Here is what I like. You may like it too.
Agent
Joe is represented by...well, no one just yet. He hopes that changes pretty soon. Look, you'd be right at the top of the page!
Authors
Lois McMaster Bujold, author of the Miles series and the Chalion fantasies. Of all the books I've been introduced to as an adult, none has sunk its claws into me as deeply as Cordelia's Honor and the various Miles omnibi. I typically want to be better than every other author I read. With Bujold, I hope I can be as good as she.
Tad Williams, author of "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn;" The War of the Flowers; and the Shadowmarch Trilogy among others. It was Tad's influence that ensorcelled me. I might have moved on to more respectable genres where I could have made millions of dollars and gotten movie deals and merchandising. He ensured that Fantasy would be my first and forever love.
Diana Gaboldon, author of Outlander and its series. I got this book by accident and fell in love with it.
Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian, et al. 'Nuff said.
George R.R. Martin, author of "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Magic done right...and everyone dies!
Blogs
Janet Reid, an agent for nonfiction, literary fiction and women's fiction. She will beat you with a ruler until you understand the professional side of publishing. She is awesome. She also hosts Query Shark. If you've written a query for your work and haven't studied this blog, do so before submitting. It will save you a lot of heartache.
Kristin Nelson, an agent for YA, Romance, and SF/F. I have learned a lot from reading her blog.
Nathan Bransford, an agent for Literary Fiction and Mystery. He brings a guy's point of view (which is usually the same as the women's).
Paperback Flash, Erik Mona is the publisher for Paizo and a pulp fiction aficionado. This blog covers his vast pulp fantasy collection.
Pimp My Novel, Eric is a sales assistant at a major trade publishing house. He'll show you the business-end and how they make the sausage.
Movies
Lord of the Rings Better than the books, I say.
Man on Fire Best. Revenge flick. Ever.
Out of Sight Bertolt Brecht would be proud.
Music
Classical Heavy Metal Industrial/Electronic Jazz Latin New Age
J.S. Bach
P.I. Tchaikovsky
Dry Kill Logic
Kittie
KoRn
Otep
DJ 486 (formerly Methadrene)
Louis Armstrong
Miles Davis
Norah Jones
Thelonious Monk
Gipsy Kings
Shakira
Jesse Cook
Mediaeval Baebes
Plays
Fences by August Wilson. I saw this at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, and it just blew my mind. It instantly became my favorite play ever. If I had known this play in college, I would have used Troy's "Why do I have to love you" monologue in my acting class. So powerful. This play is part of a ten-play cycle, each examining the African-American experience in a different decade of the 20th century. I have to see the other nine. This is one of Life's imperatives.
All My Sons by Arthur Miller. Until I saw Fences, this used to be my favorite play. The last line doesn't work for me, but otherwise, it's a hell of a play. Jack Lemon did a great job as Joe in one of the film versions.
Les Misérables by Claude-Michele Schönberg. I can sing along with the entire soundtrack. This is my favorite musical.
The PodgeCast is a discussion of geek culture: movies, music, books, RPGs, tabletop games, and whatever else is on their minds. The hosts include Dr. Luke Meyer, Adam Pinilla, and Matt Cushman. Joe was part of this show through episode 56.
NPR's Political Junkie is a weekly discussion on politics, hosted by Ken Rudin. Ken and I are friends on Twitter and that fills me with nerdish glee.
The Way of the Game is a discussion podcast on video games. Joe sometimes contributes on "games," including board games, art, and politcs.
Television
Firefly Perhaps the greatest TV show ever made. Canceled. Way to go, Fox.
Veronica Mars Nancy Drew for a modern generation. Canceled. Way to go, CW.
The Big Bang Theory My wife and I combine our powers to form Sheldon. Way to go, CBS.
Chuck It has a big heart and sharp wit. Way to go, NBC.
NCIS Leroy. Jethro. Gibbs. Way to go, CBS.
Psych Perfectly blends humor with family and friendship. Way to go, USA.
Web Comics
Doors and Windows by Shawn Gaston. If you ever see "Children's Choir" finished, it's a sign of the apocalypse.
Garfield Minus Garfield by Dan Walsh. You don't truly appreciate Jim Davis' genius until you remove Garfield from the Garfield comics.
Penny Arcade by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik. Don't worry, I don't get all the jokes either.
Something Positive by R.K. Milholland. It's a little binger to brighten up your day.
XKCD by Randall Munroe. Don't worry, I don't get all these jokes either.
Ask the Oxford English Dictionary Still have trouble with Who vs. Whom? This site will help you out.
Behind the Name Where I get most of my ethnic names. Shhh don't tell.
