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# From The Morgue

1 : where the dead are kept until identified --- 2 : collection of reference material

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [How NZ media launders right-wing extremism](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8142) - I continue to despair at the state of local media, a longstanding concern as the venerable mediawatch category on this blog shows. As the information environment has eroded into its present miserable state, the failure of the media to rise to the occasion grows ever more inexcusable. Today delivered a particularly egregious example of how
- [Twin Peaks (USA, 1990)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7640) - Twin Peaks is widely regarded as a missed opportunity. Made by David Lynch as the pilot for a planned TV series, it was salvaged into a film by adding an ending sequence. The film's roots in television are obvious, introducing a sprawling cast of characters - some of whom don't even get lines of dialogue, such
- [The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost (2016)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7650) - Well. It's a hefty tome, and a beautiful physical object. Engaging, frequently a page-turner. Often funny, and pleasantly studded with familiar voices. But whatever I was hoping for, I didn't really get it. The book is presented as a dossier about the town of Twin Peaks, including notes by an archivist and reproductions of original
- [Dear Spark](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8127) - (Update 19 August at bottom of post) Your "Tell us how we went" email has sat in my inbox for some weeks, waiting for me to get to it. Also, I suppose, waiting for some late reply to my last message that might have rescued the situation. Of course that didn't end up happening. So,
- [Facebook: Rules of Engagement](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8131) - If you're still on Facebook, you've seen how wild it gets over there... We can push back, and make a (small but mighty) difference.
- [Why I'm Tired](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8124) - I posted on Bluesky about the state of society, politics, media, all of it. Reproducing it here with slight edits for readability. I start by quoting the following post from Russel Norman, former leader of the NZ Greens so not just some internet rando: "We now know that within the Prime Ministers Office there was
- [Owen Davie (March 1944-March 2026)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8119) - My bit from my dear Dad's funeral, giving the overview of his life. Owen was not one to jump into the spotlight and tell his own story. He didn’t like to blow his own trumpet, in both metaphorical and literal contrast to his grandfather Hilmer, a charismatic brass band leader and renowned trombone player. Owen
- [What I've done with the second half of 2025](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8114) - This post is going to be a bit shorter than the one for the first half. As promised: house renovations. We moved out for three months, and there was a significant to-do list before and after that period, so it absolutely dominated the back half of the year. But it was a success! We had
- [Now we have sun](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8102) - I’ve been thinking about, and later worrying about, climate change almost my whole life. As a kid reporter for the newspaper (back when there was a kid reporter page in the newspaper/back when there was a newspaper) I worked on a story on the greenhouse effect in the late 80s. The focus then was on
- [What i've done with the first half of 2025](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8099) - Clearing the decks has been a focus for a while now, and it has finally worked out. So here's a marker, as we hit the halfway point of 2025, where I'm at. FiveEvil is done. A horror roleplaying game using a smart remix of the most well-known set of rules there is. It's out in
- [Regulatory Standards Bill submission](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8096) - Finally got around to reading this Bill on the last day subs are open. Made these notes (on Bluesky, thinking out loud). It seems to be "if your legislation doesn't match ACT-style libertarian principles, you need to admit it and wear a sign saying NOT LIBERTARIAN ENOUGH" which has various emergent consequences if embedded in
- [Square birthday](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8091) - I just turned 49. Yes, it's a big one! A square birthday, seven lots of seven years. My last square birthday was when I turned 36 in 2012, and my next one will arrive (cross fingers) in 2040. A square birthday is a great opportunity to take stock. How has my life worked out across
- [Submission on the Treaty Principles Bill](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8087) - Submitted on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, on the official website. Submissions remain open until 7 January. The Treaty Principles Bill would be disastrous to the future wellbeing of Aotearoa and should be rejected with sufficient force and clarity as to damage any future attempt to revive it. I endorse the submissions
- [Wait did Generation X win??](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8081) - On the latest episode of the Why Is This Happening podcast, host Chris Hayes chats with McKay Coppins about the incoherence in the Trump Republicans. It's a great listen in general, but I took particular note of their suggestion of how Reagan's three-legged stool has been roundly rejected by US voters. It made my ears
- [Obligatory Trump Post](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8079) - Everyone with a blog is contractually obliged to write a post about the 2024 U.S. election result, here's mine. So that's how it is. There's something kind of freeing about it: we're in the bad timeline. The majority of U.S. citizens who got off their backside to vote wanted Donald Trump in the chair. Despite.
- [My game is on Kickstarter right now](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8076) - It's called FiveEvil: Fiendish 5E Horror. It's a tabletop roleplaying-game, like Dungeons & Dragons, only it is for playing horror. I like horror, even though I'm a bit of a scaredy cat. Sometimes I have to turn a movie off and finish it the next day while the sun is up. And I really like
- [Alien: Romulus (2024)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8056) - Alien: Romulus: I liked it and it worked, except for the bits that didn’t, three stars. Mark it down to two point five stars for the surprise cast member. More? Okay strap in. Spoilers ahead. (BTW I did one of these for Prometheus too.) Facehuggers… why’d it have to be facehuggers? Right about the middle of
- [Why there are no sequels to The Terminator (1984)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8050) - I had a lovely time watching The Terminator with the 13yo. (Who is categorically too young for this film, but actually not really, except for the sex scene which is never something you want to watch with your Dad and the skip forward button may have been deployed by them at that point.) I noted
- [Just Do A Meow Wolf](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8047) - Simon Arcus, chief executive of Wellington Chamber and Business Central, thinks the city could do with some new attractions, such as the previously pitched World of WearableArt (WOW) museum or the interactive and immersible creative installations of Meow Wolf, a Sante Fe arts collective. Cruising the Capital: Why the 'Must Do' list needs a shake-up
- [Enjoying old stuff](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8043) - Podcast Where Eagles Dare has returned to their loving, detailed coverage of 1980s British kids adventure comic Eagle with the dramatic moment of its merger with the long-lived Tiger. I remember it well from the first time around. I was 9 years old when this landed in NZ, and listening to the podcast describing these
- [Palestine Trip 4: Painted Eggs](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=70) - Up here. [EDIT: DEAD LINK - REPRODUCED BELOW] PREVIOUSLY: PALESTINE TRIP 3 Sunday, April 11, 2004 EASTER SUNDAY, BEIT SAHOUR We were in Palestine as part of an organised tour, and this day was scheduled as our own to do with as we pleased. Given it was Easter Sunday, we started off going to church.
- [Palestine Trip 7: Tough Situation](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=81) - Up here. Only one day still to come. PREVIOUSLY: PALESTINE TRIP 6 Wednesday April 14 , 2004 Breakfast with Manar and Johnny and little Nicole BEIT SAHOUR It was just like driving around a town anywhere in New Zealand, except for the bullet marks, the burned out buildings, the missile holes, and the streets blocked
- [When I went to Palestine](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8037) - Twenty years ago this month Caroline and I went to Palestine. We travelled with a group called Olive Tours, whose mission was to give people an opportunity to see directly what was happening there, and the nature of the occupation of Palestine by Israel, by meeting people (both Palestinian and Israeli) working for peace. It
- [Palestine Trip 8: Bumps in the night](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=82) - Up here. [DEAD LINK - REPRODUCED BELOW] This is the last one. Thanks for reading 'em. PREVIOUSLY: PALESTINE TRIP 7 Thursday April 15, 2004 THE EMPTY HOUSE Trouble in the night. Morning, and we drive through houses on the outskirts of Aida refugee camp, Samer leaning out the window to ask directions of kids passing
- [Palestine 1: Welcomes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=64) - My first account is up here [LINK DEAD - REPRODUCED BELOW]. If you want to subscribe to the morgueatlarge email list, just send a blank message to: morgueatlarge-subscribe@topica.com More to follow. Photos uploaded; links will be available soon. --- [ORIGINAL EMAIL TEXT] Thursday April 8 So we're zooming down the highway to Jerusalem on Holy
- [Palestine Trip 2: Facts on the Ground](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=67) - Up here. [EDIT: LINK DEAD-REPRODUCED BELOW] On a lighter note, some more testimony as to the Godlike power of Leon has been added to the Making Leon a God website. --- PREVIOUSLY: PALESTINE TRIP 1 Friday April 9, 2004 The call to prayer sounds like a cross between an air raid siren and a Leonard
- [Palestine Trip 3: Barriers](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=68) - Up here. [EDIT: DEAD LINK - REPRODUCED BELOW] There's photos and all. --- PREVIOUSLY: PALESTINE TRIP 2 Saturday April 10 CHECKPOINTS Checkpoints. In the morning we go through one on foot, the main Bethlehem checkpoint. Sarah points at some women as we approach - they are about to cut off the road and go overland
- [Palestine Trip 5: Pushes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=73) - Up here [ DEAD LINK - REPRODUCED BELOW ]. Mistakenly numbered it '4'. One of the problems with the email archive is that it doesn't let me edit anything. Oh well.Also I forgot to put in the email that new photos are up [DEAD LINK - INCLUDED BELOW], including my favourite from the trip.Must get
- [Palestine Trip 6: Green Spaces](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=75) - Up here. [EDIT: DEAD LINK, REPRODUCED BELOW] I'm really not sure I did Qalqilya justice with that last email. Its hard to communicate how many-layered the problems are, how they all fold back on and compound each other. I could write and say much, much more. I won't. I will say, if you're interested, there
- [Enjoying Flow](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8003) - One of those basketball moments where all my teammates were like “whoa what a move” and the opposition guy I scored on was like “whoa nice move” and I have no memory of what I did Last week I fell over I posted the above on social media a few days ago, and I'm still
- [[morgueatlarge] What Leon's Up To](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=8001) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent April 2004] Long-time readers of these morgueatlarge emails will be accustomed to my regular updates on the whereabouts of Leon Verrall, my old buddy and initial travelling companion when leaving the shores of home for parts unknown. Well, he's in London, working backstage, and if you care
- [[morgueatlarge] The Nether Regions](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7999) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent March 2004] Long time no email, but the reason is that little has happened. As Europe starts to thaw, though, the travel bug starts to kick in, and that means some emails should be swinging out from Edinburgh in the nearish future. Cal and I are just
- [[morgueatlarge] The Hogmanay That Wasn’t!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7997) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent January 2004] Edinburgh’s big street party to see in the new year has become somewhat infamous over the last decade, and is now reputedly the biggest in Europe. It’s certainly a folded page-corner in the Lonely Planet of many a traveller. The Hogmanay celebrations run for days,
- [[morgueatlarge] Edinburgh X-Moose II: The Snowing](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7995) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent December 2003] I used to make my own Christmas cards, the infamous Why Be Normal series that emerged each December (and often on birthdays, too). The pinnacle of these, in '98, involved musing on which was better, real or fake Christmas Trees, and working it out by
- [[morgueatlarge] from the morgue - a blog begins](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7993) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent November 2003] hey everyone! I'm continuing to wrestle time out of non-time up here in the descending-to-winter-again Edinburghland.(With Christmas pending, I think I've been nominated to turn into a reindeer and draw a sleigh, except (a) wrong ungulate - me am moose, and (b) still can't draw*.
- [York](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7) - I stand proudly on the walls of York.
- [[morgueatlarge] Final Fest](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7988) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent November 2003] We’d almost missed a whole festival. The Edinburgh Film Fest is a short one, two weeks in length and packed to the brim with screenings. Almost every single screening is followed by a question and answer session with the director or star or both. It’s
- [[morgueatlarge] more festival](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7986) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent November 2003] Okay, the secret explanation for our busy first fest weekend: all tickets were 2 for 1. The deal carried on until the end of Monday. So after work on Monday I zipped into town and checked out the next on the list: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, a
- [[morgueatlarge] That Festival Report](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7984) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent November 2003] Three months of very severe busy. Here's some short-form updates:* we did the festival* we had many visitors, including Lucy and John, Kirsten, Leon and Matt E* I supervised the steady expansion of a bookshop-based roleplaying club* I scored a freelance web content development contract
- [[morgueatlarge] flashmorgue!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7981) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent September 2003] It's been a crazy and enlightening year. Thanks to everyone who's read these emails. Thanks to everyone I've met. Thanks to everyone waiting for me back home. Life is sweet. ~`morgue
- [[morgueatlarge] FlashMorgue - Wgtn, this Thurs, 7.56pm](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7979) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent September 2003] Most of you will probably have heard about ‘flash mobbing’, where crowds of people suddenly gather to perform a pointless act and then disperse. This is not one of those. This is a FlashMorgue. This Thursday, September 11, marks the one year anniversary of my
- [[morgueatlarge] Tale of Three Cities (3)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7977) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent August 2003] STOCKHOLM One month ago, Caroline and I got on a bus, then we got on a train, then we got on a plane, and in a few hours we were in Stockholm. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being able to do that.
- [[morgueatlarge] Tale of Three Cities (2)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7975) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent August 2003] EDINBURGH I see the city through new eyes as Caroline discovers it. It’s beautiful, that old town skyline across Princes St like nothing else on earth. The Museum of Edinburgh has some good maps and models of what the town was once like, and suddenly
- [[morgueatlarge] Tale of Three Cities (1)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7971) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent August 2003] LONDON Sun in blue sky, a lonely admiral. Isle of Dogs, dead hot. Sitting on grass in a park watching the Thames, top arc of the eye of London imperceptibly shifting in the distance, Caroline appears before my eyes for the first time in ten
- [[morgueatlarge] BJMEEOP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7970) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent July 2003] BARBIE I went out to Peebles for a barbecue with Stephen Ellis and some other friends I’ve made through the roleplaying network here. It was lovely and sunny and we stood around in a perfectly manly sort of way, looking at the charcoal and nodding.
- [[morgueatlarge] everyone would speak in rhyme](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7968) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent June 2003] This is necessarily bitsy. But I'm sending it anyway. ------- I didn't make it to Michael Franti and Spearhead's gig in Glasgow. It was sold out before I found out. I am considering Ice T in August, however. In consolation I bought the new album,
- [[morgueatlarge] clod in culloden](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7966) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent June 2003] I know, it's been a while, yadda yadda. ---------- After returning from my familial European adventure, and a day in London catching up with All They Folk There, I returned to work for an almost-week. Public Enemy played in Glasgow and I didn't go, on
- [[morgueatlarge] Personal Nightmare - unrepentant](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7964) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent April 2003] In San Sebastian there was a woman. She was cute. She wasn't wearing much clothing. She was four stories tall. She was advertising a fantasy film fest, one of the more notable ones in the world according to later investigations. There is no point to
- [[morgueatlarge] Classic town, Vienna!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7962) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent April 2003] This morning Ben my brother took a bus. Off to London. (He just arrived where he's staying there - tip o' the hat to Jon Ball for that - and to the wonders of the internet for giving me instant news of his arrival.) A
- [[morgueatlarge] budapest is not at all turkish](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7959) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent April 2003] Reminder - Sunday lunch in London - 1pm, All Bar One, Leicester Square. ---- Grafitto outside UN building in Vienna- "self-deceit is common among those from the tropics" ---- Weird - in my mind I have always associated Budapest with Turkish exotica, and Hungary with
- [[morgueatlarge] Prague, lucidly](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7957) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent April 2003] I'll try to ramble less this time. --- Prague. It feels like a Kafka protagonist, not in control of its circumstances, locked in a curious relationship of two-way exploitation, reluctant to act out of spite or stubborness or fear, probably destined for regret. The tourists
- [[morgueatlarge] lunch with the king (imperative form)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7955) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent April 2003] Lots has happened. I’m still in Edinburgh – tonight. Tomorrow I’m on a plane, to Prague no less. I have arranged to meet my family there. I am meeting my family in Prague. It feels terribly, pleasingly bourgeois. Family! Travel! Motion! The obvious fun. Stay
- [[morgueatlarge] Why I'm not a superhero](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7953) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent March 2003] Blair departed Edinburgh today. Blair Rhodes. Best known around Wellington as the name behind the regular late-90s feature ‘Ministry of Certain Things’ in student rag Salient. Not quite as cynical and pessimistic in real life as in his columns, but not far off; but just
- [[morgueatlarge] i can see the fnords!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7951) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent February 2003] Bradley and I went on a daytrip to Roslin on Sunday. Roslin is a village a few miles south of Edinburgh, out in the countryside, and is undoubtedly most famous for being the home of Dolly the sheep (RIP). I went, however, to wander in
- [[morgueatlarge] cider, marching, floor baptisms](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7949) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent February 2003] I just shared a bus into town with a classic rambling friendly drunk, clutching a 2 litre soft drink bottle full of cider ("good cider, pal"). I pretended to be asleep. He talked to the wall instead. This is the middle of Tuesday afternoon, mind. --------
- [[morgueatlarge] currently missed NZ band: rhombus](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7947) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent February 2003] It's not my habit to self-criticise on these things, which is a bit crap really considering that it's going out to an audience who don't necessarily want to read any given ramble. But, having decided not to read through it before I send it, I
- [[morgueatlarge] Conference in Glasgow, Many Kinds of Tea](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7945) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent January 2003] Reports of my death have been... ----- [To the politically squeamish: don't turn away. I won't be boring. Or very political.] This past weekend I went to an anti-war conference in Glasgow. It was, believe it or not, the first time I have been beyond
- [[morgueatlarge] Free chocolate, fireworks and giant red giraffes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7941) - [originally an email to the morgueatlarge list, sent January 2003] It snowed last night, for the first time. A light dusting on the cars parked along Salisbury Road in the morning, like icing sugar on matchbox cars. The day is bright and clear and blue. Two has gone into three. There was talk of chaos
- [Luxon and the renters](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7938) - Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says renters 'very grateful' Government bringing back interest deductibility for landlords
- [Government of Reckons](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7932) - They reckon the governmental budget is like a household budget. They reckon 'tough love' is the way to motivate beneficiaries. They think boot camps are going to fix young offenders. They reckon the clean car discount didn't actually work. They reckon world-leading smokefree legislation wasn't going to work. They reckon Three Waters co-governance was anti-democratic.
- [Doctor Who: Tennant outcome](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7923) - In December 2022 I wrote about the surprising return of David Tennant to Doctor Who, and made a prediction about the theme RTD wanted to explore: It is my expectation that this return to the role of Doctor is explicitly intended as a continuation of this thread: RTD will frame this as the Doctor’s own
- [In which I solve the problem of free will](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7916) - I enjoyed listening to two episodes of Adam Conover's Factually podcast, in which he hosted guests with competing perspectives on the existence of free will, a profound question that has vexed thinkers of all stripes for centuries. We have a strongly developed intuition that we choose what we do, and our theories of morality rely
- [20 years of ORC](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7908) - Twenty years ago today I was in the long-departed Ottakar's Bookshop, in Edinburgh, wondering if anyone would come and play games with me. It was not the best time for tabletop roleplaying games. They had fallen off the cultural radar completely during the 1990s, with an aging player base and no signs of transformation ahead.
- [Jurassic Park (USA, 1993)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7905) - Introduced the School Beastie to Jurassic Park. (Long overdue because she loves the Dinosaur Island board game which is exactly the same idea. Yes she still mostly beats me when we play.) When I watched JP on its opening weekend in ‘93 I walked out thinking that it felt like it was a fantastic movie
- [Jumping Sundays (Nick Bollinger, 2022)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7899) - I was riveted by this Ockham-nominated history of the counterculture in Aotearoa NZ. It's a chunky, sweeping account on an era of social and cultural history when the young Boomer generation started unbuttoning the starchy shirt of NZ rugby-and-church conformity to make room for sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Nick Bollinger is a great
- [It’s all gone bad hasn’t it](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7897) - The internet has never been so broken. Where are the good conversations at? That was the core currency of the internet: newsgroups and bulletin boards, then blogs and forums, then social media and comment sections. And now it’s all gone. Facebook is an unworkable mess, burying the things your friends say beneath piles of engagement-bait
- [[morgueatlarge] Joop, Edinburgh, a watch](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7894) - I'm in Edinburgh. It's amazing. When I told people I was heading up there they'd all say "it's so beautiful" and you know, it really is. Not scattered spots of beauty mixed in with miles of chaos like you find in Barcelona or London, but a comprehensive all-around goodness that you can't run from without
- [[morgueatlarge] Flashback: Andorra, Realm of Duty Free](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7891) - Andorra is one of those tiny countries, the ones that aren’t large enough to merit a block of colour on large-scale maps and are instead identified by a line pointing at their location. The ones you forget about, basically. It’s sandwiched between Spain and France in the heights of the Pyrenees. The local language is
- [[morgueatlarge] Flashback: The New Beaujolais](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7885) - Two announcements before I start ranting: (1) Londoners: I’m getting into London this Saturday afternoon. I’m leaving again on Thursday and probably won’t be back until after New Year’s. I’m keen to see as many of you as possible, particularly those I didn’t manage to catch last time, so give me an email or wait
- [West Side Story (1961) with the NZSO](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7879) - On Saturday night I was lucky enough to see West Side Story (1961) with all the music performed live by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Tremendous! The NZSO sounded amazing, unsurprisingly, although there were some slight issues with the film sound (the singing was great - quite a technical feat to get it all lined
- [Doctor Who: Tennant Expectations](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7867) - David Tennant’s encore in the TARDIS, as the opening salvo from returning showrunner Russell T Davies, is going to be entertaining TV for sure, but also interesting as storytelling. (I’ve been chatting about this with various people for months, thought I might as well chuck it on the blog so my expectations can be tested
- [Xmas Family Movie: The Monster’s Christmas (NZ, 1981)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7862) - Here is my warmest recommendation to you all this December: gather your family and sit down to enjoy classic piece of seasonal Kiwiana, the long-neglected monsterpiece The Monster's Christmas (1981). One hour of wildly imaginative hijinks shot through with kindness and humour, suitable for young and old, and free to watch online! The Monster's Christmas
- [Of Twits and Turns](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7849) - Twitter is entering its end phase. Probably. It might make it through the early messy stages of the Elon Musk era and find some new stability, anything is possible, but it doesn’t seem likely. Life-integrated services like Twitter exist most importantly in the perceptions of users, as an idea we hold on to; that idea
- [20 years at large](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7845) - Twenty years ago today, I hopped on a plane with my best bud Leon and we flew from Wellington to London. It was exciting. I’d never been overseas before. I came back several years later, after exploring Europe and the Middle East and North America, and living long enough in Edinburgh that I still think
- [For f**k's sake please vote in the local elections](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7827) - (Asterisks included above for the sake of content filters on work computers. Is that still a thing? It used to be a thing.) The sun is out, the buds are on the trees, and every main road is suddenly lined with signs showing unfamiliar faces saying VOTE FOR ME! You know what that means: it's
- [Prometheus (USA, 2012)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3008) - Mostly awful. More? Okay. Here's what I put on Facebook and Twitter: Prometheus: I really liked it! Except for whenever any character said or did anything.Or when the film explained anything at all,Or when it linked to or referenced any other movie.Apart from that it was great! (The visual experience was wonderful, and that is
- [The Kiwi Sense of Humour](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7810) - The Kiwi sense of humour is like, you move to NZ and get a job and the boss sends you to the store to buy some striped paint, and you get there and the shop person nods and says “here you go” and the paint doesn’t say striped on it but you guess it must
- [[morgueatlarge] alp, alp, the comedian’s a bear!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7803) - When I look to my left I see an array of red-brick apartment blocks, three to five stories high, arrayed in a loop around a block of bright green that could have been drawn in with a felt-tip pen. Near to me there’s a sloping rock garden leading down to the driveway, to its left
- [[morgueatlarge] morgen morgen: morgan](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7800) - Switzerland began with another train journey, a long one. I farewelled Julian and left Auch on the 7.30 train and pulled into the station in Lucerne three changes and almost fourteen hours later, just after nine pm. It was a pleasant enough ride, lots to see through France, particularly tripping over a flooded landscape where
- [Pantheon of Plastic: #5](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1471) - He is the most unlikely member of the entire Pantheon of Plastic, and he rounds out the first 5. His entry to the Pantheon is a triumph for every hulking Brummy writer determined to honour their roots. Boys and girls, I give you the fifth inductee into the Pantheon of Plastic, in 1984, it is
- [The Law of Self](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7785) - My kind of magic.
- [[morgueatlarge] the aftertaste of chocolate](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7782) - is in my mouth. mmmmmmm. I had a late-night chocolate crepe. all of europe has a sweet tooth but this really is ridiculous - a delicate crepe liberally sprinkled with sugar and then thick, melted chocolate poured warm into the folded nest and then you just can't quite eat it fast enough and the chocolate
- [[morgueatlarge] Another flashback: San Sebastian](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7780) - I spent a few nights in San Sebastian. These nights just happened to be over all saints day, which are pretty big-deal holidays in Spain. On arriving at the train station and finding via phone that the hostel was full (despite promising us there´d be no problem when we´d called that morning), we actually listened
- [[morgueatlarge] Back in Barcelona. (Okay, with another flashback, but I need to.)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7778) - I didn´t talk about Barcelona last time I was here, except to say it was great and I was going to come back. Well, I have. ------ The past few emails you´ve probably noticed I´ve been mentioning this person called Ella that seems to be in all the same places I am. The reason is
- [[morgueatlarge] Flashback to Lisbon](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7776) - First, Leon followers might remember this from an earlier email: "Leon has headed off on his own, back to London... He´s going to try and get things going in the theatre scene, and with a bit of effort and a pinch ofgood luck I´m sure doors will start opening." Well, he´s now working backstage on
- [[morgueatlarge] a train ride](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7774) - I'm in San Sebastian. There is a beautiful whitesand beach and the sun'scoming in like it wants to see what's going on. Not much is, there's only afew people, the season is off but the weather's still on. It's a nice placeto sit and think. In the first minutes of All Saints Day my grandfather,
- [[morgueatlarge] Apologies if you've tried to reach me](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7772) - I received a 1.5meg spam that disabled my account, and only just now cleared it. ----- I´m still in Portugal. There are some good stories to be told, such as the Andrew three-peat, the exciting trip to the wrong Geres, the giant slug, and the night I saw Fado despite a very high level of
- [[morgueatlarge] Local culture in Lisboa](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7770) - A bigger picture, now that I have a chance. I´ve been in Portugal for a week and a half now. I like it a lot. I´ve been through the back roads with Badal and Devamani, and down on the touristy beaches of Lagos to decompress from life and tan up, and also in the big
- [[morgueatlarge] Julee Cruise in Lisbon](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7768) - I´m back in Lisbon. Love this town. After arriving I made contact with Amund, the Norwegian I met when last here who is now studying Portuguese locally. We went to a big concert for the Numero Festival (numero is a local scene magazine) which was buzzing with the young and cool. We arrived at about
- [[morgueatlarge] Lagos, in essence:](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7766) - beachalcohol you now know all you need to know to understand this place. The 4km golden sand beach is great, the grotto-like smaller beaches are even better. The sand is good for castles. I have had a lot to drink. This is not like me, usually. Here... here you can't avoid it. The world makes
- [[morgueatlarge] Lisboa continues to be pretty cool](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7764) - It is hard to breakfast in Portugal. At least, breakfast as we Kiwis understand it. We want eggs! We want big bowls of muesli and toast! We want something other than ham and cheese sandwiches! Dean and Kerry and Ethan have set off north leaving Leon and me in Lisbon for a bit longer. I´m
- [[morgueatlarge] Lisboa in October](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7762) - well, it has been some time since I've had a chance to write, which means that a lot has been happening. Several nights in Barcelona, which were amazing, but I´m not going to worry about them right now - I´ll send another email some time talking about that city. It is a great place, probably
- [[morgueatlarge] Things that happened in Roma](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7760) - I was witness to an attempted robbery which was foiled by a quick/thinking backpacker from Sydney and the convenient presence of two undercover police. My dinner companion, Martin from Germany, ended up translating Italian/English for the American woman and the policeman, while I ate my pizza at the same table. The woman had over 2000
- [[morgueatlarge] Another statistical anomaly](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7758) - So I know one bloke in Rome, and I run into him. --- Naomi has journeyed on to the Greek islands leaving morgue to head back west. Highlight was the ferry from Patras (Greece) to Bari (Italy), where I met a Brit named Haith and a German named Martin and we shared a bottle of
- [[morgueatlarge] Athens](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7756) - Museum fatigue does exist. I've been writing interesting stuff in my notebook (thanks Leon!) but I can't be bothered transcribing it to here. So instead, I'll say this: In the National Museum in Athens there's a weird little wobby figure from 3000 years ago. It has articulated legs and a stripey red body. It looks
- [[morgueatlarge] The Pink Palace redeemed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7754) - (this is a bit old but I don't think it got sent. Hmm.) All right, so it's pink. At the end of the season it's sort of like that 21st you went to that they'd massively overcatered for - you know, hiring a hall and DJs and getting lots of alcohol and lighting - but
- [[morgueatlarge] Please forgive me](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7752) - I am at a place called 'The Pink Palace' We were greeted off the bus by a shot of uzo, at 9am everything stopped making sense on the way out of Naples Or even in Naples I think all I have learned about Italy so far is that to understand it I'llneed to experience it
- [[morgueatlarge] Euro's don't run the world, yet](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7750) - Getting from Ciampino Airport to Rome central was an adventure in itself. There was a bus laid on, sure, if you wanted to fork out ten quid. I didn't. But at the airport... well, I search around a while to find a lady behind a snack counter, who nodded sagely when I asked about getting
- [[morgueatlarge] Thames Festival](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7748) - So Sunday night was the Thames Festival. On the south bank the whole riverfront was packed with people and stalls and buskers and more people. It was exciting just being there, it had hit the critical mass of people required. There was a parade departing from just under Waterloo Bridge, and this was a great
- [[morgueatlarge] correct mobile number, but no new insights](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7746) - Of course, the number I sent out last time was wrong. *sigh* It should be 0781 7772635 The girl told me wrong over the phone! (Or I heard wrong. But I'll blame her, better for my ego.) Also, to all those people wondering - yes I mean it about the tube, yes I'm still in
- [[morgueatlarge] Why probabilistic statistics are fundamental to all learning](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7744) - 4.5 hours after leaving Heathrow, Leon and I met two guys from our seventh form year. None of the four of us were particularly surprised.(For what it's worth, they were Michael Rogers, soon to depart, and Jeremy Cain, just arrived.) Important things to know about London: * damn good tube system. I finally understand why
- [[morgueatlarge] Initiation Ceremony](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7742) - Full Name: Morgan Geddes Davie (Geddes is the name of my mother's family. I'm carrying the lineage of bothsides, but without a hyphen. Very nice.) With: Leon Verrall, whose middle name I don't recall. Old friend - one ofthe oldest, well over a decade now - and a man with whom I'd trust my life.(Note
- [[morgueatlarge] Moa, Moose & Maeroero](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7739) - Or: Creatures of the South --- There are moa down there. New Zealand's largest flightless bird, the moa, is reputed to be extinct since before the arrival of Captain Cook - but I choose to believe it's not. Because the world would be a cooler place if there were still gigantic, curious birds stomping around
- [A few things I learned from getting COVID-tested.](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7737) - Overnight Friday to Saturday my sleep was troubled by sore throat and post-nasal drip. Oh no! I only just got over a bad cold a few weeks ago! Again?? Again. I admit I hesitated before calling it in. (Am I really sick?) Because once you engage in it, everything else has to stop. Our family’s
- [Level Two Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7733) - Lockdown is over but I thought I’d do one last Friday Linky. It’s been fun bringing it back! I hope your Fridays have been suitably enriched, including this one, thanks to this collection of treats: 1. Naomi Klein on big tech companies using shock doctrine tactics, using the pandemic as an excuse to push through
- [Juggle Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7728) - With lockdown up for review on Monday, might this be the final Friday linky? Possibly! But you know what happened after the last Final Friday: Jason went to space. So we can’t be confident about anything. 1. The Atlantic covers the Insane Clown Posse’s pandemic leadership (v. good) and looks across the whole juggalo phenom,
- [Biscuits Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7727) - The first Friday linky of level 3! Let’s go... 1. This NYT essay by a restaurant owner who closes her restaurant in lockdown is gripping. Beautifully written and intensely personal. Worth creating a free NYT account to read. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/magazine/closing-prune-restaurant-covid.html 2. Mad Chapman’s listicles of NZ food items are hilarious and controversial classics of the genre,
- [Trash Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7724) - 1. The most legendary episode of oddball late-nighter The Chris Gethard Show is free to view on YouTube and it is a WILD ride. Feat. Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas, who are tasked with guessing what is in a dumpster. If you know, don’t spoil it! https://youtu.be/Nwi_kE0gy94 2. Museum curators dug through their cupboards for
- [Cormackular Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7718) - 1. Lovely friendo David Cormack has spent the last few years as a columnist for the Herald, representing “the entire left side of politics”. He, with many others, was shed by the paper as it tries to cope with events. Now Cormack has jumped on Patreon, and you can get his funny & smart reckons
- [Good Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7713) - Makes a change from “free hugs” i guess (via Katherine H) 1. Despite what you’ve read in Cosmpolitan, the g-spot isn’t real, says... Cosmopolitan. (This yarn is a bit funny and very thoughtful.) https://www.cosmopolitan.com/interactive/a32037401/g-spot-not-real/ 2. Steve Braunias reviews iconic now-wave journo Mad Chapman’s book about Jacinda Ardern. You’ll walk away knowing more about Ardern, and
- [Diceratops Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7700) - It’s my birthday this week so top of the linky is Diceratops Presents, a podcast of the live Dungeons & Dragons shows I do at BATS Theatre with very funny comedians and improvisers. Just out: our sellout show for the NZ Fringe Festival, D&D Live: When Dwarves Cry. Very very silly, lots of Prince jokes,
- [Return of the Friday Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7691) - For just shy of ten years, each week I'd share a collection of interesting things I'd seen in the wilds of the internet for the entertainment of my readers. (First one, November 2006: https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=448; last one, July 2016: https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7614.) Let's do that again for a bit, because of one thing and another. (Lots of free
- [How to change minds](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7688) - [I wrote this on Facebook three years ago, thought I should conserve it here too.] So if facts don't change minds - if explaining the dangers of President Trump, Brexit, climate change, etc, doesn't help - what else works? What can anyone do to pull communities back from the brink? Sadly, the answer is "not
- [Felix’s War Diary: 11 November 1918](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7687) - Monday 11th It was a great civic reception "Poincare" got yesterday. it was fine weather and aeroplanes overhead dropped messages into the square. To-day just before marching out, we had the news read out to us that hostilities would cease at 11AM to-day. We left at 11AM. and marched 19 kilos to Quievy with full
- [NZ’s 8 most important vampires](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7684) - Excellent! But please don’t overlook Count Robula. He’s one of NZ’s eight most important vampires (and not just because he was PM) — Sofageddon (@sofageddon) September 19, 2018 Eight most important vampires. Let's do this. 8. Sam Pyar This is a children's book about a kid who is probably a vampire? I have never read
- [[Fiction] Inappropriate Boss](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7672) - After work we talked about Elena’s inappropriate boss. ‘She’s always adjusting her bra,’ Elena said, ‘but a new all-time today, fixing her tights beside me while I’m trying to sort the quarterlies. Skirt hiked up and she's wiggling her backside, bloody heedless.’ Per had a haunted look. ‘I’ve seen that. Clomp, shoe on the desk.
- [First female Doctor Who](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7671) - Some tweets on the occasion of the announcement of Jodie Whittaker as Doctor Who #13: Doctor Who has always been about patrician intervention to break unjust systems; a dream of Empire, embodied in male social freedoms. A female Doctor is a deep break from this; so was the working class 9th Doctor. I am excited
- [Aliens: How Burke takes his coffee](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7665) - Jim Cameron's Aliens (1986) is a meticulously-assembled thrill ride, absolutely loaded with enriching details. My favourite of all of them is in the coffee scene. It's early in the film, and Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) has returned to normal life after her horrific experiences in Alien. In this scene, the smiling corporate functionary Carter Burke
- [Twin Peaks Rewatch Schedule](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7658) - How to get ready for the new series! Join the hashtag #TwinPeaksRewatch 15 Jan: Pilot 22 Jan: Eps 1 and 2 27 Jan: Eps 3 & 4 5 Feb: Eps 5 & 6 12 Feb: Ep 7 * 19 Feb: Ep 8 26 Feb: Eps 9 & 10 5 Mar: Eps 11 & 12 12
- [Trump/psyc](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7656) - For the memory banks. Minor tweet storm about Trump support and the underlying psyc principles. Starts here: https://twitter.com/mr_orgue/status/819265590363729920 (I can't generate the embed code on the app it seems. If I can be bothered I'll update this later with the embedded tweet.)
