many things, some of them useful

[jazzfish]

Monkeys attack Delhi politician, which is disturbing in itself, but the article goes on to say, "One approach has been to train bands of larger, more ferocious langur monkeys to go after the smaller groups of Rhesus macaques." From Robert Farley, who continues, "I can't see any problems at all with that plan." (The comments are also quite good.)

Other People's Money, a decent short story by Cory Doctorow made more notable by its publication venue.

Comedian Colbert Reaches Double Digits As Third-Party Candidate: "In both match-ups, Colbert has more support with young voters than the GOP candidate."

Mostly for plumbob but of possible interest to other people as well, the Interactive Fiction Database. Like the IMdB, but for IF.

I am slightly embarrassed that I didn't know Captain Sisko was going to be in Tamburlaine until matociquala told me. (Although I did know about Odo's appearance in a Molière at the end of the season.) Three cheers for qtrnca for finding cheap season tickets to the Shakespeare Theatre. Update: and we're going to see Tamburlaine on my birthday, too. Awesomeness.

Renfaire was primarily cool for the chance to see a large number of people in passing (including the amazing aerial antics and acrobatics of pictsy, and to stop by Kadon's booth. And to see Skum, of course. Other than that, eh. The shopping/browsing no longer holds the appeal for me that it once did. Still not sure if I'm interested in going back next year. I guess we'll see when it rolls around.

The rain's finally started up, for which I'm grateful.

Comments

[jsciv.livejournal.com]

I wish the rain had waited a day here. :/

[jazzfish]

You're back in London? Ah well. Got to get some of that rotten English weather, otherwise you weren't really there, or something.

Faren-HYPE 9/11. Get it? Ha ha ha!

[prog.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting for an infuriated Republican group to respond by creating a lesbian treehugger peacenik character and run her in Massachusetts. And then blame the liberal media when everyone ignores her.

[pictsy.livejournal.com]

I pretty much lost all interest in faire shopping during college, so now I just watch the shows and look for people to hang out with.

[jazzfish]

Now that I think about it I can't remember why I used to go at all: I rarely actually bought much, and the only shows I go to consistently are Skum. I guess I went because everyone else was going too. This year the "everyone else" that I was wandering around with was only three other people, so I had more time to think 'okay this is alright but.' And for various reasons we didn't glom onto an existing group. *shrug* More fun with more people, I guess.

[pictsy.livejournal.com]

Aw man, so you've never watched the shows?? They're so good! The Renaissance Man would be especially up your alley.

[jazzfish]

Hm. In that case if I go next year I'll make a point of seeing more of them. I /do/ enjoy Skum and Daniel The Duke Of Danger. (And you guys rocked. Of course.)

[idoru.livejournal.com]

MD RenFest is mostly habit for me, by now -- there are a couple vendors I make a point to see [Piland, Blessed Scents, a few more], but most of the enjoyment is getting to wander around with people I love. It's a REAL DAY OFF, which is raaaare, and an entertaining destination. I spend most of my time mocking crappy & poorly worn clothing.

One can only watch Johnny Fox so many times, though catching the Mediaeval Baebes, the Rogues, some of the musical acts (and, of course, Skum) -- enjoyable when you have more than 3h there.

[jazzfish]

It really is all about the people. Vendors, eh. I actually didn't buy anything other than food this year. Shows, okay, but more fun with more people. I'm pretty sure that's what I missed this year, and last year as well until we ran into Lana and co.

[selki.livejournal.com]

I think the BBC got some details wrong.
1) From what I've read, the bigger monkeys are mellower. And, they're not training bands of them to attack; they're pretty much chaining them to/by buildings.
2) Fell from a first-floor terrace and died? I think not. Other stories have said "balcony".

http://www.slate.com/id/2176419?nav=wp

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1546980,00.html

Doctorow short story

[selki.livejournal.com]

The food fabber mention was especially interesting to me (not because of I want that kind of food, but because the economic change potential of home fabbers of various types intrigues me). Also some other bits of the story were interesting. Not a jewel, but not bad value for the time to read it. Thanks for the link.

[uilos.livejournal.com]

I had a few specific errands to run and now that I know the root source of the pomegranate tea, I don't know that I have a whole lot of use for going to faire next year. Which isn't to say I don't have fun, but it wouldn't break my heat if I didn't make it next year.

Odo!!! Dude. STC rocks my socks.

[jazzfish]

Yeah, they got some good guys this time.

Moira suggests seeing shows. Perhaps.

[babushek.livejournal.com]

That's really interesting... There are still many things I love about Faire -- watching pictsy in the trees; Skum, of course, but also the Bloody Drama (absolutely hilarious improv) and The Rogues (bagpipes make me happy); the glassblower and all the lovely pottery; Bee Folks; chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick; and of course, being alternately impressed and amused by other people's costumes. And most importantly, antikate enlightened me about the keyness of mead drinking. :) But I've learned that I actually enjoy wandering around more when I'm with just a couple people. Otherwise, I quickly get stressed out about whether everyone else is having a good time, whether what I want to do is what anyone else wants to do, and having to interact with too many people at once. (Introverted? Who, me?) Which possibly points to the need for more extensive mead drinking. ;)

In other news, I <3 Stephen Colbert. :)

[jazzfish]

I think what I mean by "go in a large group" is "go in five or six small groups that meet up and mingle and swap out every so often."

[plumbob78.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link. Are you guys still going to Dar Williams?

[jazzfish]

I'm going on Friday, yeah.

[plumbob78.livejournal.com]

mind if I join?

[jazzfish]

You're more than welcome to do so. E won't be there; I'm likely to be dragging some utterly random person, and possibly meeting up with Arlington Board Gamers.