Book Challenge Round-Up 2010

Here is the list of all the books I have read from the challenge this year. Of course, I would have liked it to be longer but there were too many other books which distracted me.

1. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll



2. Through the Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll



3. Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton



4. The Women in White - Wilkie Collins
   


5. Little Women - Louis May Alcott
   


6. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling
   


7. Call of the Wild - Jack London
   


8. The Strange Case of Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde - Robert Louis Stephenson
   


9. Cop Hater - Ed McBain



10. The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis *
    


11. Brave New World - Alduos Huxley
    


12. Rogue Moon - Algis Budrys
    


13. The Road - Cormac McCarthy
    


14. The Time Machine - H.G. Wells



15. The Island of Dr Moreau - H.G. Wells
    


16. War of the Worlds - H.G. Wells
    


17. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
    


18. The Reader - Benhardq Shlink
    


19. The Hound of the Baskervilles - Arthur Conan Doyle
    


20. The 39 Steps - John Buchan
    


21. The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie
    


22. The Secret Adversary - Agatha Christie
    


23. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie
    


24. The Talented Mr Ripley - Patricia Highsmith
    


25. The Tin Roof Blowdown - James Lee Burke
    


26. The Postman Always Rings Twice - James M Cain
    


27. The Long Goodbye - Raymond Chandler
    


28. And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
    


29. Sidetracked - Henning Mankell



30. Double Indemnity - James M Cain
    


31. Murder at the Vicarage - Agatha Christie
    


32. No Country for Old Men - Cormac McCarthy
    


33. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
    


34. A Quiet Belief in Angels - R.J Ellory



35. Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin
    


36. The Human Stain - Philip Roth
    


37. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
    


38. The Shining - Stephen King



39. The Sign of Four - Arthur Conan Doyle
    


40. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman *
    


41. Crome Yellow - Alduos Huxley
    


42. A Time to Kill - John Grisham
    


43. Scoop - Evelyn Waugh
    


44. The Diary of a Nobody - George Grossmith



45. Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding



46. The King of Torts - John Grisham

*These are collections and consist of more than one book.

Bridget and The King

As usual I jumped the gun. I assumed that as it was Christmas and we had the kids and the mother-in-law round that I wouldn't be getting any time for reading. How wrong I was. A quiet few hours yesterday and today allowed me to finish one book I was already two-thirds through and also start and finish another.

BOOK CHALLENGE 45/1000 (53)

Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding is a light read. It took just a couple of hours to get through this one as I have read it before. It is not hilarious but it does bring a smile to my face every few pages. I am not a fan of chick-lit books but this one is bearable. The film does stick very close to the book so if you've seen the film I wouldn't bother picking up the book. There really isn't much more in there.

BOOK CHALLENGE 46/1000 (54)

I actually started reading The King of Torts by John Grisham a few weeks ago but I got distracted and started reading others books. The Arsenal game on tv tonight gave me a couple of free hours to finish it. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous Grisham novel I had to read on the challenge. I guess because it's about mass litigation, a very American past-time, it didn't capture my imagination as much.

Let's see 3 days left and 4 books. I might reach that 50 book target after all. Now I wonder what the 4 shortest books in the challenge are!!

Eye for an Eye

I just occured to me that I haven't mentioned Clint's eye operation at all in this blog.

Clint has a condition which causes a steep curving of the cornea called Keratoconus (he keeps calling it Kerrykatona!!!) This condition cannot be corrected with glasses and although contact lenses was an option for a while, his eyes have deteriorated so much that surgery became necessary. After sitting on a NHS waiting list for nearly a year, his surgery date came through and in mid November he was admitted for a Corneal Graft. The operation involves removing a small circular piece of his cornea and replacing it with a donated cornea. The graft is smaller than a five pence piece and is held in place by micro-fine stitches. The stitches remain in place for around 6 months and even then, they might not remove all of them. Only one eye is done at a time.

This is major eye surgery and it will take up to 18 months for him to recover fully. He has not yet been able to return to work and when he does he will have to stay on light duties for a long time as he cannot risk a blow to the head (in his line of work, this is a big risk).

His recovery is going well and although the first few weeks were scary as we weren't properly informed what to expect, he is now more comfortable and less irritable. His sensitivity to light has improved and his eye is not watering constantly any more.

He is bored out of his mind though as he cannot do an awful lot while he recovers. Usually if you are off work sick you can watch tv or read a book while you rest but he can't do either of these things for long. I am just glad he is not taking his frustrations out on me or the kids otherwise he'd be at risk of a blow to the head from me.

Nobody's Diary Scoop

BOOK CHALLENGE 43/1000 (51)

The old book challenge has ground down to a halt with too many other things being juggled. This is probably my last two books of the year. I didn't maintain my average of two books a week from the challenge but, with my extra-curricular reading I have finished over a hundred books this year. With everything else I've had going on, this has been some achievement. Scoop by Evelyn Waugh was a hard book for me to read. This book is seriously dated. I am sure in it's day it was hilarious but I found myself tiring of it very quickly and reluctant to continue reading. The premise of the book revolves around mistaken identity. I could imagine this story being funny if it was produced visually but on paper I found myself rolling my eyes and sighing heavily. Another book that I can't imagine being anyone's favourite.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK CHALLENGE 44/1000 (52)

The Diary of Nobody by George Grossmith embodies situation comedy. I stormed through this book because it appealed to my sense of humour. I am the person that laughs when someone trips up or drops something. Some people are just naturally funny without trying and the main character in this book is endearingly naive and therefore, hilarious in my eyes. I am so glad to have found a novel in the comedy section of this challenge which I was actually able to chuckle at. I was beginning to think all the so-called comedy books were going to be a blow out.

Today is Boxing Day. I'm sure there won't be too much reading or writing between now and the New Year. Maybe I can feed everyone to excess so they all pass out on the sofa and I get a quiet couple of hours to myself.

The Year Things Broke - Part 2

This year has not been a particularly good one. I know everyone says that at some time or another but, for me, this year has sucked big time (I love Americanisms!)

Back in February, I joked that 2010 would be known as The Year Things Broke. Maybe I jinxed it or I have slight psychic abilities because either way, that is exactly how this year has been. Perhaps I should have named it The Year Things Died because between replacing broken appliances I have spent more than my fair share of time at funerals, too.

So what is 2011 going to bring us? I don't want to tempt fate but I am ready for whatever is thrown at me. After surviving all the heartaches this year, I am prepared for the worst.

We all want a better future, we live in this constant state of hoping that tomorrow will be better, next week things will be different, next year will be our year. Maybe we should be concentrating on making today a better day.

Yellow Killer

It's been a while since I updated my blog with details from my self-appointed reading challenge. There has been a very good reason for this - I haven't been reading! Well, that's not strictly true because I have been reading a hell of a lot, I just haven't been reading books.

As most people that read this blog will know, I have been writing a screenplay. I finished the first draft and a friend-of-a-friend who works in film production kindly read it and gave me some feedback. I was warned beforehand that S would be brutally honest, so I was pleasantly surprised when she told me to keep going. Her main criticism was my scene action so I have spent the last month or so fine-tuning according to her recommendations. I have read over a hundred scripts, dozens of books and scoured the net for help and guidance.

Every spare minute of every day is spent on my writing. At work I keep a little notebook open on my desk at all times so if something pops into my head I can jot it down before the thought is lost forever. A copy of my screenplay goes everywhere with me and I am often found sitting in my car on my lunchbreak, pages strewn across the seats, editing and improving. Stolen snippets of time, a few minutes here, an hour or two there, whenever I can. I would love to be able to just lock myself away and work on it full-time but I don't have that luxury. Maybe one day!

