Wil, So sorry for your loss, and my condolences and heartfelt prayers for you and your family (including Riley, of course). I went through a very similar grief when my 16 yo cat passed away a few years ago. He was MY cat, I saw him being born and held him as he passed away, and for weeks I did not know what to do with myself, and yes, cried continuously. My kids were quite worried, but finally I was able to talk with them about it, explain why Mommy was so upset and that it was normal and that I'd be ok. My aunt is a minister and has taken courses on grief counselling and says if we haven't completely grieved over something in our past, the next grief drags up that old grief and adds to it. So, cry your eyes out, and let your grief out. And, trust me, even though it doesn't feel like it now, time does indeed heal all wounds.

Wil, I just want to say THANKS for introducing me to The Guild. I know you have mentioned it on your blog many times, but after this video I decided to check it out. As Bladezz would say: O. M. G. I just sat here and watched ALL season 1 & 2 episodes, and am now in withdrawl and can't wait for season 3, and to see YOU on the show. Wish I could fastforward! I'm like half in love with Zaboo, for some crazy reason, lol. Wil, I love your blog, and it has introduced me to so many cool things I can't count them all. You rock! \m/

You should be proud - great performance!!! It was an awesome short all around, great writing, great drawing and great acting/voices. I loved the little touches that make you want to watch it over and over to catch everything, for example how Rosemary is taking notes with a quill and inkpot rather than a pen. It makes me want to see more, but it's true it wrapped up nicely so the story really was told already. Anyway, Kudos!!

Wil, it takes talent to turn an 'epic fail' into an interesting read, as you did. I enjoyed the article. Kudos. And yes, you have your priorities straight. And to put technology and today's deadlines into perspective, I came across comedian Louise CK's 'Amazing World, Wasted on Idiots' today, and thought you (and your readers) might enjoy it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus

I cannot go to that link, it redirects me to a blank page. Is it maybe because I'm in Canada? Or is it gone? Do I have to be a member of Crackle? Can anyone help me, as I'd really like to see it? Thanks!

Wil, as everyone seems to be saying, stop worrying and keep doing what you're doing. As one comment said "I started to read your blog and twitter BECAUSE it was such an amazing look at husband/geek/stepdad."

Wil, thanks SO much for sharing this. I am going out today to Chapters to pre-order this book (in Canada it says released Aug 7) for my daughter Danica (named after Ms McKellar, incidentally), who's going into grade 8 and who thinks math is boring (though she's a natural). Sorry I can't order through your Amazon link, but I have no credit cards (amazingly, it IS possible to live without them - barely). I noticed some negative comments about the 'cute' aspect and the magazine style (like the horoscope), but I personally think that that's is a big selling point. Not that I necessarily want my daughters to feel they have to be 'cute', but it's a 'necessary' sell at this time - my daughters spend a huge portion of their money on teen magazines (despite my disgust), and something about that format obviously appeals to them, so I think it's a perfect way to introduce them to the concept that math is not just a guy thing. Trust me that I have fought the media since my first daughter, Darien, was born (yes, to the point of giving her a "boy's" name and buying her 'hot wheels' and star wars figures along side barbies), and I've role-modeled the confident, independent, intelligent woman for them, but media and peer pressure still had/have a huge effect. If this book format is what it takes to open their eyes to the concept that girls can/should be smart (as well as cute) and can do well at math, then I'm all for it! I hope Ms McKellar is now working on a science book of the same sort! Maybe a spin-off magazine?!

Wil, thanks SO much for sharing this. I am going out today to Chapters to pre-order this book (in Canada it says released Aug 7) for my daughter Danica (named after Ms McKellar, incidentally), who's going into grade 8 and who thinks math is boring (though she's a natural). Sorry I can't order through your Amazon link, but I have no credit cards (amazingly, it IS possible to live without them - barely). I noticed some negative comments about the 'cute' aspect and the magazine style (like the horoscope), but I personally think that that's is a big selling point. Not that I necessarily want my daughters to feel they have to be 'cute', but it's a 'necessary' sell at this time - my daughters spend a huge portion of their money on teen magazines (despite my disgust), and something about that format obviously appeals to them, so I think it's a perfect way to introduce them to the concept that math is not just a guy thing. Trust me that I have fought the media since my first daughter, Darien, was born (yes, to the point of giving her a "boy's" name and buying her 'hot wheels' and star wars figures along side barbies), and I've role-modeled the confident, independent, intelligent woman for them, but media and peer pressure still had/have a huge effect. If this book format is what it takes to open their eyes to the concept that girls can/should be smart (as well as cute) and can do well at math, then I'm all for it! I hope Ms McKellar is now working on a science book of the same sort! Maybe a spin-off magazine?!

Forgot to mention: Have you read JD Frazer's book 'Money for Content and your Clicks for Free'? He actually makes a living on his comic site (http://www.userfriendly.org/) advertising. I have the book, and it's great. He's been there and made the mistakes so you don't have to.

Forgot to mention: Have you read JD Frazer's book 'Money for Content and your Clicks for Free'? He actually makes a living on his comic site (http://www.userfriendly.org/) advertising. I have the book, and it's great. He's been there and made the mistakes so you don't have to.

