c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 1, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 15:18:17 +0300 (IDT) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-31-96 Aaron - while I was lurking on the rec.pets.cats newsgroup, I came across a lot of messages from people who claimed that their cats had a strong preference for people of a certain gender - some cats preferred men and some preferred women. My Aunt and Uncle who raise cats (they usually have at least ten adult cats in their house in London) claim they've noticed this too. So it appears that cats, at least, can differentiate human gender. (I've never noticed this in either of my cats - one of my cats will go to ANYBODY, and one of my cats will only go to me). As for humans being able to tell apart male from female cats - I'm the one with a Tomcat named Jenny! Myself, I've always thought it was "Ru-GEH-do", and I've always rhymed Lurline with Caroline. But I don't feel strongly about the pronounciation issue. |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' gili@scso.com '---''(_/--' `-'\_) ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 08:41:22 -0400 From: BARLOW NATE Subject: Club Mailings and Waddles Just a question--which Gazette and Observer are late? I seem to recall my parents forwarding me a set not that long ago, though I can't check, since they, like 99.99% of my Oz collection, are in Connecticut (I'm dreading moving the collection to Long Island--so much chance for mishap!). After seeing mention of Half-Price Books having the Waddle Book, I checked the phone book--there are no Half-Price Books listed in my area. Anyone willing to pick me up a couple copies (one to keep, one to put together :) ? Nate ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 11:15:13 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 07-30 & 31-96 Not my fault this time that I didn't respond to yesterday's Digest yesterday; I didn't get it until today. (It might have appeared anytime after about 3:30 PM, though; I didn't check my E-mail after that.) 7/30: Rich: As Gili told you today, Percival is the name of one of the piglets in her story, "Pigmentation", in the 1995 OZIANA. And an excellent story it is, too. I can't think of a female dog in any Oz book I've read, though I'd imagine that some of the hounds in Tally-Ho in MERRY-GO-ROUND are probably female. All the ones whose gender is mentioned are male, though. (Since there are references to training pups, there must be female dogs around somewherex) Robin: What other names have variant pronunciations? Well, in Piglet Press's version of EMERALD CITY, Kaliko is "kah-LEE-koh", Jellia is "je-LYE-ah", and Bristle is "BRIS-tol", none of which would have occurred to me. I guess anybody with a sufficiently creative imagination can come up with startling pronunciations of words that look obvious to me but don't have standard English pronunciations. (Dorothy and Betsy and Trot are probably safe - though "Mayre" is open to interpretation.) Maybe "Roquat" is really French and should be "ro-KAH". Maybe "Langwidere" is really Greek (Mycenean Greek, when the "w" sound was still around) and should be "lahn-GWEE-deh-ree". Maybe Voe is really Latin and should "woi". I don't think so, but they're as reasonable as "ru-GED-oh" or "ZEE-zee" or "O-ho". (Especially with names like Kaliko, Jellia, Ruggedo, and Langwidere, where there's an obvious pun in the name, pronouncing them so the pun is lost makes no sense to me.) Bear: Ozma has never done more than scold juvenile characters for using magic, and hasn't often done that. (Kiki Aru did drink from the Fountain of Oblivion, but Ozma didn't know he was a juvenile until that was already set up.) Dorothy uses magic all the time. 7/31: Earl: I can't recall anyone being drunk from alcohol anywhere in the FF; I can't even recall alcohol being mentioned in the FF, though there might be a reference to wine at a banquet somewhere that I don't recall. The Cowardly Lion did get somewhat elevated in OZOPLANING because of something he ate... Gili: I left Fred Otto's jacket with one of the people at Winkie - can't recall her name now, but I talked to someone in authority (Peter Hanff, I think) and they said she was the one who should have charge of it between conventions. By not being able to attend I lost my chance at wearing it through this year's convention until time to turn it over to the new Master (who I hear was Eleanor Kennedy, who wasn't there either). But it was never intended that the jacket be kept by the winner through the year - only to wear it at the convention. Your new E-mail address noted and entered into my Address Book. Aaron: Betsy isn't a wuss, but she's almost entirely passive in the two books where she has a significant role. About the only active thing I can think of she does is picking the Rose Princess, which in itself is just an echo of what Dorothy does in the Mangaboo country. Doesn't mean she doesn't make the occasional sharp retort, but that's still not being active. I wouldn't think non-humans would make many mistakes in determining the gender of humans in Neill's Oz, since the women all wear skirts and the men all wear pants. By Shanower's time, though, it might be harder for them to tell the juveniles apart, especially. (It's often not that easy for a human to identify the gender of juvenile Americans, for that matter.) Tyler: I second Aaron's query: are you accepting reviews of non-Buckethead books? I have all the ECP books and could review them as I have time, but don't have many from Buckethead. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 11:42:27 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-31-96 Earl: Thanks for the Uz quote. It sounds like a role made-to-order for Faruiza Balk! Otto jacket:Poor David. We hustled him into that jacket and he sure' didn't look happy about it! For those who have no idea what we're talking about, Fred Otto was a wonderful writer and a Winkie. He used to read an OZIAD (an Oz book set to his own whimsical poetry) to us every year. And every year, he'd wear his green, corduroy jacket to read it in. David won the '95 Fiction Award. Wearing Fred's jacket was an honor we gave him. Virginia Fowler is the jacket's caretaker. Betsy: O.K. She was gutsy once. Mostly she's a wus. A nice enough wus, but essentially a passive wus. ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 15:15:24 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy Digest Earl: I can't remember any drunkeness in the FF, but in the non-FF _Giant Garden of Oz_, Dorothy and the Wizard eat a lunch consisting, among other things, a bottle of Gilikin wine. The word "drunk" was not mentioned, but Dorothy was drowsy afterwards. As for the other part of the verse, well, (ahem) it happens, but I won't say any more about it, lest I get crushed by Kabumpo. :-) Aaron: Now that you mention it, I remember Betsy's gutsy performance in front of the Nome King. As I remember, Rug was impressed. Also, my reviews page is taking reviews of all books OFFERED by Buckethead. In other words, all books that appear on the Buckethead page. I was considering reviews of BEOO books that are no longer in print, but there's really no point, since they can't be bought any more. BTW, I am now Netscape enabled, so I can test my pages myself. Some people have mentioned that the FF do not stand out in the HACC. By the time most people read this (Thursday morning) I can guarantee that the HACC will stand out! :-) http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tyler_jones --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 16:06:18 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy Digest Extra: The July 1996 Digest is now archived and available. Here are the current file sizes: Dec. 1995 295,882 Jan. 1996 484,257 Feb. 1996 911,170 Mar. 1996 1,141,645 Apr. 1996 834,402 May 1996 794,439 Jun. 1996 784,238 Jul. 1996 655,610 --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 22:42:38 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Oz Book placement From Scott Olsen This is probably a silly observation, but I remember a conversation with a fellow IWOZ member years ago re: Oz book placement. The other member noticed my books were in order (Wizard to Merry-Go-Round) and remarked that theirs weren't (in other words, they were arranged out of order). I remarked that it looks like you have more books if they're out of order. She agreed, saying that's why hers were like that! Does anyone else notice whether this is true or not? (BTW, mine are still in order.) Thanks. Scott O. ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 2, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 07:00:01 -0800 (PST) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Digest Submission Scott Olsen in the 8/1 Digest asks if anyone else notices that books arranged out of order seem to be more than the same books arranged in order. Yes. It is necessary that the order scheme followed (or not followed) is known or obvious to the viewer. If seen as being in order, the books tend to be perceived as a single thing -- the set -- and seem to be fewer than the same books unordered. The unordered books will, of course, drive certain viewers to distraction. Best not to risk that. ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 15:22:23 +0300 (IDT) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-01-96 David - thanks for the compliment! Uh, I'm usually not this dull, but what's the pun in Langwidere? |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' gili@scso.com '---''(_/--' `-'\_) http://www.scso.com/~gili ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 09:24:01 -0400 From: Nathan Faut Subject: Some levity du jour ... From the University of Georgia HUMOR list: ----- From: Douglas Mason Subject: Thought for the day In the Wizard of Oz the Munchkins must have been over-reacting. Their song after the Wicked Witch's death was too severe. After all, how evil could a Witch named "Ding-Dong" be?? ----- Nathan ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 09:19:35 -0400 From: BARLOW NATE Subject: For the digest Pronounciation: As a little kid I always said Eve for Ev, until I heard others say otherwise! :) Gili: My mother used to always say our cats preferred certain genders, but I never noticed it. But then, almost every pet (especially cats) I've ever met liked me, so I don't have any basis to judge from the negative. Scott: Personally, I don't think it looks like there are more books if they are out of order. There do, however, seem to be more books if they are in piles at various angles and not neat and lined up. I've always kept my Oz (and other collections) in as strict an order as possible, though sometimes (such as with non-FF Oz books) I've been left with "decisions". Nate ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 10:57:28 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 08-01-96 Gili: I agree the pronunciation of Oz names isn't a very critical thing. Until there are more Oz fans in the world, the opportunities to actual speak a name to another person are pretty limited. As Robin has pointed out, even at Oz conventions people don't talk about Oz characters all that much. (But "Ruggedo" seems so clearly a pun on "rugged" that I accent the first syllable so it works. Not to mention that the "Rug, the jug" reference in HANDY MANDY doesn't work nearly as well if the accent's on the second syllable.) Robin: I didn't look happy about the jacket? I was! I wouldn't have worn it for the remainder of the evening if I hadn't liked it. (I was unhappy that I needed to lose about 30 pounds for it to fit right, but that was with myself, not the jacket. Not that I've done anything to improve the situation since then, alas.) For the record, though, it's green suede cloth, not corduroy. Scott: I keep my Oz books in order, but most of my other series books aren't in order at the moment, because I've just finished moving from California to Illinois. I periodically get the urge to spend a bit of time tidying the shelves and putting other series in order, but I haven't done it yet here for things like Burroughs and Cabell. (And I never bother doing that with books my wife rereads, because she reshelves them without regard to order. That means I don't try to order Lockridge or Heyer or Marsh or Blake [Nicholas, not William], for instance.) However, having them out of order has never seemed to me to make it feel like there's more of them. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 20:08:27 -0800 (PST) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: 2nd Digest Submission My copies of the Spring, 1996 _The Oz Observer_ and _The Oz Gazette_ arrived in the mail today. Two copies of each. Two identical mailings. I don't know why two. Friday, on to the Munchkin Convention! ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 21:52:26 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Bauman <72172.2631@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Today's Growls David - The lack of "adult beverages" in Oz makes me wonder if L. Frank was into the Temperance Movement. Surely our authorities will know about this? I hope there are some adult beverages there to solace some of the adults in their immortality. :) The world is full of strange affectations, having your books out of order, writing without capitals and punctuation, etc..... :) Where is our host, Dave? Busy writing? In hiding with Eric? Earning a living? Drop us a line sometime. :) Busily, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 22:15:56 -0400 From: DIXNAM@aol.com Subject: Off to Munchkin Con See all you Munchkin conventioneers this weekend! (:-D) Dick Randolph (DIXNAM@aol.com) ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 23:16:35, -0500 From: Donald_Davis@prodigy.com (MR DONALD T DAVIS) Subject: Ozzy Digest, 07-30-96 Does anybody know if one of those half price book stores are in Ohio at all, please let me know!! Thanks Don!!! ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 00:52:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy DIgest Pronounciation: In the long run, I am sure that most of us would recognize a name even if someone pronounced it differently than we did, although it is interesting to see the different ways we have come up with pronouncing them on our own. David and Aaron: I would have no problem posting reviews of BOW/ECP books, but the question is would BOW/ECP take kindly to that? Even if it were legal to do so without their permission (which it probably is), I would hesitate to do it without their blessing. I have bought their books for many years and enjoyed a lot of their Ozzy tales. I would not like to upset them. Any comment, Peter Glassman? Robin: I assume this is the Same Fred Otto whose OZIADS were bound in that lovely book a short while back? I really enjoyed reading them. Scott O: As far as the FF is concerned, I cannot imagine any order other than the normal one. After all, the order of publication is the same as the order in which they happened in history. Someone may choose to organize them in an alphabetic sense, but I do not see that this would give the illusion of more books. (unofficial plug): If you want more Oz books, write Chris! And Books of Wonder, of course :-) My Oz books are all ordered chronologically. In the case of the FF, this is also the order of publication, but of course this does not apply to the non- FF. Therefore, when a non-FF title comes in, I decide when it happened in Ozzy history, and place it wherever it belongs. Given my HACC-ness, it would be quite hypocritical of me NOT to have them all in chronological order. :-) Some other series similar to Oz that may or may not be in "order": DRAGONLANCE is a big series with a number of writers. This saga consists of groups of mini-series, three or six books long. On my bookshelf, each mini- series is organized numerically, based on date of publication. With respect to each other, the mini-series are organized based on the date of publica- tion of the first book in the mini-series. Note that DRAGONLANCE mini-series are not always interconnected. Therefore, ordering them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is not always chronological. Nor are the mini-series chronological to each other. The main difference between DRAGONLANCE and Oz is that the former is under the firm control of one publishing house and a small number of people that determine what is and is not accurate Krynn history. PERN by Anne McCaffery is a series that has been written over several years by one author. The books were not written chronologically, but that is the way they are ordered on my bookshelf. However, Ms. McCaffery respectfully suggests that they be read in the order that they were written. NARNIA has a couple of books that did not take place in the order, but C.S. Lewis had a grand plan when he wrote them, and I have them in numerical order. FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov is three separate series that were later melded into a super-series. Other books were written later to fill in certain gaps, but these are all placed chronologically. For some reason that I cannot explain, _The Silmarillion_ is placed at the end of THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Note on the Web: Those of you who have gotten to my web page in the last day or two may have noticed the absence of the web counter. While I considered that to be very important information, it was simply taking me (and others) too long to log in and display it. Maybe when my Java improves, I can design my own. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Thursday 01-Aug-96 23:47:01 From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things Hi everyone! Some people have expressed concern about my not commenting about anything in the Digest lately...Don't worry, I'm still around :) and I'll still be contributing -- I've just been busy lately with other things, including doing the illustrations for _Locasta_! BOOK ORDER: I have my books arranged by publisher -- On one shelf I have the Dover books, on another the Books of Wonder & IWOC hardcovers, on another the Emerald City Press, on another the Buckethead paperbacks, etc. LANGWIDERE: I join Gili in my puzzlement over what the pun in "Langwidere" is... FORGET "GINGEMMA" AND "NESSAROSE"!: Nathan (quoting someone else) wrote: > ...how evil could a Witch named "Ding-Dong" be?? That's funny -- I thought her name was "Which Old Witch"! :) :) FAIRIES: A quick question: In the Baum universe (i.e. in the Fairy bands of Lurline, Zurline, etc.) are there any *male* fairies? NARNIA: Tyler mentioned Narnia...IIRC, all the Narnia books are in chronological order except the "prequel" _The Magician's Nephew_. BTW speaking of pronounciations, how is "Aslan" supposed to be pronounced? When my dad read the books to me he always said "AZ-len" (with a short 'A'), but most Narnia dramatizations seem to say "ASS-lan", which doesn't sound right to me... Has anyone ever written an essay comparing Lurline with Aslan? DELPHI HAS ABOLISHED ITS $9/HR. DAYTIME SURCHARGES...I CAN NOW NET-SURF ANYTIME OF DAY AND NOT PAY THROUGH THE NOSE! YAY!!! -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 3, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 11:46:20 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-02-96 Dave - "The Horse and His Boy" is chronologically the third Narnia book, because it takes place in the middle of "the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe". I used to have two sets, one in the order they were written, one in chronological order. All my books are neatly alphabetised, my books are very well organized and very tidy. Unlike any other aspect of my life or room. One thing I do like doing though, which my mother cannot comprehend, is have at least five books out at a time. She thinks that's being messy, I think it's like a statement: this is what's going on in my mind right now. I like having my books visible because they reflect who I am. |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' gili@scso.com '---''(_/--' `-'\_) ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 08:51:05 -0400 From: BARLOW NATE Subject: A Suggestion Forgive me if someone came up with a similar suggestion in the period I was away from the digest, but... Would there be any interest in an "Ozzy Digest" T-shirt (with Dave's approval of course, not that it would be difficult to obtain ;) I just thought it would be neat to see someone at a convention or a festival whom you didn't know previously wearing a shirt and realizing they're from the digest. I already have some ideas about what the design could be [BTW, a couple years ago The National Midnight Star, the Rush (the rock band) fans mailing list, did their own T-shirt. It was really cool seeing people wearing the shirt when I saw the band on their Counterparts tour]. Just a thought (or two, or three...) Nate ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 09:39:49 -0400 (EDT) From: MICHAEL TURNIANSKY Subject: Book orderings.... Well, since Tyler gifted us with his detailed account of the way he ordered books, I just thought I'd say that while my Oz (and for that matter, Xanth) books are arranged by publication date, other "series" (Dr. Who and Star Trek, for instance) are arranged on my shelf chromatically, i.e., first those books with the red covers, then those with the orange, etc..... --Mike "Polychrome??" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 11:04:58 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 08-02-96 Gili (and Dave): The pun in "Langwidere"? "Languid", which the lady certainly is; all she wants to do is sit around admiring her head-of-the-day. Bear: I don't remember any reference to Baum's being involved in the Temperance Movement, but I'm no authority on Baum's life. I'd expect that his lack of reference to adult beverages was more because he wasn't writing for adults; one needn't be part of the Temperance Movement to think that kids shouldn't be drinking alcohol. Don: There's a Half-Price Books store in Cincinnati, because I was in it (and bought some books and saw the WOZ Waddle Book, though I didn't buy it because I already have one) back in late June. If I recall correctly, it's in a mall on the east side of Montgomery Road just north of where it crosses I-71 near the northern edge of the city (Montgomery crosses I-71 two different places; it's not the one near downtown). Depending on where you live in Ohio, this might or might not be useful to you. Tyler: It's certainly legal to post reviews of ECP books (or any other books); there's no question about that. As to whether Peter (and his associates) would take kindly to it, he'll have to answer that himself. I can't imagine that they wouldn't take kindly to favorable reviews - that's good free advertising. Pans, or even tepid reviews, might be taken less kindly. I separate the FF from the non-FF books; I have the FF, then the IWOC books in publication order, then the ECP books in no particular order, then the Buckethead books in no particular order, and then the odds and ends of other Oz fiction grouped by publisher if applicable. Exceptions are that I put LITTLE WIZARD STORIES with the FF, between EC and PG, and the Random Housies, Shanower graphic novels, and foreign-language versions (Latin, Russian, and Hebrew) are all on another shelf, following Baum's and Thompson's non-Oz books that I have. (Because of space constraints, my non-fiction Oz-related material is in a different bookcase entirely.) Dave: I don't think Baum ever mentioned a male fairy, though there are many male immortals of fairy-like nature mentioned in SANTA CLAUS - the knooks, ryls, light elves, etc. Zurline, incidentally, isn't a fairy either; she's a wood nymph, and they're distinct from the fairies proper. If you count her as a fairy, then you should count the other immortals as well, in which case there are a lot of males. And THE HORSE AND HIS BOY occurs chronologically during the last chapter of THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, although it was written fourth or fifth in the series (I forget if it was before or after THE SILVER CHAIR in writing order). I think a lot of people tend to forget that book, since it has little to do with the basic continuity of the series. Incidentally, I have completed my essay on Ozma's rulership qualities. I think it's probably too long (38K) to send to the Digest directly, but anyone who is interested in seeing it can E-mail me and I'll send them a copy. (I need to convert it to a text-only version and put in ALL CAPS for the titles rather than italics, but that's no big deal.) It will also go to the Oz Research Group for the fall mailing. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 10:30:42 -0700 From: ozbot@ix.netcom.com (ozbot) Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest stuff Hmmm, Digests seem pretty light as of late (of course, once said, see the posts go up!) I've just signed up on another e-mailing list for the Disney animated GARGOYLES series. Love the series, but the list seems much more like a newsgroup than this home-y feeling Digest. "I love you, guys!" "Shhh, you're not getting our Oz Lite." Book shelves-- I'm afraid I have no consistency when it comes to ordering my books. I have all my Oz by year of publication, except the non-Baum Ix, Mo, etc. which are at the end. Go fig. The non-FF that I don't like are at the opposite end of my bookshelf! Otherwise, I go ascending order left to right. My Hardy boys are all in that order, some of my fantasy series (Death Gate Cylce by Weis and Hickman-- read it if you like good fantasy! Plug Plug!) this is placed in ascending order right to left. I dunno. Then again, I do feel more comfortable using the mouse with my left hand! (I'm not normally a lefty) I need new shelves, I guess. Some of my books are getting stacked in literally ascending order bottom to top (nadir to zenith!) Man-fairy-- Wasn't this a Baum short story printed in a Bugle recently? Spring? Fall 95'? Can I throw out anther info. request? What types of games do Oz people play? FF info as well as non-FF can be looked at. I know that in WICKED WITCH, Cap'n Bill and others are playing croquet. Did Baum have his people play any games? Hmmm, Hardy Boys in Oz. . . Danny ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 13:42:29 -0500 From: Michael Vincent Subject: RE: Ozzy Digest, 08-02-96 Re:Male Fairies The only possible male fairy I can think of off hand in Baum would = probably be Wisk, one of Santa Claus' helpers... he is described both as = "he" and as a fairy from the "Fairy Queen" (of Burzee)'s band and is = mentioned both in *The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus* and "A = Kidnapped Santa Claus" Thompson mentions an "old Fairy Man" in *Cowardly Lion* and of course there are numerous males among the many races of = immortals--I assume they would be considered fairies also.... Michael ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 15:56:13 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy Digest Bear: Fear not! There are two examples in non-FF books about adult beverages. I already mentioned the bottle Gilikin Wine (I assume their grapes can't be beat!) and the other was in _A Murder in Oz_, by Jack Snow. After "the children" had gone to bed, Glinda was seen drinking a cocktail and the Shaggy Man was smoking a cigar. A young man (obviously a bartender) entered the room and proceed to mix certain "refreshments" according to the guests individual tastes. Male Fairies: It is possible that fairies do not really have gender, but usually choose to appear female due to the nurturing aspect traditionally associated with being female. Ereol, in _Queen Zixi of Ix_, chose to appear male when s/he presented the magic cloak to Fluff. Dave: _The Horse and His Boy_ took place around the "end" of _The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe_. Anyway, I've always said "AZ-lan" like "As the World Turns" and "The LAN is a flash in the PAN". I've heard it pronouced with the soft "s" on the cartoon presentation of _Lion, Witch & W_. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 16:48:52 -0700 From: "Stephen J. Teller" Subject: Oz Gili and Dave: Langwidere = Languid air (and she certainly has one.) All of you who are now at the Munchkin Convention--happy hunting. After tomorrow I leave for Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Order: My arrangement of Oz and Baum books is as follows: Top of Bookcase 1: Oversized books. Shelf 1: LFB's Oz books in order including Little Wizard Books and 1939 abridgments; Shelf 2: Rest of FF in order and WHO'S WHO. Shelf 3: LFB's non-Oz fantasies; RPT's non-Oz books; DARK MUSIC. Shelf 4: LFB's pseudonymous writings; Volkov's books. Bookcase 2: Top and shelves 1 & 2: Miscellaneous, often non-book, items. Shelf 3-4: Apocryphal books arranged alphabetically by author. Related books: Translations, biographies, abridgments, later editions, critical works. Probably no one is interested, but the subject seems to have ome up. Carol Mitchell: Tell us about the Oz Festival at Oz Park in Chicago. Steve T. ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 23:13:46 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Baum/Temperance Movement From Scott Olsen Re: Bear's question whether Baum was involved in temperance movement. From the information I have, my answer would have to be no. Several years ago an acquaintance of mine was checking the archives from the Hotel del Coronado (which are housed at San Diego State University). She said she found that the Baums stayed in a VERY expensive room and their room service bill showed they ordered "a lot" of wine. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to check on this myself, but I don't see any reason why I should doubt this person. The archives probably contain a wealth of little-known information about Baum, and someday when I get the time or retire I intend to check them out. In the meantime, the archives are there for anyone who cares to check. The dates of Baum's arrivals, for some years at least, are already known. It probably wouldn't be that hard. Finding the time is another thing altogether! In addition, I'm sure the Uplifters club (which Baum helped found), was, like most men's organizations of the day, founded on the principle of getting around the law (then) that you can't get a drink on Sundays. Their program for 1917 makes it clear. But what the heck, I like a drink once and awhile too! ;) Scott Olsen ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 19:16:13 -0400 (EDT) From: "Aaron S. Adelman" Subject: Bizarre Comparisons in Oz Just some quick comments: 1) My historically-accurate Oz books (those which are in Charleston) are in order, but the non-Oz Baum books and the historically-inaccurate Oz books (_The Dinamonster of Oz_, _A Barnstormer in Oz_) are not. 2) Amused by the suggestions for the name for the Wicked Witch of the East. 3) Never thought of a comparison of Ozma and Aslan, though Aslan and Lurline might be more comparible. (Would that make Tititi-Hoochoo comparible with Tash?) When I started reading _The Nevereding Story_, I wondered if the Childlike Emperess was comparible to Ozma. Then I got to the part about the Old Man of the Mountain and decided against it. I could see Lurline and Tititi-Hoochoo paralleling the Childlike Empress and the Old Man of the Mountain very vaguely, though arguably the latter two are better comparable to the Magic Machine of Adelmanian Oz! Then again, Fantastica and Lurline's World are conceptually very different, so any direct comparison is likely to run into serious trouble. Aaron Solomon (ben Saul Joseph) Adelman adelman@yu1.yu.edu ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 4, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 22:00:58 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-02-96 Aslan: FWIW, I say AZ-lan. Compare him to Lurline? They're quite dissimilar, aren't they? Aslan is essentially a religious power. Lurline seems entirely secular. That's the biggest difference, I guess. Tyler: Yes, Fred Otto wrote the OZIADS. The reason you put the SILMARILLION last is probably because it came out after THE HOBBIT and LOTR. David: I wonder if the reason that two very sharp people didn't get the pun in "Langwidere" is a function of age. The word upon which the pun is built (I'll let you divulge that word) is rather old-fashioned. I hope all those Munchkins are having fun. Robin--gnashing teeth in frustration 'cause she couldn't go--Olderman ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 23:11:45 -0400 (EDT) From: jnw@vnet.net Subject: misc Dave Hardenbrook writes: > I join Gili in my puzzlement over what the pun in "Langwidere" is... It looks like it came from "languid dear", and she certainly was languid. I'm not sure I would call that a pun, though. > A quick question: In the Baum universe (i.e. in the Fairy bands of Lurline, > Zurline, etc.) are there any *male* fairies? Zurline is a Wood Nymph. The Nymphs are all girls, as are the fairy bands of Lulea and Lurline. The Mermaids in SEA FAIRIES are also all girls. Tititi-Hoochoo is male, and his people seem to be both male and female. The knooks and Ryls seem to be male. > Has anyone ever written an essay comparing Lurline with Aslan? Aslan created the Narnian universe, just as the Supreme Master created the Oz universe. Lurline is just one of the immortals created by the Supreme Master. Thus, Aslan and Lurline aren't really comparable (unless you want to argue that Lurline is really the Supreme Master incognito. :-) However, one might compare Aslan in PRINCE CASPIAN to Ozma. Most of this book is spent in getting the characters to where the action is, then Aslan hops in and solves all the problems without any real assistance from anyone. Then he runs around and dispenses arbitrary justice and punishment without even letting the accused speak. Sound familiar? :-) -- jnw@vnet.net (John N. White) ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 02:15:57 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy Digest I just got a message from somebody. I am not completely sure of the answer, so if anybody could e-mail him privately, he would probably appreciate it. ********** BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE ********** Hi, I was wondering if you could help me. In the 1939 Movie, can you tell me what exactly the soldiers are chanting as they march into the witch's castle? It sounds like "OH ye oh, e oh oh," but I understand it is actually chant of words. This is driving me crazy, I hope you can help! Thanks, Tom Lewis TLEWIS@BOCANET.COM ********** END FORWARDED MESSAGE ********** ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 14:13:51 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-03-96 Digest, the truth is, I spend hours arranging and rearranging my books. Its like a disease with me. The only books I have arranged chromatically are andrew lang's fairy books (THE RED FAIRY BOOK, THE ORANGE FAIRY BOOK, THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK, etc. in the Dover edition the color of the binding matches the color in the title). I need to have a special bookcase made for my Oz books, but in the meantime they are stored on a shelf here and a shelf there - I need more than one shelf for translations alone (14 languages!), and the other books are arranged first by size obligations and then by some chronological or other sensible order. Nate - I love the idea of an Ozzy digest t-shirt! In fact, I have no Ozzy t-shirts at all, I really want one. would you be willing to take care of this? You know, count the number of interested digesters, choose a design, put in an order at a t-shirt shop, collect the money, mail the shirts to thier various destinations? It would be inordinately expensive to do this in Israel and mail the shirts from here, or I would volunteer myself. May I be vain enough as to suggest our Nick Chopper logo on front? |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' gili@scso.com '---''(_/--' `-'\_) ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 08:59:05 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 08-03-96 Nate: I'd be interested in an Ozzy Digest T-shirt if there were enough other Digest people interested to make it likely that it would assist in meeting them at conventions. If only half a dozen people were interested then I'd be less so. (And no, you're the first one to suggest it, unless I missed it myself - and I've read every Digest since late January.) Danny: I'm another one who isn't normally a lefty, but is more comfortable using a mouse (or, when I can get it, a trackball) with my left hand. I do have a strongly dominant left eye, so I'm acutely uncomfortable trying to read something to the right of the keyboard (my nose gets in the way). I don't remember any mention of a specific game in Baum's books, though he did refer to Ozma and the girls playing games in a general sense. Thompson has them playing blind-mans-bluff in ROYAL BOOK, hide-and-seek in HUNGRY TIGER and JACK PUMPKINHEAD, and croquet in HANDY MANDY and I think one more (I remember an illo of the Scarecrow tripping over a wicket, but I can't place the book). And, of course, there's the Game River in LUCKY BUCKY and the very similar Game Preserve in OZMAPOLITAN. Tyler: I've always used the voiced [z] sound in "Aslan", but with a schwa for the final vowel (just like in my own name). "AZ-l'n", more or less. Steve: Actually, the Oz Festival has been moved from Oz Park to Lincoln Park the last couple of years. The proceeds still benefit Oz Park, though. I'll be going to it, too, and will report in my response to Monday's Digest. If there are any Chicago-area lurkers here, Carol and I (and families) are meeting at the statue of the Tin Man (it's the movie version) in Oz Park at 1:30 on Sunday; join us if you like. (I'll be the guy with the gray beard wearing a Panama hat; there probably won't be two of us answering that description...) Scott: Thanks for the info on Baum's drinking. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 11:31:51 -0700 From: "Stephen J. Teller" Subject: Oz This will be my last posting for awhile as I am leaving early tomorrow for over a week (that would give you an opportunity to break into my house and take my Oz collection--I am NOT posting my home address. I expect to see Fred Meyer next Thursday at his sister's house. The poor man has been away from HIS collection for more than half a year. The Baum short story "The Man Fairy" which appeared in a recent BUGLE (without any form of information about where it had previously appeared), has nothing to do with real fairies or any type of fantasy (unless you think that a rich person showing unsolicited generosity for which he gets no tax break or publicity is fantastical). I will have a lot a digests to digest on August 13. Steve T. ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 18:12:58 -0500 (CDT) From: Gordon Birrell Subject: Half-Price Books outlets Don: In addition to the store in Cincinnati, there are Half-Price Books branches in Cleveland, Dayton, and Columbus. If anyone else is interested in locating one of their stores, you can call the flagship store in Dallas at (214) 363-8374 to see if they have a branch in your area. ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 17:57:43 -0700 From: ozbot@ix.netcom.com (ozbot) Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest stuff Um, forget my comment about the man-fairy in the BUGLE. After I posted my comment, I went back and actually *read* the story. (What's this? Water of Oblivion? Mmm, it's so tasty, too! Now, did I write that last comment? Can't seem to recall. . .) Danny, uh, I think. ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 21:52:54 -0400 (EDT) From: "Aaron S. Adelman" Subject: Male Fairies I believe that Titit-Hoochoo and his male subjects are all fairies. Aaron Solomon (ben Saul Joseph) Adelman adelman@yu1.yu.edu ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 5, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 00:44:52 -0700 (PDT) From: International Wizard of Oz Club Subject: Munchkin Convention Hi, folks! Please send details, impressions, etc. (photos???!!!) of the Munchkin Convention to munchkin@ozclub.org - I'd like to get some reports out on the web as soon as practical! Thanks in advance, Jim Vander Noot ------------------------------------- Name: International Wizard of Oz Club E-mail: International Wizard of Oz Club Date: 8/4/96 Time: 12:44:52 AM This message was sent by Chameleon ------------------------------------- ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 01:46:45 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-04-96 Half-Price Books: I believe there are some in Berkeley, CA. T-Shirts: Sounds like a cute idea. Try Bruce Conklin (he's on CompuServe, I think) for a good rate. I like Gili's logo idea; would it "translate" well for a t-shirt? If not, I suggest something like an illustration of Gili's Tin Woodman reading Glinda's Great Book of Records...except that the book would be labeled "The Ozzy Digest." I'll have to wait 'til I get back Wednesday night to read the reports I hope some of you will post on MunchkinCon. I'll betcha Eleanor did a super job of chairing it--and I'll bet she's exhausted! OZIANA '97: The issue will be loaded with DIGESTers. I'd really like to use Eleanor's Braided Man story. Y'all, it's GOOD. (Which doesn't surprise any of us, does it?) Dave's already said I could use his wild and weird Oz "ad," and Tyler says I may use his generic Oz story. BTW, wasn't it neat how much DIGEST stuff made it into the pages of the GAZETTE? Talented folks here! Thanks to the GAZETTE (or was it the OBSERVER?) I know just where to sit to get the best Oz view in the movie ride at Disney World. Ah, the benefits of IWOC.... --Robin ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 18:56:25 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-04-96 I have been convinced that Langwidere is a pun. In fact, "languid air" is the best argument I've heard for pronouncing the name differently than I had up to now. "languid, dear" is a lot less effective! David - Jack Punmkinhead and the Scarecrow played quoits in LAND. I don't really know what quoits is, but I fancy it is rather like croquet with different rules. |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' avigailb@zoot.tau.ac.il '---''(_/--' `-'\_) ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 13:16:07 -0400 From: OzBucket@aol.com Subject: dhjxnn Gee. yet ANOTHER cheap shot at Dinamonster. This seems to have become a daily thing now. I'm not sure if it's the same guy each day, but it sure isn't enjoyable to be insulted every day. Especially when no one seems to have anything GOOD to say about my work (No, I did not write that one, and actually Steve Teller put up most of the $ for its printing, but a daily cheap shot at it still hurts my reputation -and obviously my feelings). Don't you have the right to edit these things so they do not insult your readers? I know that, at one point I said something you thopught would bve insulting, and you edited that. Or am I singled out as someone who SHOULD be insulted? That sounds probable, actually. And admittedly, it does go along with the attitude of everyone else in the world. ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 13:26:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy DIgest Gili: In theory, I try never to have more than one book out at any given time. In practice, I never even come close. Nate: The T-Shirt is a pretty good idea. I'm glad that you didn't suggest a secret handshake, though. :-) At the entrance to the Oz Speakeasy: (knock knock) Dave: What's the password? Tyler: The magic belt makes your wish come true Even in Munchkin's land of blue Ozma rules from the Emerald City No other queen is half so pretty Gloma's forest is colored with black Now let me in so I can work on the HACC! Dave: Enter, brother Tyler. Games: In _Yellow Knight_, members of Ozma's court are playing leapfrog, running races and playing checkers. Also, at the Wogglebugs College, the students engage in all sorts of athletics. