Black Friday

I know that many people begin their Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but that's not the way I work. I've been slowly acquiring Christmas gifts for a couple of months now.

Black Friday is for me.

I've been waiting for info from Best Buy and a couple of other stores, giving me some clue as to whether or not I would be insane enough to line up for a 5:00 a.m. opening this Friday.

I just may be. They have a buttload of DVDs I want -- recent bestsellers and new releases, like X3 and Monster House -- dirt freakin' cheap. And they have not one but two flat-panel monitors at prices I literally can't believe. (My trusty old ViewSonic has been going wonky for months now, and I'd determined that if I could hold out till Black Friday I would get an LCD.)

They have Neverwinter Nights 2 for $24.99. Half price. Released three weeks ago.

I've gotta check CompUSA. I will NOT go to Target or CostCo. (And I will NEVER go to Wal*Mart.)

So. Are you gonna go shopping Friday?

Another Special Comment By Keith Olbermann

I cried. I frickin' cried. Dude's a national treasure.

Christmas Vacation

In thirty seconds, with bunnies.

Robert Altman Dies

Sadness. Director Robert Altman, who made a gazillion movies including some regarded as absolute classics of the cinema, has passed away at the age of 81.

Do you have any favorite Altman films? I love M*A*S*H; I really liked Popeye, except for the musical numbers; I adore A Prairie Home Companion.

Back From PhilCon

Home again, home again, jiggety jig. And I must say, I had a blast. Many, many thanks to everyone on the concom, including hughcasey, Suzanne, Mark, the wonderful Lisa, Oz and his lady Wendy, Nate, Syd, Stephanie, and ever-damn-body else. Thanks to hms42, dhs, and partiallyclips. Thanks to Benjamin and Abbie and and the rest of the filkers. Thanks to all the great fans at the Saturday concert, the Masquerade halftime, and the open filk on Saturday night. Thanks to the whackos in the Con Suite Sunday night, having a chocolate war. Thanks to Larry and Sally and especially persis. Thanks to everybody who came up and said Hi.

One small thing: I don't think I was surly. And I don't think I was grumbling much. I sincerely hope not. Half the concom seemed to be worried as to whether or not I was having a good con, by which it seemed they meant a financially successful con, whether or not sales were good. I guess I've really got to work on making people understand that, while being a pro is fun and work, and that stuff is important, none of this would be worth a damn if not for the people... if not for you people. I go to cons, first and foremost, because all my buds are at cons. You are my audience, my fan base, my support system, my friends, and I sing for you as much as for me.

So, to be very direct about it: PhilCon this year was great. I had a lovely time with some very good folks, and I made money. Can't beat that.

Puppet Up!

Oh my god. markbernstein told me about this, and neither one of us can figure out how we didn't hear about it before hand.

An improv show starring Muppets.

"Pissed-Off Fanboy" Mode... Engage

I got two words for ya.

The FUCK?!?