Anyway, inbetween all this creativity, I have managed to slip in a couple of books. I originally wanted to clear a hundred books this year but then quickly reduced it to fifty once I realised what a long old slog this challenge was going to be. Unless something major happens to scupper my plans, 50 books should be easily manageable.

BOOK CHALLENGE 41/1000 (49)

I started of the year with quite a few Sci-Fi books and so I chose Crome Yellow by Alduos Huxley thinking it would be in a similar ilk to Brave New World. I was wrong. If I had read a hard copy I probably would have realised from the cover that there would be nothing futuristic about this book. Alas, I had my trusty ebook version and was a fair few pages in before I started wondering what genre this novel was. Although it wasn't what I expected, I did quite enjoy it. I must admit there isn't much of a story or plot but the insight into the characters was interesting. The ending seemed a little stunted and sudden to me almost like the author had tired of it. I'm still left wondering how some of these books made this list. I can't really imagine this being anyone's favourite book.

BOOK CHALLENGE 42/1000 (50)

Aah, a much better choice this time, A Time to Kill by John Grisham. This is one of those authors I feel like I know but realise I have never actually read any of his books. There are so many film adaptations of his novels it hardly seemed necessary in a way. What an idiot I am! This is an incredible story and, although the film is good, the book is so much better. I loved everything about this book - the story, the characters, the setting, everything. I have renewed my love of crime fiction. I can't wait to read The King of Torts.

If anyone is interested in seeing the book list I have challenged myself to, or maybe even starting the challenge themselves, here is a link -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jan/23/bestbooks-fiction

I... I Still Love You

It's been a long ten years (ish) since I first saw Tom McRae live.

Of all the concerts I've seen over the years, from The Nolans to U2, Gin Blossoms to Michael Jackson, there is only one where I came away liking the support act more than the actual act I had bought the ticket for. That concert was Dido at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2000 and the support act was a singer/songwriter called Tom McRae.

This shy looking fellow crept on to the stage and, with just a guitar and a microphone, captivated the whole audience. Haunting lyrics and a soft melodic voice left me wanting more and hoping Dido would be suddenly taken ill or called away on urgent business so he could fill in for the rest of the night.

The next day I went out and hunted down his self-titled debut album and it has remained a firm favourite ever since. I admit I have not been the most loyal or dedicated fan. For a few years I lost track of what he was up to and although I kept up with the album releases, it wasn't until this year I actually got to see him live again. I managed to catch him earlier this year on his Alphabets of Hurricanes tour at the Scala, Kings Cross and again tonight back at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Tom's style has changed over the years. His earlier material was more dark and haunting and his later creations have a definite Americana influence but I love it all. Each song is a poem set to music and although I don't claim to be anywhere near intellectual enough to understand all his lyrics, I appreciate them for the little piece of art each one is.

His singles and albums may not have achieved the level of success in Britain which he would have hoped for but I have a deep respect for this artist who refuses to compromise his ideals by commercialising his songs to make them more radio friendly. When I listen to his albums I can understand why he doesn't receive much, if any, airplay in the UK. This is a hard artist to pigeon-hole into a genre. Although he is most often listed as a folk artist, I don't agree with this label at all. Recorded, most of his work is slow and moody but live is another story. As well as being an incredible songwriter, he is also a talented performer. With a live band his music is transformed. It is rockier, more energetic and more entertaining. He has a unique relationship with his fans and often cracks a lot of self-deprecating jokes while on stage. The humour and personality that we are lucky enough to witness at his live performance is not captured on his recordings and this is a shame. This is an artist who deserves all the fame and fortune the music industry has to offer. Unfortunately, it seems our music industry is more concerned with image and styling than actual talent.

You can find more information of Tom McRae at http://www.tommcrae.com/

More More More

I never thought I'd ever have anything to thank Simon Fuller for but without him there would have been no Daughtry! Well, that's not strictly true because I am sure Chris Daughtry would have made his way without Fuller's American Idol help but it probably would have taken longer for him to get established and for us to find him.

Chris Daughtry was a finalist in season 5 of American Idol. He didn't win, although I rooted for him from the start, but he did go straight out and form a band and start making great music. Two albums later, a couple of stints supporting bands like Bon Jovi and Nickelback and now a few dates headlining across Europe. Daughtry has come a long way in a relatively short space of time. Although I don't like the shotgun approach to celebrity that these reality shows provide, in this instance I feel it is justified.

Last night at KOKO, Camden was incredible. There is nothing better than seeing an artist truly humbled by an audience that knows all their lyrics. This band rocked our socks off. I can't wait to see them again next year (if they keep their promise).

It's been a heavy couple of days. Daughtry at KOKO, Camden yesterday and Tom McRae tonight. Which was better? It's hard to say. It would depend on your taste in music and how you rate a good concert. As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I have very eclectic tastes. I like almost every genre of music there is. This week we are going to three concerts; Daughtry (Rock), Tom McRae (Folk-ish!) and The Dualers (SKA). Each one different and special in its own right. I couldn't choose between them even if I wanted to.

Sad Times

The last couple of weeks have been very hard for me. I lost two old friends.

Strictly speaking I lost Gary and "Uncle" Lol years ago. Families drift and move away and we lost touch over twenty years ago. Now they are gone and that friendship can never be rekindled. That is what I have found so hard to deal with this week; two funerals seeing people I grew up with and loved like family. It has been a harsh reminder of all the things I miss from my childhood.

With all the social networking available nowadays, has maintaining or renewing friendships become any easier? Personally, I find it hard to communicate with friends and family I haven't seen or spoken to in a very long time. So much time has passed, new families have been made, new friendships forged. These people have become almost like strangers. The faces look familiar and they seem to know all this stuff about you but the connection is gone.

There are some people I have lost touch with over the years that I would love to become close with again. It all seems a little improbable though. Their lives are complete and there is little room for me to burrow my way in.

I have my own little family unit now as well and little time to make new friends or expand my social life. Work and home commitments fill the days and exhaustion takes the nights. The past is the past and I suppose I must lay it to rest. I often criticise my sisters for living in the past too much and yet lately I have found myself dwelling on my own history more and more. All these "what ifs" and "if onlys" race around my mind. I wouldn't necessarily want to change where I have ended up but I think I would have preferred a different journey.

It's Been a While

Wow, I didn't realise how long it's been since I blogged! Too many other things taking priority I guess. I can't even say I been doing anything really interesting. I've been writing a lot, of course. I've been working on the next draft of my screenplay. It's coming along but I still have a lot of rewriting to do. It's hard, in this house, to find the right environment to be creative. There always something happening and it's usually quite loud. (I just realised that line is from a Madness song!) Anyway between work and home I'm not left with a great deal of time. I'm plodding along as best I can and I'm hoping to have another draft ready for reading in a couple of weeks. I really want to get this one finished soon as I have already started planning out my next two projects.

October is going to be quite a busy month on the entertainment front. We have tickets to see Daughtry, Tom McRae and the Dualers. We're also going to Rumfest, all in the same week. That'll be our last few planned outings for this year. I guess it's time to settle down and start preparing for Christmas!

