Lots of things make me laugh: slapstick humour, sly witticisms, people being exactly themselves, sudden joy, and sheer pleasure. (FYI, being tickled doesn’t make me laugh, it gives me the urge to punch you in the mouth. Just to be clear.)
Today I want to tell you about two things of the many things that made me laugh out loud this week. The first was delivery of a lovely vintage bottle of Armagnac (Larressingle X.O. if you must know). The Armagnac itself, of course, is delicious enough to make anyone grin, but it was the box it came in, more particularly the FedEx stickers, that really struck me as absurd.
I’ve seen these stickers many times before, but for some reason the sheer absurdity of the thing really struck me this time. Note to FedEx: it’s alcohol. The point is some level of intoxication. Also, I was reeling with vertigo when I took delivery. The whole thing just made me chortle.
The second thing was a gift, wholly unexpected. And anonymous (though it didn’t take more than a minute to work out who sent it). It was the beginning of a screenplay called The Blue Place. I was utterly delighted to see someone else’s vision of Aud as a screen character. I haven’t read more than a couple of pages yet (see vertigo, above) but I know it will be enormous fun and it’s already warmed the cockles of my heart that someone took the time and care to do that.
So today I’m feeling so lucky I can hardly stand it. Except, of course, somehow, womanfully, I do…
Nicola Griffith 
I'm glad it made you laugh. That makes it all worth it.
It was an interesting exercise. As many wonderful details as are in the novel, a lot is left to imagination. There isn't ever a description of Aud, for example. I think she says at one point that she's around 6' tall. And one character observes that her eyes are the color of cement. And what about the sound of her voice? She grew up in Norway and Britain, but she's lived in Atlanta a third of her life.
Anyway, it was fun playing around with it. Thanks for providing the inspiration.
Hwyl!
LOL I found your site because of this 2009 post:
http://asknicola.blogspot.com/2009/10/best-armagnac-ever.html
And now I see the same topic is on your front page!
All of which is to say, I've discovered Armagnac myself on a recent trip to Paris and I adore it. In fact, a teetotaling friend has now become a budding boozebag thanks to its charms. And I just might join him. =)
Dianne, thank you again!
Tim, yeah, what can I say? I like to drink…
I imagine you pounding your fist on the table as you read: “No! No! It's all wrong! You miss the point entirely!” ;D