Well my head gardener has looked at the hover and it seems to be cutting grass. I still don't think it is as easy to use as the old mower.
I don't mind cutting grass, although at this time of year hayfever can be an issue, but I really struggle with the edges. Don't ask me why, patience I guess.
You will all be pleased to know I visited the chemist and bought some stugeron tablets which were recommended by the chemist and EB & Tricia. Hopefully it'll be a mill pond. Although I'm going to have to keep out of Ms Cherry Pie's way as I think she is looking for an excuse to meet some "hunky" lifeguards. Although she'll probably end up with the bloke who started at 18, like his father before him, and has just celebrated 50 years in the service.
The Roonster is going to Germany. Now excuse me but are the media going slightly over the top here? "Rooney is on the plane", "Rooney's plane has landed" "Rooney has had the scan" "Rooney has had a cup of coffee with a rich tea digestive" "Rooney has......"
Anyway reading Nathalie's blog yesterday I came across some links to a god hates sweden site. Type it into google........ there's also one for the US and Canada. It's amazing what is on the web. And quite frightening some of the people out there!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
The weaker sex?
I note that Zadie Smith has won the Orange Prize for best novel.
Now I have no knowledge of whether this a good book or not but I'm always intrigued by the Orange Prize in that it is only open to women. Equally St Hilda's college Oxford is having a ballot today on whether it should admit men.
Now this puzzles me. Why is it that it is perfectly acceptable to have a literary prize restricted only to Women? Why is it that a college can restrict access to women only? and for that matter we have the Women's Institute.
Frankly none of this would bother me except that if any club restricts itself to men only e.g. a Golf Club it is a national new story. These are organisations are anachronistic and are frightened of women blah de blah.
Now I accept there maybe a need for positive discrimination in some areas e.g. Parliament where women are under represented but in books?
I don't see much discrimination in the world of books, for instance many women have won the booker prize. Even in genre fiction women are very well represented. In Crime there is Ruth Rendell, PD James, Val McDermid, Minette Walters all of whoim have one major awards.
Even in that male dominated world Science Fiction the person to have won more awards is a women, Connie Willis.
I would bet there would be outrage if there were male only college's. Now it would not necessarily be a bad thing since male and female are different and there are suggestions that boys would do better in all male environments. This of course shows "fear" of women but the other way does not show fear of men. I'm confused.
I daresay I am being an oldfashioned fuddy duddy but methinks some women want their cake and eat it.
Anyway I will finish with a book review. Curiously by a women and darned fine it is to.
Karin Alvtegen - Betrayal
Synopsis
"By the prize-winning author of Missing Eva, a dynamic, successful young mother, is forced to reassess her marriage when her husband's apathy can no longer be ignored. Then she discovers he's been having an affair with her young son's day-care teacher and her grief and rage drive her into vengeful action. Fatefully, she comes across Jonas, an isolated young man who for the past two years has been keeping vigil beside his obstinately comatose girlfriend. Burdened with his own sinister history of betrayal and his quest for acceptance, he sees a chance to start afresh with Eva. When Jonas and Eva react to redress their wrongs, the combination proves lethal..."
The success of Henning Mankell's Wallander crime novels has prompted publishers to scour the Nordic (karwin would moan if I said Scandanvian) countries. Indeed so successful are the nordic writers that the CWA have stopped translated works winning the gold dagger for best crime novel and German writers are resorting to making their names sound Nordic!! So from Iceland we have Arnaldur Indridason, from Norway the excellent Karin Fossum and from Finland Jo Nesbo. Sweden has produced Mankell, Lisa Marklund, Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo, Ake Edwardsson and perhaps the best of the lot Karin Alvtegen.
This is the second novel to be published in the UK and the second I've read. The first, Missing, wasn't reviewed on here but would have achieved a ***** rating. It was a sensitive and even positive portrayal of a homeless person. Betrayal is perhaps even better. It tells the story of a woman who discovers her husband is having an affair and becomes obsessed with gaining revenge and of a young man obsessed with his comatose girlfriend. These two meet and the twin obsessions collide.....
There are many things to enjoy here. Firstly the book is only 297 pages long and I suspect other novelists would have found time to add another 150 pages to bloat it out a bit. There are lots of twists and turns as things go wrong and go off in unplanned directions.