- [Small Group Action: Getting going](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7631) - I need your help. I've been working for a bunch of years now on an idea to help us turn our feeling that things aren't right into real action that has an impact on the world. It's a toolkit that I call Small Group Action. It's been used in workplaces and in classrooms and by
- [Diving Under The Sea](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7629) - The sun was shining bright and clean, which was part of it. The warming day felt like memories, not so cold you'd flinch, not so hot you'd ever slow down. Just right, and you squinted as you checked the sky was still blue, and you were a kid so the blue went up and up
- [Chilcot](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7622) - I've been waiting for this for a long time. Me in 2004: "But that’s what he deserves: to fall from grace, spectacularly, hugely, humiliatingly, with all his self-delusions laid bare." We knew all this years ago of course. Again, me in 2004: how come no-one has pointed out the most damning fact to come to
- [Infrequent linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7614) - So regular linky readers will have noticed my frequency of posting has decreased. I've decided not to fight this tendency, so for the time being linky will be coming only on an occasional basis. Several reasons: Declining readership: I threw in some basic stat counters when I did my Buffy series, and readership here is
- [Rapper's De-Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7610) - Lots going on but I'll quickly share some linky goodness: Via Pearce - an excellent ten-minute breakdown on how rappers execute rhyme and wordplay. Great for anyone interested in words and rhythm - poets & English teachers will like this! And related: Hamilton and the glory of language "America’s economic illness has a name: financialization.
- [Stone Junk Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7603) - Why are the penises on ancient statues so small? Via Aaron, credits to Empire Strikes Back in the style of a James Bond movie. Star Wars - Episode V "The Empire Strikes Back" Homage (Title Sequence) from KROFL on Vimeo. Can someone explain to me how the heck this is possible? Elaborate 3D animations the
- [Teen Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7601) - via Evie: Stop telling me our relationship with our teens should suck. Our culture really loves to talk about how awful teens are. This is a necessary corrective. Nonverbal autistic woman Carly Fleischmann launches her talk show interviewing a very game, and very lovely, Channing Tatum. You've watched that Radiohead music vid that does a
- [Plastic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7590) - I loved this edition of Manfeels Park. Hee hee! (Remember that all the dialogue is drawn from real exchanges online, with source link below the comic!) Via Gareth: the voices of Pinky & the Brain read... Pulp Fiction. (Just one scene!) (and via Cyrus, a highly entertaining script reading of The Matrix) Great personal story:
- [Remaking ANZAC Day](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7593) - Every year on April 25, New Zealand (and Australia but I'm talking NZ here) marks ANZAC Day, which commemorates soldiers who fell in wars great and small. Particularly it remembers the horrific slaughter at Gallipoli in World War I, which is often seen as the moment where NZ became a nation. It is always a
- [Dangerous Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7588) - Dangerous Treasures: A story of Lovecraftian horror, frantic action, and deepweb forum culture, by the lovely folks at Strange Company. (9 minute short film.) My friend Kitty is featured in Woman builds herself new career... with Lego via d3vo, the many forgotten benefits of segmented sleep Via Alastair, four games that tell great stories, and
- [The problem with men](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7583) - This has been an unpleasant week; by which I mean I have been reminded many times that for women, every week is an unpleasant week. All this came across my screen. The dark side of Guardian comments "New research into our own comment threads provides the first quantitative evidence for what female journalists have long
- [Book Thief Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7570) - Via many people, this fascinating story of some writers who discovered their novels had been copied is a cracking tale in its own right - I'm surprised this hasn't happened more often to be honest. A nice little article on the threat posed by oversensitive political correctness in higher education: there isn't one. (via Hamish
- [The Cul De Sac (television; NZ, 2016)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7577) - I am not really keeping up with the pop culture right now but I was surprised to discover on Sunday that I'd just missed the first episode of a new youth-oriented TV series called "The Cul de Sac". Further surprised that I couldn't see anyone talking about it - especially since it features KJ Apa
- [Storify: Politics isn't politics](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7575) - [View the story "Politics isn't politics." on Storify]
- [Mind Trick Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7563) - Mark Hamill does some smooth Jedi moves on over-eager Star Wars fans: My friend Vivian has released her new EP, "In Between Times". Listen on Bandcamp, and drop a few bucks if you like what you hear. New Yorker thinkpiece about how we no longer use facts to justify our beliefs, which, okay, but I'm
- [Trump, the view from Moon Zealand](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7558) - For a while now I've wondered when exactly we should start taking seriously what is going on in US politics around Donald Trump. How foolish of me. The time is now. Right now. Let's be clear: Trump is not going to be President of the United States of America. He has terrified more people than
- [Bestselling Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7550) - What does it take to be a bestselling author? Three dollars and five minutes. Yes I'm a sucker for this story: an ode to promposals. Teens making a big deal of asking someone out to prom, partly trying to go viral, partly just for the joy of feels. (Yes of course this is a rose-tinted
- [Floating Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7542) - Scenes from a conspiracy theory cruise. Wow. Via Peter B: proof that dogs can read human emotional states. Cute doggums strapped into giant medical machines! Via Dave Keyes, the Wiggles did a grown-up concert in a pub and it was amazing. The month-by-month transformation of the American male gaze: every centerfold from Playboy ever. Warning:
- [Fairy tale linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7537) - Tracing the origins of fairy tales using a genetic methodology - "The Smith and the Devil" may be 6,000 years old. The secret lives of tumblr teens - while insightful, I found this depressing reading. It starts as a discussion of why the clever weird kids gravitate to tumblr, and then, like the kids in
- [New Mutants Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7524) - via Theron - if you read Marvel Comics in the 80s, this will be a bit surreal. Interesting look at how a wholesome TV personality in Japan was undone by scandal, and what that reveals about sexism within the culture. What happened after Sweden started putting Bechdel test results on films. Some insights into the
- [Reading comics with my grandfather](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7529) - [View the story "Reading a comic from my childhood" on Storify]
- [Heroine Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7511) - Maire shares her top ten heroines from YA fantasy, her top seven feminist villains, and her top seven feminist supporting characters. Via Ben S, the history of the original run of Star Wars comics from Marvel. They have a goofy rep because of the green talking bunny rabbit alien, but they did some interesting stuff
- [Just hanging](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7513) - "Going viral" is such a weirdly unpleasant phrase for content spread on the internet. Like, the metaphor works of course - except for the bit of the metaphor that equates a funny youtube video with getting really sick. Ah well, I guess it won't be too long before the association between "viral" and "sickness" becomes
- [CIA Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7507) - Via alastair g: a 1980 CIA research paper, by their Deception Research Program, on facts and folklore about deception [PDF link] Here's a reading list for me: the 100 best works of New Zealand non-fiction. Many of these I'd never even heard about! Ta-Nehisi Coates writes a new shortread following up his hugely impactful Case
- [Some Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7480) - It's a new year, 2016, and it looks like the world could need some linky. So here are some. Matthew Dentith, a theorist about conspiracy theorists, gives a fascinating analysis of how the Serial podcast deals with evidence in the Adnan Syed case, and how the Undisclosed podcast that looks at the same case approaches
- [Wee Beastie 2015 Omnibus](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7462) - On Facebook I share random snippets from life with our Wee Long-leggedy Beastie. Here’s the 2015 collection. (Old omnibus editions: 2013 part 1; 2013 part 2; 2014) Jan 13: Wee Beastie has been in bed for over 90 minutes. And her voice comes ringing out from her bedroom: "Let it go, let it go, let
- [Butts Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7458) - An extensive, illustrated guide to the butts of Middle-earth (via Theron, who was just trying to share the pain.) Via Lew: Philip K Dick Stories Adapted as Vintage Radio Plays https://t.co/SQ93tQOlwJ Now on our list of 700 Free AudioBooks https://t.co/nP8qYiFJnJ— Open Culture (@openculture) December 17, 2015 The Radicalization of Luke Skywalker: A Jedi's Path To
- [Watching Buffy: s03e22 "Graduation Day, part two"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7411) - Angel drinks from Buffy. The decision is hers. She offers herself to him, and when he protests, she forces herself inside his defences to where he can no longer resist. She surrenders to him, and trusts that he will be able to stop before he kills her. She makes the choice, she spills the blood,
- [Creepy Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7442) - Archive.org has a whole mess of Warren Publishing mags up for download, including loads of issues of Creepy! (Also, it would be timely to note, the Famous Monsters of Filmland Star Wars special from 1977. Speaking of, the best thing about new Star Wars is probably Carrie Fisher doing media. This breakfast TV interview is
- [Watching Buffy: s02e21 "Graduation Day, part one"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7409) - Berkeley Professor George Lakoff gained international attention early in the 2000s for his work on political framing, specifically his analysis of what was happening in the United States of America. He analysed the logic of conservative/republican and liberal/democratic politics, and argued that they built their appeal around two very different fundamental metaphors for the role
- [Judd Aye Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7426) - Ken Loach does Star Wars (via Andrew Layden) The heartwarming story of the pink R2 robot that will appear in the new Star Wars film. And this was a very important mission for the stormtroopers (via Sam W) Great video summary of the case for JarJar Binks as a hardcore evil Jedi (via the Alligator)
- [Dystopia Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7405) - via Scott Common: ranking dystopias by their livability. via Ben Sedley: that time Alan Moore wrote stories for Star Wars. It's Steph Curry playing HORSE with his dad! (If you don't know who Steph Curry is... he's like, in the movies where an overlooked kid with none of the physical attributes rises to somehow become
- [Watching Buffy: s03e20 "The Prom"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7407) - High school is hell. This is the concept Buffy has run with right from the first episode, when new kid Buffy opted out of popularity to hide with the weird kids in the library. From there she and her friends would take on all the pains of late adolescence, as filtered into monstrous metaphorical form.
- [Weird English Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7396) - Via Allen Varney: Why English is so weirdly different from other languages Also via Allen: the heartbreaking truth behind Snape's first words to Harry Potter The New Yorker has a great longread about one of the most visible faces of the Westboro Baptist Church and how she ended up leaving it. The reason? Twitter. Fascinating
- [Watching Buffy: s03e19 "Choices"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7398) - Buffy will always be remembered as a high school show. "High school really is hell" is the catchy high concept that sums up what this show was about. Buffy, Xander and Willow hanging out in the school library, making plans to fight vampires with Giles? That's the show, always and forever. (Example: just this week
- [Logo Logic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7380) - Inadvertantly sexual company logos - what, no London 2012? Step-by-step walkthrough of how to solve the hardest logic puzzle ever devised. This one is an essential read. Watching as political leaders make policies that will cause significant social harm ("austerity" as the current example in many regions), you wonder how they can sit there so
- [Watching Buffy: s03e18 "Earshot"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7382) - Across three seasons, this show has honed a skillful technique of using supernatural elements to expose and explore widely-shared teenage concerns. Strangely, while this episode offers up a supernatural feature that is extremely well-suited to Buffy's method of monstrous metaphor, it then ignores the most obvious and potent aspect of teenage experience so exposed. In
- [Watching Buffy: s03e17 "Enemies"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7370) - Image: Turning evil is the best hair straightener. The Mayor The Mayor remains, seventeen episodes into season three, an awkward fit as a Buffy villain. He is now a well-defined onscreen presence - his screen time in this episode is almost as much as all previous appearances added together, and we get plenty of his
- [Webb Ellis Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7365) - Rugby World Cup was last weekend I know, but I liked this: top five heartwarming moments from the rugby world cup. I've never followed rugby that closely but it seems to me this sheer niceness in the sport these days is a new trend - not something I remember from decades past. Am I wrong?
- [Blood Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7349) - There are vampires everywhere. A collaboration between Jean-Michael Jarre and John Carpenter? Neat! The whole album's great writing music. (via Bruce Baugh) Some straight talk: wellness is not the answer to overwork. A few scary anecdotes in there too. Via Jenni - the website for You've Got Mail is still alive! Oh man, back when
- [Watching Buffy: s03e16 "Doppelgangland"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7355) - It's a Joss Whedon joint! The showrunner slips into the writer-director cockpit once again, this time not to deliver a major turning point in the show's narrative arc, but just the write the hell out of a great episode premise. But I do wonder how exactly this came about. Or put another way, what was
- [Watching Buffy: s03e15 "Consequences"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7345) - "Buffy, if you know something, if you're protecting someone, I promise you it'll be better for everyone if you just come clean." Detective Paul Stein is probably the least-celebrated recurring character in all of Buffy. He's the cop who investigated Buffy's involvement in a suspected murder in Ted, and then again in Becoming, Part 2,
- [Ermahgerd Lernky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7336) - Vanity Fair has a nice interview with the woman from the ermahgerd meme Russia has made a Blade-Runner-Hunger-Games movie based on the party game "Mafia"/"Werewolf" (trailer is here). I think this makes perfect sense but everyone else is freaking out. Infographic of bizarre stuff found in sewers. Cute, but perhaps a sign we have reached
- [Watching Buffy: s03e14 “Bad Girls”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7326) - It's almost surprising we're half-way through season three, with only a few episodes left before high school is just a memory, and the show is only now getting to the Bad Influence story. You know the one: don't hang out with the wrong crowd, or they will lead you astray. You've seen it in a
- [School dance linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7323) - Lovely wee article from the Sunday Star Times about school dances for 12-year-olds. I like to imagine Ira Glass introducing this as a "This American Life" story. This one has spread steadily across my social networks this past week: Why do we hate things teen girls love? David R shared this great Digg longread about
- [Watching Buffy: s03e13 "The Zeppo"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7311) - What is the point of Xander? He doesn't offer Willow's empathy and nerd abilities, or Giles's knowledge and common sense, or Oz's wisdom and wolfy-powers. He doesn't do anything particularly well, except screw up. Why is he there? Why do the others allow him to get involved? Revelations offered a compelling answer: Xander could disrupt
- [Dia de los Meurtos Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7303) - Dear white people, stop colonizing the Day of the Dead (via Evie) Relevant to my interests right now: the rise of Buffy studies Another cool interview with Kate Beaton, whose comics are just so great you guys. The linguistic principles behind those cutesy couple names like "Bennifer" Fonts In Use goes deep into the Cheers
- [Watching Buffy: s03e12 "Helpless"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7296) - The relationship between Buffy and Giles sits at the centre of the show but is never the centre of attention. He was initially a stuffy patriarchal authority but across the first season, Buffy slowly won him over, until he adopted an unorthodox style that complemented her own. In the second season their relationship was shown
- [Apophenia Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7293) - The puzzle book that drove England to madness (doubles as a primer on where conspiracy theories come from) Via Marieke, a good explainer on Syria and the migrant crisis: Last Week Tonight on the migrant crisis has a particularly lovely finish (but you can't skip to it, you gotta watch through or it doesn't make
- [Watching Buffy: s03e11 "Gingerbread"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7280) - We know by now that this show isn't afraid to mess you up. So when the broad comedy opener of Buffy's mum bringing her a snack while she hunts vampires - a joke that wouldn't be out of place in an episode of Scooby Doo - suddenly swerves into an unnerving tableau of murdered children,
- [Ballet Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7277) - Happening in Wellington: Ballet for Everyone. This video is the cutest thing I've seen in a long time. Maybe your city needs Ballet for Everyone too? The most misread poem in America: interesting article that, oddly, includes a very detailed recap of a New Zealand car commercial. 1902 trading cards depicting "women of the future"
- [Watching Buffy: s03e10 "Amends"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7261) - SMG gives awesome face-crumple. The Buffy audience learned before the end of season two that Angel was getting his own spinoff show. This wasn't just the secret insider info of the superfans, either, but commonplace knowledge discussed in the TV Guide. The audience knew as they watched season three that Angel would be gone by
- [Atomic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7253) - Next generation design tool Atomic has officially launched. "Design has become an essential function inside every modern software business, and is destined to become a major software category. Atomic has over 30,000 beta users and many thousands more reviewing their designs, and we’ve only just begun. The world’s most recognisable brands are using Atomic to
- [Watching Buffy: s03e09 "The Wish"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7245) - The hidden connection between Xander and Willow was revealed last week, with predictably devastating consequences for their respective romantic partners. This episode is dedicated to the fallout. Mostly the focus stays on Cordelia, but the interaction between Oz and Willow is of course the most painful: Oz gives Willow a smackdown that is so clear
- [Team Ball Player Thing Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7240) - New Zealand is a very strange country. This will be all over NZ by the time this blog goes live, so I'm including it for international friends - it's a charity song linking to the Rugby World Cup, featuring All Blacks on unicorns and dressed as wizards and running away from giant ants, and there's
- [Watching Buffy: s03e08 “Lovers Walk”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7227) - Most TV shows have a tone that is fairly easy to understand. Lots of cops-investigating-murders shows run on furrowed brows and gallows humour; most sitcoms have families and friends who love each other despite wacky misadventures. Some shows go for more tonal complexity: Shonda Rhimes makes hugely successful TV that drops near-campy levels of romance
- [Gremlins 2 Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7222) - I love Gremlins 2. Don't you love Gremlins 2? You should love Gremlins 2. But even if you love Gremlins 2 you must have wondered: HOW Gremlins 2? WHY Gremlins 2? Key and Peele finally reveal the truth: The Atlantic has a great, readable overview of the psychology study reproductions controversy. Also at the Atlantic:
- [Watching Buffy: s03e07 "Revelations"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7208) - It's been a while, but this episode offers one of those three-quarter twists this show does so well. It even lands exactly on the 3/4 cliffhanger. Gwendolyn Post, the officious new watcher who has arrived to supervise Faith, is revealed to actually be a naughty bad one. It's a great twist because she already gave
- [Oral History Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7210) - Are we at peak oral history? This week: legendary weirdo flop Theodore Rex and the Space Jam website. An NYT article has been circulating about how today's creative class are no worse off even though no-one pays for anything any more. I wasn't convinced by it; Salon has a counterpoint that seems more compelling to
- [Watching Buffy: s03e06 "Band Candy"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7202) - Headbang/air drum extra-hard to the theme tune, kids, because Jane Espenson is in the house! Espenson is royalty in the world of geek-culture TV-writing, which is not as much of a niche as it sounds when put like that. Anyway, this is the show where she earned her crown (er, because crowns are totally earned,
- [Taken Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7185) - Cuz-in-law Jessica Grace Smith is kickstarting her short film, Everybody Else Is Taken. She's fresh out of the Australian soap mines (Summer Bay variety), and raring to go on a very personal project. It's looking pretty sweet. I particularly like her commitment to build a crew of women to help chip away at gender imbalances
- [Watching Buffy: s03e05 “Homecoming”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7189) - You see it coming, the end of Buffy and Scott. The episode begins with awkward-cute agreeing to go to the homecoming dance together, and Buffy gives Scott a cute kiss - but then cuts straight to Angel. The cut underlines that Buffy isn't over him. And then Buffy tells Angel she's seeing Scott, and you
- [Watching Buffy: s03e04 "Beauty and the Beasts"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7174) - Buffy has, from the very beginning, tried to be about things. The monsters were always a general metaphor for the many ways in which life sucks when you're a teenager, and Buffy and the Scoobies were a metaphor for how teenagers can rise to challenges beyond the expectations of their teachers, their parents, and themselves.
- [Grunting Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7168) - On Billy's blog: on the dangers of sympathetic magic when choosing one's national animal. This made me laugh and laugh and laugh. "Sexism", the 1971 board game. Mark Hamill appears to relish opportunities to sign old Star Wars trading cards. Film Noir: explained via infographic. ("explained") The challenges of using itunes for classical music. (Really
- [Watching Buffy: s03e03 "Faith, Hope & Trick"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7156) - Most episodes of Buffy set out to do just one thing. One episode gets Buffy back to Sunnydale, another rebuilds broken bridges with her friends, to take two recent examples. But sometimes the show rolls out an episode that covers off a whole big mess of things inside that broadcast television hour. Such episodes are
- [Teacher-ESPN Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7131) - Amazing Key & Peele bit imagining a world where teaching was treated with the reverence we have for sports. (Plus bonus Ghostbusters easter egg.) Two instances of 90s youth culture and its immediate co-optation by the mainstream media machinery: First, Dangerous Minds has found the complete '96 doco "HYPE" about the grunge scene - I
- [Watching Buffy: s03e02 “Dead Man's Party”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7146) - In this episode, Buffy feels isolated from her friends and mother after her return to Sunnydale. Then zombies crash a party and that fixes everything. Well, eventually. The zombies don't really get mixed into Buffy's storyline until the 3/4 mark of the episode, and until then we're following her through some uninterrupted angst. The show
- [Watching Buffy: s03e01 "Anne"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7128) - Once there was a girl whose life went bad. Vampire romance turned into vampire horror, until it became just too much for her. So she ran away. She left her home and every friend she had and disappeared into the anonymous big city. She had had enough. She just wanted a simple life. She wanted
- [Demonic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7125) - Short film about following a Youtube tutorial to summon a demon. Starring dear friend of this parish Johnnie Ingram! Related: writer/director/producer of the above, Hugh Hancock, posts on Charlie Stross's blog about "geek Cthulhu" as a genre. (Although he fails to mention Ghostbusters, which is probably the ur-text of any geek-Cthulhu subgenre.) Time management is
- [Just a linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7117) - Via Maire, stop telling women that they can fix their problems by changing how they talk. This article feels like the long-awaited second half of a psyc class twenty years ago about gendered language, which introduced some of these ideas but didn't seal the logic and consequences down like this does. Highly recommended. Via hix,
- [Watching Buffy: Dawson's Creek](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7108) - In the 90s, reflexive post-modernism moved out of academia and found an unexpected home in popular entertainment, through the overlapping outlets of irony and self-awareness. Nirvana wanted to title their post-breakthrough album "Verse Chorus Verse", Sprite advertised itself with the slogan "Image is nothing, thirst is everything", Scream brought horror films back to the multiplex
- [Avenge-Oz Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7101) - Via Steve Hickey. Very clever. This one via Billy; click on image for the story. Action Man Battlefield Casualties by Veterans For Piece: wow. Watch the fake-80s commercials. Jawdropping. Also on Dangerous Minds, freaky collection of early arcade games advertised by scantily clad women. I expect you've heard about the Colbert public-access TV guest host
- [Jurassic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7092) - This kid-made Jurassic Park remake is delightful. Computers are making weird artworks when they try and draw things. (Via Mike Upton, and indeed the rest of the internet as well) A history of movie trailers and a guide to the typefaces of classic film posters. Pippin Barr's made a free flash game to highlight human
- [Watching Buffy: s02e22 "Becoming, Part Two"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7080) - In any television show, season one is usually spent working out what the show is exactly going to be - taking the ideas you have, trying them out, seeing what sticks and what doesn't. All going well, you get renewed for season two, and by this time you have it figured out. You know what
- [Home Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7076) - Via Cal, this home interiors magazine delivers a surprising message in an extremely clever way. Much respect. Via Pearce, what your sleeping positions *really* say about your relationship Lena Dunham interviews Lorde I still haven't watched this black-and-white mashup of Prometheus and Alien but maybe some day I will. Eight-minute "video press kit" from 1986
- [Watching Buffy: s02e21 "Becoming, Part One"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7069) - We're at the big finale, and everyone knows it. Not just the audience - the characters, too. They sense something special is going on, the long-promised confrontation is looming and resolution - for better or worse - is just around the corner. The Scooby Gang never actually discover they're in a TV show, but they
- [Soth Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7061) - My buddy Steve has just released his game Soth - a story game about cultists in a small town who are thiiiis close to summoning the dark god Soth. Check out the trailer: Find out more here! Moby Dick, each chapter read by an appropriate famous-type person (via Grant Stone) These portrait-style photos of Mongrel
- [Watching Buffy: s02e20 "Go Fish"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7050) - The third and final space-filler episode between Passion and the finale is a comedy episode with lots of Xander. Buffy has built up its ability to zig and zag through tones and moods but if that sounds less than credible as a diversion in the middle of the worst crisis imaginable, you're right, it is.
- [The Linky is the Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7045) - Wire tautology supercut: NZ John Oliver takes on our media, via Angus. Via d3vo, writers talk about obscure(ish) words they love Neat graph charting sequels that exceed expectations from their first instalments, via Allen Varney. We've been watching Top Gun wrong all this time: Iceman was right. And he wasn't alone. A glimpse at China's
- [Watching Buffy: s02e19 "I Only Have Eyes For You"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7037) - I've been pretty useless about mentioning episode writers in these things. Probably the main reason is that the kind of analysis I'm doing - reverse engineering the underlying story structure of whole seasons - works best if you pretend Buffy is an expression of a single harmonious vision rather than the result of a bunch
- [Pinup Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7015) - Twin Peaks pinups - the men! Vox does an explainer on the theory that lizard people control the world Kiwi cartoonist Toby Morris went seriously viral with this lovely little piece about how many tiny inequalities add up to real differences of opportunity. It has generated many, many point-missing comments. I particularly enjoy the ones
- [Watching Buffy: s02e18 “Killed By Death”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7023) - Buffy has been *roaring* along, building momentum and confidence and impact to such a height that last week's episode slammed into the viewer like a freight train. And to follow that - well, here's the thing. The writing team have been using a long-form storytelling strategy where you take the 22 episodes of a standard
- [Halal Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7017) - This is amazing - spot-on riff on the sitcom format assuming a family of Muslims who are "not that kind of Muslims!" - beautifully done to highlight some of the challenges & injustices faced by Muslims in the US today. And funny! Four very short episodes, and I loved them all. Via theremina: communes where
- [Watching Buffy: s02e17 “Passion”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7006) - When She Was Bad: "Buffy cannot do this alone. She needs her friends, so her friends are part of her fight, and yes, she won’t always be able to protect them. That’s the deal she makes – the deal we make – with the show." Innocence: "Angel in the rain, as he was at the
- [Cybercrime Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6994) - Important piece of cultural history: when the FBI raided a game company because they thought their game about hacking was real David Simon goes into more detail on his prescription for Baltimore, and his fury over what's going wrong Reconsidering the Wire in the wake of Baltimore events - what David Simon left out. I
- [Pitch Perfect 2 (USA, 2015)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=7000) - I loved Pitch Perfect. That, to my surprise and delight, was a good film. This sequel is very much a sequel. It's not as good. It's not a good film. There's still some nice laughs and some good tunes, and although the studio pressure to turn this into a series of slumber-party classics is visible
- [Watching Buffy: s02e16 “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6986) - So your writing team have been knocking it out of the park - taking risks, gaining attention, turning all the right heads. The show is surging into the zeitgeist, and the world is starting to notice. Suddenly there's proof of how well things are going: the star of the show is booked to host Saturday
- [Rinky Dink Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6974) - via Jenni S: A Good Cartoon, helping out editorial cartoons that need a bit of assistance to be good. This is why I stopped making an effort to see festival films with a director q&a: every question in every Q&A session ever. Actually-useful tourist tips for anyone going to NYC. Delivered by an Italian puppet.
- [Watching Buffy: s02e15 “Phases”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6968) - Oz was already a firm audience favourite before he was inducted into the Scooby Gang. It's not hard to see why, as he holds three mighty assets: an abundantly good heart, sardonic imperturbability, and the laser-accurate comic timing of Seth Green. All three of these meant Buffy now had a voice perfectly suited for mordant
- [Outrageous Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6955) - Here's a brutal metaphor for social inequality, compellingly illustrated by Toby Morris. Jamas has dug up a Wonder Woman TV pilot from the 60s. I'd never heard of this. I can't bear to watch it, either. Maybe you are stronger than me? Via Tom Crosby: turns out Lovecraft has strong game in the field of
- [Watching Buffy: s02e14 “Innocence”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6948) - This is peak Buffy. The highest viewership ratings, the greatest critical acclaim, the favourite episode of the show's creator, the archetypal metaphor-as-monster, the definitive "what people want is not what they need" Whedon storytelling decision. The last eight episodes of excellence have led to this, making television history. This is why you came. The first
- [Moose Rescue Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6934) - The Ruminator's Lord Sutch wrote a followup to my piece on call-out culture, about actually calling people out for sexist/racist nonsense in the real world. Unlike my piece, it's sharp and short and funny and enraging. Check it. Typography relies on optical illusions Ben S revealed to me that the Pac-Man Pong crossover is actually
- [Watching Buffy: s02e13 “Surprise”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6941) - Two episodes, broadcast over two nights, that changed everything for this show. This is the story that still defines Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the perfect expression of teenage emotional trauma as monstrous action adventure. The big turn still feels ambitious today, a brutal twist of the knife that is equal parts ridiculously melodramatic and fiercely
- [Practical Effect Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6945) - Too busy! So this week, just this, because you know you want an excuse to watch it again And in case you missed it, this, which is actually even more breathtaking
- [Watching Buffy: s02e12 “Bad Eggs”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6921) - Everyone's thinking lustful thoughts in this episode. Buffy wants to buy a sexy outfit. Cordelia and Xander can't keep their hands off each other. Buffy and Angel likewise, although they aren't conflicted about it. There are makeouts a-plenty (though not for Willow or Giles, whose partners are missing this week) and it is super-strongly implied
- [Jaws Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6910) - Deconstructing the beach sequence from Jaws Oral history of Max Headroom Fascinating and deeply disturbing account of the Boston bombing trial - the questions that were asked, and the questions that weren't, and what that reveals VHS covers for recent movies. Superb. Here's a poem: The Ten Best Issues of Comic Books (via Pearce) Also
- [Watching Buffy: s02e11 “Ted”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6901) - This is not a moment you fix with one scene eating vegetables on the porch. This is a tricky one. Buffy's mother takes up with a new man, Ted. Buffy is protective and suspicious, and it is revealed that she is right to be: Ted is dangerous and abusive (and a robot). The experience of
- [Rap Battle Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6888) - Hodor vs Groot rap battle Classical violinist does comedic vines. Pretty good stuff! (via Bruce Baugh) David Roberts at Grist writes a smart, sensible response to Jonathan Franzen's wacky climate change vs birds New Yorker essay. He hits on some truths about how we make sense of something as big and messy as climate change.
- ["True Love Match" launches today!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6897) - I'm excited to release into the wild the full edition of my game of romance and reality TV, True Love Match. Yep, it's The Bachelor: The Role-Playing Game. You and some friends move between two rooms and pretend to go on dates with each other, and if it works right you all end up with
- [Watching Buffy: s02e10 “What’s My Line, Part Two”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6877) - What does it mean to have your name in title of the show? Especially when your name is accompanied by a succinct job description: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Recent episodes have put this question into focus, with both Halloween and The Dark Age spending much of their runtimes with Buffy stripped of her rights and
- [Call-Out Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6864) - I have a new piece up at the Ruminator: Regarding “call-out culture”: the uncontained fury of the imagined teenage Tumblr feminist. It's kind of long. Patricia Arquette gets a mention. Via Pearce: guy makes working Speeder Bike toy Via Pearce: official US govt website for the Judiciary Committee goes GIF-crazy Wowsers. 7-minute Star Wars anime,
- [Watching Buffy: s02e09 "What's My Line, Part One"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6860) - In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer. These words have been intoned near the beginning of nearly every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and if the show has any mission at all it is to
- [Geolocked Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6847) - Mediahint is a way to get around territory limitations on what internet stuff you can see. Like, for example, a show you like that's on Yahoo Screen but isn't available to NZ viewers. For example. Googled "mediahint yahoo screen". (For, ah, reasons.) Clicked on the "maps" tab by mistake. Ummmm... (cc @danharmon) pic.twitter.com/bJpSR1f83s— morgue (@mr_orgue)
- [Taleturn has launched!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6854) - Introducing Taleturn - exploring the intersection of story, interactivity, and social psychology. For a few years now I've been mustering all my efforts in games, writing, social change, etc under the name Taleturn. (That's the name appearing on my invoices!) Now I've finally shifted that identity into the public sphere. Feels good! Taleturn.com is the website. It's
- [Watching Buffy: s02e08 "The Dark Age"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6835) - Chris Claremont took over the Marvel Comic The Uncanny X-Men for issue #94, cover date May 1975. Joss Whedon was about to turn eleven. And since the golden age of science fiction comics is twelve, he was perfectly placed to soak up Claremont's heady mix of outsized action and soap operatics across the coming years.
- [Good Old Linky Brown](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6825) - Is Charlie Brown the worst baseball manager ever? Well, yes, obviously. But also: no, he's not. The Guardian moves to put climate change in a prominent place in its media coverage. The 24-hour news cycle is not hospitable to complex, large-scale issues that don't regularly generate controversy. This kind of strategic action from media gatekeepers
- [Watching Buffy: s02e07 “Lie To Me”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6817) - The arrival of Spike & Dru has changed up the vampire metaphor at work in the show. Now vampires are the cool kids, the dangerous ones who get into fights and have sex and don't do their homework. This episode takes this imagery and swerves it hilariously, by introducing a subculture of wannabe vampires. They
- [Jupiter Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6805) - Why women love Jupiter Ascending We know willpower is a resource that can be depleted. Here's a way to actually manage it like a resource. Anti-VD posters from WWII are pretty amazing. Watchmen, described for the visually impaired Fifteen-minute adaptation of Lovecraft's "Shadow Out Of Time". Off-kilter mix of animation and live-action, which suits the
- [Watching Buffy: s02e06 "Halloween"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6799) - Here we go. The episodes leading up to this feel like shakedown runs, but here this show goes into high gear. This is where Buffy the show becomes Buffy the classic TV show, launching into a sustained run of excellence, hitting new heights every couple weeks and still climbing, just nailing every aspect of its
- [Linkery](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6797) - Secretary is no better than 50 Shades, guys. (Except for being a *much better movie*.) The journal Basic & Applied Social Psychology just banned significance testing, p-values, t-tests, and the rest from its pages. Every method you learned in that undergrad psychology class you took just went out of date... Last Week Tonight with John
- [Watching Buffy: s02e05 "Reptile Boy"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6782) - In August 2012, a high school girl in Steubenville, Ohio went out to a party and got drunker than she intended. In the hours that followed, a succession of popular boys took sexual advantage of her, and two raped her. The case went big after it appeared the town was rallying behind the boys instead
- [Austen vs. Sherlock Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6760) - My lovely friend Debbie Cowens, half of the people behind Mansfield with Monsters, has a novel being PledgeMe'd into existence by Paper Road Press. "Murder and Matchmaking is a dark comedy that answers the question: if Mrs Bennett is so worried about what will happen to her if her daughters don't marry ... why doesn't
- [Football Game & Eric Garner](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6779) - Podcast confluence today. I listened to this: You Are Not So Smart episode 41, which opens with a discussion of a divisive Ivy League football match in 1951, and the studies where students from the two schools watched tape of the match and simply couldn't see their own side's poor behaviour but were really quick
- [Watching Buffy: s02e04 "Inca Mummy Girl"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6764) - Not a praying mantis. So, Xander falls for a woman who is actually a monster, and yes the show is fully aware they already did this story. They're having a second go the same reason anyone has a second go - they want to get it right this time. This episode has some character work
- [Redpill Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6731) - Beginners guide to the "red pill" movement, a.k.a. the hive of theatrically oppressed men who are causing so much crap right now. Wash that nonsense out of your brain with this: 17yo Megan Follows' audition for Anne of Green Gables. Just perfect. (via Marguerite) Jen's report on the search for 43 lost students and her
- [Watching Buffy: s02e03 “School Hard”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6746) - Vampires can breathe now okay In the precredits, a new vampire rolls into town and smashes the Sunnydale sign with his arrival. It represents the destructive path he intends for the town - but it's also a marker that his debut overthrows the current order. Sunnydale stories have been told a certain way, but now
- [Watching Buffy: s02e02 "Some Assembly Required"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6727) - Angel's never-to-be-seen-again tan jacket: hot or not? In terms of the overall 22-episode arc of Buffy season two, this episode is nothing but padding. It's there to put some space between the last episode, which had the important job of making sure the door hit season one's ass on its way out, and the next
- [Yogathulhu Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6723) - Thanks Mundens for making sure I didn't miss Cthulhy yoga. Delightfully, this short vid is narrated by right-on leftie journo (and personal fave) Laurie Penny. Beastie Boys: Fight For Your Right To Party, without the music. Chait vs everyone else (in this case, Gawker) re: online political correctness. I am not unsympathetic to Chait, though
- [Watching Buffy: s02e01 "When She Was Bad"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6710) - This is the episode with the dance. Buffy returns to Sunnydale after a summer away, and finds the vampires are stirring again too. Buffy reconnects with her gang of friends but something is amiss - she is carrying some bad psychology after the events of season one. Finally the vampires trick Buffy into leaving her
- [Cultural Marxist Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6700) - A quick article on "cultural Marxism", which is like the full conspiracy theory version of "political correctness" (via Gareth S) How Harry Potter would go if Hermione was the main character To fall out of love, do this British Medical Journal study explaining why the magazines in Doctor's waiting rooms are always old and boring.
- [Watching Buffy: Original Film Script](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6694) - Joss Whedon has spoken about the origins of Buffy the Vampire Slayer many times: "I had seen a lot of horror movies, which I love very much, with blond girls getting killed in dark alleys, and I just germinated this idea about how much I would like to see a blond girl go into a
- [MacGyver Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6675) - Via Steve Hickey, the MacGyver opening credits, with music removed: So it's Back to the Future 2's future. This article on Jaws 19 reveals BTTF fans have made Jaws 5-18 to bridge the gap. Humans are weird. To promote the American Psycho film, people could sign up to receive emails from Patrick Bateman, set a
- [Watching Buffy: s01e12 “Prophecy Girl”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6672) - Blocking gets tricky when you have 7 cast members and you're shooting in 4:3 The scene that sticks with me is the conversation Xander has with Willow after Buffy turns him down: Xander: Hey, I know what we'll do! We can go! Be my date! We'll, we'll have a great time! We'll dance, we'll go
- [Watching Buffy: s01e11 “Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6630) - This is the episode where we finally discover more about a Buffy character who's been there from the beginning but has mostly just come across as a vapid popular girl. At this point in the show's history, it was impossible to know how important she would later become! Well, the journey from side player to
- [Wee Beastie 2014 Omnibus](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6640) - On Facebook I share random snippets from life with our Wee Long-leggedy Beastie. Here's the 2014 collection: (last year: part 1, part 2) Dec 30, 2013: Me: Would you like some stonefruit, Wee Beastie? WB: Yes please, I am very fruitable today. Jan 20: Wee Beastie, on grandparents' bird bath: "Birds don't like to have
- [One Star Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6613) - Via Pearce, this guy only gives one-star reviews on Amazon, and he writes them as poetry. And they're awful. Via Grant & Lorin, an expert skewering of those "cosmic" science docos: Re: last week's linky: maybe Jack Davis isn't retiring after all? Reports differ. He's 90, he's allowed to change his mind! I think I
- [Wee Beastie 2013 Omnibus (part 2)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6064) - (Link to part 1) July 3: While on the phone to grandy I can hear Wee Beastie chattering away to herself in the lounge. At the end of the call I come in to hear her saying to herself with much glee: "And that was the story of the three bear humptys!" A fairy tale/nursery
- [Wee Beastie 2013 Omnibus (part 1)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6061) - (Photo from May 1) Over on Facebook I try to share amusing moments from life with the Wee Long-Leggedy Beastie that is our daughter. Here's the first half of 2013... January 10: Wee Beastie: Where is the apricot? *arms out, turns around, looking all over the room* Where has it gone? Me: Have you lost
- [Watching Buffy: s01e10 “Nightmares”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6619) - With the exception of one notable scene, this episode is a perfectly serviceable monster-of-the-week entry. It introduces a Buffy subgenre that will pop up once or twice every season: the whole world goes wacky! (See also "Bewitched Bothered & Bewildered", "Band Candy", "Gingerbread", "Once More With Feeling"...) In this case, everyone at the school starts
- [Watching Buffy: s01e09 “Puppet Show”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6598) - - Pictured: a piece of wood shaped like a person, and also oh forget it you can do the rest of the joke yourself Last episode I talked about how the show had built up a lot of confidence and then promptly screwed up. This time around, they stick the landing - with style. If
- [Missile Toe Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6595) - Carol of the old ones (via Tom Crosby) Why James Cameron's Aliens is the best movie about technology Lord of the Rings: Let It Go Quartz has picked its chart of the year. Talk about your end-of-an-eras - cartoonist Jack Davis retires at 90. Truly a legend. Slate has selected their picks for the 25
- [Watching Buffy: s01e08 "I Robot, You Jane"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6573) - wow this show has awesome looking monsters! um wait what Buffy has been shaking down its approach for seven episodes now, and it clearly feels good about how it's going. The Angel reveal is in the bag, and the show is clearly ready to spend the back half of the season showing what it can
- [Hoff Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6567) - The Rip-Hoff pt.1 from Matthijs_Vlot on Vimeo. Sadly Hoffspace, the David Hasselhoff social media site, is no longer functional. I had, like, five friends on Hoffspace, all of them middle-aged women from Bible belt America. It was great. Does Sean Bean really die more than other actors? Ian's shoelace site. (via shoelace-technique evangelist Jack) Generate
- [Dawson!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3043) - If this was from the 2010s they would all be vampires This house has been unwell for ages. Wee Beastie's been sick 6 weeks, and Cal & I have been coughing too. It's nothing major but it wears you down. It's exactly the kind of state where it seems like I good idea to pull
- [Watching Buffy: s01e07 “Angel”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6540) - Every vampire story is a romance. That isn't true, but it comes close these days. As I understand it, while the vampire has always been seductive, the idea of a two-way romance with a bloodsucker emerged via Anne Rice's swooningly gothic Lestat books, with Coppola's weirdly magisterial film of Dracula the turning point. "I have
- [Well Actually Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6544) - Argh. Journalist returns to Steubenville to see how things have changed since "that whole rape thing". Spoiler: they haven't. Via Maire, a discussion of Racism and Middle-earth, going into detail about what Tolkien wrote (and didn't write) about skin colour and race and ethnicity, and how that got refracted through the Jackson films, and the
- [Where The Rēkohu Bone Sings: a few thoughts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6548) - I just finished reading Tina Makereti's novel Where The Rēkohu Bone Sings (2014, Vintage). In a short twitter conversation with the author and another reader, I mentioned an intense passage late in the book featuring some graphic and unpleasant content. (I said I wasn't sure I could recommend the book to my mother on account
- [Watching Buffy: s01e06 "The Pack"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6508) - Everyone knows the basic genius of Buffy: it made monsters out of the horrors of high school. But if you actually trawl through the episodes, you find there are a lot of Buffy eps that don't do this, or do it only loosely, or in a roundabout way. There's no secret as to why: this
- [Mop Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6511) - How Long Would It Take Darth Vader To Mop The Death Star? (via Ben Sedley) Ferguson. No words. But read these: Ta-Nehisi Coates, of course, from the perspective of Obama's comments; and also (via Gem) How to parent on a night like this by Carvell Wallace Svend talked me into actually reading this link, and
- [Watching Buffy: s01e05 "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6491) - A.k.a. "The One I Forgot About" I missed this episode on first broadcast, so it was a surprise to me when I saw season one again. It was also a surprise when it came up in this rewatch, because I'd completely forgotten about it. And then it was a surprise again today when I realised
- [Reject Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6489) - It is launched! New online venue publishes poems - and the rejection letters they received. Check out Rejectamenta The Millennium Falcon, rendered in cardboard Bad Neil Gaiman imitations read by Neil Gaiman How to fold the best paper airplane it won a competition ok Fascinating article about Biblical scholarship, papyrus fragments, fakery and forgery, and
- [Watching Buffy: s01e04 "Teacher's Pet"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6475) - The previous episode Witch was an attempt to do Buffy-by-numbers that pretty much landed. It demonstrates a Buffy-specific approach to self-contained stories that will hold for seven seasons. Teacher's Pet is another shot at Buffy-by-numbers, but this one doesn't work out. As far as I can tell, the popular opinion on this ep is that
- [Much Cooks Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6468) - okay so you have watched this right right? Rolling Stone has a great interview with the creator of this weirdness And it's added a credit to Lars von Trier's IMDB page too. Everyone's going gaga over the Serial podcast! The Verge has a roundup of what the hell is going on and what to read
- [Watching Buffy: s01e03 “Witch”](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6456) - This episode is basically a shakedown of the BtVS concept, giving pretty much every aspect of the show a workout. You have: Buffy caught between her desire for a normal life and slayer duties with attendant Giles tension on one side and (Buffy's mother) Joyce tension on the other; the support crew established as a
- [Watching Buffy: s1e01/02 "Welcome to the Hellmouth"/"The Harvest"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6441) - Late in 2013, Cal and I began a Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch, and it got me thinking. I started making notes. Might as well share them! "Watching Buffy" is intended as a weekly series. That's the plan anyway. Fair warning: looking at my notes from a year ago, sometimes episode entries might be very
- [Ira Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6450) - Ira Glass dressed as a dog dressed as Ira Glass. Kurt Cobain's wild teenage mixtape Photo portraits of teen dancers from 1969 Upper Hutt. Mum, anyone you know? Was a black PI named Sam Marlowe the inspiration for Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe? Follow the investigation... Rolling Stone has a good long Stephen King interview
- [Gone Girl (USA, 2014)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6458) - Made it to the movies! A rare treat. Gone Girl is a twisty mystery/psychological thriller. Wife disappears apparently kidnapped, but some things don't add up, and husband has secrets. Director David Fincher underplays everything, including his directorial style - it felt to me like he was taking some of the moves from Zodiac (probably his
- [Halloween Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6431) - This has been blowing up on social media in the last few days, which tells me I should have put it in last week's linky instead of holding it over for this Halloween special. It is one heck of a musical number: Cannibal Shia LaBeouf. (via Svend) Good Guardian piece on the origins of Halloween.
- [Goldblum Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6424) - Sheet music for Jeff Goldblum's laugh from Jurassic Park. My friend Warren's new project is getting covered at the AVClub, choice. Lego recreations of famous film moments! And here's number three from the AVC - The Wire event at Paleyfest, featuring loads of cast members and David Simon, talking straight about the show. I haven't
- [History Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6417) - Old amigo Malcolm Craig, formerly of this parish but now back in that parish, has launched a new podcast (with a friend). It ties in more-or-less with the undergrad American history course they're teaching at University of Edinburgh. First ep is about slavery, and is up now in all the usual podcasty places. Urban design
- [Misconception Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6411) - The world's most contagious falsehoods - things that ain't true that keep getting spread around... (via Steve Ellis) Newsweek has a short piece on the Swedish pre-school adoption of a gender neutral pronoun. (via Jenni) Nate Silver with some wisdom: The bullshitter's trick is to talk in generalities when questioned about details and to litigate
- [L-Boogie Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6401) - Talib Kweli writes a stirring defence of Lauryn Hill. I still remember listening to Miseducation for the first time, getting enraptured by it. Comics that retell Lovecraft stories in one page. Only a few so far, but they're all pretty great. This is shaping up to be my most-shared tweet ever. I should have taken
- [Friendzone Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6394) - Fantastic, infuriating piece by David Roberts at Grist - is it possible to convince the American right wing that climate change is real? (Go on, take a wild guess.) Vox: Three reasons why NZ has the best electoral system in the world. I could niggle with the details, but I'm genuinely pretty happy with the
- [Vote Like A Pirate Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6385) - Voting is underway now, so it's a good time to share - what it will be like if Scotland votes for independence? (via Morag) (the Vox one made me lol) If you haven't seen this yet, it is marvellous marvellous marvellous. Grandparents on Facebook keep accidentally tagging Grandmaster Flash into their messages. Star Wars minus
- [Pour Vous Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6376) - The actual rules for "tu" and "vous" in French. Lovely. (via @adzebill) The Atlantic: Why do people believe in ghosts? Luc Besson's "Lucy" inspired much derision due to a (very dumb) "10% of the brain" thing. Anna K recasts this as metaphor for a Lovecraft-style expanded perception, and finds much to admire. I haven't seen
- [Conical Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6373) - (Super-short linky this week. I don't know why, just haven't come across much linkable stuff.) A board game invented for the TV show 'Parks & Recreation' was played for real, for charity, at GenCon. The Guardian has an interesting take on the narrowing margin in the polls as the Scottish independence referendum date approaches, and
- [Badwell Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6365) - This week in Malcolm Gladwell schadenfreude: the 10,000 hour rule isn't real It's the election in NZ soon, and as with most constituencies, the parties need to work really hard to actually get people to the voting booth. NZ independent journo Nicky Hager, talking in the wake of his expose book about dirty political tactics
- [Aw Yiss Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6357) - Aw Yisser, Beaton style. Usagi Yojimbo stop-motion short! (via Gareth Skarka) Last week I shared the 538 coverage of the NZ-expat King of Scrabble! D'oh, his reign is over. Email will never die This is really very good indeed: the first part of a legit adaptation of Jack Chick's fabled D&D-will-make-you-worship-Satan comic, DARK DUNGEONS: Professional
- [Mork and Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6354) - (I've basically read none of the things I'm linking this week, only skimmed them. Far too much going on in the world right now. Many of these links are via the marvellous Nextdraft.) Longreads has pulled out from their archive some long pieces on Robin Williams. This mash-up of the Muppets (doing Danny Boy) and
- [Bad Password Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6347) - So it turns out you don't have to change all those shamefully lame passwords you use Photobooth selfies across the 20th century Pinky & the Brain return with more swear words than I remember (NSFW: swears) Three hours of Amiga game music - you'll know if that's something you need to hear. (via Adam Koebel)
- [BFF Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6332) - From Svend: the sinister simplicity of the BFF-bot The first photo uploaded to the web was a sign of things to come Scream Queen: Queen song rendered entirely in screams from movies How English sounds to non-English speakers - using the phonemes but in nonsensical arrangements (via Tof) I didn't even know this article was
- [NZIFF: The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came To Eden (USA, 2013)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6340) - Doco about a weird unsolved murder mystery in the 1930s Galapagos Islands. There were only a handful of people on the island of Floreana, all eccentric or mad to various degrees, locked in strange jealousies and rivalries. It's a small cast of characters, none of whom are particularly endearing, all destined to be either victims
- [NZIFF: Under The Skin (UK, 2013)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6337) - Scarlett Johansson is an otherworldly being who seduces Glaswegian men to their otherworldy doom. It's shot, framed, told, and paced as an art film, but the narrative itself is fairly straightforward. (Which is good! That's not a criticism!) There are many mysteries, mostly unexplained, although the shapes of answers are given. There's a lot of
- [Deep Breath Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6325) - Oh man this comic strip wrecks me. (Pixar related.) Lots of fruit and veg never makes it to retail because it doesn't look perfect. One supermarket chain has figured out an ingenious way to reduce this food waste: they, um, just sell it anyway. Lovely. (via Craig N) Cinefix's top 10 most effective editing moments
- [Love 2 Hate Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6311) - Guy kickstarts making a potato salad. Spins wildly out of control. All I can think is, this guy is gonna be sick of potato salad by the time he fulfils all those rewards. IF HE EVER DOES. Update: wow, this was at about $2,000 pledged when I wrote the above. it's now at... substantially more.
- [Emotion Contagion Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6285) - So Facebook ran a big experiment on their users, filtering the feed one way or the other and measuring emotional effects. It's been a huge disaster in just about every way - this Guardian column sums it up smartly. But the most amazing thing, for me, is that this ongoing disaster - which is really
- [Manfeels Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6274) - Unexpectedly, for the first time in literally years, I'm having twinges of hope about fate of the planet this week. Prompted by these two things: (1) A new Al Gore piece in Rolling Stone, in which he points out that the climate change battleground is shifting, using Obama's recent moves to point out a whole
- [Flick Kick International](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6292) - Flick Kick Football Legends, the football-kicking free-to-play mobile game I wrote for, has updated and is even more fun. I particularly like the International Cup, where your team goes to Brazil to compete after your national team gets abducted by aliens. I wrote almost all of the dumb dad-joke commentary, and the absurd little storylines
- [Leopold Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6276) - It was Bloomsday! Here's Jung writing to Joyce about Ulysses. Aucklanders - The Black Hoof, restaurant/tapas bar/gastropub/place - opens in August. These are my friends, so maybe think about checking it out sometime? (Facebook page) As a child I thought I knew what the coolest thing in all the universe was: Boba Fett. But, this
- [People's Poet Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6263) - Rik Mayall, eh? Bugger. This is the clip to watch - my first thought was to seek it out but then lots of other people had the same thought before me (including you Jet). The Bottom stage show, when Mayall and Edmondson go a bit off-script. (Some of this out-of-character banter was apparently scripted, but
- [Unboxing Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6254) - Get nostalgic for how we did nostalgia in the good old days: The Wonder Years cast reunited This sounds craaazy. WaPo headline: Female-named hurricanes kill more than male hurricanes because people don’t respect them, study finds (Via Tom Crosby) Of course, there are methodological issues, so maybe it's all just a hurricane in a teacup.
- [Legopunk Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6247) - Sam Burke found this neat description of a more effective way to win arguments than saying "I can prove you're wrong!" Not suitable for all circumstances, but I'm adding it to my arsenal. The 25 most underrated movies of the 90s (via Edel) Cyberpunk city made out of Lego Gustave the crocodile has his own
- [Reparations Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6234) - If you follow one linky this week, make it this: Ta-Nehisi Coates writes in The Atlantic about the case for reparations for Black America. It's an incredible piece, rigorous and searing and delivered in calm and measured tones but you can feel the acidic rage sitting underneath. Coates focuses on property as his way into
- [Miss a Meal Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6227) - It's May! That means it's time to Miss a Meal for Kaibosh, the excellent charity that smartly sews up the systemic gaps to take leftover retail food to the hungry people who need it. Skip a takeaway night and send the $$ to Kaibosh, do eeet... (Those outside NZ might look for a local equivalent
- [Vocabulary Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6218) - Who displays the biggest vocabulary in hiphop, and how does it compare to Shakespeare? (via Tom Crosby; some of this unsurprising - Kool Keith! - some of it quite surprising indeed...) Huh, since I added that to the file it kinda went big, maybe bigger than it deserved - the analysis is pretty shallow! But
- [May Day Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6203) - Insight into the lovely True Detective title sequence Disney princesses as drawn as Game of Thrones characters, and via Stephanie, genderswapped Disney characters (beautifully painted, those!) Basically all my friends in coding shared this article in the last couple days: Programming Sucks. It's hilarious and cutting and should be read by non-coding people wondering why
- [Captain America: The Winter Soldier (USA, 2014)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6210) - This was a great action film in the mold of post-2000 action films - i.e. ludicrous stakes, lots of CGI, frenetic pace. I liked it a bunch. So some random notes: * The film has Captain America's name on it, but it's a team film. Two black men, two women, and one traditional whitebread action
- [Debate Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6192) - [Friday linky again on a Thursday this week - tomorrow is an NZ public holiday] So for the last decade-and-a-half I've had this one-act play sitting around in draft. A student screenwriter outlines some dumb movie ideas, among them: a fish-out-of-water dramedy about an angry black youth who ends up on the school's debate team,
- [Thursday Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6183) - Linky going out on Thursday this week on account of Easter. Cavalorn has uncovered a genuine oddity from 70s Britain: a kid's how-to guide for the occult. It's like something out of Scarfolk, but real. In Buzzfeed-does-journalism shock, here's a quite nice piece on Tom Lehrer, and the quiet, comprehensive way he is ignoring his
- [ZunZuneo Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6176) - Big story from the AP about US intelligence setting up ZunZuneo, a social media system in Cuba, with the intention of using it to encourage political resistance. Kermit Roosevelt, Jr would be proud. Shakespeare plays, told as three-panel comic strips. (Titus Andronicus though.) Infographic showing the depth of the ocean where the missing plane might
- [No Worries Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6163) - "No worries" is slowly infecting the USA - patient zero was Crocodile Dundee. 23 retro games you can play in your browser Star Wars theme played on a huge pipe organ. Kinda wow. (via keith M) The Chooseatron! I remember this Kickstarter, seems like it's coming close to reality. Its a receipt printer that prints
- [Habit Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6151) - How to change a habit (flowchart image - the bits of research I know square with this) Graph the audience grades of your favourite TV show (uses IMDB episode-by-episode ratings out of 10) Salon's Andrew O'Hehir does some for-real critical thinking about the Hunger Games and Divergent (et al.) - " They are propaganda for
- [12 Years A Slave (USA/UK, 2013)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6155) - I am part of the film's third audience, neither American White nor American Black, privileged to watch from outside, safely, to look upon the horrors and the injustice and whisper thanks that my people never devoured themselves with such madness, to observe with smug fascination at the broken ways of some other kind of people
- [To The Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf, 1927](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5985) - Micro-review. We've had Woolf's classic on the shelves in a 60s Penguin edition for years, and finally the time was right to pick it up. I knew virtually nothing about it, only that it's often talked about as a partner to Joyce's Ulysses as one of the milestones of early-20th-century modernism. (It's also a fraction
- [Kiss Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6139) - I defended that kiss video last week. By the end of that day I'd seen loads of other discussion/argument/parody about it. Here's the essentials: All the parodies NYT tells the story of the video - and it just reinforces my belief that people who thought they were being lied to have the wrong end of
- [Fool's Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6134) - That shameful anti-gay legislation in Uganda? It was probably the result of intensive lobbying by US evangelical Christians. Mother Jones has the full scoop. The complete guide to listening to music at work. (via Nextdraft. Subscribe to Nextdraft!) The Loomio free decision-making tool has launched a crowdfunding effort. I haven't looked much into it but
- [Reading Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6128) - I've heard about this text presentation method before - flashing words up one after the other so you don't have to move your eyes - but Spritz is the first company I've seen try to make a business out of it. (Curious about what tradeoffs are hidden in there - eyetracking data shows when we
- [Integer Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6114) - Via John Fouhy: Dungeons and Dragons Ability Modifier Sequence from the Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences. As John said in his tweet, "This is some kind of nerd congruence. I struggle for words." Rare Star Wars posters from around the world. Some of these are very odd. Lovely illustrations of kids playing Star Wars. There's
- [Nijinsky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6112) - (No Nijinsky included) Get prepared tomorrow Star Wars as told in the original tapestry Listen to the music that was inscribed on a random butt in that one Bosch painting. Woman recreates the selfies of the guy who took her phone (via Camilla) Young people swap clothes with their grandparents (also Camilla) Nature offers a
- [Get Prepared Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6100) - This February 22, join me and a whole mess of other people and check your disaster preparedness kit. That's the anniversary of the big Christchurch quake. Mark the anniversary by checking you are ready when trouble comes your way. Join the Facebook group or follow us on Twitter (Eek I really haven't promoted or used
- [Skeletor Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6095) - Skeletor voice actors play with Skeletor action figures. Perfect parody of a Trent Reznor song Who better to smack down Kirk Cameron than a whole mess of other grown-up child TV actors? Map of USA, each state labelled with the IMDb's top-rated film set there. How toast got trendy: actually a really, really interesting story.
- [Amicable Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6083) - Conference call in real life: Someone actually figured out a way to make money on Spotify: by singing Happy Birthday to everyone in the world, one by one. (via Mike U) If you, like me, like to watch the Superbowl but only watch the Superbowl, here's a 2-minute season recap that really doesn't make much
- [American Hustle (USA, 2013) ](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6085) - First up: read Alasdair's piece about this film, and how everyone's talking about the actors and no-one's talking about the plot. Good stuff. This was headlining at the Roxy the same night Cal & I wanted to use our tickets to the Roxy, so we saw it. And it vexed me. On a different night
- [Burns Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6075) - "O thou! whatever title suit thee,— Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick, or Clootie! Wha in yon cavern, grim an' sootie, Clos'd under hatches, Spairges about the brunstane cootie To scaud poor wretches!" Robert Burns: Address to the Devil Not the Bard's best work - he calls himself out for ranting in the second-last stanza! - but
- [That Was The Was That Was](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6070) - Lots of people I know had a rubbish 2013. Sometimes a really, really rubbish 2013. Mine was pretty rough in many ways, but next to what other people were going through, it doesn't seem so bad. So that's something! A lot of good stuff cut through in 2013 as well. My name was attached to
- [3 Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6059) - The Wee Beastie is 3 years old today! Hurrah! Salon's Hack List is marvellous this year - each entry written in the style of the hack it is honouring Charlie Stross wants bitcoin to die in a fire The weird mechanics of a bitcoin heist (less controversially, Stross also hates Microsoft Word) Minimalist circular city
- [Oscars: Criswell Predicts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=25) - I pick that the stupid Academy will do this: ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER (possible surprise: Johnny Depp - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL. Yes, seriously.) ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Benicio Del Toro - 21 GRAMS ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE 50/50 between Keisha
- [Wherein I Try To Save Iraq, And Fail](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=65) - Pearce writes, on Iraq and Saddam: How would you have dealt with Saddam Hussein?...If you wouldn't keep him in power, how would you have deposed him? And how would you keep extremists from taking power once he was gone? Morgue, home sick today, responds: Okay, assuming the kind of setup that says, instead of launching
- [Milestone](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=130) - Finished part one (first four chapters) of Ron today. Hurrah. That clocks in at somewhere around 30,000 to 35,000 words. In the first draft of Ron, part one was about 5,000 words. I knew I was doing a second draft before finishing the first one for a reason - the whole piece was being thrown
- [[Election] Influencing An Election](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=154) - Be warned: this is quite long and it is basically me thinking out loud about political stuff. I just watched a Channel 4 documentary, "The Dirty Race For The White House". Peter Oborne concluded that democracy in the US has gone horribly awry. His structure was drawn from the Gettysburg address, where Lincoln spoke of
- [Have I Told You About My Belt?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=190) - It is a nice belt. It has four holes. I use the second hole. It comes from the Gap. I know, what was I doing in the Gap? I was looking for a belt. A belt! Me! I can hardly believe it myself. I have nice jeans. They fit me, which is something I find
- [My New Pen For Meetings](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=194) - My friend + boss T has returned from Florida with a lovely new pen that I intend to use for all important meetings. It's an etch-a sketch pen! And the little etch controls are Mickey-hands! -------- Aaron Andrews is staying with us. It is good. Still very busy. More soon. As usual, read the comments
- [Yuk. [School Dinners]](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=209) - Growing up in New Zealand, I never really understood school dinners. Food came from home; everyone packed a lunch. Not the case over here, where the majority of kids in primary and secondary schools trudge into the canteen each day for their meal. The meals are crap. There's been a series on the telly, Jamie
- [Rachel Corrie: 2 years on](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=217) - Rachel Corrie died two years ago today. It matters to me for the way the aftermath of her death discouraged me. Palestinians die in Palestine all the time at the hands of the IDF, and the world doesn't seem to care. When Rachel died, I felt sick, but also I thought, finally - now this
- [What Real Life Is Like Now](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=218) - From daily commuter freebie Metro, Weds March 16 2005: "The 25-year old London based Canadian investmaent banker was dumped just before New Year's Day last year and discovered within a couple of weeks that his ex had a new beau. However, instead of moping around resigned to his fate, David offered 1500 pounds to anyone
- ["Modern Morals" per The Times](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=221) - So, according to moral guidance column in The Times, fair trade for coffee is roughly equivalent to a soccer club sending flowers to its players' wives. Um. I don't really have anything to say to that. (I'd link to the article but it'll be removed from view in a week and I can't figure out
- [G8: After the Make Poverty History rally](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=257) - Cat spotted it first. The broad stretch of the meadows was strewn with litter, spots of white like the starfield that we didn't have above because the sky was getting light even at half three in the morning. One constellation had been carefully arranged, the CND logo assembled from discarded posters and placards and water
- [G8: Make Poverty History - part of the problem?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=258) - (G'day to any No Right Turn readers who've wandered over - this is a longer one than the last few, so take a deep breath. Or go get a cup of tea or something.) Sunday, the day after the big MPH rally, showed the progressive movement's diversity in full bloom - 'one no, many yeses'
- [G8: Wouldn't our energy be better spent elsewhere?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=256) - There is no zero-sum equation between contributing to a concrete cause and spending time and cash on a protest. People can do both. A major component of everything happening during the G8 is designed to get more people more involved in these issues day to day. There is far more to this particular event than
- [G8: What Protest Achieves](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=255) - So what is protest actually able to achieve? There's a whole suite of effects that follow on from the kind of protests being undertaken during the G8. Here are some important ones. Raises awareness Protests are public events that generate interest and attention. Simply raising awareness of a concern and a projected response to it
- [G8: Are We Wasting Our Time?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=252) - Historian Dominic Sandbrook wrote a short article in the June 2005 issue of 'History' magazine about popular political protest in the 1960s, with a particular focus on marches. (The article was really an accompaniment to a big and impressive photo of the 1960 London march of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.) He concludes: Yet despite
- [Ten.](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=200) - My daughter would be 10 by now. I remember being 10. Vividly. ----------- My girlfriend didn't realise she was pregnant until she had a miscarriage. This isn't exactly a secret but it I've only ever told a handful of people. The ten-year thing must be significant if I'm still thinking about it in February, when
- [more morgue in print!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=198) - Mongoose Publishing's magazine Signs & Portents is running another of my articles in issue 21, out in April: Derailed - If you enjoyed the Breakout Control setting from S&P15 then you are going to love this. So shocking and disturbing that Matt Sharp had to seek counselling from Monty the Mongoose after he edited it!
- [Concrete and Population](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=187) - Preview of the first 4 pages of 'Concrete: The Human Dilemma' The first issue of 'Concrete: The Human Dilemma' throws out an idea thats a new one on me. In the story, a businessman wants to hire Concrete as a spokesman for his foundation. Here's what he says about it to Concrete: ------ SAGEMAN: Its
- [Poverty and Generosity - a Response to Matt](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=185) - It seems that this blog is now allowing comments and new entries again! Hurrah. Here's one I prepared earlier: Matt has made a few comments that I�ll address together. I stand by my claim that the principal cause of global poverty is �the exploitation of the free-market system by economic hyperpowers, with all the structural
- [What To Do This Christmas](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=169) - The Christmas lights came on in Edinburgh tonight at 5.45pm. The ferris wheel started to turn. The German Market opened its gates. Princes St Gardens was transformed. Less than a month until Christmas. Christmas is the single biggest event in our cultural life. As it rolls around, you’re either caught up in it or –
- [Cell](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=48) - No-one else in the room again, noisy night, and hot. City sounds, like artwork. I flip the switch and cycle through the options. Rest the cell against my thigh, settle in. Scanner clips my retina and ID’s me to open up the full allotment, got to knock at that credit somehow. Remind myself not to
- [Over 'Ere](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=17) - Bradley departs. He’s the reason I ended up in Scotland in the first place; he invited me, told me Edinburgh would suit me, and gave me a place to stay on my arrival. For the past year-and-a-bit he’s been my friend-from-home. (Which is not to forget Blair, who did the first few months, and Cal,
- ['Love, actually'](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=10) - Went to see new Brithope ‘Love, Actually’ t’other night. (“Oh no!” readers cry, “he’s reduced to writing about movies already!” Well, shush. I’m going somewhere with this.) ‘Love...’ does what it says on the box - romance, Christmas, snow, public declarations of love, Atkinson Firth Grant Rickman Thompson Lincoln Knightley Neeson etc etc. The bad
- [Invisible Cow Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6023) - Matt Taibbi (still making Rolling Stone worthwhile all by himself) breaks down the situation in Camden - one of the USA's dying cities. The man who struck the killing blow? Leading candidate for the Republican candidacy, Gov Chris Christie. (via Amund) Twistiest tongue twister ever. But it's a nonsense phrase as far as I can
- [Insurance, Monique says ur dumb](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6019) - This is a call for advice, because insurance companies are dumb. It's a small-scale issue in the grand scheme of things (cough Christchurch cough), but it's irritating. So: We had a fence & gate in our back yard. Then the big storm happened. Our gate fell down. Tower Insurance came to the party. They replaced
- [Flick Kick Legends, Providence Summer](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6016) - Sorry folks no time for linky today. But I do want to call attention to two releases of personal importance: Flick Kick Football Legends I'm the credited writer for this game from Wellington's own Pikpok Games. So most of the dumb jokes are my fault, as are many of the weird little stories that unfold
- [Day of the Doctor](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6013) - Made it to the afternoon screening spoiler-free. Embassy Theatre full to the brim with families and teens and aging chaps like me. And the lights went down... I have not been a fan of the latest era of Doctor Who. Despite loving Matt Smith in the role I have been frustrated and bored by the
- [Flat Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6006) - Ian Rankin reviews Asterix and the Picts. There's a "wander about Middle-earth" thing, linked to the new Hobbit film, for users of the Chrome browser. I looked at the first bit and it was very pretty. Short film by Alfonso Cuaron's son showing who was at the other end of that radio contact in Gravity
- [Twain Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=6003) - man. just feeling wiped. you too? have some linky. Mark Twain secretly wrote a vignette of Queen Elizabeth swapping fart and sex jokes with Shakespeare, Jonson and Bacon. (via Allen Varney) Oscar the Grouch vs Grumpy Cat (via Craig Oxbrow) Linguists in the audience, does this sound legit? "huh" as the one word common to
- [Ruminator: Rape & NZ culture](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5998) - I expanded the first chunk of that last post into a longer piece for the Ruminator: Rape is easy here. It's another example of how I'm using the existence of the Ruminator as a prompt and motivator for a different style of writing, with a different set of goals. (e.g. I write here often for
- [Roast Busters: Two thoughts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5994) - Two small thoughts on this whole awful business, to clear my head: * Because of our cultural distaste for direct expressions of what we want and don't want, NZ youth find it very difficult to seek or express sexual consent. In consequence, NZ youth are predisposed to see hazy consent as commonplace and normal *
- [Fermat's Last Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5989) - Yeah, busy busy, etc etc. [EDIT: so busy I wrote and published this on the wrong day. Genuinely confused that Friday didn't follow Wednesday. Buh.] That one time Homer solved Fermat's Last Theorem - math geekery hidden in the Simpsons BABY TEETH short story collection out now. Scary stories about scary children for scary charity.
- [Fracture Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5983) - Typing carefully on account of the bright green cast on my left forearm. Scaphoid fracture, sport-caused. My first ever cast! But this linky will be brief as a result. Beautiful Lego creations Epic takedown of Columbus Day - complete with suggested alternative, Bartolomé Day Don't dress as a Pocahottie this Halloween - annotated! Excellent -
- [Fortnightly Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5979) - It seems I've ended up on an every-two-weeks schedule for the linky. But stubbornly I refuse to stop blogging! I know my enormous* fandom needs me! That's why they never comment, the emotional stakes are too high! *I haven't had any visitor numbers for this blog for several years, so I think it's reasonable to
- [Suffrage Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5975) - Yesterday marked 120 years of women's suffrage in NZ - infographic showing some significant changes in that span Non-white guy in turban dresses as Captain America, wins. Medieval jokes (you have to provide your own comedic timing) Complete version of The Wicker Man being released to cinemas! I watched a version with Malc once that
- [Red Barn Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5971) - (I am getting absolutely hammered by spam comments these days - 200 or so a day and I only have one post open for comments. I try and get all legit comments approved ASAP, but if I'm slow, that's why.) Why are barns red? The answer is fascinating. (via Svend) Via Stephanie, the PBS Idea
- [Dream Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5969) - The only Martin Luther King link I want to offer is from the Onion. Star Drunk: a film written by drunk people, then acted by drunk people. It is... very watchable. Ta-Nehisi Coates writes in compelling fashion of his ongoing mission learning French in Paris. Speaking as someone who is 95% monolingual, this feels very
- [Wotty Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5953) - Sick child has borrowed DVD of "The WotWots" from the library. As kids DVDs go, this is very pleasant background as I type up a linky. Animated GIFs of The Wire - a new one is generated automatically every hour. You've heard about the Google Maps easter egg that lets you step inside the TARDIS?
- [Dragon: 01](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2987) - I am delighted to have finally scanned in a comic I made waaaay back when I was 10 years old. (If I remember right, I completed these early episodes at the start of the year, before my birthday.) Here begin the adventures of Nogard the Dragon! This was, I think, the first strip comic I
- [Rumpus Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2978) - Following on from the loss of MCA, there came the sad death of Maurice Sendak. May the wild rumpus continue on forever. Andrew Leonard at Salon wrote this great piece about reading the Wild Things to his the kids. The Comics Journal had a great piece on the man. (Tequila!) And check out these radio
- [RIP Pio](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2981) - I have a half-finished Friday linky but no stomach to finish it. Just took a call from my mother who saw this in the paper, and let me know a young man I knew had killed himself. In my last year of high school, Pio was just starting. I was a school prefect assigned to
- [Stuff's "Ice Age" story has changed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2983) - Following up on this post: In response to a complaint from me (and presumably communications from others as well), Stuff has stripped the inaccurate material out of their "Ice Age" story and added an apologetic note at the bottom. It can't take away the effects of the earlier version, but it at least ensures that
- [Scareface Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2998) - Extremely freaky perception thing. I couldn't handle doing this for very long because it so badly unnerved me. (via Ron Fischer) Lovely 2-minute turn at a poetry jam (via ehjc) Blogging the entirety of Emily Dickinson's poetry Canine brain scans (via d3vo) Super-technology bottles makes sauce come out really easily (also via d3vo) The story
- [Dragon: 02 to 06](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2992) - I'll embed #2 just because: The rest are all available over on flickr. I don't think anyone wants me to put these all on the blog - do you? In these episodes you meet Zappy the Trigger-Happy and Gizzard the Naughty Wizard, which google assures me remain unused character names to this day. PWNAGE! You
- [Bradbury Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3000) - NASA Jet Propulsion Lab posted a video of Ray Bradbury in 1971. He cracks up the crowd, then does it again, then reads a lovely poem. (via BoingBoing) The Wire: The Musical. AMAZING. Worth watching just for Snoop but it's all good. Samm just reminded me that this existed - the redoubtable Robyn Gallagher has
- [Dancey Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2996) - Dancey! says the wee beastie, carefully inserting a CD into the stereo. Dancey! From many people - a fascinating and funny short film of a depressingly plausible high-tech future Top voice actors do a readthrough of the entirety of Star Wars The scale of the universe (via lots of people) The Easter Island statues go
- [Dragon: The Conclusion!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3005) - Parts 07 to 12 of the Dragon comic I created when I was wee are now up on Flickr. I embed part 08 here, because it is an episode of which I am fond. In order to get the most comic with the very least drawing required, I introduce a character who is invisible. PERFECT.
