I'm Reading At Volumes on October 11th

First, a quick summary: things have been busy on the writing/Mom front, and I'm hoping to write some catch-up posts in the interim.

However, I am proud to announce my first-ever reading at Volumes Cafe on October 11th.

Here's the info via graphic:

And there's a Facebook event page as well. 

My Plans for August 2nd

Check out the details about this Raks Inferno fundraising event which features one of my fellow C2E2 panelists.

The Blog THIS, Pal! Spring Roadshow

I know, I've been delinquent in blogging - new freelance client and other writing has taken precedence...

But that doesn't mean that I'm going to be shy and antisocial. So in that spirit, here's a listing of the various outings where you can encounter me...

April 3rd, 6:30 pm - Doctor Who: Earthshock screening at LaCatrina Cafe

April 4th, 6:00 pm - Spark Chicago/Freelancer's Union Meeting on Negotiation, Serendipity Labs

April 6th, 11:15 - She's the Doctor Now Panel at C2E2, Room S403 

April 6th, 5:15 pm - Doctor Who Fan Meetup at C2E2, Room S502

April 8th - Windy City Pulp & Paper, "Sword & Sorcery in New Pulp" Panel, 12:00 pm

April 10th - Low Res Coworking Day (Part of Work at Home Coworking Meetup...yes, I also organize a coworking meetup, why do you ask?)

April 11th - Platform Coworking Meetup, Work at Home Coworking

April 14th - Doctor Who: The Girl In the Fireplace/Deep Breath screening, Omega Station

April 18th - Doctor Who: The Time Warrior screening at Third Coast Comics

April 21st - All Things BBC! Happy Hour, Red Lion Pub

April 28th - Two panels at A Celebration of Slashers at DePaul University

May 2nd - Spark Chicago Meeting, Serendipity Lab (Details TBD)

May 4th - Free Range Office Coworking Day (part of Work at Home Coworking Meetup)

May 5th, 11:00 am - The Timey Wimey Guide to Doctor Who panel at Oak Lawn Public Library 4th Annual Fan Fest: Worlds of Wonder

Join Me This Weekend for a Sherlockian Sunday!

As many of you know, I'm a frequent contributor to I Hear of Sherlock...and as board member of Chicago Nerd Social Club, I find myself engaged in many opportunities to sit and discuss many of my favorite things.

So this Sunday, August 9th, I will be part of CNSC's Sherlock 101 panel, where we'll be discussing Holmes in his many incarnations: BBC's Sherlock, CBS' Elementary, the classic Jeremy Brett series...we might even throw in a mention of that silent Holmes movie that was recently discovered and restored.

Here are the event details, and we're grateful to Open Books for opening up their new facility to us.

Oh, and when you see me - please say hello!

Announcing: DOCTOR WHO 101 on July 19th

This has been a really rough week, on multiple levels, but one thing that hasn't been rough...is that yes, thanks to Chicago Nerd Social Club, we'll be holding another Doctor Who 101 event.

We have some really cool guests for our panel (a change from the usual online slideshow), with pal JB from Who 37, my pals from Two Girls One Guy And a Tardis....and pal Phil from the late, lamented Bar Tab of Rassilon. We'll be discussing all sorts of cool Who stuff - favorite episodes, good jumping on points for fans....but ultimately, it's about Doctor Who. What else do you need?


So I'm inviting all of you to join us on Saturday, July 19th at Sulzer Library, located at 4455 N. Lincoln. (It's a short walk from the Western Brown Line station, as well as near the #78 Bus stop). The event will be in the auditorium (straight off the front door), and will start around 2:00 pm.

Cosplay not only welcome - it's encouraged.

All we ask - please RSVP at http://drwho101cnsc.eventbrite.com - that way, we know you're coming (and seats are limited)

At the very least, you can claim to have a close, personal encounter with me!

Whedonesque Appearance

No post today - please join me in room 1140 at noon at DePaul's College of Communications (located at 14 E. Jackson) for the "Problematic Portrayals" panel at Joss Whedon: A Celebration.

Details via Facebook. (Completely free to attend, and with lots more cool stuff). You're even more than welcome to spend the day.

Enjoy!

Your Post-C2E2 Third Coast Comics Moment of Zen

No, this isn't a mistake - this was rescheduled for today. Be sure to head there at 3:00 pm today!

Your Pre-C2E2 Support Your Local Comic Shop Moment of Zen

Heads up - event rescheduled for Monday. I'll repost this on Monday.

Your Doctor Who/Net Tuesday/Social Media Moment of Zen

The Doctor and Romana pre-Twitter

In September, Net2Chi (aka "Chicago Net Tuesday") is joining Netsquared's "Social Media September" and holding a lunch-and-learn around social media.

And given my proclivities, it will be Doctor Who-themed.

