| books |
[Dec. 24th, 2009|12:23 pm] |
have a piled of newly read books
1) The two Noble Kinsmen, by Shakespeare and Fletcher, one of S's last works, not really completed, text is a bit of a jumble. Taken from the Knights Tale of Chaucer, of two cousins who fought for the hand of one woman. Not quite a comedy, not quite a tragedy, but pretty sombre. Not sure it is stageable now, too many references to the Chaucer, but a good read in the Arden edition.
2) Witches Abroad by Prattchet. One of his very best, including some of his best scenes: greebo becoming human, Granny playing some card sharps, and a discussion of what stories are and how they should be lived. Great stuff.
3)The (REAL) Arabian Knights, translated by Hussain Haddawy. This is a trnaslation of one of the oldest texts in existence, a Syrian example from the 15th centurey. None of the late western influnced extras, like aladding and sinbad, but the original arabic stories, bawdy and exciting. For a taste of the real stuff, this edition is a must.
4) Retief's war, by Laumer. Laumer wrote a series of short stories about a two fisted diplomat (think bond if he was in the foreign service instead of mi6), called Retief. The short stories are amusing trifles, good for spending the odd half hour, even if he is a right wing reactionary (i.e on one short story, all the middlemanagers leave the factory, and the workers are unable to keep it going. Yeah, right). However, this book tries to extends his conceits to a novelette - that is absolute garbish - I think more notes than a finished story. the second story Retie's ransom is a bit more coherent, but never as good as the short stories... the conceits are too trivial to bear extension into a longer form.
5) c.j cherry: the kif strike back. The second book of the trilogy that continues on from the first stand alone chanur novel, this is a tale of back stabbing and desperation as the hani captain Pyanfar tries to hold the Compact together, and to try and figure out which our her lying double crossing allies to trust: the mandho'sat or the kif, or both ro neither. Great stuff if not quiet as good as the first book, still the best space opera around.
6) Fear and Trebling in Sunnydale: Buffy and Philosophy.
22 philosophers each write a 12 page essay on some aspect of philosophy as illustrated by BTVS. Interesting application of applied philosophy, and enlightening anayltical criticism of the series. Very good, highly recommended. there isa whole series of philosophy and pop culture books that sprang from this, so am obtaining many of them. Educational.
7) Chanur's homecoming, cherry. the third book of the trilogy. Not as good as the other, too long, and with pyanfar having many multi page soliquies and monolonges that just go on and on and are easily skippable. Exciting conclusion, if you can wade through the excess of philosophy that proceeds it. Pride of Chanur was a nice slim volume, this has been bloated up by bad editing.
That was the last two weeks reading.
happi holidays every one! |
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| depression |
[Dec. 20th, 2009|03:27 pm] |
Was blindsided on friday. had been having interesting contact with a friend on facebook - he was the one I commented on most, and the one who commented on my posts the most as well...someone who I have known for 15 years off of facebook as well.
suddenly on fridy my evil ex- befriended him and started posted comments to my comments. nothing unfriendly, keeping to topic, though she managed to work in that she was married and had a baby...
coincindentally on the anniversary of her dumping me and telling me she had been cheating on me...
all the old wounds reappeared, all the old hurt flared and I can't shake it.
had to unfriend this friend of mine so that I dont see more of her posts. sad to lose a good friend. but I cant cope with seeing her name, or reading her posts.
trying to remember all her old habits that drove me to distraction, but all i remember is her good point. She was tremendous in bed. and me being a man, that outweighs the fact that she was a right bloody pain most of the time outside of bed.
She also gives me bloody bad karma as well, as I cant help wishing harm to her, which is a BAD thing karmacally...and morally.
luckily it is too bloody cold outside (-10) to consider wwaiting for a tram to take me to casualty, so I am trying to remember this and not cut myself, which ordinarily is the best way to make me feel better. Also, watching a cat preen herself is good therapy.
have to stop wishing bad things on annika...not good... |
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| holding workshops |
[Dec. 17th, 2009|07:18 pm] |
for the first time in yonks, if not donkey years, I am holding workshops (in communication) at the School of Business and Economy, at the University...for the foreign students there, in a rather desperate attempt to improve their language and communication skills, by working with body language, status, acting exercises, and by of course reading Dr. Seuss, the real key to skill in language!
I was prejudiced in thinking that trade and fianancial students were going to be very rejective and judging, or dry and dull, but these have been very lively and accepting, and it has been fun.
Also nice to have a little extra money, even if half my salary went on new metal albums to listen to on the commute (and a new expanded rack for my drum kit, enabling me to use double moduels and expand from 10 triggers (ie. things to hit) to 15 with 4 extra to be used later...
fun!
and getting the double kick pedal has also been a blast, not to mention the custom made Diamond Electronic Drum toms...much better feel than the roland rubber toms...
all in all, cool! |
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