It's the return of the:

• Yes.
• Uh-huh.
• Oh.
• Hmmm.

I've seen that a lot of you are readers. I am reading a book that mentions "trollope" whose name I recognize but I've never read.

I am looking for good novels to read. Is trollop one of them or are others good too?

This week:

• Doctor's Appointment
• The Car
• Moving

You know those cheesy scifi conventions where people dress up as Klingons to stand in line for overpriced autographs from C-list has-been actors? Well, I've never been to one despite the fact that I'm a big nerd (and despite writing a story on the subject).

But this weekend I will not only be attending a scifi convention, I'll be an exhibitor. No, really.

I will not, however, be dressing as a Klingon.

About half-way between Frankfurt and Cologne, on the Rhine, there is the city of Koblenz. Castellum apud Confluentes, the place where the rivers Rhine and Mosel meet. In 1812, Coblence was a garrison town on the eastern border of Napoleon's empire.

Near the triangular wedge of land between the rivers, a short walk up the Mosel side, you'll find yourself on the square in front of St. Castor basilica. On the square there is a fountain, erected in 1812, that looks like a monument's pedestal whose statue has gone missing. It has two inscriptions in French. In the original one from 1812, the French commander of the city honours the victorious march of the glorious Grande Armée into Russia. The second inscription was added by his successor St. Priest in 1814: "Seen and approved by us, Russian commander of the city of Koblenz".

This story is not connected in any way to the content of this diary. Inside: Pynchon, Pelevin, König, myrmeleontidae.

Inside: Ilium, Wii, PhotoFC, and a controversial discussion point included purely to drive up comments...

HO HO HO

Some reviews of various things. Books, web pages, games.

Adrian Hellwig has undertaken a difficult task for all historians; writing a gripping narrative that is truthful to history, its subject; as well as incorporating and addressing the myths and controversies around that subject that have built up over time. Not an easy task but one that Adrian has done well in his book on Australian ace Stan Dallas; Australian Hawk Over The Western Front.

Previously seen on TheophileEscargot's bus route: 'Cold Skin'

even in milk.