Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog Archive 21 Aug 2005 to 27 Aug 2005

Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog Archive
Laura "Tegan" Gjovaag

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Wikimania III: Mutant Squid

Ok, I think it's safe to say, after all the effort I put into this thing in the few days it's been up, that I'm not planning on deleting this wiki even if nobody but me plays with it. I'm having a blast with it.

I really would like some help, though.

After reading through the heavy-duty work that "Silentnietzsche" put into the Usagi Yojimbo entry (thank you, Silentnietzsche), I think the absolute most important thing for each entry is the character information. So, if there's a book you read regularly and think you know enough to fill in some blanks, please jump in and play.

While I'd love it if everyone followed my basic outline for the wiki (see Aquaman, Usagi Yojimbo, and True Story, Swear To God for examples), I'm not going to hold anyone to it. I'm far more interested in getting information into the things than in making them all look uniform and perfect.

That said, I've set up some really basic skeleton wikis for a number of books. All the books linked from the main page have at least a starter wiki already.

If you don't see the book you want to edit:

Go the the publisher page for that book, and check to see if there's a link from there.
- If there is, and the link is red, it means the page doesn't exist yet (when you click on the link, you'll just get an edit page).
  -or-
- If there isn't, you need to add the link in the same format as the others, then you can click on the red link to edit the page.

There's a great tutorial on editing wikis, and it tells you everything from adding a new page to putting up images.

I just want to someday be able to pick up the latest Wonder Woman or Superman and not have to ask "who the heck is that?" and never get an answer. In the meantime, I'll keep adding bits and pieces here and there for all the books I personally get, and the shipping information for books I don't get, and maybe eventually this thing will be useful instead of just fun.

Update: It's already getting useful, as "Davidscarter" has added wikis for Ninja High School, Gold Digger, and Banana Sunday, three series I'd heard of but knew nothing about. David also updated a few other entries and added a ton of starter links for other series.

-by Tegan at 12:15 AM Seattle time - Permalink

Friday, August 26, 2005

Absolutely No Comic Book Content Random Thoughts

New Scam Alert: Scammers claim you didn't report for jury duty and then get personal details to "clear" you. They then take the personal details and steal your identity. Don't fall for it.

How to become an early riser. Via Augie.

Want to read Pepys Diary on a day-by-day basis? Just get yourself an RSS reader and read along daily. I really like these feeds that give you literary information in the original journal format...

Here's a cool story about how people in Seattle support the troops.

Pastafarians will note that Talk Like A Pirate Day is Sep 19th. Put it on your calendar now. And take a look... the most holy day of Pastafarians, Marco Polo's birthday is Sep 15th. That makes Sep 15-19 "Holy Pasta Week". I intend to indulge.

Michael Schaub warns us about the so-called "Patriot Act" and its chilling effect on libraries. I think the signs for libraries are a good thing to have around.

Some Henchman linking... including to this really odd music video of 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight'.

Unlike American corporations, who panic and try to fine users... The BBC Views Content Piracy As Wake-Up Call and tries to provide video via computers to their fans. Now that's an intelligent reaction.

There are some pictures of The Wellhouse in our backyard over on Gjoblaag, along with the story of how it came to be opened after we've lived here for five years without ever getting into it. I doubt this will be of interest to most of my readers, but some of you might find it mildly amusing.

-by Tegan at 4:30 PM Seattle time - Permalink

I HATE EAR INFECTIONS!

Just thought I'd let you all know that.

-by Tegan at 1:27 PM Seattle time - Permalink

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Yeah, more Random Thoughts

Great responses to the Flying Spaghetti Monster from actual members of the Kansas ~~City School~~ Board of Education.

Funny Library Story. Be sure to read down to the "We're hiding from the police." line. The bit right after that made me laugh aloud. The rest of the blog has some really funny stories as well. Be warned, this is not a nice librarian.

Happy Birthday Michael Kaluta.

Here's one for hubby-Eric: Bender Casemod.

An article about Seattle bloggers.

K9, Sarah Jane Smith, and Giles in Doctor Who. I'm really looking forward to seeing the episode. Of course, I'm looking forward to every episode of Doctor Who after seeing the first new season.

Very large cat.

A Worth1000 photo shop contest had entrants creating scenes of disaster. Seattle got attacked by blackberries. Reminds me of my back yard.

I love articles about mad geniuses in Wired mag.

The Beloit College Mindset List for this year.

Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Here's a promising story about energy independence. Basically, it's possible to make coal into gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel that burns cleaner than current fuels, stripping out sulfur, arsenic, and other nasty byproducts. And the governor of Montana thinks that there is enough coal in Montana to meet the needs of the United States for 40 years. And it's cheaper than Middle East oil, as well.

Speaking of gas, Gas Buddy can help you find the cheapest gasoline in an area. And it can help you plan a trip.

Hoof Hearted is a really bad name for a racehorse. Say it aloud, fast, a few times.

-by Tegan at 10:14 PM Seattle time - Permalink

Rapid Reviews - 24 August 2005

Hero Squared #2: Another Boom! Studios review copy. I ordered this book, as well, so I guess I'll get two copies again. Anyway, I'm glad I ordered it, because it's a very funny book. It's got humor, it's got superhero stereotypes, it's got two very different points of view. I really enjoyed it.

