Back in the old days, the good old days, when it was generally accepted that Fascism and Nazis were bad, bloggers would write these posts that were sort of recaps of what we were doing, what we’d been doing, with some links to stuff we liked. This is one of those posts.
Good morning. I’m in Jackson, Mississippi, for the Mississippi Comi Con. Come see me if you’re local! I’m here all day today and tomorrow.
My travel yesterday was basically uneventful, once I was actually on a plane and in the sky. My connection in Dallas was delayed three different times, and each time the airline told me that my gate had been changed from where I was, to the gate that was farthest away in the terminal. So I spent a couple hours walking back and forth, which honestly wasn’t bad at all. I probably got in more steps walking in that terminal than I get on a typical Thursday.
The invention of noise canceling earbuds has made all the difference for me, with travel. I can wrap myself in a bit of a cocoon, and just get where I am going without a lot of sensory overload and overwhelm. Usually, I just listen to one of my playlists, but I have a mountain of Audible credits that I’ve been turning into books. For the last week or so, I’ve been going back and forth between Rip It Up And Start Again, by Simon Reynolds, and Peter Hook’s book about Joy Division1. They are both oral histories of the post-punk movement from around 1976 to 1990, from different points of view. The parts where they overlap are just fascinating. Hookie has his memories of specific events, and Reynolds collects memories from other people who were at the same event. I’m sure there are other books, from other members of other bands, that would fill in even more details. This is one of the reasons I just love history so much, and why it’s so satisfying to track down primary sources.
When I wasn’t listening to those books, I read a short story that’s one of the Hugo finalists2, Marginalia, by Mary Robinette Kowal. It’s featured in Uncanny Magazine, which is where a TON of finalists were published this year.3
I usually arrive hungry (thanks, Anthony Bourdain4) but I did some math in Dallas and realized I wouldn’t be landing until almost 11, and I didn’t want to eat at midnight, even if my body insisted it was only 9pm. So I looked around the terminal and my choices were Starbucks and Whataburger, or some combination of granola bars, a dodgy-looking apple, and a sad Wil. So I chose Whataburger and OMG it was perfect. I don’t usually eat stuff like that, and it was like BOOM COMFORT FOOD from the first bite. It reminded me of the little burger shacks that were in parking lots in the Valley when I was a kid, with those perfect drive-thru fries that you’d eat half of before you got home. My body wasn’t thrilled that I put a burger and fries into it so late in my day, but my body’s been kind of a dick lately, so it can just deal with it.
ANYWAY. I finally got to my hotel. Finally got checked in. Got to my room just around 1130pm, not hungry, but wide awake. Neat.
I watched some YouTube, read some blogs, and finally fell asleep around 1am local time. I slept shockingly well, woke up feeling fully rested, and now I’m trying to find things to do until it’s time to go to work. I’ve actually run out of brain cycles for reading, or even listening to someone else read — does that happen to other people? You really want to keep going because you’re so interested or enthralled or whatever, but your brain is just like, “dude I can’t. I’ve run out of focus and I don’t know what to tell you.” It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem. It’s me.
While I was trying to wind my brain down, I watched this video about merch5, and now I want to record myself narrating a very short …. something … that’s up to about 5 minutes, and release it on extremely indie, extremely DIY, cassettes and vinyl. When Sean Bonner and I did Saturday Night Massacre back in 20176, as part of the Kickstarter one week project thingy, we wanted to do something like this, and I can’t remember if we actually made physical media or not. I don’t think we did, but just because we ran out of time. It looks like it isn’t too difficult to get the things made, though. It’s just the fulfillment that would take some meaningful time.
If I created some bespoke physical media that cost around $30 all-in after shipping, would you be into that? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll prioritize accordingly.
Oh! Speaking of physical things … we have a new enamel Good Morning Nerds pin for you at Stands! Check it out!
And I brought Trek Side of the Moon back at Cottonbureau.
This con marks the official beginning of my 2025 Summer Convention Season. Over the next month or so, here’s where I’m scheduled:
- July 4-5 I will be in Montreal for Montreal Comic Con
- July 11-13 I will be in Knoxville for Fanboy Expo
- July 20-22 I will be in Atlanta for ATL Comic Convention
I think there are one or two others that I’m not remembering, but that’s July. I really should have a page with this information that I can link to, rather than relying on my memory, but I’ve never done more than five shows in a calendar year before now, and my memory has been more than enough to keep them all straight. This year, I’m doing more than I have in a long time because I feel like we need to get out and do the fun things, get together with our fellow nerds in a safe place to express ourselves and see each other, now more than ever. Everything is terrible, but at least we can have a few hours, a couple days, of peace and respite, surrounded by people who love the things we love, the same way we love them.
