To try and get to know people in our village we made the decision to join in many of the local groups and as we had an interest in growing plants we joined the Gardener’s Club. This week we went to an organised talk on the subject of the Pollination of Flowers. We were not expecting too much but the talk was actually very well presented by a retired ex-bio-chemist who was also a very accomplished photographer. A well organised and informative talk was supported by some interesting detailed slides, though the presenter’s evolutionary, anti-creationist, attitude may have rankled with some of the church-goers in the audience. He also had a very strong opinion against the proliferation of GM technology and in particularly the way Monsanto influences American policy to the detriment of the natural order.
Again we found ourselves to be the youngest, in some cases by far, of the people there, the majority of which were long retired. Not that they were not interesting and welcoming people, it is just that we could do with meeting some more people our own age in the village.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Singing for your supper…
We went out to the Croydon branch of a small restaurant chain called Little Bay for the birthday of a friend. We were in a party of five adults and three children who had all, apart from the two of us, been to this venue before.
The outside of the place was slightly unusual in that the façade looked like a ski chalet, and once inside we saw a photograph on the wall of how it used to be when it was called the Swiss Cottage. But that was before it had been taken over and the inside completely remodelled into some wild fantasy piece. The front half of the restaurant was conventionally laid out and was decorated in gaudy colours with bold designs and unusual lighting, but it was the back half of the restaurant that took our breath away. We descended down a short flight of stairs into someone’s magical interpretation of an Italian Opera house, small intimate tables in the middle of the room under grand chandeliers and surrounded by irregular booths over which were suspended theatre-like boxes with more tables and seating in them. We were shown up a steep set of stairs inlayed with lights in the shape of stars and the like to a large veranda booth where we sat around a kidney shaped table that had images of maps and other ancient looking documents plastered over it. Apparently the theme is enhanced a couple of days a week by performers wandering around singing various operatic tunes to the diners, sometimes climbing up the side of the booths or lying across the tables to serenade you. The artistic imagery around this part of the dining area was very theatrical and this was extended to the toilets where the pictures became more erotic in nature (the children had a separate loo that was decorated with more appropriate Disney characters).
Another departure from the norm for this restaurant chain is the very low prices of the food, which was as cheap as a café but with the variety of dishes that were as good as many bigger restaurants. Apparently the prices are even lower at lunch times and although I have read reports where some customers have been disappointed in other branches with the service and food, I can honestly say that we all found it quite enjoyable, and at £130 for food and drinks for the eight of us it was very reasonably priced.
The outside of the place was slightly unusual in that the façade looked like a ski chalet, and once inside we saw a photograph on the wall of how it used to be when it was called the Swiss Cottage. But that was before it had been taken over and the inside completely remodelled into some wild fantasy piece. The front half of the restaurant was conventionally laid out and was decorated in gaudy colours with bold designs and unusual lighting, but it was the back half of the restaurant that took our breath away. We descended down a short flight of stairs into someone’s magical interpretation of an Italian Opera house, small intimate tables in the middle of the room under grand chandeliers and surrounded by irregular booths over which were suspended theatre-like boxes with more tables and seating in them. We were shown up a steep set of stairs inlayed with lights in the shape of stars and the like to a large veranda booth where we sat around a kidney shaped table that had images of maps and other ancient looking documents plastered over it. Apparently the theme is enhanced a couple of days a week by performers wandering around singing various operatic tunes to the diners, sometimes climbing up the side of the booths or lying across the tables to serenade you. The artistic imagery around this part of the dining area was very theatrical and this was extended to the toilets where the pictures became more erotic in nature (the children had a separate loo that was decorated with more appropriate Disney characters).
Another departure from the norm for this restaurant chain is the very low prices of the food, which was as cheap as a café but with the variety of dishes that were as good as many bigger restaurants. Apparently the prices are even lower at lunch times and although I have read reports where some customers have been disappointed in other branches with the service and food, I can honestly say that we all found it quite enjoyable, and at £130 for food and drinks for the eight of us it was very reasonably priced.
Friday, April 04, 2008
A mixed bag…
We have had a mixed time of things recently from the lows of a family funeral to highs of parties with friends and family. We have been trying to get out and about in the countryside when we can but the weather has not been on our side as it has been quite cold and wet. The local Westcott History Group has a Good Friday walk and this year it was up to one of the sources of the nearby brook. Luckily the weather was in our favour and we had a good time with almost as many dogs on the walk as people.
The other walk we had during Easter was into Dorking to try out a couple of hostelries ending up at the Star Inn where we were so enamoured with the atmosphere we stayed for longer than perhaps we should have. When we entered there was no other patrons in and the bar maid was playing violin, but the quirky artwork on the walls and the Darlek at the end of the bar intrigued us so we encouraged her to play on as we looked about and had a drink. Other people started to trickle in and soon we found ourselves in conversation with total strangers and have a great time. The walk home was a bit of a blur and our wallets were considerably lighter but we didn’t care.
We attended the AGM of the local gardening group that we had joined so that we could meet more people in the village, though many people there also belong to the other local groups as well. It was a cheese and wine evening in the village club and we met a few new people and found out more about the village in bloom competition that will be happening. We have started to work on our front garden and I have trays of flower seedlings in the potting shed next tor the vegetables in preparation as it is possible the judges will be passing in front of our house in their route around the village.
