It has only taken seven years, but, finally, Harry Potter can now be purchased (legally) as an audio file. You can go for a run with Harry, take him on vacation, or fall asleep at night with him whispering in your ear.
It is at times like this that I wonder: How did the world exist without the modern-day miracle of the iPod? How were people entertained without the myriad of voices produced by Jim Dale? Really everything has been an empty shell of existence that I call my life waiting for this day to come.
And now I have to wait until payday. $249.00 for the complete set. Come on! Haven't you people made enough money already? You are heartless and cruel and I curse your shiny new Ferraris with flat tires.
Other things to ponder: When did I become such a nut job about all things Harry Potter? It is at this point I feel compelled to explain I also read critically respected works of fiction. Since I tend to judge a person's character and intelligence on their tastes in literature, I would like to point out that Shelby Foote's Shiloh is on my night-stand and, I swear, is in the process of being read. Granted, it is sitting on top of last week's issue of Us Weekly, but we won't pay any attention to that fact.
well, i thought of this sometime ago but i recall people used to entertain themselves in labyrinths and frozen lakes... (STS-107)
Posted by: m.visaya | September 08, 2005 at 04:34 PM
Dr O'C said: "When did I become such a nut job about all things Harry Potter?"
I say: Well, I have a suspicion that as scientists, we are attracted to stories of people learning about hidden specialist knowledge that helps them open up and get access to parts of the world (fictional, and magical in this case) that most others don't see. We relate to that for obvious reasons, and often relate to the characters involved in doing that. Harry Potter is one such example. As a youngster, I first got attracted to other books (some better, some worse) in this very genre because I was curious to find out how the wizards, sorcereres, apprentices, (or whatever) managed to perform their wonderful feats. And along these lines, and as a young woman in the (unfortunately) male-dominated world of physics, you'll love the themes explored with great humour in "Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett, if you have not already read it. (Equal Rites....young girl growing up wanting to be a wizard...very very good light reading for the bedside table.)
Cheers,
-cvj
Posted by: cvj | September 08, 2005 at 05:04 PM
looking for anyone who knows senator kennedy.
Posted by: jeffrey hixson | September 08, 2005 at 05:14 PM
I hate to be a curmudgeon. But if you look up Harry Potter in the quark table, when you arrange the information in base 8 then you will find JK Rowlings. That is not a joke. You will also find the Lord of the Rigns there with Tolkien. Boo Hoo. I am scrooge.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 08, 2005 at 05:34 PM
Yeah, I am scrooge. You have to arrange the quark names around the clock two by two. Or you can stack them up, letter by letter. Or you can pick them according to the clock last or fist letter first, with the base 12. Or you can select them in multiple bases reading letters like the Babylonians, mod 60. It works. You will have fun. I did it for two years, and then I stopped because I didnt enjoy it. Apparently, Rowlings is then there. I would give my notes on the subject, but then I would have to kill you.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 08, 2005 at 05:43 PM
You also have to appreciate the actual masses of these little guys, as you can also the time and events with people and governments there too. Good luck with the experiments. What, YOU DONT KNOW THE ACTUAL MASSES YET. Well, I stopped at three significant digits.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 08, 2005 at 05:50 PM
I guess you have to use your brain on that one. Try multiple bases in the information also. I really cant figure out how James 'Joyce' figured into it, except for G_2 holonomy. Pretty close though.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 08, 2005 at 05:59 PM
Yeah, I really really hate Star Wars. Star Trek is better.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 08, 2005 at 06:03 PM
You really have to thank the army, at some point, whether you like or not.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 08, 2005 at 06:50 PM
"How did the world exist without the modern-day miracle of the iPod?"
Should I feel embarassed or relieved at not having one?
Posted by: Kyle | September 09, 2005 at 06:38 AM
By the way, I have to tell you to lay the quarks in a line and 'stack' words. You will find much information there also. You might even good ol' Albert there sitting away.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 09, 2005 at 10:59 AM
But then I also have to tell you, that if you knew my old friends, that is 20 years plus ago, that you would a nice radar hanging out in the solar system just floating away. And it should be built, but I cant remember.
Posted by: Gordon Chalmers | September 09, 2005 at 11:01 AM
CVJ: I will include Pratchett on my next trip to the bookstore. I am happy to add a little variety to my obsession.
Kyle: There is a whole world out there waiting for you to discover it. It is a commitment to a life-style, but plane flights are so much more enjoyable.
Posted by: Caolionn | September 09, 2005 at 12:51 PM
Caolionn, I'm not sure how easy Pratchett is to find over here (the stuff is better known in the UK). And I specifically mean "Equal Rites" and not one of the several he churned out which are all a bit too much really. That particular one was one of his early ones. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll happily drop you off my copy next time I'm up at Caltech, or mail it.
Cheers,
-cvj
Posted by: cvj | September 09, 2005 at 06:50 PM
gordon c.,
how does a bose-einstein entity as tail and body of a superstring recursive descent holding down leptons/photons?
Posted by: m.visaya | September 11, 2005 at 11:05 AM
cvj: I'll be dropping you a line if Vroman's doesn't carry it.
Posted by: Caolionn | September 11, 2005 at 06:22 PM