John Joseph Adams is doing it again. This time (well, okay, I'm still behind in my bloggeroll, but hey, I've got a lot in there) he reprints Editorial Roundtable: A Discussion with Three of the Top Editors in Science Fiction and Fantasy with some good advice on how to get out of the slush (always a rip roaring topic that boils down to "write a damn good story they want to publish"). Haven't read it through yet, but John's good at getting to the topic, so I'll be it's the bomb (noted here for me to read later).
On top of that, he has 21 Blogs Writers Should be Reading. I have many of these, although there's some new ones (to me). Oh man, at this rate I'll never reach the end of the internets.
And not John Joseph Adams, but an interesting raconteur (I love that word BTW) himself, now becoming frequent commentator Ferrel "Rick" Moore's blog, the Writer and the White Cat, has been jazzing my creative juices since I discovered him doing research for ConClave. You all should check him out. He's been posting some good advice for killing vampires, and we can all use that.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Bad Flash, no Cookie
Fab-dad and techno-wizard Dan sends me word about how Flash has cookies. Here's the /. article. And here's a control panel to adjust security settings.
So, Macromedia, just WTF is Flash doing being able to access my built-in camera and microphone without asking me? Why do you need your own cookie file that really isn't accessible through the software? Are you really ignorant about the security and privacy concerns this "functionality" endangers?
For too long corporations have felt they have a freedom to run over their customer's rights and then only have to present a mea culpa for redemption. Much of modern internet functions rely on the use of Flash technology, so dumping the code isn't an option. Hauling the programmers and executives out into the streets to tar and feather them (not verbally, I mean real boiling tar and chicken feathers) should be the remedy. It's far better than the treatment they would have received just 200 years ago and we would only need to do it a few times before the situation rectifies itself.
Don't like that idea, Mr. Big Business Suit? The other option is to impose actual fines that would cripple your business and help the deficit. Say 50% of revenues (not profits, gross revenues). That should do it. Tar and feathering of a few key executives doesn't sound so bad anymore, does it? And yes, your violation of my privacy does rise to the level of your company being put out of business.
So, Macromedia, just WTF is Flash doing being able to access my built-in camera and microphone without asking me? Why do you need your own cookie file that really isn't accessible through the software? Are you really ignorant about the security and privacy concerns this "functionality" endangers?
For too long corporations have felt they have a freedom to run over their customer's rights and then only have to present a mea culpa for redemption. Much of modern internet functions rely on the use of Flash technology, so dumping the code isn't an option. Hauling the programmers and executives out into the streets to tar and feather them (not verbally, I mean real boiling tar and chicken feathers) should be the remedy. It's far better than the treatment they would have received just 200 years ago and we would only need to do it a few times before the situation rectifies itself.
Don't like that idea, Mr. Big Business Suit? The other option is to impose actual fines that would cripple your business and help the deficit. Say 50% of revenues (not profits, gross revenues). That should do it. Tar and feathering of a few key executives doesn't sound so bad anymore, does it? And yes, your violation of my privacy does rise to the level of your company being put out of business.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
It's the Tinseltown scandal, the Robin Hood vandal
(Well, glad I didn't miss the window for this) Jim Hines, who looks awesome in his leather-author's-coat, is having an auction to benefit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The auction is to win an ARC of his latest Book, The Stepsister Scheme. One, Jim is a wickedly funny author and he writes slightly twisted fairy tales. Also, if you tickle Jim just right he does sound a little like Edward Everett Horton (weekly obligatory obscure reference, it's a Union thing). I won a cover flat of this book, and we also discussed the cover in our ConClave Panel on "What do you mean you don't get to choose your own cover?" It's awesome as well.
So with one post I get to support three things I encourage others to support (being Against Domestic Violence in all it's forms, a cool sounding book that has strong, clever, women heros, and Jim, who does look awesome in that leather coat of his). It's a trifecta of goodness.
