the generals daughter (1992 ) - simon west

I saw this while away on holiday, and found parts of it (mainly John Travolta's) entertaining, but on the whole, pretty unbelievable. Travolta plays Paul Brenner, an investigating officer who ends up trying to find out what happened to Captain Elisabeth Campbell, who was found naked, dead, staked to the floor, and who also happens to be the Colonel's daughter. It was interesting, and had some twists, but the unlikelihood of the plot put me off. At the end credits (and probably because drink had been taken), it looked as though it was based on a true story, but it is actually from the novel by Nelson DeMille. Hollywood! Pah!

toodle pip

back to the future trainers

Looking at trainers on ebay (OK, l know l am sad), l found these little beauties. They are not really my scene, as l mainly prefer the old school Puma and Adidas types, but these are being auctioned to raise money for Parkinson's disease through the Michael J Fox foundation. Only 1,500 pairs are being made so snap some up now!

toodle pip

paper sculptures left in scottish libraries

Somebody has been leaving paper sculptures in Scottish libraries.

Don't they look great? This is when art is truly fantastic. OK, it may be an already established artist having a prank (had to make sure l spelt that right), or an unknown artist getting valuable publicity for themselves, but it is a brilliant idea.

More about the story here.

toodle pip

cool graffiti

I've got to sort out my bunny (it's a long story).

toodle pip

the napoleon of notting hill - gk chesterton

More holiday reading.

Set in the future (which for a book written in 1904, was1984) when Kings of England are chosen at random.

Auberon Quin becomes ruler and (as a joke) divides London up into districts which bear the emblems he has designed for them.

An idealistic young man (Adam Wayne), who he had met when Adam was a child, ends up defending Notting Hill against developers, as he had taken what the King said to him at face value.

Philosophical and humorous in places, it can also be hard going, even if you have a profound liking for crusades and morality.

I had originally started this earlier in the year as an audio book, but kept getting distracted and losing the gist of the story. It is much better as a book, but somehow, not as good as l was expecting.

toodle pip

my man jeeves - pg wodehouse

More holiday reading.

I had never read any of P.G Wodehouse's books before, but thought it was about time l gave one of these (so called) classics a chance.

This was pretty entertaining, and although written in 1919, had lots of humour that was still (to me at least) funny.

I preferred the Bertie Wooster stories, rather than the Reggie Pepper ones, and l may even give the old TV series a go if it is repeated, as at the time it was on, l could not stand Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry bumbling around doing comedy for the upper classes (as l saw it then).

I am still in favour of a shake up of the class system, but good comedy is still good comedy.

toodle pip

the fry chronicles - stephen fry

More holiday reading.

The second of Stephen Fry's autobiographies, this covers his release from prison, his time at Cambridge, and becoming successful (and very rich). It ends just as he starts taking Cocaine (Mmmm). I thought it could do with being a bit shorter, and it also could have done with less apologies regarding his upbringing, class, education, insecurities and hangups, although he admits himself that he goes on about it a lot. Books like this make me feel more stupid than l already am, with its tales of people playing chess blindfolded, and Fry himself memorising large chunks of Shakespeare, including where the references originated from. Bastard. I will however, forgive him if he swells the coffers (oooeer!!) of my paypal account.

toodle pip

robbie fowler - my autobiography

More holiday reading.

This book was already at the villa we had rented and was the classic footballer stuff about being injured, family problems, arguments with managers, and his disappointment about falling out with Houllier and Thompson, resulting in the leaving of Liverpool (everyone sing along...."It's not the leaving of Liverpool" etc). He has a go at some of the England managers, but it is the usual complaints (Keegan having no tactical sense, Hoddle into strange ideas, Eriksson not knowing what to do when the going got tough). He does however, have respect for Venables.

Not a book l would usually read, but it passed some time.

toodle pip

breakfast of champions - kurt vonnegut

More holiday reading.

I have been re-reading and catching up with old Kurt's books recently, and this was one l had not read before. It didn't let me down. More tales with Kilgore Trout, who travels to a convention where he meets Dwayne Hoover, a man who takes his writings literally, with crazy consequences.

Great stuff.

toodle pip

carter beats the devil - glen david gold

Holiday reading ticked off.

Although this book was released in 2001, l had never heard about it or Glen David Gold before, until it was recommended to me by a work colleague who read it while we were in Majorca this year. She (Hello Vicki) kept saying how good it was and how she thought l would probably enjoy it, but l was reluctant to take her advice at first. I am so glad that l changed my mind, as it is now up there amongst some of my favourite books, as it reminded me of 'The Master and Margarita' and 'Jitterbug Perfume', which, although completely different, are also strange and off the wall.

It concerns real life characters (mainly Charles Carter) and events, but mixed up into a thriller involving magic, television and presidents. I can't praise it enough, and l am looking forward to the film version, whenever that arrives. I just hope they don't screw it up.

toodle pip

1884 weather

Welcome home to sunny bloody Britain. The weather is still atrocious and very windy, rather like the picture above. This is the earliest photograph of a tornado, taken in 1884 in South Dakota, and it may have inspired 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1884_Howard,_South_Dakota_tornado

It might as well be in my back garden at the moment.

toodle pip

superheavy - miracle worker

This has been getting a bit of a kicking on some forums, but l quite like it (bit of a mixture, and better than most of Jagger's solo stuff).