The book and author are highly recommended - *****
Now I have no knowledge of whether this a good book or not but I'm always intrigued by the Orange Prize in that it is only open to women. Equally St Hilda's college Oxford is having a ballot today on whether it should admit men.
Now this puzzles me. Why is it that it is perfectly acceptable to have a literary prize restricted only to Women? Why is it that a college can restrict access to women only? and for that matter we have the Women's Institute.
Frankly none of this would bother me except that if any club restricts itself to men only e.g. a Golf Club it is a national new story. These are organisations are anachronistic and are frightened of women blah de blah.
Now I accept there maybe a need for positive discrimination in some areas e.g. Parliament where women are under represented but in books?
I don't see much discrimination in the world of books, for instance many women have won the booker prize. Even in genre fiction women are very well represented. In Crime there is Ruth Rendell, PD James, Val McDermid, Minette Walters all of whoim have one major awards.
Even in that male dominated world Science Fiction the person to have won more awards is a women, Connie Willis.
I would bet there would be outrage if there were male only college's. Now it would not necessarily be a bad thing since male and female are different and there are suggestions that boys would do better in all male environments. This of course shows "fear" of women but the other way does not show fear of men. I'm confused.
I daresay I am being an oldfashioned fuddy duddy but methinks some women want their cake and eat it.
Anyway I will finish with a book review. Curiously by a women and darned fine it is to.
Karin Alvtegen - Betrayal
Synopsis
"By the prize-winning author of Missing Eva, a dynamic, successful young mother, is forced to reassess her marriage when her husband's apathy can no longer be ignored. Then she discovers he's been having an affair with her young son's day-care teacher and her grief and rage drive her into vengeful action. Fatefully, she comes across Jonas, an isolated young man who for the past two years has been keeping vigil beside his obstinately comatose girlfriend. Burdened with his own sinister history of betrayal and his quest for acceptance, he sees a chance to start afresh with Eva. When Jonas and Eva react to redress their wrongs, the combination proves lethal..."
The success of Henning Mankell's Wallander crime novels has prompted publishers to scour the Nordic (karwin would moan if I said Scandanvian) countries. Indeed so successful are the nordic writers that the CWA have stopped translated works winning the gold dagger for best crime novel and German writers are resorting to making their names sound Nordic!! So from Iceland we have Arnaldur Indridason, from Norway the excellent Karin Fossum and from Finland Jo Nesbo. Sweden has produced Mankell, Lisa Marklund, Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo, Ake Edwardsson and perhaps the best of the lot Karin Alvtegen.
This is the second novel to be published in the UK and the second I've read. The first, Missing, wasn't reviewed on here but would have achieved a ***** rating. It was a sensitive and even positive portrayal of a homeless person. Betrayal is perhaps even better. It tells the story of a woman who discovers her husband is having an affair and becomes obsessed with gaining revenge and of a young man obsessed with his comatose girlfriend. These two meet and the twin obsessions collide.....
There are many things to enjoy here. Firstly the book is only 297 pages long and I suspect other novelists would have found time to add another 150 pages to bloat it out a bit. There are lots of twists and turns as things go wrong and go off in unplanned directions.
The book and author are highly recommended - *****
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The Number of the Beast
and yay a great beast shall come and its name will be
HOVER MOWER
Well I got in from the folks and took the orange thing out into the back garden. It seemed to want to float off a bit but I could live with that BUT uh hello why won't it cut grass? Now I am sorry but I like to be able to tell where I've been.
So back to garage and get old one out.
I suspect two things could be wrong here. One it may be set wrongly, this will need adjusting and will be looked into. Two it may not cut grass as short as a conventional mower in which my head gardener won't be happy. And I will happily sit here saying I told you so.....
To be honest I preferred the old push mower my dad had. OK so it took pushing but it didn't have that stupid wire and the grass looked better still. Ah nostalgia
Hay fever starting to play up. I wonder if puking on a boat on Saturday will be worth the loss of pollen? Note to self visit chemist!!!!!
HOVER MOWER
Well I got in from the folks and took the orange thing out into the back garden. It seemed to want to float off a bit but I could live with that BUT uh hello why won't it cut grass? Now I am sorry but I like to be able to tell where I've been.
