[NicknamedBob]

"I prefer to do my shopping in the comfort of the Library, with furs, a fire, and a never-ending supply of Moselle."

Of course. Shopping in the connected habitats of the Flying Castle is not as satisfying as the adventures we once had.

It is, in a word, too utilitarian. Everything's just too easy.

You can shop "On-Line", or call on the phone, (respecting the time zone differences please!), or even pop over to examine the merchandise in person.

Then you don't even have to schlep it home! Just tell them where to deliver it.

All this convenience kinda takes the fun out of it.

Besides, when all the space around you is conditioned, and you don't have a car to support, about all you need to buy is food. And that's just for variety. Basic food is pretty cheap, because what else are they gonna do with it?

So we sample the exotic cheeses, and the specialty wines, and we go to the little boutique restaurants.

And there's music, and the arts, and especially reading.

So where are the big ticket items?

Well, to be honest, most of them we don't need any more than a Tilapia needs a tricycle.

[Tax-chick]

Come on up to the library with tilapia, and I’ll read you some selections from Evelyn Waugh, one inspiration for Anoreth’s Patented Attitude: “Imagine how desperately unpleasant I would be if I *weren’t* a Catholic!”