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!

This Week In Online Content

This has been an incredibly busy - and slightly stressful - week, dealing with online attacks (I hope I've proven that I'm no spammer); losing a freelance contract while maintaining my professional efforts; and feeling a bit shagged out. But that hasn't stopped me from my writing efforts, and this week sees quite a bit that's been "in the hopper" for awhile, including

• This review of Thomas Goetz's The Remedy for I Hear of Sherlock. Not coincidentally, if you're a writer looking for books to review, you might want to check out NetGalley;
• Pal Michi has a cool write-up of my Doctor Who-themed session for C2E2;
• A rewrite of a Comic Related column for your consideration at Chicago Nerd Social Club;
• And, of course, the latest Chicago Now One Cause At a Time post

Have fun, stay warm....and I'm going to go see Captain America: Winter Solder...because I need a bit of fun.

Two Pre-Birthday Gifts You Can Give!

As many of you may be aware, next Thursday is my birthday. Although I don't expect much (and for my Chicago friends - throwing me a surprise birthday bash is not unwanted), I thought I would provide a nice way for several of you to bring me some well-earned birthday cheer....and do some good.

First, I'm volunteering with Chicago Nerd Social Club at Chiditarod, a race to help raise funds and collect food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This Saturday, March 1st, I'll be volunteering from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm with CNSC at Emporium, located at 1366 N. Milwaukee. You can visit, bring food (we're collecting), buy drinks (the bar will donate the more you drink), and generally just be cool.

(Can't make it? Don't live in Chicago? We have a web site where you can donate as well)

Also, remember that Zeppelin Tales anthology I co-edited for Airship 27 Productions?

It's up for a New Pulp Award....and voting is open to the public.

Seeing as Chicago has a strong history of honest, open elections, I will say this - in order to vote, you need a pulse.

Simply head on over to this link to download a ballot, and e-mail to newpulp2014@yahoo.com by March 12th. 

Do one or the other, and you have my eternal respect and gratitude. Do both, and you'll be my best friend for life.

Five Non-Spoilery Thoughts on DAY OF THE DOCTOR

Yesterday, like many other people, I watched The Day of the Doctor, the 50th anniversary special for Doctor Who. Of course, it helped that I had planned a group view with Chicago Doctor Who Meetup and Chicago Nerd Social Club; despite the previous 36 hours being crazy (due to an online final exam, efforts to move people from waiting list to main list, and other activities), I managed to make it to the showing with relatively high energy.
And now, for your reading enjoyment, five thoughts on Day of the Doctor:

1. November 23rd, 2013 was a great date for one simple reason: it proved something that I have always believed: fandom is a phenomenon that is best enjoyed when it's shared. Despite having multiple complaints from multiple others in the past, those who attended, made comments, etc, made it all worthwhile. You don't know what the heck that means to me.
2. Personally, I think this would be a great pilot for a sitcom starring Matt Smith and David Tennant - rather than do Pertwee/Troughton-style bickering, the two Doctors perform a kind of Abbott and Costello double act, and I want to see more of it. Seriously.
3. Plotwise, much is resolved and handled in a very creative way, so much so that I wonder how much Steven Moffatt had this in his head, and how much was simply sitting at a keyboard and typing away.
4. Yes, there is fan service. And two moments had me actually squeeing....which, if you know me, is not a pleasant experience to be around. Enough where the uberfans who declare the current show runner to be the "worst show runner ever" were lifting their jaws off of the floor.
5. Quite simply, I felt the same way watching Day of the Doctor that I did when I watched The Five Doctors for the first time....on November 23rd.....on public television. Yes, I was that proud.

Yes, I'm hoping to get a review DVD to watch. Something tells me this is one story that I'm going to want to watch repeatedly....

Guess Where I'll Be Today

The answer - Mad River. The reason - I'll allow this video to explain:



I'll have a review up tomorrow. Honest.

Gearing Up For A Who-Centric Week

Courtesy BBC Home Entertainment

Here it is, my friends - my weekly summary of various comings and goings in my life, focusing on cool online activities.

I'm gearing up for a big party/screening with the organizers of Geek Bar, which is proving to be a great venue/concept. If you're interested in joining me on Monday night, here are the particulars via Chicago Nerd Social Club.

And speaking of Chicago Nerds, you might want to also check out my recent review of the Green Death: Special Edition DVD release. As always, I would like to thank the great people at BBC Home Entertainment for the opportunity to review some great releases.

And finally, are DC Comics only for 45 year olds? Dan Didio allegedly made this comment to Paul Pope, and Brant, Ron, John and I discuss this deeply profound psychological and philosophical conundrum in the latest episode of the Zone 4 podcast. 

Finally, most of this weekend will be spent avoiding Wizard World, which is somewhat of a shame. Unfortunately, I'm not quite feeling like attending an event that feels like a flea market....but that may be just me.

Friday's Child Is...A Pretty Good STAR TREK Episode

For a guy with no real job, I'm....quite busy.

Lost out on a dream consulting gig, so now, am working to get some more work. (Of course, I admire how some people are "too busy" to help with, say, organizing events....but who can Facebook all over the place). However, in an effort to drive traffic - and to build my SEO - here's an assortment of links and information from this past week:

• This week's Zone 4 brings a "lost" episode of the late, but not quite lamented, Transmissions from Zone 4. Also, be sure to enter our really cool contest where you can help us become "pop culture icons"...or at least, something more fun to play than Stratego.
• If you know anyone willing to help out with social media/advocacy for a West side non-profit, please be sure to send them to the August Chicago Net Tuesday meeting. We could really use the help.
• New entry on the Baker Street Blog!
• Know anyone interested in Doctor Who? Please be sure to send them to the August Meetup, as well as the Dabble Doctor Who 101 session
• New Job Stalker (which shares this photo!)
• August Geek Breakfast coming soon!

