Erratica Reduex

So for my first book of summer:

Afterparty by Daryl Gregory

Afterparty does for neuropharmacology what the Neuromancer novels did for computers. On the one hand, it's a fast moving novel about people on the shady side of the law using advanced technology for their own ends. On the other hand, it deals with on religion and our minds, and how both interface with a technologic age.

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Ten years ago, the first episode of Avatar the Last Airbender aired.

I was late to come to Avatar, because when I first heard of it I was really skeptical of any "American rendition of anime". But people kept recommending it, and I finally watched it, realized I was wrong, and I totally loved it.

However, for all of it's flaws, both due to writing and due to Nick (who couldn't understand and hated the fact that a series starring an- ick!- girl was more popular than Sponge Bob), I think I love Korra the series better. Both because of the more mature tone Korra took, the themes of growth and change, and also because to me, the stories had a very different gender element to the themes.

Avatar was very much a boy hero adventure story: Aang is the destined hero, facing off against an obvious enemy. There's no doubt that while he will do some maturing and there will be lot twists, his path is set and his triumph over the bad guys is assured.

Korra comes into a different situation; she enters a complex world, one where she is not accepted for herself, where people, even the authorities she should be able to trust try try to use her for her own purposes, or destroy not only her, but the concepts behind her. Korra's early enthusiasm and confidence is shaken, and the elements that make the Korra the Avatar are continually attacked, leaving her isolated from her very base of support. It's telling that the enemies in Korra all mostly come from around her, often from people she trusts or respects. It is not a very large leap to relate Korra's journey to what happens to so many young women. Finally, unlike Aang, Korra cannot simply make the word change for her- she has to make an accommodation, change to meet the world, learning to rely on her inner strength and empathy. Aang has a place, Korra has to make her place in the world- and in so doing changes it far more than Aang did.

I think if anything, the more complex and mature issues Korra was dealing with were very difficult for the writers to portray adequately, as frankly, they were stretching the boundaries of what an American cartoon could deal with. And of course there's fucking Nickelodeon. I wish I could go to the parallel world where Korra had been picked up by Netflix, and we saw 75 episodes. The idea is something that could really have used that much time.

You know, I never mentioned that I decided to enter that NanowriMo contest.

I have tons of ideas. Ones that have been cookng for years. But I passed up on my serious ideas, in favor of a silly urban fantasy story based on a short vignette I did called "Frankenstein's Daughter meets Dracula." I've had severe writer's block for years, no confidence, and no endurance for writing,so I knew it would never go anywhere. I'd see a new anime, or there would be an argument on the internet, or a butterfly, or something. Most likely I'd just run out of steam.

Today I reached 45 kilowords.

I have no idea if I'll be able to expand it out and turn it into something salable, or what. The important thing is, I will finish this.

I'm still pretty rational. I'm still just saying "The internet was a nice idea, but it's time to admit it's failed."

Perhaps somone can answer this for me.

While the beam from a Nicoll-Dyson wouldn't be directly visible (except to those unfortunates directly on line to the target, wouldn't it be visible through the effects on the interstellar medium? Even if it didn't pass though something like a nebula, wouldn't it heat up the interstellar gas along it's path?

Just wondering, because I was looking up FermiLab's Dyson Sphere search, and I was wondering if somebody had thought to look for traces of planet-killing lasers.

Mako, the utterly most important character of the other night's Golden Sky Stories. Just ask her. Drawn by the GM, the day after the game. Her visual concept is not "cute sexy catgirl in sailor fuku", more like "Why's that girl in the 50 year-old schoolgirl outfit staring at me? Didn't some horror movie start this way?"

Mako in game was completely, utterly deadpan. Whether it was suggesting they sell the Fox's shrine to raise money, or urging her bird friend to eat more, she was completely expressionless. Despite being selfish and standoffish, she has a good heart. Maybe. Not that she cares or anything.

The fish she is carrying was carelessly left in a display tank in a restaurant- obviously the didn't want it if they were just going to be leaving it there. There might be a girl at the local school who forgot her lunch today, and will come back to class to find a perfectly delectable meal wriggling and flopping on her desk. Not that she's Mako's friend or anything, she was just passing by. And a cat will do what she wants.

Now that it turns out there is no NDA keeping Jim Frenkel  from apologizing for the harassment, he can get on with making his apology and appeal, so he can be back on staff with the next WisCon.  We can help him with a template using these standard phrases:

"I am very sorry that any women felt harassed or unsafe."
"I deeply regret that any of my actions could have been seen as inappropriate."
"Mistakes were made."
"Important lessons were learned."
"I hope we can all move on past this regrettable incident."
"In this sensitive political climate..."

There. That should be all WisCon needs!

My love and I were discussing how though she loves fabrics, she would refuse to have a loom or spinning wheel in the apartment. Even though she allowed that if we did renew our vows she would make a special place for the elderly women spinners who would just turn up at the feast.

Which caused me t think that weddings in an Urban Fantasy universe must present particular problems...

MENU SELECTION: Please Select One

• __  Chicken Parmesan
• __  Salmon and Mixed Vegetables
• __  Vegan Lasagna
• __  Blood
• __  The hopes and dreams of virgins

SPECIAL MENU ACCOMMODATIONS

• __ No Nuts
• __ Low Salt
• __ No Stainless Steel Silverware
• __ Only Wooden Plates