So with one post I get to support three things I encourage others to support (being Against Domestic Violence in all it's forms, a cool sounding book that has strong, clever, women heros, and Jim, who does look awesome in that leather coat of his). It's a trifecta of goodness.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Rejection Mondays
Fiction Editor Jed Hartman over at Strange Horizons sends word they're passing on Prince Wanted. Letter is short and to the point, not sure if it's a form or not. It just says they're not going to accept it for publication. Fair cop.
I know where I'm going to send it to next. So I'll give it another once over and send it back out (hopefully tonight).
edit I wrote this earlier today, but as you can tell by the time stamp, the day went down the crapper (too much to explain why, and it's not at all pleasant). I haven't had a chance to re-read Prince Wanted. I want to before I send it in to Abyss & Apex. Tomorrow is meeting night, so might not happen then. Hopefully by Wednesday.
edit the duece Ah, it appears that A&A is closed for submissions. :( And the crappy day just keeps rolling.
I should say that the crappiness of the day does not relate to the rejection. It has everything to do with the day and first night job.
I know where I'm going to send it to next. So I'll give it another once over and send it back out (hopefully tonight).
edit I wrote this earlier today, but as you can tell by the time stamp, the day went down the crapper (too much to explain why, and it's not at all pleasant). I haven't had a chance to re-read Prince Wanted. I want to before I send it in to Abyss & Apex. Tomorrow is meeting night, so might not happen then. Hopefully by Wednesday.
edit the duece Ah, it appears that A&A is closed for submissions. :( And the crappy day just keeps rolling.
I should say that the crappiness of the day does not relate to the rejection. It has everything to do with the day and first night job.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
ConClave, the Photo Edition
Ah, the photos from ConClave. I really didn't take many.
Here's the very cool bridge on I-280 I get to cross on my way to Detroit. It looks much nicer at night, which I would have been able to get a shot, if I hadn't left my camera in my room. D'oh!
After finding out about the sale, I was so happy I couldn't keep it inside, so I told the people attending the next panel, before we started. This caused the all around great guy Dave Kletcha to do a one man wave.
And, thanks to Mer's wicked label-making-fu, here's my adjusted badge claiming me to be the "Newest Neopro." Sniff me I'm like a new car. BTW, taking this photo helped me claim my camera, I told the assistant manager to check the last image on the camera, and it has my name.
Here's the very cool bridge on I-280 I get to cross on my way to Detroit. It looks much nicer at night, which I would have been able to get a shot, if I hadn't left my camera in my room. D'oh!
After finding out about the sale, I was so happy I couldn't keep it inside, so I told the people attending the next panel, before we started. This caused the all around great guy Dave Kletcha to do a one man wave.
And, thanks to Mer's wicked label-making-fu, here's my adjusted badge claiming me to be the "Newest Neopro." Sniff me I'm like a new car. BTW, taking this photo helped me claim my camera, I told the assistant manager to check the last image on the camera, and it has my name.
Sniff 'em, it's like a new car smell
Finally getting caught up with work at home, so time to dish with the photos. You all like photos, don't you?
The pride of the house, our new dishwasher. Ah, no more towels on the floor. When we got it installed there was a distinct sound reduction, but now I can hear it like normal. The on/off cycles are still a little jarring, but I'm getting used to them. I don't think we've had it long enough to see a difference in our water bill.
And here is the new heart of the house, our furnace. Where you see the line in the sheet metal over the furnace is where the last one rose to. This one is small. Very small, and it pushes much more air. And lookee at that tag. 95.5 AFUE. I really hope to see some small difference in gas usage this year.
The pride of the house, our new dishwasher. Ah, no more towels on the floor. When we got it installed there was a distinct sound reduction, but now I can hear it like normal. The on/off cycles are still a little jarring, but I'm getting used to them. I don't think we've had it long enough to see a difference in our water bill.
And here is the new heart of the house, our furnace. Where you see the line in the sheet metal over the furnace is where the last one rose to. This one is small. Very small, and it pushes much more air. And lookee at that tag. 95.5 AFUE. I really hope to see some small difference in gas usage this year.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I scare myself
Yes, sometimes doing design work things just come together. So I share with you my latest in freelance (and in this case, it's very free, but that also means I get to do what I want).
