Once you realise that good novelists tend to have lives of misery and torment (whether through mental illness, substance abuse, or small children) then you realise that the Second Law remains unbroken...

A strangely compelling observation, Nat. Curiously (over the last couple of days) I have had emails about the…

this webcomic

Now that's a find. Thank you very much.

I can't prove it mathematically, but I'm sure that events like this generate negative entropy. I suspect there must be systems somewhere (possibly comprising Italians dropping ice-cubes into hot coffee) producing extra entropy so that dS(universe) > 0.

I think of novelists as literary versions of Maxwell's Demon, flipping the…

My copy of Wuthering Heights is in near mint condition. All those dreary people, and ghosties, living dreary brutish lives.

One of my friends used to go on and on about how romantic Wuthering Heights is, and how it's the greatest love story of all time, and OH! Heathcliff!

I…

It always makes me sad to see the poor people who couldn't afford enough vowels for their names.

Little known fact: pronouncing the name Gschwendtner is really easy.

schw = a french 'j' (as in "Je ne sais quoi")

wendt = 'vent' (as in VENTilation

ner = well, 'ner'…

I think it was in 2000 (or possibly 2001) in Christchurch. I may have the wrong term in 'international test match' — I suppose swapping sides is discouraged in a 'proper' international match — but it was definitely…

Incidentally, Hadyn, there is a sporting connection with Gschwendtner. He plays ice-hockey and once represented New Zealand in an international test-match (if that's the term in ice-hockey) against Slovenia.

I think Michael is pulling your leg there David. We've never played Slovenia in a test.

Gschwendtner

It always makes me sad to see the poor people who couldn't afford enough vowels for their names.

Maybe we could start a charity...

My copy of Wuthering Heights is in near mint condition. All those dreary people, and ghosties, living dreary brutish lives.

Thanks for reminding me that I own a copy of Wuthering Heights, Deborah. I need some more bookshelf space.

I rather like my books dark and difficult. I'm a big…

We had a wonderful English teacher in 7th form, who advised us never to marry for love, and never to read Jude the Obscure. So I haven't. Read __Jude the…

I'm with Gschwendtner, I hate entropy

Incidentally, Hadyn, there is a sporting connection with Gschwendtner. He plays ice-hockey and once represented New Zealand in an international test-match (if that's the term in ice-hockey) against Slovenia.

By the beginning of the second period, too many Slovenians had been injured to continue…

I'm guessing a near mint copy of Howards End as well?

Not quite as mint as 'Jude the Obscure' — but, you're right, read only twice, I think.

how it could be possible not to fall in love with somebody who phones you to ask about yeast

obviously a fungi to be with...

I'm guessing a near mint copy of
Howards End as well?

yrs
the shade of Leonard Bast

That is just lovely David

I see that you must be a man after my own heart when it comes to the happy endings, Raymond...

I'm with Gschwendtner, I hate entropy

I can't prove it mathematically, but I'm sure that events like this generate negative entropy. I suspect there must…