Angel: The Curse #3: Angel fights alongside the Rom, and more set-up takes place. We get some flashbacks to the characters who died in the finale of the show... while other bits are left open to interpretation. Particularly the reference to Spike. This isn't a bad issue, it's just got the middle child syndrome going.

Conan #19: "The Crown of Tiamat": I really enjoy how this series is pulling together all the aspects of Conan. In this particular issue, Conan is seen to mature a bit. It makes me want to re-read all the original stories. I know that some folks don't like the art, but I love it. It works really well for this character.

Day of Vengeance #5: "The Particle Theory of Darkness": I kind of wish the monkey would continue narrating. This time it's Nightshade doing the narration, and while she's not bad, the monkey was much more interesting. Anyway, the team comes up with a plan, and it's a good plan. It only has one flaw... and that's the cliffhanger. Decent issue.

JSA: Classified #2: "Power Trip Part II of IV": Ok. I'm not sure I buy the explanation for the hole in the front of Power Girl's outfit, but it's cute. I'm much more curious about why the character on the cliffhanger page is out to get her. Say no more... I'll find out soon enough. This one has my interest.

Legion of Super-Heroes #9: With the Legion's very public implosion, the kids outside who supported the Legion are also breaking up. I like the way the characters are handled in this book, even though I'm still having a miserable time keeping them straight. At least this one has a much better ending than the last issue. And the letter column is the best in the business in many ways.

-by Tegan at 1:46 PM Seattle time - Permalink

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

It's... Random Thoughts

The Blogaround continues to grow, like some mutant form of space squid. At this point I've got 17 blogarounds listed (including my own). And I continue to find new and interesting blogs by visiting each list as I post a link to it.

My other current project is the Comics Wiki, and in addition to my example entry for Aquaman, we have solid entries for Usagi Yojimbo and True Story, Swear to God and starts of entries for Detective Comics, Action Comics, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow. Not much, but it's a start.

Jeff Parker brings us the wonders of Portland, many of which, especially that last panel, are shared by Seattle.

TangognaT has a Manga Giveaway.

I agree with pal Dorian on the Batman and Robin thing. Heck, I agree with Dorian on TONS of stuff, so go read his blog already.

Tom Beland is writing Spider-Man Unlimited, and I'll certainly be getting that issue.

The Beat goes to an anime/manga convention.

Dust Devils On Mars.

More Flying Spaghetti Monster links.

Boing Boing links to a neat flowchart that tells how to determine if a work is in public domain.

Scientist Trading Cards.

There's a nifty Jon Stewart interview in Wired, which talks about the on-line distribution of The Daily Show, among other things.

I wasn't going to link to this article about restaurants unintentionally overcharging customers... then I saw the name of the college student they interviewed: Alex Ross was beside himself when he received his bank statement last month and found that Thai 65 had charged an extra $2.44 to his Visa Check Card.

I'm not sure where I found this article, but I have one major question. Why on Earth would a plant that makes Coca Cola be producing huge amounts of cadmium? Has it got something to do with the cola or with the bottle/cans?

A scientist explains what The Discovery Institute in Seattle is really about, and it's about what you'd suspect. The folks behind Intelligent Design simply want to destroy science.

Mark Evanier links to this really good article about health care in the United States. I found that I understood the health care debate for the first time after reading it.

-by Tegan at 9:51 AM Seattle time - Permalink

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Random Thoughts

I gotta admit, the Blogaround is working far better than I expected it to. I keep finding new and interesting blogs through the links other folks are posting. Everyone who accepted the challenge: Thank you! It has given new life to my enjoyment of the comic book blogosphere.

The Comic Book Wife has a low opinion of the artwork on the latest Aquaman.

Devon on Black Manta.

Matt suggests dumping continuity. Which I've always been in favor of, in a limited way, for a long time. Don't dump the character continuity, but tell the story you want to tell, even if it contradicts the past a little. Anyway, read the comments on the post. Lots of good stuff there.

Scott at Polite Dissent got a thank you in a comic book. I really wish I could do something impressive enough to merit a thank you credit. Especially in Aquaman. Oh well...

Mystery Scream in Ohio. This one is funny if only because of the really cheesy news segment that covers the story.

Speaking of screams, Political Wire links to an interesting research paper on the infamous Howard Dean scream. I was fascinated by the results, because I didn't have any negative reaction at all when I first saw the scream and just wondered what the fuss was about. Maybe I first saw the shot that included the audience reaction?

The Museum of Hoaxes tackles Piano Man. But the real reason to check this one out is to read about Princess Caraboo.

Augie has found waiting list information for hybrid cars. I would love to get a hybrid.

Isotope Comics Toilet Seat Art. Hey, I've got an Aquaman sketchbook, who am I to judge?

Boing Boing links: Faces, Balloons in mid-Pop (look at the expressions of the people doing the popping), more on the Utah Rave, Gigantic Klein Bottle (hubby-Eric wants one), List of Klingon Fairy Tales, and Really cool Labeling Tape.

