News Archives: July 2003

Thursday, July 31, 2003

The Castle - New Satire

Last night I finished the first draft of "The Castle", a fantasy satire about the end of the universe and the lengths men will go to for secular survival. I'm quietly pleased with it, though I hate the title. A common problem with me, I fear. I'm going to spend a little time reading over and re-drafting it, change the title, then I just need to find a publisher...

Posted by graham @ 08:52 am

Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Avon's One Returns

The BBC has announced the return of Blake's Seven. At its best, B7 was the most politically astute sci-fi to ever make the small screen. Although it appears that Gareth Thomas and Sally Knyvette will not be in the cast, the program's return is something to look forward to. No matter what Grantus may think.

Posted by graham @ 01:28 pm

New Online Opinion Columns

A little late, but not one but two new Online Opinion columns are now up. Death and the Lost Weapons deals with Iraqi and Western public reaction to the deaths of Uday and Qusay Hussein. I try to place the manner of their deaths in context of the wider alleged search for the weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, Spying on the Internet deals with a subject closer to home - the immoral and possibly illegal (depending where you live) invasion of privacy that an increasing number of web sites are routinely practicing.

Posted by graham @ 10:51 am

Monday, July 28, 2003

Glorantha Section Takes Shape

I've finally got round to transferring the Gloranthan bits and pieces from my old site. Given that all I've done is a little re-formatting, its taken shockingly long. I've also added the short piece I wrote for the Gloranthacon VIII program. Probably the first time most people will see it.

At some point I want to rework some of this - certainly the house rules section, and probably either re-work or follow up the Trollkin Economy article. Maybe after the con I'll have time...

Posted by graham @ 09:30 pm

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

New Online Opinion Column

The latest Online Opinion column is now live. Tragedy of a Brave Man deals with the death of Dr Kelly, making some attempt to uncover the motives behind the actions of the major players. I also rant briefly on the relative value that the media and government place on the lives of foreigners, squaddies and middle-classed civil servants.

Posted by graham @ 08:29 am

Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Burning Buildings

Phew. The last few days have been, to put it mildly, hectic. We were woken at 6.15 on Saturday morning by a call from two friends whose flat had just burnt down. We drove into Edinburgh, helped with shopping for new clothes, then brought them and their few surviving possesions back to ours. Luckily they've now got a new flat (the letting company is bending over backwards to help out - possibly from fear of lawsuits...) and we helped them move in last night. Three days of insurance issues and panics.

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and they appear to have lost little that is irreplacable. Next Saturday's proposed flat warming party may even go ahead, just at a different address...

Posted by graham @ 10:05 am

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

New Online Opinion Column

The latest Online Opinion column is now up. Intolerance of Homophobia examines some of the recent news stories that have touched on homophobia, and makes what I would hope is a common sense plea to marginalise the bigots from the debate.

Posted by graham @ 07:51 am

Monday, July 14, 2003

Grouses and Badgers

I've finished two more (short) pieces for the forthcoming Scotscon fundraiser, now tentatively titled "Mysteries of the Blue Moon". Both describe unusual sentient animals from the world of Glorantha - the Gloranthan Grouse, and the Badger Passare. For more info, you'll have to buy a copy...

Although I've only just got round to posting this, I did finish the pieces on Saturday. Distractions in the form of too many birthdays have got in the way of boasting here. For the record the score is : Duncan (birthday Saturday, party Friday), Keith (my Father in Law, birthday Friday, party Sunday), and Cary & Cisco (the cats, birthday today, party yesterday when they got the remains of the pork ribs...)

Posted by graham @ 05:39 pm

Wednesday, July 9, 2003

New Online Opinion Column

The latest Online Opinion column is now up - slightly early for once! Converting to Europe attempts to summarise some of the more compelling arguments for integrating ourselves more closely with Europe.

Posted by graham @ 08:43 am

New Scotscon Website

Yesterday, I put the finishing touches to the website for Scotscon, which now resides at www.gloranthagrouse.com. I'll probably make many changes between now and the con itself, but at least the long overdue website is now live.

Posted by graham @ 08:41 am

Monday, July 7, 2003

Scotscon Guest of Honour : Sandy Petersen

Sandy Petersen has just agreed to be our Guest of Honour at Scotscon. Wow! If you don't know who Sandy is, you should. Responsible for creating the Call of Cthulhu rpg, more great material for Runequest than seems humanly possible, and computer games from Quake to Age of Mythology. The man is a legend, and we're very proud to have him.

Posted by graham @ 08:17 pm

Friday, July 4, 2003

Darkroom's Freefall CD

This morning, an unmarked CD in a reused jiffy bag arrived in the post. Turned out to be the new live album from Darkroom - Freefall. This is the first example I've seen of what they're calling a "weed" CD - in fact, the idea is close to what is normally called "viral marketing". Basically, if you ask, they'll send you a free CDR with the album on it. The only condition is that (a) if you don't like it, you give it to someone who does, or (b) if you do like it, make some copies and spread them around.

The CD itself is very ambient. Lots of synths, experimental textures, and sets up a very brooding mood, although the last track, with its airy guitars, is lighter. I'm really rather enjoying it. Twenty minute ambient instrumental jams may not be everyone's taste, but this is a good example, and is thoroughly recommended for late night mellowing.

I have no idea how well the experiment is working, but I am going to make a few copies to hand out to friends - let me know if you might like one - and next time I'm placing an order at the Burning Shed a Darkroom CD or two will be included.

Posted by graham @ 05:09 pm

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Narrowing the GM Debate

A little late, but the lastest opinion column is now up. Narrowing the GM Debate attacks those, on both sides, who are turning the GM debate into an "all or nothing" argument.

Posted by graham @ 11:39 am

Tuesday, July 1, 2003

Car Update

Since I last posted on my car, much has happened. The other driver has been very decent, and I had a letter on Thursday from her insurer admitting liability. My car had already gone to the garage by then - they collected it on Tuesday. Given the long list of problems they found, I'm very glad I didn't decide to drive it in myself. The damage was far worse than it seemed at first. It'll be at least the end of next week before I get her back.

Currently, I'm using a courtesy car - a little silver Peugeot 206, delivered Thursday evening. It's okay, but a bit plastic and doesn't handle as well as my Almeira. Why do Nissans have a reputation as "boring but reliable" and Peugeots as "fun and sporty"? I have much more fun nipping up and down the motorway in my own car. I guess its all down to the marketing.

Posted by graham @ 08:33 am

The Huraya Practice

Last night (too late to post) I finished the first draft of the Huraya Practice - Love Shamans of Sartar for the forthcoming Scotscon fundraiser. Claire, who is co-writing this one with me, now needs to go over it. Wonder how many changes she'll want made?

Posted by graham @ 08:24 am

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