The Cutest Critters Ever (and Something Funny)
When I headed out this morning with a friend to get lunch and wander around the mall (you know, stuff we 26-year-olds do all the time…), I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the cutest group of critters ever, and something funny for reasons it probably shouldn’t be. We’ll start with the cute first (click the read more to see the pictures and captions):Ducklings! Sixteen of them!See how well-behaved they are? They sit and listen very attentively!And they know who’s boss, and that’s mommy duck.And when mommy leaves…They follow! Aren’t they absolutely adorable? I’m amazed this one duck had sixteen little ducklings. That’s impressive! She’s a big duck, but still! (For those that care, this is about five feet outside my front door!) And now for the funny picture:Apparently the designer of this amazing hanging (hung?) Hilary Clinton doesn’t quite understand the implications of the design itself. Misogyny much? Yeah. And that’s it from me!
38 Reasons Why Darth Vader is Better (and Cooler) Than Iron Man
io9 recently posted a list of 38 reasons why Iron Man is better than Vader. As a Star Wars fan, I am horribly offended. Tony Stark? Better than Vader? Pah! That’s a load of crap, and here’s why (more after the fold; click the read more): Vader practically rules the entire frakking Galaxy. Stark can barely hang on to his own damned company. Vader has the Force. Iron Man has…a pretty kickass suit that, but it wouldn’t stand up against Force lightning or a Vader temper tantrum. John frakking Williams. Yeah. Vader doesn’t have any STDs. Stark? Probably a few dozen. Maybe even some we haven’t heard of yet. Vader has a lightsaber. And a spaceship. And an army. And cool bounty hunters like Boba freaking Fett. And a frakking space station for a house. And enough capital to build a second frakking space station when the first one gets blown up. Vader doesn’t have the U.S. government trying to take his shit. Vader has a son who turns out to be kind of a badass Jedi. Stark has a few dozen illegitimate children who’ll eventually come begging for college tuition. Vader also has a daughter who also turns out to be kind of a badass. Read the books. Vader says cool things like “the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.” When Vader says stuff like #14, he’s not bullshitting. And we know it. Stark is pretty much 95% bullshit. It’s cute, but that 5% doesn’t do much for his credibility. Vader has a whole fleet of frakking chauffeurs. Hello? Did you see all the times he was ferried around by Imperial dudes in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi? Vader builds complicated, advanced machines and computers at the tender age of 10. Star Wars. Six movies. And the first film made double what Iron Man brought in after being adjusted for inflation. All that without having a pre-established brand. Yeah. When Vader designs an artificial intelligence, it’s actually useful. Remember that arm droid thingy in Stark’s garage? Now that’s annoying as shit… And Vader’s artificial intelligences are insanely complex. C-3PO? Speaks just about every language ever invented. Yeah, what do you say to that, Stark? Vader doesn’t need a stupid super suit to jump 100 feet. He can just Force jump that shit. And Vader can sense danger and emotions and loads of other crazy things that you didn’t think could be read. Why? Because he has the frakking Force. Magic, fools. Magic. James Earl Jones. Vader has his own theme song. Vader flies around in Star Destroyers. Stark has a private jet, which is cool, until you realize that it can’t go into space, can’t go into hyperspace, and is basically cannon fodder for anything with guns… Vader can stop laser beams with his hands. Vader’s enemies are actually quite competent, which means he actually has to do some real work. Stark’s first enemies in the first Iron Man movie are so stupid they don’t even realize he’s building a freaking super suit in their cave… When people fail Vader, he chokes them to death. None of that goofing off crap with him. Vader owns the military. He doesn’t have to impress them to get their money. Vader chops off his son’s hand, knowing it’s his son, all to prove a point. Vader has no qualms about striking down his old man mentor. Why? Because Vader is a badass and doesn’t take crap from nobody. As far as we know, Vader doesn’t have goo inside his chest. On top of that, Vader’s chest also isn’t a damned Operation board game. Vader can rap. Vader is one of the most quoted fictional characters ever. “Luke, I am your father…” That’s right. When he dies, he gets to become a cool ghost thing, where he’ll spend eternity hanging out with his friends. Stark will just be dead in a ditch somewhere. Maybe he’ll go to Heaven, but probably not. Vader can dance. No speculation. He can dance. He’s Darth freaking Vader. Why do you need 38 reasons to understand this? There. Problem solved.
