Plurals

http://arloandjanis.com/albatross.htm

The cartoon says 'Albatross were blah blah' and I immediately think 'Hang on, is that the plural', and then look down to the author's note below, which says... 'The plural of "albatross" is "albatross" or "albatrosses."' It's worrying when someone can anticipate you that well.

Random snippets from worldcon that I hadn't written up

1. From glasgow to cambridge I broke my train journey at edinborough and birmingham. I think they only stamped the ticket once, on the first leg. If so, what stops you using it repeatedly for the rest of the journey? I think all such attacks can only be used for repeat journeys (obviously you need some ticket the first time), but is there a reason, other than my honesty, this wouldn't work if you did commute that way a lot?

2. There was much help given to disabled people at the cons. It's just one aspect of a nice atmosphere. I remember Larry Niven writing a not-particularly-inspired book set in the near future when science has become reviled, and fandom exists underground. It was weird -- but I can see people doing exactly that :)

3. I only went to a couple of readings, but one was Susannah Clarke. It was an extensive footnote from near the end of the book that didn't make it in due to time, that we *jsut* got through in half an hour. It described a legend alluded to in the text where a poor charcoal burner got the better of the magician king, but it was very wonderful and very funny.

The question is, why do I always love books with footnotes? Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrel. Discworld. Amulet of Sammarkand. Cryptonomicon. All great, especially the footnotes. Maybe I like the compulsiveness to present all the necessary information[1]. But many are entirely irrelevent. Maybe I like that sort of discoursive digression?

[1] Eg. In Crypto, Shaftoe sees a $foo plane, and there's a footnote to describe why he recognises the model.

okcupid

My "what C++ operator" test is still unwritten. So is "What prime number are you."

But I got messaged out of the blue by two okcupid girls while I was logged in. Is it just me or is that kind of backward?

And then I did some browsing of it's suggested matches. Reading just the favorite book line is interesting. Lots of people like LOTR. Fair enough. Several like Robert Jordan or Terry Goodkind. Fair enough, it spotted the right genre. One liked Larry Niven. Score! Two liked "anything by Dan Brown." What did I do to deserve this? OK, they're not *bad* and a if relationship can survive diametric religious and philosophical views... but still[1].

Update: Though there was at least one person listing Dostoyevski and Dan Brown. *shrug* Apparently my disclaimer was truer than I knew :)

[1] Actually now I come to think of it, I remember someone else compaining about the phenomenon. I think the reaosning is that a bestseller is always a fairly safe choice if you want to say you read, but don't have many details.

Wetherspoons and Princess Bride

( Youscored J.D. Wetherloon )

( You scored Buttercup )

Invitation - Firefly watching

For those of you who don't know what Firefly is, you're ignorant philistines and I hate you. Just kidding. It's Joss Whedon[1]'s cowboys in space series that was cancelled early but is selling well on DVD. It's very enjoyable and funny. There's also a film, Serenity, due later this year.

Several people have requested a video evening, which I propose for this Sunday.

The plan would, as normal, be meet at about 7, have dinner, and watch the first couple of episodes. Who's interested? Please comment, or fill out the convoluted poll below.

[1] Ditto. OK, ok, the guy who did Buffy, ok?

( complicated when I'm free poll )