The news for today has been quite philosophical.

Nick Cato, for example, has been considering the theological ramifications of the Saints vs. the Colts. Which sport that’s for is irrelevent – every game has both a Saints and a Colts side. Except golf. But that’s not a sport.

Sean Williams has been loving Goldfrapp’s new single, Rocket “even if it isn’t the 80s rock anthem Popbitch promised it would be.” I wonder what a Goldfrapp 80s rock anthem would sound like, though. He’s bought tickets to, and is also hoping there won’t be any real bugs, at his lunch with Richard Dawkins and Philip Hoare. I guess that will depend on if the media are showing up or not…

Kevin J. Anderson’s been watching Human Target. He says they’re a lot of fun “like MacGuyver, A-Team, and Mission: Impossible.”

Bizarro author, David W. Barbee hurt his back while “vigorously mopping the kitchen floor.” He claims he is now crippled due to being “too stupid to properly use a mop”. I leave Mister Barbee now to lament his cruel fate.

Andersen Prunty described for us his desired soundtrack for his highly anticipated upcoming novel, The Morning is Dead. I’m a big fan of this man. If you read just one of his books, then you won’t be satisfied. Read them all.

Gollancz has announced the arrival in Australia of Charlaine Harris. Their excitement can only grow, as it won’t be until September 25th for Sydney and 26th for Melbourne. Not my kind of books, but I appreciate the growing interest. Vampires never do seem to go away.

Ray Garton, the intrepid reporter of news, discovered that “Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are getting a divorce. They will share custody of their many adopted children, but Angelina will retain full custody of her lips.” Those lips have always scared me. They look to be made of putty. I’ve always wondered if you push on them hard enough, will they stay like that? He also stunned us with the revelation that “The baby pictured on the Gerber bottles is a young William Shatner.” Where does this guy get his info? He’s like Secret Squirrel.

Ged Maybury has been inspiring himself with G&T to help “rite Steampunkz.” Zaphod would approve. He’s also well on his way to becoming an otaku. Someone get a crowbar.

Nicole Cushing had a headache. I recommended Salonpas. I couldn’t help with her lurgy, though.

Recent birthday boy, Willie Meikle recently held a competition to have the hero of his latest novel be named after someone who signed up to his newsletter. This intriguing competition was followed with great interest by myself, and Willie just announced the winner. So, congratulations to Paul Sauser, who will save the world in Mister Meikle’s new novel, The Invasion. Finally, he’s been watching Series 4 of Supernatural, and made the uncanny prediction that it’s not going to end well.

In time for the movie, Jonathan Maberry’s The Wolfman is being released next week. I’m sure it’ll be a howler. The movie, too. He says the book is a “Big, juicy, scary, romantic, action-packed paperback”…

Brandon Sanderson revealed the exact weight of the latest addition to the family as being 9lbs 2oz. and that the little one is a boy. He didn’t yet announce any name other than “Baby Meatloaf”. Let’s hope Mister Sanderson’s not going down the Frank Zappa path of baby names now he’s an uber Celeb. No mention either on how many arms or legs, or if horns had to be sawn off the forehead, but I’ll let you know how it pans out. Failing that, I’m sure he’ll have his blog up soon.

The Australian Poetry Centre announced it was your last chance to sign up for the Deborah Conway online songwriting workshop. Check their website for more info.

Jordan Krall likes me. In his words, “that means you’re cool and I like you more than those other bastards.” I’m feeling all squiddy inside.

Douglas Clegg has been writing hard, thanks to some awful weather outside. Here’s hoping it stays dreary out there, but not dreary enough to earn “It was a dark and stormy night…”

Great news on the recent promotion of Ann Vandermeer to position of Editor in Chief to Wildside Press. I know it’s a well-deserved spot, and you couldn’t ask for a better EiC. Needless to say, Jeff’s quite chuffed, too. Chuffed enough to write another book, I hope!

Eric Mays suggests that if you’re not watching the Superbowl (whatever that is), then you should read his book. Whatever the former is, I’d also recommend the latter.

Andy Remic announced that it’s days like this that whiskey was made for, and who are we to argue with a fine philosophy like that?

Judging by Kevin Shamel’s “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHH!”, he’s having a bad morning. Everyone wish him well. Or buy his book, Rotten Little Animals.

Dictionaries were banned from a school in the US, because *shock horror* kids were looking up words they didn’t understand. So much for going to school to learn things. Thanks to Nora Jemisin for the heads up on that one. And I think you should never fight against a line like “He’s a complicated god, and no one understands him but his goddess”, Ms Jemisin. It’s brilliant, and would fit into so many situations. Most of them might even be found in the dictionaries banned from certain US schools.

Meanwhile, it’s Australia Day, so all of you other Australians out there, including ex-pats like Andrew “Chucky” Hindle, have a good one!