We had a couple of people in to quote for fixing and improving our original sash windows (some of which are jammed shut or have broken cords), but the prices were more than we hoped for and it looks like it will have to be a DIY job with the possible help of a friends and family. We also think the fridge/freezer is on the way out and these built in units are quite expensive to replace.
I am still practicing the guitar, though not as much as I should as I get frustrated with the slow progress. I have also submitted my story to another publisher, though by the lack of response I guess it will be to the same end.
Now that the clocks have changed here to Summer Time we are looking forward and our hearts are lifted with the prospects to come.
The other walk we had during Easter was into Dorking to try out a couple of hostelries ending up at the Star Inn where we were so enamoured with the atmosphere we stayed for longer than perhaps we should have. When we entered there was no other patrons in and the bar maid was playing violin, but the quirky artwork on the walls and the Darlek at the end of the bar intrigued us so we encouraged her to play on as we looked about and had a drink. Other people started to trickle in and soon we found ourselves in conversation with total strangers and have a great time. The walk home was a bit of a blur and our wallets were considerably lighter but we didn’t care.
We attended the AGM of the local gardening group that we had joined so that we could meet more people in the village, though many people there also belong to the other local groups as well. It was a cheese and wine evening in the village club and we met a few new people and found out more about the village in bloom competition that will be happening. We have started to work on our front garden and I have trays of flower seedlings in the potting shed next tor the vegetables in preparation as it is possible the judges will be passing in front of our house in their route around the village.
We had a couple of people in to quote for fixing and improving our original sash windows (some of which are jammed shut or have broken cords), but the prices were more than we hoped for and it looks like it will have to be a DIY job with the possible help of a friends and family. We also think the fridge/freezer is on the way out and these built in units are quite expensive to replace.
I am still practicing the guitar, though not as much as I should as I get frustrated with the slow progress. I have also submitted my story to another publisher, though by the lack of response I guess it will be to the same end.
Now that the clocks have changed here to Summer Time we are looking forward and our hearts are lifted with the prospects to come.
Dancing boy…
Billy Elliott the musical
We were invited out to the theatre with many of Sue’s family in essence to celebrate an Aunt’s birthday, but in reality it is usual for them to get together in this way once or twice a year, often at her Uncle’s expense.
Not everybody had seen the movie and so were unsure what to expect, some of the guys were not looking forward to an evening of ballet. But the storyline of the miner’s strikes and of the tough life in a struggling northern town ensured that the show was edgy enough to counter any other sentimental elements. Overall the acting and dialog were great and the choreography was quite spectacular though one or two numbers were perhaps overlong and one or two songs were a little saccharine for everyone’s taste. There were quite a lot of expletives throughout the dialog but it was used to good comic and dramatic effect and helped emphasise the setting and mood that it could easily be overlooked, even welcomed.
Travelling into and out of town is the biggest drawback to the night and is probably the main reason (along with the big city prices) that we don’t do this more often. There are so many good shows on all the time and it is such a shame we don’t get to see more of them.
We were invited out to the theatre with many of Sue’s family in essence to celebrate an Aunt’s birthday, but in reality it is usual for them to get together in this way once or twice a year, often at her Uncle’s expense.
Not everybody had seen the movie and so were unsure what to expect, some of the guys were not looking forward to an evening of ballet. But the storyline of the miner’s strikes and of the tough life in a struggling northern town ensured that the show was edgy enough to counter any other sentimental elements. Overall the acting and dialog were great and the choreography was quite spectacular though one or two numbers were perhaps overlong and one or two songs were a little saccharine for everyone’s taste. There were quite a lot of expletives throughout the dialog but it was used to good comic and dramatic effect and helped emphasise the setting and mood that it could easily be overlooked, even welcomed.
Travelling into and out of town is the biggest drawback to the night and is probably the main reason (along with the big city prices) that we don’t do this more often. There are so many good shows on all the time and it is such a shame we don’t get to see more of them.
More of wot I have seen…
We had to visit our local library to renew our cards which would have expired as we hadn’t been since we moved to the area. While we were there the library was running an offer designed to attract people back and they were offering free DVD hire when you took out a book. So we pick the following films up.
Nacho Libre
This is a light and fun movie with the usual Jack Black slightly edgy comedy styling. Set in the unfamiliar world of a Latin American monastery it revolves around the cultural obsession with wrestling while introducing elements of forbidden love, trust and honesty and goodliness. Good for a laugh.
300
300 is a movie based on a comic reworking a tale of Spartan heroism against unbelievable odds. The imagery captures the comic feel perfectly and adds to the mythic scale of the dramatic action that wouldn’t have worked in a ‘realistic’ way. Naturally it is a bit of a boys-own type of film and won’t appeal to everybody, but for those who can remember flipping through graphic novels or still do it will probably be just up your street.
Nacho Libre
This is a light and fun movie with the usual Jack Black slightly edgy comedy styling. Set in the unfamiliar world of a Latin American monastery it revolves around the cultural obsession with wrestling while introducing elements of forbidden love, trust and honesty and goodliness. Good for a laugh.
300
300 is a movie based on a comic reworking a tale of Spartan heroism against unbelievable odds. The imagery captures the comic feel perfectly and adds to the mythic scale of the dramatic action that wouldn’t have worked in a ‘realistic’ way. Naturally it is a bit of a boys-own type of film and won’t appeal to everybody, but for those who can remember flipping through graphic novels or still do it will probably be just up your street.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Savage Worlds...
