robotech_master

In recent days, spurred by watching the Hogfather Christmas special, I have obtained and been devouring all of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, from start to finish. I remembered enjoying the first couple of books in the series a long time ago, and finding the odd one or two books every now and then, but I hadn't ever tried to tackle the comprehensive series as a whole. And now I'm wondering why I waited so long. It's amazing! I thought the first couple were rib-ticklers, but compared to the later books in the series they're just mildly funny.

For Christmas, I bought my Dad a copy of Wyrd Sisters. I just got an email back from him tonight, and he's really enjoying it. I think that it speaks volumes about my Dad that one of his criteria for a good book is how few infinitives are split by the writer, and happily Pratchett passes that test with flying colors.

( Lately I've been reading the Annotated Pratchett, emailing in more annotations, and calling the site's maintainer…in the Netherlands. )

I have to admit that it's a funny feeling to consider that here I am talking to someone thousands of miles away from me, on the other side of the world, clearly hearing everything he says and he hearing me likewise, and not paying a single penny to do it either. It wasn't so long ago that those twenty minutes could have cost me $5 or more (and believe me I know about international phone rates, given that I used to work at MCI).

Incidentally, if any of my friends on the east side of the Atlantic or west side of the Pacific would like to hear from me, get in touch; I'll be happy to give you a call.

Well, onward to more Pratchett, then!