For the rest of today, assuming the anti-nausea medication doesn't knock me out, I think I'll go play around in the wiki and add some more series that I actually have information on. It's kind of promising, so far, with some good stuff in the Detective Comics entry and some of the basics in the Aquaman entry worked out, too.

-by Tegan at 10:35 AM Seattle time - Permalink

Seattle 3-Day Update and (almost) Final Thoughts

In the end, I raised $2170 toward Breast Cancer research and treatment. I want to again thank everyone who donated that I can't write a thank you card to because I don't know your address. I especially want to thank the anonymous donor who put me up to the minimum right before the deadline. That donation saved me a lot of stress leading up to the Walk itself.

I haven't forgotten the drawing. Everyone who entered will be getting a prize package, and if you entered but don't receive an e-mail from me in the next couple of days asking for your address, PLEASE send me an e-mail and let me know I left you out or couldn't reach you. And feel free to include your mailing address this time.

As for my foot, which I injured during the Walk... it's healing. In fact, the last week has been very good for it, since I've been mostly at home because of this ear infection, trying not to move. Every cloud has a silver lining, I guess.

So, at some point I may say something more about the drawing, but until then... Whew. I'm glad that it's over.

-by Tegan at 9:50 AM Seattle time - Permalink

Monday, August 22, 2005

Wikimania II: The Return

Ok. It's up. Right here. Please play in it, and if you like it, add more and more and more until it actually becomes something halfway useful. The Aquaman entry has a little bit in it, and some of the others have skeletons of information just waiting to be filled out.

If you want to become an admin, make sure you have a user name at Wikicities then let me know. But to start out, just add information and pages (you can add a page by first adding a link on one of the other pages, then clicking the link and editing). Anyone at all can add (which is the whole point of Wikis) so go give it a shot. Add something you know, even if it's just one little tiny piece of information.

If there isn't enough interest to keep it going after a few months, or there is too much abuse to deal with, I'll ask the wikicities folks to delete it. Otherwise, it's all for fun and all for everyone. And yes, I know it's still really basic, but I want to test this idea out and see if it will fly.

-by Tegan at 6:56 PM Seattle time - Permalink

Lots of Planets Have a North!

I continue to update my Blogaround Challenge with any new blogarounds people send to me. Here's some nice links to enjoy...

Steve Lieber's father: $209 Round Trip.

I wasn't considering getting the new Buckaroo Banzai at all, but this great cover almost made me change my mind. I'm not sure what appeals to me, but it just seems right to me.

Peter David on Entourage. I agree, the show hasn't really dissed Aquaman yet. When I first heard that an HBO show was doing a plotline involving Aquaman I expected tons of lame jokes. So far, they have treated Aquaman with just the right amount of respect a superhero deserves (not a lot) and haven't retread any stupid jokes. The costume was hilarious. I haven't yet seen the episode that PAD refers to in his post, but I'm looking forward to it.

Here's a fantastic article about lost books. Books that were written, but lost to us through the movement of time. Via Bookslut.

I want one. I also want the original. If any of my family members are reading this and need to get a gift for me... well. There they are. And I wouldn't mind having doubles of them, either.

Flying Spaghetti Monster label to put on your car... and now Flying Spaghetti Monster has a posse. Update: More FSM.

The Mysterious Piano Man goes home.

Ravers in Utah are attacked by cops at what apparently was a perfectly legal concert. If the local cops were concerned about illegal drug use, there were far better ways to combat it than using tear gas on a peaceful crowd.
Update: Here's the other side of the story. I still think tear gas was overdoing it big time. I've seen the videos. No one was resisting, they were just confused. Thanks to Garrett for the sheriff link.

I don't really know what to make of this one: A Christian take on the Bush Administration.

-by Tegan at 1:13 PM Seattle time - Permalink

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Random Thoughts and Blogarounds

Mr Foglio goes to San Diego, Part 5. No links in this one, as he explains at the bottom of the post.

A fanfic crossover between Harry Potter and Bujold's Wormhole Nexus books. As Garrett repeats, if you haven't read the Vorkosigan books yet, why not?

Dave Ex Machina says Fantastic!

Here's a bit of interesting history on the Bumstead family in the Blondie comic strip, which you know if you read Mark Evanier or the comics pages in general is celebrating 75 years of Dagwood falling asleep on the job.

Oompa Loompa Imposters. Hubby-Eric tells me that there have been Munchkin Imposters as well. It's not too difficult to confirm who was in each movie, though, so don't just take the actors' words for it.

What Barbara Bush really said.

Anyone else as incredibly annoyed at this letter to Dear Abby as I was? I mean, seriously. Abby should've told the bigot to either grow a brain or move. I did find Abby's actual response to be a bit odd, though. She says "First of all" but doesn't continue with a second point. Did she get edited? NOTE: I found the rest of Abby's response at uExpress: "Rather than picking a fight about something so insignificant, you should concentrate on cultivating your own garden and stop obsessing about what's going on in his."

And, finally, here are some blogarounds for you to check out:

-by Tegan at 4:13 PM Seattle time - Permalink

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