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I have just rewatched the first episode of Torchwood and found myself deeply entertained by all the bits that make no sense/are just ridiculous. In no particular order ( Read more... ) -
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I just finished reading Conundrums for the Long Week-End, a Christmas present from my parents. It's about the Lord Peter Wimsey books and how they reflect the world in which Sayers was writing. Just my sort of thing (which is why I asked for it). However, it was a bit disappointing. Rather than an in-depth exploration of the books, it felt more ( Read more... ) -
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Contemplating the weird disconnect in the Harry Potter universe between wizards and Muggles, I remembered this line from Tonks in OotP: "Very clean, aren't they, these Muggles?" said the witch called Tonks, who was looking about the kitchen with great interest. "My dad's Muggle-born and he's a right old slob. I suppose it varies, just as it does ( Read more... ) -
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I have just finished reading Villette. I must admit that I can't quite see the appeal of M. Paul. (I am the same age as Lucy Snowe. If my suitor told me not to look at certain paintings because they were improper for a young lady, and sat me down in a corner to look at pious works instead, I would not take it very well.) And the pacing of the ( Read more... ) -
Misinterpreting Sayers
From Busman's Honeymoon:
"Blow Mrs Ruddle!"
"By all means -- but I expect Bunter is doing that already."
The precipitate entry of Mrs Ruddle with the tea-tray gave weight to the supposition.
Just think of the fanfic. -
Happy New Year!
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true. -
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On the BBC's list of census oddities:
"Seaside resorts are often near the top of the divorce league - but no-one is really sure why."
Because to get a divorce you need to go to Brighton and get caught with a woman by the hotel's chambermaid! It's all very simple. -
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I was in Waterstones last week, and discovered that they had a bookcase devoted solely to what they called "Cosy Crime". It included Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie, to my great bemusement.
Here is the ending of Unnatural Death:
'An evil woman, if ever there was one,' said Parker, softly, as they looked at the rigid body, with its swollen face ( Read more... ) -
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In my last shift at Oxfam, I found and bought a book called The Complete Medical Encyclopedia and Household Doctor - no date given, but judging by the illustrations it looks like it's from the 30s. It's in surprisingly good condition (or it was, until I left Oxfam in a ferocious rainstorm and, despite my having an umbrella, the book got soaked and ( Read more... ) -
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I am currently in a room at the Oxford University Club, listening to Hertford's "silent disco" (a misnomer if ever there was one) from the floor below. Avril Lavigne's "Sk8r Boi" was just greeted with wild enthusiasm; the attendees appear to be word-perfect. (That said, aren't we all?)