This may seem like deja-vu, but really it is my attempt at righting a terrible wrong that I have committed. My girlfriend, Ionia Martin of Readfulthingsblog.com, pointed out to me, in her own inimitable fashion, that the original post yesterday was an extremely strong candidate for the most boring blog post ever award. Upon re-reading it I would actually go as far as to say that it would be a runaway winner of that particular award, were there one. I have to confess that I have no recollection of having written it at all. That being said, there is still no excuse for the pain that I must have inflicted on those of you that actually managed to reach the end, and for that I apologise.
The original idea of these posts regarding my book collection, was to attempt to instill in readers the profound joy that can be experienced collecting first editions, even on a limited budget. I guess that in order to do that, the post must not put those readers instantly to sleep. I will try again.
So without further babbling, onto this week’s book, ‘The Naked Lunch’ by William Burroughs. This beat generation novel was originally intended to be called ‘Naked Lunch’, a title that was later used prominently in the US, although ‘The Naked Lunch’ remained common in Europe. The copy that I have is a first UK edition and has a pretty cool cover, as you can see. Since I haven’t read it yet, and I will not be reading this copy, I have to say that I hope you can judge a book by its cover. If so it will be a great read.
The boring details of this book, that I kind of like to know are, in short, that it was published in 1964 by John Calder (publishers) Ltd. Both the book and the dust cover are in pretty good condition. It is not price clipped and was originally available for 42s (shillings), I only wish that it had cost me so little, when I found it at the Cambridge book fair last year.
This old, yellowed, newspaper clipping (above) slating William Burrough’s book ‘Nova Express’, from what looks to be the Guardian Newspaper was tucked away inside. I doubt it affects things in any material way, but is interesting.
So hopefully a few more of you actually survived until the end of this post and I do hope you will comment, even if only to say, ‘thank fuck it wasn’t as boring as last time’.
Maybe I missed a post, but what about mentioning ways to get first edition books on a limited budget? Or how you came across what I assume are rare finds?
Oh and thank fuck it wasn’t as boring as last time.
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Thanks Charles I appreciate your comment, I really do. It was certainly a fucking boring post before.
That’s a great idea about looking for first editions on a budget. I could write something about book scouting – charity shops etc. I found a very good first edition of ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ at a hospital book sale for 50p and I reckon (I hope) is worth potentially 1000 times that.
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Nice. Those are stories that other book lovers would find motivating and interesting. Makes me wonder if there are any first editions in my parents’ library.
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Yes, I love your idea. Maybe a post on how to identify first editions, but that can be extremely difficult, certainly for older books, and I certainly wouldn’t claim to be an expert.
It is definitely worth checking your parents library, they are often good places to find books that they bought new many years ago which may now have a reasonable financial value. Good luck, I hope you find a gem 🙂
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It might not even be the expert or tricks that people pay attention to. The stories of your finds could be where people glean information that you didn’t even know was there. Happens all the time when I post about my self-publishing experience. Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but people learn from my experiences.
I’m scared to touch some of these books. Peter Pan and Mary Poppins look like they’re about to turn to dust.
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Be very careful then. Sorry, I was distracted by Peter Pan and Mary Poppins. I think you have a good point. We can learn from other peoples experiences, whether they are experts or not. I suppose it makes it seem more real too.
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Going to handle them with kids gloves.
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Definitely a wise idea I think. Good luck. I hope they turn out to be treasures. I guess they have a story come with them too, that your parents can tell you about.
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I’ve asked and they don’t know. My mom used to do editing for Playboy’s book publishing division and my dad used to work for Doubleday publishing. They got a lot of these books for free or found them lying around. Wish they kept a few contacts from those days.
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Well if that’s the case it may be that they have some advance copies of things in their collection, which although not strictly first editions could have significant value if they were the right book/author.
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True. My dad keeps talking about going through the collection, but I keep telling him not to sell anything unless I get first crack at it. A lot of these books I’d like to own simply to say I have them. That Peter Pan book and Mary Poppins are two examples.
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Given your parents history it’s definitely worth trying to get in first before they sell anything. That’s the whole joy of collecting for me, having a book just for the sake of having it, the pleasure that it brings just having it.
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I’m lucky they’re pack rats. Though, a quick glance says that the only first edition they have is ‘Immortal Wars: The Summoning’ and ‘Beginning of a Hero’. Those will get you a 1/4 stick of gum and you’d be owed change.
