What did the condemned say to the blessed when they met on the path?

What a pleasure it is to sit out on the porch, in my little island of light, eating my warm dinner and reading my trashy book and watching the world drown in the deluge, and all of me that is getting touched is a tiny sprinkle on my outstretched toes. But, if I stand up I can feel the spray like on the prow of a ship, and wonder to myself: did the sailors who threw themselves overboard for mermaids feel cheated as they drowned? Or were they glad? Or did they not drown at all, and is there even now a little clan of infertile half-sailor, half-manatee children half-floundering around in the ocean? 'Cos woohee, they'd be some ugly babies. Even if the sailor was purty.


Helen, I finally saw your stuff at the design centre.

Other people, if you or someone you know has anything that needs designing, say a series of book covers or CDs or posters or such, I would suggest in the strongest possible terms that you throw yourself on her mercy, and beg pathetically for the chance to shower her with enormous quantities of money, knowing that even then the value of the work will be far in excess of what you have paid for it. The link above suggests her as a spiritual successor to Terry Gilliam, but the breadth of stuff in her portfolio goes well beyond that /gush.

I saw some film about a boy who liked to play with his wand. I quite enjoyed it. Earlier this week I saw a film I enjoyed even more, and both of these were based on books I haven't read, but probably should. Next week, only films not based on books.

"O you take the low road and I'll take the high, for a laugh."