Savage Worlds
http://www.peginc.com/
http://savagepedia.wikispaces.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Worlds
We have been playing a new RPG mechanics that is described as being fast and furious and that has several game variants. We have tried the standard Savage Worlds and also have a couple of different campaigns running:
Rippers – Set in an alternative Victorian world where the stories are true and Frankenstein, Van Hellsing, Jeckle and Hyde, Dracula are not just fictional and an organisation called the Rippers exists to capture the beasts that threaten society. My character is a slightly dark academic called Professor Modecai Grey.
Necessary Evil – This is and anti-superhero game where vicious aliens have conquered an alternative earth and have wiped out all of the superheroes leaving the population at their mercy. In this game you play super-villains that band together to defeat the aliens and take back the earth for their own ends. I play a super powered thief called PolterHeist who can turn invisible and intangible.
http://www.peginc.com/
http://savagepedia.wikispaces.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Worlds
We have been playing a new RPG mechanics that is described as being fast and furious and that has several game variants. We have tried the standard Savage Worlds and also have a couple of different campaigns running:
Rippers – Set in an alternative Victorian world where the stories are true and Frankenstein, Van Hellsing, Jeckle and Hyde, Dracula are not just fictional and an organisation called the Rippers exists to capture the beasts that threaten society. My character is a slightly dark academic called Professor Modecai Grey.
Necessary Evil – This is and anti-superhero game where vicious aliens have conquered an alternative earth and have wiped out all of the superheroes leaving the population at their mercy. In this game you play super-villains that band together to defeat the aliens and take back the earth for their own ends. I play a super powered thief called PolterHeist who can turn invisible and intangible.
More of wot I have heard…
Seasick Steve – Dog House Music
Heard first on the Jules Holland late night music show, this artist is both visually and musically surprising. Looking like a time weary hobo and playing a guitar that looks like it came from a busker Seasick Steve manages to bring his version of southern USA blues to life in an amazing way.
Various Artists - The Imagined Village
We saw this folk super-group at last years WOMAD festival where they were performing their updated retelling of traditional tales in a very entertaining and moving way.
Ian Dury – New Boots and Panties
I heard this album again recently at a friends house and was reminded of just how good it was with the poetic lyrics of Dury and the driving rhythms of the Blockheads I just had to go out and get a copy.
Seth Lakeman – Freedom Fields
Another artist we saw at WOMAD he has been leading the charge for the new breed of musicians that are bring the traditions of folk singing up to date and to a new audience.
Bram Taylor –Song Singer
This was freebee album that we picked up when we were at our local folk club recently and is not someone I had heard of before.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Not a pairing that many people would have thought of but they manage to make some wonderful music together and I find personally that where I wouldn’t buy their solo stuff as a duo they are so much better.
The Fratellis - Costello Music
Good party music with more than a few catchy songs in it this album is lively and entertaining.
Feist – Let it Die
Moody and eccentric this artist has some beautiful gems in this quirky album.
Heard first on the Jules Holland late night music show, this artist is both visually and musically surprising. Looking like a time weary hobo and playing a guitar that looks like it came from a busker Seasick Steve manages to bring his version of southern USA blues to life in an amazing way.
Various Artists - The Imagined Village
We saw this folk super-group at last years WOMAD festival where they were performing their updated retelling of traditional tales in a very entertaining and moving way.
Ian Dury – New Boots and Panties
I heard this album again recently at a friends house and was reminded of just how good it was with the poetic lyrics of Dury and the driving rhythms of the Blockheads I just had to go out and get a copy.
Seth Lakeman – Freedom Fields
Another artist we saw at WOMAD he has been leading the charge for the new breed of musicians that are bring the traditions of folk singing up to date and to a new audience.
Bram Taylor –Song Singer
This was freebee album that we picked up when we were at our local folk club recently and is not someone I had heard of before.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Not a pairing that many people would have thought of but they manage to make some wonderful music together and I find personally that where I wouldn’t buy their solo stuff as a duo they are so much better.
The Fratellis - Costello Music
Good party music with more than a few catchy songs in it this album is lively and entertaining.
Feist – Let it Die
Moody and eccentric this artist has some beautiful gems in this quirky album.
More of wot I have seen…
Since we have got a new PVR we have been recording various TV programs instead of watching them live. We are currently into a few shows such as:
Shameless
This is a wonderful tragic comedy about no-hope families living in a dead-end council estate world as they struggle with life. Superbly scripted and acted the often poignant storylines that tug at the heart even as you laugh out loud.
Jericho
This is a bit of a sleeper series that I caught by accident and am now hooked on. A small-town America backwater is spared from nuclear apocalypse and must now struggle to come to terms with what happened as it struggles for survival. Refugees, villains, heroes and mystery and intrigue all drift towards the town with dramatic results.
Torchwood
More adult than it’s parent show Dr Who and with more than a hint of cheese this show is not every bodies cup of tea, but I think it is a nice turn in escapism with a slightly risqué edge.
30 Rock
A good sit-com from the US set in a film studio located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It has a sharp and bouncy script with wonderfully quirky characters that rattle along from gag to gag.
The Last Enemy
A gritty and dark mystery that plays on the fears of many a British citizen in this current climate of terror where it sometime feels like it is hard to identify the good guys from the bad and everybody is out to get you.
Dexter
An odd-ball show that makes you think about your own perceptions between right and wrong as you find yourself becoming sympathetic with the serial killer title character.
Ashes to Ashes
Having missed the boat with the previous Life on Mars show we were intrigued at the hype surrounding this latest incarnation and found that we were not disappointed. Nostalgic and ironic the show is lively and entertaining with some great over-the-top acting that suits it perfectly.
