Some of you may remember Pride and Prejudice as told through Facebook. Well today a friend sends me a link to Hamlet - somewhat truncated and less of a riot than P&P but amusing and rightly full of awesome all the same.
Enjoy! And will someone please give Dune the Facebook treatment? Pretty please?
~ Darcy
So I found these light bulb jokes on this blog on my lunch break today. They have thus far been the highlight of the week but what’s worse….
So. Very. True.
Enjoy!
Q. How many publishers does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Three. One to screw it in, two to hold down the author.
Q. How many production people does it take to change a light bulb?
A. That light bulb was supposed to have been changed last week!
Q. How many copy-editors does it take to change a light bulb?
A. The last time this question was asked, it involved production people. Is the difference intentional? Should one or the other instance be changed? It seems inconsistent.
Q. How many marketing directors does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Is it too late to make this light bulb a neon one instead?
Q. How many proofreaders does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Proofreaders aren’t supposed to change light bulbs. They should just query them.
Q. How many designers does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Why is there … an eggbeater, I think?… sticking out of this light fixture?
Q. How many cover-blurb writers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: A VAST AND TEEMING HORDE STRETCHING FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA!!!!
Q. How many IT people does it take to screw in a light bulb.
A: Just one, but the new light bulbs aren’t compatible with the old sockets, so they’ll have to buy a new light fitting or re-wire the entire building.
Q. How many finance department people does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One, but they’re not changing it until someone’s signed the invoice for the new light bulb. And how come we’re going through so many light bulbs anyway?
Q. How many writers does it take to change a light bulb?
A. But why do we have to CHANGE it?
Q. How many mystery writers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Two, one to screw it almost all the way in and the other to give it a surprising twist at the end.
~ Darcy
Oh hell. This had me bawling like a small child for a decent five minutes. I seem to get increasingly more sappy as I get older, dammit. Something -must- be done. To quote the Lady Macbeth: ”Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood and stop up the access and passage to remorse that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep pace between the effect and it!”
Anyway, here is a really beautiful short film by Bruce Bryant, found via Nathan Bradsford. Nathan commented on his blog that he felt it captured what it was like to be a writer, and I couldn’t agree more. World Builder captured exactly the empty, lonely feeling of starting a fresh scene. So very moving.
The film is an awesome piece and reminds me very much of a story my boy-o wrote for me back in the day when we first started dating. Also, I seriously want technology like this.
~ Darcy
Can you tell what book(s) I’m reading right now?
Anyway, Badali has new Mistborn jewelry available for purchase and right now I’m feeling sorely tempted. The allomancy pendants look a little funky though, but the vials are a pretty neat concept. If anything I’d be a Soother, but I think it would just be a grand riot (harharhar inside pun if you’ve read the series– 
I couldn’t resist) to hang a bead of atium around my neck.
I’m on the third book right now. It’s been an exciting series so far. What I’ve liked most is how it has built on itself. I liked Mistborn. I loved Well of Ascension, and Hero of Ages I can’t seem to put down. Unless it is to google what kind of swag I can get, of course. -winks-
Now if only I had $39.00 dollars.
Mistborn is a fantasy trilogy written by Brandon Sanderson, author of Elantris and Warbreaker in case you are wondering about what I am talking about. He has also been chosen to finish the Wheel of Time series by Harriet McDougal, Robert Jordan’s widow and editor.
/End of Line
~ Darcy
Description: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features the original text of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie action. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Complete with 20 illustrations in the style of C. E. Brock (the original illustrator of Pride and Prejudice), this insanely funny expanded edition will introduce Jane Austen’s classic novel to new legions of fans.
My Thoughts: …
I can’t decide if I’m horrified or blown away by awesome. What an unexpected and appropriate twist on the Austen revival motif (which has been done to death already). And that cover rocks!
I hope Kitty is the first to become Zombie chow.
/End of Line
~ Darcy
While not the coolest thing I say today/yesterday, these were definitely awesomtastic none-the-less. I helped a friend pick out a new skin for her blackberry. She was looking at a few steampunk themes, and we both fell in love with the iPod versions.
