a banner with a strange device

[freckles_and_doubt]

Right, so have been in curriculum advice all morning and just found myself shouting at a particularly dense and recalcitrant student, so this is a designated 20-minute break while I drink Earl Grey, cruise the internet for random distraction which doesn't require a brain, and recover my equanimity and love for the gazelles. Therefore, linkage.

• The recent Amazon bully tactics against Macmillan make me cross and inclined to boycott Amazon, although I have to say Macmillan's pricing on e-books seems little excessive. As a bonus side-effect, alternative online sources are being punted all over: The Book Depository is apparently as cheap, doesn't charge for international delivery and lets you watch people buying books across the world in real time, which for some reason I find inexpressibly cool.
  
  
• Is all this curriculum advice rotting my brain? I find myself rather liking the first pink swirly thing worn by Lady Gaga at the Grammys. Kind of a classic insanity rather than the more usual incomprehensible madness. On the other hand, I wouldn't currently trust my aesthetic judgement.
  
  
• In other news, this is exquisitely written and does precise, tenuous, luminous things with vision and significance. Catherynne Valente is my new literary girl crush.

Right, that was the last of my Earl Grey. I dangle before myself like a deep-fried battered carrot the promise that jo&stv, still Prince of Hosts, promise to cook tempura tonight. This shall console me for the First Serious Army of Reconstruction screw-up - they've delivered the wrong kitchen tiles, so probably a couple of weeks of delay. Phooey. I'm dying to see how they look.

My doom beckons. Excelsior!

Comments

[wolverine-nun.livejournal.com]

I also liked the pink thing. Also, I adored the silver lightening bolt thing except the utter rudeness of wearing it while sitting in front of someone rather dismayed me.

P.S. I have more chocolate for you

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I must admit the Tall Hat Syndrome was the first thing that struck me about the silver thing, but generally I didn't like it anyway.

You are a chocolate machine! today I've even had time to eat some of it!

[strawberryfrog.livejournal.com]

The first pink swirly thing is great, but the second ... no.

That green leotard

[first-fallen.livejournal.com]

Reminds me of when Borat hosted the MTV music awards years ago. He said that in his home country Shakira is another word for a woman's genitals, eg "See my wife's shakira, it hang down like lips of tired dog".

So, yes, that leotard is a little TMI. But I do love the sparkly greenness of it. And I love her "fuck all y'all, I can wear whatever I want to!" attitude. She's certainly brave.

Re: That green leotard

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

The green leotard horrified me utterly. Only slightly less, in fact, than Amanda Palmer's Golden Globes dress, which is my current benchmark for The Sartorial Unclassy. (Possibly because, while it might be appropriate for Amanda Palmer's persona, it's absolutely not appropriate for it to be anywhere within a ten-mile radius of Neil Gaiman's class act.)

[vesta-aurelia.livejournal.com]

On a bibliophilic note, I'd like to mention Powell's Books. They have an online store that is almost as fabulous as their brick-and-mortar store.

Admittedly they're in the States, but they ship. And if you ever end up in Oregon, dear god you must visit. 5 floors, an entire city block, with color-coded rooms to delineate subjects. the Pearl room (rare books) requires white gloves.

The first time I walked into Powell's, I thought I had died and passed on to my reward. my heaven shall smell like this bookstore, with obscure monographs and popular fiction rubbing elbows. Where else can I get a Bujold novel and the results of a Palmyan archaelogical dig under the same roof, plus good coffee?

Pardon my rhapsody. I cannot help it.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Various lucky friends have enthused about Powells, it sounds completely incredible. I've always hazily thought that the shipping from the US to South Africa is slightly more hideous than from the UK to SA, but I may be wrong - shall have to investigate.

[wolverine-nun.livejournal.com]

The shipping did cost more than the book itself...

[rumint.livejournal.com]

I can vouch for the Book Depository, I've used them many a time.
No idea what their international postage is like, but the UK stuff is always pretty quick.

[(Anonymous)]

Book Depository is excellent, but their "worldwide shipping" didn't include SA, last time I checked. I second Powell's though, they are wonderful.

scroob

[wolverine-nun.livejournal.com]

I ordered something from Powell's, an obscure academic thingummy, and it posted fine. I left one of those "alert me when it comes in" things and it all worked out nicely.

[(Anonymous)]

The pink thing is lush, but I do wonder if it is merely everyone's least-worst choice when compared to the others. Love the Borat image!

One can almost imagine the first AoR screw-up as a gentle testing of your psychic stamina; a standard opening ploy for tareing the customer, lifted straight from the Mason's Handbook. How you react will determine which ploy comes next. Like those choose-your-own adventure books. Enjoy the dance!
Sven

[khoi-boi.livejournal.com]

I loved that story - veered nicely from steampunk to Lovecraft by way of Leni Riefenstahl...

[(Anonymous)]

Wow, that's hypnotic. Also, someone in Ireland just bought a Biggles book, which tickles me pink.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Hey! I bought a couple of Biggles books the other day. They're fun, in a squeaky-clean sort of way.

Book Depository don't charge postage to South Africa. I think I may shop entirely there in future.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm very tempted by Book Depository but am worried about getting hit by nasty Customs import duty. Is this likely, and if so, what amount should I factor in?

[(Anonymous)]

Dang, sorry, forgot to sign off. Question above is from Sven. I really must get an ID...

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

You kinda mostly get hit by import duty, especially on Amazon shipments, but sometimes the small ones slip through. I dunno, around R30 on a couple of books? I only really order overseas if I can't find it on Loot or Take2, so it's not really about the price and I tend to simply shrug and pay it. I think my Evil Landlord's lack of serious concern about money has infected me over the years, by osmosis.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

p.s. I definitely think you should acquire an LJ login. I dare you to make an icon from a photo of you in the make-up, black nail polish and hat.