Come gather round friends.....
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
Come gather round friends.....
Gather round friends, for I have to share with you a story of woe and whoa! For I have been to the other side, and I lived to tell tale.
As some of you know my main office is in Sacramento, but I have lots of job duties in Seattle. I travel up here frequently, and as a matter of fact I am in Seattle as I write this. This evening after work I went to my favorite Seattle bookstore, University Books in the University Books in North Seattle. They have a big SF selection, and as I perused it this evening, I noticed three things. First, the Herbert section was almost empty. Second, it was almost empty of Pail of Dung copies. Once I noticed that the shelf had only three copies of that book, and nothing else, and the three copies were scratch-and-dent, my heart sunk. I thought, “if they sell a lot of these fucking dogs, its never, ever gonna end.” Then I looked closer at a loose tag on the shelf. It said:
BRIAN HERBERT
KEVIN J. ANDERSON
SEPTEMBER 16-17 ONLY!!!
Waidaminnute! WTF???
Today is the 16th!!!!
So I shot my head around to where the area where they usually store the visiting authors, and lo and behold I saw an old man looking at the ground, and a beadie-eyed charlatan whose lips were flapping a mile a minute. Shit! It was Brian and Kevin!
Off I trotted to the gathering. The first thing I noticed was that not all the chairs were occupied. “Fuck,” I thought. I’ve got no camera!” But it was OK. Good ole’ Shawn was there preserving the event for posterity. Again.
So I had an immediate dilemma. Do I ask about the bannings on Dunenovels? Should I ask if KJA read a few Edmund Hamilton novels before he started writing this thing? Should I grill them on the notes? Then I saw Duane, the guy who runs the place. I go there a lot, and it would be very sad if I were declared persona non grata, so I kept my mouth shut. But I’m sure that there was some OH’ers in the audience. Others grilled them on the notes for me. Not that they gave anything up though. I’m sure that they have told those lies so many times that even Brian does not have to be reminded what to say before every event any longer.
I did manage to get some nuggets. For example, BH said that the infamous notes were stored in a bank box at Seattle First National Bank and Trust, now the Bank of America, and that the estate attorney who was present when the box was opened, and who alerted the Herberts to its existence, was a guy named Walt Tabler, or Walt Taber. Ill look him up on the State Bar website today and let you know what I find. $10 says that he is dead now. BH said that the disks had “35 pages” (not ‘about’ 35 pages, but 35 pages exactly). I put my hand up to ask if they would ever be putting those docs in the Fullerton Archive, but they would not call on me. BH said that they are in his fire safe in his house.
They were also both asked a great deal about the movie. KJA strongly implied that the production crew was talking to he and BH about story elements. I wanted to ask what elements those were, but they wouldn’t acknowledge me. As a matter of fact, as soon as they mentioned the lawyer’s name I excused myself to go get a pen. I walked back in writing something down, and a few times I looked up from writing and saw KJA’s beady little eyes on me. As soon as I left I realized that I was wearing that same shirt I was wearing while taking a shit when my wife photographed me. I wonder…… I also was asked to sign up for an e-mail list that Kim Herbert was putting together. I said “no thank you,” but as soon as I left I remembered that I had an e-mail address that has “Omphalos” in it. I just may go back tomorrow and take care of that.
Oh, and KJA said that they are for sure going to be writing three more books after the current four were finished. They will be about the founding of the great houses. Sisterhoods (plural?) of Dune would be the first, followed by something else, then Suk of Dune. BH beat me to the punch by saying “Dune Suks.” And Kevin joked how they would stop before getting to Paperclips of Dune. Wasn’t it one of us who came up with that one? Chig, was that you?
So if I do go back tomorrow, I’m open for questions from the gallery. Nothing rude please, as I do NOT want to get the boot from this store.