Any Dream Will Do

I have come to the conclusion today that I am having a serious, god's-honest-truth, mid-life crisis! Everyday at work is a struggle. Not because I can't do the job but because I don't want to. In the past two years my work load has more than doubled. I don't care about that. I like being busy, it makes the day go quicker. The problem is I am not happy in the workplace. It's not that I work for a shit company or for shit people (although I do), it's that I'm not happy. I am increasingly frustrated by the people that work around me and find myself snapping at the slightest little remark. It's not a good environment for me or for them.

I am paid well for what I do and I do it well (if I do say so myself) although lately I've been letting things slide. Everyday I toy with the idea of calling in sick before I grab my keys and head for the door. No-one should feel like that.

I'm sure it's all this hitting forty nonsense. I suddenly realised that I hadn't done anything I wanted to do. Then I realised I couldn't remember what it is I wanted to do anyway! I am feeling so lost. I want to change things but I don't know how to go about changing it or even how I want it to change. I think I just don't want to admit this is my life, that I am a complete failure.

The monotony of a Monday to Friday 9 to 5 job with no prospects and no rewards other than a monthly paycheck isn't anyone's dream, is it?

I don't want tedium and humdrum. I don't want to settle for what I've got. I want spontaneity and excitement. I want an adventure. I want surprises and laughter.

I also want flat abs and a rock hard butt. See, I do have a dream, after all!

Signs and Dust

BOOK CHALLENGE 39/1000 (45)

I found a little time to slip a few books in this week. The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle is nice and short and was cleared easily in a couple of lunch breaks. It's a typical Holmes story so you either love them or loathe them. I picked this one up because I have just recently watched the tv adaptation Sherlock which I loved and raved about to all that would listen.

BOOK CHALLENGE 40/1000 (48)

I have no method to the order I am reading these books in. I switch between genres and authors choosing whichever book lands in my path first. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials became my next target. Once again, the book list cheats a little because this is actually a trilogy (Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass) but it only counts as one! I bought these books years ago after hearing them mentioned on some tv show. At the time I was reading a lot of Dave Duncan (my favourite author) and, being fantasy novels, I was interested in reading them. They have become one of my favourite series and are the only fantasy novels I have ever convinced Clint to read. My copies are getting a little tatty, I might have to invest in a nice new set!

Well that's 40 down, 960 to go! If you've only just joined me in Blogdom, I made myself a challenge at the beginning of the year to read all 1000 books on the 2009 Daily Mail 1000 Novels You Must Read list. It's going to take me a while so bear with me!

Tap Dogs

The four of us went up town to see Tap Dogs last night. This is only the second time the kids have been to the theatre (pantomines don't count in my book). The first time was to see Footloose, also at the Novello. They loved it even though they had never seen the original film. I remember Ella stood on her seat at the end and wouldn't stop clapping.

For this one, I had to do some serious plotting to get Clint and the kids interested in a show they had never heard of. A sneaky purchase from Ebay of the film Bootmen, a couple of carefully chosen video posts on Facebook and I finally had my way. What really sold it was the fact it was Kid's week in the West End and so we only had to pay for the adult tickets!

For those that aren't familiar with Tap Dogs, I'll give a little background. This Australian show has been running in one format or another for 15 years in over 250 cities worldwide. As you might have guessed from the name, it is a Tap show. But wait - there isn't a top hat or a silver capped cane in sight. Think hobnail boots, steel girders, grinders, drums and sweat, lots and lots of sweat. 42nd Street this ain't! This is manly tap dancing. There is nothing camp at all about this show. If you loved Stomp, you'll love Tap Dogs. For the ladies, of course, it helps that Adam Garcia has been appearing in the latest run in London!

I'll admit that Adam Garcia may have been the main reason I wanted to go originally but it was the video clips on the Tap Dogs website that convinced me to actually buy the tickets. On the night, it was actually young Jesse Rasmussen that stood out. We all loved Rat.

There is so much more I could say but I won't because Clint will be reading this at some point!

Tap Dogs is appearing at the Novello Theatre until 5th Sept. It then moves on to Sydney, Australia.

Farms and Hotels

BOOK CHALLENGE 37/1000 (43)

It's been a slow couple of months on the reading front and I'm only just getting back into it. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is now completed. As usual I didn't read any blurb about the book before I started and maybe, on this occasion, I should have. I was happily half way through the book before I realised it wasn't the period piece I thought it was! It was only when there was mention of telephones and televisions that I began to wonder when exactly this story was supposed to be set. It confused the hell out of me. I enjoyed it anyway. Although this is in the "comedy" section of the book list I wouldn't describe it as a funny book. It is pleasant enough but not hilarious.

BOOK CHALLENGE 38/1000 (44)

In complete contrast Stephen King's The Shining became book number 38. It is a book I've read before although not for over 20 years! I remember enjoying the first time round but this time I found it really hard to get through. My tastes have changed over the years more than I thought. I thought it dragged on way too long.

I am so far behind now that there is little chance of clearing the 100 books I wanted to by the end of the year. At this rate I'll be lucky to clear fifty!

More Tales

BOOK CHALLENGE 35/1000 (41)

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin is one of my all time favourite books. I was very pleased to see this on the list as I was long overdue to read this again. Set in 1970's San Francisco amid the vibrant Gay scene, it centres around the characters living in an apartment complex owned by an eccentric landlady. I love all the characters in this series even the nasty ones. They are struggling to find their way, juggling who they are with the person they want to be. I can identify with that.

BOOK CHALLENGE 36/1000 (42)

The Human Stain by Philip Roth is a first time read for me. Another book I had never heard of but am very glad to have met. There is a quirky rhythm to this book. The author makes a short statement and then goes on the explain it in great detail. It has kind of a one step forward, two steps back kind of pace. I liked it though. It was different. I'm looking forward the reading the other book on the list by this author.

Coincidentally both these books had characters who had achieved success by pretending to be a different colour. In Tales of the City a struggling model uses drugs and achieves success as a black model whilst in Human Stain the main character is a pale skinned black man who passes as a white man for years in a racist society. Neither character was happy with their deception and I suppose there is a moral there somewhere that achieving your dream through lies is not a good thing.

The reading task has not been going too well recently. I have been focusing on other things. There has been housework to do and films to watch. I spent a lot of my spare time working on my script which is now finished. It's now time to get back to the printed page and lose myself in the fiction.

Things Look Better in the Dark

Everything has been put on hold the last few weeks while I have been obsessed with finishing my screenplay. I have done little else and I have neglected everything. I think Clint is relieved I've finished it too because I now have time to do some housework. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I was so impressed with the end result and for actually finishing it that I gave a copy to a friend at work who has passed it on to a producer friend of hers. It's been in her hands for a little over a week and I am now terrified of hearing what she has to say. I am seriously regretting letting her see it.

I keep telling myself that I don't really care what she thinks because the intention was only to get this little idea out of my head and down on paper. But the truth is, it does matter. I have worked long and hard on this project. It is my baby. I know that she will give her honest opinion based on her professional experience but I'm not sure I am quite ready for that level of honesty. I'm not sure the truth is what I need right now.

SKA Rules

A few years ago, while shopping in Kingston, we stopped to watch some buskers doing their bit outside the Bentall shopping centre. Usually we give a couple of quid to the kids to throw in the hat and hurry on our way but this particular day we all stood and watched the act for quite a while and even bought a couple of CDs.

Kingston has quite a few regular buskers and a couple of them stand out from the rest. One is a band called the Huckleberries who play traditional Irish folk tunes and the other is a couple of brothers called The Dualers who play old skool SKA.

