/whois Satan

Torontonian Aimee Davidson just sold her soul for $100 as part of her project 100jobs.

Am I the only one a bit saddened by the lack of discussion over what constitues a "soul"? Gimme some metaphysics, baby.

Please, purchaser Todd Plesco, let us know what you expect for your $100.

And just who are you?

It should be noted that, despite spending far too many years on prednisone, I still do not buy into a paradigm that allows for a Satan. However, I highly recommend this fantastic book looking at the origins of the concept of "evil".

Remember

From xkcd

Complaint de jour

I admit, it is possible my most-recent challenging-short-story reading theme was supplanted by epic fantasy novels this week due to a need to hide after the world went pear-shaped Monday.

Or maybe it was because I finally got around to reading a piece a twit wrote for The New York Times asserting no women are really invested in the fantasy genre (thanks @peregrienne) and, not to be outdone with gender-specific idiocy, the not-even sophomoric 'response' published by the 'Celebrity, sex, fashion for women'-folks at Jezebel.

Or, it could have been because I was, actually, hiding from the world (aka plotting a coup), inspiration on battling evil forces was required and I had a copy of The Gathering Storm gathering dust on my shelves. [More on The Wheel of Time silliness, later]

All this to say, when I went to see if C.J. Sansom had another Shardlake book out - for apres-yoga reading this weekend - I found Vintage Canada had failed. Epically.

Or, as the chap at Perfect Books (@perfectbooksott) said it, 'They are on cheap crack.'

The publisher has decided to change its binding to cheap flimsy stuff. Previous versions had textured covers, thick, creamy paper with deep black ink  — an apocryphal nod to the period of the novels, one thought.

Now, the books are shiny, crass and inevitably disposable. This is not how one competes in the world of Kindles.


Badly done, Vintage Canada.

Friendship

My friend L. does not vote. Mostly because she cannot be bothered. This drives me crazy. Tonight, I threatened to no longer be her friend if she did not find 15 min. to go vote at her local polling station (even though she is in Baird's riding and it probably won't make any difference).

She said she would "try," or "say I voted but not really vote and lie to you."


Seriously ... how does one deal with that kind of disloyalty?


This is why I do not watch TV shows in order. It is the only thing i can do that DRIVES HER AS FUCKING CRAZY as her not voting makes me. And it is a *stupid* thing to make her that crazy.


GGRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

eep

Technical difficulties @ CBC Election night (aka someone bollocksed up the feeds/results reporting).