I cant believe that I randomly ran into those fuckheads. I think Ill try to go to the Sacramento ass-kiss-fest too. I wonder if Byron will show at that one? Kim Herbert was there too, and she was every bit as sweet as she seems on-line. Shawn asked a few kiss-ass questions about the movie. A young guy with short brown hair and a red, blue and white plaid shirt was grilling KJA and BH on the notes for as long as they would let him. Is that person here? Show yerself dammit, and receive my kudos! Another guy with a green t-shirt and some arm tats seemed to sound as surly as I felt. Be you here too?
As some of you know my main office is in Sacramento, but I have lots of job duties in Seattle. I travel up here frequently, and as a matter of fact I am in Seattle as I write this. This evening after work I went to my favorite Seattle bookstore, University Books in the University Books in North Seattle. They have a big SF selection, and as I perused it this evening, I noticed three things. First, the Herbert section was almost empty. Second, it was almost empty of Pail of Dung copies. Once I noticed that the shelf had only three copies of that book, and nothing else, and the three copies were scratch-and-dent, my heart sunk. I thought, “if they sell a lot of these fucking dogs, its never, ever gonna end.” Then I looked closer at a loose tag on the shelf. It said:
BRIAN HERBERT
KEVIN J. ANDERSON
SEPTEMBER 16-17 ONLY!!!
Waidaminnute! WTF???
Today is the 16th!!!!
So I shot my head around to where the area where they usually store the visiting authors, and lo and behold I saw an old man looking at the ground, and a beadie-eyed charlatan whose lips were flapping a mile a minute. Shit! It was Brian and Kevin!
Off I trotted to the gathering. The first thing I noticed was that not all the chairs were occupied. “Fuck,” I thought. I’ve got no camera!” But it was OK. Good ole’ Shawn was there preserving the event for posterity. Again.
So I had an immediate dilemma. Do I ask about the bannings on Dunenovels? Should I ask if KJA read a few Edmund Hamilton novels before he started writing this thing? Should I grill them on the notes? Then I saw Duane, the guy who runs the place. I go there a lot, and it would be very sad if I were declared persona non grata, so I kept my mouth shut. But I’m sure that there was some OH’ers in the audience. Others grilled them on the notes for me. Not that they gave anything up though. I’m sure that they have told those lies so many times that even Brian does not have to be reminded what to say before every event any longer.
I did manage to get some nuggets. For example, BH said that the infamous notes were stored in a bank box at Seattle First National Bank and Trust, now the Bank of America, and that the estate attorney who was present when the box was opened, and who alerted the Herberts to its existence, was a guy named Walt Tabler, or Walt Taber. Ill look him up on the State Bar website today and let you know what I find. $10 says that he is dead now. BH said that the disks had “35 pages” (not ‘about’ 35 pages, but 35 pages exactly). I put my hand up to ask if they would ever be putting those docs in the Fullerton Archive, but they would not call on me. BH said that they are in his fire safe in his house.
They were also both asked a great deal about the movie. KJA strongly implied that the production crew was talking to he and BH about story elements. I wanted to ask what elements those were, but they wouldn’t acknowledge me. As a matter of fact, as soon as they mentioned the lawyer’s name I excused myself to go get a pen. I walked back in writing something down, and a few times I looked up from writing and saw KJA’s beady little eyes on me. As soon as I left I realized that I was wearing that same shirt I was wearing while taking a shit when my wife photographed me. I wonder…… I also was asked to sign up for an e-mail list that Kim Herbert was putting together. I said “no thank you,” but as soon as I left I remembered that I had an e-mail address that has “Omphalos” in it. I just may go back tomorrow and take care of that.
Oh, and KJA said that they are for sure going to be writing three more books after the current four were finished. They will be about the founding of the great houses. Sisterhoods (plural?) of Dune would be the first, followed by something else, then Suk of Dune. BH beat me to the punch by saying “Dune Suks.” And Kevin joked how they would stop before getting to Paperclips of Dune. Wasn’t it one of us who came up with that one? Chig, was that you?
So if I do go back tomorrow, I’m open for questions from the gallery. Nothing rude please, as I do NOT want to get the boot from this store.
