Hang on to me and I'll hang on to you

1. "Catullus V.101" has been accepted by Not One of Us. I am reluctant to refer to it as a poem of mine without some explanation; it is a version of Catullus 101 and I think it may actually be the first time I'll have a translation published. For various reasons, I am happy about this.

2. teenybuffalo started my day off right with a blast of fringe science: Buddhist 'Iron Man' found by Nazis is from space. Paging handful_ofdust—I think you wrote this one?

3. Herbert Lom has died. I never think of him in connection with The Pink Panther; I saw him first in The Ladykillers (1955), never taking off his hat indoors. He's the only one of the gang who carries his violin case as though he might know how to take a Tommy gun out of it, but he's no match for the obliviousness of a little old lady, indomitable as Britain. He disappears into the smoke with the rest. I should see that film again.

Have a very brief cheerful mix. It had to happen sometime. ( And I feel like some bird of paradise, my bad fortune slipping away. )

I mean, physically I feel terrible. But it's going to be all right. I said that a lot, but I insist on meaning it this time.