falling out of the most-read yesterday list. Strangely enough, I find myself checking that list on a daily basis and have even included it in the Egoboo Department over on your left. I’m not sure why I find it comforting to know that others are reading what I write, since I do it largely because it helps me put the day in perspective, but I do like it when my reader count goes up (especially when it isn’t because I’ve been playing with the site layout and refreshing the page a lot to see what it looks like!). And the odd contribution to the discussion group is welcome, too, as are pointers from other folks’ blogs (thanks, Jim Roepcke, for the favourites browser).

But some days lend themselves to more interesting entries than others, and I’m afraid today is not one of those days. Instead, I’ve enjoyed the marvels of my office all day (I could talk about the barbecue at lunch, but I’m not sure I want to bring it up again), trying to catch up on various projects, none of which include my internal Manila server. Yup, one of those days.

I’ve only got 200 pages or so of Harry Potter IV left, and I’m eager to find out what happens and how You-Know-Who is foiled for another year. I wonder if it’s too early to pre-order book five?

I happened to glance at the jacket blurb on my copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last night and confirmed, yet again, the fact that you really can’t judge a book by its cover. Or its blurb.

The blurb talks about the “International Quidditch Championship”, which is interesting, since what’s in the book is the
“Quidditch World Cup” (first mentioned in Chapter One). I guess the secrecy around the book extended to the blurb-writer, too.

Wine of the Day

Martinelli Sauvignon Blanc (1998, Russian River Valley). No funny aftertaste; fairly crisp. I enjoyed it.

Wine Comment of the Day

From Laurie Daniel’s Wine Column in the 12 July 2000 San Jose Mercury News:

“[Some winemakers] make sauvignon blanc in the style of chardonnay, with lots of oak and buttery flavors from malolactic fermentation. (I can’t recommend this last style of sauvignon blanc. If consumers want chardonnay, they have plenty to choose from. Leave our sauvignon blanc grapes alone.)” [Emphasis mine.]