The Grand Valley Ruritans Halloween Party Poster
The Grand Valley Ruritans Halloween Party Poster
Friday, October 10, 2008
You've got to be taught before it's too late
Okay, like I said, I'm trying not to post politics, but I just can't stand it. The McCain campaign, and the Republican Party has gone over the edge IMHO.
If you don't want to see political ranting, just skip this post. I'll try and get most of it out in one post. Sort of like taking off a bandage, do it quick and it won't hurt as much (or as long).
First up, the longer we continue in the Bush Administration the clearer it becomes that Karl Rove attempted to use the machinery of government to intimidate, skew, and fix elections. He wrote papers on how to do this and engineered using the Justice Department to do this, taking a non-polical body and making it intentionally political. He created mechanisms to disenfranchise voters of the right to the ballot. He used fear and a cynical corruption of religion in this nation to push his agenda of political dominance. Karl Rove is a traitor to his country and the ideals of its founding. And yes, I do mean that word; high crimes against society have been committed. He attempted a political coup d'etat to install his own political hegemony. Some of them will see people going to jail, but Karl will skate away free. And when I say treason, I do believe he should be put in jeopardy of the full punishment for that crime. His crimes rise to that level. He is a pirate of the political system. And not the warm fuzzy "Dread Pirate Roberts" kind, he's the stick 'em like a pig kind.
While I'm thinking about duplicity, you know those McCain ads that have been recycling the disproved charges of Obama championing teaching kindergartners sex education, like they're handing out condoms at milk time? Well, one, it was disproved back when it first came up as Obama was running for US Senate, but why let actual facts disrupt an ideological charge? (one of the reasons I'm incredibly pissed) The law actually included the text "age appropriate sex education." For kids that young it means telling them that nobody should be touching them in inappropriate ways. So, what McCain is actually saying with these ads is that he and the republican party do not approve of protecting kids from sexual predators (keep in mind the vast majority of sexual abuse occurs within a family). Given the current level of logic being used by the conservative side of things (logic, ur doing it wrong), this means that McCain and the Republican Party approves of sexually abusing kids.
About the financial crisis and this whole, "the Democrats didn't do anything to fix these problems," line of arguments, it is just infuriating. Yes, the Democrats didn't fix the errors introduced into the system by the Free Market Republicans. And when they did try to fix them, the Republicans blocked them. It's like shouting, "Look, Rome is burning while Nero fiddles," while holding the still burning match.
And finally we come to the questions of race. This is the part that drives me up a wall, and one that McCain and his supporters are pushing to the point of having people yelling out at his rallies how Obama is a "Traitor" and "should be shoot." Really. People, it's time to take your meds. There are costs to this kind of demagoguery, usually someone ends up hurt (either the intended victim or the instigator) by those that are being riled up. On the other side I've heard of people who won't vote for Obama because, "He'll have their agenda and needs in mine, and not our own (read, white people)." One, exceptionally stupid for a politician, and two this means these people have been thinking they've voted people in to help protect white class society from all "them other people." And they think they've been right in thinking this all this time (no, I'm not going to rewrite that).
Where are we going and just WTF am I doing in this hand-basket?
If you don't want to see political ranting, just skip this post. I'll try and get most of it out in one post. Sort of like taking off a bandage, do it quick and it won't hurt as much (or as long).
First up, the longer we continue in the Bush Administration the clearer it becomes that Karl Rove attempted to use the machinery of government to intimidate, skew, and fix elections. He wrote papers on how to do this and engineered using the Justice Department to do this, taking a non-polical body and making it intentionally political. He created mechanisms to disenfranchise voters of the right to the ballot. He used fear and a cynical corruption of religion in this nation to push his agenda of political dominance. Karl Rove is a traitor to his country and the ideals of its founding. And yes, I do mean that word; high crimes against society have been committed. He attempted a political coup d'etat to install his own political hegemony. Some of them will see people going to jail, but Karl will skate away free. And when I say treason, I do believe he should be put in jeopardy of the full punishment for that crime. His crimes rise to that level. He is a pirate of the political system. And not the warm fuzzy "Dread Pirate Roberts" kind, he's the stick 'em like a pig kind.
