Random things

via chomiji: Death Note stuff at Hot Topic.

Took a short vacation from the intartubes last night - realized as I was starting to get into an internet argument that it was a pretty good sign I needed to get the hell offline. And then deleted all responses unread this morning from my inbox, because I'd just get embroiled in it again if I read them.

Have now become interested in modern piracy. Alas, the library does not appear to have any works other than government documents on modern piracy, instead choosing to focus on historic piracy. Either that or I have been unable to come up with the correct keywords to winkle it out.

The last thing I really need to do is go by the bookstore at lunch, but I may not be able to stop myself.

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Bookshelves of Doom has a small rant about a wannabe editor who marked up the pages of a library copy of Jo Walton's Farthing, while at the same time missing the point of alternate history.

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oyceter is asking for recommendations for non-Japanese Asian SF/F. Her requirements include (quoted directly from her entry):

It must be:

• Created in Asia by Asians
• NOT from Japan
• Any medium
• Bonus points if I can get my hands on it (I am in the US and read/understand Mandarin Chinese)

Extra bonus points for SF/F from and/or about Southeast Asia or South Asia

I have a slightly better sense of SF/F created in Asia and popular in the US, though if you have notes for your specific country, that would also be good! Please note: NOT from Japan.

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Some time ago - on the order of a couple of years or more, I think, and I can't find the original post (Found! See below!) - I mused on LJ that whenever I wander through the deli section at the grocery store, the names of the meats* all seem like the names of manga characters in a shounen mystery/adventure manga.

Unfortunately, I've forgotten the name of the hero (It might have been Capicola), but I remember his love interest, Soppressata. And, naturally, his eternal rival: the evil Doctor Mortadella. And the hero's comedy sidekick, Ham Cappy.

Today at Central Markup Market, I found a few more characters. First up is the lusty Latin seducer Jamon Serrano, and the temptress Salame Rosa. In the grand tradition of cracked-out manga, they're probably triple or quadruple agents working for Doctor Mortadella ... OR ARE THEY?

We also have the circus-acrobat identical twins Porchetta and Pancetta.

And, dangit, I've forgotten the name I found that was obviously the name of the airship commanded by the Pirate Queen (It was something like "tortofutto," but googling returns nothing). I don't have her name yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.

I think it's a pseudo-historical totally anachronistic adventure story ranging around the world from the Barbary Coast (both of them) to the South Seas to the Spanish Main. Sort of steampunk with airships.

Ah, if only I could find that previous post, as I think I had several more names in that. Although I may pr may not have included the spunky English girl reporter, Olive Loaf.

And I will totally give ONE MILLION INTERNET DOLLARS to everyone who reviews it on their LJ and goes into detail about their favorite chapter and/or volume and/or story arc. Although it needs a title.


ETA: HAH! I have found the original post! And yes, the hero was Capocollo, who was torn between the above-mentioned Sopressata and the lovely Lady Bianca d'Oro. Doctor Mortadella's assistant is the dangerously beautiful Galantina.


* or "meats", as the case may be.

Hilarious juvenalia time!

yhlee has opened a post for you to post excerpts of all those hilariously awful stories you wrote as a kid and teen. :)

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Just watched Ancient Death Machines on the History Channel's Ancient Discoveries series. They did some experimenting on creating Greek fire grenades and a flamethrower that would shoot Greek fire a great distance. It was quite impressive. :) They also tested a model of a Chinese mine, a scythed chariot, and the most impressive-looking siege engine of all - which means it really wasn't that effective in practice because it was too big to move quickly - the Helepolis.