Recorded a small part for an audio newsletter called Kidsworthy the other day. The plot concerns a group of time-traveling kids called The Whatever Gang. I played an alien named Ebe. That guest spot on The Simpsons is just around the corner, now.
I still have yet to hear back from Rue Morgue. I happened to meet the two gents who run the magazine at this year’s Word on the Street, and both expressed interest and enthusiasm for my writing something for their publication. I wrote what I thought was a fairly decent query letter, and included a list of my equally-decent writing credits, but to date I haven’t heard a peep.
I can deal with rejection (hell, I have a whole section of my website devoted to it), but I don’t like being ignored. Grr.
Maddox has written a great article identifying the types of nerds out there roaming the earth — quoting Star Trek, pontificating about the allegorical imagery in The Lord of the Rings, and not getting laid. Shine on, you pathetic bastards.
In related news, I thought up an experiment I’d like to test on the Internet geek society of which we all incredibly fascinated. This Tuesday past, the new, extended cut of The Lord of the Rings came out on DVD in two formats: a four-disc case done up like an ancient tome (very snazzy), and a five-disc box set priced thirty dollar more on account of the extra disc and a pair of miniature, statuesque bookends. The fifth disc contains only a National Geographic documentary, and the bookendss are just, well, bookends. Which prompts me wonder just who in their right mind would shell out the extra money for the five-disc set.
Enter the nerds.
My experiment, which Maddox might want to carry out himself (for research purposes, of course), involves making a few tongue-in-cheek message posts regarding the intelligence of certain Rings nerds who are creaming their collective shorts over the five-disc set. My question is: how do you justify spending your hard-earned money (which should be going toward the rent you for living in your parents’ basement) on a National Geographic special and a set of bookends?
This isn’t a difficult—or even a loaded—question. The smart nerd (ha-ha) will say he/she is a completist and wants the set to complete their collection. A fair reply. Twisted and sad, but fair.
Unfortunately, most nerds are not smart (the ability to speak Klingon will never serve you in life, I’m sorry to say), but therein lies the fun—the fun of listening to how the rest of the nerds will justify their superfluous purchase!
The results should amuse you, Constant Visitor, as you’re likely to read some very creative writing.
Ian