Simon and Tyber Cranstoun better known as The Dualers have a kind of infectious enthusiasm that radiates out across the crowd. And they draw a big crowd each and every time I've seen them. Whether they are singing covers or their own material, it doesn't matter because they put the same amount of energy into every track they perform.

Over the years they have played clubs and festivals, released singles and albums (with limited success), supported Madness and UB40. Last week we went to see them play at the Indigo rooms at the O2. Seeing them play with a full band is a totally different experience to seeing just the brothers out on the street. It was a real party night filled with a selection of vintage and contemporary. Their love for their music and their appreciation to their fans is undeniable. These boys are not pretentious or arrogant. They seem genuinely surprised and humbled that they can sell out a venue like Indigo2. I like that!

The Dualers continue to take their act out on the streets as well as playing their regular club night called Ska-bida at The Amersham Arms, SE14. They also have some largers gigs lined up including an October date at Kingsmeadow, Kingston which we will be getting a large group of friends together for. They are even back at Indigo2 next April. Not too shabby for a couple of Croydon lads!

More information on The Dualers can be found at http://www.thedualers.com/

Eighties Child

Okay, I'm actually a seventies child but the eighties is my comfort zone. My teenage years were some of the best and some of the worst I can remember. I had great friends and great plans. Too bad I didn't hang on to either of them!

I am enjoying a quiet night in. Clint is at work, the kids are at their mum's, the housework can wait. I have a glass of Rum & Diet in one hand and the DVD remote in the other. It's time to get lost in some eighties nostalgia. I have rifled through the DVD collection and lined up a few eighties classics to keep me entertained this evening. Footloose, Flashdance and Lost Boys.

For me, eighties films were all about the music. It was the decade of music and dance. The storylines didn't have to be thought provoking or inspiring. They just had to fit well with the music. Watching these films again, it's hard to tell what came first, the screenplay or the soundtrack. Nearly thirty years on, when I hear one of these tracks on the radio, the scene from the film plays in my head and a smile appears on my face.

The Lost Boys soundtrack is usually one of the first albums to be uploaded onto any music player in this house. It is still my favourite and probably the least embarrasing when you pull up at traffic lights with the windows wound down.

Finishing What I Started

It's been an interesting couple of weeks to say the least. Plenty of upsets and drama. Talking of dramas, I have very nearly finished the screenplay I have been working on. It had been put on the back burner for a while but I was suddenly inspired to continue. Obsessing over it at every spare minute for the last fortnight has paid off and it is almost there. For the first time ever I am actually going to finish something I started! I still have a fair bit of editing and rewriting to do but essentially all the scenes are laid out. I even took a big chance and asked a friend to look it over and give me her opinion. The feedback was positive and has given me the boost I needed to continue. I'm even going to let Clint read it.

I don't have any illusions that my little story will be appearing at a Vue Cinema near you any time soon. Just the fact that I finished it and am proud of it is enough for me. I have a friend of a friend that works in film production but whether I'll be confident enough for her to see it, I don't know yet. I think I'd better just concentrate on one hurdle at a time.

The Twilight Saga - Eclipse

It is not a secret that I am a big fan of all things supernatural, from Vampires to Werewolves, Witches to Dragons, I like it all. In all it's media forms - films, books and art, I have a fascination with all things mythical.

SPOILER ALERT

This week saw the premiere of the latest film in the Twilight series, Eclipse and I have already seen it twice. First at a special midnight showing and then a few hours later with my ten year old stepdaughter. I love the audiences at these films. The fans are called Twihards for a reason. They are so serious. The funniest thing at the midnight showing was when the gay guy behind me shouted out "You Bitch" when Bella accepted Edward's marriage proposal! It was hilarious.

There is a lot of Vampire literature out there, book stores are full of it. Stephenie Meyer's series is not the best or even the most original but it is the most popular at the moment and the films are a phenomenal success. Let's be brutally honest, it is all a little twee and sugar-coated though, even for teen fiction.

I am a fan but I am still able to remain objective, unlike some. I was looking forward to the latest film as Eclipse is my favourite book of the series. The love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob intensifies but more importantly Victoria returns with her army of newborn vampires. As the Twilight saga progresses there are potentially bigger and better action sequences. Twilight - the showdown in the ballet studio with Edward and James. New Moon -introducing the wolves and the Volturi. Eclipse - the battle with Victoria's Newborn army. Breaking Dawn - the war with the Volturi. I understand that filmmakers aren't able to keep everything from the books in the film but I saw a serious flaw in David Slade's interpretation. In all the books, we are told again and again how hard it is to kill a vampire. They are incredibly strong and fast and almost impossible to hurt or maim. The only way to kill them and keep them dead is to tear them apart and burn the pieces. Catherine Hardwick's portrayal of this in the first film was totally consistent with the books and the lore Stephenie Meyer had created. Chris Weitz's interpretation of the Wolves and the Volturi in New Moon was excellent. However, in this third film it seems the vampires are now able to be killed by single blows to the head! Instead of limbs being torn they appeared to be snapped with glass shattering sound effects and visuals which looked like silver painted polystyrene! I appreciate that they are targetting a young audience and were aiming for a 12A certificate or similar but WTF!

I left the midnight showing feeling seriously disappointed but then thought maybe it's just me. All the waiting, hype and expectation might have clouded my judgement. However, the second viewing did nothing to allay my feelings. In fact I saw lots more to criticise. A word to the wise Mr Slade, extreme close ups on actors wearing an inch of make up and a bad wig is not a good look. It might be okay when it transfers to DVD but on a cinema screen you can see every clogged pore and hair root! In general the hair and make up on this film is awful. The wigs are obvious and instead of the vampires being drop dead gorgeous they all looked sick and grungy. Poor Esme (Elizabeth Reaser) looked positively bizarre in all her scenes like she was in constant shock. The wolves in their human form looked just human instead of pumped. Even the general lighting seemed wrong with Forks being sunny and bright instead of grey and wet.

I hope Bill Condon does a better job with Breaking Dawn.

Handmaids and Angels

BOOK CHALLENGE 33/1000 (39)

I had a little revert back to Science Fiction this week - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I broke my rule by reading the blurb on the back cover first and I really didn't think I would enjoy it at all. It just goes to show that you can't read a book by it's cover because I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I was pulled in immediately. I especially liked the open ending so the reader is left to imagine what happened to Offred much as she had imagined what had become of her friends and loved ones.

BOOK CHALLENGE 34/1000 (40)

I'll admit I struggled to get into this next book - A Quiet Belief in Angels by RJ Ellory. Another crime novel so it should have been right up my alley, but no. This one was hard to get into. I really didn't like the writing style at all. One of the pleasures in reading is being drawn into the story using your imagination to create faces for the characters etc but this author doesn't leave any room for interpretation. Far too much superfluous description and flowerly prose for my liking.

The book challenge hasn't been continuing too well lately. I've had a lot going on at work and at home. I've found it hard to escape into a book when I am just a little overwhelmed with my reality right now.

Compromise Is Not An Option.

I am a firm believer that every person is born with a natural talent. Discovering your hidden talent is the key to success and happiness in this life. It will bring you peace and contentedness. Not only is it something you are effortlessly good at, it will be something you never tire of doing. Not necessarily a job, more a vocation, a calling. It may not be something you earn a living from but it will be something you love. Finding this talent does not come easy to all people. Some people find it early some, like me, are still searching.

I had dreams once. I had many dreams. I had ambition and drive. I'm a Capricorn I supposed to be ambitious!

At what point did my dreams get dashed. (Did I just use the word dashed?!?) When did I stop believing in myself and start believing what other people told me? When did I lose that fearlessness, that self-belief and confidence that everyone has when they're young. Did I ever really have it!