Apart from Mick's suit and crappy trainers, he is looking more and more like a skinny version of Herman Munster, especially when they laugh a lot. Not a good look, but l suppose at least he hasn't (I think) resorted to plastic surgery to try and look young.

It's annoying that they can just be lent a 414 foot mega yacht to record on though.

'Paul Allen lent us his boat (a 414ft mega yacht called Octopus with two helicopters, two submarines and a jet-ski dock). Mick would check in under names like Mr Gibson 3.3 - all very Ocean's Eleven,' said Dave Stewart

Rich bastards!!!!!!

Why is it so often the case that rich people who can afford stuff, get really expensive (to you and me) things for free.

I hate them all

toodle pip

some portugal scans

Some scans from the holiday, some photos will appear once l get round to uploading them all (and editing them). I think you can guess there was a lot of food and drink consumed (although not enough drink, and too much food).

toodle pip

chris and hilary's wedding

Travelled back up to Newcastle on Saturday as it was Chris and Hilary's wedding day (on my birthday and wedding anniversary as well!). Managed to go to Forbidden planet beforehand, looking for decent books and t shirts, and went back to our hotel for the Manchester United win at Bolton (5-0!). Off to The Baltic for the evening do/BBQ and saw the Millennium bridge being opened, which was the first time l had witnessed it. Pretty damn impressive l must say. There was a band on and most people hit the booze (apart from the pregnant ladies), so everyone enjoyed themselves, although mentioning no names, they paid for it in the morning (OK, l've crumbled, that would be The FPO). The Quayside at Newcastle and Gateshead (plus Newcastle centre itself) has certainly had a lot of money pumped into it over the last few years, and has completely changed from when l used to frequent the place years ago. It certainly all looks flash and l know it has made the place more upmarket, but it is still a shame some of the old places had to go, such as The Haymarket and Broken Doll pubs. I drove back as The FPO was still too ill, then had a relaxing day watching recordings of football and The Sunday Supplement, while she quietly suffered, Bliss.

toodle pip

back from the stinking holiday

Damn! Back from the holiday to Portugal already. We arrived back at Newcastle on Thursday afternoon, but have since returned up there for a wedding on Saturday at The Baltic. More information and pictures to follow, as l don't return to work until Thursday afternoon. I'd like to say it is great to be back, but it isn't.

toodle pip

holiday time is now!

YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in two weeks.

toodle pip

funny games (2007) - michael haneke

I saw this just after it had first been released. Time has not changed it (or it's impact) as l watched it again this evening with the FPO, and she loved it, even though the rewind part and breaking the 4th wall bits took her by surprise. A family get terrorised by two young lads, who are pretty damn crazy (and wear cool white Converse All Stars). Another film that does not end happily (but is excellent). Why is this never included in critics lists of top films? It is superbly acted, life like, and has unexpected twists (which are unusual in a film, as they are real to life). Superb and highly recommended.

toodle pip

sea lampreys do not like the smell of death

These Sea Lampreys certainly do not like these tests being done, whereby they are introduced to (Hello Mr Sea Lamprey!) dead relatives. Serves the little bastards right.

toodle pip

hurricane irene and the east coast of the usa

This is a picture from NASA of Hurricane Irene as it is about to hit the East Coast of The USA. Cool picture, but bad news for people in it's path. It reminds me of sleeping rough in New York in September (back in the day - even before Manchester United were treble winners), just after a Hurricane (God knows what it was called). Did l whinge? No, l welcomed the challenge and took it in my stride, as l am an upstanding, stiff upper lipped (what does that even mean?) hardy Scouse survivor (and l was very, very drunk). It was also character building and made me the man l am today (oh Dearie me). Happy days Indeed.

Rather sadly (in my opinion) the names for future Hurricanes have already been decided, and they are here. For me, it takes away some of the magic, as the severity of the Hurricane should be accessed, then given a name (Mandy?)

toodle pip

the death of jack layton and the chalk messages

He was the head of Canada's New Democratic Party, and his final public words were :

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

People wrote messages in chalk on Nathan Phillips Square, opposite Toronto (or New) City Hall, and it is quite touching, even for an old cynic like me.

I need to get a life (or stop drinking wine in the wee wee hours).

toodle pip

playground insults and sayings

This site is getting on a bit, but is new to me. An excellent source of (sometime buried) memories and information.

toodle pip

the beach boys smile box set

Oh my giddy aunt, I think l am going to wet myself with excitement.

toodle pip

david beckham hits three bins in a row advert

If this really happened, l will gladly and willingly let him bum me. In fact, l would insist (David, you lucky man).

There is no way that footage has not been doctored (or l had better hope it hasn't, before l end up with a sore botty).

toodle pip