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I’ve had, since adolescence, an occasional mild allergy to the stuff, which didn’t keep me from enjoying it when it was properly breaded and fried. But now, that matte purple sheen won’t ever be completely free of an undercurrent of dread.

Arguably three years late, but never mind that: Halo 3 will feature networked co-operative multiplayer right out of the box.

Bungie just made it that much harder for me to keep my solemn “I will not be a release-day tool” vow.

(With apologies to Bear McCreary, Brendan Adkins, and pretty much everyone at Bungie.)

The staff is a lashing blur, but ‘Otamee is prepared, already leaping up and back as it strikes his chestplate; the glancing blow discharges most of the weapon’s energy into the air, with the remainder just enough to carry him through his roll back into a ready, empty-handed crouch.

The armsmaster watches with a fond approval he’s careful to hide. “Well. At last you move like the heir to your birthright. Time for the next lesson.”

He tosses ‘Otamee an inactive arcstaff grip.

“You’ve learned how to take a blow.” He smiles. “Now you learn how not to have to.”

Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising is on its way to theater screens. Soon. I didn’t get goosebumps watching the trailer or anything. (“I’m an awful liar, aren’t I, darling?”)

If just one line from the first book makes it into the script, I’ll be happy. One line. “A foolish move, friend Smith. We shall not forget.” (And if it happens, it’ll be Christopher Eccleston delivering it. Could anything be more perfect?)