As with most of my reviews (as Marty or Andrew) I made an effort to read the comments that are made below my reviews of whatever it might be. As you can imagine my review over at Blogcritics, the first on the site after the release of the book, has so far gotten 355 reviews and they come in almost hourly.

Even the link to the review on this site has nearly 60 comments. For the most part the exchanges over the book have been fairly civil with only a few fanboyz and girlz having a go at me or any others who are the slightest bit critical of the text.

What has struck me most amusing in the indepth analysis provided in the comments by some. There is at least one person who has read the book three times already. There is more indepth analysis of the latest Harry Potter book in the comments than we hear about the latest Bin Laden video nasty.

I, and others, have been criticised for reading the book to fast, taking it too seriously or not taking it serious enough. There is certainly mixed opinion on this book especially about the ending and the epilogue. The manner and outcome of Harry’s final contrestemp is a source of great debate.

One thing that is for sure, is that baring very few troll commenters, the comments universally praise the series and its author. Time will tell if Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) [Adult Edition] stands the test of time and where it finally ranks in the listings of all seven books.

As you may or may not already be aware, members of the Watcher’s Council hold a vote every week on what they consider to be the most link-worthy pieces of writing around… per the Watcher’s instructions, I am submitting one of my own posts for consideration in the upcoming nominations process.

Here is the most recent winning council post, here is the most recent winning non-council post, here is the list of results for the latest vote, and here is the initial posting of all the nominees that were voted on.

From the economist who brought you Freakonomics. “The damage wouldn’t be as extreme as detonating a nuclear bomb in New York City, of course; but it sure would be a lot easier to obtain a handful of guns than a nuclear weapon.” This post has gotten the author and NYT a great deal of flak.

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Levitt has responded to his critics.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance 2012 Watchdog is publishing new research showing how the 2012 Olympics will add almost £4 billion to construction inflation in London and the South East between now and the start of the Games in five years time. As if London is not getting hit hard enough by the hike in taxes to pay for the jock love in; thanks a bunch.

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for a second time, ABC News has played fast and loose with reporting the results of its own polls showing Ron Paul winning a Republican Presidential debate … the American people need to know about this, and I’m going to help by teaching my class about this in the Fall

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Allegedly, Murphy and another YR were drunk and crashing at Murphy’s sister’s house. The other man apparently awoke in the morning to find Murphy giving him a non-consensual blow job.

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For those of you that get a weekly or bi-weekly there is always the opportunity to get a cash advance on your paycheck in the form of a loan. Needless to say this is not a good idea as a weekly solution to your being short but its good that its there for responsible people to use in the rare occasion when something comes up unexpectedly. We all know life can throw you curve-balls that you don’t see coming no matter how well prepared you are financially. When stuff happns its always nice to have as many options as possible.

The backstory, for what it’s worth:

Newly wed to Shunsuke, eldest son of the historied Tsubakikoji family, Reiko suffers the loss of her husband the very next day. Under the cruel and unceasing mockery of the aristocrats, Reiko’s common-born blood sets to boil. Clutching the rose Shunsuke gave her to her bosom, Reiko issues a defiant challenge to the house. “I am the widow of the eldest son of the Tsubakikoji family. This house is mine!” ...This is the elegant art of feminine conflict.

A Japanese (what else) game that illustrates the problem of violence against women in computer games. That’s okay, though. They’re both women, so it’s kind of hawt. Wait until they discover spanking.

At the bottom right of the splash screen there’s a difficulty slider; below it, a Start Game button will light up. From there, click the button on the right and swipe your mouse across your opponent’s face to deliver a blow. Sometimes you can get in a second shot, but you’ve got to be quick. Defend yourself (somewhat) by clicking on the left button and dragging across to turn your face away from the return slap.

Warning: Music and sound effects.

the blog québécois

Over at Ashwins blog, you will find one crazy blog owner!! You can win $2500!! To enter just copy this text and paste it in your blog!! But hurry, this competition will not last long! So get posting!

Now cynics would have their doubts this is on the up, but the author of the site claims that if you win he will send you the amount via paypal. Anyway its a great way to get lots of attention to your site that is for damn sure.

One thing that has rather frustrated me recently is the tendency of certain large shops to jam mobile phone networks in their stores. Our local Marks & Spencer decided this might be a good idea. Now I am not enamored by the local shop after they were rude with me when I was standing near the women’s changing room while carrying things for my wife. However I think this whole mobile phone blocking has serious safety implications.

I am sure they shop will make some lame excuse about terrorism but I would suggest its empowerment to child molestors. Most small children have mobiles these days as a safety measure. Surely if they get seperated from their parents at a big department store is a bad idea that they contact their parents via texting or the phone?

This is addition to the nuisance that is not be able to have your phone online as you shop. Now we all know that people, ok women, take a long time to shop and are known for losing track of time. It is quite frustrating when you are trying to get in touch with them and are unable to because the bloody shop blocks her signal.

To make matters worse M&S do not advertise or warn the fact they are blocking your mobile signal. Its dishonest and unsafe for a store to do that.

Between the rude staff and the communication blackout there is no wonder M&S is losing customers.

Now I have been there and done that viz engagement rings, however I managed to learn quite a bit about them in the lead up to getting the right one for my lovely wife. Unlike many couples we did not do the surprise thing and I was not forced to guess exactly what she wanted for her ring. We did the bespoke thing and thus saved me embarassment. If you do not go that route it pays to know as much about engagement rings before you buy one. One wee tip however, if you are engaged to woman who is active and is going to wear her ring all the time beware of diamonds that stick out. There is nothing worse that losing the ring out of the setting.