senators; shameless promotion prompted by a bookstore visit; ticket for sale

[quislibet]

Now here's one thing about living in Massachusetts: feeling politically ineffective because of agreement with elected officials. A political activism e-mail message urges me to write to my senators in an opposing-Bush-in-re-Iraq sort of way. But as one would be hard pressed to find a pair of senators more outspoken in their criticism of the Bush administration, there's a certain coals-to-Newcastle/owls-to-Athens/something-redundant-somewhere-where-it's-redundant quality here.

(Although I think "cats to Athens," or possibly "motor-scooters," might be a more updated mode of expression.)


So today I went to the bookstore to get J. a birthday present, and, in fact, I did. While I was there I saw a display of New England travel books, especially with autumnal themes, and checked to see if a particular book (second on the page there) was among them. But alas, it was not. I went to the main travel section to fetch it and place it among its rightful peers, but it wasn't there. So I made sure to ask about it at the desk, even though I don't mean to buy it (for there are already some copies around the apartment), as mentioning it can't hurt; and since the thing is dedicated to me, I have an interest in seeing it do well.

But it seems Barnes and Noble have decided it is a cookbook, for there are perhaps three recipes in and among its 368 pages -- so of course anyone actually looking at it from the cookbook perspective will be disappointed.

How vexing.


Attention Bostonians: I have an extra 12-dollar ticket to the Dresden Dolls show at the Paradise tomorrow evening. The hitch is that I'll be a little late to the show, but I'm at work all day today and tomorrow, and perhaps we can work something out if you are interested in buying it from me.

By the way -- that Dresden Dolls website might not be work-safe, as it has microscopic images of burlesque performers.

Comments

[alonewiththemoon]

But as one would be hard pressed to find a pair of senators more outspoken in their criticism of the Bush administration, there's a certain coals-to-Newcastle/owls-to-Athens/something-redundant-somewhere-where-it's-redundant quality here.


I wrote a letter of support once to my state rep because she was getting slammed by other reps (this was during the whole pledge of alleigance thing, she refused to sign a statement about it saying that it was not the business of the state of MA to be commenting on other court decisions). She wrote back thanking me because far more people write them to say negative things, and she really appreciated knowing that she had the support of her constituents. So there's grist for yer mill...

Owls to Athens? Is there an owl problem there, or is it an Athena reference? Either way, the phrase makes me want to smuggle suitcases full of owls to Athens.

[quislibet.livejournal.com]

Good point about the positive feedback.

As for the owls, if I remember right, it's specifically a reference to the owl-emblazoned coins of classical Athens.

[julishka.livejournal.com]

has it been claimed yet? the ticket that is.

[quislibet.livejournal.com]

Nope. Want it?

There's a logistics problem, of course, but not, I hope, an insurmountable one.

[julishka.livejournal.com]

sure! i'll 3m21L j00!

[rojagato.livejournal.com]

Thanks for those links to Quicksilver and to J's book. The latter will be a gift for someone (I should probably also pick up a copy for myself)--is it better for sales tracking for me to buy it direct from the publisher, or should I call around bookstores demanding it?

[quislibet.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm not sure. Seems to me both would work for sales tracking, while calling bookstores has the bonus of creating demand... I'll see what J. thinks.

[quislibet.livejournal.com]

... and J.'s reply makes me unanimous, or something.

Hope you and/or your intended gift-recipient like the book.