For more information and to RSVP, please visit http://www.meetup.com/net2chi/events/134577762/

Brewing Up A Pretty Busy Week

This has been kind of a busy week - I'm gearing up for some volunteer projects (including two that are very close to my heart), and had to shift my schedule around (personal obligations - at some point, will disclose publicly), but all in all, this is going to be one busy week....after a particularly not-so-busy week.

Obviously, there's a new Zone 4 episode up and running - I'll be blogging tomorrow about some recent news, but I think this episode helps nail my feelings and opinions on the head. It's always well worth a listen.

And if you happen to be in town on Monday, please check out Chicago Nerd Social Club's Marvel Vs. DC debate - get your free tickets here.

Hopefully, this weekend should be low key, except for possibly an excursion for karaoke and pancakes.

Kicking Into a Who-Ish Halloween

Spent most of this week recovering from a slightly nasty cold - thankfully, I'm in better spirits, and am feeling more ready for this weekend, which will include a Doctor Who-themed Halloween party on Saturday night, and a meetup/screening on Sunday.

(I'll also be making an appearance on October 30th on The Ultimate TV with pal Phil of Bar Tab of Rassilon. Perhaps there will be some news forthcoming....or at the very least, some on-camera shenanigans).

You also definitely want to give this week's Zone 4 a listen, where we engage in all sorts of tomfoolery. There are plenty of gratuitous Walking Dead references, and I openly mock the "Iron Chef of Opera" (who will be debating Marvel vs. DC with Pal Terry at Third Coast Pre-Election Night).

Also, if you'll be in town November 10th, I'll be putting on a special edition of the Chicago Geek Breakfast. Please be sure to check out our new main page at http://about.me/ChicagoGeekBreakfast.

And don't worry about my lack of blogging - I'm going to make up for it in November. Honestly.

Serving Up Some Comic Related Goodness

This is a huge week for me in terms of writing for Comic Related - not only did we have a historic Zone 4 podcast (which you all should listen to, right away), but I also have a guest review - and my "TV Party" column - up for your reading.

It is official - we're putting together the Bar Tab of Rassilon podcast. Maybe this way, I can politely chew out David Tennant fangirls. Because - let's face it - it's simply fun.

And, there's also a new Job Stalker up. And I'm doing a Doctor Who 101 session, the proceeds from which will fund the Doctor Who Meetup.

And so, to bed.

Time For A Nap

Yes, it's been a busy, hectic week, and I'm only now catching up on some work related assignments. (Mostly finishing things that I should have finished today, but hey, when you gotta crash....you gotta crash).

Anyway, I'm gearing up for an upcoming Net Tuesday meeting (which I would be very grateful if you could help get the word out, especially since now we have a cool entry on the Netsquared hub), a Doctor Who meetup, and a Geek Breakfast. (You can get all of this - and more - via this week's Job Stalker post)

(Minor quibble - getting a little weary of people who never show up for events insisting on changes or locations. Meetup accounts ain't cheap - except for Netsquared, who covers Net Tuesday - and quite honestly, they probably wouldn't come if I moved heaven and earth. But enough of my ranting and raving - I'll save that for Zone 4).

Well, that's it for me - now, time to bed.

You BAR TAB OF RASSILON Moment of Zen

Thinking of checking out tonight's Egen.tv fundraiser?  If so (and/or you're out of town), we're live streaming beginning at 6 pm CST. Either click on this link or watch in the embedded frame below!

Watch live streaming video from egentv at livestream.com

And now, your 80s music video moment of zen:

A Pulp-Flavored Weekend

As you may suspect, I will be spending most of my Saturday at Windy City Pulp and Paper Con, hanging out - and having good natured arguments - with Zone 4 co-conspirator Ron Fortier. (Followed by dinner with a St. Louis pal that evening). Yes, people, even though I have some freelance possibilities up in the air (my main one awaits funding; another awaits formal notification; comics work is still being performed), I'm still making my rounds out and about.

Speaking of "out and about", please be sure to check out this week's episode of Zone 4 - it's a great C2E2 recap, and quite honestly, it's always a lot of fun to record. Plus, you'll hear my professional jingle (which contains banjo - according to experts, banjo music makes any commercial impossible to ignore. I'll let you provide any further commentary or insight)

Sunday night, I will also be out and about, practicing some of the grooming tips I propose in this week's Job Stalker when I attend the fundraiser for egen.tv at Highball Lounge, located at 738 N. Clark. As many of you know, I co-host the impressively awesome Bar Tab of Rassilon (soon to be followed by the meetup imaginatively titled The Latte of Rassilon). But for those of you who are interested in attending (and/or making a donation on Indiegogo if you cannot make the Sunday night event), here's a great video explaining things in detail:





So please - feel free to share this post in your social networks, because getting me out of the house and socializing with others is always a good thing.

