response 193 of 207:

Dec 11 20:59 UTC 1998

well i never!  what a set of mixed emotions - i was delighted when 
sekari said he was still alive, and then secretly rather glad he was 
dead after all since it meant i was right... sorry, john d!  definitely 
more by luck than good judgement, i must admit, although i've enjoyed 
the travis mcgee ones i've read - really excellent characterisation, i 
think.  very dark, though, aren't they?  in terms of the violence, i 
mean.

okay, here's something from a book i was surprised to see on sale at a 
ridiculously cheap price today, which lead to me buying it and taking it 
round to the dinner party i was on my way to, and being rather less 
social than i should have been...

'And now there was an end of path or road.  More than ever the camel 
seemed insensibly driven; it lengthened and quickened its pace, its head 
pointed straight towards the horizon; through the wide nostrils it drank 
the wind in great draughts.  The litter swayed, and rose and fell like a 
boat in the waves.  Dried leaves in occasional beds rustled underfoot.  
Sometimes a perfume like absinthe sweetened all the air.  Lark and chat 
and rock-swallow leaped to wing, and white partridges ran whistling and 
clucking out of the way.  More rarely a fox or hyena quickened his 
gallop, to study the intruders at a safe distance.  Off to the right 
rose the hills of the Jebel, the pearl-grey veil resting upon them 
changing momentarily into a purple which the sun would make matchless a 
little later.  Over their highest peaks a vulture sailed on broad wings 
into widening circles.  But of all these things the tenant under the 
green tent saw nothing, or at least, made no sign of recognition.  His 
eyes were fixed and dreamy.  The going of the man, like that of the 
animal, was as one being led.'

well, i hope *some* of that will prove to be misleading...)[but of 
course that statement itself might be a double bluff...)]

ps i think i'd rather be simon than sjones - would i have to go back and 
create a new account altogether to be able to do that, or is there any 
way i could shortcut it?