Yes, I'm getting back on the blogging horse!

Saturday Morning Online Catch-Up

Yes, it's that time again - time for me to highlight the various goings-on and online shenanigans that I've been participating in throughout the past week.

If you haven't already, be sure to RSVP for Doctor Who 101 on 11/19 (that's next Saturday) from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. If you're a Facebook pal and have RSVP'd yes to the invite....you still need to use the Eventbrite page. Yes, it's that critical.

I've also begun parlaying my involvement with Chicago Net Tuesday into "building my brand", as the marketing wonks would say. You can easily join us on Google Plus, and you can find me there as well, via my about.me page.

In addition, I can also now post my own blog entries to Chicago Now's Job Stalker, and I have to say....I'm actually quite glad. I was getting a wee bit concerned with the slightly dour introductions - now, I can bring on my most positive attitudes uncensored!

(Work-wise, freelancing is hectic, but OK; some great opportunities have come in for the future that are going to really rock. Have some fun stuff early in 2012 that I can't talk about just yet, but trust me, I think all of you will dig it).

And finally, new Zone 4! (Dr. Whoverse is a rerun this week, thanks to our crack producer being in Austin....and I kinda wish he would stay there. But that's a tale for another time). And if you have a few bucks, why not sponsor us? (If you do, I will say nice things about you). Take it away, Brant!

Getting in Trouble Online: The Friday Edition

By now, you're probably all used to me posting about my online shenanigans, whether it's another post for Chicago Now's Job Stalker or another call for you to head to http://bit.ly/WhoverseLive to listen the Doctor Who online show I co-host (with episode three up on the archive at http://bit.ly/Whoverse). God, you'd think there was some kind of convention about the show coming up.....

...well, on November 19th at 12:00 pm, I'm fortunate enough to host a third (and final for this year) Doctor Who 101 session at Next Door Chicago, located at 659 W. Diversey next to Trader Joe's. (Thanks to Chicago Nerd Social Club for allowing me one last blow-out). We're able to hold more people (it is a Saturday afternoon)...but if you're planning to come, we're asking that you please RSVP by heading to http://doctorwho101.eventbrite.com. 

In addition, I'll also be doing a guest-shot on Saturday at 2 pm CST on WGTR's Live Long & Prosper, which is a Star Trek-themed show. (In all honesty, I'll be called and participate via phone). Of course, this also means that I'm going to have to write twice the material, since I don't want my best material to be wasted and leave my Zone 4 pals wanting.

Speaking of which, check out this week's episode - I'll leave you with Brant's description, but you definitely want to give this episode a listen from beginning to end. The final end:

Your Pre-Halloween Preparatory Moments of Zen

Yes, this weekend is the lead-up to Halloween, and my plans are...well, thanks to little ol' freelancer me, I'll be spending good chunks of it working and being very mobile. I can't really complain though - it was some relatively poor planning on my part, and quite frankly, I'm going to have to start making social engagements more of a priority.

(It's one of the key disadvantages to evening and weekend work - topsy-turvey scheduling. However, thankfully my work commitments have led to a relatively stable income....not enough to buy a sportscar, but enough to take care of amenities. My only worry is a slightly sick cat, but that's part of the grand tapestry of life.

Money matters are actually handled in my latest post for Chicago Now's Job Stalker - it's a follow up to an earlier piece, and is one of the better pieces of writing that I've done in awhile.

Also, on Sunday at 1:00 pm CST, please join me and Phil for another live edition of Whoverse, the streaming Internet Doctor Who Radio Show. Simply click here, and you'll get to hear our live discussion of all things Who. (Please note - we're working on online access, so messaging me on Facebook asking why we're not giving you a shout-out may not be very effective). You can catch past episodes (both of them!) by clicking here.

Finally, there's a new, Halloween-themed episode of Zone 4 (via Comic Related) with an introductory bit that....well, let's let Brant explain it:



See you Monday with a final Quatermass & the Pit....as well as a little something extra.....

Zone 4: Makes Your Week Complete

Vamping on a Kids in the Hall sketch, circa 1993

If it's Friday, it's time once again for another Zone 4 episode, wherein I learn a hard lesson - always turn off the desk fan while recording. But it's a fun comic related show that you should be listening to, so subscribe today and join us on Facebook!

Next week is going to be very busy for me - starting a few freelance gigs (nothing full-time, but will bring in some sorely needed income), but am more than eager for the opportunity to work. But here's some of the other places you will find me:

• my review of Action Comics # 1 is up as the Comic Related "Hot Shot of the Week";
• this past week's Job Stalker guest post features another one of my pop culture-flavored metaphors;
• thanks to Gaper's Block for the nod for this Tuesday's Chicago Nerds Doctor Who 101 event (and if you attend, please buy coffee and baked goods);
• don't forget the Chicago Red Cross Mission: Red fundraiser next Friday at 8:00 pm - buy your tickets here!
• I actually spent some time building out this site with sub-pages and other cool features....but in the spirit of tradition, will continue to keep misspelling words and using punctuation poorly. 

Thanks for reading, and don't worry - more blogging fun to come.