Looking back I think I was always a submissive person. I gave in and gave up far too easily. To avoid confrontation I would compromise too soon. I believed too readily opinions I now know were born from jealousy and bitterness. Basically I was a push over. I was always too afraid to speak up or put my foot down. I became the person people wanted me to be instead of the one I dreamt of being. Even when I got married I let my husband dictate where I went and what I wore. I was so completely brain-washed by the time I got divorved, I couldn't even remember what colours I liked or what my favourite food was. I was so scared of disappointing anyone I didn't realise the only person I was letting down was myself.

Today, I am as different from that shy little girl as one can be. I have travelled to the other end of the spectrum. I have become hard and unforgiving. I alienate people not because I want to be alone but because I will not compromise on my ideals. I don't care if I upset people with the truth. I don't even care if no-one likes me. I am obnoxiously judgemental and self-righteous. I finally realised that I spent too long considering other people's feelings and foregoing my own. I see no point in pretending to be who I am not anymore. Of course, the person I am now isn't the real me either. This is just the healing stage I am going through on my way to recovery. I am having to be selfish and stubborn to try and win back the control I gave away too easily.

The truth is I don't like myself now any more than I liked myself back then. Someday soon I hope I can relax my defences a little but until then the bitch is here to stay.

I am not any closer to finding my dreams but I am a lot closer to finding the real me. I just hope I like her when she gets here.

Old Ladies and Old Men

BOOK CHALLENGE 31/1000 (37)

Well, I'm seriously behind schedule now because I was seriously distracted by other things and other books. It's week 20 so I should have read around 40 books from the list. Never mind, I'm sure I'll catch up. The summer is coming and I am determined to get out there and tan my pasty white legs. Sunbathing and reading go hand in hand for me so roll on sunshine!
Anyway, I did manage to slip Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie into my busy schedule. This was the last Christie book on the list and probably my least favourite. I am not a great fan of Miss Marple either on the page or on the screen but I could see why this one was chosen. As usual I didn't have a clue who the murderer was until it was revealed.

BOOK CHALLENGE 32/1000 (38)

Along with all the books I have uploaded onto my ebook reader, I have a little stack of books from the library. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy was at the top of the pile. The author doesn't use any speech marks in his writing which takes a little getting used to. I thought this was peculiar when reading The Road and quite wrongly assumed that it was specific to that book. This book alternates between first person and third person narration and there is a marked difference in language and style between the two. (Unlike The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger which I read a few weeks back). Of the two McCarthy books on the list, I preferred this one.

Eyes Filled Up With Blue

I drove all the way to Bristol this evening to see Jace Everett and I dragged C along with me. (Not exactly kicking and screaming but not far off it). For those people who haven't heard of Jace Everett, he's best known for the song "Bad Things" (Main Theme to the vampire series True Blood).

The venue, St Bonaventure's Club, is a tiny little place barely big enough to hold 200 people. It reminded me of the working men's clubs my dad used to take us to as kids. It smelled similar and had the same chairs and decor too! It definitely wasn't the kind of place I expected and I actually felt a little embarrassed to be there. However, all was forgiven as soon as Jace stepped on stage with his best friend Dan Cohen and started playing.

I'll admit that I had never heard of Jace before I started watching True Blood. I loved the theme song immediately but just assumed it was a one off made for the show. It wasn't until I was having a random scoot on You Tube a few weeks ago that I came across a few more tracks and his spoof documentary entitled "How to Become an Overnight Sensation".

This is not your typical Country artist. It is not all twang and heartaches. There are some definite "Heart" songs on his albums but it's the bluesier, darker tracks I prefer like Bad Things, The Angel Loves The Devil Out of Me, Damned if I Do and Possession. They have a deep raunchy sound that just makes me quiver! Thankfully he performed all of these and loads more. I know his earlier shows included a full band but I didn't feel we missed out at all only having Jace and Dan. It suited the intimate setting perfectly. A quick word about Dan Cohen - Man that boy can play!

In my usual fashion I came late to the party. By the time I found out he was in the UK touring, he had already performed his London dates. Hence the long drive to Bristol. Was it worth the five hour round trip? Abso-effing-lutely!

Some singers aren't as good live. Jace Everett was better with bells on.

A Trip to the Country

I've mentioned before that I have a very eclectic music collection. I listen to different artists depending on my mood or activity. I like stuff you can sing along to or that tell a story. I hold singers that write their own songs above all other artists. That's probably why I listen to a lot of Country Music.

It's not easy to live in Britain and like Country Music. We don't have any Country Radio stations or Country Music TV Channels any more. Thankfully a lot of American Country stations stream live on the internet but it's not always the most convenient way to listen.

C wasn't into any country music until we went to Florida together. I don't think he'd even heard of Garth Brooks! Local Radio out there introduced us to Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Sugarland and loads more. He came home a fan.

Very few Country artists tour in the UK and when they do it's not always well promoted. That said, we went to Glasgow last November to see Toby Keith. We could have seen him in Hammersmith but we fancied making a weekend of it, plus I prefer smaller venues. Toby was absolutely brilliant. C was especially impressed that he sounded just as good if not better than the CD! That's another reason I like Country artists. They earn their record contracts. They learn their trade in clubs and bars long before ever seeing the inside of a recording studio.

Next week we're going to Bristol to see Jace Everett. He's a recent addition to my CD collection and by chance he's touring Europe at the moment. I missed out on the London dates so a 2 hour drive to Bristol it is. In June we're at Shepherd's Bush to see Brad Paisley.

Apparently it's not that hard to find Country Music in the UK after all.

Crime Fighting

BOOK CHALLENGE 29/1000 (35)
The book challenge continues on at a steady pace. Sidetracked by Henning Mankell became book number twenty-nine. A new author for me but one I will pick up again when I get the chance. I've been so used to reading American or British crime novels, this was a pleasant change.

BOOK CHALLENGE 30/1000 (36)
Double Indemnity by James M Cain was also read this week. I wasn't overly impressed by the other Cain book on the list. This one did nothing for me either. It's only redeeming point was it is short. Based on reading two of his books, I am guessing that he had a very low opinion of women. Not my cup of tea at all.

I'm having a little break for a couple of weeks. I wanted to read a few of the books I've bought recently that aren't on the list plus I've been trying to make my way through all Laurel Hamilton's Anita Blake series.

No News is Good News

I haven't found anything much to blog about lately. Most of my entries on this blog have been about the reading challenge I set myself at the beginning of the year. I haven't even found the need to update my other blog, the angry one. Everything has been moving along at its usual subdued pace. Plod plod plod. Work, home, work, home. Same old, same old.

I wanted 2010 to be a better year. I had reached 40 and had a light bulb moment. I was going to do more with my life. Unfortunately, I didn't quite decide what that meant. So five months in and I haven't done a lot to overhaul my life. I set myself the reading challenge to improve my brain, I have started a fitness programme to improve my body and I have organised a few nights out to improve my spirit. Is this enough? Much of what I would like to do involves spending money we haven't got at the moment. So, a lot of ideas I have will have to wait until we are in a better position financially.

Until then I will just have to continue plodding along.

Just for Laughs

D said, "Would you like to come on my sister's Hen Night?" "Sure," I said.

I must remember next time to check whether things are fancy dress before I open my mouth and say yes. I never liked the 80's when I lived them. The most I followed fashion back then was a pair of ski pants and a tube of blue mascara. I never wore leg warmers or neon. I didn't own a ra-ra skirt or fingerless gloves. I thought it was terrible back then and as you can see from the photo, it still looks terrible.

