It’s so close to Monday, Michael. The weekend is already almost over already. Sigh.
06.03.2026 04:13
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It’s so close to Monday, Michael. The weekend is already almost over already. Sigh.
Very, very pleased to see that Cory Doctorow finally has an account on Bluesky!
My friend Christy Carew, a fantastic composer steeped in the John Williams tradition, scored the music for LOOKING FOR LEIA. Highly recommended!
This is me at the Hollywood Bowl and it brings such joy every time I go back.
No pictures to memorialize the occasion—just a happy memory of a sweet conversation with a friendly person who clearly enjoyed connecting to us in the moment.
We chatted a little about nothing: the butcher shop food & how he was biking to keep in shape for a role. (Turned out to be a new Indy movie that was about to start filming.)
But we didn’t talk about movies—just human stuff. Boring stuff. It was perfect.
He finished his chili, said so long & left.
“I just want to say how much I admire your work,” I said to this hero of mine, trying not to indulge in hero worship, fully expecting a gruff “thanks” and that’s all.
Instead, he was incredibly gracious and kind, open-hearted.
A handful of years back, my spouse & I ran into Harrison Ford at a local butcher shop. We were eating breakfast sandwiches at the single picnic table in their small room. HF, bedecked in biking gear, ordered the chili and sat down next to us, so I had to say something.
I spent the weekend at Disneyland avoiding the news. It was a good decision for my mental health.
Stop asking hard questions!
Anyway, it’s Chefs de France. 🇫🇷
And Le Cellier. 🇨🇦
And Takumi-Tei. 🇯🇵
And apps at the new GEO-82 Lounge.
And … dammit. So many favorites.
And all the food from this festival, which my friend Noah is singing about here. m.youtube.com/watch?v=i7DF...
Fun fact: my great-uncle Philip DeGuard did the background paintings for the cartoon in that gif.
Trans people are not the problem.
If you are concerned about trans people, I'd recommend taking a moment to think about who told you that was a critical issue. They may not have your best interests at heart.
People being needlessly cruel to trans folks? Now that is a problem.
Trans rights are unquestionably human rights.
True story: I was at a game conference for GameStop mgrs (I was one at the time) & 50 Cent was there hawking this game. Walking by, I overheard some gray-haired old mgr whisper to her colleague, “He’s SO cute! I don’t know why people keep shooting him! 🤷♀️”
It’s a phrase I still use to this very day.
But hear me out …
Tubaists as well. I’ve never had a horn damaged, but they’ve broken a couple of cases along the way.
Based on the experimental novel. Short as it was, it was a hard, dense read and very sad.
It’s Flea, squire.
Spoiler alert! The kid grows up to be a bass player.
I could easily watch ten more seasons of A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS right now.
Who are the current Toni Morrisons of sci-fi? The new Octavia E. Butlers? I’m looking for more N.K. Jemisins & Nnedi Okorafors and less Malka Olders and Becky Chambers.
I’m looking for HBO Max, not the CW.
And I want it in books ≈300 pages or less.
#Booksky Recommendations?
It’s not the SF equivalent of Romantasy, which I also don’t enjoy, but at least I know what that is & can navigate around it.
I realize this is a Me problem. I want something weightier, more mature, w/richer characterization & sophistication, commentary, diversity, real sense of stakes.
Great for those who like it, & I’m glad it’s a thing providing entertainment or escape for folks who want it! The more sci-fi widens to include larger audiences, the healthier the entire genre!
But not for me. If there’s a name for this sub-genre, I need to know it so I can avoid it more easily.
I fear that new hit sci-fi novels are becoming too cozy for me. Tackling adult topics but steeped in a breezy low-stakes young adult style. Great world building, but low character depth. Compelling plot ideas, but obvious twists & dialogue straight from the CW. There’s just a lack of weight.
I was just thinking earlier that there’s been a noticeable difference in how many of these I’ve spotted in L.A. recently. Horrible blights.
5 authors I’ve read at least 5 books by:
Maya Angelou
Nnedi Okorafor
Toni Morrison
Octavia Butler
N.K. Jemisin
I was working at WMG, and this call came in, and I managed to grab this photo of the phone just before answering. 11:41a 03/12/25 From LYDON JOHN
A real thing that happened to me at work one day, eleven years ago—and yes, it was real. (Phone number edited out.)
Apropos of nothing, sometimes I’ll make reservations under the prefix of Ambassador. Try it!
I use this tool almost everyday.
I also appreciate the explanation that Congress requires a prefix of Mr, Mrs, or Dr to deliver emails and Indivisible’s encouragement to use “Dr” if you don’t want that non-inclusive policy of limited gendered terms applied to you.
Anyway, I’m now a Dr.
Currently reading JAZZ by Toni Morrison (digital book) and SIMPLY MORE by Cynthia Erivo (audiobook). Both challenge my assumptions, make me think, and breathe hope into me that these times are survivable for all. I always look to books by compelling artists to soothe, educate, and inspire me.