Take a gander at these:
Option 2 is probably my favorite I think. They have laptop skins as well, fyi.
/End of Line
~ Darcy
Well I certainly never saw this coming, but I think this debate has some potential to become the new pirate vs. ninja.
Last week, authors Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black announced that they are co-editing an anthology of fiction to be published by Simon and Schuster in 2010. Each has a post about it on their website. No word yet on who else will be contributing to this project.
By now you must know that I am formally endorsing Team Unicorn.
Let me just say that I love this project. This is not about who can kick whose butt in a fight but which creature makes for better fiction. And regardless of the outcome, both creatures could use some new life. Let’s face it, zombies and unicorns both fall victim to cliche more often than fans can stomach. Unicorns are ethereal, pure, christ-like, and most commonly a female power symbol. Zombies…mindless, rotting, and need I say it BRAAAAAAAAAAINS. Arguably this is what many zombie lovers seem to appreciate about them, but meeeeh.
I’ve had enough. There are advocates a plenty for other mythical creatures such as vampires, werewolves, dragons, and fae. Gone are the pixy like faeries as seen in Thumbalina. Look what Melissa Marr has done for them. Faeries are now edgy, sexy…predators. And let’s face it, dragons have always been cool.
Unicorns were my gateway into fantasy thanks to such things Rainbow Bright, The Unicorn Chronicles, and of course…The Last Unicorn. But what has been done, and done well, in recent years with this noble animal: not a whole lot. I think part of the problem is that unicorns are considered juvenile, My Little Pony and all that, but I hope that can change.
To promote the release of The Company by K.J. Parker, Orbit has set up what may very well be one of the most interesting giveaways I’ve ever seen for a book. Ever fancied owning a chainmail shirt? Well now perhaps you can, for free!
It’s not too late to catch some of the fun all you Second-Lifers
So, I know that ALA had some property on Second Life. I just didn’t realize how groovy it was. I may actually get back into Second Life solely for it. I imagine the game will run much smoother in that area than in the places I usually hung out at. If any of you have an account, you should really check it out. There are still a few events remaining this week. It look likes those librarians are having a grand time over there.
And from what I read, you can even grab an ALA T-shirt or Read poster for you avatar or apartment!
What’s Left:
Friday, Oct. 3rd
12:30 Second Life Time/Pacific Time - 2:30 Central Time
Banned Books Week Town Square on ALA Island (203, 55, 61) — New location!
- Open debate on The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
What makes this book so objectionable to the parents of high school students?
Several volunteers needed to debate the two main opposing sides — please contact Bryan Campbell of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom about participation. Or send an IM (Instant Message) to Second Life avatar Bryan Anderton.
Comments and questions from audience encouraged, but this will be more of a structured debate than a discussion.
Judy Blume (2000) (30 min) ALL DAY
Galen Noltenius Sky Platform on ALA Island (206, 100, 46) — New Coordinates!
October 20, 2000 episode of “The Open Mind”
Host: Richard D. Heffner
Guest: Author Judy Blume
Courtesy of the Internet Archive of The Open Mind episodes
Saturday, Oct. 4th
12:30 Second Life Time/Pacific Time - 2:30 Central Time
Banned Books Week Town Square on ALA Island (203, 55, 61) — New location!
- ALA Island Banned Books Week Read-Out & Fireworks
ALA Staff and guests will read aloud from selected works that have been banned or challenged. Readers will include Oberon Octagon, ALALibraryVal Miles, Bryan Anderton, Kay Tairov, Elaine Tulip, Bunny Iwish, and more.
Reading will use voice chat.
Feel free to volunteer — more participants needed!
Party on the riverboat will follow.
The Delta Lady Riverboat on ALA Island (84, 15, 26)
5:00 Second Life Time/Pacific Time - 7:00 Central Time
Main Stage on ALA Island (127, 103, 29)
In-world appearance by author Chris Crutcher
Recent Barks