Top 7 James Bond Title Themes
I’ve been on a James Bond kick lately. I might even read the original novels and short stories. Who knows. For now, I’m mostly interested in the music ever since hearing Chris Cornell’s “You Know My Name” from Casino Royale (as an single, rather than in the film itself). So, I thought I would put together a post of what I think are the seven best James Bond title themes ever. Feel free to send the MI6 after me if you disagree. Here goes (list begins after the fold): 1. “Die Another Day” — MadonnaIf any song could prove that Madonna has still got it, then “Die Another Day” was that song. The use of techno beats, orchestra, and bizarre editing make for a really weird, but awesome listening experience. 2. “You Know My Name” — Chris Cornell (from Casino Royale)The new Bond films have actually been quite good, despite the mild controversy over choosing Daniel Craig to play 007. The new direction of the films also heralded a slightly new direction for the title themes. Chris Cornell’s rather rough and rock-inspired tune is one of the best of the newer tunes (in the last 20 years of Bond films). 3. “To Live and Let Die” — Paul McCartneyA classic and probably the one song most people associate immediately with the Bond franchise (or maybe that’s just me). The song never gets old. 4. “From Russia With Love” — Matt MonroeSomething about the lounge singer/Sinatra feel of this song always tickles me pink (or blue or whatever color is appropriate). It’s smooth, enjoyable, and makes you want to sit back and get a drink. 5. “Goldfinger” — Shirley BasseyBassey’s vocals are rough and rugged, which fits the Bond franchise perfectly. Goldfinger is one of the more iconic Bond tunes, too. Listen for yourself. 6. “Goldeneye” — Tina TurnerWho didn’t love Tina Turner’s rendition of “Goldeneye”? The Bond tunes seem to have a close relationship with divas, and Turner’s belting vocals and attitude and the creepy and poignant lyrics made for a great opening to a revitalized Bond franchise (with Brosnan taking the helm). 7. “The World is Not Enough” — GarbageThe overall feeling created by listening to Garbage’s “The World is Not Enough” can only be described as chilling. The tone and pace create a kind of strange atmosphere. Too bad the film didn’t quite live up to the song. And there you have it. Hopefully I haven’t committed blasphemy here… What are your favorite Bond tunes? Let me know in the comments!
New Weird/Bizarro Summer Reading: Want to join me?
Over the next two months I will be researching and reading for an essay I am writing on the New Weird and Bizarro subgenres and their influence on SF/F in the last ten years. The list isn’t terribly long, and does include some older titles for historical reference, but I thought I would see if some of you wanted to read along with me. Perhaps we can have some discussions here about whatever happens to strike our fancy. So, my reading list is as follows: –The New Weird edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer–City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff VanderMeer–The Year of Our War by Steph Swainston–Foop! by Chris Genoa–Natural History by Justina Robson–The Etched City by KJ Bishop–Doctor Identity, or Farewell to Plaquedemia by D. Harlan Wilson–Veniss Undeground by Jeff VanderMeer–Angel Dust Apocalypse by Jeremy Robert Johnson–Wanderers and Islanders by Steve Cockayne–The Accord by Keith Brooke–Viriconium by M. John Harrison–Perdido Street Station by China Mieville–The Bizarro Starter Kit (orange) and (blue) I’ll also be reading numerous short stories by Jason Sanford and others. I can provide a short list of those if anyone wants to know. I’m pretty certain that I am starting with Perdido Street Station on Monday, which is probably the easiest of the titles on this list to get. That said, if anyone wants to join me, let me know in the comments. I’m already doing about half of these with a friend, and I’ve love to have the additional company. It would be interesting to get a bunch of people talking about the same book on here. Alright, off to reading for me!
Video Found: Ataque de Panico (Panic Attack — Scifi Short)
I’m not sure how I missed this amazing science fiction short film, because it is bloody brilliant. I discovered this through a recent post at Scifi Wire. It’s about 5 minutes long and, for a film made by amateurs, it’s quite amazing. The graphics, while not quite to the standard of Hollywood, are still really impressive, particularly the explosions on buildings. See for yourself (after the fold):
Quick Note: Changes to Format and Suggestions
For those of you who regularly visit the actual webpage for WISB, you’ll have noticed that there are some things shifting around and new things springing up. Some of these new things are in rough shape, but as soon as I figure a few programming bits out they will start looking better. One of the big changes to my blog is that there is now a navbar on top, which includes links to my review and advertising policies, among other things (more stuff will appear there when I get it in decent shape). It doesn’t look like much right now, but it will once I figure out how to make them not look like normal links. That said, I would like your opinions on the design of the main page. Likes, dislikes, and so on. If you hate something, tell me. If you love something, tell me that too. I’m in the mood to edit this blog and make it prettier, so your thoughts are, as always, appreciated. Anywho.