They have a signed copy of Roots, which I’m not allowed to touch.
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Well maybe those firsts are not yet valuable Charles, but give it a few years and I am sure that you will have the success that you deserve and their value will increase. I truly hope that you do.
Probably worth taking good care of Roots too.
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Roots is definitely on the good care list. As for my books, I’m not sure how first attempts sell. Though, somebody got their hands on Immortal Wars a few months back and decided to review it. Totally mortified.
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I think that if you continue to write and eventually make it big as a popular author, the value of your earlier works will undoubtedly rise.
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Odd question, but how much are early works of modern authors worth? In college, we were always told that such things only become valuable after the author passes away.
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I think that early works of some modern authors can be quite valuable. I guess that lot of it depends on the scarcity of the earlier works and the popularity of the author now. I suppose also that first works may have been great works too, but just never sold as they were by an unknown author.
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So an early work that is out of print would be worth something, but one that you can still get would probably be worth less. Think I remember that rule from my comic book collecting days.
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Yes, that sounds about right. I am not sure how the independent publishing side of things fits in though, with the print on demand publishing.
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I would think it weakens it, but it’s still a fairly new industry. Self-published authors as a whole might be ‘worth less’ for a while.
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My thoughts about it are that if a book is only published in this manner, is there ever truly a first edition of it?
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Good point.
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Reblogged this on readful things blog and commented:
I love this man. Read it, you will too. Best closing sentence ever:)
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Thank fuck indeed. I laughed, a lot. I need to make you an award for yesterday’s post.
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Yes, you do. But I want a real one that I can put on the mantelpiece.
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You get what you get. I am a busy woman:)
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I suppose so, but please let me have silver foil on it, pretty please!
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Just wait Englishman
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Stop toying with my emotions woman. I want my award 😉
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I’m working on it
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Take your time, why don’t you. Did I mention patience is not one of my virtues, actually I don’t think I have any of them.
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Thank you so much for my award. I will try to do a post using it soon.
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You are so welcome. Not many can achieve that level of success.
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Well, as you have said – It takes years to reach this level of perfection
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Thank fuck it wasn’t as boring as last time.
I have several first editions and other notable old books that I inherited from my Uncle Chuck. Wherever Chuck went, he went book hunting, but most of his books came from used book sales at his local library in Washington, D.C. and a couple used books stores he frequented in/around Mt. Dora, FL and the Florida Keys, where he spent part of the winters. Included are two E.B. White books, which I treasure. One, Stuart Little, I gave to some nieces/nephew; it was hard to part with it. The other, Charlotte’s Web, I have right here by my side. What a great gift to remember someone by. — niki
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Thanks for commenting. You used the secret password too, excellent.
I can think of nothing better than inheriting books. ‘Bah’ I say to the money. Give me books. The E.B White books sound great.Definitely worth treasuring
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An interesting post, in my opinion.
I haven’t read the book but I want to. It is just that I don’t want to leave it in between unread, like I have left many similar books of that time.
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Thanks for commenting. I understand not wanting to start reading it if you cannot finish it. Good luck when you do get to read it. I hope that you enjoy it.
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Based on your opening remarks I am so very glad that I missed your first post. “Thank fuck” I waited for the sequel, I found this quite interesting. By the way, this goes to show that when Ionia speaks people listen. 🙂
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You are a lucky man Dom, to have escaped the pain inflicted on those that read the original.
They would do well to listen to Ionia. She always has an intelligent, incisive view to share.
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What am I going to find out you did later?
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If I have anything to with it, you won’t be finding out.
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The things men say when they are afraid their significant other will tell their mummy. Honestly.
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No! You wouldn’t tell my mummy would you? Please don’t. I will do anything you wish.
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No Julian, I fear if I did tell her half the things you say she might not recover.
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XXX
Fuck no, She’d have a heart attack. Keep the window shut.
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Oh my lol I love you.
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as I do you.
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You do what? (Move the stick)
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I love you. There are you happy you inveterate stick remover
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Are you saying stop toying with you?
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Yes. Stop toying with my affections woman.
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Lol. Never fails me.
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Mmmmm. That is good.
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Stinker.
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Well you had me mowing the lawn and all sorts of other chores on one or the other of the multitude of threads we are commenting on. What do you expect?
