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.

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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

holiday time is here!!

Swimming in the pool

Strolling to the local taverna

This will be me for the next couple of weeks (from tomorrow) - off work (now) - not a care in the World (usual state of affairs) - going to Portugal (with my best buddies by my side) - have bought wine (for tonight), and we will be having booze (lots of it) on the hols - books (stocked up the kindle) - sunshine (it should be scorching) - private villa and swimming pool, therefore naked swimming - hurrah! (although maybe not so good for the long suffering womenfolk).

All l need to do now is find somewhere that will be showing a repeat of the Manchester United v Arsenal game on Sunday evening, as it will be on as we are arriving. Can't miss that, and l have a lead and a phone number to call. Luckily there are are only a couple of England games on while we are away, and l am not that bothered about seeing them (so that has worked out well for the girls).

Birthday do's tomorrow (celebrating three of them), staying over in the Boro tomorrow night, then it's goodbye crappy pissing rubbish God awful miserable British weather (another Hurrah!) and no return to work until 15th September. HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH!

toodle pip

the interesting narrative of olaudah equiano

I started this book while l was in Majorca for work a Month or so ago, but only finished it last night, as l did not like the writing style (and the frequent praises to God). It is an autobiography of Olaudah Equiano (also known as Gustavus Vassa), published in 1791, and telling the story of his capture in Africa, work and treatment as a slave, his conversion to Christianity, plus his many travels and the ill treatment of other slaves he witnessed. He eventually buys his freedom and rallies against slavery, but he certainly travelled a lot (especially in those days), before settling in England. Was it worth the ill treatment for all the travelling experiences? I very much doubt it.

toodle pip

the english patient (1996) - michael ondaatje

Well, this has only been out for about 15 years, and it was on TV last night while l was at work, so l thought it maybe about time l got around to checking it out. I'm sure just about everyone in the World apart from me knows the story already, but here goes. The English patient of the film (Ralph Fiennes) is burnt in an aeroplane crash, then, while he is tended to by Nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche), his life is told in flashbacks, some of which turn out to be deceiving. He drags his bloody book around (by Herodutus - the so called father of history), falls in love, and gets himself a bad name (in various ways). Everyone's acting is excellent, and the story did not pan out as expected, so it was not as excruciating as l thought it would be (which is why l had put off seeing it for so long). In fact, l could see why it appealed to so many and won it's multiple Oscars. l'll admit it, it was pretty good (although l prefer Lawrence of Arabia). Mind you, it was funny seeing Naveen Andrews in it (Hana's love interest Kip), as l kept being reminded of 'The Buddha Of Suburbia' (l never watched 'Lost'). If that was his own hair, it has got mighty, mighty long.

toodle pip.

the marriage of maria braun (1979) - reiner werner fassbinder

As l enjoyed 'The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant', (see here) which is also by Fassbinder, l thought l would crack on with some more of his stuff, hence the watching of this. Maria gets married (you could have guessed that part), but then searches for her husband, believes him to be dead, moves on with her life, meets him again, visits him in prison (for a crime she committed), becomes rich, and then gets re-united after an absence. All of this is as Germany is recovering after the Second World War, and it (the film) does not end happily. You could also look upon Maria as representing Germany and its people trying to move on and just survive, using whatever methods it takes, but harbouring a love for something in the past, that may well never have existed, but was craved for (love and a better future). That's my take on it anyway. It's pretty miserable and slow (like me), and also subtitled (unlike me), but it ticked the boxes l appreciate.

toodle pip

evil knievel ice lolly

In the 1970's, Evil Knievel was a huge star, mainly known for his uncussessful attempts to ride a bike across/over buses and/or The Grand Canyon. He obviously wanted to cash in while he could, and amongst the products available was this disgusting looking ice lolly. What l can't get my head around, is why they chose the hideous looking boy to star in the campaign. Sheer insanity.

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