I cant believe that I randomly ran into those fuckheads. I think Ill try to go to the Sacramento ass-kiss-fest too. I wonder if Byron will show at that one? Kim Herbert was there too, and she was every bit as sweet as she seems on-line. Shawn asked a few kiss-ass questions about the movie. A young guy with short brown hair and a red, blue and white plaid shirt was grilling KJA and BH on the notes for as long as they would let him. Is that person here? Show yerself dammit, and receive my kudos! Another guy with a green t-shirt and some arm tats seemed to sound as surly as I felt. Be you here too?
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
- Freakzilla
- Archivist
- Posts: 3453
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:56 pm
- Location: Duluth, Georgia, USA
- Contact:
- A Thing of Eternity
- Posts: 2070
- Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 1:22 pm
- Location: Calgary Alberta
That is a weird thing to happen out of the blue. Very weird. Wish I was there, not that I would have gotten anything out of them.
I deleted some of your posts because they were derailing the topic and not focusing on the issues asked, and instead going after the authors or their material. That's why. ~ BM
- The Phantom
- Posts: 597
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Toronto
- The Phantom
- Posts: 597
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Toronto
- Sparafucile
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:12 am
Re: Come gather round friends.....
That made me laugh.Omphalos wrote:I walked back in writing something down, and a few times I looked up from writing and saw KJA’s beady little eyes on me. As soon as I left I realized that I was wearing that same shirt I was wearing while taking a shit when my wife photographed me. I wonder……
Cool story!
- Tleilax Master B
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:44 pm
wow, that's an interesting thing to happen. You need to step it up a notch Omph. Don't do anything so bad that you kicked out of the store, but you really need to have them call on you and say "Hi, you probably know me as "Omphalos" online, I'd like to ask you a few questions...." Their eyes would get wide, but THEY would look like jackasses in front of everyone if they refused to at least listen to one of your questions and respond. I suspect they would be so taken aback that they would stutter over some half-assed answer and quickly move on to someone else, continually making nervous glances your direction the rest of the evening.
Ask them what the "one inconsistancy" is that KJA claims is the only mistake they've made in the books......
Ask them what the "one inconsistancy" is that KJA claims is the only mistake they've made in the books......
- The Phantom
- Posts: 597
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Toronto
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
That reminds me, as I walked up I heard the tail end of one of their points, and that is that Irulan intentionally changed the facts in the things she wrote about Paul. That is part of the reason that they are changing the stories. By the time I got settled they had moved on, and I forgot when it was Q&A time to ask about that.Baraka Bryan wrote:thank them for the tip of the hat to the OH using scenes about irulan changing details about Paul's life.
it's an honour that they're so bothered by our nitpicking that they feel they have to justify their inconsistencies within the text
I also just called the bookstore and the person I spoke to said that they would not be there again tonight. Im sure that the sign said they would be there for two days. Ill go back anyway after dinner just to make sure. And Ill drop my name this time and ask them a few of these questions, if they will take them from me.
Just in case, does anyone know when they will be in Sacramento? Ill even get the shit-shirt cleaned and wear it again.
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
I'm sure KJA recognized you. No way those passages about Irulan 'fixing' the details are anything less than the OH having them on the run.
Ask them if they plan on having a crisis among the BG as a major plot, since it seems that none of their BG characters are loyal to the sisterhood anymore.
Ask them why Norma is such a bitch that she has no loyalty to her race of origin and only swoops down and saves them once and then disappears, when its obvious she could save everyone when ever she wants. Why doesn't she take over for Leto II and become a true God-Emperess
-
- Posts: 1156
- Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:38 pm
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
My condolences
You should grill them with questions and search for weak spots. It'd be great to know where the soft spots are so they can be hit with the next demotivator
You should grill them with questions and search for weak spots. It'd be great to know where the soft spots are so they can be hit with the next demotivator
"What are we to call him, this Player of Games?"