Lark Rise to Candleford
You know you are getting to an age when you enjoy a costume drama where nothing much happens. Great costumes, sets and delightful acting make this show a pleasant breath of fresh country air.
and now for something completely different...
The Palace
What were they think of as they made this series? In a bizarre alternative world where the British monarchy is full of corny stereotypes this so-called drama is a bit of a train-wreck and as such we found it morbidly fascinating viewing. I just can’t believe they were being serious.
Shameless
This is a wonderful tragic comedy about no-hope families living in a dead-end council estate world as they struggle with life. Superbly scripted and acted the often poignant storylines that tug at the heart even as you laugh out loud.
Jericho
This is a bit of a sleeper series that I caught by accident and am now hooked on. A small-town America backwater is spared from nuclear apocalypse and must now struggle to come to terms with what happened as it struggles for survival. Refugees, villains, heroes and mystery and intrigue all drift towards the town with dramatic results.
Torchwood
More adult than it’s parent show Dr Who and with more than a hint of cheese this show is not every bodies cup of tea, but I think it is a nice turn in escapism with a slightly risqué edge.
30 Rock
A good sit-com from the US set in a film studio located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It has a sharp and bouncy script with wonderfully quirky characters that rattle along from gag to gag.
The Last Enemy
A gritty and dark mystery that plays on the fears of many a British citizen in this current climate of terror where it sometime feels like it is hard to identify the good guys from the bad and everybody is out to get you.
Dexter
An odd-ball show that makes you think about your own perceptions between right and wrong as you find yourself becoming sympathetic with the serial killer title character.
Ashes to Ashes
Having missed the boat with the previous Life on Mars show we were intrigued at the hype surrounding this latest incarnation and found that we were not disappointed. Nostalgic and ironic the show is lively and entertaining with some great over-the-top acting that suits it perfectly.
Lark Rise to Candleford
You know you are getting to an age when you enjoy a costume drama where nothing much happens. Great costumes, sets and delightful acting make this show a pleasant breath of fresh country air.
and now for something completely different...
The Palace
What were they think of as they made this series? In a bizarre alternative world where the British monarchy is full of corny stereotypes this so-called drama is a bit of a train-wreck and as such we found it morbidly fascinating viewing. I just can’t believe they were being serious.
Friday, February 22, 2008
First hints of spring...
Here in the northern hemisphere we are starting to see the evidence that winter is on its way out as the days are getting longer and the spring bulbs are pushing their way through the cold ground. We now arrive and leave work in the light, though there is not much in it yet and it will be a while before we have the long hot days of summer. The snowdrops are out and in several place the crocus and early daffodils and tulips are too as trees start to show blossom and the bright green buds of new growth. When the difference between winter and summer is more marked it is a welcome sight to see these first hints of spring all full of new hope.
Working on the garden...
We have started to work on the front garden now by removing the turf and hard landscaping a path and beds ready for when we plant out. We are planning on having and English country garden and have already planted a couple of roses. Though we have also planted a rhododendron and have an olive tree and a couple of bamboos in pots we hope that most of the plants we will grow from seed in our new potting shed will be the more traditional type. We have a space set aside in front of the bay-window for a bench so that when the evening sun of summer reaches around we will be able to relax there with a glass of wine and admire our achievements.
A Valentines Ceilidh...
We have become regular attendees at the local Dorking Folk Club and as there are not many going to the sessions we almost feel compelled to go to help keep the club open. The programme alternates each week between guest acts, which are generally very good, and singer’s nights, where anyone can have a go.
Each year near Valentine’s Day the club has a ceilidh or ‘barn dance’ where participation in various traditional dances is encouraged. We went along with a couple of friends and had a very good time without a Gay Gordon or do-see-doe in sight. Even though we were some of the youngest there we found it difficult and exhausting trying to keep up with the older folk.
Each year near Valentine’s Day the club has a ceilidh or ‘barn dance’ where participation in various traditional dances is encouraged. We went along with a couple of friends and had a very good time without a Gay Gordon or do-see-doe in sight. Even though we were some of the youngest there we found it difficult and exhausting trying to keep up with the older folk.
Graffiti and confetti...
As has become a habit for us we went away this February for a long weekend break at my birthday. We have never been to Portugal before and so we based our destination on where BA flies to so that I could use up my air-miles. The biggest mistake I made was to try to maximise our time there without fully considering the implications of getting to the airport so early and not returning until so late.
The weather was very nice in the 20’s each day without a cloud in the sky. But even the bright light and comfortable temperatures could disguise the grey and decayed feel of the city. We had chosen a cheep hotel in the ‘bohemian’ part of town but we were not prepared for the level of graffiti that covered everything. It seems that there is a tradition of painting slogans and pasting posters on all surfaces to advertise or politicise something or another. The streets were other wise generally clean with the only litter being confetti – either they have many weddings or we had just missed some sort of festival.
There are some very nice historical monuments and the old electric tram was an enjoyable and more sedate way of travelling between them. We were lucky enough to catch the equivalent of the changing of the guard at Belem when we went to visit the lovely monastery and ornate tower.
We had hoped for some good food and drink while we were there, but that too just missed the mark as it was a little more expensive than we expected and a little less exciting. Nevertheless it was still a nice and very welcomed break after the long dark winter and we came back refreshed and read to go.