Community is important in the best of times. It’s VITAL when we have thugs brutalizing, terrorizing, and kidnapping our friends and neighbors, under orders from a wannabe despot who seeks to use the power of the State — power that belongs to the people — to wage war against citizens who won’t accept him as our king. Going to conventions, game days at your local game shop, Neighborhood Nights Out in your community, and gently interacting with other people is a massive bulwark against tyranny7, according to professor Timothy Snyder, one of the leading experts in the world on the subject.
So do your patriotic duty and go to a convention this summer! It’ll be fun! Joy is resistance!
I’m so blessed and so grateful that I attract kind, creative, enthusiastic people when I am at a show. I always get the most surprising and beautiful things, and I love to share them. As always, I’ll be posting to my Instagram stories from the con. Clever is my Kryptonite, and there are always clever people at these things.
Okay, that’s all for today. I hope everyone has the most wonderful weekend possible. Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.
- He has the most soothing voice, ever. I feel like I’m sitting in a cafe with him while he tells me all about this time in his life. The way he makes me feel as I’m listening to him is what I hoped to give to people who listen to Still Just A Geek. ↩︎
- I have this idea to narrate all the finalists in the short story category for my podcast. I don’t think we’ll be back in production in time to do this before the awards are handed out, but it’s something I’d love to do next year, and every year after that, if they’ll let me. ↩︎
- Have I mentioned that Lynne and Michael Thomas, who edit Uncanny, found all the stories I read in the first season of It’s Storytime? If I can afford it, I’m hoping to work with them again. They are amazing. ↩︎
- May his memory be a blessing. ↩︎
- As it relates to DIY and indie creators. This guy is as enthusiastic about this kind of thing as I am, and loves to make fun stuff just because it’s fun to make. There are a lot of ancillary benefits, as he observes, but even if you’re not someone who would enjoy (or is looking for) those particular benefits, his excitement, enthusiasm, and creativity shine though. I can see how just making this thing he thought was silly and fun affected not only his creativity, but the whole band’s creativity. ↩︎
- GodDAMN was this project fun. The history, the Kickstarter, all of it. It’s one of those things we did because we wanted it to exist, and we didn’t care if a hundred people or zero people liked it. As it turned out, 138 people liked it. That’s a nice, even, 140 when you count both of us. ↩︎
- 12. Make eye contact and small talk. This is not just polite. It is part of being a citizen and a responsible member of society. It is also a way to stay in touch with your surroundings, break down social barriers, and understand whom you should and should not trust. If we enter a culture of denunciation, you will want to know the psychological landscape of your daily life. ↩︎
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You’re my favorite uncle wil.
I’d be interested in a $30 thing.
That’s amazing. My sister and I were just discussing Tony Bourdain last night via text. Definitely gone too soon. She works with the good folk who bring us the 988 suicide hotline. There is help out there folks, please don’t be afraid to ask!
I would definitely be interested in merch. Also I’m very excited to see you at Rose City Comic Con in September!
“The year was 1995….”
As soon as you said you were in Jackson, Mississippi, I heard Sheldon in my head saying the above line.
HAHAHAHAHA
Hi Wil! I love my Trek Side of the Moon tee shirt! I don’t know if I mentioned this before (and if so, I apologize!), but when I wear it, it is an immediate magnet for Trekkies everywhere – instant conversation starter! It gives me a chance to say how I have met you and your lovely wife Anne, on the JoCo cruise and how wonderful you both are. ❤️
If I created some bespoke physical media that cost around $30 all-in after shipping, would you be into that? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll prioritize accordingly.
Umm…YES! Of course! I loved the video of how the tiny vinyls sold out in 3 days. I think there are more of us who are collectors of media like CDs, cassette, and/or vinyl. These kinds of things are fun and help support artists. I say try it out.
Ever get the feeling your playing a part in “Cabaret?” The film keeps coming to my mind these days. There’s also a part where one character says something like “so, you think you can control him” referring to Hitler. Yeah, Bezos, et. al. You think you can control him?
For me, it’s like I’ve been screaming to the world for nearly 20 year saying this is where we’re headed and yet no one’s listened that actually could do something about it.
So, yeah, “Everything is terrible, but at least we can have a few hours, a couple days, of peace and respite…” Amen!
