Yesterday's Entry

This was yesterday's entry. However, I am too lazy to backdate it. So there. ;)

Today went to the library. They did not have any of the books I went to get: I'd already read all of LeGuin's work that they had, save for the short story collection which, though in the database, was nowhere to be found on the shelves; the Tai Chi books were loaned out; and they had to order Diane Duane's "So You Want to be a Wizard" from another library. It should arrive in several days. However, I did not go away empty-handed:Tomorrow I will read Connie Willis' Passage and tonight read a lovely and poignant biography of the celebrated English illustrator Arthur Rackham, whose work I greatly admire. I also got a volume of Orson Scott Card's "Alvin Maker" series, which unfortunately is the fourth in the series - and I've only read the first. I think I might have to pass on that until I find volumes two and three. I don't want to spoil the continuity.

It seems like the prose style of the biography might have crept a little into my own tone tonight; but I assure you that this is the 'voice' that I hear in my head when I think: I've always said there's a slight British accent to it, and when I am relaxed and interested in something, this tends to show through more clearly in my writing.

...and Today's.

So. I just finished watching the season finale of The West Wing. I have said time and time again that it is the best show on American television. Tonight, I am proud to say that I didn't know that they did that on American television, and am very very glad indeed that they do.

Look. Stories. Good ones. Three of them. A man who does something that he thinks is wrong because for once what is wrong might be right. Or not. A play based in the time of Henry III. And a shattering thing happening to two characters we've come to know and love. All beautifully interleaved with each other. Seamless.

And. Did I mention imagery? I've seen anime (yes, anime) where the imagery was used worse than this. Look! Roses!

The thing was so good that when they started playing Leonard Cohen's "Hallejuah", I got up and went "argh!" and walked out of the room, then walked back in and sat through it, and was glad I did so.

Yay, producers and actors and scriptwriters and guys who work the lights! Thank you for putting something worth watching back on American televison.