Comparisons are invidious.

at 04/07/05 1:32PM
Anybody out there know the derivation of this phrase? Googling just produces people who use it to excuse their own invidious comparisons. It's such an obvious concept (hello Cain & Abel) that it seems hard-wired into homo sapiens. Is trying to trace its origin as fruitless an endeavour as planting an apple seed in cement? Probably. {sigh}
New location is ok; will need to adjust to differences. I'm on call this week which means no staying at work until midnight; when my colleagues finish their 8pm shift, the phones get diverted to either voicemail or the on-call mobile until 8am the next morning. Next blog of my usual length may therefore not be appearing until Monday 11 April. But for those of you who do watch this space, you never know what may befall. And all of you, until the next time, take care of yourselves.
  • two
    As the Earth sinks slowly in the West, the crew of Apollo 11 bids you good day. Or something like that. The last line, "... And all of you... " reminded me of that quote from space for some reason, and that was before I saw the photo on the left.
    by two at 04/07/05 4:55PM
  • two
    And Google fails again... I can't get that quote.
    by two at 04/07/05 4:56PM
  • inkle
    And I, actually, was reminded of the Truman show.
    by inkle at 04/08/05 12:56AM
  • inkle
    The one with Jim Carrey.
    by inkle at 04/08/05 12:56AM
  • tu_madre
    as opposed to the truman show with someone else in it?
    by tu_madre at 04/08/05 12:47PM
  • shousinator
    I read that you met Asimov on his blog; that's fantastic! What other authors have you met?
    by shousinator at 04/11/05 4:36PM
  • psemmusa
    Hi Paul,Inkle, Danarchy and Nate (welcome :). Thanks for your comemnts :)

    Paul, I love the Apollo 13 movie so am flattered my post reminded you of that great line. I succeeded in finding a transcript of the screenplay but my work firewall won't let me access the page :(

    Inkle, I also love The Truman Show, especially Truman's use of his "And if I don't see you, Good afternoon, good evening and good night" as his exit line on leaving the dome. Oo I get goosepimples just remembering the scene :) So thank you for your comparison :)
    by psemmusa at 04/13/05 8:35AM
  • psemmusa
    Dan the Man, I'm so pleased you haven't quit Pleo. When I checked my blog and your comment had disappeared, then your name had vanished from my friend list, I was like, "What the $*@#!?" Interesting concept evoked by you, sarcastic sweetie - who else would have done justice to the role of Truman Burbank? IMDB says that Gary Oldman was considered. I can't see that somehow :}

    Hi Nate, welcome to my blog. I have met Anne McCaffrey (and had tea at her wonderful home in County Wicklow), Harry Harrison, Brian Aldiss, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams (RIP), Joe Haldeman, Neil Gaiman, Tom Holt, Robert Rankin and Iain Banks. I think I may also have met Graham Joyce; I've also met Dr Les Cohen who is an advisor to many SF authors.
    by psemmusa at 04/13/05 8:57AM
  • psemmusa
    Dr Les Cohen - I think this should be Dr Jack Cohen, my bad.
    by psemmusa at 04/13/05 11:51AM
  • mjintexas
    i love your shuttle picture. i used to live near kennedy, and used to watch the shuttle launches. i'm in love with the space program. :)
    by mjintexas at 04/13/05 11:59AM
  • psemmusa
    Hi Miriam, thanks for your post and welcome to my blog :) How long ago did you leave Florida? You have total kudos from me for watching the launches. God willing that Discovery flies and returns safely, I'm going to start saving my pennies so that I can watch a flight. It must be one of the most inspiring things ever, to feel the shuttle engines overpowering Earth's gravity well and see the bright speck disappear into the sky {sigh} I hear ya about the love of, for, with the space program :)
    by psemmusa at 04/13/05 5:55PM