While I'm thinking about duplicity, you know those McCain ads that have been recycling the disproved charges of Obama championing teaching kindergartners sex education, like they're handing out condoms at milk time? Well, one, it was disproved back when it first came up as Obama was running for US Senate, but why let actual facts disrupt an ideological charge? (one of the reasons I'm incredibly pissed) The law actually included the text "age appropriate sex education." For kids that young it means telling them that nobody should be touching them in inappropriate ways. So, what McCain is actually saying with these ads is that he and the republican party do not approve of protecting kids from sexual predators (keep in mind the vast majority of sexual abuse occurs within a family). Given the current level of logic being used by the conservative side of things (logic, ur doing it wrong), this means that McCain and the Republican Party approves of sexually abusing kids.
About the financial crisis and this whole, "the Democrats didn't do anything to fix these problems," line of arguments, it is just infuriating. Yes, the Democrats didn't fix the errors introduced into the system by the Free Market Republicans. And when they did try to fix them, the Republicans blocked them. It's like shouting, "Look, Rome is burning while Nero fiddles," while holding the still burning match.
And finally we come to the questions of race. This is the part that drives me up a wall, and one that McCain and his supporters are pushing to the point of having people yelling out at his rallies how Obama is a "Traitor" and "should be shoot." Really. People, it's time to take your meds. There are costs to this kind of demagoguery, usually someone ends up hurt (either the intended victim or the instigator) by those that are being riled up. On the other side I've heard of people who won't vote for Obama because, "He'll have their agenda and needs in mine, and not our own (read, white people)." One, exceptionally stupid for a politician, and two this means these people have been thinking they've voted people in to help protect white class society from all "them other people." And they think they've been right in thinking this all this time (no, I'm not going to rewrite that).
Where are we going and just WTF am I doing in this hand-basket?
Friday Writing Linkee-poo
Writing a political rant I'm really trying to not inflict upon you all.
So instead I point you to Reesa posting on Words Words Words about some ruminations on viral marketing techniques. Certainly interesting food for thought. Have to masticate a little on them.
Jim Hines gives some notes to himself which is a good meta argument for us all about writing. It was repeated a few times on ConClave, so I'll do another iteration here. See points 2 and 4 for more clarification, but it's all right to write a sucky first draft (or draft zero as some say). Just get it out so you can fix it later. Also, for me, this year has been an ongoing live example of his point 3. I was prepared to talk about this on ConClave, but wasn't afforded the opportunity, so let me inflict you all with this wisdom. You must carve out time to write, you'll never "find" it. And if you only get out 300 words a week, that's 300 more than no words. It's all okay. The more you write the more you'll find ways to carve out more time (unless your life is completely out of control like mine, that is full time day job, part time night job with lots of stress and responsibility, second job as freelancer, need to spend more time with wife and cat, and then you get to the writing - sometimes these priorities change positions).
Todd Wheeler does it by the numbers. And reaches the inevitable conclusion on the last line (no, I'm not spoiling it here). It's good to know I'm not the only metrics/mathmatics freak in the crowd.
Mer Haskell has another story you should go read. No, really, go read it.
And I'm sure there's more out there that I just haven't gotten to yet.
Got my camera back yesterday, so I want to make a shout out to Assistant Manager Carlos and all the other good people at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Detroit Metro. Thanks for finding it and sending it back home. And just a hint, always a good idea to take a picture of your name tag (because I couldn't remember the color or model number as I drove back home, which is when I realized it was not in the briefcase).
So instead I point you to Reesa posting on Words Words Words about some ruminations on viral marketing techniques. Certainly interesting food for thought. Have to masticate a little on them.