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 13:31:47 -0400 From: OzBucket@aol.com Subject: gee, no personal slam today? Just read today's Digest. Nothing at all about BEoO books. I guess I should feel relieved, huh? Actually, I am using a computer here that is actually LOUSIER than the old one, even though it is a lot newer. We are no longer to access Tyler's page of hateful reviews (nor, sadly, anything else not carried by AOL). Again, I should probably feel glad I can't see it. I am told that it has become even more hateful and spiteful than it was back when I COULD access it. One thing, though, that might be too co$ty to be realistically considered, but that I thought was pretty cool: The Toy Network has a newsletter (though not a DAILY one) that comes out in full color! It is all text, no pictures, but it is in lots of different colors. I thought that was rather pretty. It might make the digest look prettier if, say, items dealing with the Winkies were in yellow, Gillikins in purple, etc. Even the toy network is not including pictures, but that might be a possibility, too. Though I really don't know how this is done. While this computer is able to show me that stuff in color, I do not have any idea how to SEND mail in color... ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 16:23:37 -0400 From: DIXNAM@aol.com Subject: Munchkin Convention '96 Back from the Munchkin Convention, and the Digest T-shirts that Nate suggested would have come in handy there. It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that I met Scott Cummings. (Nate Barlow DID arrive on Friday evening) Digest members Herm Bieber, Earl Abbe, Jane Albright, Sharon and Chris Warkala were also there. Eleanor & John Kennedy and crew did a really great job with the convention, from the programs presented, to the decor. And the Radisson Hotel provided excellent mealtime fare. The Auction, run in fine and humerous fashion by Patrick Maund, enabled me to improve my collection and deplete my bank account at the same time!!. :-) Club President, Peter Hanff was in attendance and presented this year's Munchkin Award to Rachel Cosgrove Payes. Excellent slide presentation/talks were given by Eric Shanower, on The Wicked Witch, The Runaway and Me; by Michael Gessel on Jack Snow, The Mystery Man of Oz; and by Ozma Baum Mantele, My Quest for L. Frank Baum. Bill Stillman interviewed Evelyn Copelman, The Lost Illustrator of Oz, who illustrated the '50's editions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with little or no recognition. A good time was had by all, though attendance seemed to be down quite a bit as compared to the past two years. A large "get well" card, created by Eric Shanower, was signed by everyone and will be sent to Fred Meyer. Dick Randolph (dixnam@aol.com) ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 20:57:06 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Bauman <72172.2631@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Today's Growls Danny - Thank you! Now I understand why some current political figures can't seem to recall things. Someone slipped them the Water of Oblivion! Synchronicity #437 - We were talking about book thieves. Found in the San Jose Mercury on 7/31 - "Two Are Arrested In Book-theft Case" A statewide book theft ring that netted an estimated $6 million in 10 years has been broken up by police, authorities said Tuesday. San Francisco bookstore owner John Capman and Marin City flea market book merchant John Gundlach were arrested Saturday. The two were charged with conspiracy and attempting to receive stolen property." Fascinating. I wonder how they decided on $6M? Well, I can tell you, I will sleep alot better now. If anyone sees any more about this, please share. *********** SPOILER ALERT FOR THE LOST KING OF OZ ********************** Well, I just finished LK and found it to be a big improvement on RPT's previous writing efforts. She is moving up the learning curve. Some items of interest and some problem areas: Returning to the magic discussion - We learn from Mombi that there is green and blue magic, word magic, number magic, fire magic and smoke magic! There is a book of green magic with at least 986 incantations. We also learn that kindness and generosity dull green magic. This is how Snip, a mere child, is able to help Tora escape from the Blanks and the green magic holding him there. However, the real shocker is that the same green magic used by scuzzy old Mombi was too strong for Lurline. Give me a break! The fairy that created Oz can't deal with a gnarly old witch!!? I think RPT really lost it here. And what do we do with old Mombi at the end of the book? Mombi, whose powers were supposedly taken away. Douse her out of existance without a trial or even an interview! Dorothy's idea and Ozma's order. Well, I remember from Indian history if they had a captive they really didn't like they turned him over to the squaws. Women are tough! Then there is the Cat Queen, another female in this book, who decides they are going to "maul and tease Snip to death," and eat Pajuka. Here we have an Oz book where the females do all the mean, evil and cruel things or try to, and the males are all kindly and loving, like the Lost King of the title, the faithful Pajuka, Snip, etc. I don't think I care for RPT's view of Oz, but I will forge on to seek further enlightenment in the next book, "The Hungry Tiger of Oz." [Isn't he the one who likes fat babies?] Regards, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 21:09:28 -0800 (PST) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Digest Submission I returned home this afternoon from the Munchkin Convention, safe and without incident. I do have several convention observations that I would like to share over the next several days. First (and foremost) observation: It was a very well organized affair. Saturday evening, co-chair John Kennedy mentioned that he and Eleanor had little to do at the convention, just essentially pushing the start button. When I pointed out to them that this was obviously the result of thorough and careful preparations, John said that Eleanor really did all the work. She then asked if one should really wait until the curtain goes up to check out the props. Obvious enough when said that way, but still a dictum not usually followed. The Kennedys and the folk working with them so hard behind the scenes did a great job. (Applause!) In the 8/3 Digest, ozbot asks, Clearly the Oz people do play games. Tollydiggle's prison in PATCHWORK GIRL contains "a cupboard containing all sorts of games" and the book implies she and Ojo played a game before his bedtime, when he was a prisoner there. No descriptions of the games are given, however. Grampa, in his namesake book, has a genuine game leg that contains the game of scrum which is played on a board with little red figures and is "a bit like checkers, a bit like parchesi and a bit lit chess." ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 21:47:32 -0400 (EDT) From: jnw@vnet.net Subject: essays and fairies DavidXOE@aol.com writes: > Incidentally, I have completed my essay on Ozma's rulership qualities. I > think it's probably too long (38K) to send to the Digest directly, but anyone > who is interested in seeing it can E-mail me and I'll send them a copy. This would be great as a special edition of the digest. I would like to see it, so if you don't send it to the digest then please mail me a copy. Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> writes: > It is possible that fairies do not really have gender, but usually choose > to appear female due to the nurturing aspect traditionally associated > with being female. Ereol, in _Queen Zixi of Ix_, chose to appear male when > s/he presented the magic cloak to Fluff. You have an excellent point. The Supreme Master clearly wanted the number of true immortals to remain fixed, thus he would not have given them the ability to make more of themselves. In other words, no matter how good your charm spell, if you expect more than hugs and kisses from one of Lurline's fairies you will be sorely disappointed. :-) (Fairies do seem to have relatives, though. For example, Princess Clia is supposedly the daughter of Queen Aquareine, yet both were created by the Supreme Master. The relationships seem to be assigned, not biological.) -- jnw@vnet.net (John N. White) ====================================================================== Date: Sunday 04-Aug-96 21:46:24 From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things RECENT REMARKS ABOUT _DINAMONSTER_: Chris wrote: >I know that, at one point I said something you thopught would bve insulting, >and you edited that. Or am I singled out as someone who SHOULD be insulted? I think I've said this before, but I have officially ceased trying to be a "policeman" on the Digest...If I try to spare one person's feeligns, I will only offend someone else (i.e. the person whom I have censored), so I'm just not doing it anymore. Except in cases of profanity (which so far has never ONCE been a problem), from now on I will respect the First Amendment and everyone's messages will be appear in the Digest verbatim. (BTW, If someone criticizes a Buckethead book, they are *not* attacking Chris personally, but I'll say that I *like* the Buckethead books I've read!) OZZY TEE-SHIRTS: I want to add my vote in favor of an Ozzy Digest T-shirt! We all need *something* to help broadcast our love of Oz to the world!!! (Although I'd personally like to wear instead a big Ozzy badge of some sort...) CRULLERS: I think the mystery about what crullers are has been solved, as I came across some in the store today. They look like glazed donuts but are flat and have spiral grooves that give them a pinwheel-like appearance. (I didn't have the opportunity to try one though...) FAIRIES: You will note that I have not commented on the assertions about the neuterness of Lurline's fairies...This is because I know better now than to invite *more* flames. I'll just say that it (like many things about Oz) is an issue where no one can claim to be the one with the final and irrefutable answer... FAQ: Along with today's Digest, I am also sending the new version of the Ozzy Digest FAQ sheet. It is also now on my web site. I invite your comments... "WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?": Tyler's verse is now the official mandatory password for accessing the Digest! (Just kidding folks!) :) -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 6, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 11:44:32 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-05-96 Wish i could haave been at the Munchkin convention! It sounded terrific... Chris - you shouldn't interpret criticism of Buckethead books as a personal offence against you. You're the publisher. I think you have the right to credit yourself with some if not all of a books success, but you should not be offended by reviews. I don't thik most review writers consider the editor's feelings when writing a book review - unless they have specific criticism aimed at the editor, as happened with Peter Glassman. But someone who complains about, say, the inferior quality of the binding of a certain Buckethead book probably *DOESN'T* mean to say "Chris Dulabone is a so-and-so and should be kicked of the digest", but rather: "It would be good if the quality of the binding were better". I haven't had the oppurtunity to do more than glance at Tyler's homepage, but my first impression was that the HACC gives Buckehethead books in general a boost, by advertising them alongside the FF and listing all of them in a set site on the Net. In other words, we will try to be more sensitive, and you should try to be less! and I've said all I mean to say on this subject on the digest, anyone agreeing or disagreeing should direct their comments to me personallyt. |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' gili@scso.com '---''(_/--' `-'\_) ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 10:19:59 -0500 (EST) From: cummingss@kenyon.edu Subject: Ozzy Digest shirts Hi all, I just returned from the Munchkin Convention, which was a wonderful weekend of fun. I was glad to meet many of the folks on the Digest. As one who is not "into" T-shirts, I would like to suggest an OZZY DIGEST button. It would also be MUCH less expensive. Any designers? Before I forget, The Kennedys, Chris and Phil did a wonderful job with the convention. I am in a hurry now, but would like to post some observations about the convention soon. Cheers, Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 10:33:54 -0400 From: "Mark A. Semich" Subject: Quoits Gili Bar-Hillel writes: > > David - Jack Punmkinhead and the Scarecrow played quoits in LAND. I > don't really know what quoits is, but I fancy it is rather like > croquet with different rules. I don't know much about it either , but it looks like one throws rings at a post rather than hitting a ball towards a post. After I read this definition, I had a vague deja-vu impression that I may have actually played this game at some time in the far distant past: 1 quoit \'kwaEt, 'k(w)oGit\ n [ME coite] (15c) 1: a flattened ring of iron or circle of rope used in a throwing game 2 pl but sing in constr: a game in which the quoits are thrown at an upright pin in an attempt to ring the pin or come as near to it as possible 2 quoit vt (1597) :to throw like a quoit ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 11:19:29 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 08-04 & 05-96 Well, I tried to go to the Oz Fest at Lincoln Park yesterday, but I hadn't realized how tough it would be to park within a mile of the place. Marcia and I met fellow Digestian (not to be confused with Digestion) Carol Mitchell at the statue of the Tin Man in Oz Park - there was parking there, at least when we arrived - but I have bad feet, and they're not up to walking a mile on pavement, spending some time wandering around a Fest, and walking a mile back, so we tried to drive to someplace closer. If there was a parking place, we couldn't find one, and the traffic was horrendous, so eventually we dropped Carol off near the Fest and came back home. Maybe Carol will tell us if there was anything Ozzy going on; from what we saw driving by, I doubt there was much. Just your normal Chicago-area summer Fest using Oz as an excuse this time. At least the profits benefit Oz Park. Digest of 8/4: John: Maybe "pun" isn't strictly accurate regarding names like "Langwidere", "Ruggedo", "Kuma Party", "Skamperoo", and the like, but if there's a better one I'm not aware of it. 8/5: Gili: Quoits is like horseshoes, except that a quoit is a full circle rather than a horseshoe. (The First Circlet in MERRY-GO-ROUND was lost when the king at the time was using it as a quoit and it went down a rabbit hole.) (If you're unfamiliar