12/31/03 WED:
---Sending an order to Wesleyan for a slew, including the books in their Early Classics of Science Fiction series.
---Disc Log:
- THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS OF MILDRED BAILEY (10CD)
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
12/30/03 TUE:
---Here today:
ARGOSY #1, 1-2/04, (assortment of literary splendours and marvels complete in two volumes and housed in a very handsome slip-case; Moorcock novella, Delany interview; more), new 12.95
---I notice that the same outfit that publishes Argosy also has an interesting-looking publication called International Studio, as well as a translation of Kai Meyer’s MYTHWORLD series and a comic by James Owen called STARCHILD.
---Disc Log:
- The Plastic People of the Universe 1997 (Xgau: A)
- MOTOWN: The Classic Years (2CD) (Xgau: A Plus)
---Here today:
ARGOSY #1, 1-2/04, (assortment of literary splendours and marvels complete in two volumes and housed in a very handsome slip-case; Moorcock novella, Delany interview; more), new 12.95
---I notice that the same outfit that publishes Argosy also has an interesting-looking publication called International Studio, as well as a translation of Kai Meyer’s MYTHWORLD series and a comic by James Owen called STARCHILD.
---Disc Log:
- The Plastic People of the Universe 1997 (Xgau: A)
- MOTOWN: The Classic Years (2CD) (Xgau: A Plus)
Saturday, December 27, 2003
12/27/03 SAT:
---I am endeavoring to resuscitate my standing order for MYSTERY SCENE magazine or at least catch up on the ones I missed (since #76). Latest one, I see, is #82.
---Disc Log:
- PIANO BLUES
- DAD GET ME OUT OF THIS: The String Quartet Tribute to Warren Zevon - proof that WZ did not waste his talents when he diverged from his classical-music training
- Philip Glass MUSIC FROM THE THIN BLUE LINE
---I am endeavoring to resuscitate my standing order for MYSTERY SCENE magazine or at least catch up on the ones I missed (since #76). Latest one, I see, is #82.
---Disc Log:
- PIANO BLUES
- DAD GET ME OUT OF THIS: The String Quartet Tribute to Warren Zevon - proof that WZ did not waste his talents when he diverged from his classical-music training
- Philip Glass MUSIC FROM THE THIN BLUE LINE
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
12/23/03 TUE:
---Here today from Arkham House:
Smith, Clark Ashton SELECTED LETTERS OF CLARK ASHTON SMITH, Arkham House '03, 1st edn, new in dj 35.95
---I notice on the AH website that “CAS [is] temporarily out of stock”. Does this mean a second printing already?
---Disc Log:
- Amy Rigby TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF (Xgau: A Minus)
- Kaito U.K. BAND RED (Xgau: A Minus)
- Abbey Lincoln THE WORLD IS FALLING DOWN
- Stevie Wonder FULFILLINGNESS’ FIRST FINALE (Xgau: A Minus)
---Here today from Arkham House:
Smith, Clark Ashton SELECTED LETTERS OF CLARK ASHTON SMITH, Arkham House '03, 1st edn, new in dj 35.95
---I notice on the AH website that “CAS [is] temporarily out of stock”. Does this mean a second printing already?
---Disc Log:
- Amy Rigby TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF (Xgau: A Minus)
- Kaito U.K. BAND RED (Xgau: A Minus)
- Abbey Lincoln THE WORLD IS FALLING DOWN
- Stevie Wonder FULFILLINGNESS’ FIRST FINALE (Xgau: A Minus)
Monday, December 22, 2003
12/22/03 MON:
---New book from Ash-Tree here today: THE CASEBOOK OF MILES PENNOVER: Volume One by Margery Lawrence. Listing to follow. I guess my re-order for a bunch of Ash-Tree titles I had run out of reached them too late to come with this; or else they never got my re-order--a possibility because I usually get an email reply but have not received one this time.
---As usual for when I travel for a couple days or more I am having trouble triaging what most needs to be done and I end up sitting around reading my pile of new-reading (Sunday NY TIMES from yesterday as well as Saturday's, fat Winter Fiction issue of THE NEW YORKER, newsmagazine THE WEEK, and a new UTNE READER just today, for example.)
---New book from Ash-Tree here today: THE CASEBOOK OF MILES PENNOVER: Volume One by Margery Lawrence. Listing to follow. I guess my re-order for a bunch of Ash-Tree titles I had run out of reached them too late to come with this; or else they never got my re-order--a possibility because I usually get an email reply but have not received one this time.
---As usual for when I travel for a couple days or more I am having trouble triaging what most needs to be done and I end up sitting around reading my pile of new-reading (Sunday NY TIMES from yesterday as well as Saturday's, fat Winter Fiction issue of THE NEW YORKER, newsmagazine THE WEEK, and a new UTNE READER just today, for example.)
Sunday, December 21, 2003
12/21/03 SUN:
---I was too tired to deal with email when I got home last night, even though I hate to let the spam build up even for half a day. This was two whole days. Orders through biblio.com are starting to show up at a pretty good clip, so that is exciting--because these people are interested in the type of books I normally carry; whereas the books I list on half.com are mostly ones I happened to have but did not feel like listing in my regular catalog, often because they were not the type of books I normally carry,
---Probably won't see Neil much over this break, as with Thanksgiving. His routine then was to get up in the middle of the afternoon, grab a quick meal, head out to Dean Headquarters in Des Moines to work on their computer system and not come home until they closed the office for the day; which could sometimes be fairly late, but not late by Neil standards. His plan today, I believe, is to do a major re-launch of the DeanSpace software he has been helping write the code for. I can't say his time would be better spent hanging around the house here.
---I was too tired to deal with email when I got home last night, even though I hate to let the spam build up even for half a day. This was two whole days. Orders through biblio.com are starting to show up at a pretty good clip, so that is exciting--because these people are interested in the type of books I normally carry; whereas the books I list on half.com are mostly ones I happened to have but did not feel like listing in my regular catalog, often because they were not the type of books I normally carry,
---Probably won't see Neil much over this break, as with Thanksgiving. His routine then was to get up in the middle of the afternoon, grab a quick meal, head out to Dean Headquarters in Des Moines to work on their computer system and not come home until they closed the office for the day; which could sometimes be fairly late, but not late by Neil standards. His plan today, I believe, is to do a major re-launch of the DeanSpace software he has been helping write the code for. I can't say his time would be better spent hanging around the house here.
12/20/03 SAT:
---Spent the day driving Neil back from Urbana-Champaign--a nearly six-hour drive. This is the first time we have done it just about straight through, without stopping to eat somewhere along the way. We headed out sometime after 1pm and got home just before 7pm. Neil had his last exam in the morning and had a bit of stuff-collecting to do to get ready to leave. A Christian group is using his dorm over break so he had to take that into account in deciding how to leave the room. He has a lot of miscellaneous computer and electronics parts that he has scavenged, so his room looked pretty chaotic; very few books in evidence, however: I hope he didn't try to scrimp by without the requisite textbooks.
---Spent the day driving Neil back from Urbana-Champaign--a nearly six-hour drive. This is the first time we have done it just about straight through, without stopping to eat somewhere along the way. We headed out sometime after 1pm and got home just before 7pm. Neil had his last exam in the morning and had a bit of stuff-collecting to do to get ready to leave. A Christian group is using his dorm over break so he had to take that into account in deciding how to leave the room. He has a lot of miscellaneous computer and electronics parts that he has scavenged, so his room looked pretty chaotic; very few books in evidence, however: I hope he didn't try to scrimp by without the requisite textbooks.
12/19/03 FRI:
---Spent the day driving to Urbana-Champaign to pick up Neil to bring him home for Christmas break. We ate dinner at a great Vietnamese restaurant. Neil looks good--growing a beard to go with his long hair--and it sounds like he has negotiated his final-exams well enough to maintain his eligibiility.
---Spent the day driving to Urbana-Champaign to pick up Neil to bring him home for Christmas break. We ate dinner at a great Vietnamese restaurant. Neil looks good--growing a beard to go with his long hair--and it sounds like he has negotiated his final-exams well enough to maintain his eligibiility.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
12/16/03 TUE:
---Here today from Sarob Press:
Glasby, John THE SUBSTANCE OF A SHADE, Sarob, 10/03, new no dj as issued (pictorial boards) 45.00
Maynard, L.H. & M.P.N. Sims THE SEMINAR, Sarob, 9/03, 1st, (brand new horror short novel; 116 pages), {hc in dj still available @ $37.50}, new 16.95
---Letter rec'd:
"Haven't received a catalog of yours in some months. Has it been so long since I ordered from you that I've been dropped of the mailing list? Very sorry if that is the case. Please put me back on the list and I'll try and make it up to you."
---My reply:
"You have not been dropped from the mailing list, unless everyone has, because I have not put out a new catalog in a year. My laziness and increased reliance on the Internet to keep going have apparently been redirecting my efforts."
---Disc Log:
- my CD COMP 4
- THE SPECIALTY STORY: Discs 3 &4 - erstwhile gospel gets a little richer with Little Richard
- Thelonious Monk THE COMPLETE RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS Vols. 6 & 7 (2CD)
---Spotted the review of a couple new Ursula K. Leguin books--Changing Planes and the Kalpa Imperial translation published by Small Beer--in VILLAGE VOICE today.
---Here today from Sarob Press:
Glasby, John THE SUBSTANCE OF A SHADE, Sarob, 10/03, new no dj as issued (pictorial boards) 45.00
Maynard, L.H. & M.P.N. Sims THE SEMINAR, Sarob, 9/03, 1st, (brand new horror short novel; 116 pages), {hc in dj still available @ $37.50}, new 16.95
---Letter rec'd:
"Haven't received a catalog of yours in some months. Has it been so long since I ordered from you that I've been dropped of the mailing list? Very sorry if that is the case. Please put me back on the list and I'll try and make it up to you."
---My reply:
"You have not been dropped from the mailing list, unless everyone has, because I have not put out a new catalog in a year. My laziness and increased reliance on the Internet to keep going have apparently been redirecting my efforts."
---Disc Log:
- my CD COMP 4
- THE SPECIALTY STORY: Discs 3 &4 - erstwhile gospel gets a little richer with Little Richard
- Thelonious Monk THE COMPLETE RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS Vols. 6 & 7 (2CD)
---Spotted the review of a couple new Ursula K. Leguin books--Changing Planes and the Kalpa Imperial translation published by Small Beer--in VILLAGE VOICE today.
Monday, December 15, 2003
12/15/03 MON:
---Was just moving a few boxes around and one that was in the way I brought upstairs to list on half.com--a bunch of publishers-edition hardcovers by Piers Anthony, Orson Scott Card, David Eddings, Alan Dean Foster, Stephen R. Donaldson, and Gene Wolfe in pretty good condition and mostly first editions; but they look like books I am all too familiar with and probably still have most of them for sale as "new" copies anyway. These I listed mostly for $5 each, but one looked like a real hottie: SILVERTHORN by Raymond E. Feist. Prices being asked ranged from $100-140, I believe. But last copy sold was for $20, which is what I listed mine for. Maybe I could have sold it for the big bucks, but we'll see if it even sells now.
---Was just moving a few boxes around and one that was in the way I brought upstairs to list on half.com--a bunch of publishers-edition hardcovers by Piers Anthony, Orson Scott Card, David Eddings, Alan Dean Foster, Stephen R. Donaldson, and Gene Wolfe in pretty good condition and mostly first editions; but they look like books I am all too familiar with and probably still have most of them for sale as "new" copies anyway. These I listed mostly for $5 each, but one looked like a real hottie: SILVERTHORN by Raymond E. Feist. Prices being asked ranged from $100-140, I believe. But last copy sold was for $20, which is what I listed mine for. Maybe I could have sold it for the big bucks, but we'll see if it even sells now.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
12/14/03 SUN:
---Just uploaded another batch from the catalog to biblio.com, bringing me through Poe- in the alphabet, and including Pocket Books paperbacks, which were a bit of a test of my resiliency in keeping going with this project.
---Just uploaded another batch from the catalog to biblio.com, bringing me through Poe- in the alphabet, and including Pocket Books paperbacks, which were a bit of a test of my resiliency in keeping going with this project.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
12/10/03 WED:
---Added to bookmarks: Violet Books proprietressed by Jessica Amanda Salmonson; also, L.W. Currey and his www.biblioverify.com; and Lawrence Person’s Lame Excuse for a Book Catalog and I also notice his Lame Excuse for a webpage, which looks like it might bear further scrutiny. We know LP as the publisher of the magazine NOVA EXPRESS, where he has impressed me with his acuity on more than one occasion. But what I was trying to find out is where to order for a customer:
Locke, George. A spectrum of fantasy, volume III : acquisitions to a
collection of fantastic literature, 1994-2001, together with additional
notes on titles covered in the first two volumes and an index to all
three volumes from Ferret Fantasy (2002).
LP had a copy listed for sale at $145, but I was looking for the publisher himself.
---We were under a blizzard warning last night, but I doubt actual conditions fulfilled the requirements to be so categorized. Winds were mighty strong--which reminds me the garbage man just took ours and left the empty can at the end of the driveway. I better go out and bring it in before it is borne by the wind into the next county.
---Added to bookmarks: Violet Books proprietressed by Jessica Amanda Salmonson; also, L.W. Currey and his www.biblioverify.com; and Lawrence Person’s Lame Excuse for a Book Catalog and I also notice his Lame Excuse for a webpage, which looks like it might bear further scrutiny. We know LP as the publisher of the magazine NOVA EXPRESS, where he has impressed me with his acuity on more than one occasion. But what I was trying to find out is where to order for a customer:
Locke, George. A spectrum of fantasy, volume III : acquisitions to a
collection of fantastic literature, 1994-2001, together with additional
notes on titles covered in the first two volumes and an index to all
three volumes from Ferret Fantasy (2002).
LP had a copy listed for sale at $145, but I was looking for the publisher himself.
---We were under a blizzard warning last night, but I doubt actual conditions fulfilled the requirements to be so categorized. Winds were mighty strong--which reminds me the garbage man just took ours and left the empty can at the end of the driveway. I better go out and bring it in before it is borne by the wind into the next county.
Tuesday, December 9, 2003
12/09/03 TUE:
---After a few days working on forgetting the procedure--like I did with my AOL-hosted website, which hasn't been touched since 1999--I added another batch to my biblio.com listings last night, getting through Pha- in the alphabet for hardcover and misc. softcover authors (having started at Mic-). And the paperbacks up are through Perma now--almost 900 listings now.
---Just edited 11/24/03 post to list new-arrival from Necro Publications and back-in-stock item from Hippocampus (THE BLACK DIAMONDS).
---And now I have added to the entry for last Friday, reflecting the arrival of a new book from Midnight House. And I notice that the previous one never made it to an actual posting, so I will go about trying correct that omission. The new post (with another new arrival from the SFBC) and a George C. Chesbro re-arrival from Apache Beach can be found in the 08/18/03 entry, now revised. Which also shows me that a batch of books from Apache Beach that had come in a few days prior never got posted either. Now that I have my old Sony ES CD player hooked up to the Klipsch THX computer speakers with sub, instead of my portable player here upstairs, I am enjoying listening for the difference--which means working on this Internet business; and which also means getting a chance to play a little bit of catch-up posting blog entries.
---Okay, that batch of Apache Beach books is now posted and buried in the archives (08/15/03). There was also a Golden Gryphon book in that day (BUDAYEEN NIGHTS). Now I am getting tired of this putting up old posts business--enough for now! But I see that I have dug myself into quite a hole.
---After a few days working on forgetting the procedure--like I did with my AOL-hosted website, which hasn't been touched since 1999--I added another batch to my biblio.com listings last night, getting through Pha- in the alphabet for hardcover and misc. softcover authors (having started at Mic-). And the paperbacks up are through Perma now--almost 900 listings now.
---Just edited 11/24/03 post to list new-arrival from Necro Publications and back-in-stock item from Hippocampus (THE BLACK DIAMONDS).
---And now I have added to the entry for last Friday, reflecting the arrival of a new book from Midnight House. And I notice that the previous one never made it to an actual posting, so I will go about trying correct that omission. The new post (with another new arrival from the SFBC) and a George C. Chesbro re-arrival from Apache Beach can be found in the 08/18/03 entry, now revised. Which also shows me that a batch of books from Apache Beach that had come in a few days prior never got posted either. Now that I have my old Sony ES CD player hooked up to the Klipsch THX computer speakers with sub, instead of my portable player here upstairs, I am enjoying listening for the difference--which means working on this Internet business; and which also means getting a chance to play a little bit of catch-up posting blog entries.
---Okay, that batch of Apache Beach books is now posted and buried in the archives (08/15/03). There was also a Golden Gryphon book in that day (BUDAYEEN NIGHTS). Now I am getting tired of this putting up old posts business--enough for now! But I see that I have dug myself into quite a hole.
Monday, December 8, 2003
12/08/03 MON:
---Books here today from NESFA:
Bujold, Lois McMaster ETHAN OF ATHOS, NESFA ('03), (author’s third novel; orig: 1986; adds Nightingale foreword), new in dj 23.00
Oliver, Chad FAR FROM THIS EARTH: Selected Stories of..., Volume 2, NESFA, 8/03, 1st edn, (introduction by Priscilla Olson; 472 pages), new in dj 24.00
---A STAR ABOVE IT: Selected Stories, Vol. 1, NESFA, 8/03, 1st edn, new in dj $24
---Back in stock:
Brown, Fredric FROM THESE ASHES: The Complete Short SF of…, NESFA, 2nd(7/02), (Barry N. Malzberg introduction; 693 pages), new in dj 29.00
Bujold, Lois McMaster DREAMWEAVER'S DILEMMA, NESFA, 4th(4/02), (stories & essays; reprint of limited hardcover edition published 2/96), new 12.00
---SHARDS OF HONOR, NESFA, 2nd(8/03), (Verkosigan #1), new in dj 22.00
---THE WARRIOR'S APPRENTICE, NESFA ('01), newly edited edn, new in dj 25.00
Clement, Hal THE ESSENTIAL…, Volume 1: TRIO FOR SLIDE RULE & TYPEWRITER, NESFA, 2/99, 1st edn, (contains Needle, Iceworld & Close to Critical; three of author's most important hard SF novels 518 pages), new in dj 25.00
---THE ESSENTIAL…: Volume 2: MUSIC OF MANY SPHERES, NESFA, 2/00, 1st edn, (17 stories; Ben Bova introduction; 506 pages), new in dj 25.00
---THE ESSENTIAL…: Volume 3: VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, NESFA, 9/00, 1st edn, (The Mesklin novels: Mission of Gravity & Star Light; & the shorter fiction; lecture demo, essay; 465 pp), new in dj 25.00
Martin, George R.R. QUARTET: Four Tales from the Crossroads, NESFA, 9/01, new 15.00
Tenn, William HERE COMES CIVILIZATION: The Complete Science Fiction of…, Volume II, NESFA, 2nd(1/03), (novel and stories; 547 pages), new in dj $29
Williams, Walter Jon FRANKENSTEINS and Foreign Devils, NESFA, 12/00, (Solip: System; Wall, Stone, Craft, etc.; Dozois intro), new 14.00
---And Small Beer:
Rosenbaum, Benjamin OTHER CITIES, Small Beer, 11/03, 1st edn, (a collection of fourteen gems; 42 pages), booklet, new $5
Rowe, Christopher BITTERSWEET CREEK and Other Stories, Small Beer, 11/03, one of 500, (one original, others reprints from Realms of Fantasy; 62 pages), booklet, new 5.00
---Sent order to Gauntlet for Matheson’s COLLECTED STORIES (although I think I may have ordered it already, back before it was officially announced).
---Disc Log:
- Buck 65 MAN OVERBOARD (Xgau: A Minus)
- THE LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM: An Anthology of Black Music (5CD)
- Thelonious Monk THE COMPLETE RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS Vols. 2 & 3 (2CD)
---Books here today from NESFA:
Bujold, Lois McMaster ETHAN OF ATHOS, NESFA ('03), (author’s third novel; orig: 1986; adds Nightingale foreword), new in dj 23.00
Oliver, Chad FAR FROM THIS EARTH: Selected Stories of..., Volume 2, NESFA, 8/03, 1st edn, (introduction by Priscilla Olson; 472 pages), new in dj 24.00
---A STAR ABOVE IT: Selected Stories, Vol. 1, NESFA, 8/03, 1st edn, new in dj $24
---Back in stock:
Brown, Fredric FROM THESE ASHES: The Complete Short SF of…, NESFA, 2nd(7/02), (Barry N. Malzberg introduction; 693 pages), new in dj 29.00
Bujold, Lois McMaster DREAMWEAVER'S DILEMMA, NESFA, 4th(4/02), (stories & essays; reprint of limited hardcover edition published 2/96), new 12.00
---SHARDS OF HONOR, NESFA, 2nd(8/03), (Verkosigan #1), new in dj 22.00
---THE WARRIOR'S APPRENTICE, NESFA ('01), newly edited edn, new in dj 25.00
Clement, Hal THE ESSENTIAL…, Volume 1: TRIO FOR SLIDE RULE & TYPEWRITER, NESFA, 2/99, 1st edn, (contains Needle, Iceworld & Close to Critical; three of author's most important hard SF novels 518 pages), new in dj 25.00
---THE ESSENTIAL…: Volume 2: MUSIC OF MANY SPHERES, NESFA, 2/00, 1st edn, (17 stories; Ben Bova introduction; 506 pages), new in dj 25.00
---THE ESSENTIAL…: Volume 3: VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY SIR ISAAC NEWTON, NESFA, 9/00, 1st edn, (The Mesklin novels: Mission of Gravity & Star Light; & the shorter fiction; lecture demo, essay; 465 pp), new in dj 25.00
Martin, George R.R. QUARTET: Four Tales from the Crossroads, NESFA, 9/01, new 15.00
Tenn, William HERE COMES CIVILIZATION: The Complete Science Fiction of…, Volume II, NESFA, 2nd(1/03), (novel and stories; 547 pages), new in dj $29
Williams, Walter Jon FRANKENSTEINS and Foreign Devils, NESFA, 12/00, (Solip: System; Wall, Stone, Craft, etc.; Dozois intro), new 14.00
---And Small Beer:
Rosenbaum, Benjamin OTHER CITIES, Small Beer, 11/03, 1st edn, (a collection of fourteen gems; 42 pages), booklet, new $5
Rowe, Christopher BITTERSWEET CREEK and Other Stories, Small Beer, 11/03, one of 500, (one original, others reprints from Realms of Fantasy; 62 pages), booklet, new 5.00
---Sent order to Gauntlet for Matheson’s COLLECTED STORIES (although I think I may have ordered it already, back before it was officially announced).
---Disc Log:
- Buck 65 MAN OVERBOARD (Xgau: A Minus)
- THE LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM: An Anthology of Black Music (5CD)
- Thelonious Monk THE COMPLETE RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS Vols. 2 & 3 (2CD)
Friday, December 5, 2003
12/05/03 FRI:
---Here today from Midnight House:
Rice, Jane THE IDOL OF THE FLIES and Other Stories, Midnight House '03, one of 500 numbered copies, (Dziemianowicz intro; Rockhill afterword), new / dj $40
---Disc Log:
- THE DISCO YEARS, vol. 4: LOST IN MUSIC (Xgau: A Minus)
- fun compilation from Sweden rec’d last May
- Todd Snider LIVE: NEEAR TRUTHS AND HOTEL ROOMS (Xgau: A Minus)
- Orhcestra Baobab PIRATES CHOICE (2 CD) (Xgau: A Minus)
---Heard from Andy Watson at Cambrian Publications responding to my inquiry about SPONDULIX by Paul Di Filippo. Sounds like it will be ready in a couple weeks:
"The completion date from the printer slipped to Dec 12,
so you would receive shipment probably early in the
week of Dec 22. Cutting it uncomfortably close to Xmas,
for any customers who might have been hoping to give
SPONDULIX as a gift. Sorry about that.
Thanks for noticing that SPONDULIX is appearing at
long last, after two years of delays. I'm at my wit's
end for an effective way to advertize it, though. Any
suggestions? Any zines or web sites that have worked
well for you?"
---I will need to check to see if I need more copies of Cambrian's previous titles still available, which Andy was kindly enough to remind me of:
"PKD's GATHER YOURSELVES TOGETHER, and/or the other two Di Filippo novels I've
done (dwindling inventory, but still a few JOE’S LIVER
in the ltd edition hardcover, and a similarly shrinking
supply of the CIPHERS trade paperbacks)."
---Indeed, we caught another two or three inches of snow and I had to get out and do more shoveling. But I guess that is not too unique a situation to be in. This time, although the wind is more driven, it was not such a big deal for me. I just have to walk to the post office and back and after that I can stay inside the rest of the day, hopefully getting some work done and not succumbing to the temptation to sit around and read.
---Here today from Midnight House:
Rice, Jane THE IDOL OF THE FLIES and Other Stories, Midnight House '03, one of 500 numbered copies, (Dziemianowicz intro; Rockhill afterword), new / dj $40
---Disc Log:
- THE DISCO YEARS, vol. 4: LOST IN MUSIC (Xgau: A Minus)
- fun compilation from Sweden rec’d last May
- Todd Snider LIVE: NEEAR TRUTHS AND HOTEL ROOMS (Xgau: A Minus)
- Orhcestra Baobab PIRATES CHOICE (2 CD) (Xgau: A Minus)
---Heard from Andy Watson at Cambrian Publications responding to my inquiry about SPONDULIX by Paul Di Filippo. Sounds like it will be ready in a couple weeks:
"The completion date from the printer slipped to Dec 12,
so you would receive shipment probably early in the
week of Dec 22. Cutting it uncomfortably close to Xmas,
for any customers who might have been hoping to give
SPONDULIX as a gift. Sorry about that.
Thanks for noticing that SPONDULIX is appearing at
long last, after two years of delays. I'm at my wit's
end for an effective way to advertize it, though. Any
suggestions? Any zines or web sites that have worked
well for you?"
---I will need to check to see if I need more copies of Cambrian's previous titles still available, which Andy was kindly enough to remind me of:
"PKD's GATHER YOURSELVES TOGETHER, and/or the other two Di Filippo novels I've
done (dwindling inventory, but still a few JOE’S LIVER
in the ltd edition hardcover, and a similarly shrinking
supply of the CIPHERS trade paperbacks)."
---Indeed, we caught another two or three inches of snow and I had to get out and do more shoveling. But I guess that is not too unique a situation to be in. This time, although the wind is more driven, it was not such a big deal for me. I just have to walk to the post office and back and after that I can stay inside the rest of the day, hopefully getting some work done and not succumbing to the temptation to sit around and read.
Thursday, December 4, 2003
12/04/03 THU:
---Snow shoveling yesterday did a number on my back, but not half as bad--so far--as sometimes in the past. I guess I forgot what all that bending over and lifting could do too early in the morning. If we get enough more snow tonight that I have to do it again tomorrow, I might be in trouble.
---Snow shoveling yesterday did a number on my back, but not half as bad--so far--as sometimes in the past. I guess I forgot what all that bending over and lifting could do too early in the morning. If we get enough more snow tonight that I have to do it again tomorrow, I might be in trouble.
Wednesday, December 3, 2003
12/03/03 WED:
---Note added to latest printout of info for Discount Plan:
Note: Since my catalogs after #144 have been on hiatus, existing memberships as of Jan 2003 are still good, even if they are expired. Also, the $15 membership fee is good for two years now (maybe more). Catalog inventory is being put up on the web at.
---Disc Log:
- System of a Down TOXICITY (Xgau: HM*)
- Björk VESPERTINE (Xgau: A Minus)
- O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (Xgau: Choice Cut)
- Faudel BAIDA (Xgau: A Minus)
- Missy Elliott MISS E...SO ADDICTIVE (Xgau: HM***)
---Had to put in a session with the snow shovel so Amy could get her car out of the driveway this morning. Maybe three inches of heavy wet snow overnight I wish I could just let melt, as it probably will pretty soon. I think I will have to walk to the post office. If I get a lot of snow caked to my bicycle it would not be good for it. In the past I always rode it, even through snow--but then I had a rusted chain too.
---Now that I have shoveled the driveway, the deck, and the sidewalks, all I need is to make that trek to the post office and after that I can stay in the rest of the day. I look out the window now at a nice scene of snow caked on the branches of the trees and bushes. It would probably be good to get out in the countriside today too, but I figure snow-shoveling was enough exercise for one day. And I have much yet to do.
---I am glad I do not have to go out today for my dental appointment. Yesterday’s was a bit unpleasant but not unbearably so. The worst is when the novacaine wears off, as it did last evening; but all feels okay now. A temporary crown is in place while the permanent one is being crafted. I need to go back in a couple weeks for completion of the procedure. I wish this tooth business weren’t necessary, but I guess I have to expect things to happen every once in a while. I am lucky it wasn't something worse this time.
---Note added to latest printout of info for Discount Plan:
Note: Since my catalogs after #144 have been on hiatus, existing memberships as of Jan 2003 are still good, even if they are expired. Also, the $15 membership fee is good for two years now (maybe more). Catalog inventory is being put up on the web at
---Disc Log:
- System of a Down TOXICITY (Xgau: HM*)
- Björk VESPERTINE (Xgau: A Minus)
- O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (Xgau: Choice Cut)
- Faudel BAIDA (Xgau: A Minus)
- Missy Elliott MISS E...SO ADDICTIVE (Xgau: HM***)
---Had to put in a session with the snow shovel so Amy could get her car out of the driveway this morning. Maybe three inches of heavy wet snow overnight I wish I could just let melt, as it probably will pretty soon. I think I will have to walk to the post office. If I get a lot of snow caked to my bicycle it would not be good for it. In the past I always rode it, even through snow--but then I had a rusted chain too.
---Now that I have shoveled the driveway, the deck, and the sidewalks, all I need is to make that trek to the post office and after that I can stay in the rest of the day. I look out the window now at a nice scene of snow caked on the branches of the trees and bushes. It would probably be good to get out in the countriside today too, but I figure snow-shoveling was enough exercise for one day. And I have much yet to do.
---I am glad I do not have to go out today for my dental appointment. Yesterday’s was a bit unpleasant but not unbearably so. The worst is when the novacaine wears off, as it did last evening; but all feels okay now. A temporary crown is in place while the permanent one is being crafted. I need to go back in a couple weeks for completion of the procedure. I wish this tooth business weren’t necessary, but I guess I have to expect things to happen every once in a while. I am lucky it wasn't something worse this time.
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
12/02/03 TUE:
---Here today:
Jens, Tina (ed) CTHULHU AND THE COEDS or KIDS & SQUIDS, Twilight Tales [contents and sample story available by following link to publisher], 2nd edn(4/03), (newly redesigned edn; mythos tales; Friesner, Dedman, Stross, etc.), new 15.00
---This looks like a lot of fun. Members discount is only 10% on this one (and probably other Twilight Tales books, if I ever get any). There are three other anthologies from them (or her): Bood & Donuts, Book of Dead Things, and Freaks, Geeks & Sideshow Floozies; as well as single-author collections by Martin Mundt, John Weagly and John Everson; plus eight chapbooks and various “memorabilia” like t-shirts and buttons.
---Disc Log:
- Dismemberment Plan THE DISMEMBERMENT PLAN IS TERRIFIED (Xgau: A Minus)
- “THE ENGLISH CONNECTION” (Purcell, Young, Lawes, Jenkins, Locke)
- Evanescence FALLEN (Xgau: B Minus) - victim of Christgau’s Thanksgiving 2003 Turkey Shoot, burned out of curiosity last summer from borrowed copy inadvertantly left in computer by previous user; don’t worry, record label, this did not cost you a sale.
---I have just now been quickly adding skeletal posts for the several days I missed from regular blogging over Thanksgiving recess. I will try to edit them to add a bit more material later. Turns out I need to go back to the dentist this morning to start getting a crown put on the broken tooth. Big expense--about the same as if we were to pay for being on the family plan for dental insurance, available at Amy's work--but it would be better not to have to pay out either way. Better a tooth than lots of other things it could have been, I suppose. A first-time experience for me, getting a tooth crown. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a root canal, as my dentist says can occur in about one in four such cases. And I hope I can get some serious work done when I get back home later this morning.