Jim Hines gives some notes to himself which is a good meta argument for us all about writing. It was repeated a few times on ConClave, so I'll do another iteration here. See points 2 and 4 for more clarification, but it's all right to write a sucky first draft (or draft zero as some say). Just get it out so you can fix it later. Also, for me, this year has been an ongoing live example of his point 3. I was prepared to talk about this on ConClave, but wasn't afforded the opportunity, so let me inflict you all with this wisdom. You must carve out time to write, you'll never "find" it. And if you only get out 300 words a week, that's 300 more than no words. It's all okay. The more you write the more you'll find ways to carve out more time (unless your life is completely out of control like mine, that is full time day job, part time night job with lots of stress and responsibility, second job as freelancer, need to spend more time with wife and cat, and then you get to the writing - sometimes these priorities change positions).
Todd Wheeler does it by the numbers. And reaches the inevitable conclusion on the last line (no, I'm not spoiling it here). It's good to know I'm not the only metrics/mathmatics freak in the crowd.
Mer Haskell has another story you should go read. No, really, go read it.
And I'm sure there's more out there that I just haven't gotten to yet.
Got my camera back yesterday, so I want to make a shout out to Assistant Manager Carlos and all the other good people at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Detroit Metro. Thanks for finding it and sending it back home. And just a hint, always a good idea to take a picture of your name tag (because I couldn't remember the color or model number as I drove back home, which is when I realized it was not in the briefcase).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
We have to shout above the din of our Rice Crispies
Wow. Okay, so this probably doesn't mean anything to anybody, but this weekend, on a panel concerning "Dialog," I made the comment about studying stand-up comedians for style, pacing, etc. This is because each comedian has their own distinct voice, and to make character development though dialog your character's voice must come through in that dialog. Either that or all your characters sound like they're auditioning for a Noel Coward play.
So I'm listening to the podcast "Writing Excuses, Episode 35: Voice, Tone and Style" (10-06-08) and they make the same argument. Even using one of the comedians I used. (insert Twilight Zone Theme here)
So I'm listening to the podcast "Writing Excuses, Episode 35: Voice, Tone and Style" (10-06-08) and they make the same argument. Even using one of the comedians I used. (insert Twilight Zone Theme here)
You say potato and I say potahto
Random thoughts on the debate last night.
Yes, I know you're all sick of the political posts. I'm really trying to not let it all out at you all (hmm, let me diagram that sentence, better yet I shouldn't try it).
Boy, McCain is going for the low road.
Nuclear power is environmentally friendly? Really? Sure, you tell that to the residents around Yucca Mountain, NV. They have nothing to worry about. It's environmentally friendly. We'll be burying the equivalent of daffodils and forget-me-nots deep in the ground, under a mountain that has been reinforced, and lined. Nothing to worry about. I know some of my friends are very pro-nuclear power, and I am a little bit, but I don't condone lying about it. Nuclear power emits fewer (in quantity and types of) greenhouse gases, much less and fewer. However the hot water effluent causes problems. The chemicals used in the process cause problems (and are highly toxic). And the radioactive waste (spent fuel, coolant, contaminated metals and materials, by processes of the refining of the fuel, etc) spans the gamut of "slightly worrying" to "wear a lead suit" (some radiation is worse than other radiation, ie. gamma and beta emiters, also things vary in RADs).
Obama told his own whoopers. I think on balance though, McCain takes the award for slinging the BS. Here's FactCheck.org's take on it.
Also, McCain likes to tout how he's been tested, a direct reference to his being a POW. You all have caught on to the fact that McCain was a POW in Vietnam, right? How could you miss it? So, let's look at that. McCain broke. He offered to tape a confession. To be fair, he wasn't in the best physical condition. But if that's what you're pointing to as the shining example of service, it doesn't measure up all that far.