"The books of Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert lie in a realm of uncertainty between self-conscious absurdity and genuine failure"
"The books of Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert lie in a realm of uncertainty between self-conscious absurdity and genuine failure"
-
- Posts: 432
- Joined: Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:06 am
- SandChigger
- Archivist
- Posts: 4577
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:11 pm
- Location: Sietch Tigr, near Arrakeen
- Contact:
TOO funny.
But too bad that you had to let them off easy.
I have no such relationship to preserve with the book store in Dayton.
(I'm comin' for ya, Kevvy. Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! I think I'll take along the copy of Hidden Empire he sent me, have him sign it again. That'll really increase its eBay value! )
But too bad that you had to let them off easy.
I have no such relationship to preserve with the book store in Dayton.
(I'm comin' for ya, Kevvy. Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! I think I'll take along the copy of Hidden Empire he sent me, have him sign it again. That'll really increase its eBay value! )
"Chancho...sometimes when you are a man...you wear stretchy pants...in your room...alone."
"Politics is never simple, like the sand chigger of Arrakis, one is rarely truly free of its bite."
Arrakeen is an unawakened ghola.
"Politics is never simple, like the sand chigger of Arrakis, one is rarely truly free of its bite."
Arrakeen is an unawakened ghola.
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
They will be at a Border's or something in Sacramento. Im going to go then and I wont play nice then.SandChigger wrote:TOO funny.
But too bad that you had to let them off easy.
I have no such relationship to preserve with the book store in Dayton.
(I'm comin' for ya, Kevvy. Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! I think I'll take along the copy of Hidden Empire he sent me, have him sign it again. That'll really increase its eBay value! )
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
- The Phantom
- Posts: 597
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Toronto
They have shown us their underbelly in this new book. Its waaay too obvious that KJA is on the run when it comes to dealing with OH constantly pointing out the new books' flaws and inconsistencies.GamePlayer wrote:My condolences
You should grill them with questions and search for weak spots. It'd be great to know where the soft spots are so they can be hit with the next demotivator
SC, you should totally stand up and identify yourself. Heck, bring a friend with a camera to zoom on their faces when you stand up and say "Hi, I'm SandChigger, and I have a few questions."
I'm sure that pic will serve to create a whole new generation of Demotivators.
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
Sunday, September 21, 2pm
Barnes and Noble
1725 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 565-0644
Barnes and Noble
1725 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 565-0644
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
For those of you who do not have the great fortune to live on the west coast, here is the remainder of the tour. It will not feature BH, as he is afwaid to fwy.
Tuesday, September 30, 7pm
Barnes and Noble
8374 S. Willow Street
Lone Tree, CO 80124
(303) 706-9660
Thursday, October 2, 7pm
Davis-Kidd Books
2121 Green Hills Village Dr
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 385-2645
Friday, October 3, 7pm
Books & Co
At The Greene
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
937-429-6302
Sunday, October 5, 3pm
The Regulator Bookshop
720 Ninth Street
Durham, NC 27705
919-286-2700
Tuesday, October 7, 7pm
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731
Friday, October 17, 4pm
Barnes and Noble
795 Citadel Drive East
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 637-8282
Tuesday, September 30, 7pm
Barnes and Noble
8374 S. Willow Street
Lone Tree, CO 80124
(303) 706-9660
Thursday, October 2, 7pm
Davis-Kidd Books
2121 Green Hills Village Dr
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 385-2645
Friday, October 3, 7pm
Books & Co
At The Greene
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
937-429-6302
Sunday, October 5, 3pm
The Regulator Bookshop
720 Ninth Street
Durham, NC 27705
919-286-2700
Tuesday, October 7, 7pm
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731
Friday, October 17, 4pm
Barnes and Noble
795 Citadel Drive East
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 637-8282
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
- SandChigger
- Archivist
- Posts: 4577
- Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:11 pm
- Location: Sietch Tigr, near Arrakeen
- Contact:
Friday, October 3, 7pm
Books & Co At The Greene
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH
I don't think I've been to this particular store before. But I'll be going over and staying with friends in Middletown before returning to Japan and will scout out the area beforehand.
