SOLVED: but saving this in case it helps anyone else... Error: Exception: Unknown Selector operator: '[empty]'

[hollyvalero]

 In a blog, I have a page field that references a library of writers (cbpage2) so their info doesn't have to be reentered for each post.
At the bottom of the post I wanted to list, " the last 2 posts by THIS AUTHOR, but obviously not include the CURRENT PAGE POST"

EDITING TO REMOVE ALL BUT THE apparent answer

 When I used title to match the variable $activepost it seemed to break - title too long? But when I matched it to the ID it seemed to work... 

    $author = $page
        ->cbpage2->id;
    $activepost = $page->id;

    $articles = $pages->find("template=post, limit=50, cbpage2=$author, id!=$activepost, sort=-cbdate");

 

Edited April 15, 2021 by hollyvalero
Found an answer!