The weather was very nice in the 20’s each day without a cloud in the sky. But even the bright light and comfortable temperatures could disguise the grey and decayed feel of the city. We had chosen a cheep hotel in the ‘bohemian’ part of town but we were not prepared for the level of graffiti that covered everything. It seems that there is a tradition of painting slogans and pasting posters on all surfaces to advertise or politicise something or another. The streets were other wise generally clean with the only litter being confetti – either they have many weddings or we had just missed some sort of festival.
There are some very nice historical monuments and the old electric tram was an enjoyable and more sedate way of travelling between them. We were lucky enough to catch the equivalent of the changing of the guard at Belem when we went to visit the lovely monastery and ornate tower.
We had hoped for some good food and drink while we were there, but that too just missed the mark as it was a little more expensive than we expected and a little less exciting. Nevertheless it was still a nice and very welcomed break after the long dark winter and we came back refreshed and read to go.
More of wot I have read…
A hat full of sky by Terry Pratchett
Although this series of books is aimed at the teen market I am such a fan of this author that I tend to get everything he has published. I enjoy his sense of humour and writing style and I feel comfortable with his world and characters. If you have any youngsters who are into fantasy literature you could do worse than buy this for them.
‘Something is coming after Tiffany...
Tiffany Aching is ready to begin her apprenticeship in magic. She expects spells and magic -- not chores and ill-tempered nanny goats! Surely there must be more to witchcraft than this!
What Tiffany doesn't know is that an insidious, disembodied creature is pursuing her. This time, neither Mistress Weatherwax (the greatest witch in the world) nor the fierce, six-inch-high Wee Free Men can protect her. In the end, it will take all of Tiffany's inner strength to save herself ... if it can be done at all.’
Exclusion Zone by John Nichol
I think we got this book from either a jumble sale or from a charity shop as it would not normally be a subject of choice. The author is one of the many ex-military types who have since retired from the services and have become very successful writers. He has the dubious reputation as one of the pilots that was shot down and paraded on Iraqi TV.
The story is what it is, a boys-own action story of daring do in the skies, and although some of it still has some Biggles elements it does have a good pace and the fight sequences have a good degree of tension and drama.
‘The Falklands, 1999 – a vital strategic stronghold in the South Atlantic, and a prize gem in the oil-rich Antarctic. For RAF pilot Sean Riever it is a place of ghosts. For Jane Clark, the only female in the squadron, a place of tough decisions.
An air of menace hangs over the desolate, battle-scarred landscape; present dangers and past mysteries lurk in the shadows on the skyline. And Sean’s compulsion to live up to a legendary hero leads him towards a woman whose loneliness matches his own.
Then a Royal Navy nuclear submarine disappears, and Argentine jet fighters penetrate the Exclusion Zone. As Sean and his companions stave off wave after wave of enemy attacks, their fight to protect the islands becomes an epic battle for survival – in which victory can only be achieved at a terrible price…’
I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Although I have not seen any of the various cinematic adaptations of this story, one can’t fail to be aware of the Will Smith extravaganza that is its latest incarnation. The original book is more of a short-story and consequently is rather thin on detail and as is often the case with older sci-fi it is quite dated. As there is only one main character it is quite problematic that he is not very likable, but I guess that is deliberate to support the stories ultimate conclusions.
‘Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth… …but he is not alone. Every other man, Woman, and child on Earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood.
By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilisation. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn.
How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?’
The Storm by Boris Starling
Another author I was previously unaware of though he has had success with his Messiah story that in turn spawned the TV series, which also passed me by. I am not a great fan of the crime genre so it was up against it from the start. The writing was very cinematic and it would probably do well on the small screen, but as a novel it lacked some subtly and was a little too contrived and extreme for my tastes.
‘Elemental rage, bloody Greek myth, man's greed and capacity for cruelty, the insane imaginings of a killer, all intermingle in this stunning new thriller from the bestselling author of Messiah to create a novel of stunning ferocity.
A storm-tossed crossing on the North Sea; a catastrophic ferry accident; hundreds dead. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Beauchamp is one of the survivors but her ferocious fight to stay alive brings with it a high cost: a burden of guilt that she should live while some of her friends died; a terror of water; a frozen inner core that never seems to melt. When the body of a young female journalist is found in Aberdeen soon after the disaster, Kate insists on conducting the investigation -- partly to exorcize her own demons, partly because she feels a strange affinity with the victim. The killing is peculiarly brutal and the murderer has left a unique calling card: attached to the woman's neck is a poisonous snake.
Into this emotional cauldron steps the last man on earth Kate wants to see -- her estranged father, Frank, in Aberdeen to conduct the marine inquiry into the sinking. Was the disaster the result of a bomb, as claimed by the ferry-line's chairman, or is he trying to hide something? In a sweltering heatwave, Kate and Frank conduct their highly pressured investigations. But for both of them, danger is approaching fast -- a vortex of violence which will sweep them up and endanger their very lives’.
Traveller by Ron McLarty
I picked this book up in an airport after I had finished my holiday book and needed something for the journey home. I found myself getting sucked into this book and enjoyed the characterisations and general feel of the story very much. Apparently this author is an actor in America, though I can’t place him, and he has done a few books with mixed critical acclaim. I would recommend it for a quick read if you have nothing else on the go.
‘When Jono Riley receives a letter that a childhood friend, Marie, has died, the 50-something third-rate actor and bartender leaves New York to visit his hometown of Providence, R.I. His search for answers surrounding her death leads Riley on a long and winding trip through old memories to discover the person responsible.