Where I'll Be This Sunday Night

Want to help a pal out? Want to support Bar Tab of Rassilon? If you or a pal are in the Chicago area, please feel free to either come or distribute this flyer. Thanks! 04/29/12 EGen Fundraising Flyer

Happy Birthday To Me!

One of these men is the height of awesomeness;
the other is Robert Conrad

My friends, today marks a significant milestone in my life.

I get a year older.

But given that I'll receive a plethora of well-meaning Facebook messages which say, "I'm too busy to actually talk to you in person", here's a great way for my online pals (and even Chicago-based readers) to celebrate.

I'm planning to be at Fado Irish Pub, located at Grand and Clark, about 6:00 pm. Please feel free to join me for celebration, good times, and general mirth making.

(And if you want to bring presents, that's OK, too).

And why the Wild Wild West screencap? Because not only is "Artemus Gordon" the greatest character name ever, but these guys knew how to kick back and have a good time while fighting diabolical, power-mad villains in the old west.

Hope to see you tonight!

(Screencap courtesy The Wild Wild West Season 2 episode, "The Night of the Ready Made Corpse". You can find it on You Tube via searching. Seriously. Watch it)

5 Reasons to Attend "Chicks & Guys Who Dig Time Lords" on 2/28

As you've probably noticed, I've been really talking up the upcoming event this Tuesday, February 28th, at Arlington Heights Memorial Library. The event is called Chicks - and Guys - Who Dig Time Lords: A Who-Centric Conversation, and features Lynne Thomas, who co-edited the book (and which I've blogged about previously).

Now you're probably wondering (if you haven't done so already) why you should RSVP for this event, to be held in the Hendrickson Room at 7:00 pm on 2/28.

Well, here are five reasons why (other than, hey, it focuses on Doctor Who, and seats are still available):

1. Hugo Awards Are A Big Deal - This is the creme de la creme of science fiction writing. You can get more information by visiting their web site. Considering that I found out about this through my involvement with Chicago Nerd Social Club, this is a real coup. 
2. It's Much Easier to Get to Arlington Heights Than You Think - It's about an hour's drive from downtown, and thankfully, the library is a mercifully brief walk from the Metra Station. The trains run until about 9:30 pm, so you can get home in time to go to bed early.
3. Haven't Read Chicks Dig Time Lords? No Problem - Copies of the book will be on sale at the event, and it's a lot less of an academic read than you might think. It's a really good book (I just had the privilege of rereading it, if only to generate some topics of conversation). 
4. Libraries are Cool Places - and librarians are cool people. This is a great way to help support libraries as they try to reach out to an increasingly apathetic public and more overtly hostile leadership. It's free, and quite honestly, you're going to get a really good experience. 
5. It's Family Friendly - for a show that is starting to bridge generations, we need more events like this, where you can feel free to ask questions. Yes, we will have some obnoxious fans who will attempt to one-up people in terms of experience (and I should know - I'm one of them), but this is going to be a great event. I think people will have fun.

In fact, I'll even be slightly dressed up for the event - thankfully, my pal Rachel of The Working Wardrobe has given me some styling tips, so I'll avoid the usual tweed-and-plaid ensemble I normally wear to these things.

Thanks for reading, and when you come, please feel free to approach me and say "hi". I'm not that curmudgeonly in real life. 

Time Lords & Analytics Are A Girl's Best Friend

Another very important self-promotional post - mostly because I want to not only encourage people to go, but to also help spread the word.

First, as you may have read previously, I am lucky enough to be participating in a live discussion about Doctor Who with Lynne Thomas, Hugo Award-winning co-author of Chicks Dig Time Lords. It's a book of essays about women who like the show...and I think we're going to have a great evening. We're going to be holding the event on Tuesday, February 28th, at 7:00 pm, in the Hendrickson Room at Arlington Heights Memorial Library. So far, we have plenty of people signed up, and this is an event you do not want to miss. To RSVP, just simply head to http://bit.ly/ChicksDigTL and let us know you're coming. In fact, you can even call me out on not liking fezzes, and be sure to order some DVDs and help support the blog. (Yes, I'm switching to another affiliate program, and ordering DVDs will help offset domain and other costs of the blog).

On a much more down-to-earth note, Chicago Net Tuesday is holding part one of a two-part series on web analytics and non-profits. (Keidra Chaney, who is a great presenter, is kicking it off in style). So please spend Valentine's Day discussing....well, stats and info. Our next Net Tuesday meeting is on February 14th at Tech Nexus, located at the southwest corner of Adams & Wacker. However, since it is a secure building, you will need to RSVP first - just head to http://www.meetup.com/net2chi and say "yes".

Hopefully, if I play my cards right, I might be able to parlay my various interests into a paying gig...but until then, it's freelance ahoy! (Or "the new new name for this blog")

Attention: Stalkers!

Here's where I'll be this Thursday - RSVP via the link: