This week we check in on the beginning of the Wheel of Time series. Veronica’s ahead of me and says the thing really picks up right after the point I stopped. Which makes me think she’s just trying to get me to start reading again. Which is fine. One of the problems is I’m reading Watchmen at the same time in advance of the movie. I’ll share a few impressions about that with you as well. We also discuss the book Daemon as reviewed on Slashdot. Should it be our next book choice?

Finally we take some reader comments, including a Wheel of Time Drinking Game and someone calling the last book “pants.” We’re pretty sure that means he didn’t like it. Welcome to the wonderful world of monthly Sword and Laser! Woo-hoo! Pant

Special thanks to Jonathan Coulton for the use of his song, Mr. Fancy Pants! Go buy it here!

As promised in the most recent podcast, our good friend Ryan (a.k.a. TuxOtaku) has set up a Sword and Laser IRC channel! Here are the details:

Server: irc.revision3.com
Room: #swordandlaser

We’ll be doing some scheduled chats soon, but otherwise feel free to pop in and say hello from time to time! Just be mindful of spoilers (in fact, let’s keep current book discussion to a minimum unless otherwise noted).

Tom and Roger talk about the weather, Watchmen, economic stimulus and nuclear destruction.

Listen to the episode at this link: http://www.archive.org/download/RogerChangandTomMerrittEastMeetsWest152/eastmeetswest152.mp3

SuBBrilliant News makes an appearance in the Mozomedia Music podcast. Enjoy some fine tunes and then I’ll catch you up on the headlines that you won’t hear anywhere else.

Get the episode.