---Here today:
Jens, Tina (ed) CTHULHU AND THE COEDS or KIDS & SQUIDS, Twilight Tales [contents and sample story available by following link to publisher], 2nd edn(4/03), (newly redesigned edn; mythos tales; Friesner, Dedman, Stross, etc.), new 15.00
---This looks like a lot of fun. Members discount is only 10% on this one (and probably other Twilight Tales books, if I ever get any). There are three other anthologies from them (or her): Bood & Donuts, Book of Dead Things, and Freaks, Geeks & Sideshow Floozies; as well as single-author collections by Martin Mundt, John Weagly and John Everson; plus eight chapbooks and various “memorabilia” like t-shirts and buttons.
---Disc Log:
- Dismemberment Plan THE DISMEMBERMENT PLAN IS TERRIFIED (Xgau: A Minus)
- “THE ENGLISH CONNECTION” (Purcell, Young, Lawes, Jenkins, Locke)
- Evanescence FALLEN (Xgau: B Minus) - victim of Christgau’s Thanksgiving 2003 Turkey Shoot, burned out of curiosity last summer from borrowed copy inadvertantly left in computer by previous user; don’t worry, record label, this did not cost you a sale.
---I have just now been quickly adding skeletal posts for the several days I missed from regular blogging over Thanksgiving recess. I will try to edit them to add a bit more material later. Turns out I need to go back to the dentist this morning to start getting a crown put on the broken tooth. Big expense--about the same as if we were to pay for being on the family plan for dental insurance, available at Amy's work--but it would be better not to have to pay out either way. Better a tooth than lots of other things it could have been, I suppose. A first-time experience for me, getting a tooth crown. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a root canal, as my dentist says can occur in about one in four such cases. And I hope I can get some serious work done when I get back home later this morning.
12/01/03 MON:
---Got in at dentist at 1PM--the perfect time to make me take still another day off from ever getting anything more accomplished. To kill the time I ran my 8-mile route. Should have sat down at the computer and processed books and orders, but I had missed two days of running already, and pretty soon it will be all too easy to take days on end off, when the winter wind will start to whip down from the North Pole and the easy choice will be to stay inside.
---Got in at dentist at 1PM--the perfect time to make me take still another day off from ever getting anything more accomplished. To kill the time I ran my 8-mile route. Should have sat down at the computer and processed books and orders, but I had missed two days of running already, and pretty soon it will be all too easy to take days on end off, when the winter wind will start to whip down from the North Pole and the easy choice will be to stay inside.
11/30/03 SUN:
---Broke a tooth eating a sticky homemade blueberry muffin. Actually it must have already been broken and just waiting for something sticky to extract it from whatever was still holding it, because it seemed like the piece of tooth was already in the muffin when I discovered it. The void feels mighty strange to my tongue. No pain in the location or trouble chewing, but I guess I better check with the dentist tomorrow. One more thing to keep me from my appointed rounds after going too lax over vacation--as usual.
---Broke a tooth eating a sticky homemade blueberry muffin. Actually it must have already been broken and just waiting for something sticky to extract it from whatever was still holding it, because it seemed like the piece of tooth was already in the muffin when I discovered it. The void feels mighty strange to my tongue. No pain in the location or trouble chewing, but I guess I better check with the dentist tomorrow. One more thing to keep me from my appointed rounds after going too lax over vacation--as usual.
11/29/03 SAT:
---Am taking it way too easy these vacation days. I did finally get the batch of paperbacks that includes Paperback Library up on biblio.com today. The process of bringing books up to post is slowing down now that I have 700-plus listed, but I should keep at it, at least for a few minutes each day.
---Am taking it way too easy these vacation days. I did finally get the batch of paperbacks that includes Paperback Library up on biblio.com today. The process of bringing books up to post is slowing down now that I have 700-plus listed, but I should keep at it, at least for a few minutes each day.
11/27/03 THU:
---Ate Thanksgiving meal of quorn patties with gravy and various side dishes with mother-in-law in Des Moines. It was a pleasant change of pace--and about the most we got to see of Neil, since he has been spending so much time over his break at the Dean headquarters in DM. I got a little more reading done in my book (still White Noise by Don De Lillo) thanks to the peaceful afternoon, without all the distractions of home.
---Ate Thanksgiving meal of quorn patties with gravy and various side dishes with mother-in-law in Des Moines. It was a pleasant change of pace--and about the most we got to see of Neil, since he has been spending so much time over his break at the Dean headquarters in DM. I got a little more reading done in my book (still White Noise by Don De Lillo) thanks to the peaceful afternoon, without all the distractions of home.
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