Narrator-turned-author McLarty delivers a sophomore novel that is more than just a simple mystery. The suspense doesn't drive the story but rather Riley's recounting of his adolescent years from the death of his father to his return from Vietnam. These nostalgic flashbacks of street life in Providence in the 1960s capture certain universal aspects that all listeners can appreciate. McLarty voices this first-person story with all the adeptness one would expect from an experienced narrator and author. His vocal characterizations provide added presence to many of his colorful characters and he delivers exposition with great attention to detail. He shines best with emotional displays from Jono and the other characters.’
Although this series of books is aimed at the teen market I am such a fan of this author that I tend to get everything he has published. I enjoy his sense of humour and writing style and I feel comfortable with his world and characters. If you have any youngsters who are into fantasy literature you could do worse than buy this for them.
‘Something is coming after Tiffany...
Tiffany Aching is ready to begin her apprenticeship in magic. She expects spells and magic -- not chores and ill-tempered nanny goats! Surely there must be more to witchcraft than this!
What Tiffany doesn't know is that an insidious, disembodied creature is pursuing her. This time, neither Mistress Weatherwax (the greatest witch in the world) nor the fierce, six-inch-high Wee Free Men can protect her. In the end, it will take all of Tiffany's inner strength to save herself ... if it can be done at all.’
Exclusion Zone by John Nichol
I think we got this book from either a jumble sale or from a charity shop as it would not normally be a subject of choice. The author is one of the many ex-military types who have since retired from the services and have become very successful writers. He has the dubious reputation as one of the pilots that was shot down and paraded on Iraqi TV.
The story is what it is, a boys-own action story of daring do in the skies, and although some of it still has some Biggles elements it does have a good pace and the fight sequences have a good degree of tension and drama.
‘The Falklands, 1999 – a vital strategic stronghold in the South Atlantic, and a prize gem in the oil-rich Antarctic. For RAF pilot Sean Riever it is a place of ghosts. For Jane Clark, the only female in the squadron, a place of tough decisions.
An air of menace hangs over the desolate, battle-scarred landscape; present dangers and past mysteries lurk in the shadows on the skyline. And Sean’s compulsion to live up to a legendary hero leads him towards a woman whose loneliness matches his own.
Then a Royal Navy nuclear submarine disappears, and Argentine jet fighters penetrate the Exclusion Zone. As Sean and his companions stave off wave after wave of enemy attacks, their fight to protect the islands becomes an epic battle for survival – in which victory can only be achieved at a terrible price…’
I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Although I have not seen any of the various cinematic adaptations of this story, one can’t fail to be aware of the Will Smith extravaganza that is its latest incarnation. The original book is more of a short-story and consequently is rather thin on detail and as is often the case with older sci-fi it is quite dated. As there is only one main character it is quite problematic that he is not very likable, but I guess that is deliberate to support the stories ultimate conclusions.
‘Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth… …but he is not alone. Every other man, Woman, and child on Earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood.
By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilisation. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn.
How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?’
The Storm by Boris Starling
Another author I was previously unaware of though he has had success with his Messiah story that in turn spawned the TV series, which also passed me by. I am not a great fan of the crime genre so it was up against it from the start. The writing was very cinematic and it would probably do well on the small screen, but as a novel it lacked some subtly and was a little too contrived and extreme for my tastes.
‘Elemental rage, bloody Greek myth, man's greed and capacity for cruelty, the insane imaginings of a killer, all intermingle in this stunning new thriller from the bestselling author of Messiah to create a novel of stunning ferocity.
A storm-tossed crossing on the North Sea; a catastrophic ferry accident; hundreds dead. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Beauchamp is one of the survivors but her ferocious fight to stay alive brings with it a high cost: a burden of guilt that she should live while some of her friends died; a terror of water; a frozen inner core that never seems to melt. When the body of a young female journalist is found in Aberdeen soon after the disaster, Kate insists on conducting the investigation -- partly to exorcize her own demons, partly because she feels a strange affinity with the victim. The killing is peculiarly brutal and the murderer has left a unique calling card: attached to the woman's neck is a poisonous snake.
Into this emotional cauldron steps the last man on earth Kate wants to see -- her estranged father, Frank, in Aberdeen to conduct the marine inquiry into the sinking. Was the disaster the result of a bomb, as claimed by the ferry-line's chairman, or is he trying to hide something? In a sweltering heatwave, Kate and Frank conduct their highly pressured investigations. But for both of them, danger is approaching fast -- a vortex of violence which will sweep them up and endanger their very lives’.
Traveller by Ron McLarty
I picked this book up in an airport after I had finished my holiday book and needed something for the journey home. I found myself getting sucked into this book and enjoyed the characterisations and general feel of the story very much. Apparently this author is an actor in America, though I can’t place him, and he has done a few books with mixed critical acclaim. I would recommend it for a quick read if you have nothing else on the go.
‘When Jono Riley receives a letter that a childhood friend, Marie, has died, the 50-something third-rate actor and bartender leaves New York to visit his hometown of Providence, R.I. His search for answers surrounding her death leads Riley on a long and winding trip through old memories to discover the person responsible.
