American Gods Series on HBO

I read this article about Neil Gaiman's book, American Gods, becoming an HBO series with a mixture of excitement, confusion and dread.  The book was great, yes, but I'm not sold on the idea that it's series worthy.  Maybe 10 episodes to flesh out all the characters and successfully portray the complicated world, but anything beyond that is new material, and I'm not sure I want that.   Why mess with what is considered Gaiman at his best?  

If HBO wanted a new show, why couldn't they have chosen the five book Fever series by Karen Marie Moning,  an urban fantasy with everything HBO loves best: lust, sex, greed, power, romance.  It could easily be adapted for a five year run on the network.  I would love it, especially if the writers tweaked the ending just a bit like they are known to do.  : D

Gaiman Discusses HBO's American Gods Series

In an interview with MTV, Neil Gaiman discussed the newly released 10th anniversary edition of American Gods, as well as an adaptation he is working on for HBO. Gaiman is attached as executive producer and will co-write the series pilot with cinematographer Robert Richardson. The project is being developed by Tom Hanks's Playtone production studio. "The overall plan right now is that the first season would essentially be the first book, with a few interesting divergences," Gaiman said. "You don't want people who've read the book to be able to go, 'I know everything that's going to be happening here.' [They will] know a lot more than anybody who's starting from here, but we will do things that will surprise [them] too." MTV also asked Gaiman about his plans for an American Gods sequel. "I've been [planning] to do a second American Gods book since the first American Godsbook," he replied. "What I basically have right now is a boxful of stuff. Things go into it. I always knew there was going to be more story. The first book was very much about the grifters and the lowlifes, and you don't really get to see much of the new gods and you don't really get a sense of those gods who are doing incredibly well in America. In the second book, I definitely want to go into both of those things." (Article from Shelf Awareness) Have you read American Gods?  How do you feel about it becoming a series on HBO?

Random Browsing in the Wee Hours of the Morning

Had trouble sleeping so I've been doing a bit of random reading online on topics ranging from the revolutionary war, language from the 18th century, dancing dogs on you-tube, author's playlists, just who/what is Jericho Z. Barrons, Tru-Blood trailer, how to make a will, and finally to the short story, How To Talk To Girls At Parties, by Neil Gaiman.   The story was nominated for a Hugo Award in 2007.  The Hugo Awards, given annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious award. At face value, this is science fiction, but is metaphorically in your face.  

What are your thoughts on this?  Neil Gaiman is better than awesome sauce.

 

http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff/Short_Stories/How_To_Talk_To_Girls_At_Parties/How_To_Talk_To_Girls_At_Parties_(Text)

Fate and the Death of Destination A

Do you believe in fate, that karma is real and everything unfolds exactly as it should? For most of my youth, I held fast to these principles because essentially it allowed me to be lazy and gave me something to blame if things didn't work out. But after a time, I realized life was passing me by, my dreams along with it. This was proof enough that fate had no idea what I wanted out of life so I flipped fate off, got behind the wheel of my life and headed for the freeway. I had to get moving before I gave up my driving rights and ended up in the back of the Reaper's limo.

A person shouldn't wait for their density (yes, I spelled it that way purposely; it makes me laugh and think of Back to the Future. It's the little things in life, you know.) Take matters into your own hands. Make a plan. Stick to it. This works really well I've found but as with everything there is a caveat. Just because you're driving doesn't mean you end up in the personal Nirvana programmed into your GPS. That funny little fickle finger of fate will mess with the settings and change the route, whether one believes in it or not. I am now a believer of fate once again but I believe me and Fate are lazy. We don't want to work on this life thing by ourselves so it works better as a joint effort. What brought this change about, you may wonder? No? Go away then. Nothing worse than reading stuff you're not interested in and I won't hold it against you.

I was driving my car to Destination A. I was due to arrive at Destination A in 3 months and I was ecstatic, set on go from day one preparing for my arrival and all that it entailed. Well, Destination A was proving to be much further than anticipated but I continued on my journey understanding that things don't necessarily go smoothly. I didn't question the plan or the validity of Destination A. ETA, another 3 months.

No go. Destination A was difficult to find even with a very highly functional GPS. Destination A, yet another 3 months. I unhappily soldiered on and believed that I would eventually get there.

On closer inspection I realized Destination A sucks and I didn't want to go there anymore. It continues to be very real and wonderful to others but I won't be going because Fate has been actively changing my route and sending me signals that I've only recently begun to recognized.

I now have a new GPS setting. This new place I'm heading toward is much more difficult to get to (nerves talking?) but the ride is going to be awesome. In fact, I won't call my new setting a destination. On this one, the journey is the whole point. And I'm happier now than ever before.

If you need some help with your future, check this out! http://www.neilgaiman.com/oracle/ Very fun indeed!