Agreed on the HP vs. ASOUE first three books.  Both sets are extremely repetitive, and the only thing that sets HP3 apart at all is that he is saved by his own agency, and not some deux ex machina.  (That's why the movie is also the best one — not just the best director, but he had the best story to work from.)

Agreed on the HP vs. ASOUE first three books.  Both sets are extremely repetitive, and the only thing that sets HP3 apart at all is that he is saved by his own agency, and not some deux ex machina.  (That's why the movie is also the best one — not just the best director, but he had the best story to work from.)

I'm enjoying getting the different takes on this from people — I had never even thought of the Collectors as anything other than a vehicle for the story before, so thank you.
Normal folks as healthy balances of the Endless.  Or humours, if you will.

I'm enjoying getting the different takes on this from people — I had never even thought of the Collectors as anything other than a vehicle for the story before, so thank you.
Normal folks as healthy balances of the Endless.  Or humours, if you will.

Not too many words or quotes from Sandman ever really escaped into my life.  (Mostly the concepts, like Hob the normal immortal, or Soft Spaces from Fables.)  But my brother and I have always liked Hob's comment about the old man complaining about chimneys.  "I tell you, chimneys is brilliant.  Not having watery eyes;…

Not too many words or quotes from Sandman ever really escaped into my life.  (Mostly the concepts, like Hob the normal immortal, or Soft Spaces from Fables.)  But my brother and I have always liked Hob's comment about the old man complaining about chimneys.  "I tell you, chimneys is brilliant.  Not having watery eyes;…

What, no "Grandma's Feather Bed"?  Damn.  That's just sad.
I would ask TMBG to do it.  Or maybe Steve Martin.

What, no "Grandma's Feather Bed"?  Damn.  That's just sad.
I would ask TMBG to do it.  Or maybe Steve Martin.

Agreed.  It's so nice to have an immortal character that isn't a stereotypical vampire.  Vague SPOILER: it's another reason why Brief Lives is my favorite — lots of little, often mundane, immortal stories wrapped up in one big one.

Agreed.  It's so nice to have an immortal character that isn't a stereotypical vampire.  Vague SPOILER: it's another reason why Brief Lives is my favorite — lots of little, often mundane, immortal stories wrapped up in one big one.

Rereading this one, and then going over the essay and comments, made me think of something about the serial killers: Are they ruled by Desire?  Morpheus removes their "delusions (dreams) of grandeur" but my understanding of the serial killer — both as a fictional construct and the real life ones — is that they seem…

Rereading this one, and then going over the essay and comments, made me think of something about the serial killers: Are they ruled by Desire?  Morpheus removes their "delusions (dreams) of grandeur" but my understanding of the serial killer — both as a fictional construct and the real life ones — is that they seem…

I associate Billy Joel so much with NYC that we used to have this game when approaching or leaving the city.  The more Joel we heard while flipping through stations en route, the closer we knew we were getting to the city.  The farther away, the reverse.
So much so that we used to believe that somewhere in NYC, (or…

I associate Billy Joel so much with NYC that we used to have this game when approaching or leaving the city.  The more Joel we heard while flipping through stations en route, the closer we knew we were getting to the city.  The farther away, the reverse.
So much so that we used to believe that somewhere in NYC, (or…

And The Gang (from IASIP) as various ne-er do wells trying to exploit the war for fun and profit by running scams on all sides.

And The Gang (from IASIP) as various ne-er do wells trying to exploit the war for fun and profit by running scams on all sides.

At least this guy.  I was pleasantly surprised.

At least this guy.  I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm not sure that Rabin has figured out that his own industry has a part in this, so he's probably blind to that critique.  If you think about it, music, film and book criticism isn't really "tangible information", mostly opinion.  All of it wrapped up in the 24-hours "news" or information cycle.  Must always have new…

I'm not sure that Rabin has figured out that his own industry has a part in this, so he's probably blind to that critique.  If you think about it, music, film and book criticism isn't really "tangible information", mostly opinion.  All of it wrapped up in the 24-hours "news" or information cycle.  Must always have new…