- [Commencement Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3021) - A bit late but here at last, some Friday linky for you: Some of the most powerful photographs ever taken (via Rachel B) Aaron Sorkin commencement address, Neil Gaiman commencement address, Robert Krulwich commencement address So the gulf stream doesn't actually keep Europe warm? Science urban legends... "zombie ideas" Let me clear out some linky
- [Matariki Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3025) - Māori new year (& winter solstice) down this way! We miss you sun. The history of the fork. Wikipedia of course has a page on that thing when it seems like street lights are going out right as you walk by Cabins to desire The new "Where the hell is Matt" short. These always make
- [My Mum's Birthday Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3032) - Happy birthday mum. At least you will always read my blog. d3vo reminded me about Chris Walken getting jiggy in this Fatboy Slim vid that I have not seen in an age. Dee-lite. Gotye Star Wars Step-by-step guide to actually being a reverse racist You've heard about the online Lego creation playground set up via
- [Higg's Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3036) - Man, remember when that guy tried to sabotage the Large Hadron Collider and said he was a time traveller from the future? (CNet carried the story in, ah, very early April 2010) He said: "The discovery of the Higgs boson led to limitless power, the elimination of poverty and Kit-Kats for everyone. It is a
- [Monstrous News](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3052) - Very pleased to own two brand-new Monster books by some excellent friends! The storytelling game Monsters of the Week by Mike Sands is a lovely, elegant way to sit down with your friends and tell some tales of Buffy-style monster-fighting. It's a great game, and a lovely book, deserving of the widest possible audience! Find
- [Jet Jaguar Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3055) - This will probably be a short one, on account of not being able to write any of this Thurs evening because I was out at the release party for Jet Jaguar's fourth album, "Four". I'm listening to it now and it delivers good stuff. Check it out for yourself. The TomKat Split! is actually some
- [Shackleton's Hut](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3058) - Google Streetview has put its cameras down on the ice at the bottom of the world. You can even explore inside Shackleton's Hut, the base for the 1908 polar expedition. My great grandad Felix, mentioned on this blog many times, helped build that hut. (He was Fireman on the ship that went down, the Nimrod.)
- [Call Me Maybe Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3061) - So I'd never heard about the "Call Me Maybe" meme until it hit Cookie Monster. It's a charming wee pop song, and the Wee Beastie and I have enjoyed watching various sports teams make goofy videos of themselves lip-syncing the song (many of which can be found at the Cookie Monster link above). But the
- [Per Capita Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3072) - Two small words that every Kiwi knows: per capita. During an Olympics year we hear these two words even more frequently. What if every sport was photographed like beach volleyball? I've linked to this before I think but it's worth another look: athlete body types, an artist's reference Did you hear about the badminton teams
- [We know it linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3087) - NASA and we know it (via half the internet) Trond thinks about the contradiction of corporates that don't extend free market principles to their own internal structures, instead operating in strict command & control hierarchies. Step aside Lego. Playmobil madness is here. Famous album covers recreated with my socks (via Gem Wilder) The invader No
- [Rumbustification Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3069) - RIP superlative NZ writer Margaret Mahy. I'm looking forward to discovering/rediscovering her work with the Wee Beastie. Here's a great essay she wrote on the role of the fantastic, on science, on myth, on childhood, on storytelling, and many other things besides. Contains Tolkien, Vonnegut, Hoban and more. (The availability of this essay is thanks
- [NZFF: The Imposter (UK, 2012)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3079) - Documentary about a family who found their lost son after four years, only it turned out it wasn't their son at all, it was an imposter. Told from the point of view of the imposter. This is a heck of a story, and it's easy to see why people have been eagerly talking about it.
- [NZFF: Cabin in the Woods (USA, 2011)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3081) - Awesome fun, but. A Goddard/Whedon clever-clever horror movie that takes the stereotypical slasher film structure and dismantles it. I fought hard to avoid being spoiled for this film but it turns out I needn't have bothered, because it pretty much unfolds completely predictably from the juxtaposition set up in the first two scenes. The joy
- [Sunset to Light Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3083) - Sunset to light is a new short film - images and music - by some friends. It's London, now, and it's quite lovely. The musos involved are beloved to many Wgtn folk as members of the Dukes of Leisure. Not embedding it, because it really needs to be seen in its native environment as embiggened
- [Woof Woof Ruff Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3092) - Dog Shaming is being linkied everywhere but I'm linking too because it is indeed perfect. Dogs have a broad range of dog-type emotions, but "shame" might be the one that is most similar to the human version. Also canine: BARKOUR! (via Fraser P) I've linked to The Dark Room before, but here it is again
- [Safety & exclusion at the Dowse](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3099) - The Dowse Art Museum here in controversial Lower Hutt is hosting an exhibition with a video component that only women will be allowed to view. The video shows Muslim women getting ready for a wedding. Limiting views to women is a condition of display, in accordance with the wishes of the subjects. This has got
- [Husbands Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3106) - First reading in Parliament passed, by a resounding 2 to 1 majority - it seems like NZ is on the road to marriage equality. Marvellous, marvellous news. Go celebrate with the webseries Husbands, by Jane Espenson among other smart folks. It has just started season 2, has a bunch of neat cameos, and is funny.
- [Legal Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3112) - Delivering info to the court in the form of a comic (part of the ebook antitrust lawsuit playing out right now) (via Miri) (Also: Judges love Star Trek, at the Legal Geeks) The guy who wrote Strange Fruit - well. He was involved in some interesting life, as recounted in this short NPR article. (via
- [A Decade At Large](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3116) - Ten years ago today, I left New Zealand. I had a plan to sort of end up in the UK and do... something. I ended up spending three years in Edinburgh. Seems like it was longer. Sitting on the plane out of NZ with my good buddy Mr TwoTrees, we talked about why we were
- [Big Tobacco: why you do this?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3124) - I've mentioned previously the Agree/Disagree campaign that has been running prominently in NZ media for the last month. It has been hard to miss, with many television spots in prime time every day, full page ads in newspapers, and radio placements too. The spend is enormous. The initial stated amount of "hundreds of thousands of
- [Helicopter Catan Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3119) - Via mrsmeows, here's a 9-minute doco on a man in a wheelchair building a helicopter out of junk. It's quite lovely. Via gbaker, here's a 9-minute doco on a group of friends playing Settlers of Catan when IT ALL GOES WRONG. It's actually a dramatic recreation of the event - using the actual people -
- [Nazi Space Buddha Iron Man Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3136) - If your regular news sources haven't mentioned the Nazi Space Buddha Iron Man yet, you need better news sources, because NAZI SPACE BUDDHA IRON MAN. Bill Bailey Docteur Qui. How have I never seen this before? via Andrew Loughnan > Michael Upton. Reddit user attempts to ignite mass mockery of a Sikh woman. Incredibly, it
- [Verified Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3130) - Reverse verification: the process where someone tries to introduce doubt around established facts. This basically functions as a cheat code for our media systems. As Jay Rosen says at the link, verification is what the media should be doing, but they get caught up in reporting what people are saying - untangling these has proved
- [BAT: Why they do it](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3133) - I think I've cracked it. A few days ago I made a lengthy post about how the British American Tobacco "agree disagree" marketing campaign made no sense to me at all, at all, at all. Since then BAT has launched a third phase of the campaign, which is even weirder and less likely to be
- [Vote Romney Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3143) - Still not convinced this isn't a brilliant satire, but - via Lev Lafayette - a video that will totally convince you to vote Romney. Fantastic, right to the end. (I've embedded a lot of video this week. That's made the blog hiccup in the past - if anyone hits problems loading the page, give me
- [Force Bunny Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3140) - Star Wars villains with cute bunnies (via Rohan Smith) TED talks come to NZ - exclusive leaked text of the opening address (delightful snark via Danyl) The Stranger profiles the sexy, sassy Men of Rock! Bloody marvellous stuff, via Boganette The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (via Cat T) Wow, I just learned about the Bloop.
- [Mo'bama Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3963) - After 8 years of Dubya, Americans were so out of control they accidentally elected a black man. Four years later? Four years of relentless obstruction and lunatic rage at his presidency? I kinda think re-electing a black man is the greater achievement. US election retold in cleverly animated webcomic form Iconic album covers reimagined with
- [Weiwei & Lo Pan Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3152) - Gangnam juggernaut continues. Amazing Big Trouble in Little China riff: And, even better, legendary dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei does his own version: Dangerous Minds, who have been supplying Friday Linky with content for years now, has blown up big with a massively-shared post about Facebook's (frankly insane) monetisation idea that breaks the core functionality
- [Restraint Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3149) - So I was going to link to some of the trolling & bullying stories that are unfolding at present. Then I decided I just didn't want to. There are some tricky and interesting issues embedded in the stories, but the stories themselves are so unpleasant that you are almost certainly happier not knowing. Instead I
- [Kiwi Trick or Treat](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3157) - Halloween in New Zealand has a patchy history. Apart from it being completely the wrong time of year, our migrants pretty much shed all the old traditions for All Hallow's Eve - Scottish guising, for example, didn't survive over here with our Scottish migrants. Nevertheless Halloween, and trick or treating in particular, has crept upwards
- [Full of Stars Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3968) - Via Frank N, and then most of the internet, a lovely zoomable view of the galaxy. (The tech behind it is super neat too!) So the IDF livetweeted their attack on Gaza. Leave aside for a minute the rights and wrongs of the action (and yup I have some pretty strong opinions on that) -
- [Big Black Ostrich Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3166) - How to learn: Mastering linear algebra in 10 days Star Wars girl gets a treat. Couple years back this girl was bullied at school for liking Star Wars more than pink princesses. This is the tale of her great costume for this year's Halloween. (via Anthony Kitt) Linda Blair's on-set dialogue delivery for The Exorcist
- [Eruption Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3973) - Awesome volcano action in the central North Island. Worth a look, non-Kiwis. Walking over this volcano is a very popular day expedition. Juan Cole lays out his 10 requirements to get a lasting peace in Israel/Palestine. It seems to me like a pretty realistic list, and as he puts it: good luck. And, um, here's
- [Hobbit Premiere Day](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3976) - My city is going bananas today. There's a frenzy of excitement around the premiere of the first Hobbit movie, with the red carpet TV coverage due to begin in an hour or so. There's also a frenzy of grump as long-simmering negativity finally boils up around such issues as the cultural worth of the movie,
- [Mayan Xmapocalypse Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3998) - End of the Long Count, baby. Waste some time as the world comes crashing down with linky distractions! It ain't the Mayan apocalypse that's destroying the world, anyway. George Monbiot reckons the real culprit is those rubbish Christmas presents you buy when you've run out of ideas. William S. Burroughs reads his short story, The
- [Scooby Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3979) - Polygon's coverage of the explosive conversation on the challenges faced by women in the games industry - 1 Reason Why. My favourite spin-off thread, Jane McGonigal noting the conspicuous absence of a 50 Shades Of Grey game (and then building a team and tossing concepts around). Scientific journal Nature looks at its gender balance numbers
- [Useless Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3989) - Frank N shared this with me, and it pretty much makes Friday Linky redundant: The Useless Web. Neil Patrick Harris dreams in puppets (via everywhere) Art History, with captions (via Cat T) Oh I love this so much: the Hawkeye initiative The end of simplistic macho masculinity? (via Mrs Meows) Question everything you know about
- [Freaks & Geeks Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=3994) - Vanity Fair has published an extensive feature on Freaks & Geeks, my pick for second-greatest TV show of all time (after The Wire). There's an oral history, new behind the scenes pics, and an amazing reunion photoshoot that brought back all the main cast, most of the secondary cast, and plenty of bit players. LOVE
- [The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (NZ/USA, 2012)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4003) - Seen on Peter Jackson's pet Embassy screen, with all mod cons: high frame rate, 3D, super surround sound speakers, etc. It was groovy. Slower than it needed to be, but not so much as I'd feared. After the first half hour, it felt to me *very* similar in pacing to the LotR films. I'd give
- [Boo-urns Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4007) - It's Boo-urns Night! Here's "The Raptures of Folly" in entirety: Thou greybeard, old Wisdom! may boast of thy treasures; Give me with young Folly to live; I grant thee thy calm-blooded, time-settled pleasures, But Folly has raptures to give. The Gator found this neat interactive: rhyme with Rabbie Burns! Via Nate: QWOP, a running game
- [Carnival Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4011) - Still a week to go before this famous carnival, but our local version is on today. As carnivals go it's pretty semiotically thin, but I think it counts, particularly because it has increasingly taken specific cues from big carnivals like the N'Orleans mardi gras (kissing beads, huh?). I love that there's a big event in
- [Valentine's Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4036) - Hearts and chocolates and all that. ROMANCE. Abandoned suitcases of insane asylum patients (via Dylan) Car gets stuck at 125mph. Amazingly, this ends well. Sample the delights of Murs' comments on RapGenius, explaining the lyrics of hip-hop tracks. (Murs is a guy who is a rapper.) Awesome celebratory Oscars poster. Really clever! Drones in pakistan
- [Get Prepared 22 Feb](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4016) - With the second anniversary of the big Christchurch quake about to arrive, I decided to do something a bit more organised than last year's "check your prep kits everyone" messages. I've started a Facebook page (that feeds on to Twitter): Get Prepared 22 February. It makes Feb 22, the earthquake anniversary day, the day we
- [Buy Some Books](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4019) - Over the last while I've been working through a stack of unread books by friends of mine. They are good. You should consider using your human money to add them to your stack of unread books. This is only available in ebook. Free preview chapters at the link! Mansfield With Monsters Local publisher Steam Press
- [Spencer Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4028) - Spencer is a Dungeon Master. Specifically, he's the guy who put his hand up when (Community creator) Dan Harmon asked the audience at his regular Harmontown night "is there anyone here who knows how to be a dungeon master?" Since then he's been getting up on stage and running D&D for Dan Harmon, show comptroller
- [Female Superhero Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4041) - Wonder Woman fan-made trailer. How can it be 2013 and still there's never been a big film featuring a woman action hero kicking bad guys around like this? Or even a medium film? (Am I forgetting one?) Female Super Hero Fan Film from Jesse V. Johnson on Vimeo. An indication of how complicated it is
- [Get Prepared Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4039) - Two years on from the big Christchurch quake that still casts a very very long shadow over this country. I've decided that this is the perfect occasion to check my emergency preparedness kit every year. I've been encouraging people to join me, mostly via Facebook - your Like would be welcome, but what I really
- [Some Things To Support](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4045) - Three worthy crowdfundy things, to which I draw your attention: Conquering Corsairs: Pirates of the Silver Sea! A card game designed by a couple of Kiwi lads, about pirates vying for gold and prestige and generally being piratical. Just hit its target! Well done guys. Only a few days left on this one! Send speedstacker
- [Street Style Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4055) - Robert W pointed me at this great text-only street fashion blog, which is satire so deadpan it hardly even knows it's satire. NYC past - large-format historical photos of the greatest city in the world Everyf***ingwebsite - yeah, they're all like this, pretty much. Amazing bootleg Star Wars figures from Turkey. So good! A blog
- [Guest Post: Love Matters](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4062) - It's second vote day for the Marriage Equality Bill, & an old friend of mine has a few thoughts about that. The video Craig and his husband Marcel made, at the bottom of the post, is worth watching and sharing. Tell your elected representatives that love matters! In the past I could not relate the
- [Eostre Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5056) - Cavalorn, aka Adrian Bott, he of the Prometheus decoding that was linked all around the world, has also been doggedly debunking claims around the pagan origins of certain Easter traditions. Toy Story 2 was nearly deleted during production. Reading this story made me anxious. Rock Paper Shotgun apologises for using female writers. Latest Japanese schoolgirl
- [Gun Thumb Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5052) - Laurie Penny on Steubenville. And, the Good Men Project has a potent primer on rape culture. That's all I can bear on the subject right now. Cthulhu cakes Music videos have been done as action movies before, but this one is a particularly fine example of the form. In 1988, the LA Times described the
- [Marriage Equality!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5064) - Third reading passed! We watched the NZ Parliament TV as MPs gave speeches, mostly powerfully and emotionally supportive, and we mocked the elevator music as the votes were cast, and then we cheered as the count came back. And I personally cheered as the whole Parliament & gallery broke into song, Pokarekare Ana... While on
- [Equality Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=4065) - Marriage equality passed second reading! Here's my buddy's vid again Photos of children around the world with their most prized possessions (this kinda risks that thing of "look how poor those brown people are" but, nah, it's good.) D&D 80s cartoon starring Brian Dennehy! Sort of. Espionage on Twitter? School of Thrones Game of Thrones
- [37 Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5059) - I turned, if my calculations are correct, 37 this week. In my brain it feels like a perfectly balanced age, because 3+7=10. Throughout the coming year I will expect everything I do to be quickly matched by a complementary response. Star Wars! Fan film of a lightsaber fight. Neat stuff, nicely done. Lens flares! (via
- [Aeroplane Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5062) - I'm setting this one to go live at the departure time of our flight - we're doing a weekend in the South Island for a wedding. It'll be the Wee Beastie's first time on a plane. She's pretty good at spotting them in the sky and is I think equal parts excited and intimidated by
- [Ruminator Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5068) - The Ruminator is a new groupblog that launched about a week ago and is just figuring out its voice as its many writers make their first posts. I'm a contributor, and my first post is up. It's about how, when music shops and bookshops close down, there's some additional consequences: One by one, these stores
- ["in move" into creative commons](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5072) - I've decided to release the first novel I wrote, in move, under Creative Commons. It's going to be serialised over here, appearing one chunk every weekday, posts going live at noon (starting tomorrow). When the whole thing's up, I'll release it as an epub as well. in move came about simply because as a teenager
- [Part 1, & Rumination](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5076) - I Ruminated again: the 10 best things to tell computer support scammers. And the first part of in move has gone live. I read it, too, for the first time in years - I'm going to read along as the sections go up and see how it plays. Verdict on the opening: not nearly as
- [ANZAC DAY - Felix's War Diary](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5080) - Some excerpts from the War Diaries of my great-grandfather Felix Rooney. This is close to the start of his surviving diary - he did keep a diary of Egypt, Gallipoli and early time in France but it was destroyed in the attack that injured him and sent him to England to recover. The surviving diary
- [Young Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5840) - Quite enjoying having a new short chapter of "in move" pop up in my news feed every day at noon! I don't remember writing most of what I read. Surprised by quite how much pashing has been going on in the first few chapters, too. But that's teenage boys for you, just always pashing everything.
- [Replication Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5846) - This New Yorker article is one that makes me happy. Social psychology, for better or worse, is my discipline, and it seems like it's finally sorting out one of its ongoing weaknesses. There's a problem across all sciences around replication - the most prestigious journals demand new research, and academic careers demand publication in prestigious
- [The Asian is the Martial Arts Expert](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5854) - Agents of Shield, the Whedon-crew TV series spun out of the Marvel superhero film universe has been picked up for series. Lots of people are very excited! I'm quite excited too actually. But take a look at this: Back in October, Bleeding Cool was one of many places with the casting notes for the five
- [X-Ray Specs Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5851) - The truth behind all those amazing novelty items advertised in every comic for decades, by someone who went to the effort of tracking them all down. It's the first time I've ever heard how the X-Ray Specs "worked", complete with a photo reproducing the view through those magical glasses! Chomsky & Foucault debate, in 1971,
- [Missed Meal Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5865) - There's one week left of May, which is plenty of time for you to miss a meal. Send the money you saved to the good people at Kaibosh food rescue, a thoroughly splendid local operation that takes food that would be wasted here and delivers it to hungry people there. Worth a few of your
- [in move (part 3)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5859) - in move, my novel about friendship under pressure, starts Part Three today. It's a good time to jump on board! in move has four main characters. (Pro tip: it is dumb to have four main characters in your first attempt at writing a novel.) Part Three has a focus on Adam, the goofy tall one
- [Future News Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5863) - No, not Early Edition style future news. I bashed out a new article for the Ruminator, about what news websites are going to look like in a decade. Hint: a lot less like newspapers, a lot more like interactive infographics. The alternate moose just tipped me off to the existence of some weird, interesting group
- [in move ebook available](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5885) - My novel about teenage guys facing the end of their friendship, in move, is now available in ebook formats. (The blog serialisation has finished, but of course you can still read it there too.) EPUB format: available here MOBI format: available here PDF format: available here As I've mentioned before, this was the first novel
- [The Next Doctor](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5876) - Matt Smith is leaving Doctor Who, someone new is coming into the role, everyone is speculating (with various degrees of tongue in cheek) about the likelihood of the role being filled by a woman or a black man or by Sophie Okenedo. I don't think it's going to happen, folks. It'll be a 30-ish white
- [Unconspiracy Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5868) - 9/11 conspiracy theorist changes his mind. Because of... facts! Has that ever happened before?? (via Nate C) BBC's Newsnight devoted ten minutes to exploring the question: was Doctor Who a bit rubbish in the 80s? Freaks and Geeks is getting the AVClub Classic treatment. The pilot episode writeup appeared today. It's my favourite TV show
- [Ruminator: Pink vs Blue](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5881) - Yesterday turned out to be an interesting day. There was winning at basketball, which happens rarely enough these days that it's a happy moment indeed. There was completing the serialisation of "in move", my teenage-boys-in-the-Hutt novel, about which more soon (I need to get the ebook version prepared for release). There was getting a heat
- [Teaspoons Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5883) - Okay just in case you missed all the other dozen times I shared this: my article on gender stereotypes and kids at the Ruminator. Amazing photos from NYC a century ago (via Theremina) Fitzcarraldo remade in cardboard (also via Theremina) From global warming to fluoride: why do people deny science? How to play chess properly:
- [Honest Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5893) - [Wordpress deleted most of this post. I've rebuilt as much of it as I could remember, but with fewer pithy asides and probably forgetting to acknowledge some sources. C'est la vie.] Oh snap! Honest Disney movies. (via Karen) The Tony Awards opening is as good as you've heard Wikipedia entry on Timothy Dexter is jawdropping
- [Storm Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5902) - No Linky last week on account of storm! We had no power for 12 hours and no internet for 48 hours. Apart from our woodshed and a few other minor things, our house made it through just fine, which was a relief! Anyway, my linky backlog just got bigger. James Gandolfini reads 'In the Night
- [Bloomsday!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5900) - Take a moment today to check out Ulysses Seen, which is a thoroughly engaging translation of Ulysses into the comic form. A globe-hopping live reading of Ulysses is streaming, right now. The NZ bit is done, Melbourne is on the go as I write... Odd, interesting potential Joycean hoax Have a stately plump day, folks.
- [Phil Dick Movie Kickstarter](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5905) - Also on this Friday I wanna draw your attention to the kickstarter for "Radio Free Albemuth", a new film adaptation of a Philip K Dick story. It's had great reviews at film fests etc, they're fundraising to get it on cinema screens. Among the perks: every single backer gets a special edition of LEFT COAST,
- [Edwin: My Life As A Koont (2013, New Zealand)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5907) - Tuesday night we had a rare outing to the cinema, to see the local premiere of Edwin: My Life As A Koont, a new comedy feature by local low-budget impresario Jason Stutter (Tongan Ninja, Diagnosis: Death, Predicament). It's a mockumentary about the eponymous Edwin, who has a medical condition that makes him an asshole. He's
- [American Flag Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5917) - It's the 4th of July in the USA! To honour the occasion, make an effort to seek out and enjoy an American cultural product or consumer item. 150th anniversary of Gettysburg. Check out these photos of veterans gathering at the 50th anniversary. (via AndyMac) So, so perfect: all the American flags on the moon are
- [6.5 Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5939) - Last Sunday we had a wee shake in our town. It felt bigger than any other earthquake I've ever felt - a good rumbly build up and then a few good side-to-side rocks. Since Wellington is built on a major fault line, everyone here knows there's a big one coming one day, and having seen
- [Star Wars Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5933) - So over on the Ruminator I made a post about Star Wars, specifically about why there's a Star Wars-related link here every week. I think it's sorta interesting, plus it has something like a billion Star Wars links in it. So, you know, go take a look, and tweet it or whatever. Tweets feel great.
- [The racism in the Trayvon case is here:](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5937) - The justification [of self-defense]... is not available to a person who... initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless... Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.... There's the racism. Right there. It all hinges on
- [Much Ado Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5950) - Saw the Whedon Much Ado About Nothing [2013, USA] today - it did what it promised. The plot is ridiculous and the wheezing contrivances weigh it down in its back half, but despite this it absolutely sings when blessed with committed performances thanks to the sheer delightful energy of the Beatrice/Benedick relationship. Whedon finds a
- [Make a Difference](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=5946) - No linky today, too much else on right now. Instead of that I'd just like to link to a short interview I did which is up at the Ruminator. The interview is with my friend Karen, who is Good People. She came up with a way to do something worthwhile and a steadily increasing bunch
- [Top Ten Casting Choices In SciFi/Fantasy](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=611) - 10. Christoper Reeve as Superman He made us believe a man could fly. Somehow breathing absolute conviction into a fundamentally absurd role, Reeve took the fine legacy of Siegel & Schuster via George Reeves and gave it the authenticity it needed to work. He was the first to really make us believe in an on-screen
- [Top Ten Casting Choices in SciFi/Fantasy (2)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=612) - This is a continuation of Friday's post on the top ten casting choices in the history of SciFi & Fantasy film/TV. That post garnered some great comments and some very worthwhile suggestions, not one of which has altered my top five. 5. Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale Wizard of Oz was a flop on its
- [The Muppets (2011)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2885) - Cal & I were lucky enough to get a few hours to ourselves, and decided to check out a film. Our options gave us a pretty stark choice, and we opted for The Muppets over Lars von Trier's (supposedly fantastic but probably a wee bit depressing) Melancholia. This was a good call. It's a great
- [Faces Everywhere Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2889) - Hey, that plug socket looks like a face! Yes - but does face recognition technology also think so? Machine pareidolia Ten 100-year predictions that came true U.S. right wing as demented cult - a disillusioned insider speaks. And David Frum writes about the same thing. As I've said before, this is the logical consequence of
- [How Wrongness Happens](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2893) - The BBC: Photos uncovered by the National Archives show how the police spied on the suffragettes. These covert images - perhaps the UK's first spy pictures - have gone on display to mark the centenary of the votes-for-women movement. Ninety years ago, a Scotland Yard detective submitted an unusual equipment request. It was passed up
- [That's Entertainment!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2900) - Well, I'm entertained.
- [No Linky, Last Day](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2898) - My last day at work today, so no linky - lots to get sorted before the day is through! :-)
- [Yknil Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2903) - The great shift of medium for the comic form, from paper to digital, passed its tipping point sometime in the last few years. Over the same period, the market for "literary" comics-as-books has grown enormously, the economics that supported the popular "pamphlet" comic book format have utterly collapsed, and (with ironic timing) the primary content
- [Dune & Doctor Who](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2913) - Two interesting projects have come to light today, both on the Bleeding Cool news website. They are both ideas I have talked about several times in the past: "someone should do this," I have said. Now someone is. The first is a documentary about Alejandro Jodorowsky's aborted 1970s film adaptation of Dune. I learned about
- [Rye Whiskey Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2910) - Linky named in honour of the rye whiskey that broke inside the Alligator's bags en route to the Hutt Valley. We did not drink you, rye whiskey, but we inhaled your aromas. Some linky then: Modernist Journals, complete in PDF. Includes, for example, all three issues of The Blue Review (1913) edited by John Middleton
- [Brother-Wedding](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2917) - No Friday linky this week on account of my brother having a wedding on Saturday. Much to do! Oh okay, just one linky, via Jack Elder: an interesting easter egg in every YouTube video
- [Mmp Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2920) - "Mmp" is the sound you make when you've been gagged and tied to a chair by a villainous smuggler and your kindly aunt is standing unknowingly just outside the door and you wish to alert her to your presence so she can free you and help you thwart the smugglers. MMP is the proportional electoral
- [Late Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2927) - Already Friday afternoon - let's get this done. Short'n'sweet. Via Paul Cornell - here's China Mieville writing the most comprehensive bit of sense on the Tintin in the Congo controversy that just resolved in Belgium (and many related issues). Bracing & superb. Crazy uses of QR codes. Man will these things please just die already.
- [Gatorball!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2923) - My buddy Aaron the Alligator is celebrating his birthday tomorrow with a brand-new sport. Serious news coverage can be found here. It will be ridiculous but we have tried to make it legitimately playable at the same time. If you're in the Hutt, come along to Trafalgar Park at 5pm.
- [Writing again](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2929) - Here's the first evidence that 2012 is going to be less wall-to-wall overload than 2011: I've started writing again. Pulled out my old fantasy novel manuscript Fell, because several people have told me its the thing I've written they liked the most. My amigo Dale, who knows a thing or two about getting fantasy novels
- [Here is my Kony post](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2933) - I didn't do a Friday linky because I was mad busy & decided that making sense of Kony was a better use of the time I had. Now I share! Because the internet is crying out for one more opinion about Kony! HAPPY TO HALP! So, you will have not missed that last week the
- [Interrobangbang Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2938) - Tron dance is fun dance. In honour of the return of Community to U.S. TV, here's the recent Paleyfest event. I watched this whole thing and it made me laugh and laugh and laugh. These people love each other and love the work they do. NOT st
- [NZers: some must-watch TV](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2944) - Songs From The Inside Four celebrated Kiwi musicians embark on a project to bring music to prisoners. Everything embedded in Māori protocol. (Right down to how the closing credits are done.) Half-hour episodes. Ten or so? Watch the first one here. (Hopefully it works for overseas folk too) Māori Television, Sunday nights, 8pm.
- [Birthday 2012](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2953) - Thirty-six with a bullet baby. Man, last year was a tough year. Amazing and successful but that was some hard work. Not keen to repeat that experience in a hurry. Anyway today is my birthday and I intend to listen to much jazz, like seriously much. In previous years on this blog I've invited people
- [Slinky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2948) - Friday linky! Today, written past midnight on Saturday night. Hurrah! Stop-motion Lego ninja madness. Verrry nice. Kate Beaton found this incredible Children's Object Book from the 1880s Dylan pointed to this revelation of Facebook's hidden sweatshop moderators. Interesting in its own right, but also it helps explain what happened to Joe Lipari. Via Marie -
- [Gonegator Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2950) - The Alligator left on a jet plane this morning. He will bring the new sport of gatorball back to its spiritual home, the United States of America. Here, we will have to gatorball on without him. Here's a link he sent me a month ago: some crazy ant photos. David Attenborough this ain't. He saw
- [Breakers Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2957) - Just watched the NZ Breakers basketball team win a thriller in game one of a 3-game final series. I get so invested in these big games! Sigh. Deep breaths. Ian McEwan on the time his son had to write a book report on one of his novels (via d3vo) Also from d3vo, one for film
- [Chekhov's Dissonance](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2959) - Observation: Chekhov's gun is to fiction as cognitive dissonance is to life. (The above probably needs to simmer for a while to reduce into something pithier, but I think the recipe is right.) (Emerged from an extremely lengthy ramble about a larp game I played on the weekend, which the foolhardy among you can find
- [Et Alia Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2962) - Aliens Epilogue - a half-hour fan film set between Aliens and Alien3. Contains some very ambitious staging and plenty of in-jokes. Probably incomprehensible for non-fans. Everything is very amateur, but with an amateur's deep love. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The most badass alphabet ever Google as an 80s-era Bulletin Board system. It works, too. Film
- [Cosplay Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2970) - This is an 18 second video of the best home-made costume I've ever seen: Via Dylan, Eric Valli's amazing photography of people living off the grid Great idea well-executed: Broadway show of Mary Poppins puts on special autism-friendly performance. It's clear they really thought about how to do this. Awesome. The Republia Times: play at
- [Pohutukawa Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2966) - My parents today arrive in their new home, which is approximately 30 seconds drive from their old home. Touching to farewell the Pohutukawa Palace, where our family moved way back in 1989. Did a lot of growing up there (and the little long-leggedy beastie has been doing the same), had a lot of crazy times
- [Stuff.co.nz Journalism Fail](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2973) - Main story at stuff.co.nz for the last hour or two: "Solar Minimum could trigger ice age" Check the article's opening paras: The world could be heading for a new 'solar minimum' period, possibly plummeting the planet into an Ice Age, scientists say. Researchers say the present increase in sun activity with solar flares and storms
- [Golden Claws Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2643) - (This post is an election-free zone, Kiwis. Take a break, grab a cuppa, and make with the clicky.) Thanks to the kindness of one @BKDrinkwater, I saw a movie in a cinema yesterday (second time this year! Whoop!) - it was Tintin, and it was fun, though I can see why the purists were furious
- [Good for the Greens](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2647) - Three years ago, I was disillusioned about the low % of votes cast for the Green party, despite what I thought was a perfect set of conditions for them to thrive. "Is 7% as high as it’s ever going to get? Will the Green party always be this small?" Turns out the people in the
- [Walky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2653) - Wee Willa, she is walking these days. Rest of this post achieved in gaps between chasing her around the house. Auckland newspaper columnist mocked in the style of NZ literary classics. (The Magpie is my favourite.) New York Times feedback: 8-year-old lists his top 10 composers, with helpful illustration. Biostatistics Ryan Gosling The terrible secret
- [Difficult Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2649) - Learn how to interpret Regular Expressions the hard way. The New Yorker's famously picky cartoon editor has found the perfect cartoon. Steve Leon showed me this clip of Herman Cain, US Republican would-be Presidential candidate, overdubbed with... words. That match the movements of his lips. It's a thing. And it made me guffaw I tell
- [Xmas Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2657) - So. Christmas. Some things. If you are still at work, here is your skiving material for the rest of the week. Why the Arabic language is cool. Make everything OK Make everything blow up Photos: the generation gap War in computer games, and what it tells us about the invisibility of real war (fantastic essay,
- [Willa is One](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2660) - I don't really have anything to say other than, being her dad is great fun. But if I look back on this blog in future years I'll think it weird that I didn't mark the occasion at all. Yay lovely babby. Yay.
- [Alien Prometheus](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2662) - All right. I am about to indulge in some full-throttle nerdery. I've been watching over the last 3 days the trailer-trailers for Prometheus, the new science fiction film from Ridley Scott. It is set in the same world as his hugely influential film Alien. The trailer-trailer displays a continuity of physical design, with people in
- [Space Jockey Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2878) - So anyone who's hung out on film geek websites will know that my worst fears about Prometheus, as lengthily burbled in previous post, were fulfilled in the trailer released the very next day. Oh well. MIT's infinite corridor That Pingu-meets-The Thing video that's racing around the web is indeed genius. I first saw it at
- [Sromance Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2882) - Bond. (Warning: many of the swearing words may be heard in this clip.) Karen Healey muses on bromances and the relative lack of sistery equivalents. Includes due appreciation of Josie and the Pussycats which all right-thinking people acknowledge as a BRILLIANT FILM but apparently there are a lot of wrong-thinkers out there because, 5.1 on
- [Oranges at Halftime Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2561) - Yes, everything extremely hectic right now as a major project comes close to launch. The project is Oranges at Halftime: Rugby and the Kiwi Experience, a travelling exhibition hitting the road around NZ on August 9. It's going to be a fun attraction, using our national game to explore NZ social history. Nothing too serious,
- [Fear](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2565) - Young left-wing supporters of multiculturalism were gunned down in Norway because of fear. Before this: an attack on members of the Unitarian Church in Knoxville. Attempted murder of Gabrielle Giffords. Fear creates violence. But fear is a powerful political tool. My comment after Knoxville: It seems to me that this is the inevitable result of
- [Singular Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2570) - Because I just saw a link to this right now and expect it's fun: technologies missing from sci-fi movies, including amusingly enough the bicycle. Full-on Oranges right now. Check out our website that I plugged last week! www.orangesathalftime.co.nz And come like our Facebook page! There are recipes in this exhibition. For reals. Also, lots about
- [Return of the Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2573) - Linky's back. Like Linky 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold. Or Linky 2: Electric Boogaloo. Or Linky 2: The Squeakquel. Street flyers that are funny Some of these are clever-clever and annoying, but most are clever-dumb or dumb-clever and very fun indeed. (via Joel Pitt) Neo-Nazis get a surprise in their t-shirts. This is quite
- [Risky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2587) - It's Friday linky time! Tree gives bicycle long slow hug Timewaster alert: Amazing science facts! The AVClub interviews Martin Starr, actor best known in this household as Bill Haverchuck on Freaks and Geeks. He just comes across as a fascinating guy. I love that he and Eugene Levy are developing projects together. NYT feature on
- [This is my linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2578) - There are many like it but this one is mine Young woman journo infiltrates the Gathering of the Juggalos. Once you would have had to be a seriously dedicated collector who had scoured dozens of books and odd periodicals to collect this information. Now it's right there on Wikipedia. The Tehran UFO incident of 1976.
