Various pop culture

Yes, Prime Minister

Wow, they actually made a second series with him as PM. I didn't know.

So much humour seems slightly predictable. Maybe YPM came from more innocent times -- but I doubt it. I *expect* Humphrey to be doing something self-servingly, so it's not a big laugh when he says so. Have I watched too many sitcoms? Note, sometimes seeing it coming works well, with *enough* repetition. And having a second punchline is often very good.

But this is just general griping on my part, YPM made me laugh more than I had for quite a while (except below). "It's one of those irregular verbs. I hold confidential press conferences. You leak. He, she, or it is arrested under section 2A of the official secrets act." I like Bernard.

LA Confidential

That was quite a nice film. Why is the title so famous though?

Stranger in a Strange Land

I've finally started the most famous Heinlein. This deserves a post of its own when I've finished it. As always it's strange to read something based in even a slightly different context -- eg. the railing against religion seemed to strike out in me, persuading me of something less than I thought.

But mainly, it was really exciting to see the words "contrariwise" and "grok" used in anger.

Deepness in the Sky

Again, a full singing of the praises will wait. Suffice it to say Vernor Vinge is definitely added to my list of most recommended books. But, as above, I'm amused to see "Attercop" used. The question is, is this because the spider insult can best be represented in our language assuming people have read The Hobbit, or is there actually independant coinage from the old english?

Stargate

I went to Lukshmi's for some stargate, and to corrupt her with mead. I may be a slightly better beta having *some* sense of the later series characters. They still seem much who I remember, but developed somewhat. They *are* cool.

Poohsoc

It was almost like the old days! We had Ben, lots of other people, and 100+ minutes.

Lark's party

The Sainsbury's mulled wine I brought was surprisingly nice, I must get some for me. There were gothy decorations. We exchanged old and new jokes. filecoreinuse managed, against extreme resistance, to tell me the squid restaurant shaggy dog story.

FC: Have you heard it?
CD: Yes. Absolutely. There's no need to tell it to me. Well, ok. If it's interesting.
FC: So this man
CD: More interesting?
FC: This woman...
[ ... very long narrative about characters with stupid names and nationalities and silly clothing in a melbourne sea life centre, interspersed with many grammatical, continuity and sartorial suggestions, and running commentary ... ]
FC: "...you have to kill it, Hans."
CD: Hold on, I have to go to the bathroom.
FC: There's ONE SENTENCE left!!
CD: So...
FC: [recap]
FC: [messes up punchline]
FC: AAAAAAAGHHHHH!
FC: [long punchline]
Everyone: laughs
CD: *pause* I don't get it.
FC: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!
FC: Do you watch much TV?
CD: No.
FC: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

For some reason, this whole thing cracked me up more than anything else has. Rich is teh standup guy, I enjoyed working with him :) I apologise for the inadequacies of this transcript, I can't remember his part as much.