Geekery

Whatever I’m geeking out about at the time.

Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold

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30/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Collects three in-universe novellas with a bit of a framing story. Of the three, the third was the best, then the first, and the last was the weakest. Admittedly, that analysis is definitely affected by modern biases; the middle story’s approach to going beyond the gender binary, while likely progressive at the time, is very dated by today’s standards, and there’s a consensual intimate relationship that involves a somewhat eyebrow-raising age issue. That said, all three are still enjoyable additions to the Vorkosigan saga.

Me holding Borders of Infinity

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold

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28/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A bit of a deviation from the main thread of the Vorkosigan , but still related (similar to how Rogue One is “A Star Wars Story”). Bujold continues to demonstrate a gift for creating flawed but endearing characters and dropping them into situations both amusing and adventurous. And while I wouldn’t have expected much from a sheltered, naïve, gay obstetrician who’s never met a woman in his life before venturing off-planet, title character Ethan makes for a very entertaining protagonist.

Me holding Ethan of Athos

The Face of the Unknown by Christopher L. Bennett

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27/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A “year four” adventure that serves to both bridge the gap between TOS and TAS (and explain some of the changes to the ship and crew between the shows) and to take a much deeper dive into the First Federation as first introduced in The Corbomite Maneuver. Along the way, we get to learn more about Balok’s threatening puppet, Spock gets some introspective assistance, and Kirk…well, Kirk does his thing with impassioned speeches and eyeing alien women. The exploration of the First Federation is obviously the core theme, and it’s done well, extrapolating well from what little we learn in the TOS episode. One of the better TOS novels.

Me holding The Face of the Unknown

Gremlins 2: The New Batch

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Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love how this one just chucks any pretense at holding on to the more serious horror elements of the first and goes full-bore into off-the-wall ridiculousness. From lampooning major elects of the first to getting Christopher Lee to breaking the fourth wall, they don’t hold back when it comes to going over the top. The creature effects are still a lot of fun as well. Happy to see that this one is still fun to watch.

Archnophobia

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Arachnophobia (1990): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While watching this at home doesn’t have quite the same impact as on the big screen at a midnight show that you had to sneak out of the house to go to and then walk home in the early morning dark…it’s still a fun and wonderfully cringe-inducing bit of comedy thriller. Holds up remarkably well for a 34-year old film. Highly recommended — unless (or perhaps especially if) you’re scared of spiders. ;)

Year 50 Day 342

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Me holding my iPad with Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album on the screen.

Day 342: Just a quick word of thanks to those people I’ve seen making snarky comments or sharing snarky memes about Beyoncé’s new album. I’ve been so wrapped up with Norwescon that I was only vaguely aware that it had come out, but I saw enough grumbling that it got me curious. Gave it a listen today, and it is a really strong album, absolutely deserving of the accolades that (as I now know, after doing a little reading today) it has been getting. So, thanks for being vocal about your disdain! You helped her make another sale!