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I really am terrible to you. Marry me?
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Of course I will marry you.
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Look at that I already picked a dress.
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And it is lovely
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Where is your tux?
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I will need to get a new one I think
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I believe so. Inappropriate to use the same one from your last eight wives
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That’s what I thought. It would seem disrespectful somehow.
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They are going to move out, right?
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Well, if you insist. I suppose there won’t really be enough room, so okay. They’re gone.
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About time. Polygamist.
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No more. I have seen the error of my ways. I am a one woman man now, and forever
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XXX
Shelf
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Mmmmm. I desire a shelf of my own.
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Don’t you have one?
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Well I do, but I have given it to another
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I will always cherish that shelf
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Treat it kindly, it is a favourite of mine
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I will do so. If you do so in return with my olives.
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Of course. The green ones?
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Those too.
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I will take care of the islands and the olives
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And I will take care of this❤
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Thank you, as I will take care of yours.
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You are amazing.
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You make me so, by being amazing yourself.
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Blushing tomatoes
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Your cheeks too?
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HA! F Englishman.
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I liked it
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You are a twisted man. I like that in a person.
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Then I am in luck 🙂
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You want to what?
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Duck!
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Shmuck?
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Cluck
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Buck!
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Suck
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Luck!
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Isn’t that where we started?
Truck
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In a truck?
Shuck
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Muck
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Stuck
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chuck
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Phuck
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You win, Fuck!
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He he he he he. I knew if I prodded you long enough i would get you to say the naughty word.
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I don’t mind a prodding, but it shouldn’t be to say bad words.
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Which word was bad, in particular?
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Incorrigible!
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Me?
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Da. Te iubesc cu toata inima
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Te iubesc al naibii englez
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vreau asa de rau acum
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You want to race now?
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That’s not what you said it meant 😉
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I’m giving you shit. again lol
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Well I suppose a man must forgive his fiance
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This is true. If he wants a wedding night.
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Good point.
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Yes you have an excellent point
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Well you should know
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I may need you to explain that comment.
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Surely not. You are the one that mentioned my good point. You must have had a reason.
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If you would be so kind as to meet me in my office.
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Ooh. Have I been naughty Miss?
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I have a ruler and I am not afraid to use it.
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Well that puts a whole new complexion on our relationship. I like it!
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Good morning/evening Julian, I love you.
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I love you too Ionia.
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Mmmmm
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I like that!
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You are a handsome one aren’t you?
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In my mind I am. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not an absolute. I hope I am not getting too philosophical for what should have been a one word response.
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You? Give a one word answer?
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Yes.
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Fuck
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FMN?
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FAW?
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Your desk or mine?
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Yours is bigger
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Absolutely!. With all the random rubbish on my desk, it is also surprisingly comfortable.
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Then fmrn
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Will do. Unless that will distract you?
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I can multitask
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Yes you can. I’ll turn the page.
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Thank you. That bookmark is too big for this book. Do you have a smaller one?
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I have seen one around here recently. Now, where was it.
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I think I found it.
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Where was it?
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Under me.
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Oh yes. That’s where I put it.
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You just figured that out, did you?
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Well I had it narrowed down to a few places
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There are only so many places to hide a bookmark.
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I know, I remember I was going through each one in turn. I just forgot how far I had come.
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It was pretty far….
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All the way, I would say
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At least to the opposite wall. You are a great talent.
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Is that the one with the window in?
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Ah crap the window is open again
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Oh well, too late now. We’ll just have to remember for next time. I guess that’s another noise violation ticket to expect.
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Put it on the pile. Did you pay the public indecency one yet?
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No, I thought they could combine it with the next one
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Lol pay them all later
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Exactly. It cuts down on administration time, leaves more time for other things.
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What things?
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All those fun household tasks we neglect, like cleaning, cooking, caring for the kids…
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Oh…yeah. Those things.
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Well we do have to find a way to fit them in somehow
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hold this broom whilst I…
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…
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Blush
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Tomato?
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Cherry
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Plum
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Whipped cream
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Honey
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Sticky sweet
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Absolutely! A delightful dessert.
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Yum!
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Mmmmm
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I’m getting hungry.
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Yes you are
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Well get over here
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I thought you were coming over here
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The food is too expensive. How will I feed the children?
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With potatoes from the potato patch.
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I had better learn to love them a lot more than I do now.
