Patrick, I feel your pain, truly. I look at GWB and the Republican party, and I wonder what it is Republicans see that I can't, I wonder what is so good about right-wing theocracy, about legislating against same-sex civil marriage, about condoning those who believe abortion is murder and that abortion doctors are therefore fair game, and so on. Who believe that arbitrarily invading countries somehow makes them safer. And I look at my country, and at Tony Blair, happily trotting along in GWB's wake, tail wagging as he follows his friend, and I fear for my country too.
Mourn today – because it's right to mourn for the loss of a chance to do things differently, and make a better world; I mourn too, for though it wasn't my country's election, the result affects all of us. But then, tomorrow get up and start fighting again, like we've fought before, you, me, everyone, to make it better next time.
But today, dear god, I'm angry.
Can we borrow him over here? I've been reading extracts on Live Journals and thinking:yes; this is what I wanted the Labour Party to do. It's what I hope the Lib Dems will do (but fear they won't, alas). I'm often told I'm hopelessly idealistic for wanting simple straightforward changes, the way Obama lays them out, but for heaven's sake, why not?
I hope T Blair and Charlie Kennedy are paying attention over their cornflakes this morning.
The new establishment sounds wonderful, and we both wish you both good fortune in it. Were I in the country (I wish I were in the country) I would gladly come and help you move. As it is, in the face of the many boxes I know you must have to pack and shift, I shall think soothing house-moving thoughts at you all weekend. And unpacking thoughts next week.
(I will miss the pressed tin ceiling at your old establishment, though ... I'm weird like that.)
I'd like to copy those words to my own LJ sidebar, I think. Lots of things here we all need to be reminded of every day.
And congratulations to you and Teresa. I'd forgotten we share this auspicious day, though I know you did tell me a while ago.
I'm still slightly startled to realise that I really have been an adult for longer than I was a minor. How did that happen?
Nicely done; and about time that sonnet had new life breathed into it.
In which case you will be less than amazed to learn that Interseer has indeed also come to me, desperately concerned about the state of nielsenhayden.com. Good to know that they 'care' so much.
I want the book on principle. I've read several books by Francis Spufford and while I have been puzzled by them on occasion, I've not been disappointed.
Sf types might care to go to www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/openbook/openbook.shtml in the next few days, where they will be able to catch a recording of a programme about British science fiction, featuring Steve Baxter, Pat Cadigan and Francis Spufford. His contributions to the programme were enthusiastic and knowledgeable, which cheered me up no end.
It turned out Paul Kincaid also received a copy of this spam. I pointed out the line about the novel being 'under active consideration' for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, whatever that means. We presume he's planning to submit copies. Lucky, lucky Clarke judges. However, a quick check on the submissions shelf revealed that so far the novel hasn't actually been sent, so that 'active consideration' is just a tad inaccurate.
You too, huh? I just received a copy and stumbled at the comment about a literary Sarin attack. Forgive me, but does that not imply one is about to die as a result of reading it. terribly bad for repeat sales, I'd have thought.
And Avram, you should have seen the first paragraph, the admiring quote from another author that made me not want to read his book either.
M.
You know, I thought of you and Teresa when I looked at that picture this morning... in memory of the time you asked me what the huge park was that you'd seen while circling at Heathrow. I felt so ashamed for not knowing so I found out later, and now I've forgotten. I think it was Richmond ...
MKS
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|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
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