So back to garage and get old one out.
I suspect two things could be wrong here. One it may be set wrongly, this will need adjusting and will be looked into. Two it may not cut grass as short as a conventional mower in which my head gardener won't be happy. And I will happily sit here saying I told you so.....
To be honest I preferred the old push mower my dad had. OK so it took pushing but it didn't have that stupid wire and the grass looked better still. Ah nostalgia
Hay fever starting to play up. I wonder if puking on a boat on Saturday will be worth the loss of pollen? Note to self visit chemist!!!!!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Happy Birthday Dad
Well firstly it's my Dad's birthday today. He has hit the grand old age of 77!!
I'll pop in for dinner tonight with Mum & Dad. I could, of course, take them out for dinner but Dad will be far happier staying at home. He doesn't like eating out. Unlike me!!
Another garden tick this morning.... a chaffinch! So captivated was I that I forgot to shave and didn't realise until I had pulled out of the drive and looked in the rear view mirror!!
Finished a bottle of Tesco's Finest Gavi. £5 *** very drinkable!!
and some books I have read.
Elizabeth George - With no one as witness - ***
Synposis from Amazon
"Number One best-seller Elizabeth George creates a serial killer for the first time, setting the globally popular Inspector Lynley his most shocking case yet. When the Metropolitan Police fail to realise a serial killer is at work, London ignites over the fact that the killer's victims are young black and mixed race boys. Institutionalised racism is claimed by the community's activists and tabloids alike. Acting Superintendent Thomas Lynley is given the case, and his Scotland Yard task force is soon handling more killings and a looming tragedy. Elizabeth George brings to the familiar subject of the serial killer freshness and clarity of vision that provide illuminating insight into the psychological complexity of the tortured criminal mind. She does so within a richly textured, thrillingly suspenseful narrative that defies any reader to predict its outcome. Nor does she neglect our favourite characters, whose private lives provide an engrossing counterpoint to their professional duties."
One of the criticisms of the Lynley novels is American George's anachronistic treatment of Scotland Yard. This is Britian in the 21st century and local forces don't call in the yard anymore. What can't be faulted is her narrative drive, she forces the story on leaving the reader desperate to find out what happened next. All the trademarks are here, confrontation with authority, will Havers get her rank back but it all feels a little stretched. I reckon you could lose 70-100 pages and make this a better book.
George does end the book with big changes for the main character meaning I'll want to read the next installment.
Anyone who has watched the TV series and read the books will know that the actress playing Havers is too attractive!
Charles De Lint - The Dreaming Place - ***
"A young woman locked in rage yet seeking magic, Ash is drawn into a wondrous Otherworld of totems and dryads, living tarots and mystic charms. At the same time, Ash's cousin Nina is stalked by an Otherworld demon-a manitou who can force her mind and soul into the bodies of beasts. Ash must find the strength to overcome her own anger, learn the full power of magic, and save Nina before she becomes the manitou's weapon, turning the faerie realm into an arctic wasteland. De Lint fans will relish this urban and otherworldly fantasy, partially set in the author's trademark Newford"
This is the first "Newford" novel, its 134 pages long and written for the young adult market. The language isn't particularly dumbed down but unlike his adult novel it doesn't quite "work". Why? I think the problem is the length, the story can't quite make up its mind whether its a novel or a short story. As such the pacing seems off, at one moment he is establishing the characters for a slow build and then we are off on the adventure. Unusual these days saying that a book would have been better off being longer however I think the characters needed time to establish themselves. Still it provided an enjoyable few hours.
I'll pop in for dinner tonight with Mum & Dad. I could, of course, take them out for dinner but Dad will be far happier staying at home. He doesn't like eating out. Unlike me!!
Another garden tick this morning.... a chaffinch! So captivated was I that I forgot to shave and didn't realise until I had pulled out of the drive and looked in the rear view mirror!!
Finished a bottle of Tesco's Finest Gavi. £5 *** very drinkable!!
and some books I have read.