We went to The Comedy Tree in Putney and although the place stank really really bad (problems with the drains by the smell of it), the comedians didn't. I laughed my arse off.

Postmen, Private Dicks and Little Soldiers.

Plenty of reading has been done this week as C is on nights and this always gives me loads of time with my books without being frowned on. Plus the weather has been fine so the opportunity to sit out at lunchtimes and read has also been there.

BOOK CHALLENGE 26/1000 (32)
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M Cain was ticked off in one evening. It is only just over a hundred pages so this was an easy one to get through. Simple but engrossing. I still don't know what a postman has got to do with it, though! I might have to Google it. I was surprised by how raunchy this book was considering how old it is.

BOOK CHALLENGE 27/1000 (33)
The next title I chose was not so easy to get through. The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler is a Philip Marlowe, Private Dick classic. The story was good but most of the plotline was a little predictable. Maybe because so many books and films since have copied the format. A good read but a bit to drawn out for my liking. I must admit I don't like the Marlowe character at all. He is a dick in more ways than one!

BOOK CHALLENGE 28/1000 (34)
Okay, I've changed my mind, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is officially my favourite Christie novel. This book I could not put down. I started it when I got in from work and did not go to bed until I had finished it. I can't remember the last time I did that. I still have one more Christie novel to read but I know the last one is a Miss Marple and she's not one of my favourite characters.

So far many of the books I have been reading on this challenge have been made into films. It hasn't mattered whether I have seen the film or TV adaptation because, as we all know, the book is generally better anyway. With the Agatha Christie books in particular I have been fortunate to have not remembered the films anyway. I am not sure I would have enjoyed the books as much if the Whodunit element had been spoilt.

No Fly Zone

The world has been in turmoil due to the Icelandic Volcano eruption. Hundreds of thousands of people stranded, trying desperately to get home. Everyone seems to know someone who has been affected. Either they were abroad and can't get home or they had flights booked and couldn't get away.

Living and working near Heathrow we are actually enjoying the No-Fly zone. The air is cleaner, the traffic is lighter and the area is quieter. With the nicer weather we've had the last few days we've all been a little spoilt.

At work today we watched out the window as test flights flew overhead. The planes were too high up to hear but their white trails defaced the otherwise picture-perfect sky. I suppose it's only a matter of time before everything gets back to normal. Soon our windows will be rattling, our washing will come in off the line dirtier than when it went out and we'll be sitting with the tv remote glued to our hand as we constantly adjust the volume in sync with the flight schedule.

The last few days have been like stepping back in time. I know the airlines are suffering but I can't say I'll be happy when the skies are filled with planes again.

The Crime Spree Continues

Despite everything else that's going on at the moment, I am still finding time to read.

BOOK CHALLENGE 23/1000 (29)

The library provided number 23, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. My favourite Christie novel so far. Although some of her books might seem a bit dated to some people, I enjoy them. They are easy to read and follow. The characters are interesting and you are always kept guessing right up the end. SPOILER ALERT The butler still didn't do it!

BOOK CHALLENGE 24/1000 (30)
A little break away from Christie for a while but still in the Crime genre, The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith became book 24. I know I have seen the film adaptation but it was a long time ago and I couldn't remember much detail. I did feel that the Ripley character is more creepy in the book, though.


BOOK CHALLENGE 25/1000 (31)
Of all the books I have read so far, The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke is the one I have enjoyed the most. It is set during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and describes in detail the hardship the people of New Orleans had to endure. James Lee Burke interweaves his story with real events perfectly. I will definitely be seeking out more of this author's work.

According to the calendar, we are in week 15 of 2010. Ideally I should be on book thirty but I am running a little behind. I am not too worried though. Hopefully we will have a good summer and I will be able to catch up while catching a few rays. If I clear a hundred books from the list this year I'll be more than satisfied.

Get On With It

Isn't it funny how whenever life knocks us down, we just get up, brush ourselves off and carry on. The alternative, of course, is to curl up in a ball and die.

Life is a little like a patchwork quilt, lots of different colours and textures all sewn together to make the whole. There may be shades of corduroy and polyester you don't particularly like but you need them to join together the silks and satins. Have I lost you all in my analogy, yet?

What I'm trying to say is that we are a resilient bunch. We happily slip from the banal to the sublime without batting an eyelid. My week has seen me mourning at a funeral one day, then cheering at a concert the next. My life is a series of lows and highs pretty much like everyone elses. Naturally, I would like to have a few more highs in my life (of the drug-free variety, of course) but I am sure good things don't come to those who wait, they come to those who go out and grab them.

For far too long I have been a waiter, content to sit back and take whatever life throws at me, dealing with each new trial as and when it happens. I haven't been living my life, I've been surviving it, tolerating it - wasting it.

I saw hitting forty as my youth coming to an end. I thought that my chance to do stuff was over. I thought, that's it. It's too late to change direction. I've made my bed.

The truth is I'm only half way through my working life. I've still got plenty of years ahead of me. There is nothing stopping me. Time has not run out. My life is far from over.

Now I just need to decide what I want to do!

Robsessed

At the age of forty it's hard to think back to what I was like at nine (nearly ten!). There are photos, of course, which show what I looked like but there's nothing from that time to remind me what I dreamt about. The reason I'm thinking about this now is because of a recent conversation with my nine (soon to be ten) year old step daughter.

She has a major crush on Robert Pattinson. I blame myself, if I hadn't twisted her arm to watch Twilight she would have still been playing with Barbie dolls. It's all my fault. I ruined her. Our sweet little innocent girl is growing up too fast. She actually sighed when he walked on screen in New Moon. I can't even say it's a "Edward" thing. She had the same reaction when we went to see Remember Me, last Friday. Oh, and the look she gave me when I said he looks like he needs a good scrub!

Being just nine (practically ten) she doesn't quite understand how big the world is or how many people there are in it. She thinks that if we drive around Barnes for a while we're bound to bump into him visiting his parents or if we go to a few open mic nights, he's bound to walk in with his guitar. She has no concept of distance, time or money. If she had her way I would be chauffeuring her all over the country in search of him.

I would do anything within my power and pocket for my stepkids but I am not going to stalk some poor lad just to make her happy!

I don't remember being fascinated with anyone when I was her age. Maybe I was just a late starter. My obsessions came much later and now when I look back at the heartthrobs I drooled over, I wonder what the hell was I thinking. I wonder if she'll think the same in a few years time.

The Butler Did It

BOOK CHALLENGE 21/1000 (27)

Actually so far the butler hasn't done it! I'm still on my crime spree (reading wise). The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie is now ticked off the list. I didn't know this was Christie's first published novel whilst I was reading it. I have tried not to look up anything on the novels until after I have read them just in case it puts me off. I haven't checked the blurb on the back covers either. Agatha Christie was always a favourite of my Mum's. Although I don't specifically remember her reading the books, she was always keen to watch the tv series and specials. I always used to think that Agatha Christie was for women and Arthur Conan Doyle was for men. Having read both authors recently, I still believe this to be true.

BOOK CHALLENGE 22/1000 (28)

Five novels by this author made it onto the list which shows how loved and respected she is. The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie seemed very familiar as I was reading it. At first I thought maybe I had read this before or seen a TV adaptation. It took me a while to realise that I was seeing similarities to The 39 Steps by John Buchan. I think it was the whole innocent people caught up in a conspiracy thing. Other than that there is no comparison. The Secret Adversary, in my opinion, is much better. I forgot that not all her books involved either Poirot or Miss Marple. I loved the Tuppence and Tommy characters.