with the game of horseshoes, you throw them at a stake from a measured distance and get points for ringers, leaners, and closest throw if nobody gets a ringer or leaner that round - hence the aphorism "Close only counts in horseshoes.") Chris D.: People have generally been very enthusiastic about THE DISENCHANTED PRINCESS OF OZ, and I've also written a favorable review of CORY IN OZ that was published in a journal with a lot wider circulation than the Digest. And I've written negative reviews of books other people published, as well. I don't think "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything," should apply to book reviews. But you shouldn't interpret someone's judgment that a book you published wasn't great (and most of the comments I've seen on DINAMONSTER, by people who'd read it, have been that it was OK but not one of the best of the non-FF books published so far, and not consistent with the FF) as a personal insult. A lot of people really, really disliked WICKED and have said so (including, as I recall, yourself), but I doubt if the editor at HarperCollins who chose it for publication feels personally insulted, and if he does he shouldn't. Tastes vary; all a negative review means is that that reader didn't like that book. And I recently read Tyler's reviews of BEoO books, and while some of them were clearly negative, "hateful" and "spiteful" imply that you think they were motivated by personal malice on his part - and if that were the case, why would he recommend some of them in such strong terms? I don't think that colored text transmits across the Internet in E-mail. I could be wrong. Dave, I'm typing this in red. Does it come across that way? Dick and Earl: Thanks for the Munchkin reports. Wish I could have been there! Maybe next year... Bear: As Baum established in TIN WOODMAN and GLINDA, fairy magic is only one kind of magic and it can't undo some things done by other kinds of magic. Ozma couldn't get rid of the green monkey Mrs. Yoop created, for instance, or raise Skeezer City. Presumably Lurline's magic is fairy magic, and also can't undo the workings of some other types of magic. (I don't accept Robert Pattrick's opinion that the magic in Oz is all the effect of Lurline's enchantment.) Mombi's green magic may be another example. Lurline didn't create Oz, after all; she just put an enchantment on an existing country - one where, I believe, magic was already common, though not immortality. After all, magic is common in most of the countries surrounding Oz as well, and Lurline didn't enchant them. HUNGRY TIGER is another pretty good Thompson book; not as good as LOST KING, imho, but better than her earlier ones, and than her next three. It also gives both Betsy Bobbin and Ozma their only significant post-Baum adventures. (And yes, the Hungry Tiger is the one who craves fat babies.) John: I'll send you a copy of my Ozma essay today. The Digest in general doesn't seem that interested. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 11:42:48 -0400 From: Homer Dave- Thanks SO much for the FAQ, it cleared up some things for me. P.S.- Does anyone know the most recognized way to pronounce Gingemma? ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 20:25:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Bauman <72172.2631@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Today's Growls Gili - If you want your logo on a T-shirt really fast, just hand draw one and take it to any T-shirt shop and they will print it on for you. Oh and Gili, quoits is like horse shoes with a disc with a hole that you try to throw to land on a stake. I haven't seen it played since I was a child. And finally - I read five or six books at a time. I think of this as the buffet approach to reading. Among others, I am reading GARGANTUA AND PANTAGRUEL right now. Can't imagine just reading that hour after hour until I finished. My wife thinks my buffet approach is fine as long as I don't extend it to certain other areas. :) Regards, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 21:00:38 -0400 From: DIXNAM@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest 8-5-96 Chris D. - I must be receiving a different version of the Ozzy Digest because I haven't seen any reference to "DINAMONSTER" on the one I receive. Where are the "cheap shots" coming from? Or were you referring to reviews of the book on Tyler's web page, or in some other forum? Gili: - Quoits is played like horseshoes. They (the quoits) are round, like a donut or bagel, and you throw them at a stake. Scoring is pretty much the same as horseshoes, IIRC. Dick Randolph (dixnam@aol.com) ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 18:49:31 -0700 From: ozbot@ix.netcom.com (ozbot) Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest stuff Just got my Oz Observer and Gazette in the mail today! Good articles all around, but I must say that I liked the Gazette much better. Congrats to Jane (and Eric as TikTok!) I loved the Digest influence. A great job, as always. As for the Observer, well, it just gives that much more incentive to make it to the South Winkies. I though I was going to make a trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe this year, but those plans fell through. I'm going to a place frought with more danger, intrigue, and possibility-- New York City! :) This change in vacation plans means that I have a better possiblity to get to Swinkies 96' Add my vote to the Ozzy Digest T-shirt! I think the cyber-woodman would be great, but I'm open to anything. How about something with our resident "robot"-- Tiktok? This also got me thinking-- What's out there in regards to an Ozzy tie for any executive types out there? (Can you tell I got a promotion at work and now must scramble around looking for ties?) I think a emerald green one with a large gold OZ (the overlapping O and Z) would be a great accessory, as would a menagerie of Neill's line drawings with the colors swirling around. This would also help in promoting non-MGM Oz in the workplace. (Peter Glassman, if you're listening, I also had in mind one with your Ozzy logo, with the Lion intertwined with OZ, the one on your mugs and things! Hint, Hint!) Thanks to the gaming info, just needed some ideas for what exactly the Wogglebug's college might actually *DO* for a story idea of mine. Danny ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 22:08:44 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: OZzy DIgest Robin: As you asked, I'll change a couple of things in the story to make it a little less generic, and then send you the new version. Chris: If you want to see some good things said about your work, you can check my web page. While there are some negative reviews, many of them are positive. For example, _Disenchanted Princess_, _Flying Bus_ and _Haunted Castle_ have excellent reviews. I hope to have some reviews by more people soon. I'll second Dave's comment that an objective criticism of a BEOO book is not the same as a personal attack. After all, if I hated you and/or Buckethead, I would not mention your stuff on my page at all. The fact is that there are nearly 200 published Oz books, all written by many people, each with their own knowledge and vision of Oz. It stands to reason that there will be some good ones and some bad ones. While _The Baum Bugle_ does not print negative reviews, I allow them since not all people love all Oz books equally. Besides, I feel that if all the reviews on my page were the same ("I loved it, it was the greatest EVER!"), then it would serve no real purpose. If the reviews page has a mixture of good and bad reviews, then people would trust it to be more than just a phony sales pitch. It IS a sales pitch, of course, since I want people to buy Oz books, but it admits that not all Oz books are the greatest stories in the history of the world. I would hesitate to call a negative review hateful or spiteful. It can be, though, and I have seen some elsewhere. However, I believe that a well thought out objective criticism is not a bad thing. That is why I stand by my request to make all reviews objective, even the bad ones. Bear: The only thing I can think of is that Lurline had not tried to break the spell in a few years, and it weakened enough to the point where Snip could break it. Also, Mombi losing her powers about 20 years previously could have had some effect on the spell. I suppose Mombi could have been charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government, but Pastoria was the lawful king at one time. Mombi did not seek to hurt anybody, she just wanted to get back into the power circle. While not intending to give anything away, Bear, you'll be glad to know that there is finally a cruel MALE character in _Hungry Tiger_. John: In some non-FF books, fairies do seem to be able to have children sometimes. We have also theorized that there are some fairies in Ozma's mortal ancestral line. However, your point seems to be that if immortals had a lot of children, and they themselves never die, the Universe would get pretty crowded in a few thousand years. Of course, the same can be said of Oz, but people on the digest have theorized that Oz has a VERY low birthrate. I suppose that the immortals use family relationships to describe rank. For example, your "mother" is the leader of the band, your "sisters" are fairies of equal rank, "cousins" are in other bands, and so on. Censorship: What probably seems best is to realize that we are all big boys and girls, and a little criticism/insulting won't hurt us. If somebody attacks me or my theories, I'm sure I'll survive. I would like to remind people of two things, however, and I'm sure most people will back me up on this. 1. Children sometimes read these digests, so let's try to keep our stuff G-rated, or at least PG. This has never been a problem, and I hope it will never become one. This part has been said a million times, but it can never be said enough :-) 2. All of us on this digest are here for our love of the magical Land of Oz. I can't imagine Dorothy and Ozma saying harsh things to each other, even if they disagree. As we discuss, inform, debate, theorize, argue and disagree, let us all remember that the gentle loving spirit of Oz is what brought us together, and that it is precisely that spirit that we are seeking to spread through the internet and the entire world. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 22:38:49 -0400 (EDT) From: "Aaron S. Adelman" Chris, the most important criterion I use in judging a book is the text. As such, I doubt very much that your contributions affected my reviews of Buckethead books, and I am sorry if I contributed to such a misconception. Aaron Solomon (ben Saul Joseph) Adelman adelman@yu1.yu.edu ====================================================================== Date: Tuesday 06-Aug-96 02:52:34 From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things OZZY BADGE: Well, that's another vote for the badge. Any others? I have an idea for the image -- a picture of a computer with the Yellow Brick Road weaving its way out from the monitor...Any suggestions for a caption? CHRIS: Chris E-mailed me today asking me to censor anyone today who responded to his post about book reviews. (It turns out he did not mean his message to be public) But I have decided to post them anyway, because now that it IS public, I think the issue needs to be aired, and I really DON'T want to censor anyone any further!!! (Sorry, Chris) WELCOME!: We have four new members on the Ozzy Digest today...Welcome to you all! :) -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 7, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 07:03:12 -0800 (PST) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Munchkin Convention Observations II My previously announced plan of taking naps in the afternoon worked well. I was able to pay attention to all sessions both Friday and Saturday nights, and even to participate in the Saturday night party until midnight. I hear that that affair did not break up until 3:30 the next morning. How can they do that? ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 15:12:20 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-06-96 Danny - there are Wizard of Oz ties out there, mostly with MGM images. In New-Orleans last year I saw at least six different designs of silk ties with swirly colors and tiny tinwoodmen, lions, scarecrows and/or Dorothys, and a friend of mine has a tie with a scene of the fab five (counting Toto) on their way to the emerald city. Not that I know exactly where you could get one, but you could try "THe Best of Kansas" or "The Heather and the Holly". I'll post you the addresses if and when I find them. Robin and Ken C. - I received "Oziana" in the mail today, I'm very excited! I like your illustrations, Ken! But I can tell already that I do miss the multiple story format... I like the variety. Oh well, I'll trust Robin's judgement and assume this must be an excellent story, till I have time to read it! Thanks to everyone for the information about quoits! I now remember i once looked it up in the dictionary. Where did the croquet image come from? Maybe because Neill drew the scarecrow leaning on his big sceptre - perhaps when I was little I misinterpreted that illustration and thought the sceptre was some kind of bat or mallet. Or maybe not! So, I think we have two votes for pins, and five for t-shirts? Pins or buttons should be easy to make anyway. I think we need more votes in support of t-shirts before it makes sense to print up a batch... hint hint... I haven't yet read a design idea that I didn't like, of the ones suggested here. But we have yet to find a volunteer to run this little project. Eric - come back! come back! |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' '---''(_/--' `-'\_) gili@scso.com ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 09:35:09 -0400 From: Nathan Faut Subject: Re: Oz ties >From: ozbot@ix.netcom.com (ozbot) >Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest stuff > [SNIP] >This also got me thinking-- What's out there in regards to an Ozzy >tie for any executive types out there? Danny, I have a tie lisenced from Turner Entertainment that shows Dorothy and the Scarecrow un-rusting the Tin Woodman. Obviously, Dorothy looks something like Judy Garland, but it is a tie nonetheless. In fact, I wear it to work relatively often. Fortunately, I work as a computer technician and ombudsman, so it's a fairly acceptable tie. I haven't seen any others in that line. I seem to recall buying it at a Burlington Coat Outlet for $10 or so. Give them a try. Anyone else seen ties? (Can you tell I got a promotion >at work and now must scramble around looking for ties?) I think a >emerald green one with a large gold OZ (the overlapping O