The kind who eat their porridge with a slide-rule

[sovay]

I found out last night that my library card had expired. Since when do they even do that? At least when I went to renew it tonight, I acquired a book of Egon Schiele and a hardcover first edition (male) of Milorad Pavić's Dictionary of the Khazars: A Lexicon Novel (1984). The used book shelf at Cary Library never ceases to amaze me. It made up slightly for not being able to lie on the couch and stare vaguely at Marlene Dietrich in Morocco (1930).

I found out this morning that Pete Postlethwaite had died. He was one of the actors I'd watch anything for, even if sometimes that meant I ended up watching Dragonheart (1996). I hadn't even known he had cancer. I will miss him.

(I found out about five minutes ago: Anne Francis. I don't think I ever saw her in anything but Forbidden Planet (1956) and the lyrics of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I am still sorry.)

For those people on my friendlist who are involved with the SFPA, Rhysling nominations are now open. My list of publications in the last year can be found here.

I am going to stare vaguely at The Daily Show and go to bed.

Comments

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

Too bad you couldn't watch Morocco! I just finished, and it was indeed just as crazy and just as great as people always told me. Not to mention one of those rare films in which both the male and female leads are equally, terrifyingly beautiful. Dietrich, always with that flip, slightly tragic half-smile...Cooper looking like Washington, ie twelve stories high, made from radiation...

[sovay]

I just finished, and it was indeed just as crazy and just as great as people always told me.

I was fairly certain I would love it. I just needed the library not to repossess all my books. At least it's on DVD, unlike some of the movies I don't see on TCM.

Dietrich, always with that flip, slightly tragic half-smile...Cooper looking like Washington, ie twelve stories high, made from radiation...

Go on, tell me I didn't miss anything . . .

Can I request a full review?

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

Check my LJ--I just put it up.

[ckd]

I just looked at my account online, and MLN says my card expires in 2021. (Not a typo.) Guess I don't have to worry about it just yet....

[sovay]

just looked at my account online, and MLN says my card expires in 2021. (Not a typo.)

It must vary from library to library. I was told I'd have to come back in five years. I ask you, what the hell?

[wyldemusick.livejournal.com]

Pima County Library here in Tucson went to expiring cards a few years ago, which I didn't find out about for awhile as I'd stopped using the library. They also merged the city and county library system at the same time. The cards expire every three years, as a way of keeping the database tightened up, apparently.

I should get involved with the SFPA again.

[sovay]

The cards expire every three years, as a way of keeping the database tightened up, apparently.

Seriously, I just find that strange.

I should get involved with the SFPA again.

I am barely involved at this point, but I do like being able to vote in the Rhyslings.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I think my library card expired and had to be renewed a couple of years ago.

Glad for the finds, although I'm sorry that you weren't able to see the Dietrich film.

I found out this morning that Pete Postlethwaite had died...
(I found out about five minutes ago: Anne Francis.

Their memories for a blessing.

I hope you can find some sleep tonight.

[sovay]

I hope you can find some sleep tonight.

Thank you.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

a hardcover first edition (male)

hardcover editions come in male and female?

[teenybuffalo.livejournal.com]

That was my question too. I've been sitting here trying to figure out how a book could have gender. Er. Like male and female plugs? Or do the female books bear fruit while the male books just look barren in the winter?

[sovay]

Or do the female books bear fruit while the male books just look barren in the winter?

Poem! And then send it to Stone Telling for its Whimsy issue.

. . . aagh, I want to write about Peter Wimsey and see if she'll take it. Somebody turn off my brain.

[teenybuffalo.livejournal.com]

OK, poem it is.

I'm not here to help turn off your brain, I'm here to be a bad influence. Do it do it do it!

[sovay]

hardcover editions come in male and female?

They do if they're the Dictionary of the Khazars.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

How cool is that!

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

But can one get to see the two versions of that crucial paragraph without buying the book twice? Or even once?

[sovay]

But can one get to see the two versions of that crucial paragraph without buying the book twice?

Yes, apparently.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Gosh, they are gendered. Shivers versus triggers, and seas versus trees.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Yes, apparently.

Thank you!

I'd always wondered what the difference actually was, but shied away from actually reading both editions and hoping I'd notice which paragraph was what. It's nice to finally know.

That said, I wish the difference were indeed something like the female books bearing fruit, or at least that if you left a pair of the appropriate genders alone together for long enough you'd find a collection of little tiny books sharing the shelf with them.