Monday, May 17, 2010

The Latest from Boing Boing

The Latest from Boing Boing

Link to Boing Boing

Dio obit

Posted: 16 May 2010 09:24 PM PDT

Sad news! Dio died.

JJ Interview

Posted: 16 May 2010 09:08 PM PDT

"You don't really feel like you've sold your soul to Apple until you buy one of their routers." [The Setup]

Seattle tries to shut down burlesque wrestling show Lucha VaVoom

Posted: 16 May 2010 07:37 PM PDT

Marlow sez, "The City of Seattle Dept of Licensing is trying to shut down the Lucha VaVoom burlesque and wrestling show because they consider it professional sport instead of performance art, theatre and burlesque. So far the wrestlers have complied with their fees, their blood tests and the physical exams required of the DOL - the DOL are treating this show not as theater but real fighting like MMA, boxing, etc ... plus they are shaking down the show for a portion of their door. They shut down this kind of theater in Seattle in the past, claiming it's a real sport, when in fact it's often choreographed. Tonight's show is also threatened."

So, I've seen this shoe, back in 2007 in LA. The idea that it's a "sport" show is ridiculous on its face - it's a kind of extended comedy act with a lot of pratfalls and video and so forth (incidentally, it's also very good).

Lucha VaVoom (Thanks, Marlow!)

Previously:


William Goldman's Captain Marvel screenplay

Posted: 16 May 2010 02:57 PM PDT

Zack sez, "William Goldman is one of the most legendary screenwriters in Hollywood, winning Oscars for BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID and ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN. In 2003, he wrote a screenplay for New Line adapting the classic comic book character Captain Marvel (aka 'Shazam!'). His screenplay was ultimately unused, but a PDF of the script is downloadable at the site MyPDFScripts.com (which also features a ton of other unproduced screenplay, including Oliver Stone's take on Alfred Bester's THE DEMOLISHED MAN and Nick Cave's GLADIATOR 2)."
According to Variety, two-time Oscar-winner William Goldman (Dreamcatcher) will script the big-screen version of Shazam! for New Line Cinema and producer Michael E. Uslan. The trade paper says the film will debut in either Christmas 2004 or summer 2005. No director has been hired yet.


Thailand: "The protest has turned into a rebellion or insurrection"

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:48 AM PDT

Boing Boing reader Alex Ringis in Western Australia, who has been keeping close watch on the political upheaval in Bangkok, Thailand, writes:

TruthToday100507-10CivilWar.jpg I'm sure you've heard by now, that Bangkok / Thailand is kind of a big deal in the news? I feel really bad in pointing out that this is what I feared way back when I brought this issue to Boing Boing's attention, screaming something to the effect of "This is going to be HUGE" - it gives me no pleasure to be proven correct. Tonight Thailand is virtually in a state of Civil War.

Here are two editorials:

Ron's latest update from 2bangkok.com is exceptionally well written, balanced, and gives a fantastic insight into how things got so bad so quickly.

And today I was shared a link to an editorial in the Bangkok Post, which effectively mirrors what I have personally been thinking all weekend - that this "Protest" has actually turned into a rebellion or insurrection.

Here is "citizen journalist" video from "Ace Wushu" [embedded above]. He's updating at least every hour or so from his apartment complex, where it sounds like he's barricaded in with a bunch of frightened Thais.

And this video, "Red Shirt Got Shot" is just... so distressing. I am literally in tears at most of this footage. Din Daeng, earlier on Saturday, May 15. I don't think I can stand to watch any of this stuff anymore. I'm so upset at what is happening. Tonight I'm meditating on peace for Thailand very very hard.

INSET IMAGE, from 2bankgkok.com: A protest poster in Bangkok, May, 2010. The Thai lettering on the figure is meant to imply that several top politicians in Thailand "desire death and chaos."

An earlier update from Alex sent to Boing Boing on May 14 follows, with more news links.

Thailand has become the top story on Al-Jazeera, CNN, and BBC's international news pages.

Probably related to this - the Red Shirts' Self-proclaimed "Military Leader", "Seh Daeng" (who lead a bunch of black-clad goons who were part of the violence last month) was shot in the head by a sniper, presumably by the military or by elements in the now divided Red Shirts (some are "Doves" And others are "Hawks"). Worth mentioning, Seh Daeng was shot AS he was being interviewed by a New York Times Journalist, there's an interview with him on CNN where the journalist claims he felt the bullet "graze his head". Apparently the last thing Daeng said was "The Military can't get in here".



Believe it or not, I am scheduled to fly into Bangkok on Monday. While some time ago I initially intended to go into the heart of things and take some shots or footage and interview some people, now that things seem to be getting completely out of hand I'm reconsidering that now. Several Journalists have been shot - at least one Canadian, one French, and several Thai ones. Apparently the French Journalist is in critical condition. This is all apparently due to crossfire. I don't have the resources of CNN / BBC reporters who enjoy the luxury of flak jackets/helmets and armored vehicles. I love Thailand, and want to bring her plight to the world, but risking my life for a bit of good footage seems like a choice I shouldn't have to make. We will see.

Here is some intense and dramatic footage of what I believe is the Canadian Journalist I mentioned being shot in the leg, then carried off, with the French Journalist afterwards.



My Government [Australia] has an active travel advisory against all but "essential" travel to Bangkok, and many friends over there are now advising us not to come, although some who have just holed up in their condos seem to think it's should be ok - the Thai paradox - even when there's a revolution going on, some people are all "Meh, no big deal. Have some more 'Som Tam'"... The bottom line is it's almost certain if we go we'll be confined to our hotel rooms, or travelling on foot if we wish to go anywhere. With a state of Emergency in effect, the city is effectively crippled.

Editor's note: Journalist Newley Purnell is another excellent source for ongoing updates. He's in Bangkok now. I've been following him on Twitter.


And here are two Twitter users in Thailand right now who, as I understand it, are Canadian citizens stuck in Bangkok—both sending regular and vivid updates: @markmackinnon, @legalnomads (via @markaci)

Previously:


Piano roll wallpaper

Posted: 16 May 2010 06:54 AM PDT

Nebula Award winners!

Posted: 16 May 2010 06:49 AM PDT

Cograts to all the winners of this year's Nebula Award, and a big squee to all the writers at the ceremony who got to go watch NASA launch a spaceship!
GRAND MASTER: Joe Haldeman

SHORT STORY: Winner: "Spar" by Kij Johnson

NOVELETTE: Winner: Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast by Eugie Foster

NOVELLA: Winner: The Women of Nell Gwynne's by Kage Baker

NOVEL: Winner: The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

BRADBURY AWARD BEST DRAMATIC PRODUCTION: Winner: District 9 by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell

ANDRE NORTON AWARD: Winner: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

THE SOLSTICE AWARD (for impact on the field): Tom Doherty, Terri Windling, and Donald Wolheim.

SERVICE TO SFWA: Keith Stokes

AUTHOR EMERITUS: Neil Barret Jr

2010 Nebula Award Winners!
Previously:


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