Not only that, the pub is being re-modelled, so there are considerably less seats available, so we need to leave early to ensure Conrad's old bones get to sit. Plus he got home late thanks to the buses, and has just put a tray of flapjack in the oven - all part of the mad whirl that is Thursday evening at the Mansions.
Orichalcum
I mentioned this yesterday as one of those words that float up to the top of the malodourous stew that is Conrad's mind. I had a fair idea that it was a mineral from antiquity, and Hay Pesto! Google and Wikipedia confirm this, too.
Except it's not quite as simple as that. Like "Greek Fire", orichalcum is an item that the modern world has no direct experience or accurate analysis of. In fact, as an ore, it seems to have run out before Classical times, so even the Greek or Romans who recorded and mentioned it were making something of a stab in the dark.
Yes, it's an odd phenomenon. Undoubtedly your ancestors in a couple of
| Dustbin Beaver 10 denarii coin |
United States of Murder, Inc.
What? you ask. Conrad replies that the polite response is "Pardon?", and you may have mine.
It's a comic book, written by and drawn by Bendis and Oeming respectively - the two chaps responsible for the very excellent "Powers" - and it concerns an alternative world where the Mafia was not driven underground. Not at all. In fact it took over the USA and now runs it ...
Issue One is out now, but Conrad is going to wait for the trade paperback to come out since this will collect a set of single issues into one volume.
Why is this significant? Well, it's news in it's own right. It also echoes a lesser-known work by science-fiction author Cyril Kornbluth, "The Syndic", where America has been divided up between organised crime - The Syndic and The Mob. Conrad remembers enjoying this <cough cough> years ago and may see if it's available on Abebooks. It will be interesting to see that B & O make of the premise ...
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| "The United States of Murder , Inc - no, hang on " |
Why Tom Is An Idiot
Not, Conrad hastens to add, young Tom Howl, who is indeed a bit of a WoW at science and Minecraft. No, Conrad refers to "Tomfoolery". You are familiar with the word, one takes it? Said of silly behaviour. In fact, extremely silly behaviour, so silly it no longer remains within the bounds of righteous Foolery but descends (or ascends?) into - "Tomfoolery".
Conrad is uncertain why the diminutive of Thomas was chosen, as "Julie" would be more euphoneous - "Juliefoolery" trips off the tongue quite well, does it not?
| Tom, adding larceny to stupidity |
Ah, how satisfying it is to be able to get annoyed at film posters going by on the bus!
I refer you, gentle reader, to the above film. Who signed-off the advertising for this? And who, pray tell, came up with the title?
| You can tell he was painting - look at that spray-gun |
Day One: Painted wall, watched it dry
Day Two: Mowed lawn, listened to grass growing
Day Three: Turned on television, watched test card
Away with you, Hollywood!
Ah Now It Becomes Clear!
Conrad is pleased to see that progress is being made at Victoria Station and the tram works. That annoying gap in the girder framework has been filled in, and more structural members have been brought in.
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| A steel skeleton, so to speak |
The Wold Crup
A somewhat bemused Conrad understands that this event is being held in Brazil. This actually makes sense, as "CRUP" is a group of Portuguese academics, and what language do they speak in Brazil?
No, not Gilliam. Portuguese. They speak Portuguese.
The "Wold" bit also makes sense. It's an Old English word meaning "Woods". Where is there gigantic deforestation taking place? Right, Brazil!
So the Wold Crup is obviously - obviously! - an intellectual debate between University teams to see who has the best plans or projects to combat deforestation.
Simples!
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