Why the heck shouldn't you use advertising??? I'm all for it. I'll be doing the survey right away. And, advertising and spam are definitely not synonymous. Spam may be a (deplored) type of advertising, but advertising overall makes the world go round. ;-)

Why the heck shouldn't you use advertising??? I'm all for it. I'll be doing the survey right away. And, advertising and spam are definitely not synonymous. Spam may be a (deplored) type of advertising, but advertising overall makes the world go round. ;-)

55? That would be a beautiful spring day, almost shorts and t-shirt weather! Right now, it is -13F here!! Try to think about exercising in that, with 3 feet of snow to boot. Well, shovelling the driveway is exercise of a sort, but mostly it just kills the back. ;-)

55? That would be a beautiful spring day, almost shorts and t-shirt weather! Right now, it is -13F here!! Try to think about exercising in that, with 3 feet of snow to boot. Well, shovelling the driveway is exercise of a sort, but mostly it just kills the back. ;-)

I totally disagree with you, Wil, and all but one commenter. The movies were no worse than the first 3 made, and in fact better FX. The main difference is most of you were kids when the first ones came out. The kids today (as one comment pointed out) LOVE eps 1-3, and in a lot of cases more than 4-6. And, Lucas has always said the movies were all made for 9 year-olds. As much as Jar-jar made us adults wince, he was my daughter's favorite when ep 1 came out (she would have been 5 or 6, I think). Wil, you've blogged several times about the love of shopping for Star Wars figures when you were young, and playing with them. My daughter's first 2 figures were Amidala and Jar-jar. My nephew (now age 10) loves all 6 movies fairly equally, and his faves are Boba and Jango. He idolized Anakin (yes, the broody one) until he discovered that he turned to the Dark side in ep 3 - he actually felt betrayed. Yes, we all knew it was coming, but he didn't make the connection at his age. To him, even raised on the original 3, watching 1-3 in the theaters on the first day they came out was equivalent to all of us watching 4-6 when they first came out. I think you all are jaded because of all the hype and build-up that happened for years before the new ones were released, and because for some reason you wanted to feel the way you felt as kids again. Well, unfortunately most of you have not been able to suspend your adulthood and relive those days. Don't blame that on the actors, the director or the writing, please. I loved Battlestar Gallactica as a kid, but I cringe to watch the old stuff now. I also haven't got into the new series, though by all accounts it is a much better show. But, it just wouldn't be the same. I agree with almost all of your criticism (except I loved the Yoda fights), but I seem to be one of the few who understand that it was always for the kids, not the impossible-to-please fans now grown up.

I totally disagree with you, Wil, and all but one commenter. The movies were no worse than the first 3 made, and in fact better FX. The main difference is most of you were kids when the first ones came out. The kids today (as one comment pointed out) LOVE eps 1-3, and in a lot of cases more than 4-6. And, Lucas has always said the movies were all made for 9 year-olds. As much as Jar-jar made us adults wince, he was my daughter's favorite when ep 1 came out (she would have been 5 or 6, I think). Wil, you've blogged several times about the love of shopping for Star Wars figures when you were young, and playing with them. My daughter's first 2 figures were Amidala and Jar-jar. My nephew (now age 10) loves all 6 movies fairly equally, and his faves are Boba and Jango. He idolized Anakin (yes, the broody one) until he discovered that he turned to the Dark side in ep 3 - he actually felt betrayed. Yes, we all knew it was coming, but he didn't make the connection at his age. To him, even raised on the original 3, watching 1-3 in the theaters on the first day they came out was equivalent to all of us watching 4-6 when they first came out. I think you all are jaded because of all the hype and build-up that happened for years before the new ones were released, and because for some reason you wanted to feel the way you felt as kids again. Well, unfortunately most of you have not been able to suspend your adulthood and relive those days. Don't blame that on the actors, the director or the writing, please. I loved Battlestar Gallactica as a kid, but I cringe to watch the old stuff now. I also haven't got into the new series, though by all accounts it is a much better show. But, it just wouldn't be the same. I agree with almost all of your criticism (except I loved the Yoda fights), but I seem to be one of the few who understand that it was always for the kids, not the impossible-to-please fans now grown up.

Hey, there is a hilarious animated gif of Riker, Picard and Data car-dancing in the comments at Nathan Fillion's MySpace, You have to check it out: http://www.myspace.com/nathanfillion comment Nov 14 2006 5:40P

Hey, there is a hilarious animated gif of Riker, Picard and Data car-dancing in the comments at Nathan Fillion's MySpace, You have to check it out: http://www.myspace.com/nathanfillion comment Nov 14 2006 5:40P

I know absolutely nothing about poker, and not really interested at all, but, yes, I read to the end, because I do like reading 'Wil'. Maybe I slightly prefer the family stories, because I can relate, but I enjoy reading all your blogs. I'd still really love to see more fiction, too. I think you's write an awesome novel.

I know absolutely nothing about poker, and not really interested at all, but, yes, I read to the end, because I do like reading 'Wil'. Maybe I slightly prefer the family stories, because I can relate, but I enjoy reading all your blogs. I'd still really love to see more fiction, too. I think you's write an awesome novel.

I agree, Wil. There's not enough time to do everything you want and need to do. Modern technology was supposed to set us free to live lives of leisure - no more toiling from sunrise to sunset. Instead, we are busier than ever and toil round the clock - no stopping when the sun stops, we have electric lights. ;-)

I agree, Wil. There's not enough time to do everything you want and need to do. Modern technology was supposed to set us free to live lives of leisure - no more toiling from sunrise to sunset. Instead, we are busier than ever and toil round the clock - no stopping when the sun stops, we have electric lights. ;-)

What can we Canadians do?

What can we Canadians do?

Otis may have had a slight edge on plot, but you killed him on characterization. That is your strong suit in writing, and the most valuable one to have. No matter the genre, we enivitably read for the characters. I've thought for a very long time that you should be writing fiction (novels, rather than short stories, so you have room to develop the tales) - it's your destiny.