I mentioned the new Encyclopedia of Science Fiction when it was announced and indeed when it was unleashed, and I’ve spent some time there since then, and indeed spent some money on ebooks created by the associated Science Fiction Gateway project.

This evening, I mumbled something on Twitter about how I was wary of getting into reading the new encyclopedia, having spent a fair amount of time reading the last physical version (a large, heavy hardback) from cover to cover some years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to get a reply from whoever does the tweeting for the Encyclopedia. And then totally geekgasmed[1] to get a reply from John Clute. I have fond memories of his book reviews in the original incarnation of UK sf magazine Interzone, which quite apart from being good for one’s vocabulary, showed that it wan’t just me that understood that Terry Pratchett’s funniest material waas deadly serious. John Clute is a major part of the new, online version of the Encyclopedia, and this is as good a Good Thing as I can think of.

I may need to have a lie down now. Well, it’s just about bedtime, so that seems like a good idea…

[1] If that wasn’t a word previously, it is now. So there.

I’ve been a fan of Elvis Costello for many years. Like the almighty Neil Young, he’s one of those artists whose work I don’t always expect to like, or even understand, but he’s produced more than enough of the Good Stuff – songs that stick in your mind, tunes that you’ll never forget, lyrics of such mind-boggling brilliance that make you feel like giving up all attempts at writing anything that you’d actually dare to show anyone. For instance, these lines from The Other Side of Summer, a sodding album track from Mighty Like a Rose.

Was it a millionaire who said “imagine no possessions”?
A poor little schoolboy who said “we don’t need no lessons”?

Nicely oblique, no names mentioned, but quite clear who he’s talking about. And there are many more examples. But today, I came across an even finer example of his work. It seems his record company are putting out a live recording in a slightly expensive package. The Man Himself is not amused by this, and suggests people should wait until next year when cheaper versions are available, assuming that they haven’t made alternative, and it is implied, but not stated, not necessarily legal arrangements already. He also suggests that there’s a nice Louis Armstrong box set that’s less exotically priced, and that contains better music.

What a hero. I’ve long respected the man, but he’s just gained several thousand extra points.

steal this record – Yellow Press – Elvis Costello

Down a bit today, good stuff.

I was running late this morning, so I had to get the bus to get to work more or less on time. Bad planning, etc. And as we had something on at work, I had a very short lunch break, so I didn’t get any walking done then, either. Mutter. Must do better tomorrow.

Today’s picture is another bit of Angel of the North experimentation. You should be able to see one wing and a couple of long shadows – one of the Angel and one of some photographer bloke or other.

Angel Shadow