Also, whenever any of the candidates (although it's mostly McCain and Palin) talk about sending so much money to "countries that don't like us very much" (as a dis against Saudi Arabia and other Middle East places) I normally shout out, "Damn those Canadians" in my best "Kahn!" voice. This is not as a dis to my Canadian friends ::waves to those of you above the border:: but more as a counter to the fact that we receive very little oil form "those that don't like us." If you start removing "those that hate the current administration but love America" the number gets even smaller. I haven't done the math from the latest figures, but from what I remember, only one quarter (or less) goes to the Middle East. Unless we want to talk about how the UK and Russia don't like us all that much any more. Also, we are nominally allies with all the countries that import oil (the most notable "exception" being Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, who BTW for the past six years has been giving some US families free heating oil. Certainly an insidious attempt to foment radicals and revolution).
Less than a month to go. I wonder if we'll make it? Or my head might explode.
Yes, I know you're all sick of the political posts. I'm really trying to not let it all out at you all (hmm, let me diagram that sentence, better yet I shouldn't try it).
Boy, McCain is going for the low road.
Nuclear power is environmentally friendly? Really? Sure, you tell that to the residents around Yucca Mountain, NV. They have nothing to worry about. It's environmentally friendly. We'll be burying the equivalent of daffodils and forget-me-nots deep in the ground, under a mountain that has been reinforced, and lined. Nothing to worry about. I know some of my friends are very pro-nuclear power, and I am a little bit, but I don't condone lying about it. Nuclear power emits fewer (in quantity and types of) greenhouse gases, much less and fewer. However the hot water effluent causes problems. The chemicals used in the process cause problems (and are highly toxic). And the radioactive waste (spent fuel, coolant, contaminated metals and materials, by processes of the refining of the fuel, etc) spans the gamut of "slightly worrying" to "wear a lead suit" (some radiation is worse than other radiation, ie. gamma and beta emiters, also things vary in RADs).
Obama told his own whoopers. I think on balance though, McCain takes the award for slinging the BS. Here's FactCheck.org's take on it.
Also, McCain likes to tout how he's been tested, a direct reference to his being a POW. You all have caught on to the fact that McCain was a POW in Vietnam, right? How could you miss it? So, let's look at that. McCain broke. He offered to tape a confession. To be fair, he wasn't in the best physical condition. But if that's what you're pointing to as the shining example of service, it doesn't measure up all that far.
Also, whenever any of the candidates (although it's mostly McCain and Palin) talk about sending so much money to "countries that don't like us very much" (as a dis against Saudi Arabia and other Middle East places) I normally shout out, "Damn those Canadians" in my best "Kahn!" voice. This is not as a dis to my Canadian friends ::waves to those of you above the border:: but more as a counter to the fact that we receive very little oil form "those that don't like us." If you start removing "those that hate the current administration but love America" the number gets even smaller. I haven't done the math from the latest figures, but from what I remember, only one quarter (or less) goes to the Middle East. Unless we want to talk about how the UK and Russia don't like us all that much any more. Also, we are nominally allies with all the countries that import oil (the most notable "exception" being Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, who BTW for the past six years has been giving some US families free heating oil. Certainly an insidious attempt to foment radicals and revolution).
Less than a month to go. I wonder if we'll make it? Or my head might explode.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday Monday, (not) so good to me
Well, today sucked. Yesterday was busy also. Tomorrow doesn't look much better. Here's hoping your weeks are going better.
I could kvetch, but it would take too long to explain. Lets just say things went pear-shaped and it's been up to me to save everybody's arses. But the problem is, the problems they created (which I tried to help avoid, but nobody listens) are going to bite us all tomorrow. Yeah. It's going to be another fun day.
On the plus side, 2+ hours of OT. And we're busy again. Go figure.
I could kvetch, but it would take too long to explain. Lets just say things went pear-shaped and it's been up to me to save everybody's arses. But the problem is, the problems they created (which I tried to help avoid, but nobody listens) are going to bite us all tomorrow. Yeah. It's going to be another fun day.
On the plus side, 2+ hours of OT. And we're busy again. Go figure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)