and Z) would >be a great accessory, as would a menagerie of Neill's line drawings >with the colors swirling around. This would also help in promoting >non-MGM Oz in the workplace. (Peter Glassman, if you're listening, I >also had in mind one with your Ozzy logo, with the Lion intertwined >with OZ, the one on your mugs and things! Hint, Hint!) Hear, hear! Excellent ideas, all of them! I second the notions! Nathan ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 10:57:56 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 08-06-96 Homer: Since "Gingemma" was a name invented by Volkov, it should have a Russian pronunciation. Accent isn't uniform in Russian any more than it is in English, so where the emphasis should go is debatable, but the "g"s should be hard, as in "Gingrich", not as in "gin", and to be really authentic the "e" should be palatalized (a slight "y" sound before it). I say "GIN-gyem-ah", but "gin-GYEM-ah" is equally justifiable. Bear: I generally read only two fiction books at a time - one for "normal" reading, and one at my bedside for reading the last 15-20 minutes before turning off the light. The latter is usually an Oz book (or Oz-related; right now it's QUEEN ZIXI OF IX), but is invariably something I've read so often that I don't have any question in my mind what's going to happen next. I may have another two or three non-fiction books going at the same time as well. But the original question was how many books off the shelf at a time, and there it's likely to be a dozen or so - including ones I've finished but haven't shelved yet, ones I've acquired but that haven't made it to my "to be read" shelf yet, and ones that Marcia has finished reading and that I want to read but haven't gotten to. (This is aggravated by the fact that most of the fiction is shelved either upstairs (hardcovers and non-Oz related children's books) or in the basement (paperback fiction other than children's books), and I do most of my reading on the ground floor. Danny: Wish I'd get my Gazette and Observer! Wonder if they didn't get my change of address onto the mailing labels? If it was sent to California then there's no telling when or if it will turn up here... The lion intertwined with OZ is from the title page of the original WIZARD; Books of Wonder has used it (and more power to them!), but it's a Denslow design and not just BoW. I agree that it would be neat to have on a tie or a T-shirt. (A tie would do me little good, since I virtually never wear one. "I'm retired; this is as dressed up as I get!") Tyler: I think part of the problem is that Chris -can't- check your Web page - it sounds as if the AOL software on the computer he's now using doesn't have the Web browser installed. (It can be downloaded from AOL free, except for any connect time charges, but I get the impression that Chris isn't comfortable doing that kind of thing.) The BUGLE doesn't print negative reviews? You could have fooled me - what about one of the reviews of WAS? And some others I've read, while not "This is a terrible book; avoid it at all costs!" had some negative comments. Or is the "no negative reviews" principle a newish one? (I guess we have to wait for Steve to get back to get a definitive answer on that. But it's my impression that he was planning to run a negative review of WICKED in the Autumn BUGLE, along with my fairly positive one.) Certainly I've read hateful and spiteful reviews. They seem a lot more common in the non-fiction world, though, and in mainstream fiction more than in the more "popular" subgenres. Reviews of that sort usually result from a book being reviewed by someone who's either a personal enemy of the author or has a radically different political view. And then there are some people, like John Simon, who just like to be nasty to show off their superior taste. As I said once before, Mombi certainly sought to hurt Snip, even though she was unsuccessful at it. And Thompson used plenty of cruel male characters from the beginning - there were the three princes of the Silver Islands in ROYAL BOOK, Glegg and Ruggedo in KABUMPO, Mustapha, most of the Uns, and Crunch in COWARDLY LION, and Abrog/Gorba in GRAMPA, confining the list to those books Bear has already read. The absence of a cruel male in LOST KING was unusual. (Some of the Blanks were male and not nice, but it's true that it was their queen who instituted the requirement to become invisible.) David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 11:21:24 -0400 (EDT) From: MICHAEL TURNIANSKY Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-05-96 > CRULLERS: > I think the mystery about what crullers are has been solved, as I came across > some in the store today. They look like glazed donuts but are flat and have > spiral grooves that give them a pinwheel-like appearance. (I didn't have the > opportunity to try one though...) I didn't know there WAS any mystery about crullers. Yes, that is a cruller. Dunkin' Donuts has always had crullers (at least where I've lived), and that particular one they call a "French Cruller". OTOH, as a kid, all the crullers I've seen were oblong, not toroidal (but still with that helical twist to them). I'm not sure how they are made, but tastewise they seem indistinguishable to donuts, to me at least. MUNCHKIN: Oh, was that _last_ weekend? *ulp* Oh, well, it would've turned out not so good for me, anyway. My uncle passed away on Sunday. Drove from Baltimore to Long Island for the funeral. (475 miles and $23.60 in tolls, round trip, for anyone whose interested). But on a positive note, my sister is coming to visit from Israel today (in about an hour from now), and she will get to see her nephews whom she's never met (last saw her at our wedding, 5 years, 2 days ago) --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 12:38:26 -0400 From: Homer A badge is an okay idea, but it doesn't always work well with whatever you're wearing. A hat would be a thought, but the Oz hats that I've seen haven't been what I would call a terrific fashion statement. I do like the idea of the yellow brick road coming out of the computer. The YBR is one of the few aspects of the story that had no mutation when made into the MGM movie. ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 11:27:05 -0700 From: ozbot@ix.netcom.com (ozbot) Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest stuff Ozzy Badge-- The only reason I don't like buttons or badges is because I don't like putting holes in my shirt if I can help it. Well, and that, amd some faceless manager (I have never met him, but he seems out of touch) always liked every attendant in the company to wear buttons-- almost a new one every three weeks to a month as a standard part of the uniform. (shudder) Dave, my idea for a caption would be "Follow the Yellow Bit Map" (if that's to non-email-ish, how about "the Network People of Oz" "the On-line Road to Oz" Maybe some variation of an e-mail address? OzTalk@OzzyDigest.oz or something like that? Wow! Already got some info on Ozzy ties! Thanks Nick (I think that's who it was) I'll look (and keep looking) I think there might be a place at Universal Citywalk I might try as well. Random thought for today: If Oz was more tropical, we'd all be saying "Aloh-oz" Danny ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 14:58:04 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy Digest Idea for the Wogglebug: You could write a story about the "Ozlympics", wherein once every four years, the students split into five teams (of obvious origin) and compete in various athletic events. In this case, for first place we would give out emerald medals instead of gold. David: Bear's point was "How could Snip do this when Lurline could not?" After all, Lurline may not be able to break EVERY enchantment, but little Snip, with no power at all, could hardly succeed where the mighty Lurline failed. I had some ideas yesterday that may explain it. Homer: I have always pronounced it "jin-JEMM-a", as in "whiskey and gin", "That girl is a gem" and "uh". Some others prounce "Gin" to rhyme with "kin" or even "Ging" to rhyme with "Sing". Bear: I once had a practice of reading several books at one time, but other activities got in the way and ended up confusing me. Therefore, as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III once said "I do one thing at a time. I do it very well, then I move on". David: I am fairly sure that colored text does not get sent over the 'Net. Once you send something as a text file, all the special formatting is lost. The only way you can is to send a non-text file written with a word processor in binary form and hope the guy on the other end can read it. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 17:32:38 -0400 (EDT) From: "Mark K. DeJohn" <103330.323@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-06-96 From: Barbara DeJohn Hi Digest I have been away for several days so to catch up- I would be interested in a digest t-shirt or button or both. The tinwoodman logo doesn't come across very well on my computer I wasn't sure what it was for a long time but was embarrassed to ask. I finally got the Observer and Gazette I think I'm always the last to get them. I wish that the group photo's said who the people are especially the picture on page 7. Anyone know? Does anyone know when the 96 Oziana comes out? I am pretty sure that I ordered it but if it came out a while ago maybe I forgot. David Hulan-? I am interested in seeing the essay about Ozma. It was you right? Barbara DeJohn 10333.323@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 17:57:09 -0400 (EDT) From: "Aaron S. Adelman" Subject: The Eastern Witch of Oz 1) Homer, Gingemma is pronouced with both gs hard. 2) I'm now starting to wonder: how did the practice of magic start on Lurline's World? If we assume that the original inhabitants migrated from Earth, did they modify an existing magical system or discover magic from scratch? Though the use of Terran magical principles--imitation (like affects like), contagion (things retain connections to what they have been in contact with), banishment (certain things work against each other), and name-dropping--is not easily apparent in any Oz book I've read--except for some material I wrote last night--traces of them seem to remain. For example: * The effects of eggs on nomes. Although Roquat/Ruggedo claims that eggs are poison to nomes because they belong to the surface world, please note that nothing else from the surface is known to be poisonous to nomes. Ruggedo even lived for years above-ground without ill effects other than homesickness. As banishing objects generally have no obvious connection to the banishee, this might be a case of genuince banishment, though the nomian aversion to eggs might be purely biochemical. * Polychrome in _The Tin Woodman of Oz_ specifically invokes her fellow fairies in order to repair the Tin Woodman and the Tin Soldier. ***WARNING: SPOILER FOR _MASQUERADE IN OZ_ AND _QUEEN ANN IN OZ_*** * Both books make use of a literary-based imitative magic. In _Queen Ann in Oz_, an amnesiac spell is temporarily counteracted with forget-me-nots. The spell itself is broken through reinacting an historical event in which what they want to happen happened. (I can't give EVERYTHING away...) Pun-based imitative magic is also used in the resolution of _Masquerade in Oz_. ***END SPOILER*** Though if Ozite magic evolved from some preexisting system, what were the= initial results? Enchanter: Hey! What are you doing here? This whole thing is supposed to be a scam. Daemon: Well, you DID call for a daemon. Would you care to discuss payment terms? Enchanter: I am NOT going to sell my soul to the Devil! Daemon: I'm not sure what the Daemonical Magic Corporation, Inc., would do with a soul. Let's talk about those crystals you've got in your pocket.= .. Aaron Solomon (ben Saul Joseph) Adelman adelman@yu1.yu.edu ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 19:30:49 -0400 From: RMorris306@aol.com Subject: Recent Ozzy Digests Hi again! Again, I'm getting in what I can in intervals between looking after two dogs and eight puppies (who are now big enough to climb out of their box). So I apologize again for those I haven't gotten to. I do approve of Dave's not censoring anything on the Ozzy Digest, since I can't imagine any reason for doing so unless one of us posts something truly libelous or obscene, which I very much doubt any of us will do. I think I got the "languid" part of Langwidere's name, if not the first time, then very early on (my father loved to listen to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, like PATIENCE with it's 20 languid maidens--so I'm not surprised David, another G&S fan (whose Apanage zine was called "Penny-Ice and Cold Meat," from the Chancellor's nightmare) would've got that. The "languid air" part I don't think I realized until someone referred to the name as "one of Baum's better puns." At one point that Baum Bugle had a column analyzing Ozzy names, and some had to be given up (e.g., was Jellia Jamb's name taken from "jelly OR jam," or just the two condiments without anyone sticking his "OR" in? And was the Ork taken from the real featherless bird called the auk, or from the same mythos that led to the Orcs in Tolkien's books?) More than the quoits in LAND, the ones I remember best were the ones in RINKITINK (one of my favorites as a boy, and still a favorite today). Inga and Rinkitink played the game while in the Nome King's caverns. The only other time I remember seeing them mentioned was, of all places, in the Cub Scouts' Lion Handbook, where one of the Achievements included making a set of rope quoits. (I don't know how many American boys actually got that far, though...I was a Cub Scout, but never got beyond Bear). But I've always been fascinated by the games found in old stories, and how they compare with today's games. In RIP VAN WINKLE, Washington Irving has Henry Hudson and his men playing "ninepins," which was like bowling with one fewer pin. (I've heard a story, though I can't vouch for the accuracy of it, that ninepins was the original version of the game, and the tenth pin was added in a deliberate attempt to get around laws against playing ninepins!) And, getting back to Baum, FATHER GOOSE has a rhyme about One Old Cat, an early version of baseball still played then...even though Abner Doubleday had already invented the game we know by then, and the early leagues existed. An excellent point about the evil people in LOST KING all being female, and the uncharacteristic bloodthirstiness of Ozma and Dorothy(!) in executing Mombi without a trial has already been discussed here. (Others here pointed out the Nomes that Dorothy had changed into eggs in OZMA, but I always thought she or Ozma had changed them back when they were out