Recent and not-so-recent announcements that made me happy
Yesterday I got lost in the building where I've been working for nine months. It wasn't even a different floor than usual. I also spent most of the day thinking it was Thursday, even though I'd been sure it was Wednesday, because my watch told me it was, and then by the time I checked the day against my computer and discovered it really was Wednesday, I had convinced myself it was Thursday, and I got confused all over again.
I am just waiting for the weekend when I can reset myself and run properly. Like my corrected watch.
Technolust news
Kobo just announced the Kobo Vox, an unlocked Android color tablet/ereader, for $199. The hardware isn't quite as good as the Kindle Fire's or the nook Color's, so this is really an opportunity to see how eager the market is for unlocked readers. The PR says it supports epubs, which I assume means that the default Kobo reader supports epubs; since the tablet's unlocked, it supports pretty much any file format out of the box as long as you install an Android app for it.
Asus just announced the Asus Transformer Prime, the second generation of their tablet+keyboard product. I have been scouting out all reviews of tablets-with-physical-keyboards eagerly, because I think this would be the perfect netbook replacement, but so far none of the existing products have gotten unmixed reviews. We'll see how this one is come December. At least it's prettier than the previous version.
Manga news
Vertical is putting out Moyoco Anno's Sakuran, a manga about an Edo-era prostitute. I am so thrilled! I read all of Anno's work that was available in English earlier this year, and she is amazing and sharp and uncomfortable and funny. Sadly, despite attempts by three different publishers, her work has never sold well in English. I thought no one was going to take a risk on her work again. Here's hoping this time is the charm -- and that the fierce, uncompromising work of her mentor, Kyoko Okazaki, comes next.
Fantagraphics announced that Matt Thorn will be publishing Moto Hagio's Heart of Thomas, one of the two profoundly influential manga that are credited with launching the careers of the Year 24 Group or Magnificent Forty-Niners and the entire boys-love genre, as well as shaping contemporary manga's design and themes.
Unspoilery observations about The Vampire Diaries
Stefan/Elena is like Angel/Buffy if David Boreanaz could act but had no chemistry with Sarah Michelle Gellar. You are better off going with the chemistry. I am extremely impressed with Paul Wesley, though. Ian Somerhalder can stop bugging his eyes out at any time.
I gotta say, the show makes a great case for staking all vampires on sight, no matter how personable they may seem. Sorry, Caroline.
cups brewed at DW
I am just waiting for the weekend when I can reset myself and run properly. Like my corrected watch.
Technolust news
Kobo just announced the Kobo Vox, an unlocked Android color tablet/ereader, for $199. The hardware isn't quite as good as the Kindle Fire's or the nook Color's, so this is really an opportunity to see how eager the market is for unlocked readers. The PR says it supports epubs, which I assume means that the default Kobo reader supports epubs; since the tablet's unlocked, it supports pretty much any file format out of the box as long as you install an Android app for it.
Asus just announced the Asus Transformer Prime, the second generation of their tablet+keyboard product. I have been scouting out all reviews of tablets-with-physical-keyboards eagerly, because I think this would be the perfect netbook replacement, but so far none of the existing products have gotten unmixed reviews. We'll see how this one is come December. At least it's prettier than the previous version.
Manga news
Vertical is putting out Moyoco Anno's Sakuran, a manga about an Edo-era prostitute. I am so thrilled! I read all of Anno's work that was available in English earlier this year, and she is amazing and sharp and uncomfortable and funny. Sadly, despite attempts by three different publishers, her work has never sold well in English. I thought no one was going to take a risk on her work again. Here's hoping this time is the charm -- and that the fierce, uncompromising work of her mentor, Kyoko Okazaki, comes next.
Fantagraphics announced that Matt Thorn will be publishing Moto Hagio's Heart of Thomas, one of the two profoundly influential manga that are credited with launching the careers of the Year 24 Group or Magnificent Forty-Niners and the entire boys-love genre, as well as shaping contemporary manga's design and themes.
Unspoilery observations about The Vampire Diaries
Stefan/Elena is like Angel/Buffy if David Boreanaz could act but had no chemistry with Sarah Michelle Gellar. You are better off going with the chemistry. I am extremely impressed with Paul Wesley, though. Ian Somerhalder can stop bugging his eyes out at any time.
I gotta say, the show makes a great case for staking all vampires on sight, no matter how personable they may seem. Sorry, Caroline.
cups brewed at DW