Bottle Shock is the movie we saw yesterday. It was not only enjoyable and funny, it also made me want to curl up on a deck chair with a good book and some excellent chardonnay. (For the budget conscious, Fetzer’s “Sundial” Chardonnay is quite tasty.)

Today, for Media Monday, I’m sharing the trailer.

I woke this morning to a sky that was just beginning to cloud over, and two dogs who were begging to dash outside for their morning business. They came in much sooner than I expected, and when I looked outside to see if there was an animal that might have scared them, I noticed fading rain drops on the porch and picnic table.

The sky, was still predominantly blue, however.

Ten minutes later, the blue had been replaced by thick grey, and thunder was rumbling in the distance. I love thunderstorms. They invigorate me more than even the best coffee sipped at the coolest cafe. I may be a fire-sign (Leo) but water is my element. I am LEO hear me…splash!

There’s something especially magical about a summer rainstorm. Even when you live in a place where it rains frequently, warm rain is special, and freeing in much the same way that running through sprinklers is. It touches the kernel of childhood innocence in all of us.

Rain and thunder, to me, are as musical and inspiring as any symphony, and as accessible as any pop song, but when you combine rain with music? Sheer brilliance.

Just watch:

It’s that time of year again, when the sun seems to be so close it’s cruel, and the temperatures are so hot that economy of movement is a necessity rather than mere laziness. It’s the week that my month starts (other people may celebrate their birthdays for a single day, but I lay claim to the entire MONTH of August…though I share it happily enough).

As if they’re doing it just for me, the Discovery Channel offers their annual tribute to sharks. Yes, Shark week begins tonight with a two-hour Mythbusters extravaganza.

Who can resist?

It’s not Media Monday, but I love this acceptance speech from this year’s Tony’s (from last month), more than I have words to express. The actor is Mark Rylance. The words he speaks are a “prose poem” (and may I just say I HATE that term. Either it’s a poem, or it’s NOT) called Back Country, by Louis Jenkins.

Enjoy:

It’s the latest from the JossVerse. What more do you need to know?

Teaser from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

I had to ask one of the BBtL people who Scott Sigler was, and then, I forgot to bookmark any of the sites mentioned where I could read about the recent (by which I mean over the last couple years) of authors using podcasting to share their work, as a means of attracting an agent.

If I had the courage, and the technical skills, I’d do it. As it is, I’m serializing one of the threads of my novel over at Pink Nighties, and using one of the fragments as a jumping off point for a contribution to a friend-of-a-friends’ coffee culture book. A friend of mine who is also a writer adopted the term “prepublished,” and I like that idea a LOT.

Writing has come a long way from people using spiral notebooks and cheap pens, and spending endless hours holed up in garrets or garages a la Josephine March in Little Women. There are scary rumors of the publishing industry going to pot, but I don’t think that’s entirely true. Rather, I think it’s evolving to include new media, and that’s a good thing. Anything that allows us to share stories is a plus.

But back to Scott Sigler. He’s an author who’s been podcasting his fiction. He’s amazingly cool, and pretty talented, and if you like horror and sci-fi you should check out his first hardcover work, Infected, which is available at your local bookseller, as well as Amazon.

Not sure you want to risk the money? Check out the book’s promotional trailer, below (linked from YouTube):

Yes, it’s Easter, and what better way to celebrate than with the first teaser for 3 Days Later a movie-length parody of the famous musical Jesus Christ: Superstar?

Okay, chocolate would taste better, but would it catch you between laughter and fear of going to hell? Probably not.

A good friend of mine is one of the creative minds behind this, but even if that wasn’t the case, I’d HAVE to share: