Sunday Afternoon Online Knockabout

As you can hear on this week's episode of Zone 4, I had the opportunity to review pal Ron's latest comic for Red Bud Studios, I.V. Frost. (It will be released at Pulpfest in early August). Please give the podcast a listen for a more detailed review, but the short form - I liked it.

Thanks to making my publishing debut in Pro Se Productions' Tall Pulp anthology, I now have my own Amazon.com page. Trust me when I say that by this time next year, there will be some other works joining it. (And yes, I will be creating an Amazon store with my editing and writing efforts, so keep an eye on that page - it'll grow. Trust me.)

In other news, I've switched domain hosts (since my previous one was evil, and I am falling in love with my new domain registrar/web hosting site DreamHost) for my personal web site, and I'm creating a web site to develop a freelance consultancy. (Although I'm open to full time work, I also want something in place for the various freelance/consulting opportunities that seem to come my way). If you want to provide feedback on my professional site, please feel free to drop me a line via e-mail. It's a WordPress site, and since I'm honing my mad WP skills, could always use the feedback.

One of the other things that has happened is that, as a south sider, I'm learning about some really cool local initiatives, including a business incubator due east in the Woodlawn neighborhood. For more details (and for a heads-up on a free information session), please check out my blog post for ChicagoNow.

In other news, I will also be working on two other projects - I'm fortunate enough to be running the charity auction for Chicago TARDIS this year, and I'll also be prepping for the Chicago Geek Breakfast on August 14th. It's a nice, casual networking event for those of us who want an alternative to the $25-for-two-drink-tickets style of event prevalent in Chicago. If you're in the area on that day, please stop by and give us a visit - you can RSVP via Eventbrite.

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.

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.

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!

July - Brought to You By Coffee!

Ok, so you're thinking, "Oh, Gordon, you're just going to link to this week's rather impressive Zone 4 episode and your extremely clever, Doc Savage-influenced Job Stalker column this month, aren't you?"

Well, yes, but you'll have plenty of other opportunities in the month to have a close, personal interaction with yours truly, including:

• On Tuesday, July 10th, there will be a very special Net Tuesday meeting. Geared towards newer members, this is going to be one where we're announcing a slight change in direction. You probably want to be there if you want to be part of using tech for the social good.
• On Wednesday, July 11th, come to Third Coast Comics for the Chicago Doctor Who Meetup's screening of Matt Smith's Favorite Doctor Who story. Yes, we're only calling it that to get the newbies, because the Tennant and Smith worship....needs to be tempered a bit.
• July 19th brings the latest edition of the Chicago Geek Breakfast. For those of you who complain that it's too early....well, where's your sense of initiative? Real geeks get more done by 5 am....by huge amounts of caffeine.
• The Lakeview edition of Learnapalooza on Saturday, July 21st will feature two presentations by me at Next Door Cafe - Doctor Who 101 at 11:30 am, and Sherlock Holmes and Social Media at 1:00 pm. You'll need to RSVP on the Learnapalooza web site if you plan on attending - these are going to be popular presentations. After all, they're on the back of the Learnapalooza t-shirt.

That's right - as my freelance work is slowly, but surely, coming together (with interviews for potential full time positions as well), I'm putting together a rather impressive array of activities, and you are more than welcome to attend and have a close, personal interaction with me.