Those of you with a calendar will have noticed that the most recent Friday (at the time of writing this post) was May 25th. This is an important date for a whole bunch of reasons – most of which can be found at the wikipedia entry for 25th of May [LINK].
For instance, fans of Douglas Adams note this day as Towel Day [LINK]. Towel say is a day when fans of Douglas Adams carry a towel around with them, as a reference to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
It’s also seen as Geek Pride Day [LINK], a day for promoting Geek culture. The date was chosen as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was released on the 25th of May in 1977.
However, for me it will always be known as The Glorious 25 May. As I’m a fan of Discworld, this date is very important to me. The 25th of May was the date of The People’s Republic of Treacle Mine Road, as told in Nightwatch.
Treacle Mine Road
Treacle Mine Road is a road in the city of Ankh-Morpork. At the end of Treacle Mine Road, there once was a Treacle Mine. It used to be run by Dwarves, until it was shut down. It then became a Watch House. It was here that John Keel, effectively, ran the (almost) peaceful revolt of the people of Ankh-Morpork.
That was the thing with revolutions, they revolved.
I don’t want to ruin the story, for those who haven’t read the book, but there where a multitude of factors leading to the revolution and the people of Ankh-Morpork had suffered enough. They decided to revolt against the Patrician. Martial Law was declared. Many people died.
No. How dare you? How dare you! At this time! In this place! They did the job they didn’t have to do, and they died doing it, and you can’t give them anything. Do you understand? They fought for those who’d been abandoned, they fought for one another, and they were betrayed. Men like them always are. What good would a statue be? It’d just inspire new fools to believe they’re going to be heroes. They wouldn’t want that. Just let them be. For ever
Sam Vimes, Nightwatch
You said it, Sam.
25th May 2012
Anyway, this year the Discworld Emporium (“the only bricks and mortar shop dedicated to Discworld in the known universe” to quote their website) ran a very special offer. They issued a special product to celebrate the 25th of May.
This product contains one of their “…AND A HARD-BOILED EGG!” [LINK] items with a very special envelope, complete with a Patrician stamp and a notice of the limited quantity of the item – there where only 150 made.
Naturally, I ordered it as soon as they announced it on their twitter channel.
This was the first order I’d made with the Discworld Emporium (the actual store, in Wincanton, Summerset, is called “The Cunning Artificer’s Discworld Emporium”), and I’m really pleased with it. I shall certainly be ordering more of their products – or stopping by, if I’m ever near Wincanton.
The “Egg” comes in a lilac coloured, cotton drawstring pouch. The envelop and notice are printed on very high quality paper, and the little note that came with it was very funny.
The Pictures
Right, if you’ve read this far, then you’re either very interested in seeing these items or you’re a fan of my (lack-luster) writing. Either way, you shall be rewarded with pictures. I’ve attached thumbnail versions of the images. It
Warning! These pictures are quite huge (each one is, around 4.25 MB), so they might take time to load.
This is the bubble wrap that was used as packaging. It looked like a good enough medium to provide a background
This is the hard boiled egg, wrapped in the lilac pouch
This is the printed “envelope From the Patrician”
This is the note from the Patrician, found inside of the envelope
This is the Hard Boiled Egg. the centre piece of this order. Those who have read Nightwatch will understand why the hard boiled egg was chosen
This is the note From The Cunning Artificer, included in the package. I’m guessing that this note, or one like it, is included with most orders.
One final image, the Discworld Emporium sponsorship notice for London 2012. The tiny text might be a bit blurry. But it reads “The Discworld Emporium is proud announce that it is saving up to be a sponsor of one small, tiny bit of London 2012 cross country tiddlywinks championships!”
So, all in all, I’ve really pleased with this order. I shall definitely be ordering from these guys again, at some point.
Anyway, I’ll leave y’all to it.
Peace out, positive waves, and stay frosty (in this heat!?)
J
All the little angels rise up, rise up.
All the little angels rise up high!
How do they rise up, rise up, rise up?
How do they rise up, rise up high?