- [Skynet Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2589) - I do love how NZ's (awful) anti-filesharing legislation has become known all over as the Skynet Law. Hee. Maybe we need shouty Christian Bale to lead the resistance? Two Cellos doing Smells Like Teen Spirit How hard is it to get a cartoon into the New Yorker? Worth reading just to hear about the process
- [RWC Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2591) - NZ is about to go a bit mental, because the Rugby World Cup is starting. For 6 weeks we will be in agonies of roaring enthusiasm, severe frustration, not a little wishing all the rugby and tourists would go away, and of course the barely-suppressed angst that we will once again lose the big dance
- [Climate Reality Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2594) - Willa had a cold this week, not super fun, but she's good again now. HOW EXCITING IS MY LIFE! Webseries action happenin' all over the place: Jane Espenson is the biggest name behind HUSBANDS, which launched yesterday. It's a sprightly sitcom about a casual couple who go to Vegas, get drunk, and end up married!
- [Lost Document Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2598) - Was looking forward to settling in and doing a nice solid linky but I lost a doc I'd spent hours on and need to recreate it urgently. So very minimal linky only. Sorry folks. Yeah I know, I don't know how I lost it either. Apparently I hadn't clicked "Save" once in all that time.
- [i Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2600) - Fascinating to see the reaction to Steve Jobs' death. Mainstream coverage predictably hagiographical, but there's a lot of nuance elsewhere. I've appreciated these bits by Joel Pitt, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, and Russell Brown. The FedEx logo, and the arrow hidden inside it. Very interesting about the process of logo design. Two contributions from D3vo that
- [Quick Shots](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2604) - I miss being able to blog about things in the world. Writing here helps me process and understand things. My comprehension of reality has reduced while I've been busy. Anyway, to spare you lengthy tortured posts, here's some quick thoughts. Shipwreck: A ship on a reef leaking oil, and the election just changed again. Our
- [Oily Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2606) - The scariest thing about NZ's current oilspill is that it's so incredibly minor compared to other events elsewhere. Anyway, let these linky drift towards your mental beach and collect on the pristine sand of your thought processes: The Thing musical. SPOILERS for the 1982 movie and, let's face it, for the 2011 movie too. (Thanks
- [FATE OF NATIONS linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2610) - The Rugby World Cup final on Sunday. If NZ loses, then the world may explode. THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER! IT IS A HAKA-ING MATTER! More links re: The Thing - a comic story that appears to be Vikings vs. The Thing, characters from The Thing (1982) watching The Thing (2011). How to tell if
- [Occupy Wall Street](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2613) - (Sitting here in New Zealand, I am obviously well-placed to Give Advice to the Occupy Wall Street protesters. Here on my blog I address an audience of as many as TEN different people, and I'm sure the weight of these multitudes will carry this message to the people who need it most. You're welcome, freedom.)
- [Anonymous Events](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2627) - (This was going to be part of the Linky, but I realised I wanted to say a bit more, so....) Seems like Anonymous, the global hacker group that emerged from the wild free-for-all of the 4Chan websites and burst on the scene with global action against scientology, are doing some interesting stuff right now. Operation
- [Big Bad Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2621) - Halloween! Here is the AV Club on one of the most unnerving sequences I've ever seen on the big screen, the bit in the car from Scream 2. I remember singing the praises of this scene on the way home from the cinema, good to be reminded why I liked it so much! And also
- [Lodge Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2629) - A bevy of Twin Peaks linky: * a Twin Peaks computer game, in retro 8-bit style, for free download * the Dale Cooper tapes - digital version of the cassette tape of all Cooper's reports to the mysterious Diane, including all the TV show reports plus a bunch more made specifically for this release *
- [Grow and Grow Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2632) - So I have a Linky file where I bookmark all the odds and ends I come across while browsing the internets. It is a big file. But this week I don't even need to dig into it because so much stuff has turned up this afternoon or in my email. So it will grow and
- [D&D for MMP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2636) - On Saturday I helped out for a few hours at the D&D for MMP fundraiser, in which some very game folks embarked on a 24-hour D&D marathon to fundraise for the Campaign for MMP. MMP, for those outside of NZ, is our current proportional electoral system, which is coming under the eye of a national
- [Election '11: Something you can do](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2615) - In our MMP electoral system, every vote matters. Social psychology tells us that the biggest influence on our behaviour is the behaviour of people we know. Our day-to-day social groups usually share our opinions on political matters, but Facebook (and, to a lesser extent, other social media tools) connects many of us to people beyond
- [Gag-a-minute Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2640) - People liked something I put on Twitter during the deeply weird events of yesterday morning in NZ politics. It ended up on the Listener blog even (at 1pm). The best bit is that not ten minutes after I wrote that our PM came out with a line that really did sound like it was scripted
- [Sing This Song Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1566) - Comic Sans defends itself. Ten minutes of Arnie quips: Smarthistory, a very neat interactive textbook thingamy on the subject of art history. Inspirational. Via the Grauniad, a handy Kiwi-friendly world cup wallchart, explaining what this game that doesn't involve an oval ball is all about. Amusingly out of date - the NZ score for each
- [Oceania beats Eurasia 1-1](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1570) - Oceania loves roundball. Oceania has always loved roundball. Lovers of ovalball are to report immediately to re-education centres.
- [Saramago, Portugal](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1572) - Been thinking about Portugal in the last couple of days, because of the death of Jose Saramago, and the impending departure from work of visiting Portuguese academic Rosa. I travelled through Portugal in October 2002 and it made a huge impression on me. I stayed in the country much longer than I intended, and was
- [writing](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1576) - new novel vs. baby on the way it's a race to the finish place your bets
- [All Whites Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1579) - It's about an hour until kick-off of the BIGGEST GAME IN NOO ZILLUND FOOTBALL HISTORY so here are some linky Two that have been all over the place this week: 2010 technology, as it would be marketed in 1977 and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Daleks From Simon C, a great graphic showing the relative
- [Over Film](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1583) - I don't watch many movies at the cinema these days. Time was, I'd see one a week, sometimes two. So much cool stuff to see and pick over with friends afterwards. Good times. Now, not so much. I find it hard to believe movies have changed for the worse. My peak moviegoing was in the
- [Prison Smoking Ban ](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1586) - The thing that frustrates me the most about NZ politics in general, and this government in particular, is just how petty it is. They've just announced a smoking ban to go into effect in prisons. The line being spun is so disingenuous it hurts to read it: Corrections Minister Judith Collins said the move was
- [Double-Hit Films](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1589) - My grumpy post about how I'm not excited by film at the moment has sparked lots of great comments about good movies (and good television). Svend asked, "Are you disenchanted with the act of communal cinema-going, the film format, or the sorts of stories that tend to be told in film?" To which my answer
- [Emissions Trading Begins](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1592) - The NZ emissions trading scheme launches in NZ today. It's a market-based mechanism putting a price on carbon emissions as a means of holding back climate change, or more correctly, a step towards full-cost accounting in the environmental arena. It's a good thing. The ETS is riddled with holes and problems, according to sources I
- [Woo-woo Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1594) - Everyone was either too polite or too stunned to comment on the fact that I went to see Titanic twice on the big screen. Or perhaps you assumed I was coerced or sedated at the time. No. You're all very kind though. Yes, I did have high levels of post-Aliens residual loyalty to Jim Cameron,
- [Bulwer-Lytton Contest](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1600) - Actually, the Bulwer-Lytton contest can go shag itself. At least Bulwer-Lytton was being sincere.
- [Frank Sidebottom RIP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1602) - I didn't know what the hell to make of this when I was a kid reading Oink! comic. One of those inexplicable British things that, as a Kiwi kid, you encountered from time to time in the UK's pop-culture output. Frank Sidebottom was the creation of Chris Sievey, and it was somewhere between comic genius
- [Frid-Oink! Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1605) - Still busy, as you can tell from posting frequency. Still, some linky for a rainy Wellington Friday. Twilight Eclipse: The interactive YouTube experience, performed as an 8-bit game. Weirdness. More my speed: the not-your-regular-critics insight of What do young women really talk about when they talk about The Twilight Saga: Eclipse? Fuhgeddabout the Broadway Julie
- [I like to be / Under the sea](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1609) - Paul the Octopus has a perfect prediction record in the World Cup. We all live in the octopus' garden now. [Octopi are very smart creatures. You present it with two boxes labelled A and B, and it goes to A and finds food. Then you present it with A and C, then A and D,
- [Pop Culture Parenting #1](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1611) - As I'm gonna be a dad in December, I figure I need to get myself schooled up in being a parent. So I'm going to be contemplating my major life influences and distilling the key parenting tips that I'll need to be a great dad. #1. Ensure child has rigorous schedule of chores.
- [Harvey Pekar RIP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1614) - Another independent visionary, gone sooner than anyone would've liked. You'll know him from this film if nowhere else: Check out these Pekar web comics for a taste of his distinctive, self-examining style.
- [Predators (USA, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1617) - Yeah, so, remember how I was all down on cinema and not interested in movies? Well we had a sporting break on another cheap night, and when the invitation came down to go see Predators, I couldn't resist. After all, I have much love for the original film and its under-rated sequel, and it's been
- ["Conscience of a Liberal"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1619) - Train reading over the last little while (when not listening to the Mayo/Kermode podcast) has been Paul Krugman's The Conscience of a Liberal: Reclaiming America From The Right (2007, this edition paperback with new foreword from 2009). The book is essentially a history of "how we (the U.S.) got into this mess", combined with an
- [Flight Day Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1622) - Just collected parents from airport where they were returning from that North America. They seemed wired and tired at the same time - I remember that feeling. Here are some wired/tired linky for your wired/tired Friday. Awesome life-size dinosaur puppets. Password Card - remember more secure passwords. A secret station on the London Underground, three
- [NZFF: The Illusionist (UK/France, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1625) - First Flim Fevistal experience of the year was this animated piece by the fine minds behind Triplets of Belleville. It's an adaptation of an unproduced (and apparently deeply personal) script by French comic filmmaker Jacques Tati. In the fading years of Vaudeville, a stage illusionist travels where the work takes him, and in the Scottish
- [Move along](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1627) - Nothing to see here, just trying some stuff out. This is the Asian Association of Social Psychologists. The url is http://www.asiansocialpsych.org/ Some of these people are my friends, but that's not important right now. What matters is, I need to try some stuff in relation to their site, and I need an external link to
- [NZFF: Candyman (NZ/USA, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1630) - Next flim fevistal offering: Candyman. NZ filmmaker Costa Botes went to California to make this documentary about David Klein, the inventor of the Jelly Belly jellybean. This was a candy product that, not to overstate the case, revolutionised candy production in the U.S. (and, some speculate, helped humanise Ronald Reagan). Klein sold out of Jelly
- [Mining Backdown](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1634) - To the tune of "The Final Countdown": it's a mi-ning back-down... dada daa daa... dada da da da... The government has abandoned plans to mine in highest-value conservation areas. Needless to say, this is a good thing, and stems directly from the massive public outcry. As far as handling the backdown goes, the Nats are
- [Pop Culture Parenting #2](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1636) - As I’m gonna be a dad in December, I figure I need to get myself schooled up in being a parent. So I’m going to be contemplating my major life influences and distilling the key parenting tips that I’ll need to be a great dad. #2. Invite child to help you at work.
- [Yadirf Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1639) - Sometimes the gags take a while to come. Comedy is hard, man. But it's nice to see my relatively weak gag in yesterday's post get beautifully developed by C G in the comments. You should pop across to his Sleep Dep blog and the funny, weird rhythms of his Joe Korea story (starts here). And
- [The Most Dangerous Man in America (USA, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1644) - Movie site
- [Dangerous Man addendum](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1646) - Coincidence: today being the day of a massive leak of papers about the Afghanistan war. Glenn Greenwald discusses how today's leak compares to the Ellsberg leak. Note also Wikileaks as the medium. I've written about them before, in the post that was read by 10,000x more people than any other post I've made.
- [La danse: The Paris Opéra Ballet (USA/France, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1650) - Those people who advised about going to see films without expectation or even choosing were right - this was not one I'd have chosen, and I think it's my favourite of the five I've seen so far. We inherited tickets from my parents, who found late that they couldn't go. There's not much film to
- [Farewell (France, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1652) - I was one of the many many people who saw this film at its Monday festival screening. Lots of familiar faces in the audience. Embassy Theatre was heaving. It's a nice cinema always, but especially when it's heaving. So: this is a "based on a true story" of prominent 80s KGB informant Vladimir Vetrov, who
- [Pop Culture Parenting #3](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1654) - As I’m gonna be a dad in December, I figure I need to get myself schooled up in being a parent. So I’m going to be contemplating my major life influences and distilling the key parenting tips that I’ll need to be a great dad. #3. Plan for your child's future.
- [Impending Fatherhood](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1661) - Sometimes I actually do think about becoming a father in terms unrelated to undercooked pop-culture gags. (No, really, I do.) Back in university student days I had some jeans that were covered in graffiti; my "word jeans" I called 'em. One phrase was: "Strive to die to self", which I think I lifted from a
- [Symbolic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1658) - Frrrrriday linky for your Frrrrriday Perverse taxidermy: a contemplation of bizarre taxidermy from a museum perspective. 8 Historical symbols that mean the opposite of what you think Who Tall Are You (Who is taller, Hoff or Cleese? THE ANSWER WILL SURPRISE YOU unless you get it right) A lovely gallery of 50s-60s horror comic covers.
- [Friday Already Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1664) - I did intend to do some of that blogging thing this week. But then this week happened. And now it's Friday, Google Wave is being put to sleep, Gen Con is starting up, and Proposition 8 has been struck down. All good. This is a huge deal: after all these years, Sabotage Wars is once
- [ICONS RPG](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1668) - Just arrived by post: two copies of ICONS, one of them my author's copy. It is a lovely book. I hope it flies off the table at GenCon this weekend.
- [Inception (USA, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1671) - Inception is a big budget sci-fi film by Christopher Nolan who did The Dark Knight recently. It's getting quite some acclaim. I saw it on Saturday with the other moose, the knifeman, and the enigmatic B. We spanned the whole range of opinions: one liked it, one didn't like it, one thought it was okay,
- [Brian Drain](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1675) - John Key was on the telly defending his tax cuts etc and I perked up when John Campbell cited back Key's argument that we have to sort out our economy or more bright young Kiwis will go overseas. This is the fabled Brain Drain that has been bubbling along in NZ political discourse for, I
- [that writing thing](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1678) - So in the race of novel vs. baby, I'd say baby has a slight lead at present. I'm 30,000 words in but have had to slow down and go carefully so I don't miss a corner and run completely off the road. Upside is, I know where I'm going (as much as I've ever known
- [Absence Note](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1692) - Sorry, still busy. Instead, go read Hot Topic's examination of the NZ climate change denier legal action against a govt. funded science centre. (Part 1) (Part 2) Or Sonal's spirited attack on the Bechdel Test. Other suggestions welcome in comments.
- [Pop Culture Parenting #4](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1682) - As I’m gonna be a dad in December, I figure I need to get myself schooled up in being a parent. So I’m going to be contemplating my major life influences and distilling the key parenting tips that I’ll need to be a great dad. #4. When passing on values to child, use a jaunty,
- [Delinquent Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1686) - A case of writers room fun. (via Warren Ellis) Doctor Who lego Star Wars in Edo Japan (action figures) Star Wars blaxpoitation: Star Wars ad for immunization (Is the endless series of Star Wars variants and reimaginings and parodies an indicator that these films have indeed become a modern myth cycle?) The knifeman posted a
- [Climate in Court](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1694) - I was mostly intending to stay quiet on the court challenge to NIWA's temperature record on account of it being nonsense and well-covered elsewhere, but last night while watching Outrageous Fortune (NZ free-to-air = graphic rendition of a twincestuous threesome in an 8.30pm show)(scene played for pathos) I followed a link to Poneke's blog comments,
- [Profile Pic](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1698) - As part of some other work I've needed to finally look for a new profile image. The ones I use currently are a photo from 2006 and a cartoon image that's even older than that. Here are three more recent profile pic options. Which should be my go-to option when I need to present a
- [Headshot Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1706) - While the voting continues apace in previous-post (midnight tonight NZ time is when I count 'em up and apply the result to my Twitter account), here be some linky. David Tennant, post Doctor Who, went the House route and got a U.S. pilot. It wasn't picked up but a clip from the pilot has emerged.
- [Kiwiburn Doco](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1712) - Here's the trailer for Combust In Unity, a doco about the annual Kiwi "burning man"-type festival by the other moose. See also: official site
- [Sort of Busy Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1714) - The sort of busy where netball is delayed by 90 minutes and I think "awesome, I can stay in the office another 90 minutes!" A Brazilian city that ended hunger. (Not sure where I got this from - Vivian from Chicago, maybe?) Album cover, lyrics to "Nobody loves the Hulk" at a fun Vintage Comics
- [Asian People in NZ: Having a hard time](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1718) - One of the strands of being really busy is finally resolved and open to public view: the Diversity Issues page on the Issues.co.nz site. This has been a long-term idea for my work at the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, dating back to some attempts way back in '04 to develop a better way to
- [Thanks Dad](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1720) - My dad just dropped around to drop off some lemonade and food treats, on account of hearing that I'm home with a cold. He is a good man, my dad. It's just a little cold. I hope. Fascinating sleeplessness night-before-last though, as the sickness rolled in on me like a stormfront, and I found myself
- [Perfect Blue (Japan, 1998)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1722) - With a couple hours to fill before the Tall Blacks vs Lebanon game began, I decided to watch this film. And blog about it too. It was in a stack of DVDs the Knifeman loaned me a few months back that I am ever-so-slowly working through. The director Satashi Kon died a few days ago,
- [Tall Blacks Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1724) - Watchin' the Tall Blacks vs France at FIBA World Champs in the other window. NZ playing its best game of the tournament so far. I love (LOVE) watching random guys from the NZ basketball league taking NBA players to the hole. But I will not spoil the game for ppl who record it to watch
- [Getting Ready](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1726) - Perhaps you heard: there was a great big earthquake in Christchurch. A reminder that NZ is basically a big faultline with Lord of the Rings scenery on it. And, as Jack has noted, it's a reminder that in NZ the disaster survival kit is an everyday common-sensical thing, rather than a sign of extreme right-wing
- [Piranha 3D (USA 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1731) - Things that were 3D in this movie: * Fish * Cave * Gore * Vomit * "Naked underwater skank ballet" - Nathan Rabin, AVClub * Eli Roth I had a great time. Directorially? The suspense wasn't ratcheted up nearly as high as it could have gone. But on the other hand, the violence was perfectly
- [Per Capita](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1736) - In New Zealand classrooms, every morning we stand up, face the flag, put our hands on our hearts and say together: "New Zealand is the best country in the world, per capita." Those two little words, per capita, are a crucial part of our national self-esteem and self-image, and saying "per capita" is as true-blue
- [State of Play](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1741) - Man, I'm looking forward to when that baby gets born so I can finally catch up on some sleep! No, wait. Still in the depths of a sustained busy like there has not been since I cleverly arranged to finish my Masters thesis in the weeks leading up to my wedding. Achieved the rare trifecta
- [Unserious Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1738) - Not much serious stuff this week. Lotsa random stuff. It's all out of the folder, haven't had time to go looking about lately... An unlicensed Xbox Twin Peaks homage/rip-off Kevin Spacey does impressions. Smug comes off the guy in waves, but he is good at this. Retrospace: blog of the 70s. So many great photos.
- [This is Kaibosh](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1743) - My friends George and Robyn have been hard at work the last few years on starting a charity. I think it's pretty amazing. They are behind Kaibosh, and what they do is collect surplus food from retailers (so it doesn't get chucked into landfill) and deliver it to charities working with people who could do
- [Keeling Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1747) - Keeling over, that is. Still busy. BUT NOT TOO BUSY FOR LINKY Video about goin' climbing in Wgtn. Haven't watched it, too busy, but its W-town so if you're local you probably know some of the people in it. Maybe even the guy in the screencap right here. Tough Love from Chunky Farmer on Vimeo.
- [Getting Ready: Checking](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1751) - But human nature being what it is, as the earthquake recedes from memory, our impetus to add those things will fade away. I’m going to use this blog and its small but attentive readership as a motivation tool, by declaring: in three weeks, our disaster survival kit will be fully stocked up. (6 Sept) A
- [Our TV gives horoscopes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1755) - Our TV, a cheery pre-digital TEA CT-M6812, gives horoscopes on demand. This isn't an interpretation or a gag. It really does this. Y'see, the other day one of the lights was flashing for no apparent reason, so I dug out the manual and looked over it to see if I could find out why. No
- [Letters to the Irresponsible](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1757) - I know reading letters to the editor is not good for my health. I know that letter-writers are not representative of the population at large. I know that letters are included because they are likely to be controversial and dramatic. But still, I can't stop. It's because I think letters to the editor are *important*.
- [Flirty Linking](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1760) - Seen this in a couple spots, I think Karen Healey was first to give it linky: perfume that makes you smell like a library. via Nonwrestler: the Art of Penguin Science Fiction. Very nice. Love those late-60s Alan Aldridge covers. via the Other Mr Ritchie, the one who didn't just become a Dad, some incredible
- [Spangle by Gary Jennings (1988)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1764) - In 1989, aged 13, I came first in my class in school and was asked to choose a book to receive at prizegiving. The pickings, as I recall, were not rich. I selected a hardback edition of Spangle by Gary Jennngs, primarily because it appeared to have lots and lots of pages and so was
- [Are you ready yet?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1766) - Me, three weeks ago: I’ll expect that disaster survival kits were hauled out and checked across the country this past weekend. We certainly checked out ours, and yes there are a few bits and pieces we could add to it. But human nature being what it is, as the earthquake recedes from memory, our impetus
- ["Delete my comment"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1770) - Back in July I received an email from someone I didn't know asking to delete a comment on this blog. The comment dated back several years, to a post where I'd attacked a business, and the owner of the business turned up to argue his perspective (which, I thought, he did with integrity and aplomb,
- [Pigphone Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1773) - (The pigphone was the logo for a flat party we had in... 2001? It was a great logo of a phone that looked like a pig. I can't find a digital version but my paper records are extensive, so hopefully it will be found.) Taxonomy of rap names London Review of Books reviews a book
- [Online Stocktake](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1775) - This weekend I got to turn a virtual acquaintance into a real-world one (heya Andrew) (also heya Phil) and it got me thinking about where I exist on the internet at the moment. Obviously: From The Morgue, formerly part of the additiverich collective and now a member of the isprettyawesome crew. Here is for thinking
- [Paul Henry Again](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1778) - I almost didn't post about this, because everyone's talking about it and surely everything I could come up with will have been covered off most thoroughly by other, wiser writers. But I decided I would anyway, to add my small gust to the storm of disapproval. And because once I've written about it I can
- [Fruits of Labours](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1781) - Been working hard the last month or so, and in the last few days there's some nice outcome of that. I've been working out and writing the launch exhibition for the new Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre. Really interesting building, really nice location. My role in that work is now done, and it goes on
- [Inky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1785) - Via Draw: GET OUT OF THERE! (list of featured movies) The Global Entrepreneurship Week launch event had a focus on Social Entrepreneurship, with speakers including Sam Morgan, Marc Ellis, Rod Oram, and others. It sounds like a pretty cool thing. I didn't make it along due to the Waitomo deadlines, but the whole thing is
- [What I'm doing this week](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1787) - Part of my life is being manager of the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research. Every week the researchers get together and there's a presentation of some sort or another. This week, I'm doing one. I'm not a cross-cultural researcher, but I am a giant geek. So: Playing culture: Dungeons & Dragons, fantastic ethnicity, and the
- [Gremlins 2 (USA, 1990)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1789) - In this movie, virtually nothing coherent happens, and thousands of tiny green violent anarchists go wild in a high-tech tower. Still astonishing. Haven't seen it for well over a decade, and I got more of the movie references - the referential density of this film might outweigh even Spaced. I laughed and laughed, and then
- [Our Former Mayor is a dunce](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1793) - [edited to add "former" to the title. She's gone, baby, gone! And for the record I vote for the Hutt mayor, but still feel Wgtn mayor's power...] Kerry really doesn't like our single transferable vote system. "At this stage, Celia [Wade-Brown] can't beat me, but STV can. I don't think members of the public have
- [Silver Ferns Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1798) - Last night I watched the gold medal match between NZ and Australia in netball. It was the most exciting sporting match I've ever watched. Double overtime then into golden goal, which in netball means securing a two-point lead. Netball is a game of absolute focus, where small errors cost a lot, and in a big
- [Death of Comic Book Guy](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1803) - From memory, this was the first issue I bought at the local comic shop, coverdated July 1987 A few weeks ago, my brother closed off our file at the local comic shop. This is a significant development. We've shared that file between us since 1987. I remember many happy train journeys in those early years,
- [Pakistan Relief RPG bundle](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1806) - US$700+ worth of RPG stuff, for $25 In a successor to February's bundle for Haiti, this is a fundraiser for Pakistan flood relief. Includes ICONS which has my name on it, friend-of-FTM Malc's Hot War, and heaps of other goodies (Starblazer Adventures! Fear Itself! Wild Talents 2E! Contenders! Dragon Warriors! Exalted 2E! Covenant! Don't Rest
- [Dirty Hobbit Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1816) - Dirty hobbitses! 60s Dalek comic strips adapted into lovely video. Keith Ng linked to this: teach yourself maths. No, like, REAL maths. Free public domain golden age comics at the Digital Comics Museum You guys know I love these "lets all cooperate to make a crazy big single roving camera massive lip synch", right? Well,
- [Hobbit Trouble](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1808) - @publicaddress: TrendsMap over Wellington tonight So the word from those in the biz is that filming on The Hobbit has already been lost to NZ. The decision has been made to take it elsewhere - 3News said Ireland. This afternoon and evening the local film industry types, summonsed to a meeting by Richard Taylor himself,
- [Home By Christmas (2010, NZ)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1822) - Gaylene Preston's performed documentary Home By Christmas is a most unusual film. Heavily domestic, thoroughly engaging, and yet almost epic at the same time. The film is about Preston's father Ed's experiences during World War II, and how his promise to be home by Christmas didn't exactly come true. In his final years, Ed opened
- [Te Hobbit](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1825) - Hobbit stays in NZ. Situation complex. (Previously.) NZ as a nation: keeps The Hobbit. Turns out this is of massive symbolic importance to us. Our national identity is bound up in these Middle Earth films now (or, perhaps, in the fact we showed we can make 'em). That's cool. Film bosses: got more tax breaks,
- [Screamy Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1827) - For Halloween, here are some linky that to be honest have precious little to do with Halloween. Johnny Cash to-do list. Hee. Joe Atkinson, pol sci academic, writes a lengthy, interesting argument that fake news ain't good for you. I don't buy it, but appreciated reading it. BBC's great Dimensions site that overlays the size
- [Halloween Fillums](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1831) - Traditional scary movies at knifeman's place last night. THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (UK [Hammer], 1967) Based on the 1934 Dennis Wheatley novel. Conservative upper class sceptical Christians, led by a Christian occultist Christopher Lee, do battle with Satan and his free loving hippie minions. I missed the first bit, only arriving when the heroes were
- [SockBunny vs Cthulhu](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1838) - One of the amazing things about having a baby on the way is that people get excited and give you stuff. We have received lots of wonderful gifts from very generous people. Its pretty special, actually. I want to draw attention to two recent gifts, simply because Jenni made big posts about them! Crafty types
- [Lines From The Bard](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1833) - An honest man here lies at rest As e'er God with his image blest; The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age, and guide of youth: Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd, Few heads with knowledge so informed: If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none,
- [The Left, slain by Bilbo](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1835) - Aftermath of The Hobbit affair continues to rumble through the blogs and real-world conversations. In an almost ridiculous turn of fate, the disagreements over this film have split a seam in "the Left" in NZ, with much heat (and occasionally, light) in evidence. Right-oriented commentators are rubbing their hands with glee, or at the very
- [Timeshare Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1841) - My laptop is in laptop hospital right now, so I'm timesharing with Cal on her laptop. I get 11pm onwards. This actually suits me pretty well. But I forgot to copy over my friday linky bookmarks folder, so here's what I've cobbled together in the last 24 hrs... Guy making art out of chewing gum
- [Made In Dagenham (UK, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1846) - Women didn't always have equal pay. Back in the mists of time the same work was rewarded differently depending on gender. This movie is an historical about the end of that ancient era where gender was a legitimate basis for pay disparity. Ancient era = 1968. The precipitating event was the Ford sewing machinists' strike
- [Outrageous Fortune (no spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1848) - NZ's longest-running drama Outrageous Fortune ended last night, at the close of season 6, still owning the ratings and once again becoming a global trending topic on Twitter. Phenomenon. I wonder if the West family are now iconic fictional Kiwis who will last the ages? They must come close. They're getting their own museum exhibit,
- [The Room (USA, 2003)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1857) - I first heard about The Room in this AV Club article from March last year. It's an indie 2003 melodrama that has become a midnight-movie audience-participation sensation, because it's so bad and so weird. This weekend I finally saw it for myself, going with NotKate and R the Judge. The Room was written, directed, and
- [Flash Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1855) - Been having emails with the technicians working on my laptop. Apparently Flash 10 didn't play nice with my graphics card. Stupid Flash 10! Various other problems are also either fixed or not fixed. (Intermittent bluescreen of death = not fixed.) My lovely Cal found this Glee-as-horror-flick trailer, which works so well precisely because of Chris
- [Novel vs. Baby](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1864) - Oh curse you babby! For you have win! Been obvious for a while now that the writerly push was not going to achieve an End-state before babby day, even if babby decides to be well late. So the contest is hereby over. I declare loss! Reasons for loss are twofold: * Got really, really busy
- [Jim Liu on global consciousness](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1866) - I've been meaning to blog this for a while. In late September, my friend, colleague and occasional mentor Jim Liu gave his Professorial lecture. I was forced to miss the event, but was able to watch the whole thing online. I recommend you do as well - it's a great talk. It's called Towards a
- [Here Is Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1868) - Because Pearce demanded it! And because I do it every Friday if I can. Here is FRIDAY LINKY! Stanley Kubrick is on the record that HAL was not gay. Lego pop-up house (Youtube link) via Kitty, and Lego Lovecraft house (via Keane) Kate Beaton linked to this blog about American book cover design, and this
- [Doctor Who: 47](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1875) - The Doctor turns 47 today. Happy birthday, old chum. Have a dance to celebrate. But watch out for that Myrka!
- [Apollo 13: Mission Control](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1871) - Went to interactive theatre piece Apollo 13: Mission Control last week. It's on a third season in Wellington and has toured around the country and to Oz; tours further abroad are being planned. It's been hugely successful, and deservedly so. The basic setup: the show takes place in Mission Control for the Apollo 13 mission.
- [Prayers](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1878) - Even overseas readers will probably be aware that the Pike River Mine explosion on the West Coast of our South Island has ended badly - after five days with conditions too unsafe for rescue, another explosion has nullified the small chance that anyone in there had survived. 29 people have died. I don't have anything
- [Agenda Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1882) - According to the agenda, I am speaking at approx 10am tomorrow at this conference. My topic will be boring. As in boring holes in the skull. Yes, I am squeezing a trepanation metaphor into a 10-minute talk about a web implementation. I must amuse myself somehow. Also amuse myself with linky. To wit: Haven't had
- [Māori proverbs make it OK](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1886) - Last week the government's Welfare Working Group issued its options report, asking for submissions on various proposals for dealing with NZ's beneficiaries. Gordon Campbell is not impressed: "Reality check: when work was available in the 2000s and job searches were being case managed, unemployment sank to record lows with fewer than 20,000 on the dole.
- [ICONS for $1](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1892) - (US, that is) ICONS, that RPG with some bits by me and far far more bits by the awesome designer Steve Kenson, is on sale for a buck, down from 30. Publisher's having an anniversary-cum-thanksgiving sale. If you're a gamer, trust me - this is worth a dollar. (Sale expires very soon.)
- [Wednesday Poem](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1894) - Back in 2007, the Alligator of Seattle sent me, for my birthday, a recording in which he recited a poem. As part of my recent computer repair, I now have a working DVD player and can read the disc. It is time to share this generous, insightful expression with the world. Get a cup of
- [Friday Linky Time](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1898) - It's Friday link-y time, it's Friday link-y time... (sung to the tune of the Howdy Doody song. Lord only knows how I know the Howdy Doody song, this show never came anywhere near NZ as far as I can tell.) An outstanding new vid from local YouTube sensation, Griffin Point. The opening bit is nice
- [Wikileaks: No thoughts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1896) - Jon wondered why I hadn't commented on the new Wikileaks "cablegate" affair. A fair question, especially given the last Wikileaks thing turned this blog into a genuine internet sensation (for about 3 seconds) (and not due to any editorial effort on my part, I literally just cut and pasted from their twitter feed, go figure).
- [Xmas Gift Idea: JAAM 28](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1901) - The latest issue of JAAM has been out for a few weeks. JAAM is a literary journal containing poetry and prose and varying amounts of non-fiction essays, photos, illustration, interviews... This time it also contains something by me. So naturally, a blog post telling you to buy it. That's how these things work. JAAM has
- [Harry Potter 7a (UK/USA, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1904) - The above scene does not appear in this film, because it is being held over for Harry Potter 7b. This one is Harry Potter 7a: I'm In A Tent. Saw this at weekend. First reaction: bloody pleased they didn't release it in 3D. The last thing this film needs is 3D. (Of course, they will
- [Wikileaks: Infowar](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1906) - It feels like a long time since I posted about Wikileaks five days ago. Things have gotten pretty serious, pretty fast. It's a complex business, and unsurprisingly, the main media channels aren't keeping up. That's part of the point, actually - d3vo commented to me in email that what's driving the Wikileaks furore is the
- [Wikileaks Addendum: Sex Charges](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1909) - Just want to add - while I have srs reservations about the sex assault/rape charges against Assange, and the way in which they have been handled (which reeks of politicisation) and reported - I'm not in favour of minimising the allegations. Let the justice system do its work. Even if the handling has been awful,
- [Washing Machine Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1913) - So, if you didn't already, you wanna go read Cal's blog about the washing machine repairman. It'll start your day off right. The washing machine itself - well. I grump about design a lot, sometimes on this blog even, and there's a reason for that: poor design creates problems. Case in point. Poor design here
- [On Having A Girl](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1922) - It is Monday and I am not at work and do not yet have a baby. We are likely to have a girl-baby. Can never be sure: sister of my office-buddy was expecting a girl, but last week got a boy. Still, my brain is mostly pointing towards girl, and that - that! It has
- [Waiting Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1927) - [yes still waiting come on baby] Time lapse - 10 years Hear the individual recording tracks of Helter Skelter and Gimme Shelter. There's probably more of these out there. Great article about young Haitians learning to make films. (By Anne Nocenti who used to write Daredevil back in the day, funnily enough.)
- [Easy A (USA, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1924) - When you are waiting for a baby, sometimes you go to the cinema and watch low-stress high-school flicks. I like high-school flicks. This is one of them. Premise is that Emma Stone's character pretends for various reasons to have sex with a variety of young men, and is vilified as a slut. The A of
- [Willamina Therese Davie](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1932) - Willa arrived about 4.45 this morning. She's happy and well. Cal is delighted by baby and fact she'll be able to enjoy a Christmas feast. Dad = thoroughly chuffed.
- [Lookalikes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1963) - (Willow Smith on the Guardian Best-dressed list, 2010)
- [About Willa](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1966) - For those wanting details, here are details. Everyone else, feel free to skip. Willa is named for her paternal great-grandmother - my father's mother. G-gma was Williamina and known as Mina, but we went with the alternative spelling Willamina to be known as Willa (and for an easier time spelling her name). Both versions are
- [Christmas Linky (by Pearce)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1939) - Hi. I'm Pearce. Morgue and Cal have had a baby, so today you get linky from me. An explication of James Bond's taste in whiskey. Black Christmas is a compilation you can download for free of The Cramps' favourite Christmas songs. In that vein here is a YouTube playlist of Lovecraftian Christmas songs, by the
- [Bar graph fail](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1979) - On Twitter, Jack said this: Good summary of o'seas film production funding. We aren't giving them money, we're giving some of their money back. http://bit.ly/hRPBVf The link goes to an article by Chaz Harris called Taxpayers don't pay for movie grants! This piece insults the "journalism" behind articles like this one from the Sunday Star
- [New Years Linky (by Jenni)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1973) - Hi everyone, I'm Jenni. Since Morgue and Cal still have a baby I'm doing the Friday linky this week. I gave this a lot of thought, I mean come on. Morgue's Friday Linky is a Big Deal. People have come to expect a certain level of awesome from the links and the responsibility of providing
- [The Winding City: Episode 1](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2379) - The first ep of Conan's weird-Wellington web series, The Winding City, is now live. It's a neat starter with several friends-of-this-blog appearing onscreen or doing stuff offscreen. Well done to Conan and to all involved. Do check it out!
- [The Examiner](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2381) - W-town's got some new independent media: The Examiner launched yesterday. The mission is to "look deeper and think harder" which, in an era of frankly embarrassing daily newspapers, sounds worthwhile to me. It's "peer-edited" and they're encouraging participation from anyone nearby. Sounds like a great Wgtn-focused companion to Scoop's lively Werewolf monthly. Also, another good
- [Willa photos](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2384) - They are on the Facebook. One of them has been on this blog before. Others are new. She is real good babby.