I brought my "Chigger T" back with me and will be wearing it. There won't be any mistaking me.
Books & Co At The Greene
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH
I don't think I've been to this particular store before. But I'll be going over and staying with friends in Middletown before returning to Japan and will scout out the area beforehand.
I brought my "Chigger T" back with me and will be wearing it. There won't be any mistaking me.
"Chancho...sometimes when you are a man...you wear stretchy pants...in your room...alone."
"Politics is never simple, like the sand chigger of Arrakis, one is rarely truly free of its bite."
Arrakeen is an unawakened ghola.
"Politics is never simple, like the sand chigger of Arrakis, one is rarely truly free of its bite."
Arrakeen is an unawakened ghola.
- Rakis
- Posts: 450
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:07 pm
- Location: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Oh yessssssss !!!Ampoliros wrote:They have shown us their underbelly in this new book. Its waaay too obvious that KJA is on the run when it comes to dealing with OH constantly pointing out the new books' flaws and inconsistencies.GamePlayer wrote:My condolences
You should grill them with questions and search for weak spots. It'd be great to know where the soft spots are so they can be hit with the next demotivator
SC, you should totally stand up and identify yourself. Heck, bring a friend with a camera to zoom on their faces when you stand up and say "Hi, I'm SandChigger, and I have a few questions."
I'm sure that pic will serve to create a whole new generation of Demotivators.
Neutrinos watch alert !
-
- Posts: 432
- Joined: Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:06 am
We'll have to get Worm to represent us at this one. I sure as hell ain't driving 2.5 hours just to hassle KJA, enjoyable as that might be.Tuesday, October 7, 7pm
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731
"I'm being ironic. Don't interrupt a man in the midst of being ironic, it's not polite." -- Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
Tyrant over on DN and Star Dust are from the area too, IIRC.Liege-Killer wrote:We'll have to get Worm to represent us at this one. I sure as hell ain't driving 2.5 hours just to hassle KJA, enjoyable as that might be.Tuesday, October 7, 7pm
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
- A Thing of Eternity
- Posts: 2070
- Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 1:22 pm
- Location: Calgary Alberta
I love Texas too. I figure that the extra high concentration of wingnuts there must somehow lower the concentration everywhere else. (Please note the )Ampoliros wrote:He never comes to Texas.
.
.
.
I don't blame him.
For the record, I love Texas, and I'm not even a Republican.
NO WE DON'T ALL WEAR BOOTS AND RIDE HORSES!
I deleted some of your posts because they were derailing the topic and not focusing on the issues asked, and instead going after the authors or their material. That's why. ~ BM
'Tis my hometown, but now I'm about 4.5 hours away. If the stars align I just might make the trip.Omphalos wrote:Tyrant over on DN and Star Dust are from the area too, IIRC.Liege-Killer wrote:We'll have to get Worm to represent us at this one. I sure as hell ain't driving 2.5 hours just to hassle KJA, enjoyable as that might be.Tuesday, October 7, 7pm
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731
DN banned: Sep 14, 2008
==================
==================
-
- Alien Overlord
- Posts: 5680
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 pm
- Location: The Mighty Central Valley of California
- Contact:
Oh yea. KC?Star Dust wrote:'Tis my hometown, but now I'm about 4.5 hours away. If the stars align I just might make the trip.Omphalos wrote:Tyrant over on DN and Star Dust are from the area too, IIRC.Liege-Killer wrote:We'll have to get Worm to represent us at this one. I sure as hell ain't driving 2.5 hours just to hassle KJA, enjoyable as that might be.Tuesday, October 7, 7pm
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731
Something is about to happen, Hal. Something wonderful!
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
-James C. Harwood, Science Fiction Writer, Straight (March 5, 1956 - May 25, 2010)
The Omphalos Umbrella Page
- Robspierre
- Archivist
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:52 am
- Location: The Cascades of Oregon