I just read the Mary Robinette Kowal short story that you linked to. It’s… really something. I’ve enjoyed her Lady Astronaut series, but I haven’t seen her other work. Looks like I’ll have to, now.
Yeah, no matter how into a book I am, there can come a point where my brain just says “Nope, I need a break.” Same with watching TV. I can marathon a show or watch movie after movie, to a point, and then I absolutely need to shift to something else. Brains are funny.
Have a blast during con season!
I have a somewhat strict “no new crap in my place” rule, so no on the $30 thing – but that said, I think the concept is literally delightful. Here’s hoping you get enough interest to make it happen!
Have not been able to sleep, or focus. Watched some episodes of Next Generation and it was so comforting.
I’ve never been to a convention of any kind but your posts make me want to go to one. Except that idea also makes me nervous as I get easily overwhelmed in crowds.
Through your posts and book I’ve come to appreciate you as a very inclusive person so I hope you will understand this comment in the spirit it is given.
Regarding your last note (nr 7), I just wanted to remind you that there are many neurodivergent people who are not able to, for various reasons, to make eye contact or small talk. It doesn’t mean they can’t connect or are not open to gentle interaction. Everyone is simply different and especially communities like the ones you mention should be able to accommodate this. And I’m guessing they already do, in many cases. Just something I wanted you to consider.
I appreciate you, and I appreciate your reminder about neurodivergence. I absolutely respect and understand your point. That footnote is from Timothy Snyder’s list, I didn’t write it. But I think what he’s saying, perhaps unaware of the very issue you raised, is that we need to make an effort for a meaningful connection with your community. That doesn’t require eye contact, of course; it’s the communication and affirming the community bond that is what we’re all looking for.
Thank you for giving me a moment to think about this.
LOVE that we have similar music tastes, and I actually just reread Unknown Pleasures this week (love Hooky!). I also own Rip It Up but haven’t read it yet. For those in the US and wanting to read either book – order the UK versions. The US version of Hooky’s book is missing a chapter, and for Rip It Up it’s missing about 200 pages 😳. Looked up the audio and I’m pretty sure that’s the full UK version based on length.
Hey, Wil, any chance you’ll hit Toronto this year? Fan Expo?
Not this year, I don’t think.
Have fun at your cons! I really enjoyed Marginalia, although Stitched to the Skin Like Family Is won my heart. Anyway, I would be interested in a $30 thing!
I loved reading Lift Up Your Voice and Sing
for Juneteenth this month . It would be so cool
if we could have a Star Trek Convention in
Orange County Ca near Anaheim .
Of course I would like to buy anything bespoke from you!!!
Hi Wil, I am going to the Montreal comic con with my partner and two kids (we are all doing cosplays!) and hoping to do the photo thing with you!
If I wanted to give you a small gift to thank you for all the advocacy you’ve done for mental health, that was literally the last push for me to get treated, would that be ok and how would i do that?
You’re so kind. If you want to give me something, the best way to do that is to bring it to my table in the signing area. I’ll see you there!
Remember Will, some people are autistic and won’t make eye contact, some people have ADHD and once they start talking you might be making small talk for a few hours. 🙂
Göz təması qurmaq önəmlidir və qarşı tərəfin diqqətini cəlb etmək üçün gözəl vasitədir
Hope you have a fabulous time at the cons!
I was so excited to see your “Good morning, nerds.” magnet! And then I found that it would actually cost me $49.70. I love that magnet and I want it! But not at that price.
I know, you probably can’t organize better shipping rates to Europe. I just want to drop this here because I’m sad and maybe some visibility?
Math: cheapest shipping $24.47 – making the order total $36.09. When that lands in Sweden, I’ll pay 25% VAT (subtotal: $39.70) and then $10 for the pleasure of the custom officer’s time. For a grand total of $49.70. I really, really like the magnet, but not for $50.
Oof. I am so sorry that shipping is so outrageous. There’s nothing I can do about it, and I’m really sorry about that.
I am all for merch! Have a ton of fun and stay safe this summer.
Risk etmək gözəldir və inkişafa doğru aparır
I am absolutely over the moon you are braving my red, red state to come to Knoxville. Is there any chance you would have one of your “workin'” selfies in your collection of things-to-be-signed, for those of us who frequently think, “Tell me a story, Wil Wheaton”? Would you be offended if I had one printed?
I would not be offended in the least. I would LOVE to sign one of those pictures for you!