- [MOAR Willa?!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2386) - I mean it's all I can talk about its like nothing else is happening in the world! Cal has written a thoughtful, lovely piece about our wee human. If you like that sort of thing, go see.
- [World Avoidance](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2388) - Having a baby in the house is endlessly involving, and it's a convenient excuse not to think about (and blog about) all the nonsense out there. Like the NZ government announcing it's gonna sell off big chunks of state assets that make reliable income for the state, simultaneously throwing away future money for a mere
- [Linky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2390) - Okay, so it's clear this year is going to be a bit demented, yes even more than usual. Bloggery might keep on going. It does keep me sane some weeks. Linky will hopefully keep rolling on too, even though linky without the rest of the blog feels uneven. But, there are interesting things out there,
- [ICONS: The Mastermind Affair](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2395) - Warning: this post is about tabletop roleplaying games. Sorry if it makes no sense to you. Just released: The Mastermind Affair, PDF-format adventure for the ICONS RPG. (Written by me.) It's a hefty 45-page adventure suitable for most traditional-type Supers RPG settings - I guess it's a bit more DC than Marvel in its shadings.
- [Crime Deterrence](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2397) - July 2008: sports broadcaster resigns after it emerges he violently and viciously assaulted his then-partner. April 2009: sports broadcaster pleads guilty to the charge Jan 2010: sports broadcaster back on the air! Jan 2011: sports broadcaster begins weekly on-air chats with the Prime Minister. So there's the lesson, people. If you are guilty of brutally
- [Tall Baby Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2402) - Our smiley little Willa is 62cm at 6 1/2 weeks old. This is well above the 99th percentile on the growth charts. Yes I am a tall chap, but this wee girl is way taller than I was at her age. So my question: have I unwittingly sired a dangerous 50-foot woman? At current growth
- [Who to blame?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2410) - [My laptop's back in the 'shop, trying to resolve the bluescreening problem. Hopefully they won't spend too long messing about with it. Anyway, in the meantime I'm sharing my lovely stronglight's laptop, but the timeshare + busy means blogging will continue to be light. Light is the new baseline, it seems.] It's election year. John
- [Looking at her](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2405) - Trying to capture part of my experience of fatherhood - - the moment she came into the world? It felt discontinuous, like the world was torn down and then rebuilt containing something new. The arrival of Willa as independent being, breathing and looking - it seemed to break causality. A person, where there had been
- [Already Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2407) - Week gone too quick for blog. Ahhh. Also, not happy that laptop destined to go for repair shop AGAIN. Still under warranty at least! Interview with international comic-shop guy & friend of this blog, Andrew Salmond, about comics retail and comics community. Marie sent this aggro pro-literacy fight song: Photographer asks strangers on the street
- [UnRecent Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2412) - Digging through the backlog of linky suspects. Hopefully none of these have been linked before. Pixel art cartooning demonstrates how much nuance in you can get in pixelart, using Star Trek characters Great panels from vintage comics Classic early 20th-c sci-fi artist Frank R Paul Great essay from the Columbia Journalism Review (via the DimPost
- [Welfare Working Group Logic](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2415) - The WWG report was released today and it was much as expected (full report here in PDF). NZers will hear heaps about it in coming weeks, particularly the already-infamous "solo parents: when your baby is 14 weeks old you must start looking for work" recommendation. I want to look a bit closer at this, because
- [RPG bundle for Christchurch](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2418) - Nearly $350 of RPG stuff for $20 All proceeds to earthquake relief in Christchurch. Helping get this up and running has been a significant preoccupation in the last couple days. I've written before about similar efforts to help Pakistan & Haiti. The Christchurch quake isn't on the massive scale of those disasters, but it has
- [No Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2422) - Too much going on for proper linky. But it's the perfect time to watch this. Kia kaha, everyone.
- [How to raise $60,000 for ChCh](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2424) - After the quake in Christchurch, I started thinking about what I could do to help. I think most New Zealanders thought along the same lines. One of the first things I thought of was the OneBookShelf fundraiser bundles that had worked so well for Haiti and Pakistan. It works like this. The tabletop role-playing game
- [Once again, Friday is Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2428) - Some linky for your Friday. Old photos recreated with the same people. (from Dylan H and Emily P, I think) David Lynch's 1984 movie Dune had some weird kids activity books. (from Meredith at Coilhouse) Cat laser bowling: NZ is now in an election year, so it's time to take a look at this one
- [Christchurch is long-term](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2431) - My friend KiwiInZurich, a regular commenter here, tonight sent me some text messages from Christchurch: I have access to the cordoned area of chch and it is as bad as the media reports show if not worse. The dmg is very extensive and central chch will be closed for a long time. Another indicator of
- [The Aotearoa Gambit](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2435) - St Johns ambulance and first aid was immediately in the thick of it in Christchurch and continue to play an essential part in the slow recovery. Here's a neat way to help them: The Aotearoa Gambit a brand new adventure for tabletop superhero RPG ICONS, with all revenue going to St John NZ. Once again
- [Battletruck Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2438) - Have I mentioned Battletruck enough lately? The answer to this question is always NO. Last night I found out that a friend and colleague with a long history in the NZ film industry was the chap who designed the epnoymous truck de battle, and in fact drove it in many of the film's scenes. I
- [On reptiles and taking action](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2440) - Stephen Judd has commented a few times here in reference to his decision to get involved in an NZ political party. His experiences have been interesting and extremely encouraging. This may not be as much the case internationally, but in NZ at least access to political decisionmaking is there for the taking. Now he has
- [Laptop Back Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2442) - Over a month since it went off to Computer Hospital, my laptop has come home. Yay! No more stealing strong_light's computer when she isn't looking! So far it seems to be working beautifully, and (touch wood) no bluescreens so far when I try the actions that used to trigger them. (Bluescreens can be software-related -
- [White Man's Akira](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2445) - Don't worry folks, even though lots of really big things in the world are going wrong, there's still room for some very small things to go completely wrong too. The script for the Warner Bros/Legendary Pictures live action adaptation of anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo’s 6-volume graphic novel Akira has been sent to a short list
- [Birthday & Akira](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2453) - Facebook just reminded me that it's my birthday shortly. I was genuinely surprised. In past years I've asked people to gift me with a favourite quote, or indeed with any old quote, and add it in comments. This year I'm going to ask you to contribute a link on Friday, to the usual Friday Linky
- [Māori are confused](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2447) - Duncan Garner on TV3's morning news show Firstline just now: "Māori are confused. You've got Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples saying this is good legislation... and on the other hand you've got the last of the activist Māori saying we don't want this." (Starts at 4'41 into the clip, although he says "Māori are confused"
- [Immune Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2450) - Baby Willa has had 3-month immunisation jabs this morning. All good. Some concentrated linky to immunise you against the internets: From the Alligator: now this is a boot For the Alligator, and everyone else with impeccable taste: Where's Randy Savage? Now here is a Liz Taylor movie I would sit down to watch: The Drivers
- [Fools Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2455) - PITY THE APRIL FOOL: Kids dressed like Mr T So hey - it's my birthday tomorrow. Give me a birthday gift of an interesting link to an essay, video, picture, whatever. Pop it in the comments, and I'll open them tomorrow! Hurrah! This one's been all over. From its origins until the late 80s, Schulz's
- [Bigfoot Sighting](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2462) - The Alligator has posted a few photos from one of our expeditions, as part of my birthday celebrations. They include photographic proof of the existence of the rare NZ sasquatch: This photograph was fulfilment of a long quest; we had earlier been sasquatch hunting in the Catlins, without any success. (We've shown this photograph to
- [Freedom Theatre founder killed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2466) - Horrible: one of the founders of Palestine's Freedom Theatre has been killed in Jenin, in the West Bank. Juliano Mer Khamis, an Israeli of Arab and Jewish parentage, was shot dead by masked gunmen in Jenin. (NOTE: before you make an assumption, this almost certainly was nothing to do with Israel, and indeed a member
- [Guest Post: Ending World Poverty! & Kiva](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2478) - Guest post! I'm delighted to share this post by Sean from the excellent, and at present quiet, screenwriting blog Writing About Writing. (He also exists in the real world where he is a splendid fellow.) It's about microlending service Kiva, which I've mentioned before. Sean - thanks for this, a privilege to have this insight!
- [Want: Shackleton Whisky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2470) - Antarctic explorer Shackleton had some whisky stored in his hut. It has been recovered, and a blend created to match it. The blend is apparently quite close. Lots of details at the Whisky Exchange blog. My great-grandfather Felix, about whom I've blogged before, went down to the ice with Shackleton. He was part of the
- [And now linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2475) - Did you check out all the amazing linky people added in comments last week? So much good stuff there. I haven't even got to the end of the list myself. Go back and see. And hey, it's not too late to add yours... But the grind of linky is eternal and unceasing, so here be
- [Blackout](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2485) - I am angry. Last night under urgency Parliament got a new law about internet and copyright almost all the way through. Three things about this make me angry: (1) The law specifies that if you are accused of downloading illegally, you are presumed guilty (more info) (2) The law gives government the power to punish
- [Lis Sladen RIP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2493) - Spare a thought for Elisabeth Sladen, who died yesterday aged 63. She played the best-loved of the friends of Doctor Who, Sarah Jane Smith, in the mid-70s. The character had such longevity it not only returned recently, but became the anchor for an entire new spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures. I genuinely felt upset
- [Hobbit Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2490) - You've seen this, right? Peter Jackson's update from the Hobbit set? It's quite lovely. And somewhat bemusing, because to us Wellington folk this is "local chaps talk about what they're up to around the corner". Alan Greenspan and Ayn Rand - the fascinating story. There's a movie to be made about Ayn Rand, but the
- [From Felix's War Diaries](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2497) - For ANZAC day - here is ANZAC day from 1918, in my great-grandfather Felix Rooney's war diaries. He was in Somme, in France. Tuesday 23 Got up about 9.A.M. Started bagging rations. Left at 3 P.M. with stores and hot stew for the line. When near Courcelles we ran into some heavy shelling and we
- [Princess!!! Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2500) - The royal wedding happens Friday evening NZ time. I think 90% of the nation is having semi-ironic viewing parties. It will be on in all the pubs. What is this I don't even In honour of the creation of a new fairytale princess: the 10 Best or Worst Comic Book Princesses From the Flatlander and
- [Wampa!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2503) - Did Lucas ever invent a word with a more pleasing sound than "Wampa"? For a competition now in progress, my buddies Jon and Jarratt chose to recreate the Wampa cave sequence from Empire Strikes Back. It is grooovy! Check it: Give them some likes and stuff over at the YouTube page. EDIT EDIT: here's the
- [Yes Even Thor Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2508) - Hey 15-year-old self in 1991! It's 2011 calling. Guess what! They made a movie out of Thor! THOR! With the big dots on his chest and the big red cape and the hammer! Yes, I know, it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. No-one here saw that one coming either! And here's the kicker: the director
- [CAN MUMS HAVE IT ALL?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2514) - What about Dads? Can we have it all too? Saturday's newspaper had a magazine section with a big article heavily featuring our little fambly - Cal, Willa and myself. It's up online here. It is actually quite a good piece, I reckon. One message in there is how much we are relying on family for
- [Rolling Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2516) - Willa rolls on to her front. Then she gets stuck. It is like a metaphor for all of human endeavour. Also, man oh man this week has been busy. Tired now. But linky shall happen: Trailer for the newWgtn webseries Urban Numina, which releases its first ep this weekend: Inevitable Star Wars link: overthinking it
- [James Hansen talk - Wgtn tonight](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2519) - Dr. James Hansen, one of the world's most prominent and influential climate scientists, is in New Zealand to deliver his lecture “Climate Change: a scientific, moral and legal issue”. Tonight - in Wgtn. Mon 16th May: Wellington 5.45pm public lecture Rutherford House, welcomed by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown Worth seeing. No question. More info.
- [48 Hour Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2523) - It is 48-hour film weekend, when small teams of mad people make complete short films in 48 hours. In honour of the event I post once again my first 48 hour film. If you look carefully, you will spot me in my tiny role as the titular monster. And the most recent one I was
- [Kaibosh: Miss a Meal](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2521) - Blimey, just realized I hadn't blogged this - our friends at Kaibosh are fundraising for a big ol' chiller van they can use to collect lots more food and get it to people who need it. Miss a Meal in May - Instead of eating out this month, donate the cost of one café or
- [Another linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2527) - Do you understand yet? We put Star Wars in everything. We have made our entire culture an expression of Star Wars. Infograpgic of heights above/below sea level - I've linked to one like this before - maybe even this exact infographic - but it still gives me amaze. Index of predicted apocalypses - pick a
- [Go Linky Friday GO](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2529) - You seen Literally Unbelievable already right? Via lots of places, the Grand Rapids Lipdub. You know I will always always link to this kind of thing, right? I am helpless for this stuff. If you are in Wellington you've probably already seen this article with pic of my buddy Sass doing the pole fitness thing.
- [Bloomslinky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2540) - Some stately, plump links for you. Science laffs: another of that research genre "analyse something fictional, pretending it is real" uses Asterix and head injuries. The Daily Telegraph doesn't get the joke. (It'd be funnier if this didn't demonstrate how entrenched is the discourse that says scientists are clueless, disconnected from reality, and Spending Our
- [Little Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2535) - Back from trip to Hastings, and into mad levels of busy right away. So only a short linky today. Weirdest moment of week: listening to an episode of This American Life from a decade ago and hearing someone I know get interviewed. You should give this radio show a try if you haven't already -
- [6 Months](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2544) - Happy 6 months lovely babby
- [Value Added Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2546) - I gave some script notes for one 48 hour film team as they worked up the script - my buddy Jon's team Red2 Productions. I think the finished product works very well indeed. (And man, there were some unexpected and unwarranted challenges they had to face along the way!) Here's the entry: (I think the
- [Objection Overruled Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2553) - Approach the bench. Via delightful Chinashop: actors given a character + situation, told to communicate it in a still photo - quite fascinating and lots of fun, but it wore me out! (Vanity Fair) Parents should not miss the opportunity to give their children a good start in life by simulating a casino environment at
- [Power and Periods](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2550) - Those who are at the top of unequal power structures always develop a mythology to rationalise the inequality. Kings were Kings because of Divine Right, etc etc. In the modern world of business-oriented hypercapitalism, the mythology is that of productivity. You will be rewarded in accordance with your productivity - what you contribute determines your
- [Rolling Around Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=2557) - The Willa is gleefully rolling around the room, which gives me just enough time for a quick bout of Friday linky. Infographic: Size 8 variance across fashion designers LIFE has a gallery of pics from the Mad Magazine offices. Eventually someone is going to make a movie about this magazine, and they will win a
- [Shihad, Flesh D-Vice and a Postcard](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=802) - *** EDITED - SEE END OF ENTRY So I've been listening the heck out of Shihad's new album, Beautiful Machine. (You can listen to much of it over on their MySpace page.) It's good, and occasionally great, and I think over time will settle comfortably into "second best" in their album catalogue, right after the
- [Writing Update - March](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1034) - So my plan to write twelve short stories in twelve months continues. Yesterday I sent the first two for the year off to local lit journal JAAM. Story #3, promised to readers a month ago, has been mothballed - it just doesn't work and I don't want to send anyone to sleep. I need to
- [Snail Chase In Wellington](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1035) - Hear ye hear ye: delightful friend Ed's film The Last Great Snail Chase is playing at the Film Archive in Wellington this Friday and Saturday (7pm both days). This is a chance to see this very interesting, expressive and entertaining film on the big screen (or, indeed, at all). Here's an interview with Ed about
- [Birthday Wisdom 2K9](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1036) - Thirty three, he said, its not such a bad age, got a nice sort of rhythm to it, still young enough to swing on a playground swing. So every year when this day rolls around I ask the patient readers of From The Morgue to give me a small gift - to comment with a
- [Links Frinks](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1037) - The epic, inspiring journalism of Izzy Stone - what independent journalism looked like in the 50s and 60s. Original publications visible here - pick one at random. Kiwi cartoonist Toby Morris sketches his life in Amsterdam. UK mediawatch done smart: MailWatch keeps an eye on the Daily Mail, and The Sun Lies tracks uber-tabloid The
- [Hail Daffyd](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1038) - How good was my weekend? It was so good that seeing Peter Davison live on stage was only the second best part of my Saturday. For on that day I went to the wedding of the proprietor of this blog David R and his lovely Katy. David R should be familiar to long-time readers here.
- [How To Get Out Of A Recession](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1039) - The same way you got in, apparently. Front page of the DomPost today, the nation's Head Boy John Key talks about how very much he agrees with his finance minister about getting NZ out of recession: "We have the same strategy and ... we are in agreement about what is required," he said. "The speed
- [Ian Tomlinson](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1040) - At the big protests in London against the G20, a man named Ian Tomlinson died. The official story described the man as an innocent bystander dying from a heart attack unrelated to the protest; furthermore, police attempts to help him were hindered by violent protesters. This sparked a post by lew at kiwipolitico, about anti-police
- [Wolverine of Fame](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1041) - Just in case anyone has forgotten that I am a complete geek: let me tell you about the Wolverine of Fame. The Wolverine of Fame was a random free comic that I picked up at one of the very first Armageddon events, over ten years ago, when it was just a small gathering of comic
- [Dave Arneson, RIP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1042) - There are two people with their names on the first ever version of Dungeons and Dragons. Just over one year ago, Gary Gygax died. Now Dave Arneson has joined him. This one won't earn obituaries in newspapers all over the world. Arneson never had a high profile, but he was the guy who put it
- [Off to Melbourne](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1043) - Busy! No change there then. Stupid-early on Thursday I'm off to the plane station to catch a flight to Melbourne, Oztralia, for the SASP social psychology conference. I'm giving a couple of presentations based on my Masters research. My first time presenting at a conference, so that should be fun. I'm also reading a lot
- [Back From Melbourne](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1044) - It was fun. I met several Australians. But while I was gone the router spat the bolt, and I couldn't coax a connection out of the cable. So I'm at work. Communications will no doubt be infrequent until this is resolved, which will hopefully be very shortly.
- [IP IP OORAY](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1045) - After about four hours of messing about, finally got the new wireless router properly installed and running. Learned more about IP addresses as I tried, repeatedly, to answer the question "everything says this should work; why does it not work?" This is not really four hours I had spare, but needs must and all that.
- [Hurry Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1046) - Got a meeting to get to, but haven't given linky in an age so want to clear some bookmarks out. I've seen many of these in multiple places so apologies if this is all old news. Here goes: Play sudoku for charity Urban camouflage Human behaviour in response to a cute little lost little robot.
- [Lefty surprise!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1047) - Here's a great recipe. (1) Put ingredients in casserole dish (2) Heat in oven for a long time at a high heat (3) Remove from oven, take off lid, smell delicious food (4) Pick up lid again slightly later, absentmindedly forgetting to wear oven mitt Surprise! Now you're left-handed! (Typed with one hand in icewater.)
- [Blog Weary, Boock](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1048) - I don't have the blog motivation at present. Not going to force it; soon enough something will happen that will ignite my outrage-burners and I'll be typing away furiously before your knee can jerk. But until then, it looks like I'm rolling slow-bloggery styles. If ever a demonstration was needed of the kindergarten logic of
- [Chris Cole Jewellery](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1049) - Hiya readers - I want to advertise at you a moment, for the usual reason: some friends are up to something I want to support. Our lovely friend Chris Cole, the jeweller who crafted our wedding rings, is striking out on his own and has launched his own business (aided and abetted by his partner,
- [Video Kid Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1050) - This one's gonna be video heavy. Its just how it worked out. A Sound of Music breakout in Central Station, Antwerp. I'm always a sucker for this stuff. Cyclist hops his way around Edinburgh. Mindblowing cool on display here. (Presumably they edited out all the bits where cheerful neds called him a homosexual and playfully
- [Bill McKibben and 350](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1051) - Friday night, I went to a public lecture by Bill McKibben, who is the originator of the 350 movement. This movement is based on the work of top climate scientist Jim Hansen, who has said that atmospheric CO2 levels above 350ppm are not compatible with human civilization. We're already over that concentration. Bill was a
- [Affirmed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1052) - That's the best word I can come up with right now to describe how it feels to see my submission to the climate change committee on the parliament website. It shows that the effort I went to didn't just disappear into the aether, never to be seen again. It shows that my voice has been
- [Crazy Ol' Ian Wishart](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1053) - There's a very amusing blog-exchange going on between Gareth Renowden of climate blog Hot Topic and Ian Wishart of independent current affairs mag Investigate. It's on the subject of Wishart's new book "Con Air", about how global warming is an unscientific fraud. Renowden tore it to shreds in a review, and predictably Wishart responded; Renowden
- [How Science Works](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1054) - And while I'm talking about this - the Wisharts of the world seem convinced that the massive scientific consensus on the reality of anthropogenic global warming is (a) overstated and/or (b) groupthink and/or (c) faked to earn research funding. Well, in my not inconsiderable personal experience of knowing actual scientists, I have noticed one overarching
- [Rodney being a Rodney](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1055) - I cannot comfortably express how infuriated I am by this. I was so angry about the demand for a review that I put a campaign together to resist the time-wasting. And now I find that the people who made the demand are so cynical about it they're not even participating in the process? *deep breaths*
- [We All In The Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1056) - Tonight, the 48 Hr Film Comp begins. I'm leading the writing team. We have some big acts to follow - check out the track record of Jenni's Angels in past years: 2008: Borkhardt Hates You Too (superhero) 2007:
- [The 48: "Dedication"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1057) - For our 48-hr film this year, Jenni's Angel's got the genre 'revenge movie'. The requirements were a rock as a prop, the character Alex Puddle who was an exaggerator, and the line "It doesn't fit." We had a big group at Indigo City to brainstorm when this info came in. My job as head writer
- [Dollhouse Roundup (no spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1058) - Watched the last episode of Dollhouse the other day. Back in March I said that integrating the procedural into the serial would determine: whether Dollhouse will be remembered as an incredible one-season show that took a little while to hit its stride, or a weird one-season oddity with great ideas and poor execution. Turns out
- [No, Seriously?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1059) - I have slept on this, and now that I have a new day before me and I can perhaps view things in their proper perspective, can I say: Christine Rankin as families commissioner? W T monkey-fighting F is this insanity? And she was offered the children's commissioner position before that? (Can't find a linky for
- [Wedding Photos](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1060) - The online gallery of photos from our wedding is open for business... You can find it at Paddy's site, here. The password is: Old Museum Building We'll be getting electronic copies of these in a size suitable for small prints and can circulate those in due course, but if you want a nice print of
- [Eat This Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1061) - This is neat: Cynical C chooses classic works of film and literature (Alien, The Sound of Music, Homer's Odyssey...) and then finds reviewers on Amazon who gave them one-star reviews. Find your new timewaster: Whitechapel thread on webcomics. I've only made it through the first two pages - heaps and heaps of stuff here. Ten-minute
- [Race Issues](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1062) - Last few months have been awash in race issues. Going to note 'em down here, for my own reference as much as anything else. There are no conclusions. Pocket God controversy: an iPod game called Pocket God comes to broad notice for its depiction of primitive and stupid islanders, which borrows imagery from stereotypes of
- [Filament - the thinking woman's crumpet](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1063) - [I'm advertising at you again - what can I say, except that friends are doing cool stuff.] My friend Suraya is launching a print magazine. This, in itself, is a sign of madness in today's world, but thankfully hers is a beautiful madness, and a clever one too. Filament magazine is "72 quarterly pages of
- [You might as well know](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1064) - I've been sprung as an operative for the Illuminati. I'll have to wait for my Bavarian masters to get back to me about how to handle things from here. Perhaps, since I think the war is won, we can shed our outer skins and walk around as proud reptiles at last? And following up my
- [Doomed Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1065) - Trek: photos from 70s Trek conventions. The audio commentary for each photo is worth listening to. Trek: make customized paper stand-ups of Star Trek characters, Intended for roleplayers but just fun to play with! Print ads for classic computers. Great! (Trek: Shatner with grinning endorsement in several ads.) Boys know that girls like puppies. But
- [Writing Update - April into May](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1066) - Plan to write twelve short stories this year is, predictably, falling behind the curve, but not fatally so. Two stories completed to a point I can send them places without significant shame. One completed to a point that I think it is unsalvageable and probably need to pretend it never happened. One completed to a
- [Man on Wire (2008)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1067) - This post is to encourage you: do not hesitate. When the chance arises, watch this film. This film is about a dude who walked on a high wire between the Twin Towers in NYC back in the 70s. It's one a lot of people have been talking about, and it has been universally praised. I'm
- [Frustration Post](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1068) - 8pm: "Hmm. That's interesting. The scanner gives me an error message and doesn't operate. I wonder why?" 10pm: "What do you mean my printer/scanner model number doesn't exist? I'm reading it right off the plastic casing!" 1am: "What do you mean you can't see the printer any more? It's right there in the other window!"
- [Frustration Post (2)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1069) - I am pleased to report that after many hours of restarts, installs, uninstalls, variant drivers, permissions settings, IT addresses and cable connections, I have successfully restored my computer to the functionality it had before I tried to make the scanner work. Hurrah! Who really needs a scanner anyway! (No I haven't given up on the
- [Post-Frustration Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1070) - Because nothing soothes the throat like linky. Archive of gay-themed paperback covers. I love the cover copy on the eponymous book: "Back when men were men... more or less." Did I ever post this? The Bourne Identity was a TV series in the 60s called Coronet Blue. Well, near enough. See also Wikipedia entry for
- [Review: I Love You, Man (2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1071) - You want to know one of the worst feelings in the world? Walking out of the cinema after sitting through the credits gags for Paul Rudd-starrer I Love You, Man and seeing your wife on the floor surrounded by worried people. Yeah, that's down pretty low in the emotional state rankings. ILYM is a bromantic
- [Sidebar Update](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1072) - Helen pointed out that I've turned up in one of the NZ blog ranking lists at #51. How odd. This news prompted me to do an update of the sidebar for the first time in about two years... lots of changes there, some blogs on hiatus have been pulled down, a bunch of new ones
- [Freeze for Climate Change](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1073) - This Friday there's going to be a Freeze in many centres around NZ. Random people will assemble at 1pm and freeze in place for 5 minutes. Volunteers will hand out little flyers about climate change to people. It's for the UN's World Environment Day, June 5. This year's host is Mexico City, whereas last year
- [Alien: The Prequeling](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1074) - I can't let this pass without comment. It's the 30th anniversary of the release of Alien this year (a couple weeks ago on May 25 to be precise). The anniversary has been marked by word emerging that a new Alien film is in the works. Wikipedia entry for the "space jockey" alien from the first
- [Slow Walkin' Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1075) - Tintin vs. Predator. Cracked profiles 5 other-pedias. Conservapedia and Encyclopedia Dramatica are the most interesting if you haven't encountered them before. Visualizing randomness. A 2007 New Yorker story on how criminal profiling is bunkum. Free album by Del the Funky Homosapien: funk man (the Stimulus Package). And finally: International Jurassic Park Erotic Fan-Fiction Writer's Association.
- [Our 48: "Dedication"](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1076) - After numerous technical problems, here's our team's entry for this year's 48 Hour Film Fest. We didn't place anywhere but I am nevertheless very proud of our leetle film. Something so cool coming together in just 48 hours = supremely good feeling. Dedication from Lee Dowsett on Vimeo. (If Vimeo plays up for you, it's
- [Stronger Birthday](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1077) - My lovely wife Cal is a birthday today. Go say OH HAI if you like to. !
- [RESOLVE group](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1078) - Yesterday attended a talk at university by Dr Wojke Abrahamse of Surrey's RESOLVE working group, about their research project to encourage lifestyle changes in the home in response to climate change. Their project used a mix of information provision, goal setting and tailored feedback over the internet, and achieved significant changes. This has a lot
- [Pecha Kucha 5](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1079) - Made it to Pecha Kucha last night, first one I've got to. It's a format for creative types to share Some Stuff using a 20-slides-with-20-seconds-per-slide format. Was gud. Briefly, I particularly enjoyed: Tim Bollinger, whose distinctive comics-based political activism was great fun; Jared Forbes of Lumen who talked about remodelling the visitor centre at Mt
- [No Men On Cover plskthx](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1080) - Suraya's Filament magazine has been getting a fair bit of press of late - a five-minute feature on nightly current affairs TV show Close Up, an interview on NatRad and BBC Radio 1, and also The Daily Mail spat the dummy and missed the point which, Suraya reports, is quite good for the credibility. So
- [Quicky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1081) - Been busy, so only a few linky this week. Han Solo, PI: More on expat-Kiwi Roger Langridge's Muppet Show comic: review and preview. Spot the New Zealand references! Werewolf mag, a great NZ current affairs magazine from Gordon Campbell. And finally, perhaps the perfect toy for boys and girls: Turbo Heather. Away with me!
- [Here come the Iran experts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1082) - As you'll note from every news service, something's up in Iran. They just completed their Presidential elections and announced a big victory for regime favourite Ahmadinejad; now there are protests that the result is fraudulent. The word 'coup' is being bandied about. The overall result doesn't seem out of line with what little I know
- [Ghost Posts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1083) - Esteemed leader is conducting some fixin' backstage, and it has made two of my posts go all ghosty. Like, they don't show up in my blog owner super secret list of posts, and they don't show up on the blog, but I can direct linky 'em just fine. Can you? Principled, in which I second
- [Assorted notes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1084) - Got Filament issue the first in the post. It's really nice! Well-put together physical artifact = awesome. Content is smart and has a good rhythm. We liked it very much. Can get your copy here. It was Bloomsday yesterday! Here is a comic of Ulysses with neato notes and guides. Related: Ulysses as a Twitter
- [How karma works](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1085) - It's really good that I didn't tease stronger for locking herself out last week, because the very next day I lost my own keys. That's karma! No wait, that's not right - the karma wasn't that I lost the keys, it's that they were returned to me so quickly. The quick return was because of
- [Fridinky Balinky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1086) - Today Friday linky can has: homeopathic antimatter Google video of early 80s nuclear threat films inc. Day After, Threads British Library's 19th century newspaper archive, scanned-in and searchable. Wow. BBC article saying wow. World's first hip-hop video that is a documentary-style film about a LARPer: Prehistoric oddities What happens when a Twitter celeb is not
- [Iran Continues](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1087) - The angry stalemate continues in Iran, with numerous subtle developments that make it hard to draw any conclusions from the outside about where things are heading. There are reports that the police have stopped repressing protest; that they may have been ordered to do so by no less than the Supreme Leader; that the numbers
- [Real Hot Bitches doco](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1088) - I would normally save something like this for a Friday linky, but I just watched it and now I want to share the love. Here is a ten-minute doco about Wellington's finest 80s cheese-rock dance troupe, the Real Hot Bitches, as they head down to Christchurch to break the world record for synchronised dance. You'll
- [Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1089) - Local computer game company Sidhe Interactive have announced one of their projects: a game called Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 based on a toy/TV license. I did some dialogue work on this game earlier this year. Can't give any more details than what's already been released, so to quote the article: Activision says each episode
- [Marie Antoinette Project](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1090) - (This is a repeat of a post from last week that got mysteriously lost.) One of my sekret projects has been announced. I'm the writer and interactivity guy for a co-production between the St James Theatre and Eklektus, Inc. The Affair of the Diamond Necklace: an evening with Marie Antoinette in the Gardens of Versailles
- [Ride Forward Into Linky!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1091) - Samurai vs. fired air gun pellet. Holy cow. Crazy new tech from German engineering visionaries Festo: robot flying penguins? The Tone Matrix - construct your own music out of a grid of sound. Chewbacca befriends a chipmunk. This photograph series gets weirder the more I think about it actually. See also: Baroque Star Wars. Haaretz,
- [One Day We'll Find Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1097) - One literary passage, translated by two different people. Interesting if you read translated lit and wonder about how well the sense of the work survives. Awful Library Books - librarian snark at books being stripped from the collection. This one is not safe for work, not because of violence or nudity but because of a
- [Seen: I've Loved You So Long (2008)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1098) - Il y a longtemps que je t'aime - French serious drama about Kristin Scott Thomas getting out of prison and she, her sister and her sister's family, adjusting to her return. It's a nicely-drawn film if a bit too neat in some of its angles, e.g. how it works the cute-children and lovely-grandpa lines shamelessly.
- [Marie Antoinette Project - Live](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1099) - The Marie Antoinette interactive theatre event is now fully live on the St James website. Very exciting! It will shortly be appearing in the next St James season brochure that is mailed out to many thousands of people. Rehearsals are about to begin, and I'll be giving some direction about how I want the interactivity
- [Writing Update: June](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1100) - Tne twelve short stories target for the year: - Two stories ("The Tape" and "Buckets") completed and, er, rejected by publication outlets. "Buckets" got shortlisted with some very nice words in rejection. Pleased by that. The benefit of good commentary from kind readers, there. - Untitled walking story - still haven't returned to this, still
- [No-one remembers Clarence Worley](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1092) - Even at a Tarantino-themed costume party, no-one remembers Clarence Worley. I was even wearing white socks, man. Attention to detail.
- [News Roundup](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1093) - Bernie Madoff thrown in the klink. Good. Dude may just be the sacrificial goat for the sins of an industry, but still feels mighty satisfying. The strange, sad story of Bastareaud, the French rugby player who claimed to have been violently attacked here in Wellington by a gang of angry locals, gets stranger and sadder
- [Exquisite Corpse](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1094) - This entry is part of an on-line exquisite corpse - a short story told in 10 installments by 10 different authors. My 250 word installment is below; if you're interested in writing the next part, scroll down to the bottom of this post for details on how this all works... --- --- --- 4. easy
- [Michael Bay](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1095) - When I get frustrated at how Michael Bay* does visual storytelling, waving my hands and shouting "coherent sequence of images" and "not crossing the line" and "ignorance of a film grammar built up through trial and error over a century" while flecks of spittle fly across the room and my eyes get progressively more bloodshot...
- [Hello world!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1) - Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
- [Folk Music Revisited](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1101) - Way back in December 2003, in what was only my 9th post to this blog, I generated a small eddy of argument over this: Made me reflect for a bit on the absence of a 'traditional music scene' in Wellington, and perhaps in wider New Zealand. Traditional/cultural music groups exist, of course, but they're pretty
- [Oh the links we could linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1102) - Muppet mashup - mashups, remixes, and covers of music from The Muppet Show and Sesame Street. April Fools joke becomes real: Tauntaun sleeping bag Hannah Montana Linux. Say what? It's on Sourceforge, man, I dunno. Blame @johnnieingram, he has a guilty look if you ask me. Michael Jackson tributes worth a look: Eternal Moonwalk and
- [Lose Books, Drink Wine](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1103) - A great idea that you should steal. I went to a party chez Jack and Heather. They had provided a big table of books. You could take any of the books you liked. You could bring your own books and add them to the table so other people could take them. It was a bookorama,
- [Head Clearing](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1104) - I'm experiencing a bit of a freeze-up. I feel like all the balls in the air are taking longer to come down than they should be. It's got me nervous but I don't want to pick up anything else just now. Keep watching the skies for descending metaphorical balls (er). The exquisite corpse is almost
- [Not a great time to be a chap](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1105) - The news and current affairs are, as we all know, systems designed to shout the most abrasive and divisive things to generate interest. Lately I've been trying to steer clear of NZ news because of the omnipresent coverage of Clayton Weatherston. This man is now the most hated man in the country, and I imagine
- [The ENnies!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1106) - Which are like the Emmies, only they're for role-playing games and they're not presented by Doogie Howser! Nominated this time are good friends of this parish: Hot War (words by Malcolm Craig and visuals by Paul Bourne) for Best Writing and Best Setting; and 3:16: Carnage Amongst The Stars for best cover (which was Paul
- [To Come To The Aid Of The Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1107) - My grandfather Percy loved his typewriters, and went through a large number of them over the years. When he first typed "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party" I had no idea what it meant but didn't ask. What kind of party would need help, small
- [Glossy brochures](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1108) - On the scene now in Wellington: glossy, sexy brochures for The Affair of the Diamond Necklace, the interactive theatre event I wrote for the St James Theatre here in Dubtown. It's a full-colour piece of eye candy that really makes the show look awesome - which is as it should be, because the show will
- [Spin Profiles](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1109) - Oh, I do like this. Spin Profiles is an "encyclopedia of people, issues, and groups shaping the public agenda that is being written collaboratively". It's a wiki and anyone can add info to it - there are editors exercising some control. Info is divided into portals e.g. "Nuclear Spin". Best bit, and presumably the point
- [Breaking Moon Silence](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1110) - I can remain silent no longer. The Daily Mail has run "never before seen" "photos" that purport to show "Neil Armstrong" on the "moon". Luckily the comments there are full of people who aren't so foolish as to believe that ridiculous story! No, we're on to you, NASA. The real truth is plain and now
- [Half-Blood Prince (2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1111) - While all the pointy-headed liberal elites are off at the flim festival, we got to watch the new Harry Potter. It was good! I liked it! I think what I like best is that it just doesn't care. "Chum," it says, "I'm adapting book 6 of a gigantically successful 7-book series. I don't need things
- [More art from the comic](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1112) - Some nice art from Brynn (unfinished! she says). These are Pascal (left) and Jesse (right), the two main characters in the first part of The Beast. It's a six-part story due to be completed sometime this century. Each 16-pg part foregrounds a different character in the orbit of the enigmatic Leo and his unusual parties.