Elizabeth George - With no one as witness - ***
Synposis from Amazon
"Number One best-seller Elizabeth George creates a serial killer for the first time, setting the globally popular Inspector Lynley his most shocking case yet. When the Metropolitan Police fail to realise a serial killer is at work, London ignites over the fact that the killer's victims are young black and mixed race boys. Institutionalised racism is claimed by the community's activists and tabloids alike. Acting Superintendent Thomas Lynley is given the case, and his Scotland Yard task force is soon handling more killings and a looming tragedy. Elizabeth George brings to the familiar subject of the serial killer freshness and clarity of vision that provide illuminating insight into the psychological complexity of the tortured criminal mind. She does so within a richly textured, thrillingly suspenseful narrative that defies any reader to predict its outcome. Nor does she neglect our favourite characters, whose private lives provide an engrossing counterpoint to their professional duties."
One of the criticisms of the Lynley novels is American George's anachronistic treatment of Scotland Yard. This is Britian in the 21st century and local forces don't call in the yard anymore. What can't be faulted is her narrative drive, she forces the story on leaving the reader desperate to find out what happened next. All the trademarks are here, confrontation with authority, will Havers get her rank back but it all feels a little stretched. I reckon you could lose 70-100 pages and make this a better book.
George does end the book with big changes for the main character meaning I'll want to read the next installment.
Anyone who has watched the TV series and read the books will know that the actress playing Havers is too attractive!
Charles De Lint - The Dreaming Place - ***
"A young woman locked in rage yet seeking magic, Ash is drawn into a wondrous Otherworld of totems and dryads, living tarots and mystic charms. At the same time, Ash's cousin Nina is stalked by an Otherworld demon-a manitou who can force her mind and soul into the bodies of beasts. Ash must find the strength to overcome her own anger, learn the full power of magic, and save Nina before she becomes the manitou's weapon, turning the faerie realm into an arctic wasteland. De Lint fans will relish this urban and otherworldly fantasy, partially set in the author's trademark Newford"
This is the first "Newford" novel, its 134 pages long and written for the young adult market. The language isn't particularly dumbed down but unlike his adult novel it doesn't quite "work". Why? I think the problem is the length, the story can't quite make up its mind whether its a novel or a short story. As such the pacing seems off, at one moment he is establishing the characters for a slow build and then we are off on the adventure. Unusual these days saying that a book would have been better off being longer however I think the characters needed time to establish themselves. Still it provided an enjoyable few hours.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Sunny days and yet more baby birds
Well I decided against getting up early and laid back and carried on with my book.
A good strategy because as I washing up breakfast I saw a baby Blackbird, a baby starling being fed and a young Goldfinch on the feeder!!
After lunch I decided to go to Rye Meads. The water levels are too high for waders - god knows why they have it that high. Still I was delighted to see lots of young Coots at various ages. These were quite near to the hide.
I was also very pleased to see two Ruddy Ducks and a family of pochard.
a pair of Common Tern flew over and dived bombed a harassed Heron!
I strolled on and from the Gadwall Hide and Tern numbers seemed hihg (I was told later they were at a record high).
From the Kingfisher hide the obligatory Kingfisher. Nesting looks like being successful this year after two fallow years.
Lots of warblers in the hedge rows.
As I approached the Tim Andrews hide I came across this family.
After strolling up to the hide I spied this chap sunning himself.
He soon got spooked and I was well chuffed to get a patch tick - Hobby and then another one and then another!! 3 in the same bin view.
Super days birding!
A good strategy because as I washing up breakfast I saw a baby Blackbird, a baby starling being fed and a young Goldfinch on the feeder!!
After lunch I decided to go to Rye Meads. The water levels are too high for waders - god knows why they have it that high. Still I was delighted to see lots of young Coots at various ages. These were quite near to the hide.
I was also very pleased to see two Ruddy Ducks and a family of pochard.
a pair of Common Tern flew over and dived bombed a harassed Heron!
I strolled on and from the Gadwall Hide and Tern numbers seemed hihg (I was told later they were at a record high).
From the Kingfisher hide the obligatory Kingfisher. Nesting looks like being successful this year after two fallow years.
Lots of warblers in the hedge rows.
As I approached the Tim Andrews hide I came across this family.
After strolling up to the hide I spied this chap sunning himself.
He soon got spooked and I was well chuffed to get a patch tick - Hobby and then another one and then another!! 3 in the same bin view.
