We Hatesss the Spoilers, Precious; but hey, alchemy is pretty cool

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/books/26pott.html Cute. About the Book 7 spoiler anxiety. But seriously, it spoils Books 5 and 6, so don't read if you're behind for some reason.

Also, for the more particularly geeky among us, I must point you to this piece on alchemical correspondences in Harry Potter which is sort of "this theory works, but we're working so hard to make it work, we're not sure if it works and lots of people writing about it have shitty citations." That said, it's a pretty cool read. http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=62#more-62

sundries

Today I went to the museum with sethg_prime, lucretia_borgia, their kids and assorted relations. It was fun and in the process of it I stumbled on some more rooms I didn't know were there. I'm really on a "hideous historical furniture" kick right now as it contextualizes pretty much everything else I do. Also, that big empty yello and white room from 1740? How am I supposed to stand in there and not dance? Hello?

Then I had an errand to do which was simple except for the fact that it was hot, and so did not seem simple by the time I concluded it.

Now at Germans. Other work and novel_in_90 when I get home. Am geared up for fencing tomorrow, so that is a relief.

Also, received letter from Patty today. It was the McCranky letter, but was sort rather entertaining for it. Also, she drew me a baby pomegranite and a church. That's pretty much the coolest, that this whole communication thing is so primative that I'm getting illustrations of her environs (although that is partially due to computer woes, I can still be charmed).

And that's a day. And it's only 5.

Tomorrow, workity work work, fencing and a press screening of Goya's Ghosts.

kids are freaky

On the bus today a woman is talking to her 5 or 6 year-old-child with glasses. I feel impelled to note that both the woman and child are dressed in bright, summery clothes. There is nothing about them that says, "OMG, third cousins to Snape and/or the Addams Family." Wow, I can't believe I just typed that sentence.

Anyway, mom is speaking to the child who has just declared that she hates someone.

"Hate is too strong a word. You mustn't hate people."

"But I do hate her!"

"Well, you can deplore her, instead."

"De-plore?" the kid asks, trying it out.

The mother nods frantically, in some sort of bizarre relief. "Or detest. You can even deride."

"De-plore. De-test! and de-ride?"

"Yes!" the mother chirps, triumphant. "Deplore is when, well you don't like the way someone is being, you can deplore them."

"Deplore," the child repeates more confidently.

"And detest is like when you really really don't like a food."

"You mean I hate it!"

"Well, yes, you detest it."

"Okay. Deplore. Detest."

"Deride, that's what you do when you deplore and detest."

"How?"

"You could say, "I deride your ideas,"" the mother offers.

"I deride you!" the child exclaims. "Deplore. Detest. Deride."


IT WAS THE AWESOME.