Narrator-turned-author McLarty delivers a sophomore novel that is more than just a simple mystery. The suspense doesn't drive the story but rather Riley's recounting of his adolescent years from the death of his father to his return from Vietnam. These nostalgic flashbacks of street life in Providence in the 1960s capture certain universal aspects that all listeners can appreciate. McLarty voices this first-person story with all the adeptness one would expect from an experienced narrator and author. His vocal characterizations provide added presence to many of his colorful characters and he delivers exposition with great attention to detail. He shines best with emotional displays from Jono and the other characters.’
Thursday, January 10, 2008
New Year Resolutions 2008…
The plan is that if I write my New Year resolutions down then perhaps I will do something about them.
Learn Guitar: I bought an acoustic guitar nearly two years ago and had planned to take lessons, but that never happened, so this year I want to rectify this and would like to be able to play at least one song by Christmas.
Continue Writing: I was discouraged by the rejection letters I received for my first story I submitted when we were in NZ. This year I want to re-work that children’s novel and have it submitted to different publishers here in the UK by Christmas and I also hope to start developing other ideas.
Do more Artwork: I would like to spend more time painting and drawing and I hope to have a picture done that is suitable for display in our lounge by the end of the year.
Exercise and Diet: We have been on a new diet for a couple of months now and it seems to be going quite well, so we want to continue with this and add more exercise to our daily life. I will try to have a walk each day, and get out into the countryside and out on the allotment more often as the weather improves.
The Garden: Now that we have a new shed and the space and equipment to grow our own plants I hope to develop the front garden by digging up the lawn, replacing it with a hard path between beds of home-grown English country garden flowers and installing a bench for us to sit and admire the view. This needs to be done by summertime along with developing the vegetable plot at the back of the rear garden and continuing with the development of the allotment.
Looking at these objectives now makes me worried about where I am going to get the all time as we already seem to be busy with other things. I guess it will mean I will also need to be more efficient with my time and try to avoid ‘wasting’ it with less productive activities such as watching TV.
I will let you know of my progress (or lack thereof) during the year.
Learn Guitar: I bought an acoustic guitar nearly two years ago and had planned to take lessons, but that never happened, so this year I want to rectify this and would like to be able to play at least one song by Christmas.
Continue Writing: I was discouraged by the rejection letters I received for my first story I submitted when we were in NZ. This year I want to re-work that children’s novel and have it submitted to different publishers here in the UK by Christmas and I also hope to start developing other ideas.
Do more Artwork: I would like to spend more time painting and drawing and I hope to have a picture done that is suitable for display in our lounge by the end of the year.
Exercise and Diet: We have been on a new diet for a couple of months now and it seems to be going quite well, so we want to continue with this and add more exercise to our daily life. I will try to have a walk each day, and get out into the countryside and out on the allotment more often as the weather improves.
The Garden: Now that we have a new shed and the space and equipment to grow our own plants I hope to develop the front garden by digging up the lawn, replacing it with a hard path between beds of home-grown English country garden flowers and installing a bench for us to sit and admire the view. This needs to be done by summertime along with developing the vegetable plot at the back of the rear garden and continuing with the development of the allotment.
Looking at these objectives now makes me worried about where I am going to get the all time as we already seem to be busy with other things. I guess it will mean I will also need to be more efficient with my time and try to avoid ‘wasting’ it with less productive activities such as watching TV.
I will let you know of my progress (or lack thereof) during the year.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Xmas and New Year…
We had a busy festive break focused on family and friends where we visited my Aunt and Uncle across Christmas and then hosted Sue’s family and our friends at our home. Jamie came down and spent a few days with us and also jetted off to Spain for a visit. We did manage to have a couple of days just to ourselves to relax and recover and to walk in the countryside but as usual it went all too quickly and we are now back into the work groove again, looking forward to our next break.
More of wot I have read…
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall-Smith
This was an interesting book mostly for the author’s ability to portray the characters voice in such a convincing way. I felt that I had been exposed to a culture and world that I knew little of in such a way that I believe I have now learned something about it and can better appreciate it. It is a short and gentle read that is sweet and witty that makes me want to read the rest of the books in the series. I first became aware of the author several years ago from his Scotland Road stories which are also quirky and interesting.
‘In this instalment of the charmingly entertaining adventures of Botswana’s premier female detective, it’s going to take all Precious Ramotswe’s intuition and eminent sensibility to crack her toughest case yet: the decade-old disappearance of an American on the edge of the Kalahari.
What’s more, she must attend to concerns closer to home: the promotion of her secretary Mma Makutsi to the dizzy heights of Assistant Detective; her impending marriage to the wonderful Mr J. L. B. Matekoni; the trouble caused by his unscrupulous maid; and the unexpected arrival of not one but two additions to the Matekoni family.’
Exit Music by Ian Rankin
This is the first book by this author that I have read as it was given to me by a colleague at work and would not necessarily have been my choice of reading material. It is also the last of the Rebus series which has been going for some time spawning a TV series which I have also managed to miss. As it was I found myself being drawn into the story and enjoying the detailed and lovingly portrayed description of the city as the engaging characters moved around it.
‘It's late autumn in Edinburgh and late autumn in the career of Detective Inspector John Rebus. As he tries to tie up some loose ends before retirement, a murder case intrudes. A dissident Russian poet has been found dead in what looks like a mugging gone wrong. By apparent coincidence a high-level delegation of Russian businessmen is in town, keen to bring business to Scotland. The politicians and bankers who run Edinburgh are determined that the case should be closed quickly and clinically.