The local library has proved a better source of supplies than I initially thought. First impressions were that there was a lot of floor space and not a lot of shelf space! I.e. Not of lot of books in a place that has Library on the door. However, although they don't have a huge range, they do have a lot of the books I need. Those they don't have can be reserved from other libraries in the borough and I have now learnt that if my borough doesn't have a book I want, they can often borrow it from another area! I am impressed. The last time I had a library card, if they didn't have it on the shelf you couldn't have it.

Remember Me

My nearly ten year old stepdaughter is a big fan of Robert Pattinson and Twilight (Okay I corrupted her!) Being the excellent Stepmum I am, I took her to see Remember Me today. In all honesty I didn't know very much about the film. I'd seen the advert a couple of times but that was it.

SPOILER ALERT

In spite of all the hype around Rob Pattinson and everything he's associated with, I hadn't heard anything about the end of the film. I was expecting a love story and a happy ever after ending. I did not know about the tie in with 9/11.

E was only one when 9/11 happened, she'd never even heard of the Twin Towers. The film ending confused her and I had to explain what happened in New York back in 2001. Nine years. It doesn't seem like that long ago. As I started to describe what had happened that day and my experience of watching all the events on the news I got really upset. I don't think E could really understand why I was crying over something that happened half way round the world to people I'd never met. To be honest I don't quite understand it myself. Just talking to her about it brought back all the feelings I felt at the time.

I actually visited New York a couple of years after. Anyone who has ever been there will know how noisy it is. It is a vibrant city with lots of traffic. Drivers honk their horns for no reason at all times of night and day. Around Ground Zero it was eerily quiet though. Even though there was nothing much to see except foundations and the fence, there was still an aura of sadness and deep respect.

I guess 9/11 was one of those historic moments where everyone will remember where they were and what they were doing at the time they heard the news. Remember Me was such an apt title for the film for many reasons.

My Sunshine State

Have you ever been somewhere and felt like you'd been there before even though you knew you hadn't? Have you ever visited somewhere for the first time and instantly felt that you belong?

For me, that place is Florida and I can't wait to go home.

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can

Nothing much has been happening around here. C has been on nights which gave me plenty of opportunity to do some reading without being frowned on. I'm probably giving the impression that I do nothing except read all day. Of course, that's not true. Let's see, there's 168 hours in a week... 60 hours working or travelling to and from work, 50 hours sleeping, 14 hours for cooking and housework, 4 hours football duties, that leaves 40 hours a week for me. I have no idea where this time goes. I guess most of it I waste sitting on my arse thinking about what I should be doing. For some of it, I read.

BOOK CHALLENGE 19/1000 (25)
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle became book 19. I read this book years ago along with a load of other Sherlock Holmes stories. Although I remembered the gist of the story, I was a fair bit in when I remembered who the murderer was. That was okay though because it was still interesting to read it to the end to find out all the details. If I had the time I would pull a few more Holmes books and read them too. I haven't watched Sherlock Holmes on the TV in years but it was Jeremy Brett who I pictured in my head whilst reading. It's strange how you can picture a character one way until you see a dramatisation and then you'll always picture that actor's face forever more.

BOOK CHALLENGE 20/1000 (26)
I decided to stick with the crime novels for a while. The 39 Steps by John Buchan was cleared next. I know I've seen the film but I didn't remember any of it so this one wasn't spoilt at all. Besides, it's not really a whodunit so it wouldn't have mattered. I am beginning to wonder what the criteria was for the Guardian's list though. Not all of the books I've read so far have been amazingly good. This one, for instance, isn't among the best books I've ever read. It is a classic but is that enough for it to have been chosen!

In between reading books from the challenge I've started reading the Anita Blake series by Laurel K Hamilton. I have discovered I have a penchant for vampires. I've read Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga. Looking through our DVD collection we also seem to have quite a few vampire films, Blade Trilogy, Underworld trilogy, Lost Boys etc. I never realised before. I guess it's easy to see connections when you're looking for them.

Sci-Fi Overload

I knew it was all going too well. I was on schedule, averaging two books a week. I don't know what happened. The house took priority for a week or so and then I just had so much trouble trying to get into a book. I started reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons and then The Female Man by Joanna Russ but I just couldn't get on with them. I had obviously reached my Sci-Fi limit. I tried to persevere and at least finish the two books I had started but it was no good. I needed a break. Not a break from reading, just a break from science fiction.

I haven't been a member of a library since I was a kid. I sort of forgot they existed. I have so many books myself and almost everything else is accessible via the Internet so I didn't have much use for one. Until now. A thousand books is a large number of books to source. I have managed to source about two hundred so far from my own book collection, ebooks etc but my purse is not going to stretch to buying another 800 books in the next few years. (Besides, I think C might kill me if I start bringing loads of books home again). So the library just might be the solution to my problem. My local library is tiny and fairly poorly stocked but luckily membership covers all libraries in the borough so I am hoping I can track down quite a few on the list.

BOOK CHALLENGE 18/1000 (24)

First trip to the local library paid off and I picked up The Reader by Benhardq Schlink. Nice, short, easy to read. Just what I needed. I was surprised that I enjoyed this book a lot more than I enjoyed the film. Even though the film is an excellent adaptation and keeps very true to the book, I found the film a bit slow. It was refreshing to be away from aliens and spaceships and just read about real people in the real world with real feelings. I feel like I am on my way again.

Switching genres was the right move, I think. It might be just what I need to get me back on schedule.

In case there is anyone actually reading my blogs, a brief explanation may be necessary. At the beginning of the year I set myself the challenge of reading all the books on The Guardian's "1000 novels you must read" list. I set myself this task after discovering that I had only shamefully read 35 of these most important books. The plan is to blog a record of the books as I read them and my thoughts about the challenge along with all my other various ramblings through life.

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY

As the saying goes, "Everyone's got a bit of Irish in them". I don't know if that's true but I think everyone likes to let their hair down and party once in a while and the Irish certainly know how to kick back and let loose. Usually I would be doing a gig in some local pub, watching everyone use the day as an excuse to get more drunk and more outrageous than usual. Let's face it St George's Day is nothing by comparison which is probably why we reach for the most tenuous connection to the Emerald Isle at this time of year. From "My great-great-great-great Grandmother on my father's side was from Sligo" to "I spent a weekend in Dublin, once". We'll all find that link that makes us feel a little Irish for just one day.

Unfortunately, I won't be joining in the shenanigans this year. I've got tickets to see Tom McRae at Scala. No Irish jigs for me. There is a bar and I'm not driving so maybe I'll mark the occasion with a little impromptu Riverdancing at some point tonight. You never know.

Charity Begins at Home

I have the week off work. The plan is to totally declutter the entire house and get a head start on the Spring Cleaning. A whole seven days to go through everything we own and decide if it's staying or going. You might think a week is plenty of time, and for most people it would be, but I am the squirrel of the family. I absolutely hate throwing anything away. Every shelf, drawer and cupboard in the house is full. The attic is full. The garage is full. It's daunting.

