complaining

I still feel like crap. My throat is still raw and I'm exhausted all the time. There are so many things around here that need to be done and I can't keep up with them all, especially since I'm running myself ragged. If somebody doesn't vacuum the living room carpet soon, it's going to rise up and destroy us all.

I'm still doing my writing, because that involves sitting and being in a weird trance state. Raising a kid, though? I'm failing. Not that he minds doing whatever the hell he...

It can finally be announced, Part 2!

My franchise agreement with the Lego Corporation continues to be a fruitful source of revenue for both of us. The Child of Fire Lego set sold well beyond expectations, and they're coming back for another round (naturally).

Here's the cover for the new novel, coming out in August:

And here, revealed to you for the first time ever, is the early concept art for the box the Game of Cages Lego Set will ship in:

I like how they made the lightning shoot sideways, like it's coming out of the house...

Quick note for Mr. Headache

Drink some water.

Chatroulette

Here's the "Safe For Work" version–an article in the NY Times describing the program. Short version: it's social networking with complete strangers. You and your webcam get onto video chat. You click "Next". A completely random person from anywhere in the world appears in their webcam image. You chat with this stranger.

Of course, you could be looking at a guy in a cat suit (see link above). Or a naked fat guy. Or some dude's penis. Or a woman sitting on the toilet. Or someone in a...

Randomness for 2/22

1) Part two of the screenwriter stalker story! with bonus Brad Pitt at a urinal. And here's Part 3. (Here's part 1, in case you missed it.)

2) More OKCupid data crunching: this time about "older" women.

3) Remember the American version of Godzilla from 1998? Well, an early draft of the script was written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, the guys who wrote PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, SHREK, MASK OF ZORRO and ALADDIN, among others. Although their script was very different from the version that w...

Dang-it

I was about to post a link to a one-star review in honor of John Scalzi's latest post on the subject, but I see I already have, way back in November. Ah, hell.

So instead, I'll post this: The book I'm reading is The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston. It's an interesting book–excellent in a lot of ways, and mildly disappointing in others. I get the impression it's made for readers with buttons in different places than I have.

But that'll have to wait until after ...