Category: Elsewhere

Hi I like totally did some stuff.

• I was on NPR talking about the portrayal of autism in the media, a follow-up to my “Autistic Trekdom” of last year. Several people have told me that the segment turned out well. I will take their word for it, as I find listening to myself on the radio to be an excruciating experience. I am doubly wary of this particular piece, because I spent most of my time in the studio floudering around aimlessly. (I pronounced the name “Abed” about 30 different ways, for instance.) If it is intelligible at all, that is due entirely to the editing prowess of my interviewer Jeanie Yandal.
• Speaking of The Morning News (we were, kinda–they ran that “Trekdom” essay, above), the Tournament of Books wrapped up last Monday. I, like all judges, read the two finalists, Freedom by Jonathan Franzen and A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, and voted for a winner. Now, as part of my 2011 Projects List, I owe y’all reviews of both novels. That will happen.
• Meanwhile, over at Vending Spree: The PayDay bar! Mmm. Chia.

In keeping with the theme, I slacked off yesterday and neglected to mention that my ninth annual Holiday Survival Guide for Slackers was live at The Morning News.

A huge thanks to everyone who suggested items, with a special call out to Dylan (Better Marriage Blanket), orsted (Quantum Stirwand), umrain zero (Celestial Portraits), mriggen (Fresh Brown “Eggs”) & sperkal (two of my favorite IRL people), plus the many many many many readers who sent me links to specialty Snuggies and are now barred from contacting me ever again.

I am storytelling at A Guide to Visitors this evening, 8:00 at Theatre Off Jackson. If you’ve never before seen AGtV, this “Best Of” show is a good one with which to start.

My list of good animated films for grown-ups appears today at The Morning News. Thanks to all the readers who sent in suggestions, especially Ahtitan (who is quoted in the article, under Grave of the Fireflies), Cam, Yael, Matt, Dave, Sean, John, and by long-time buddy Matt Olsen (previously seen here). Jake also wrote in to endorse The Venture Bro. and Archer; the focus of the piece was feature-length films, but I love both of these shows.

I will be on NPR’s KUOW Presents at 2:30 PST this afternoon, ruminating yet more about animated films. I’ll toss a link up here when the feed is available.

Update: Feed links can be found on this page.

Here are some recent and upcoming irons in my fire. So to speak.

• A couple of weeks ago I groused about zombies for The Morning News.
• I provided commentary for the last Layer Tennis match of the regular season. I narrated the first match of the season as well. Wait, I did both the first and the last? Really? I just now realized this. Curious.
• Next week I will be on KUOW talking about Animated Films for Adults. That’s “adults” as in A Scanner Darkly and its ilk, not, like, Heavy Metal or whatever. I will also write a corresponding essay for The Morning News, as I did for Mindfuck Movies. If you have a suggestion for the list (animated film aimed at grown-ups), drop a line to matthew@defectiveyeti.com.
• I will be storytelling at A Guide to Visitors on 11/30.
• And, yes, I will be doing the Good Gift Games Guide again this year. I hope to have that posted the week after Thanksgiving.

Hark! It’s my annual gift guide for those of you who haven’t even started your shopping, on the Morning News today.

My friend Caitlin Burke and I have a Seattle photo essay in The Morning News today.

Also: posts everyday this week on defective yeti! You can take that to the bank. And we all know how reliable banks are, these days.

My summer project (and yours): infinitesummer.org.