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

[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.