- [LINK LUNK](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1113) - (It's my aunt's birthday today, happy birthday to you!) This is a short trip through rap music from 30 different countries and almost as many languages. It's interesting, even though it isn't mixed and summing up an entire nation's tradition of hip-hop in a three-second clip has obvious limitations. Worth a look just to remind
- [Flim Fevistal](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1114) - Frist movies at the flim fevistal this weekend gone. By a weird quirk of fate they were both highly naturalistic films about the consequences of poverty in the Western world, and both titled Name and Name. Wendy and Lucy (USA, 2008) Wendy is a young woman. Lucy is a dog. Wendy has very little money
- [Balibo (Australia, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1115) - Third on my flim fevistal slate was Balibo, an Australian dramatisation of the Balibo Five story, and the efforts of subsequent journalist Roger East to uncover the truth. The Balibo Five are far less well-known than they should be. Basically, they were Australian TV journalists (including one Kiwi) who went into East Timor to document
- [There is no rescission in NZ](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1116) - Rescission, in the insurance industry, is the practice of voiding the contract between the insurer and the policyholder when the policyholder would otherwise be due some money. I've been watching horrible tales of this practice in the US for a while and smugly telling people that we don't have those problems here in NZ. Well,
- [Paula Bennett's Privacy](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1117) - Latest political drama convulsing its way through the NZ political commentariat: the new Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett, has responded to criticism by violating the privacy of the critics. Bennett announced the end of the Training Incentive Allowance, a payment given to beneficiaries going into study, the premise of course being that if they complete
- [Linky For The True Cool](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1118) - Take a load off, drink some Slow Cow, and settle in for some more linky on a Friday... "Not sure what these are, they are too heavy to float but they look like surf boards..." Everyone's been having some fun with Sarah Palin's see-ya-folks address. You should have seen Shatner's poetry reading already (google it,
- [Final Flim Fevistal](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1119) - Rounded off our NZ Flim Fevistal experience with two more flicks: Rachel (France/Belgium, 2009) A doco investigating the death of American protester Rachel Corrie in Palestine, "from an Israeli point of view". Made by Simone Britton, a Moroccan-French Jew who spent years in Israel. Corrie was a member of the International Solidarity Movement protesting the
- [Thesis Catalog'd](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1120) - My thesis is now on the internets. University record and some other kinda record On the national research hub Direct link to pdf Google gets it, too. Chur!
- [Voting Yes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1121) - I've got a cold. It is stupid. Voted today on the citizen's referendum about the parental right to smack children. To the question "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand", I voted Yes. I won't explain my rationale, because the estimable BK Drinkwater has already given
- [When Sick, Observe Who](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1122) - Despite having a long list of things to do, I just couldn't clear my head yesterday enough to do any of them. So I went to the DVD rack and watched a Doctor Who story I've never seen before: "The Sea Devils" starring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor. It was exactly the right sort of
- [Big Bad Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1123) - Video in which a quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog: Funny or Die has stand-up in Jabba's palace... Competition-winning Star Wars fan-film: hot chicks fight with lightsabers. How could it not win? Made by the featured women; interview with them here. Cute things falling asleep 45 notable statues - how many have you
- [Smashed plates and diamonds](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1124) - Thoroughly caught up in the world of Marie Antoinette for The Affair of the Diamond Necklace, which is on Saturday evening. Today, I smashed a plate by letting it fall from my head. That's a new one. But the dances are going rather well I think. There are still tickets to be had, if anyone
- [Marie Antoinette on the Radio](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1125) - Yesterday there was a great interview with Eric Dorfman, producer/director of The Affair of the Diamond Necklace, on National Radio Classic with Eva Radich. You can hear all about the show here for another seven days. Listen closely and you will hear me getting mad props. Tonight = dress rehearsal. Wigs and stockings ahoy!
- [Call me Neo-Malthus](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1126) - Greenpeace campaign fronted by noted Kiwi scientist Jim Salinger: "NZ needs to achieve 40% reduction in carbon emissions" NZ govt, Monday 10 August: "Our target is between 10%-20%" NZ govt, Tuesday 11 August: "but all you other countries better do 30%-40%" Climate Action Network, Tuesday 11 August: "Will New Zealand name the countries it expects
- [Exciting packages!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1127) - Two friends have received packages of great awesomitude in the post in the last couple days: Draw, who blogged the arrival of the international compilation Abstract Comics: The Anthology by Fantagraphics, which features his work. And Jarratt, who on Twitter announced the arrival of the board game he created with Qarl, Endeavor, released by Z-Man
- [Antoinette Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1128) - Marie Antoinette tomorrow! Lots to do today. But still some linkytime: Kittens inspired by kittens via badjelly: a sweet song about when your ex wants to friend you on Facebook GI Joe: this movie made by Hasbro uses the old action figures as actors - the animated faces are creepy though. Meanwhile, this movie about
- [It went well!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1129) - We had a good Marie Antoinette experience! Photos will be appearing in due course... and probably some more detail about how it went. But for now, I am happy and glad to have seen the other side of something that was in preparation for many months.
- [Cheers Bro](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1130) - I just want to say cheers right now to my brother, who saved my bacon on Saturday. I went down early to the Marie Antoinette setup and spent a long time getting things in order, and as the clock ticked down it was time to dress up - only Muggins here had forgotten to bring
- [Yknil linkY](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1131) - Comic a day from Evan Dorkin's FUN archives! Ice T presents: Mac Repair Total domination of geektopia by Felicia Day advances one increment: 23 movie plots that coulda been solved in minutes Robert Johnson, animated. TROUBLING. Worlds 50 freakiest animals. For design nerds: packaging design for products seen briefly in Harry Potter movie A great
- [Wahoo](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1132) - It's been a busy few days and I have a huge backlog of emails to respond to and jobs to do. I mean to talk about such things as the referendum, the NZ Diversity Forum, and Maori language week. But I'm just home from watching the NZ Basketball team deliver a trouncing to the Aussies,
- [The Smacking CIR-cus](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1133) - Citizens-initiated referenda (CIR) sound like a cool idea: any citizens can get any question they like turned into a national referendum if they get a certain number of signatures. It has turned out to be a problematic process, however. The questions that have made it to referendum have been phrased in unusual ways. They have
- [Maori Language Week](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1134) - Yesterday I had about two sentences in my head to say and somehow I wrote a very long essay. This effort, I hope, will be shorter. Basically, I am pleased by how Māori Language Week went this year. This week, set up to cultivate NZ's other official language*, has been growing in stature and presence
- [Is another linky all right ok](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1135) - All about invented languages Talk like Warren Ellis (NSFW, just like the real thing) Samandal an indie comics anthology made in Lebanon, part in English and part in Arabic. Neato. An absolutely fascinating map from 1926 of gangland Chicago Flute beatbox guy: From the 'gator: Style your garage Flipping a coin is unfair - completely
- [Thinking 'bout Geeking](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1136) - I've started writing some relatively lengthy posts over on Gametime, the NZ groupblog with a focus on role-playing games, about my experiences at Chimera, which was a live role-playing convention held last weekend. I talk about colonization a lot. The curious can find it here.
- [A Poor Trend](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1137) - This is our electricity usage for the last couple years. Each vertical bar represents one two-month period, which is the frequency at which our power meter is actually read. It took a while to accumulate enough data points to say anything meaningful about our power usage; the thing that it says is "ouch". I know
- [Inglourious Basterds (USA, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1138) - When I go to the cinema these days, I want to be dragged in and strapped down by a glassy-tongued freak with popcorn stains on his retina, who then whispers in my ear that he's going to show me something I've never seen before, and then does exactly that. So I really enjoyed this movie
- [Writing Update: July/August](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1139) - Still working on tne twelve short stories target for the year. Either finished or in a late-stage draft: - "The Tape" - "Buckets" - "Babel" - "The Twelve Times I Drank Too Much" - "Lift Story" - "The Apotheosis of Melvin Rameka" Notes 'n' scratchings 'n' failed drafts: - "Walking story" - "Confession" - "The
- [Retirement Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1140) - My dad retires today. It's quite a big deal. I identify him so strongly with that dedicated commute to work each day. It's really exciting - he gets to define a whole new way of being, now. Nice one dad. See you at the function later today! I dedicate this assortment of dubious internet jammery
- [Goin' to Phuket](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1141) - Cal and I are going to have a holiday on a beach in Phuket. (According to google, the picture above shows the specific beach we're at.) It's all sorted - over a week of chilling out and doing nothing much at all. I've never spent more than a couple days chilling out and doing nothing
- [Testing MMP](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1142) - Seems like there's gonna be another referendum, this time on whether or not our wee nation should stick with its present electoral system. We currently use MMP, mixed-member proportional representation (a.k.a the Additional Member System (AMS) in the UK, says wiki). Basically, you vote for parties, not people. The seats in Parliament are divided up
- [See me, angsty](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1143) - In October last year, Urban Driftwood was published. It's a collection of poetry and prose by four young Wellington writers. I'm one of them, so is Dan of Freshly Ground foodblog infamy, and we get away with applying the word "young" because the writing is a decade or more old.* And now you can download
- [Freaks and Geeks: What happened next](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1144) - morgue: Everyone reading this loves Freaks & Geeks, right? Right? Readers: OF COURSE YES WE DO WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION. morgue: Well did you know that the story of these characters didn't actually end at the end of episode 18, Discos and Dragons, with Nick dancing, Daniel dwarfing and Lindsay deading? Readers: NO NO I DID
- [Cheeky Seabird Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1145) - You get the feeling this isn't the first time. Click through to watch: Abandoned Theatres, latest in the web subgenre of "cool photos of weird abandoned places" Andrew Rilstone (he of the fanboy linkage on my blogroll) delivers an amazing downloadable response-to-and-discussion-of Watchmen. Michael Quinn Patton talks about how Maori creation stories illustrate his conception
- [Michael Laws, Prizefighter](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1146) - Man, been busy these past couple days. But, bonus: have successfully convinced the scanner function on my printer/scanner to work with my laptop (previous frustrations). The software I used to use is still refusing to function, and it does other weird stuff (e.g. I can scan to my laptop from the laptop, but I can't
- [Ian Curtis Wall](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1147) - Every day I walk past the Ian Curtis wall, the graffiti memorial to the Joy Division singer that has marked up Wallace Street's concrete expanses for nearly three decades. (Mentioned on his Wikipedia page.) Recently, it was removed by the local graffiti clean-up crew. This is a genuine international attraction, and it's been scrubbed off
- [Performance Review](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1148) - I've got to do my part of my performance review tomorrow. Been trying to make it work tonight and it just eludes me. I have my KEY RESULT AREAS filled in and my KEY COMPETENCIES marked out but trying to relate everything I've done and learned and assembled in the last year in a little
- [Ticket to Heaven (Canada, 1981)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1149) - In social psyc class this week we watched Ticket to Heaven, a dramatisation of indoctrination into the Moonies and then being pulled out by determined family and friends. It's a hell of story, devoting almost its entire run-time to the process of falling under the spell of the cult, and the counter-process of being convinced
- [Imma Let You Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1150) - but From the Morgue had the best linky of all time Reading the Maps has the best overview of the saga of W(h)anganui's controversial 'h' Sam Tsui continues the re-invigoration of Michael Jackson's pop music with this immensely entertaining solo medley: More photos of 19th Century Russia A fantastic comic strip about riding the tube
- [Death By Chocolate](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1151) - Show website Ticketing website
- [Death By Choc Interview](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1152) - Over on Gametime, I've interviewed Vanessa B Baylens, the creator of the Death By Chocolate show I talked about yesterday. It's really interesting stuff. Go read. And if you're in Wellington, tickets are available here!
- [Moon (UK, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1153) - Plot summary: dude is on the moon Lovely, funny, starchy take on self-knowledge, fate and destiny. Heartwarming effects that don't use computer techniques. Sam Rockwell as the dude on the moon is ace. Robot companion is well-figured. Nice music. Plot development well-structured, timing its reveals just right, and never trying too hard to blindside the
- [When China Invaded NZ](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1154) - Just finished a series of posts on Gametime about games played at the Chimera LARP convention, which raised some really interesting (to me) issues about culture, ethics, nationalism, and representation of minority communities. Interested parties can find them all under the "culture" tag on Gametime.
- [Sparkle Motion Vampire Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1155) - White noise a la carte. Lucasfilms staffer tries out Jabba the Hutt costume for a day. (And some on-the-set Star Wars photos you might not have seen. The last one was new to me and a crack-up.) OKCupid uses stats to tell you exactly what to say in your online dating messages. There's a thesis
- [Right Gettin' Fringier](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1156) - Let's talk about politics in the USA, huh? Ten years ago, the right-wing talk radio masses were still in a fury at Bill Clinton. Clinton was accused of: being a liar (he was) who cheated on his wife (he did) who was involved in some big-money real estate fraud (he wasn't) Out at the fringes,
- [An Internet Scam That Amused Me](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1157) - (This is a rather pointless post. But the subject amused me so here it is.) Here in New Zealand we have what's known as a "cultural cringe". It's basically a national inferiority complex. We're famous for getting overexcited when celebrities know our country exists, and for being a bit ashamed of our own cultural production.
- [Dollhouse S2 Ep 1 (No Spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1158) - Well, that didn't waste any time. Dealing out a dozen-and-a-half plot twists, mixing in some dialogue that's fully too clever but works anyway, and running scenes that have their beats honed to perfection like a champion tap dancer - this is amazing, smart TV. It sets up the rest of the season without even trying.
- [Filament Issue 2](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1159) - So, a while back I received issue 2 of Filament in the post. I've been dipping in and out of it since, and finally feel I can write usefully about it. Here's the thing: it's really pretty amazing. Filament, subtitled the thinking woman's crumpet, is an adult magazine aimed at women, with a mix of
- [Portrait Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1160) - Bulfinch's Mythology and friends, a collection of free literary works with a focus on mythology, everything from Paradise Lost to Flatland. Romance novel covers re-imagined Sokky's singing blog has a fascinating post that helped me grok how singing feels when you're really good at it Diaries of the vampires Amazing views of glaciers from space
- [Writing Update: September](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1161) - Regarding tne twelve-short-stories target for the year, I'm finally hitting par with this set of written pieces: - "The Tape" - "Buckets" - "Babel" - "The Twelve Times I Drank Too Much" - "Lift Story" - "The Apotheosis of Melvin Rameka" - "Inappropriate Boss" - "The Intervention Upstairs" - "The Confessions" Not a single one
- [Spam Slam 2: The Squeakquel](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1162) - For the first time since 2006, I just got smashed by a huge welter of spam, about 150 comments that dodged the spam filter in the last eight hours. I've turned off comments on the entries that were getting hit, and hopefully they'll leave me alone now. I still wonder what spam is gonna look
- [#outrageous](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1163) - Local TV warhorse Outrageous Fortune ran its season 5 finale last night, and it was a corker. After some traditional end-of-season antics it delivered a change-up in literally the last few seconds, going out on a serious game-changer of a cliffhanger, hands-over-mouth stuff that smartly built on everything we'd seen before. Outstanding work - Outrageous
- [What to read on the beach?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1164) - So we're off to Phuket on Sunday. Need to pack some books to read on the beach. But what? Cal and I combed our shelves for unread tomes, and pulled down a big stack. We need to whittle it down some. But what to choose? I don't know that some of these are entirely appropriate
- [I'm Outta Here Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1165) - Off to Thailand in a couple days hurrah! SO HAVE SOME LINKY ALREADY OKAY Beasts of New York - a children's book for grown-ups The only existing film images of Anne Frank My Parents Were Awesome Photos of parents before they were parents. I love this. And finally... Kill Bill In One Minute In One
- [[Phuket, Thailand] A Bestiary](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1166) - (sent out to the morgueatlarge list) Numerous water buffalo Two elephants on the hill road A baby elephant the next day A hand-sized spider in a web the size of a tablecloth A critter that looked kinda like a grey squirrel only it had a long long coloured tail A small family of rogue pigs
- [Jiggity Jig](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1167) - A'right I'm back. Let's get this party started again.
- [Nobel Obama](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1168) - I know everyone and their brother has done this to death but I've been away, indulge me. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The entire right wing commentariat in the U.S. spat on their pancakes. The reality-based community wasn't exactly delighted, though. e.g. my buddy R at Judge & Jury raised his eyebrows at
- [350: Day of Action](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1169) - Saturday was the global day of action for the 350 movement, which aims to pressure decision-makers at Copenhagen to agree on a limit for atmospheric carbon (350 parts per million - we are currently at around 390). It was a big day, globally. The front of 350.org is cycling through images from all around the
- [That Ol' Jet Lag](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1170) - Man, taking a while to get back to normal rhythms here. Lotsa sleeping trouble in this house. Crashing out early or wide awake too late or waking up in middle of night and being stuck that way - all variations on the theme present and correct. Plus, what feels like a low-level allergic reaction, like
- [Urban Driftwood Reviewed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1171) - I've posted a couple times about Urban Driftwood, the prose/poetry collection with my work in it - when it was published a year ago and when it was released for free download. I'm mentioning it again because we've just had our first review, by Tim Jones, who blogs over at Books in the Trees. Tim's
- [Affable Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1172) - Some reasons to make your Friday a little bit hyperlinked: This chart from a 1949 issue of Life magazine explains how you tell apart the High-Brow from the Low-Brow (and Brow levels in between) using everyday tastes. Whoa. Use a slider to zoom in from a grain of rice to an atom. This gives me
- [Day of the Dead](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1173) - It was getting cold as we wound our way up the hill. We didn't have a place to stay, and intended to stay up all night, as most of the Mexicans were clearly planning. In the cemetery, a small flat space chunked out of the hillside and crowded with plots, locals were starting to gather
- [Rasslin'](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1174) - Some action from last year's Halloween show Just like last year, I rolled up with an enthusiastic posse to watch some rasslin' at the Kiwi Pro Wrestling's Halloween Howl extravaganza. Highlight, of course, was seeing the redoubtable Doctor Diablo open the night trying to bring down the fearsome Brute, but even a spectacular moonsault off
- [Prof. Garry's Inaugural](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1175) - Yesterday attended the inaugural Professorial lecture of Maryanne Garry. Maryanne started at Victoria University in 1996, which was when I met her, taking her 3rd year class on memory. It was a revelation. Maryanne studied under Beth Loftus and brought with her an extremely lucid presentation of memory issues, namely the unreliability of memory. Much
- [Writing Update: October](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1176) - Regarding tne short-stories target for the year, I'm on track. I have eleven complete stories drafted and one more in progress, with two months to go. Note that there's still a ways before I hit target, as the original plan was to only count stories as done when I am comfortable submitting them places. I'm
- [Fireworks Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1177) - Yesterday I listened carefully to the fireworks. They were very loud. But I was working so I didn't see anything. Listening was actually quite fun though, once I realized what they were and that the world wasn't ending. Celebrate the fact that the world isn't ending with these educational linky experiences! 82-yo Ralph Stanley singing
- [RNZ Ballet: Peter Pan](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1178) - Last Weds went to see Peter Pan: The Ballet Experience, from the Royal New Zealand Ballet, thanks to dear Felice my grandmother (who bought the tickets and sat next to me) and my mother (who double-booked herself so leaving a ticket free for me). Great fun it was, a lot more like theatre than the
- [Diamond Necklace: Back Again](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1179) - The Affair of the Diamond Necklace is coming back to Wellington in December. There was an August show, which I've written about before. We're back for another go Saturday December 12. A full evening of interactive entertainment including Vector Orchestra performance and a very nice meal. Will be an excellent night I'm sure! We've been
- [Neuromancer - 25 years on](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1180) - NZ political life continues to be ridiculous (media training protip for Hone Harawira: when you are giving an apology, do not issue the opinion that another politician should be shot), global climate change progress continues to flounder in a commons dilemma, the US right wing continues to devour itself, and the Breakers continue to suffer
- [Marie Antoinette Video](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1181) - Put this up on LJ the other day - a video trailer for the Marie Antoinette night, showing lots of clips from the August show. We look awesome. There's a few changes this time around, including a new actress in the Marie Antoinette role due to our last one getting a TV gig, but that's
- [Linky Malinki](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1182) - Slinky Malinki is a great name for a cat, it really is. It's my older brother's birthday today. Happy birthday big bro. Here is something cool from your year of birth. In odd game-to-media adaptation news: Ridley Scott's movie based on Monopoly - the plot! (Aside: Check out this Cornell University study revealing that between
- [Auditions are hard](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1183) - Over the weekend we held auditions for Affair of the Diamond Necklace. One of our lovely performers is unfortunately unavailable for the remount, so we needed to recast promptly. It's the first time I've been involved in auditions and it was really quite tricky. Everyone who auditioned was great and would own the part. I
- [Off The Ropes](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1184) - I'm delighted to direct some eyeballs at "Off The Ropes", the labour-of-love that is bringing home-grown Pro Wrestling back to television screens (and YouTube channels) here in NZ. It screens Sunday afternoons on Prime TV, and the first half-hour episode is available in full at the Off The Ropes website. Massive congratulations to friend-of-this-parish Blair
- [Dollhouse Closed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1185) - A week ago news broke that Dollhouse was cancelled. This was greeted with much wailing (and also some dancing on its grave) but creator Joss Whedon didn't seem too stunned. And rightly so. Dollhouse is incredibly strange television. It's an ensemble series populated with characters who are defined either by their blankness or their overwhelming
- [Key Should Go](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1186) - Obama and Aussie PM Kevin Rudd have both fiercely attacked those who deny the science and seek to delay action - this from the two countries who didn't sign the Kyoto agreement. Gore, it seems to me, has the right view on things, that Copenhagen should start things moving, and we can build on it
- [Winky Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1187) - Foreigners: big talking point news in NZ right now is whether the gigantic creepy Santa in the centre of our biggest city will unwrap the bandages on his face to reveal a disturbing winking eye. We are a strange wee country. From Black and WTF Love this: a huge collection of 80s straight-to-video box art.
- [Protest: How Not To](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1188) - It has not been a good week for protesting here in the land of the long white cloud. The Save Manners Mall campaign was snapped trying to hire protesters to ensure good numbers for its next march. I believe it's a sign of innocence, not conniving. The campaign's organizer has not impressed me with her
- [Doctor Who turns 46](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1189) - (Just read over the other post. What a jumble of words! That seriously needs an edit to make it easier to read. Too busy though. Here's something nicer to distract you all.) Happy anniversary Doctor Who! 46 years - incredible! This great short animation is getting circulated everywhere, with good reason - it's an amazing
- [Headdesk Moment:](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1190) - Discovering that one of the politicians you most respect is a 9/11 truther. Recommended: Giovanni's account of Richard Gage's talk.
- [Climate Change Seminar](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1191) - Climate Change: How do we Deal with Complex Science and Growing Urgency? Speakers: Peter Barrett & Martin Manning, NZCCRI Attended this yesterday. Peter Barrett gave an overview of the process for the next IPCC assessment, a lengthy process indeed, currently at the stage of gathering authors for the various chapters. I was interested to see
- [Directing as editing](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1192) - So I've been directing the rehearsals for the Affair of the Diamond Necklace remount (December 12! One Show Only!) and have found it an interesting and challenging experience. I don't have much experience with directing of any sort. Back in high school for the odd short bit, but since then - nothing. Steep learning curve!
- [Bohemian Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1193) - Alan Moore's new zine Dodgem Logic has an online space with lotsa free music and stuff. But it keeps jamming up my internets something chronic. Maybe you'll have better luck? Brizzly, the service that jams together Twitter and Facebook, is now open for everyone to sign up. So I signed up. Interesting. Don't know if
- [Stuff Poll: Key to Copenhagen](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1194) - NZers might want to stuff this stuff poll, or they might just want to stuff it. "Should Prime Minister John Key attend the United Nations Copenhagen climate change summit?" 44% "no" responses, so far. Too many. It's on the front page right now. Lord only knows where it goes when it cycles off the front
- [Key might go](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1195) - The poll I linkied yesterday is gone to wherever those polls go (I guess they just get deleted, nice on Stuff.co.nz) but TV3 at least is reporting that Key might go after all: "There's a case that might be able to be put up that is if it looks like a deal is going to
- [Ignorance is Priceless](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1196) - Yeah, I know, I'm about to rant about advertising again. Sorry. The new Mastercard Moments "Pebble" campaign bothers me more than any other ad in recent memory. I saw it first as a print spot (see it here), then discovered it had a TV incarnation as well. The print ad shows a lush landscape, with
- [Marie Antoinette on Nightline](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1197) - Edit: we're on tonight! Yesterday the afternoon was spent in the Hippopotamus restaurant, filming a segment for TV3's Nightline late edition news show. Nightline does like its quirky culture bits to round off the evening, and we're lined up for Monday's show tonight's show! We had five costumed performers enjoying High Tea, improvising like mad
- [Key is going](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1198) - "Prime Minister John Key has done a U-turn and confirmed his intention to fly to Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change conference." I am pleased, and surprised, and pleased, for all the reasons discussed here (including comments). Congratulations are due to the Greenpeace crew who really drove this campaign - although there was certainly
- [Marie Antoinette on Nightline - Video](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1199) - Here it is A two-minute clip that shows us off quite well, I thought. You can even spot me if you're alert enough... (Although they got the date wrong. It's on Saturday 12th, not this coming Saturday 5th.)
- [On The Telly Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1200) - So I was only on for a flash, but I was on, and more importantly the show I wrote and am co-directing got a big glamour play. So good! Can't sell tickets if people haven't heard about it, after all! Anyway, some hasty linky for your Friday: Re-creating a Matrix scene with Lego: Incredible short
- [[mediawatch] *Sigh* DomPost does it again](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1201) - In today's DomPost, an article by Paul Easton about John Key's decision to go to Copenhagen, as blogged extensively here last week. Boxout section headed "Tackling The Environment", in its entirety: Lucy Lawless, actress: "There is no planet B. Let's go about the business of tackling climate change. Our Government needs to sign on to
- [Rolley Derby in Wgtn](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1202) - Just a quickie, since I'm late for school: on weekend went to the local roller derby for the first time, an event called Skate Highway One. The local Richter City women took on the Pirate City crew from Auckland. City-vs-city rivalry at its peak! It was hella fun. Seeing the local team skate out to
- [Twitter makes my world smaller](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1203) - At a course I was on the other day, the tutor asked us to sell her on Twitter, the micro-blogging service that continues to be the flavour of the moment. What was the point of it? The other web-native in the class related how Twitter is essential for her professional networking as someone who works
- [Writing Update: November](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1204) - Oh, heck, still haven't done one of these. So, yes, I've hit my target of twelve complete short stories, one for each month, that are going to be submittable somewhere. Some of them are even in a submittable kinda state. For the rest, I've got three weeks to knock some sense into them. So one
- [Too Many Linky Not Enuf Mics](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1205) - Exit your show like I exit the turnpike Google Street View now extends into the ruins of Pompeii Web Site Story - some of this is so perfect it hurts. This is getting much buzz right now, a promo for a potential show named Slingers, to try and garner enough support to actually make the
- [Coming Home Again](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1206) - I never expected Shihad's anthem to be "Home Again". NZ's mightiest live act released their third album in '96 and it was a departure from the heavy intensity of their first two releases, defiantly poppy and restless. (It's a great album to sing along to.) "Home Again" is a touring musician's thin promise/apology to his
- [Sending Malc Home](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1207) - Speaking of going home again... in a few hours, Oor Scottish Friend Malcolm hops on a wee plane and flies back to Scotland. It seems like only yesterday that we ordered him off of Amazon.co.uk: Scotsman (Falkirk), housetrained, scribbles words. We had him delivered, and we read the instructions carefully, about how we weren't supposed
- [Grad](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1208) - Thank you parents! Graduation last night. I can now put MSc after my name. Nice. Way back when I last graduated, I had no interest in going to the ceremony - the pomp struck me as, well, pompous, even grotesque, and at a considerable remove from my values at the time. It didn't strike me
- [Madagascar Kartz](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1209) - Another game I worked on for NZ's finest game company Sidhe Interactive has been released, so I can talk about it: Madagascar Kartz I worked on this one in parallel with the Hot Wheels game, and it's good to see it out in the world. Sidhe recently tweeted a link to this 4.5/5 review of
- [Santa Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1210) - First: sign the Avaaz petition for a deal in Copenhagen. Several world leaders asked Avaaz to do this to lend weight to the negotiations; so far over 13 million people have signed. That's a lot of people. They're aiming for 15 million. Sign here. Best photoblog of the year? Sketchy Santas: Amazon's gigantic warehouse. It's
- [Avatar (USA, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1211) - I will remember the opening moments of Avatar as one of the greatest cinema experiences of my life. Seeing Jake Sully emerge from cryo-sleep and move in a zero-gravity space, with a deep well disappearing far beneath him, astonished and delighted me. It was my first experience of the new 3D tech (if you don't
- [Dan O'Bannon (1946-2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1212) - Stan Winston (born the same year) passed away in 2008, and in 2009 it's Dan O'Bannon's turn. Dude was one of those do-it-all guys from 70s cinema, a special-effects geek, screenwriter, actor and director. He's in my pantheon for being one of the creative powerhouses behind 1979's Alien. He co-wrote the original script that kicked
- [A Christmas Message](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1213) - Hey everyone! This is David Hasselhoff, multimedia star of the new generation! My fans call me The Hoff and you can too (I like that name - snap!). And don't forget that I was the first and best Nick Fury! (Take that, Samuel Jackson!) Anyway, just stopping by to wish a very Merry Christmas to
- [Xmas Re-post: Desperately Seeking Santa](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1214) - (from 9 November 2004) Voiceover man: In a world (Santacorp high-rise on the Arctic wastes) Voiceover man: where Christmas means business (interior Santacorp CEO office. CEO reading a child's letter) CEO: "Dear Santa, blah blah, I've been very good all year, brownnose brownnose brownnose... ah, here we go: what I want for Christmas is...(he flips
- [***](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1215) - "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" - Mark Twain, 1890s "I aten't dead" - Terry Pratchett, 1990s Broadcasting will resume soon.
- [It's not the thinking, it's how we're thinking.](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1216) - (with apologies to ALAC) Things aren't working as they should. Everywhere you look there are systems that don't deliver what we as a society want them to deliver. Law enforcement, workforce management, politics, education, media, to name five that come to mind for some reason. Why is everything broken? Answer: it's not. These systems work
- [Changing systems](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1217) - Those systems that don't produce the outcomes we desire? We can change them, right? The theory is easy. There're inputs and outputs. We say we want more of this than that, and we set it to accept certain types of inputs, and tweak the desired output level, and voila. The reality is complicated. Systems are
- [Running To Keep Up](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1218) - Ach - January was already really busy, and thanks to an email received this morning it's now insanely busy. Blogging is low down the totem pole, so this 2010 beginning has been something of a false start. All this busy is good stuff, though. Very happy. More when I can, including explanations.
- [Demanded Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1219) - Because timb asked for it, some very quick linky from the files... 100 cupcakes, each depicting a different game Nakatomi Space - Die Hard, the Israeli Defence Force, and what they mean for architecture Photos of William Burroughs' stuff A 1972 (?) book about what life would be like in 2010 There! Now leave me
- [Yes I am still hectic linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1220) - *deep breath* R2D2 weighs less than your cellphone. Wgtn abstract cartoonist Draw's weather animation. Except I can't get it to work on the link? It worked in the RSS feed. Anyway, maybe you'll get lucky. This deserves a whole big post or two of its own, but I can't even keep up with it myself
- [Up'n'attem Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1221) - Late last night I finished up the last chunk of major urgent work. Now to breathe deep and figure out what else needs doing, then maybe, just maybe, I get to move into a more normal sort of February. So here come the linky. Ahhh, I love 'em so! Fake Delicious. Friend of FTM Mallika
- [CalMorgue: 1](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1222) - (Let's give this blogging thing another go, shall we?) Cal and I got civilized a year ago. Anniversary was a week ago. It has come up a year awful quick. Main thing about it being a year on is, people don't say "how's married life?" quite so often. - which is almost ironic because it's
- [Dollhouse S2 (No spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1223) - Season two of Dollhouse was great TV. Dollhouse is still the strangest TV series I've ever encountered. Structurally it is *bizarre*. The creative team never figured out what to do with the premise. They knew, right from the start, that they were sitting on a goldmine of weird and interesting and potent material. They spent
- [DVDs, 39 Steps](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1224) - My brain is still in recovery mode from that intense January. Still busy at work but I'm being careful to use my downtime for down. This is something of a change, I realize. Example: for the first time ever, I'm watching a TV series* on DVD by myself. Just cuing up the next episode when
- [Gallery Dots](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1225) - Yesterday, I cashed in some of my time-in-lieu and left work early to spend the rest of the day wandering in the sunshine. I was in an unusual head-space, mentally and physically restless while seeing the familiar Wellington scenery with fresh eyes. I was approached by a couple of young mormon missionaries and had a
- [Sevens Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1226) - All over Wellington, people are dressing up in the crazy costumes because the Rugby Sevens are in town! But here are some unrelated linky. First-person tetris. I can't bear to play this, and the music reminds me of when I used to dream tetris. Did you ever dream tetris? There's a wiki article on the
- [Waitangi Day](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1227) - 2010's Waitangi Day passed in peaceful fashion, with some surprising symbolism. The tino rangatiratanga flag, representing Maori aspirations for self-governance, was officially flown outside Parliament. Prime Minister John Key went on to Waitangi marae arm-in-arm with perennial Waitangi powerhouse Titewhai Harawira, both of them politely ignoring the series of fierce battles that keep erupting between
- [New chair](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1228) - Beautiful wife persuaded me that it was time to get a new chair. Through careful viewing of photographic comparison above, an alert reader may notice some slight differences between the two chairs, namely that one is a tiny bent hollow with a back that doesn't go up any more, whereas the other is a majestic
- [Stewart Brand on Green](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1229) - Just listened to Stewart Brand's Oct '09 seminar for the Long Now Foundation, "Rethinking Green" (link to mp3). In it he gives a short overview of the key arguments in his new book Whole Earth Discipline. Brand's book pushes four ideas that run distinctly contrary to general green thinking: Cities are green. Nuclear power is
- [Dec 31st, 1999](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1230) - (THE LAST DAY OF EXISTENCE) The car is parked on the Napier waterfront & I'm in the front listening to the thud of bass. People movement. A day that has been foreseen for so long. I drove up alone in two stretches, a break at PN, the exultation of geography, the Manawatu Gorge. I realised
- [Here come the linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1231) - Q: What did Tarzan say to Jane when he saw the elephants coming? A: Here come the elephants. Elephant jokes are seen by many commentators as symbolic of the culture of the United States and the UK in the 1960s. Oring notes that elephant jokes dismiss conventional questions and answers, repudiate established wisdom, and reject
- [Helping Haiti For Nothing](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1232) - Here's something that amazed me recently. Customers at OneBookShelf donated over $175,000 (U.S.) to Doctors Without Borders for Haiti. Who are these customers? People who enjoy role-playing games, not the biggest demographic. In fact, it's a smaller slice than that - these are the people so enthusiastic they actually spend money on RPGs. And a
- [Podcasts](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1233) - So, using my borrowed iPod, I've been dabbling in the world of podcasts for a while now. I like 'em because they fill up my walk to work nicely, and I don't need to invest in good headphones to get a good experience. I'm liking This American Life, of course. Dabbling in Adam Corolla, RadioLab,
- [This One Dream I Had Once](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1234) - (Found this described in the 1999 journal - March 20th. I know, I know, other people's dreams are not interesting. I'm writing it up anyway.) I'm in an elevator, wearing nothing but a length of tin foil that doesn't quite go all the way around me. I realize I'm on my way to have one
- [True Linky For Friday](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1235) - I really enjoyed this funny and spirited takedown of Taylor Swift, wholesome singer/songwriter, winner of lotsa music awards, the one who Kanye generously let finish. Nail-on-head moment: "This is perhaps her music's most grating sin: the sex-shaming girl-bashing passed off as outsider insecurity." Bryan Talbot's Torquemada comic-format pick-a-path from oddball 80s comic/game hybrid Diceman, online
- [New Necklace](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1236) - Beware my giant gnashers! This is my necklace. If you've seen me about recently you might have noticed it hanging all sparkly-like around my neck. Cal commissioned it for our first wedding anniversary - she sees it as the boy version of her engagement ring. It's lovely and sturdy and I'm very proud of it.