Super days birding!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Lackford Lakes and Oxburgh Hall
Well woke up to brilliant sunshine!! So lets get out there.
Decided I hadn't been to Lackford Lakes for a while......
Lots of young birds, the most camera friendly were various canada geese families.
Whilst strolling down to the first hide I spied a Reed Bunting. Lots of warrblers about and cuckoos singings. The boating lake had some ducks and coots.
From the first hide there were lots of Cormorants, Black Headed Gulls, 4 Great Crested Grebes, Lapwings and Redshanks.
The warbler hide gave views of Reed Warbler!! the double decker hide didn't have the hoped for Kingfisher but saw a pair of Little Ringe Plover and some baby Shelduck too cute.
A few Garden Warblers about singing and my first damselflies of the year. Anyone know what they are ?
At Besses hide I had super views of Reed and Sedge Warbler and a fly through Green Woodpecker.
On to Stegall Hide more warblers including Blackcap and a family of Blue Tits.
There was a fly through Kingfisher and if you look hard a Barnacle Goose!
My bird of the day was this Oystercatcher with a baby!
So where now? The national property Oxburgh Hall seemed a reasonable idea.
The hall is a fine moated manor house built in 1480. Unfortunately it is being repaired so not looking its finest.
The Bedingfield chapel. It contains the fine Antwerp triptych. I'd love to show you a photo but the National Trust has a no photography rule. I can understand it in a house but in a church? I can buy a postcard of the triptych so its hardly to stop art theft.
Next to Oxburgh Hall is the church of St John. In 1948 the perpendicular spire collapsed destroying the nave. The church has been sort of restored and luckily the fabulous Bedingfield chapel with its terracotta tombs.
Decided I hadn't been to Lackford Lakes for a while......
Lots of young birds, the most camera friendly were various canada geese families.
Whilst strolling down to the first hide I spied a Reed Bunting. Lots of warrblers about and cuckoos singings. The boating lake had some ducks and coots.
From the first hide there were lots of Cormorants, Black Headed Gulls, 4 Great Crested Grebes, Lapwings and Redshanks.
The warbler hide gave views of Reed Warbler!! the double decker hide didn't have the hoped for Kingfisher but saw a pair of Little Ringe Plover and some baby Shelduck too cute.
A few Garden Warblers about singing and my first damselflies of the year. Anyone know what they are ?
At Besses hide I had super views of Reed and Sedge Warbler and a fly through Green Woodpecker.
On to Stegall Hide more warblers including Blackcap and a family of Blue Tits.
There was a fly through Kingfisher and if you look hard a Barnacle Goose!
My bird of the day was this Oystercatcher with a baby!
So where now? The national property Oxburgh Hall seemed a reasonable idea.
The hall is a fine moated manor house built in 1480. Unfortunately it is being repaired so not looking its finest.
The Bedingfield chapel. It contains the fine Antwerp triptych. I'd love to show you a photo but the National Trust has a no photography rule. I can understand it in a house but in a church? I can buy a postcard of the triptych so its hardly to stop art theft.
Next to Oxburgh Hall is the church of St John. In 1948 the perpendicular spire collapsed destroying the nave. The church has been sort of restored and luckily the fabulous Bedingfield chapel with its terracotta tombs.
Friday, June 02, 2006
I hope you like sport!
We are about to enter a manic period for sport buffs. Not only do we have the French Open tennis with Wimbledon to come, we have test cricket, the European Athletics championships, the British Grand Prix, the Derby AND something called the world cup coming up.
My world cup predictions for work show a Brazil v Argentina final (I've been amazingly optimistic and got England going out in the semi's). I enjoy the world cup, not so much following Ingerlund but watching all the smaller countries and to see great games. Pity the Germans got a relatively easy group!!
I'm hoping we will see some exciting football like 1982. Who can forget Italy-Brazil, the France-Germany semi final and the German goalkeepers cynical foul which had the whole of Britain into Pasta fans for the day as the Italian won the final.
It would be great to see England win BUT if we can see a final like the Italy-Brazil 1982 quarter final I'll be VERY happy.
I like Cricket, probably my favourite sport. Obviously we are not going to have the tension of last year, when every match seemed to go to the wire, but for me cricket is summer.