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Me too, if this is the potato thread
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This is in fact the potato thread. Chips. Chips. Tell me they are f*cking CHIPS!
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They are fucking chips, unless they are thinly sliced and deep fried and made into fucking crisps.
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I love you.
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Yes you do. I know that. Just as you know that I love you too.
Was this the thread about us being pathetic?
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And other stuff too
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Oh, that stuff, ah!
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Yep that stuff
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Nice, I liked that.
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I like you
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Only like
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Keep pushing me Englishman
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Don’t toy with my affections woman, do you hear
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No, I did not hear. You shall have to say it again.
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Don’t toy with my affections woman!
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All better
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Good. I like it when you are all better
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I think I need a hug.
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({}) there you go
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That does not look like a hug so much as it looks like
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That is the approved symbol for a big hug I will have you know – but yes it does. Mmmmm
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I am consolidating the comments down to this thread alone. I can’t keep up.
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I’ll take it slow…
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You are a dirty man. You need a bath.
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Or a shower
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Hmmmm
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I thought you might say that
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Then I should be more mysterious
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I think you are mysterious enough as it is
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I am not
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I think you are
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I like it
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So do I 😉
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And dust my shelf once a month?
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A little more often than that I think. We wouldn’t want it to get dusty
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This is true. You must keep it well cared for until I may claim it.
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I will cherish it as if it is my own
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Our first shelf:)
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The first of many
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We will need them less once we sort out all the books we have that are the same copies lol
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True, and I expect there will be many.
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It would appear so. Are we going to keep all of the different editions?
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We are fucked aren’t we, We aren’t going to be able to get rid of any books.
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You had me at Burroughs.
When I become obscenely wealthy I will buy that from you.
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Well I do hope that you become obscenely wealthy. Give me a call when you do and we can sort something out 🙂
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Just compare your post to Vogon poetry. That will put it in much better light. 🙂 (If not for those Vogons, I wouldn’t have the courage to try my own hand at poetry every once in a while.)
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Good advice Chris, thanks. I am not quite so displeased with my original post now, although it was still pretty terrible.
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I would say ‘thank fuck it wasn’t as boring as last time’, but I actually did not find the last time to be boring. What does that say about me? I might have to rethink my desire to write about my inconsequential Modern Library editions for fear of incurring Ionia’s wrath 😉
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I shouldn’t worry about Ionia’s wrath, I think that may be reserved purely for me. Just write what you want. I am sure I shall enjoy reading your post.
I am glad that you didn’t find the original post too boring 🙂
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Don’t tell her but a sick part of me wouldn’t mind incurring her “wrath.” She can be quite funny then 🙂
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I am always watching, you two. Omnipotent. The wordpress Gods are at my command. Really I just stumble across stuff and pretend to know what I’m taking about. Oh, and Julian–“Thank fuck this post was not as boring as the last one.”
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I had good advice.
Omnipotent, always watching. Isn’t that just another way of saying stalking
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Absolutely not. If I were going to be thought of as a stalker I would have no choice but to stay on my own blog and live as a hermit.
Want me to?
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Certainly not. I want you on my blog!
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Only on your blog?
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XXX
Anywhere and everywhere
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Love your warning label!
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I think it is only proper to warn of questionable content
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XXX<3XXX?
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Love is not requiring of an XXX, although certain expressions of it undoubtedly are
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Interesting post concept. Is sex always a form of love?
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Certainly it is not in my opinion. But I like the post idea. I have a few other thoughts on that kind of post and some possible picture ideas.
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Do share. I have no intent of my own as I am an innocent child.
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I will, but it is a secret.
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Okay. I can’t argue with that logic.
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I’m quaking in my boots (well, actually, sandals). The One, The Great, The All Powerful Ionia! I bow before you (well, virtually anyway). You do make a good show of knowing what you are talking about. Actually, I think you know more than you think you know and at least as much as we know you know.
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Lol you know, you might know more than I know:)
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We all know stuff others don’t so we are all great.
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Yes but you two know far more.
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Stop being so humble woman. You are great too. Accept it.
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☺Blushing. As usual.
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Tomato?
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Vine ripened
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Shiny and red
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Ummmm. I forgot.
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Fancy forgetting something like that.
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Like what?
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Oh, no, I don’t know …
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No?
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Nada.
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Zip!
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0
I got nothin lol
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:0)
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