- [Sherlock Holmes (USA/Germany, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1237) - Yes, I don't know either why this is a USA/Germany production, but that's what it says on IMDB. Cal and I watched this the other day, on account of hearing consistently good reports about it, including from Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's movie reviews (which I discovered thanks to my recommend-me-a-podcast post). My expectations still
- [nef: A Bit Rich](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1238) - Finished reading the report that was in the last Friday Linky about comparative pay levels. Quality-wise it's a mixed bag, but I appreciated it, so here's some more thoughts. The report is called A Bit Rich and it's by the new economics foundation or nef (the lower-case is deliberate, frustratingly). The report is short and
- [Hands off our dial!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1239) - Just back from a protest outside Parliament to protect Radio NZ, our public broadcaster. I figure about 150-200 people there, which isn't bad for a protest pulled out of nothing on Facebook by a guy in Hamilton. Here's the Facebook group, with nearly 15K members as I type. Here's the campaign page, Hands off our
- [Linky for the Housetrained](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1240) - Some Friday Linky for you: Indulge your vertigo: 12 dramatic views looking down. A surviving audio-free clip from Dead Bart - the infamous lost episode of The Simpsons with a "hyperrealistic" section: (Dead Bart of course doesn't exist; it seems like it was a myth made up whole-cloth in the dark depths of the internets,
- [Unexpected world](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1241) - The Girlfriend Experience, starring Sasha Grey, who works in the porn industry. At this link she can be seen playing D&D with a bunch of other people from the porn industry. (All links are totally safe for work, btw.) The blog Playing D&D With Porn Stars, and the D&D game described therein, are run by
- [I'm pretty awesome](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1252) - So here I am, in my new digs at isprettyawesome.com - hosted by the lovely Svend. And it's all pretty good so far.
- [Review: Jitterati collection (2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1242) - Jitterati is Grant Buist's strip comic of life in a cultured, coffee-drenched festival-heavy Wellington. It runs every week in the free local paper the Capital Times, and in Grant's own words it tends to go like this. I have a lot of love for Jitterati, no doubt because I am a coffee-drenched festival-going Wellingtonian with
- [House Things](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1243) - Strange things are afoot at the Circle K. This weekend just gone, Cal and I decided to put a toe in the water of house-hunting. We've been saving up a deposit for a wee while, and although we love our apartment we've been talking in general terms about looking to buy. We do some reviewing
- [Hoose Moose](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1244) - I may be about to become a proper Hoose Moose. Our offer was accepted, conditional on [boring stuff]. Now to do [boring stuff]! This has all happened very quickly. (Aside: If moose is the Scots for mouse, what, I wonder, is the Scots for moose?)
- [Friidaay Liinkyy](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1245) - Go big linky, drop it at the bomb: One drawing for (on) every page of Moby Dick Best infographic evar? properly appreciating Mega Shark Wife blogs the things her husband says in his sleep Unconventional childrens' books: e.g. Mommy, Why is There a Server in the House? A few months back The Onion ran a
- [Why am I here?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1255) - The illustrious David R, proprietor of additiverich.com for most of the last decade, is pulling down the blinds. I have migrated over here to isprettyawesome.com, which is run by Svend - who is, happily, another member of the additiverich.com posse. So I gotta thank Svend for generously welcoming me to his isprettyawesome crew. And I
- [The Pantheon of Plastic](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1287) - SUCCESS IN FILM AND TELEVISION can bring seats at the priciest restaurants and entry to the fussiest clubs, but there is one coterie so exclusive that even the most well-known and successful are unable to gain entry, try as they might. Yes, we here at AdditiveRich hold that the true measure of a star’s greatness
- [Wellywood Sign](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1291) - So, Wgtn Airport is gonna erect a sign right by the airport. WELLYWOOD, it will say. I am suggesting that it would be a great idea if they put an oversized exclamation mark on the end. Or if they used comic sans! How would you modify the sign to make it better? Overseas readers/potential tourists
- [Pantheon of Plastic: #2](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1297) - In 1978, Lorne Green became the inaugural member of the Pantheon of Plastic. One year later in 1979, he was joined by the second inductee into this prestigious panoply of plastinated personalities. Ladeez and gennelmen, I give you the 1979 Inductee... Boris Karloff! Boris Karloff (inducted 1979) (Boris Karloff's IMDB entry) Karloff is unusual for
- [New home linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1301) - It's Friday linky time, first one at the new hosting site. Groovy. I'm gonna go into the depths of the linky file, pull out some stuff that's been sitting there for aaaages without ever being grabbed up into a linky. Nothing fresh! Everything old! Come and get it! Gahan Wilson cartoons! From ScienceDaily via Karen,
- [Shutter Island (USA, 2010)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1305) - Saw this a week ago, still haven't talked about it. It was very enjoyable. It's a grand operatic noir, an unnerving psychological thriller that doesn't make much sense (do any psychological thrillers make much sense?). Great intensely-imagined visuals, gripping and moody atmosphere, pitch-perfect performances (heavily stylised and just OTT enough). The film offers very few
- [Captain America #602](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1307) - Glenn Beck, crying, screaming superstar of the political rightiest, devoted some airtime to the comic. Fox News grabbed the story and made much hay out of story writer Brubaker's left-leaning Twitter-expressed politics. Faced with this uproar, Marvel hastily damage controlled to say "it's part one of the story, give us a chance to show you
- [Nicky Hager and the Emails of Doom](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1314) - Speaking of the political rhetoric and its disconnect from understanding... Author Nicky Hager accuses the prime minister of being "cranky" and of coming up with "wacky" conspiracy theories. Hmm. - Liam Hehir, Palmerston North Backstory: investigating journo Nicky Hager came into possession of a lot of internal emails from the National Party, and used them
- [Pantheon of Plastic: #3](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1321) - He was a carpenter with a bad attitude, and then he became a movie star, and then he became two separate plastic figures - a pretty good approximation of the American Dream. The 1982 inductee to the PoP is Harrison Ford. Han Solo, Star Wars (movie, 1977; figure released 1977 by Kenner Orphan. Smuggler. Wookiee
- [Lost - up to s3](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1329) - As previously blogged, I've been watching Lost. I mostly watch it in a little window in the corner of my computer screen while I do other stuff. I've just finished season 3, which was the half-way point for the series. I'm enjoying it, most definitely. It ain't as slow as it used to be, and
- [Waihopai Ploughshares](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1331) - I'd also like to add my voice to all those expressing bewildered delight that the Waihopai Three were acquitted. They were three nonviolent peace activists who broke into a secure base and deflated the canopy over one of the Echelon system's monitoring dishes. I have no idea how the jury found them not guilty; the
- [Waihopai Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1335) - This week's linky named in honour of the inexplicably innocent domestic peace activist terrorist activists vandals for peace. Twilight: the Manga - a review, which is also a clear demonstration of how *not* to do lettering in a comic. I'm flabbergasted by how bad this is. Book envy begins now - from the Jet Simian,
- [Hoose](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1339) - So we've bought this hoose. It's in the lovely Hutt suburb of Waiwhetu. It's pretty close to my old stomping ground, easy walking distance to my parents and my grandmother and an easy drive to Cal's sisters. Moving date still to be confirmed, mid-April sometime. I am excited!
- [Mining on conservation land](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1342) - I can't even bring myself to write anything coherent on this subject. The calculated gains are so petty and the symbolic cost so huge (let alone the real costs) it just infuriates me. If you're a Kiwi, write to the PM about it. I just did. He's at j.key@ministers.govt.nz and you can write to him
- [The Walworth Farce (NZ International Fest)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1345) - Written by Enda Walsh, produced by Ireland's Druid Theatre company, this intense, dense play held the Opera House audience in its thrall. It's set in a tiny apartment in London where an Irish emigre and his two sons re-enact daily a traumatic experience from their past, using the form and structure of farce, complete with
- [Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, 7 April](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1350) - Pearce said to me: You gotta come to Talib & Jean, bro. It is our birthright. Plus just look how mean she looks on the poster. I got my ticket just now. It says there are 19 left. (Grab one here.) I've seen Talib Kweli before (opening for Beastie Boys) but never seen Jean Grae.
- [Pantheon of Plastic: #4](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1353) - He was the son of TV actors, and a TV actor he became, but he achieved much more than his parents. He missed out on the role of Luke Skywalker, but he became a hero who is much better-loved than that whiny teenager - and the smiling face behind the most sing-alonga theme tune of
- [Wikileaks: Something is up](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1361) - Sounds like the people behind Wikileaks are under some pressure. Since this is unlikely to turn up in your newspapers, I post it here to spread awareness. Wikileaks has a mission of bringing hidden information to light, when it's in the public interest. Wikipedia outlines their greatest hits, including Gauntanamo Bay procedure documents, scientology secrets,
- [High Traffic Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1368) - So that Wikileaks post yesterday was picked up by Reddit and traffic on this blog went into the stratosphere yesterday. On Weds I had 283 unique visitors, pretty typical; on Thursday that number jumped to 92,487. Whoa. What's especially odd is that the post in question contained nothing at all new - it just copied
- [Paula Bennett raaagh](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1376) - Watched some of the "hard-hitting" "political news" show Q+A yesterday morning, in which Minister Paula Bennett defended the changes to the welfare system that were announced out of Cabinet last week. (Full transcription of interview on Scoop.) Part of these changes were introducing work tests to those on a sickness benefit to get them into
- [A few dates short in the scone department](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1381) - The above title is from Claire Browning's great response to Gerry Brownlee on the subject of mining. It's a clean and precise rebuttal. Read it. (I found it via the Dim-Post.) I was talking to Dale yesterday about this and we shared our confusion at this whole situation. As Dale said, how can they not
- [Mining Protest Was Mining Protest](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1384) - There were a lot of people there. The house monkey spotted me and my Cal in this crowd photo from Scoop's coverage (and I found him in this one). Ran into china_shop, who pointed out how weird it was that the speakers kept citing The Economist (thanks to this article that rips into this nation's
- [Experiment have seen linkys!!!!!!!!!!!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1388) - Happy April Fools Holy Thursday linky. I was all keen to do an April Fools Pantheon of Plastic entry, following DavidR's suggestion, but after far too long clicking through action figure custom galleries and flipping the pages of Tomart's Encyclopedia & Price Guide to Action Figure Collectibles, I still hadn't found any photos that felt
- [What a weekend](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1395) - Pic by Eric, from his blog post about Armageddon This weekend had so much packed into it, but it all came out pretty well. Went to Armageddon Pop Culture Expo with Eric. Every year I say I won't go back next year, but they keep bringing over people who played the Doctor, and occasionally cool
- [Wikileaks: Video of journalists being killed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1399) - Just over a week ago, a post I made about Wikileaks (lifted directly from Dylan Horrocks' twitter feed) went ballistic and garnered nearly 100,000 sets of eyeballs in a day. The events in question mentioned an upcoming video release about murder in Iraq and a Pentagon cover-up. The video has now been released. It's circulating
- [Talib Kweli/Jean Grae](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1405) - [happy to get the Wikileaks video off the top of the page, that thing upsets me some] Last night went with the KnifeMan to see Talib and Jean Grae at the San Fran Bathhouse. It was the goofiest gig I've seen in a long time. Jean was a crack-up, losing her composure completely based on
- [Tooth Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1410) - Yesterday, went to dentist for first checkup in 3 years. He said "all good". A dentist saying "all good" is one of life's nicest, most reassuring things. This one goes up the top because it's amazing. It's about the colour palette in blockbuster movies. Teal and orange: Hollywood please stop the madness! Lots of great
- [ACTA: protecting your internet](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1414) - ACTA isn't well-known to those who aren't web people, true internet natives. And it should be. From ACTA .net.nz, a description: While in name it is about protecting consumers from counterfeit merchandise, the agreement is much wider in scope and addresses the regulation of Internet use by private citizens in an attempt to prevent unauthorised
- [An Incident at Immigration Control](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1419) - My friend bekitty recently went to join her partner in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is working until September. She didn't make it. She tells her story in full, and it's worth a read to see what happens when the eye of immigration falls upon you. In particular, I draw your attention to her framing of
- [Four reviews ](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1422) - Things I've watched recently on DVD or big screen, in order of release date: Adventureland (USA, 2009) Boy becomes man at theme park job. Another comedy-drama male POV film as exemplified by the Apatow stable. Slow, meandering, generous in every sense. Not well-crafted drama, which actually works in its favour, a lot of it feels
- [I Like To Move It Move It](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1426) - Moving to the new hoose tomorrow. Lots to do. Wish us luck!
- [Pecha Kucha Diamond Necklace](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1428) - Monday night at Downstage Theatre in Welly: my dear friend Eric is part of the Pecha Kucha lineup, talking about the show wot I wrote, Affair of the Diamond Necklace. A Pecha Kucha night is an event format in which presenters show a slideshow of 20 images, each of which is shown for 20 seconds.
- [Oor Hoose, and ANZAC day.](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1430) - And so it is. A week in, and we're sorted at last - the internets and phone lines were the last things to get connected up. Boxes are now stacked empty in the garage and the rooms themselves are full of stuff. It feels comfortable, already. I think we'll come to love living here. Here's
- [The Writer's Tale](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1443) - I recently read the inelegantly named Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook. Davies (RTD) is the man behind the recent revival of Doctor Who, taking it from embarrassing forgotten history to pop-cultural behemoth. Cook is the young Doctor Who Magazine journo who sparks up an email
- [Day One](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1446) - So, following the writery thoughts inspired by yesterday's blog post, and a chat with Billy on Monday, I sat down yesterday with my handsome moleskine and proceeded to scribble out a bunch of useful stuff on what might be the next long-form writing project. I have a bunch of notes about it already scattered here
- [Teen girls: unlike teen boys](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1452) - World-famous Twitter trending topic, Justin Bieber, arrived in NZ for a one-day visit and lots of girls screamed. The frenzy was much like that welcoming the Beatles when they arrived here in 1964 THE BEATLES ARRIVE IN NEW ZEALANDYour browser does not support iframes. I wonder, about the screaming and the hyperventilating etc etc. It's
- [Makeshift Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1456) - I reinstalled Windows last week (am much gooder now) but boneheadedly lost my bookmarks, including my linky stack. So many dozens of interesting linky, lost into the chaotic maestrom of the interwebs! Oh noes! Luckily the internets is bountiful, here are some new-gathered linky. Some great parkour photos. Foul-mouthed In the Loop character Malcolm Tucker
- [It's Easy To Have A Child To Stay](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1459) - We had little nibling James staying with us all weekend, and it was good fun times. It was our first serious nibling-babysitting, and ironically we double-booked ourselves with a wedding, so we the babysitters had to subcontract out to some other babysitters for Saturday evening. (Thanks Miri and Matt!) Things I learned: * going around
- [Transmissions from a broken system](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1462) - The DomPost yesterday: Front page, the entirety of the above-the-fold: Serepisos sells spare Ferrari. Guy owes the council money while on telly as the Donald on The Apprentice NZ. Is he selling the Ferrari for money to pay the council? TUNE IN NEXT WEEK! Bottom of page 2, entire story smaller than the photo of
- [Social Economics](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1464) - I've recently had work-related chats with two economics academics who broadly fit the "social economist" type: "public good" is the same thing as "economic good", you just need to figure out a model that can represent all the variables that aren't expressed in dollars. Smart people trained and motivated to look at the big picture
- [Her confusion explained](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1467) - Minister for Social Development, Paula Bennett, is confused about which Peter Saunders she appointed as an advisor to the Welfare Working Group (WWG), the Green Party revealed today. “The tale of Paula, Peter and Peter is a perplexing predicament for the Minister. There are two Peter Saunders who work on welfare issues and it seems
- [Linkysweet Symphony](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1474) - Go hang, United Kingdom! GO HANG! Top-tier supers comics snarkmeister Chris Sims discusses what happens when you bring back classic heroes from the dead: you end up with a whole lot of white faces on your covers. Perry White's dentures vs. the fourth dimension, just one of the delights at Comic Cartography Infographic: the relative
- [Clegg's Choice as Fighting Fantasy](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1478) - -392- Finally! After so many battles you have reached the final chamber. Here, your quest will end. Wiping off the last of the Bloodbeast's ichor from your tunic, you climb the stairs and open the door. Inside there are two foul monsters. They are both grossly obese, and stand glaring at each other. Between them
- [Frank Frazetta 1928-2010](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1481) - Frank Frazetta dies, age 82. This was always my favourite Frazetta image. I like its sloping, sultry energy and its gleeful embrace of pulp archetypes.
- [Pantheon of Plastic: #6 (tie)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1483) - This is the last PoP feature I'm going to run. As popular as this feature has been (??!), it's time to wind it up and move on to other distractions. In fact, I was going to stop at the top 5 but I know that all those PoP-lovers out there (??!) have been waiting for
- [Of Tax Rates and Bob](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1487) - This post would be much better if I actually had the numbers it needs. But I'm posting it anyway, because I'm not afraid to look like an idiot on the internets. This story from Radio NZ was mentioned on the radio news as I was waking up this morning. It included a quote from Roger
- [Ghost Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1491) - Star Wars Uncut "The Escape" from Casey Pugh on Vimeo. The Gator finds some old photos, including a rare shot of me rockin' the Abe Lincoln beard. ROCKIN' that beard I say. The Wire characters on a D&D alignment chart (via the Dim-Post). And finally... I always wondered.
- [Funny People (USA, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1497) - IMDB entry. (We watched the extended version on DVD, so I might refer to bits missing from the cinema cut.) My affection for the works of Judd Apatow is well-known, so it pains me to say that this one is Not Great. However, I liked it a lot anyway. Your mileage may well vary. Seth
- [Reservoir Hill (NZ, 2009)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1500) - Locally-made digital Emmy-winning web series Reservoir Hill had an old media screening in omnibus form over the weekend, and I ended up watching much of the broadcast. It's about a girl named Beth who arrives in a new subdivision and finds everyone reacts to her in an unusual way. Very soon she finds out why,
- [ICONS ](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1502)
- [Rumpus Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1510) - First up, a notice - many local readers will recall the spectacular Rumpus parties of previous years. d3vo is not hosting one in 2010 (and we missed 2009 too) because he's getting his DJ on at a gig called Speed of Sound. Friday June 4th, free entry, scratch that rumpus itch! Now, some linky. Bus
- [Facebook will win](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1512) - "Facebook is my pick for the social networking site that will still be thriving in five years when MySpace and Bebo and Hi5 and all have succumbed." - me, June 4, 2007* You almost can't surf the interwebz these days without coming across the Facebook backlash. It's a deserved backlash - Facebook, seemingly under the
- [Suburban Gothic](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1514) - Cal posted the other day about getting into the Hutt groove. It's been playing on my mind, too, as I settle back into the neighbourhood of my yoof. I can feel old channels reopening, old patterns reigniting. Leafy streets and low garden walls and drawn curtains and the line of the hills. Older marrieds, high
- [Conserve Versus Converse](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1518) - Heard Kelvyn Eglinton of Newmont Waihi Gold on National Radio this morning making the case for drilling into conservation land. His line (people who've had media training always repeat their line word for word several times unless they're very skilled) was that there's plenty of low-value conservation land in the protected Schedule 4 territories, so
- [Swingers Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1522) - Widget that takes any song and makes it Swing, by lengthening the first beat and shortening the second. With examples: Sweet Child of Mine, Cream, Money for Nothing. Ah heck, I'll embed the last one: Money for Nothing (swing version) by TeeJay Via the Alligator, the Bad Translator machine Another machine to suck your time/amuse
- [Obama is failing the planet](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1525) - Reuters 30 May 2010: Although the Obama administration has put the blame squarely on BP, polls show Americans are losing faith in the government's ability to mitigate the disaster. In his second visit to the Gulf in the 40-day crisis on Friday, Obama faced criticism that he responded too slowly. He told people in Louisiana
- [Gaza Flotilla](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1527) - Lots of politics, lots of misinformation, lots of chaff over the flotilla/blockade/raid/deaths. I've seen footage of Israeli soldiers rapelling to the deck of a ship and being met by a bunch of people beating them with poles. The flotilla's twitter feed says there's video of soldiers landing and opening fire but I haven't seen that
- [ICONS pdf available](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1529) - The electronic version of ICONS is now available! Currently half-price! US$15, down from US$30. The print version is shipping mid-month if you want to order it through your friendly neighbourhood game store or direct from the publishers. Very pleased to see it hit! The character generation process is almost a game in itself. In our
- [Broader, not higher, please](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1531) - Another few hours invested in tech support for the parents, and it always inspires the same feeling: massive resentment. Not at the parents, of course, who are lovely and patient and appreciative. No, at the stupid Microsoft-led home computer industry that still, 30 years in, hasn't worked out how to make it easy to work
- [Take Linky With Water](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1536) - Woke up at 4am with horrible headache and feeling bleah. Nurofen has helped. But perhaps I need stronger medicine - a strong, clean dose of linky? IRON BABY Doctor Who section: Who theme recreated with guitar and effect pedals. And also with giant Tesla coils. A wonderfully inventive map of the TARDIS. Definitely a different
- [ICONS for oil spill relief](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1538) - More news related to ICONS, the new RPG for which I have a minor co-author credit: all sales from the forthcoming EPUB and MOBI-format editions are going to relief efforts around the Gulf oil spill. So if you like those formats, consider making that purchase (when it becomes available). Adamant Entertainment and Steve Kenson will
- [Stronger Birthday](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1540) - It's my beloved StrongerLight's birthday today. If you know her, and even if you don't, drop by to wish her well on her blog... To celebrate, here is a dog in a party hat.
- [Clothes Maketh The Man](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1544) - Well, how about that. Pyjamas are way better than I remember them being. Maybe it goes along with having your own hoose? And with winter. And a fireplace. Nothing like sitting in front of a fireplace in your own hoose in winter, wearing a good set of handsome pyjamas. PJs, I take back everything bad
- [It's An Outrage Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1547) - Hot nerds reading comics. If I remember right, Warren Ellis dared them to; an hour later this was a real thing. This American Life's Ira Glass on the importance of wrongness. And other stuff. It's a neat interview. OffBlack showcases an amazing timelapse video of the Space Shuttle being readied for launch (and launching). Investigative
- [They keep stealing my ideas](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1550) - For a while, a certain breed of writer/Doctor Who geek was near-certain to have a pitch or two (or three) for the Doctor Who: New Adventures line of spin-off novels, by Virgin Publishing. In the 90s these kept the Who mythos alive and, surprise surprise, they were actually very good - inventive, quirky, and boundary-pushing
- [I Am Become Dad](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1555) - The cat is out of the bag. (Poor cat, stuck in that bag!) Cal and I are having a baby. morguecal baby FAQ: 1. SQUEEEE! That's not a question, mum, but I'm glad you're excited. 2. When is it due? December 15, so even odds say it's gonna arrive on Christmas day. 3. Is it
- [Bloody Sunday](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1558) - Back in '04 we went to Derry. (That's my photo above.) Met with far-uncle Hugh, who lives there still and sent a lovely gift for our wedding. Hugh's father (my great-grandmother's brother) was in the Easter Rising; I'd known this, but talking with Hugh, and wandering around Derry, gave it some more context; getting a
- [Belated Bloomsday](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1564) - Speaking of Ireland: yesterday was Bloomsday. I forgot. At least Marilyn didn't. (Story behind pic at Dangerous Minds.) Last year on the day after Bloomsday I linkied Ulysses Seen, the outstanding webcomic + discussion version of Ulysses. It has been in the news a bit lately for being available on the iPad only in censored
- [Taking Action: You.  Now.](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=496) - Happy New Year! Yeah, I know it is the eve of March. I've lost two months, and I'm figuring a lot of readers out there are much the same. January and February can be very demanding months in New Zealand. It can take a while to get settled into the new year. Are we settled
- [SGA 6: Give It A Try](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=432) - I started off by recommending that everyone out there go and see An Inconvenient Truth. I know I emerged from that film filled with concern and feeling the importance of action, of actually doing something instead of just thinking about it. I'll wager a good portion of you reading this had exactly the same experience.
- [SGA 5: To Do What, Exactly?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=430) - Okay, so in the previous four entries I've talked about how the most functional setup for action is small, short-term groups pursuing concrete outcomes. This leaves one great big question to be answered: what the heck can small, short-term groups actually achieve? Back in June I got some people together to brainstorm some answers. (A
- [SGA 4: Concrete and Consensual](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=426) - A lot of people care about their world. Relatively few do much about it. Small Group Action applies the principles of usability to this, laying out a 'course of least resistance' for turning caring into action. Step one is meeting with friends of yours who also care. This meeting may result in a Small Group.
- [SGA 3: Action Of Commitment](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=424) - We are busy people, leading busy lives. It's hard for us to chunk out some time. We are, understandably, wary of making a commitment. But if we actually want to do anything, we have to make a commitment. First principle we get from this: long-term commitments are scary. Short-term commitments are not (as much). Therefore,
- [SGA 2: The Power Of Groups](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=422) - Applying usability principles to the problem of inaction had me thinking in some broad circles before I started getting somewhere with it. The main issue is where to apply these principles. You can't just change the entire world to make it more usable. That's ludicrous. (Well, you can, but such a change would require such
- [SGA 1: Sekret Project Revealed](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=421) - Over the last 18 months or so, I've been drawing a few disparate threads together and coming to some interesting points of insight. One of these threads is how our social conscience interacts with our motivation. Yesterday's blog post was basically a big encouragement to go see Inconvenient Truth. Countless people have been to see
- [In With The Gays](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1025) - Cal and I are totally in with The Gays right now! NZ's foremost LGBT magazine, the giveaway Express, included a profile of us as part of a bigger feature on Civil Unions, four years after they went into law. We look very hot in Paddy's photo and it's a nice big feature where I hope
- [Civilised!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=991) - Cal and I tied the knot yesterday! (This photo is from Jenni on Facebook - thank you!) Shortly we go to my parents for the post-bash BBQ (2pm until fallover o'clock). I hope everyone remembers that it's on and they're all invited... or we'll have lots and lots of sausages left over...
- [NRT Human Rights Petition](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=880) - In December 2006, the United Nations adopted a major new human rights treaty aimed at preventing and punishing enforced disappearance. New Zealand didn't sign it. You can help change this. NZ political blogger Idiot/Savant of No Right Turn has launched a short, sharp campaign to petition the government to sign. Unsurprisingly, given my affection for
- [My God, Its Full Of Twits](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1033) - "I don't get Twitter" is becoming the "I don't watch television" of the interweb age; but Damien Christie shared a grim realization that if one doesn't secure one's preferred username now, one will be forced in future to take a grotesque approximation with underscores and numbers all through it. This prospect terrified me; I signed
- [Gamblerz in Dubtown](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1032) - Not many people turned up to see the Gamblerz Crew perform yesterday, presumably because hardly anyone knew it was on and knew who the Gamblerz were. They missed out; it was wild. I have never seen moves like I saw on that stage. Well, except in vids like this one, showing the crew in June
- [Oh It Is To Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1031) - You've seen the trailer for Where the Wild Things Are already, right? Serious bit: computer security circles are rumbling a bit about a big virus already embedded in millions of machines and set to receive new instructions on April 1. I don't know enough to say whether this is a real issue or just sky-is-falling
- [People and Borders](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1030) - The Alligator's gone back home. Hopefully not for too long; he's undergoing immigration department processes to get back here and be able to work. He's young with no dependents, a skillset that's in the NZ skill shortage list, experience running a successful business and plans to start a new one here; just the kind of
- [Dollhouse Ep 6 (No Spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1029) - This is the episode that takes it up a notch. It does so. It does so smartly and enthusiastically and swiftly. It is good stuff. It means that I'm going to stick with Dollhouse to the end. What they are doing here is seriously interesting ideas TV, and there's precious little of that on the
- [Langridge's Muppets](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1028) - Happier news: eleven preview pages of Kiwi expat comics god Roger Langridge (of Fred the Clown fame) taking the Muppets back to comics. Lovely stuff it is, too.
- [It's Not Over](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1027) - Copenhagen Climate Congress, 10-12 March 2009 Key Message 1: Climatic Trends Recent observations confirm that, given high rates of observed emissions, the worst-case IPCC scenario trajectories (or even worse) are being realised. Key Message 5: Inaction is Inexcusable There is no excuse for inaction. We already have many tools and approaches to deal effectively with
- [Anticipated Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1026) - Back on the scene like a linky machine! You gotta know this one got me excited: Canadian history cartoonist Kate Beaton finally gets a proper website. This is amazing - a transcription of the story conference that decided how Raiders of the Lost Ark was going to go. You will never see Indy's relationship with
- [Dollhouse Ep 5 (No spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1024) - [Stupid cold. Didn't even feel up to blogging. Bleah. I'm going back into work today at least.] This was an interesting episode in lotsa ways. The A-plot took advantage of the sci-fi premise for once, and it provided a heck of a ride with great reversals coming in to mark every ad break cliffhanger, but
- [Preoccupied](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1023) - Been camping, and away stag weekending, and now under the weather. Normal service will resume etc etc.
- [Environment Programmes Chopped](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1022) - So the new government, further endearing itself to the letter-writing Ayn Randians in the audience, has announced major cuts in the Environment Ministry. Initially signalled at being about two dozen jobs gone, but at a meeting of Ministry staff yesterday the message was that up to 86 of the 300 staff would go. That translates
- [Dollhouse Ep 4 (no spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1021) - Just so y'all know I'm still watching - yeah, this is still earning its way with me as a first act. There was some fun stuff here, and for once the A-plot about the engagement was closely tied into the B-plot about activity at and around the Dollhouse itself. This episode's instalment of the investigating-cop
- [Sir John The Unexpected](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1020) - The National govt., still in their just married phase, have announced that NZ is getting Knighthoods again. In the name of the Queen our worthies will once again be given the titles of Sir and Dame. These will replace the anaemic but functional titles we have had from 2000, Principal/Distinguished Companion of the Order of
- [Snail Chase on release](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1019) - My buddy Ed's movie, The Last Great Snail Chase, is getting a cinema release from this Thursday. It's screening up in Auckland at the Academy, for two weeks. I previously wrote about seeing the premiere - almost two years ago! - so its exciting that it is stepping out into the world again. Here's the
- [Who Watches The Linky?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1018) - Some legal free books to download at Suvudu, including Kim Stanley Robinson's magisterial work of hard SF, Red Mars. Available in .pdf at present, other formats to come. Everyone's education into the ridiculous scheme that is the global financial system continues. Three great, fun lessons this week: first, a fun and helpful visualisation of the
- [Watchmen](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1017) - Blimey. It's actually good. No, it is. It is crammed full of so much stuff, and it is so faithful to the original, that noticing how the storytelling feels crowded with little beats and not many big ones just reminds you of the perils of an adaptation that is too accurate. Faithful particularly in the
- [Muslims *do* say it's not OK!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1016) - The title of this post is facetious, of course. In the West, when an Islamic voice speaks critically, one rhetorical device is frequently employed to neuter this comment: "why don't they ever put this much effort into condemning the extremism within Islam?" It's very prevalent, particularly in the smug brevity of letters to the editor,
- [Give A Little](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1015) - Kiwis: I commend to your attention givealittle, "New Zealand's online giving community ". It's pretty neat. and could do with a bit more attention than it's getting, so consider taking a look. How it works is: charities and project funds set up pages on the site, and people go and give 'em money or just
- [Writing Update](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1014) - My short-story-a-month plan is running along with a few bumps. I've written two short stories in Feb, but I'm not happy with either of them. I think there's some potential in the second one, but the first one (while fun to write and hopefully fun to read) is probably not salvageable, it came out more
- [Dollhouse Ep 3 (No Spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1013) - Again with the by-numbers A-plot while the B-plot runs setup for more interesting stuff down the road. This time the A-plot highlights exploitation, raising implicit questions about the show premise - but man, the fan service is a bit of a pill to swallow for any feminist reading of the show. These opening episodes feel
- [Live! Linky! Tonight!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1012) - I bang the worst dudes (Sorry, Mom) (via the bassett hound) Nosing ahead - the lovely fluffworld writes about the difficulty of creating space and taking the leap to live life on her own terms, particularly by becoming a writer. The comments and replies are great, except for that one by that tone-deaf mr_orgue dude.
- [Things I learned the hard way](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1011) - (part of an occasional series) When you're sending an email to a bunch of strangers to deliver news about a mutual friend who is seriously ill - it is unwise to send from your "morgue" email address. People tend to get the wrong idea about the friend's health and wellbeing... (Other solution: choose better nickname
- [Reasons To Stay](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1010) - I love our landlord. Last week we received a notice saying that, with great regret, the rent would have to increase. It was unsustainable at current levels. So Cal and I now have to come up with... only ten extra dollars! And this week, delivered to every apartment in the building: "Please note we have
- [Dollhouse Ep 2 (no spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1009) - Intriguing second ep. The A-story goes into full-on suspense-thriller mode, with plenty of shocks and reversals, some of them easy to see coming (indeed, some as homages to filmic jump-scares), others not. The B-story throws out a whole heap of plot background and arc development into the mix. The balance between the ongoing plot and
- [Blacked Out](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1008) - This website was blacked out all morning in protest against a pretty bad copyright enforcement law on the verge of coming into play in NZ. More info. Meanwhile, I'm not watching the Oscars and getting drunk, which may be a step forward for me.
- [Lie-day Frinky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1007) - Some concept art from Alien 3 that even I haven't seen before. This is for the wacky "Vincent Ward wooden planet of monks" version. Jeremy Bulloch. Gold bikini. Well. Dude makes Doctor Who anime. Is surprisingly awesome. More Sesame Street 70s goodness: Stevie Wonder does Superstition. Rock it out! Beloved leader has screenshotted the panorama
- [Clues and drinks](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1006) - Getting away from all that serious stuff for a bit, I want to give due respect: the Alligator's birthday adventure on Friday night was incredibly fun. How it worked: we turned up for drinks at Mollys, and split into teams. The Alligator, looking smug, issued each team a water pistol and an envelope full of
- [More on Emery](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1005) - I've realized that I'm not finished talking about the Bruce Emery conviction. One of the main arguments back and forth about the Emery/Cameron case is whether Bruce Emery has benefited from privilege; that as a white middle-aged man from what is inexpertly called the middle class, he has been treated better by the justice system
- [Dollhouse Ep 1 (No Spoilers)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1004) - First ep of Joss Whedon's new show, Dollhouse. It's up on Hulu for US viewers, but with some internet jiggery pokery overseasers can also watch it. I liked it. It felt like chapter one of something longer. Lots of stuff set up. Most curiously, there was no lead character. The central/star character, Eliza Dushku's Echo,
- [A Failure of Empathy](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1003) - A year ago, Bruce Emery chased down a youth who was tagging his property, stabbed him to death, then went home, concealed the evidence and went to sleep. These facts were not in question. His trial just ended; he was sentenced to four years and three months for manslaughter. Cue a storm of argument about
- [Friday the 13th Linky](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1002) - This seems like a crazy-fun toy: xtranormal's web app lets you make movies by clicking options and typing dialogue. Flickr's Growing Up Star Wars pool, consisting of many photos of 70s kids in Star Wars t-shirts holding their Chewbacca action figures. And lots of weirder stuff too. Love it. Newish Kiwi politics blog (of lefty
- [Climate Change Committee: Submit!](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1001) - Okay, it's not the climate change committee, its the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee. But those terms of reference mean those in denial about climate change will be out in force, trying to convince the committee not to do anything rash because, after all, people who think anthropogenic climate change is real are just crazy
- [Let The Right One In (2008, Sweden)](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=1000) - I was excited to take the opportunity to see this film. As everyone knows, this film brings to life a book that spawned an international frenzy. It tells of the love story between two youngsters, one of whom is mysterious but confident, and the other who is put-upon and overlooked. There is an irresistible attraction
- [Australia and the future](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=999) - Every time I look at a news outlet I am horrified by what's going on in Victoria. Wild fires destroying whole communities and leaving hundreds of people dead - this is incredible and deeply disturbing. I truly hope that the local police are wrong, and these fires weren't deliberately lit. If this was all the
- [Rushdie: Anyone still care?](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=998) - I picked up a couple of Rushdie hardbacks in a sale for $5 each a bunch of years ago, and as part of my ongoing mission to read everything on my bookshelf I finally picked one of them up. I went for 'The Ground Beneath Her Feet'. This is Rushdie on rock music and fame,
- [Argh, comments](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?p=997) - The spam filter is once again eating random people's comments. And I pressed the wrong button and emptied the whole folder before I could finished checking. I know there was a comment by Suraya that I didn't get a chance to read. Apologies all. And while I'm posting... this has been making me question reality

## Pages

- [About](https://morgue.isprettyawesome.com/?page_id=2) - I am Morgan Davie from Wellington, New Zealand. This is my main blog. Here are some other links. My homepage has all the links below, and lots more. I keep a livejournal for odds and ends, and I can be found on Twitter. My MySpace account is entirely a placeholder, but I'm Facebook-active. My Flickr

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