The grand prix is not really my thing. That said always good to watch to see Schumacher lose. Brilliant he may be but a sense of decency and fair play he hasn't got. I think we would like to see a bit just a bit of overtaking. PLEASE!!
Sorry Dawn but if you put horses in it my eyes glaze over. At least the Derby is about the best horses and it isn't handicapped. Lets be honest Horse Racing is glorified gambling. The majority of people who watch it only do it to gamble. I can't stand Eventing or show Jumping, and Dressage? don't make me laugh. Don't get me wrong riding a horse may be as exhilarating as hell but playing chess is exciting and tense but watching it is like watching paint dry.
Which leads us into Tennis and can one of "our" boys wim Wimbledon? No. I really don't understand my wanting of Tim Henman to lose, I really can't. He is a good player and a seemingly nice bloke. But ...... i cheer his opponent on!! His record is good at Wimbledon he often went out to the greatest Grass court player of all time. His one regret must have been the defeat to Ivanisevic.
Rusedski ? is ok there is a fragility about him that proves he's British. That said he is all about the serve and mentally to fragile.
Never mind the future is bright the future's a Murray Mint. Or is it? On court he shows real passion but I question his sacking of his coach so young. Over the last few months he's drifted. Wimbledon will be a big thing for him expectation is growing. He doesn't need to win it or anything stupid but a limp first round exit would not be good. Anyway the bloke just doesn't seem fit.
What is curious is that for someone who shows such passion on court he is so dull off court. He talks about stuff as if he has just woken after 12 hour kip.
Still I'll be hoping Federer can beat the Spaniard Nadal at Roland Garos. Federer on a tenis court is superb to watch but then the great sportsman always have that touch of something extra special. The women's tennis is much more interesting especially at Wimbledon when virtually any one of 10 players may win.
The European Athletics championships are going to very depressing. We could normally expect a hatful of medals but sadly those days are gone.
My world cup predictions for work show a Brazil v Argentina final (I've been amazingly optimistic and got England going out in the semi's). I enjoy the world cup, not so much following Ingerlund but watching all the smaller countries and to see great games. Pity the Germans got a relatively easy group!!
I'm hoping we will see some exciting football like 1982. Who can forget Italy-Brazil, the France-Germany semi final and the German goalkeepers cynical foul which had the whole of Britain into Pasta fans for the day as the Italian won the final.
It would be great to see England win BUT if we can see a final like the Italy-Brazil 1982 quarter final I'll be VERY happy.
I like Cricket, probably my favourite sport. Obviously we are not going to have the tension of last year, when every match seemed to go to the wire, but for me cricket is summer.
The grand prix is not really my thing. That said always good to watch to see Schumacher lose. Brilliant he may be but a sense of decency and fair play he hasn't got. I think we would like to see a bit just a bit of overtaking. PLEASE!!
Sorry Dawn but if you put horses in it my eyes glaze over. At least the Derby is about the best horses and it isn't handicapped. Lets be honest Horse Racing is glorified gambling. The majority of people who watch it only do it to gamble. I can't stand Eventing or show Jumping, and Dressage? don't make me laugh. Don't get me wrong riding a horse may be as exhilarating as hell but playing chess is exciting and tense but watching it is like watching paint dry.
Which leads us into Tennis and can one of "our" boys wim Wimbledon? No. I really don't understand my wanting of Tim Henman to lose, I really can't. He is a good player and a seemingly nice bloke. But ...... i cheer his opponent on!! His record is good at Wimbledon he often went out to the greatest Grass court player of all time. His one regret must have been the defeat to Ivanisevic.
Rusedski ? is ok there is a fragility about him that proves he's British. That said he is all about the serve and mentally to fragile.
Never mind the future is bright the future's a Murray Mint. Or is it? On court he shows real passion but I question his sacking of his coach so young. Over the last few months he's drifted. Wimbledon will be a big thing for him expectation is growing. He doesn't need to win it or anything stupid but a limp first round exit would not be good. Anyway the bloke just doesn't seem fit.
What is curious is that for someone who shows such passion on court he is so dull off court. He talks about stuff as if he has just woken after 12 hour kip.