of danger. In any case, those Nomes were an immediate threat to Dorothy and her friends, but Mombi, at the point in the book, wasn't.) Baum was unusually egalitarian when it came to his villains: some of his books had mostly or all female villains (WIZARD, LAND), some mostly or all male (OZMA, LOST PRINCESS), and some combinations of the two (RINKITINK, TIN WOODMAN, GLINDA). LOST KING is relatively unusual in being the only Thompson book I can think of without any male villains at all. Take care, Rich Morrissey ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 21:44:39 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Bauman <72172.2631@CompuServe.COM> Subject: TODAY'S GROWLS DAVID - I haven't asked for a copy of your essay as I thought it was to be a special edition of the Digest, like the previous effort on the Castle. If not, would you please send me one. TNX Forgive me if I remain unconvinced that Mombi is in Lurline's league. :) I would also be interested in other's views of the treatment of Mombi in LK. Regards, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== Date: Wednesday 07-Aug-96 00:24:24 From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things M*A*S*H IN OZ: Ah! Tyler quoted Charles Emerson Winchester III! :) I once had an idea for an Oz story involving a character named Princess Anoria (after Charles' sister), but nothing came of it... THE ORK IS BACK! :) : I thought "Ork" came from chopping the first two letters off of "Stork"... MOMBI AND _LOST KING_: I add my support to those who have raised objections the draconic behavior of Dorothy and Ozma in _Lost King_...It adds to my suspicions that RPT's informant had a very skewed and distorted viewpoint, because I just can't believe it happened this way...OH NO!!! Kabumpo: *I'M* RPT's informant, you little squirt! :) As far Mombi's powers, my "Magic Scale" (see section 4.7 of my FAQ) puts her on a very low rung...I haven't plotted Lurline, but I would think she is much higher (around 6 or so). I explain in _Locasta_ why Mombi APPEARED to have performed such vast magical feats, but I can't say so here without meeting the bottom of Kabumpo's foot again... INFORMANTS: Seriously, does anyone have any idea who RPT's (or other author's) informant(s) were/are? Here are my ideas for the informants of some authors: (These are my MOPPeT conjectures) -- Baum: Dorothy Thompson: Kabumpo Neill: Jenny Jump Snow: The Shaggy Man The McGraws: Merry-Go-Round (These are "confirmed") -- Cosgrove-Payes: The "little bird" Melody: Zim The Adelmans: The Woozy Yours Truly: The Adepts -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 8, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Tue, 06 Aug 1996 22:17:33 -0700 From: Ken Cope Subject: Looking for a few good insults Here is an all-purpose insult for use exclusively on the Ozzy Digest: "You're a Silly Ozbul." It is not for the faint of heart; abbreviation may soften its blow, i.e. ...IMHO, Chris, YASO... or ...MOPPET, Tyler, is that YASO. As far as I can tell, calling somebody a Silly Ozbul in this context falls under the protection of "fair usage" and does not intentionally violate any copyright, trademark or patent. You have my permission, Dave, to include it in the Ozzy Digest FAQ. If you don't, I'll pout, and not post anything for days and days. Ken Cope ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 07:09:02 -0800 (PST) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Munchkin Convention Observation III Saturday evening, Ozma Baum Mantele presented a slide talk entitled, "My Quest for L. Frank Baum." In it Mrs. Mantele showed pictures of the Baum family and places where they lived. In the question and answer period at the end of the talk, I asked her if her distinctive name had caused her difficulty. I expected some comment about being hazed as a child by the other children. (Children can be so casually cruel at times.) The response this gentle lady gave was considerable different than that. She said that because of her name, she did not know who she was for most of her life. She had called herself "Scraps" to get away from that name. People would chase after her and she wouldn't know if they were interested in her as a person or what they wanted. Only in the last few years had she found herself. I repressed the urge to ask her if she liked who she found. (Grownup children can be so casually cruel at times.) I found her response disturbing. The name connecting her to the first Royal Historian had caused her many years of confusion and unhappiness. People ignored her as a real person while seeking to some how come closer to the grandfather she scarcely remembered. And wasn't that exactly what the Club and I were doing right then? ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 15:09:44 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-07-96 Could "Ork" be related to Arabian Nights' "Roc"? David - I'm interested in your Ozma essay too. Barb DeJohn - I'll do my best to help you with names in the Oz Observer - the convention was the first time I met any of the people in the photographs so I might get some mixed up! pg. 7, middle photograph (judging partially by costume!) from left to right, top row: Brittany Rizzo as Carter Green, Margaret Pellegrini, Sean Latour, Katie Fleming, Marylin Tracy, (the person peeping over her shoulder may possibly be Virginia Fowler), Karyl Carlson, Kirk Stines?, and Robin Helfrich. In the bottom row, left to right are my friend Netta Yedid and myself. In the bottom picture, left to right, back row: our own Jim VanderNoot and Robin Olderman, and Katie Fleming; Front row are Laura and Eric Gjovaag (Eric, come back!), someone whose name I'm embarassed to admit I don't remember though I had a very nice conversation with him, and Lee Speth. |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' '---''(_/--' `-'\_) gili@scso.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 13:53:11 -0400 (EDT) From: MICHAEL TURNIANSKY Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-07-96 On T-shirts/buttons: Oh, well, since Gili is taking count: Yes to either or both. I work at home, I can wear what I please. Hmmm....logos/slogans: Your logo idea is terrific. I'm having trouble thinking of an appropriate caption, though. "There's no place like the Ozzy Digest" would probably give "laymen" the wrong impression that this was MGM-oriented. How about, "The WWW is dead! World-Wide Web? No, Wicked Witch of the West" With all due respect, I definitely do not think the "fake e-mail address" suggested by Danny is a good idea. People might think it the actual address. Your other ideas were good, though, Danny. Barbara: probably the reason the logo does not turn out so good on your computer is that you are using a non-mono-spaced font on your computer. If you use either Monaco (on MacIntoshes) or Courier on PCs to view your e-mail, you should have much better results. Dave Hardenbrook: > > M*A*S*H IN OZ: > Ah! Tyler quoted Charles Emerson Winchester III! :) I once had an > idea for an Oz story involving a character named Princess Anoria (after > Charles' sister), but nothing came of it... > I _believe_ his sister's name is "Honoria". Did you know that, and just punnning? --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 10:56:16 -0700 From: ozbot@ix.netcom.com (ozbot) Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest stuf The Ork-- Dave mentioned my theory of the Ork's name origin-- a modified "stork." Just thought that I would bring up that the Ork really blew me away when I first read SKY ISLAND! I usually can take weird characters as they came along, but when I turned the page and saw Neill's drawing after Baum's end-of-the- chapter set up, I literally did a double take. It's moments like those that make me love Oz! Informants-- Good MOPPeTs for the informant theory, Dave. But I would think that we could add Dorothy as a "confirmed" informant for Baum, right? I originally had to justify the WOgglebug as the informant for Niell-- thus the propensity to ezaggerate and have literal puns. Making Jenny Jump his, though, would make sense in that Jenny and No. 9 are such important figures in the books. (or would that be violating the fact that all her "Ambition" was lobotomized from her? ) I also think that maybe some books would be on a case-by-case basis, if we could find any exceptions to the "rules" BTW, my informant is a clipped rosebud from Glinda's garden. . . Danny ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 20:21:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Tyler Jones <70003.6136@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Ozzy Digest David: My source for the statement "The BUGLE never prints negative reviews" comes from the late Marcus Mebes. Apparantly, he once wanted to write a negative review of some Oz book (I forgot which one) and the staff "encouraged" him to write a positive one instead. He didn't like it very much, but he did it. David again: If I forgot to ask you, could you send me your Ozma essay? Aaron: It seems that there is some sort of source of magical power that fairies, etc. all tap into in different ways. I am not sure what this source is, but I currently believe that immortals grew into the use of this power naturally, such as the fairies, and mortals, such as witches, either stumbled across it naturally or spied on immortals and "borrowed" the knowledge from them. Dave: Your current MOPPeT of informants sounds pretty close, but we need to explain how Baum got the story for _Land_, and how RPT got the story for _Royal Book_. Perhaps they had temporary informants, or something. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 22:53:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Bauman <72172.2631@CompuServe.COM> Subject: TODAY'S GROWLS David - If I remember your mother's experience correctly, GET THOSE BOOKS OUT OF THE BASEMENT BY SPRING! :) My sympathy to you and all the rest of the AOL folks. I hope you get to read the Digest some day. They claim your mail will be waiting "when they get it fixed." Further David, I can think of no two books in the Oz world more deserving of negative reviews than "Was" first and foremost and "Wicked" secondarily. :( And finally, you are making my point. Somehow it fit the stereotype to have a bunch of mean males in the first three RPT books I read but suddenly comes a book, LK, where the females are the baddies or at least do "bad" things. Maybe I am forgetting my Baum. Briefly, I have this "impression" that his books were filled with interesting adventures but were light on real evil and cruelty. Well, I'll just have to read them over after I finish with RPT. Michael - What's a toll??? Is it like a troll? :) :) Tyler - That made me think of a Lewis Carol quote. I think it was the Red Queen who said, "Start at the beginning, go on until you reach the end and then stop." I am a little surprised you are so linear. I'm sure if you apply yourself you will learn to use your parallel processor. :) Rich - Tolkein's orcs came along long after Baum's Ork. Actually the name orc or orca applies to the grampus or whales. I'm not sure how Tolkein selected it. You might have thought he would have used Ork, extracted from the Orkney Islands - that group north of Scotland. Anyway, names are great fun. And Wow! do you have a great memory if you remember your Lion Book from scouts. And now that you mention it, I remember the big kids playing something I thought was called "One-A-Cat" when I was really small. Other informants, hmmmm! P. J. Farmer - Glinda Geoff Ryman - Hannibal Lector Gregory Maguire - WWW Regards, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, AUGUST 9, 1996 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ============================================================================= Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 07:11:11 -0800 (PST) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Munchkin Convention Observation IV There was an unusual entry in the art category on the Research Table at the convention. It was a long (8 foot?) scroll that showed a parade of Oz notables -- Wizard, Tinman, Wogglebug, Tic Toc, Scarecrow, Dorothy? & Ozma?, Cowardly Lion & Hungry Tiger -- interspersed between marching units. The work was superb and clearly of professional level. Naturally, it won the prize for the best art contribution, but the award was made in absentia and without commentary. The scroll was labeled "Hatsuo Nakai 3-30-96" but no further information was given. Later, I asked co-chair John Kennedy about the scroll and his answer was noncommittal. Does anyone have anything to share about this artwork, the artist, or how it came to be at the Munchkin Convention? ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 16:08:53 +0300 (WET) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-08-96 Ken C. - IMHO, YASO yourself. :-) |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' '---''(_/--' `-'\_) gili@scso.com ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 10:55:49 -0500 (EST) From: cummingss@kenyon.edu Subject: RE: Ozzy Digest, 08-07-96 >Earl C. Abbe wrote: >My previously announced plan of taking naps in the afternoon worked well. > I was able to pay attention to all sessions both Friday and Saturday >nights, and even to participate in the Saturday night party until >midnight. I hear that that affair did not break up until 3:30 the next >morning. How can they do that? I hear that a few cups of coffee helps! ;) Scott ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 11:03:15 -0500 (EST) From: cummingss@kenyon.edu Subject: RE: Ozzy Digest, 08-08-96 Earl Abbe: I forgot to tell you how glad I was that you asked Ozma about her name. It was a wonderful question, although (I agree with you) a disturbing answer followed. I was saddened to hear that something that was surely intended as an act of adoration by L. F. Baum had just a negative effect on her (for so long!). I was also amused by her choice of Scraps as a nickname. Cheers, Scott ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 11:06:44 -0500 (EST) From: cummingss@kenyon.edu Subject: RE: Ozzy Digest, 08-08-96 Hi everyone, My cat has no name. This does not bother me, and it does not seem to bother my cat. It bothers my friends and students. Could you please suggest a name? Eureka and Bungle are not options (we both dislike those names). Cheers, Scott ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 08:58:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Eric Gjovaag Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-08-96 > From: Gili Bar-Hillel > Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 08-07-96 > > In the bottom picture, left to right, back row: our own Jim VanderNoot > and Robin Olderman, and Katie Fleming; Front row are Laura and Eric > Gjovaag (Eric, come back!), someone whose name I'm embarassed to admit I > don't remember though I had a very nice conversation with him, and Lee Speth. I'll be back before too long, but I just want to say now that that unidentified person next to me is "Christmas in Oz" author Robin Hess. (And hang on to that picture of Laura, she's camera shy and rarely pops up in Oz pictures.) --Eric Gjovaag ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 12:31:08 -0400 From: OzBucket@aol.com Subject: information that is possibly usable I usually ignore anything concerning collectibles, so this info may have already been said a million times. If so, it probably isn't worth repeating. If no one else has mentioned it yet, the newest Lillian Vernon Catalogue has a Dorothy costume that can be ordered for $39.98. The catalogue is a Halloween issue, so it also has a number of semi-Ozzy generic Scarecrows, Jack Pumpkinheads, and various Wicked Witches. These can all be yours if you call toll-free 1-800-285-5555. ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 11:14:28 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: greetings to Oz digest from Ruth Berman I sent some comments yesterday for the OD about Worth Gardner's "Wizard of Oz." Evidently they didn't arrive in time for inclusion in today's digest, but it's just as well, as I wanted to add that actor who played Baum was William Brown. Earl C. Abbe - interesting comments on Ozma Baum Mantele's talk. Gili Bar-Hillel, Danny, Dave Hardenbrook, and Richard Bauman - Actually, Tolkien's term "orc,"although Tolkien was writing later than Baum, goes back to a much earlier usage. (I wrote an article on the topic a good many years back for Mythlore, the journal of the Mythopoeic Society. If anyone is interested in a photocopy, I think about 75 cents would cover copy/postage. My address is 5620 Edgewater Blvd, Minneapolis MN 55416, USA.) Tolkien was following the use of "orc" in Old English, specifically in the poem "Beowulf," where it occurs in a list of humanoid monsters. The Old English term probably comes from the Latin orca, which probably meant originally any kind of monster (and led to the term "ogre"), but came to mean specifically sea-monters, and from there to the kind of whale called an orca. I'm inclined to think that Baum ran across "orcs" in Milton's poem "Paradise Lost," where there is a reference in a description to "orcs and sea-mews," and I think that combination may have led Baum to think of orcs as birds. Of course, he might instead or in addition have been thinking of storks, as some of you suggested. John R. Neill's illustrations look as if he, at least, had something storkish in mind. Robin Olderman (assuming the robino on the list of addressees is you) - I received the Oziana 1996 a couple of days ago, and enjoyed it very much. Good artwork (and how nice to see something more of Dick Martin's), and Ruth Waara's "Umbrella Island in Oz" is an enjoyable sequel to Speedy, and strong enough to justify giving over the full issue to it. But one criticism -- what happened to the chunk of story (looks as if it must be either a full column or a full page missing) between pp. 23 & 24! Are you going to send out the missing bit sometime soon to the people who have bought the issue? Maybe the missing bit could also be posted on the OD? Since I've put my address in here anyway (see comments on orks above), I'll add that over the past few years I've been publishing some Oz-related pamphlets -- maybe some of you would be interested in getting them. One was a publication of James E. Haff's "Who's Who in Oz, An Appendix," to which I added descriptions, notes, a gazeteer, and material based on the not-quite-canonical Oz works ("Little Wizard Stories," etc.); it is $5.00/ copy. (But if you have Peter Clarke's "Who's Who," that's probably enough, except that he didn't include the not-quite-cans.) The others have been an annual series of "Dunkiton Press" pamphlets, reprinting rare works by Oz authors and artists, plus some essays; the Dunkiton pamphlets are $1.50 or $4/3. The ones so far are #1 on RPT (4 of her Perhappsy poems & an essay on her Ledger writing), #2 on gnomes (essays on gnomes and Disney's "Return"), #3 on mermaids (stories by RPT and Wallace McDougall), #4 on Robin Hood (half of a story illoed by Neill plus one RH story by RPT). #5 will be more RH (other half of story Neill illoed plus other RPT story) at the end of this year, and topics I'm considering for future Dunkitons include Halloween, Thanksgiving, candylands, wizardry, wishes. ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 13:10:18 -0400 From: DavidXOE@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digests, 08-07 & 08-96 As you may know, AOL was down all day yesterday. (It made the front page of the Trib, so even those of you on other services may be aware of it. Hence the double dose this time. 8/7: And for the first time in quite a while, this Digest was long enough that I had to download it instead of just saving in in a Flashsession. Earl: Sounds as if you have my kind of sleep pattern. I don't usually have a hard time staying awake during the program, but by the end of it I'm usually too wiped to stick around for the parties. Afternoon naps might be an idea. Me: Further elaboration on the pronunciation of "Gingemma" - Russian doesn't have the sound that you usually get from "ng" in English (or Spanish or German); the "n" and "g" would have separate sounds. Mike: I'm pretty sure crullers are made by rolling out two snake-like rolls of dough and then twisting them together before deep-fat frying them. Though I'll admit I've never made them or watched them being made. Tyler: Uh - you don't pronounce "gin" to rhyme with "kin"? I didn't think colored text transmitted over the Internet (other than as a binary file that can only be read by the creating application or a compatible one), but I thought I'd experiment just to be sure. Barbara: No, you're not the last to get the Gazette and Observer. I haven't gotten mine yet. (Though as I said in my last post, I suspect it's due to my move and delay in getting the mailing labels corrected, even though I sent in an Illinois address back in April.) Apparently the 1996 Oziana is out, since Gili got hers. I think I ordered one as well, but haven't seen it yet. Aaron: MOPPeT is that when humans first came to Lurline's world from ours, they had to work out a system of magic appropriate to that world. While Glinda and the Wizard seem to practice a form of what we might call "scientific magic", other magic workers like fairies and yookoohoos seem to work entirely by natural talent. And the scientific magicians (which would also include, for instance, Ugu, Coo-ee-oh, the Su-dic, the Lonesome Duck, Ozwoz, and various others) don't seem to use the magical principles you mention to any significant extent. (Of course, I've never seen any evidence that those principles work in this world, either, outside of fiction.) Rich: I don't remember the 20 lovesick maidens in PATIENCE being particularly languid, but there's the line in Bunthorne's song about "a sentimental passion of a vegetable fashion/ Will excite your languid spleen." And there's a song in one of the Fifties film musical - I think it was THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS; anyhow, the one with Dan Dailey, Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, and Marilyn Monroe - where Monroe sings a song about being "languid". I've often wondered how the pins were set up in ninepins. Maybe in a 1-2-3-2-1 lozenge shape? There are probably a lot of variations in the name of that progenitor of baseball; it was called "One-eyed-cat" when I used to play it as a kid. It was probably derived from cricket, but instead of the bowler bowling from near the opposite wicket from the batsman, the pitcher had his spot and the "base" was off at an angle. The object was to hit the ball and run to the base and back before they could get the ball back in. (The base wasn't a base in the sense that the batter was safe when he was on it; it was just a mark he had to touch before going home.) This obviously worked better when there weren't too many players on either side - usually just two or three. Bear: Copies of the Ozma essay will be sent to all who requested it at the same time I send this to Dave. I expect he felt that it wasn't likely to be of enough interest to the Digest as a whole to justify a Special Edition. Mombi certainly isn't in Lurline's league, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible for Mombi to do an enchantment that Lurline can't break. Coo-ee-oh wasn't in Glinda's league, either, but Glinda couldn't break her enchantments until she got access to Coo-ee-oh's equipment. And there was a lot of discussion of the treatment of Mombi at the end of LK in the Digest back two or three months ago. Probably everyone feels they had their say then and don't feel like repeating it. (The most popular theory was that since we never actually saw Mombi dissolved, it didn't really happen; Ozma winked at Sir Hokus and the Scarecrow and they took her offstage, removed her shoes, and told her to get out and get lost or next time she might _really_ get dissolved.) Dave: To add another to your "confirmed" list of informants, mine is Barry Klein. As to your conjectures, Kabumpo might have been Thompson's informant for many of her books, but since he normally lives in a rather reclusive kingdom far from the center of things, I doubt he was her only one. (And, frankly, given the rather unpleasant nature of his personality at times, I rather doubt that he's even her main informant.) I suspect that she had several informants; if only one, though, it really needs to be someone in the EC, I think. My best guess would be Button-Bright, who as far as I recall doesn't ever appear in one of her books, but whose perspective seems about right. This would explain some of the inconsistencies, too, since he's not likely to be a terribly accurate reporter. I agree that Dorothy was almost certainly Baum's sole informant; the difficulty with LAND is easily met by assuming that she returned to Oz for the first time before LAND was written, even though that story (OZMA) wasn't written until a couple of years later. For Neill, I think Number Nine is a better guess than Jenny Jump - again, based primarily on the theory that informants aren't likely to transmit as much negative information about themselves as Neill's informant does about Jenny. Shaggy for Snow and Merry for the McGraws make sense, though Robin or even Fess for the latter would be equally plausible. 8/8: Ken C.: I don't think we really have need for an all-purpose insult on the Digest. Some people are already so sensitive that they see insults where none is intended; why do it deliberately? Earl: Interesting. Ozma Baum Mantele gave that same talk at Ozmopolitan, and someone there asked her the same question. And got the same answer. Mike: The logo doesn't come out too badly in Geneva on the Mac (which is what I normally use to read my AOL E-mail), but when it's a long Digest so I have to open it with Word, and I see it in Times, it loses its impact entirely. It's best in a monospaced font, though. Danny: Errr - the Ork is in SCARECROW OF OZ, not SKY ISLAND. Tyler: The BUGLE staff may prefer positive reviews, but I don't think it's a firm policy. As I said, when Steve gets back we should be able to get a definitive answer, because he's the review editor now. Bear: Since we got no water in our basement when we had a 500-year flood here last month, I'm not too worried about the books. But the possibility is why the only things we have there on low shelves are paperbacks, most of which could be replaced easily if necessary. (Well, there are also some computer books, but again, those go out of date so fast that losing them would be no big deal - in fact, replacing them would probably be a good thing.) I don't think Baum is notably more free from evil and cruelty than Thompson. From Mombi and Roquat through King Krewl and Blinkie to Coo-ee-oh and the Su-dic, he had some pretty nasty characters. Most of his books feature at least one, though PATCHWORK GIRL doesn't have any really evil characters unless you count Yoop, who's very minor. He doesn't have anyone as scary as Mooj, but you haven't met him yet. While Tolkien wasn't published until long after Baum, I believe he got the name "orc" from mythology somewhere. I remember reading something about it years ago, but don't remember where or any of the details. I have a feeling it might have been Ruth Berman who wrote it, though, and since I know she's now reading the Digest, maybe she'll comment. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 13:08:55 -0400 (EDT) From: "Aaron S. Adelman" Subject: The Silly Ozbuls of Oz 1) Scraps: Ken, I think your new method of insulting is brilliant! Kabumpo: YASO for saying such a thing, Scraps! 2) David, please send me a copy of your Ozma essay. 3) Tyler, perhaps the information behind _The Marvelous Land of Oz_ was leaked to Dorothy by the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. Then Dorothy told Baum. Aaron Solomon (ben Saul Joseph) Adelman adelman@yu1.yu.edu ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 08 Aug 1996 14:02:23 -0400 From: OzBucket@aol.com Subject: not sure what this is about... DH: Yes, I have re-downloaded the new, improved web browser (at least twice now), and followed all of AOL's directions, but that doesn't help. I think this computer is just messed up. In addition to my being unable to access the www (I am getting a lot of feedback from the WWW, however), the printer has decided to stop working (halfway through printing out a book, too!), and the doggoned mouse is still totally worthless (Eric G. once gave me detailed info on how to clean the mouse so it would work, but I think its problems go beyond what he assumed). I really think we got stuck with a lemon, here. Oh, well. The OLD one did everything it was supposed to do, and did it all very well, but it was NOT capable of getting e-mail. Now I just have to figure out how to get a new computer to do all that the old one was able to do... That is hard to do without money. KEN: Okay, I don't think I have ever met anyone who really really loved Roger Baum's picture books, but I must question your use of the term SillyOzbul as an insult. The SillyOzbuls are GOOD, and one would not feel insulted at being compared to one of them. Granted, the books may be a little disappointing, but the historical figures in it are still very real and are not nasty or evil. Perhaps a better insult would be Gnasty Gnome... IAE, I am told that Roger Baum himself was so obnoxious that he was asked to leave the MGM grand hotel where he had once been