I am doing this all on my own for two reasons. One, C is at work all week and two, it's all my crap. It's day 3 and I am absolutely shattered. As everyone knows when you are having a big clear out everything tends to look a lot worse before it starts looking better. That is the stage I am at. I have thinned out the bedrooms and am now working on the lounge. After two trips to the local charity shops to drop of boxes and bags of stuff, I still have lots more to pack up and ship out. The car is loaded up ready to go back out tomorrow but for today I have had enough. Every bone and every muscle is aching. I have cracked open a well deserved bottle of Michelob and put on a DVD.

A long list is floating round my head of all the things I want to get done this week. At the moment I can't see me finishing everything by Sunday but I'm going to try my hardest. I've got to get some repairs done on the car and an MOT. (I don't know when I'm going to fit that in because I need the car.) I also need to go visit my Mum because I haven't seen her since Christmas.

Maybe I should have booked two weeks off.

Sweet Dreams

I don't dream of much. In all honesty, there's not much I need. Like most people I sometimes wonder what I would do if I won the lottery. I make promises of giving loads to charity and buying houses for close family. I plan on buying us a house large enough to home a library for me and a games room for C. I'm sure we would buy a home in Florida too and probably do a bit of travelling. It's not that unusual from what most people would do.

Of course, it will never happen especially as I don't usually buy a ticket. The most we can hope for is a long hard slog through life along with everyone else. The truth is I don't think I would be comfortably with winning a large sum of money. It would feel a bit like cheating. I have no doubts that everything I will get from this life will be something I have worked hard for. I like to think I'll appreciate it more.

The Martians are Coming

BOOK CHALLENGE 16/1000 (22)

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells was much better than I thought it would be. After reading Time Machine and the Island of Dr Moreau, I was expecting to be disappointed. The fact that most of the story is just a few miles from where I live probably helped. This is definitely the best of the three books. This one I would read again (not that I'll have the opportunity for a few years).

BOOK CHALLENGE 17/1000 (23)

Adverts for DVD of The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger have been all over the TV the last couple of weeks. I haven't seen the film yet so I thought this would be a good choice. Although it is written by a women the language is very masculine in my opinion. The narration alternates between the two lead characters and I would have expected there to be a marked difference in styles between the two but there wasn't. I enjoyed this one but I was creeped out by it a bit. I felt like this man was "grooming" this young girl. I'm sure it wasn't meant to come across that way but that's how I read it.

My book reader has been going everywhere with me. I've been reading over my morning cup of tea, lunchtime at work and most evenings. I am an addict. I keep thinking I'll have a little break but I don't. Between reading, tweeting and blogging I'm not getting a lot of anything else done. I have next week off work. The plan is 7 days to declutter and spring clean. You might think that is a long time but if you saw the state of our house at the moment you would understand.

I must not sit reading all day.

I must not sit reading all day.

I must not sit reading all day.

Back to the Future

BOOK CHALLENGE 13/1000 (19)
Another grim picture of the future to come, The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a slow, sombre father and son story. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Having read a synopsis, I was tempted to put this one off to later but then decided to give it a go anyway. I'm glad I did. The further the father and son travel down the road, the more you feel for them. I did find the ending a little odd and stunted. Almost like the author didn't know what to do with the characters once they got to their destination. I'm glad it didn't have a totally happily ever after, that would have seemed out of place.

BOOK CHALLENGE 14/1000 (20)

I've been on a whole Sci-Fi trip lately, reading one after the after. I thought I'd stick with this genre until I get a tired of it and then switch to another. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells ticks another off the long list. I think everyone is familiar with this story. Man invents time machine, travels into the future and doesn't like what he finds there. It's one of those books that tries to warn of the rocky path we're walking. A classic though.

BOOK CHALLENGE 15/1000 (21)
I thought I'd continue on with this author so The Island of Dr Moreau by H.G. Wells became book number 15. The one story by HG Wells on the list that I wasn't at all familiar with. I really had to force myself to get to the end of this one. My disbelief was not suspended in the slightest! I don't know whether it was just because I am so tired this week but I couldn't get into this book at all.

War of the Worlds is all loaded up and ready to go. I'm a big fan of Jeff Wayne's musical version so I hope this one lives up to expectations. This will be the last H.G. Wells book from the list. I'm still going to stick with the Sci Fi for a while although if I don't find something a bit uplifting soon I'll have to switch to another genre for a while. There's only so much doom and gloom you can put up with.

Dawn Brancheau - Living the Dream

I've mentioned before that Florida is my most favourite place in the world. SeaWorld is my favourite park there. I am not an advocate of animals being kept in captivity but I am aware of all the conservation work that goes on behind the scenes and that eases my conscience a little. One of the things I find special about SeaWorld is the obvious love and respect the handlers have for their charges. Watching a show in an audience of thousands you feel like you are catching a glimpse of this special relationship they share.

Dawn Brancheau was the trainer at Seaworld, Florida who was killed this week by one of the Orcas. I didn't know Dawn personally. I probably saw her dozens of times but she was a stranger to me and the countless other people who envied her. Why was she envied? Not because we all would love to work with killer whales but because she was living her dream. Anyone who has ever visited Seaworld will know that these few fortunate people who interact with the animals there consider themselves blessed. They all think they have the best job in the world and, for them, they do. They live their dream everyday. They get paid to do the thing they love. I've read that Dawn knew she wanted to be a trainer at SeaWorld from quite an early age. She worked hard and achieved her life's ambition. How many of us can say the same thing? Like a majority of people, I still don't know what I want to be and perhaps it is now too late.

Dawn's death is tragic and my heart goes out to her family and friends. I hope the fact she got to live her dream is a small comfort to them. Most of us don't even come close.

The Year Things Broke

I read a book once in which they recorded a name for the year based on what the great event of the year was. I'm already thinking that for us 2010 will forever be known as The Year Things Broke.

So far, my car exhaust has fallen off, the tumble dryer has stopped working, C has been told he needs a Cornea Transplant and now the television keeps putting itself on standby. It's starting to feel like the world around us is shutting down.

If we were the paranoid types we might be worrying why we are being made to suffer but we know that most of our stuff is old and long overdue for replacement. I quite glad it all seems to be happening together. I'd rather get it all out the way quickly like ripping off a plaster. I have been looking around wondering what's going to be next, though. What's best, replacing things early so you're not inconvenienced by being without them or waiting until you have squeezed every last second of use out of it?

Needless to say, the Bank balance is also broke at the moment.

A Look Into the Future

BOOK CHALLENGE 11/1000 (17)

The new book reader is already being put to good use. It is officially my favourite gadget I have ever bought. It's even better than my bread maker, which actually I didn't buy but you get the point. I've already loaded up loads of books from the discs I bought from Ebay and Clint is starting to feel neglected. Brave New World by Alduos Huxley, a sci-fi classic, ticked another book off the list. Set in a utopian future where everything is mind-numbingly pleasant, I actually found this book quite disturbing. The thought that we might all end up drug addicted, manufactured, workhorses is a little scary. I know it's only fiction but I have an active imagination.



BOOK CHALLENGE 12/1000 (18)

My enthusiasm for my new toy has heightened my enjoyment for this challenge so after clearing Brave New World in a couple of evenings I was quickly onto the next. Rogue Moon by Algis Budrys, another sci-fi novel, became book number 12. This story is based around the new science of teleportation and the perils therein. There was not a lot suspence in this book and I didn't get to feel particularly sympathetic to any of the characters, so I didn't enjoy this one as much. The science was interesting though.

A little break is in order, I think. The housework has been neglected a bit and the kids are due over this weekend so I need to get stuck in. Although I would like nothing more than to be able to sit and read all day every day, I wasn't lucky enough to have the winning lottery ticket this week.