Still I'll be hoping Federer can beat the Spaniard Nadal at Roland Garos. Federer on a tenis court is superb to watch but then the great sportsman always have that touch of something extra special. The women's tennis is much more interesting especially at Wimbledon when virtually any one of 10 players may win.
The European Athletics championships are going to very depressing. We could normally expect a hatful of medals but sadly those days are gone.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
I have books coming out of my ears
My amazon order arrived so I have 5 new Charles De Lint novel's, crime novels by Katrin Alvtegen (swedish, I got the trade paperback edition - ggggrrrr), Ake Edwardson (swedish), Arnaldur Indridason (icelandic), Graham Hurley, Stephen Booth and Rennie Airth. Flipping forgot to order the latest Guy Gavriel Kay fantasy gggrrrr and the Jo Nesbo (finnish crime) isn't out yet.
so put that lots together with the 4 Dark Tower books and I'll be busy for a while.
so put that lots together with the 4 Dark Tower books and I'll be busy for a while.
Testing one's Faith in Parents
As some of you may remember my lawn mower broke a while back. Anyway I ended up getting my dad's old mower and we bought him a nice shiney new one for his birthday.
Firstly my father always maintains that I don't cut the lawn very well. I apparently go to fast - too bloody right I want it out of the way - anyway the other week he actually said I cut it well!! I cut the grass last night and remarked to dad on the phone that his mower sounded noisier than mine.
Dad - "well I've lowered the blade so it cuts closer"
Me - "so hang on my my old mower could never cut as well? And that explains why suddenly the grass is being cut better? Sneakey sod, and you have been cutting your grass with this 'better' mower? Sneakey sod!".
To be fair he cuts grass better than me because he goes over it 443 times.
Anyway the parents have decided as my birthday approaches that they would buy me a new mower. The one I'm using is 12+ years old and save me buying it.
Now for years my head gardener (known as Dad) has said that Hovver's are rubbish and don't cut as well as the cylinder mower type. So what has my dad bought me? A boody hovver!! I mean how are you meant to trust your parents when they pull a flanker like that on you.
I'll let you know what a hovver is like next week. I can tell you are deeply excited.
The radio times opened this morning to a pucture of three smartly dressed young American's all in black. Next to the pic was a caption "God's Next Army". It was a trailer for a program on channel 4 @ 8pm next Monday about the students of Patrick Henry College who want to take the schools strong christian values into Politics. I'll record it (Springwatch on beeb 2!!) and then be afraid.
As the RT says "It's hard to believe that people who are being taught that geological strata were all laid down by the Great Flood may be taking control of America's levers of power but that's the way it looks here. Gulp".
Gulp indeed I find all these fundamentalists frightening.
"If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Mat. 15:14).
Firstly my father always maintains that I don't cut the lawn very well. I apparently go to fast - too bloody right I want it out of the way - anyway the other week he actually said I cut it well!! I cut the grass last night and remarked to dad on the phone that his mower sounded noisier than mine.
Dad - "well I've lowered the blade so it cuts closer"
Me - "so hang on my my old mower could never cut as well? And that explains why suddenly the grass is being cut better? Sneakey sod, and you have been cutting your grass with this 'better' mower? Sneakey sod!".
To be fair he cuts grass better than me because he goes over it 443 times.
Anyway the parents have decided as my birthday approaches that they would buy me a new mower. The one I'm using is 12+ years old and save me buying it.
Now for years my head gardener (known as Dad) has said that Hovver's are rubbish and don't cut as well as the cylinder mower type. So what has my dad bought me? A boody hovver!! I mean how are you meant to trust your parents when they pull a flanker like that on you.
I'll let you know what a hovver is like next week. I can tell you are deeply excited.
The radio times opened this morning to a pucture of three smartly dressed young American's all in black. Next to the pic was a caption "God's Next Army". It was a trailer for a program on channel 4 @ 8pm next Monday about the students of Patrick Henry College who want to take the schools strong christian values into Politics. I'll record it (Springwatch on beeb 2!!) and then be afraid.
As the RT says "It's hard to believe that people who are being taught that geological strata were all laid down by the Great Flood may be taking control of America's levers of power but that's the way it looks here. Gulp".
Gulp indeed I find all these fundamentalists frightening.
"If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Mat. 15:14).
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