It appears I have been nominated for the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
(So has Peter Dinklage. And many other fine folks).
No idea whether or not you need to live in New Jersey… or at least be from New Jersey, as I am… in order to vote.
Current Mood: 
pleased
… and he’s landed in my back yard.
He’s a gift from m’lady Parris, and the work of a marvelous artist named Tyler Eugene Smith.
I love it.
And yes, Tyler’s the same amazing sculptor who made the Alfies for Spokane and Kansas City. For those he had old hood ornaments to work from, but the dragon he made from scratch.
Current Mood: 
null
Another Thanksgiving has arrived.
One of my favorite holidays.
Here’s hoping all my friends, fans, and readers are having a great day. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, and you are one of them.
Gobble gobble.
Current Mood: 
happy
Yesterday another birthday came and went.
(And thanks to all those who sent me cards and emails. You’re very kind. Love you all).
I had a good day with family and friends, but…
69
Really.
Urk.
How did that happen?
Seems like only yesterday I was one of the Young Turks of Science Fiction.
What a long strange trip it’s been…
And I still have a ways to go, I hope. Lots of stories still to tell.
(And yes, Mr. Prufrock, I still eat peaches).
Current Mood: 
contemplative
I don’t often comment on current events, but the story about the passenger that United Airlines beat bloody and dragged off a flight — for no reason but to accomodate some of their own deadheading employees, and despite the fact that he had a ticket that he’d bought and paid for and was doing nothing but sitting peacefully in his assigned seat — has me seeing red.
Jimmy Kimmel said it better than I could.
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I stand with Jimmy, with Alan Grayson, and with millions of other ordinary Americans from coast to coast who were outraged by these videos, and by the mealy-mouthed corporate bullshit the United’s CEO chose to offer afterwards.
One point Jimmy did not raise: in what world does an airline employee’s need to get to his next flight take precedence over a doctor’s need to return to his hospital?
The “police” who dragged the man off the plane and beat him do not deserve the name of police officers, and should be fired immediately. “They were just following orders” is no excuse.
The United CEO should also resign. He’s a disgrace.
I am old enough to remember when airlines were regulated, and passengers had rights. But we deregulated the airlines, and now passengers are cattle. The present rule seems to be just what Kimmel says: do what we say, or else. You may have given us your money, but we owe you nothing.
And here’s the cherry for your (bloody) sundae: United has also announced plans to begin charging passengers for carry-on luggage.
Another Christmas has come and gone.
I have to admit, Halloween and Thanksgiving are my favorite holidays. Christmas has always been too stressful, at least since I became an adult (a long long time ago). But this year’s was relatively mellow. I spent it at home with Parris, friends, and cats, and a good time was had by all.
There are things I like about Christmas, though. Watching Christmas movies, especially. A CHRISTMAS STORY is a favorite, and I also like to binge watch all the various versions of the Dickens classic CHRISTMAS CAROL. Alastair Sim, George C. Scott, Reginald Owen, Mickey Mouse, Albert Finney, Bill Murray… they all have their points, and it’s fun to compare and contrast. On balance, I still think the Sim is the best of the adaptations. And when you cross over to the parody side of the ledger, there’s nothing but nothing comes close to the Blackadder version.
This year we also watched FOOTLIGHT PARADE, which has nothing to do with Christmas but is a fun film. One of the last of the great pre-Code films, it’s amazing to see how risque it is compared to what Hollywood would be making a year later and for decades to follow. And the musical numbers are unforgettable, especially Cagney in “Looking for My Shanghai Lil.”
Anyway… merry merry to all my friends, fans, and readers out there. I hope Santa was good to you. At least those of you who were nice. As for those of you who were naughty.. come sit here next to me.
Turkey Day is here.
Friends, family, food, and football. The Four Freedoms. What’s not to love?
We will be heading up to Melinda’s shortly for her annual feast.
It’s been a hard year and a harder month, but I still have a lot to be thankful for. Parris, my friends, my agents, editors, and publishers, my fans and readers.
Here’s hoping that everyone reading this has a great Thanksgiving.
Got back from MystiCon on Monday. It was a fun weekend, and did much to restore my spirits. After all the internet rancor that has dominated on-line discussion of late, it was good to be reminded of what cons are all about… and how warm, welcoming, and open fandom can be. The Roanoke crowd seemed like good folks. And it was great to see how many young people and first-timers were at the con (I asked for a show of hands on several occasions). All the alarums about the demise of traditional SF fandom may be somewhat premature, I’m thinking.
Back home, of course, I had the usual thousand new emails waiting in my inbox. But among them, at long long last, was my Hugo PIN from MidAmericon II. I can finally begin nominating for this year’s awards. I urge all of you to do the same. (And will have a few more Hugo thoughts and recommendations in subsequent posts).
We had a great event at the JCC with Tony DiTerlizzi of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. And one last week, before I left, with Joe Lansdale and HAP & LEONARD. Plenty of signed books from Tony and Joe both are now available in the Cocteau bookstore. If you’re an autograph hunter, strike now while the supply lasts.
We have more fun events coming up in the next few months as well. Magician Francis Menotti will be making a return appearance, with the trick that fooled Penn & Teller, and we have booksignings scheduled with Darynda Jones, Joe Hill, and Stephen Graham Jones. And a little further out, Neil Gaiman will be appearing with some gigantic Tasmanian cave spiders. Go to the JCC website and sign up for our email newsletter if you’d like more details on forthcoming events at the theatre.
Meow Wolf’s opening comes closer every day. The gang down at Silva Lanes is working overtime right now, getting a little frantic as they labor to make sure everything is ready for opening weekend.
Oh, and GAME OF THRONES season six is drawing nigh as well. You may have heard. Before the season six debut on April 24, the JCC will be running a season five marathon. Weekly screenings, two hours per week, of the S5 episodes on our big medium-sized screen. And admission is FREE. First come, first seated.
I am sure there’s more. Life is busy. Hope yours is too.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.
May you all enjoy a day of love and laughter with your valentine or valentines. Candy and flowers, cake and champagne, maybe dinner and a movie… be it a romcom, or a horror flick, or the ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE, whatever floats your boat.
Snow, snow, snow.
I told you guys that winter was coming.
Santa Fe is getting socked in.
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