But the further they dig, the more Rebus and his colleague DS Siobhan Clarke become convinced that they are dealing with something more than a random attack - especially after a particularly nasty second killing. Meantime, a brutal and premeditated assault on local gangster 'Big Ger' Cafferty sees Rebus in the frame. Has the Inspector taken a step too far in tying up those loose ends? Only a few days shy of the end to his long, inglorious career, will Rebus even make it that far?’
This was an interesting book mostly for the author’s ability to portray the characters voice in such a convincing way. I felt that I had been exposed to a culture and world that I knew little of in such a way that I believe I have now learned something about it and can better appreciate it. It is a short and gentle read that is sweet and witty that makes me want to read the rest of the books in the series. I first became aware of the author several years ago from his Scotland Road stories which are also quirky and interesting.
‘In this instalment of the charmingly entertaining adventures of Botswana’s premier female detective, it’s going to take all Precious Ramotswe’s intuition and eminent sensibility to crack her toughest case yet: the decade-old disappearance of an American on the edge of the Kalahari.
What’s more, she must attend to concerns closer to home: the promotion of her secretary Mma Makutsi to the dizzy heights of Assistant Detective; her impending marriage to the wonderful Mr J. L. B. Matekoni; the trouble caused by his unscrupulous maid; and the unexpected arrival of not one but two additions to the Matekoni family.’
Exit Music by Ian Rankin
This is the first book by this author that I have read as it was given to me by a colleague at work and would not necessarily have been my choice of reading material. It is also the last of the Rebus series which has been going for some time spawning a TV series which I have also managed to miss. As it was I found myself being drawn into the story and enjoying the detailed and lovingly portrayed description of the city as the engaging characters moved around it.
‘It's late autumn in Edinburgh and late autumn in the career of Detective Inspector John Rebus. As he tries to tie up some loose ends before retirement, a murder case intrudes. A dissident Russian poet has been found dead in what looks like a mugging gone wrong. By apparent coincidence a high-level delegation of Russian businessmen is in town, keen to bring business to Scotland. The politicians and bankers who run Edinburgh are determined that the case should be closed quickly and clinically.
But the further they dig, the more Rebus and his colleague DS Siobhan Clarke become convinced that they are dealing with something more than a random attack - especially after a particularly nasty second killing. Meantime, a brutal and premeditated assault on local gangster 'Big Ger' Cafferty sees Rebus in the frame. Has the Inspector taken a step too far in tying up those loose ends? Only a few days shy of the end to his long, inglorious career, will Rebus even make it that far?’
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A ruby with the lads…
Following my work’s do I had another outing. This time it was with a dozen guys from down the street. One of our neighbours arranged the gathering where we met at one of our locals for a quick drink before going on to the village curry house for a slap-up meal, some more drinks and a chance to meet and find out more about the other people in the street. It was a brilliant idea and we are all very keen to do this again and to expand it to a family get together with wives and kids too.
Mistletoe and wine…
We were a bit hesitant about going along to my company’s Christmas party as we had missed the one last year, the first after I joined the company, but we were pleasantly surprised. The food was very good for mass-catering and we were at a table of people that we knew from previous jobs for quite some time. It didn’t take much encouragement for Sue to get out onto the dance floor but it was much harder to convince her to take a break. The wine was not so great and on the expensive side and the room was just fine, but the cooked breakfast was an absolute necessity the following morning. The do was in a hotel near work and we had decided to stay over as it is a good distance from home and it would either be an expensive taxi ride or a boring and sober evening.
Shop till you drop…
Recently we took a day off work and went into our nearest large town to try and do all of our Christmas shopping in one hit. The day was pretty much a success with us getting near enough 90% of our presents sorted out. Just about everything else was bought via the internet. We have almost wrapped them all, have sent the overseas package to my family, written and posted most of the cards and have the decorations up around home. So we are nearly ready for the festive season.
More of wot I have read…
Stark by Ben Elton
In Ben Elton’s first novel the author lays out his stall for environmentalism from the stand point of a comfortably off middle class professional in the UK. As such many elements of the story have resonances with a reader of a similar background. I have read several of his books and find them entertaining and clever (apart from the tendency for the occasional ‘farty’ reference) and this was no exception.
“Stark has more money than God and the social conscience of a dog on a croquet lawn. What's more, they know the Earth is dying. Deep in Western Australia where the Aboriginals used to milk the trees, a planet-sized plot takes shape. Some green freaks pick up the scent. A Pommie Poseur, a brain-fried Vietnam Vet, Aboriginals who lost their land... …not much against a conspiracy that controls society. But EcoAction isn't in society; it just lives in the same place, along with the cockroaches. If you're facing the richest and most disgusting conspiracy in history, you have to do more than stick up two fingers and say 'peace'.”
In Ben Elton’s first novel the author lays out his stall for environmentalism from the stand point of a comfortably off middle class professional in the UK. As such many elements of the story have resonances with a reader of a similar background. I have read several of his books and find them entertaining and clever (apart from the tendency for the occasional ‘farty’ reference) and this was no exception.
“Stark has more money than God and the social conscience of a dog on a croquet lawn. What's more, they know the Earth is dying. Deep in Western Australia where the Aboriginals used to milk the trees, a planet-sized plot takes shape. Some green freaks pick up the scent. A Pommie Poseur, a brain-fried Vietnam Vet, Aboriginals who lost their land... …not much against a conspiracy that controls society. But EcoAction isn't in society; it just lives in the same place, along with the cockroaches. If you're facing the richest and most disgusting conspiracy in history, you have to do more than stick up two fingers and say 'peace'.”
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