Not much, but will do...

This is why prescriptivism is wrong. Because it causes people to get all worked up and "appalled" at what are obviously puns.

Okay, that's a stupid link. It's cold. I can see my breath. Got the second possum out of the attic, that was fun.

Happy solstice everybody.

Y'know, although we call the solstice the first day of winter, traditionally the solstices and equinoxes were considered the *middle* of their respective seasons. That's where we get the names "midwinter" and "midsummer" from (but not midfall and midspring, oddly). The beginning of winter was a good six weeks ago, at the end of October.

So, happy Midwinter everybody. Or, if you live on the other side of the planet and are currently walking around upside down, happy Midsummer. Have a nice dream.

They've got to be joking...

Or mistaken, or lying, or something. This doesn't happen like that anymore, does it? Nothing at washingtonpost.com is coming up at all, so I can't see if the story exists. More is here and here.

On anti-HP-hype

A lot of people on my friends list today have posted about how they don't want the new HP book when it comes out. Harry Potter is derivative, a rip-off. It's badly written. It's in serious need of a good editing job. It's overhyped!

Well, yeah. I know!

I have always liked literary fluff. I still have very fond memories of the Baby-Sitters Club books, and of the Sweet Valley Twins series. I will happily read cheesy sci-fi novels with plot holes big enough to drive trucks though. (I also watch Lifetime and Disney made-for-tv movies, which really should give an indication of my taste). Yes, I read and enjoy serious works as well, but I've always felt there was a little bit of fun in reading candy. Or mocking it, whatever.

Am I the only one who sees it that way? Don't take Harry Potter so seriously. Read it, laugh, and move on with your life. Or don't read it. But don't diss those of us who happen to like badly-written books and movies.