As I may have mentioned, I've been reading Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle, an endlessly entertaining and labarynthine work. The plot sparkles with wit and masterful use of language. Newton and Leibniz are central characters, and their individual passions and shared rivalry drive a chunk of the plot. I find Stephenson's commentary about science and society delightful. To wit:
"As a sort of technologickal adventurer, Doctor, you are suffered, nay encouraged, to imbibe a sort of optimism that in other disciplines - such as finance - would be reckoned incompetence."
Nailed!
Anyway, if you are here throwing words around for the contest (or for any other reason), throw some birthday wishes my way! Wanna see how it's done? Check out this lovely and touching post. While you're there, click on the Cambridge Brain Trust link to find out about the top image.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And you know what, if the day didn't live up to your expectations, just keep celebrating until it feels right. I had a work buddy whose wife celebrated her birthday for an entire WEEK. Nope, not kidding. Seven days of BIRTHDAY festivities! They even decorated the house. Personally, I don't have that much stamina, but seriously - one day out of seven has gotta be a winner!
Posted by: Claudia | 19 November 2007 at 19:56
A belated happy birthday! The answer to life, the universe and everything AND twice as legal to drink? I'm betting it's gonna be a good year for you.
Posted by: Ariel | 18 November 2007 at 21:24
42 seems like a good number. If nothing else, you are twice as legal to drink now.
Posted by: Rebecca H. | 13 November 2007 at 19:09
hippie bidet!
Posted by: IHateToast | 10 November 2007 at 03:52
Many happy returns of the day, Suzanne. I hope it was a lovely one. (At least the weather was!)
Cheers!
Posted by: Allison | 09 November 2007 at 22:47
Hope it was a great day and the start to a wonderful year!
Posted by: brenda | 09 November 2007 at 22:28
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (from Philly to boot)
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | 09 November 2007 at 22:27
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Emily L | 09 November 2007 at 18:54
Happy 42nd!
(I cudn't reed that book -- two miny big werds.)
Posted by: Dave | 09 November 2007 at 16:35
I'm lifting a nice glass of Pelee Island's 2006 Gewurztraminer to you on your special day. A most excellent wine.
I hope it's been a good one!
Posted by: Dorothy | 09 November 2007 at 16:26
Happy birthday! Hugs and kisses!
I'm glad you're enjoying the Baroque Cycle; I found it seriously good (and fun) reading. I think what made it so addictive to me was that it seemed somehow science-fictional, despite being set around the turn of the 18th century:
"There is a particular science fiction approach to the world, and it has nothing to do with the future. It doesn't have to be in the future at all. I used to read anthologies of science fiction stories -- when I was a kid there'd be 10 stories about rocketships and ray guns, and then there'd be some strange Robert Bloch story set in some town in the 1950s that had no science, no traditional SF content, but in the mind of someone it was clearly science fiction. It had that SF approach: an awareness that things could have been different, that this is one of many possible worlds, that if you came to this world from some other planet, this would be a science fiction world."
--Neal Stephenson
Posted by: Erich Schwarz | 09 November 2007 at 16:09