Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

Sunday, January 3, 2010

…this lonely view

I have had the laziest Sunday in history. It’s been an overcast and cooler day so it seemed the perfect time to take a break from summer and lounge around inside for the day.

I have surfed the web, caught up on news, published a couple of posts, watched some TV and finished a book I started (re-reading) a few days ago. The book is great so here’s a quick review for anyone looking for something easy to read. Scar Tissue was rescar_tissueleased in October 2004 by Hyperion and authored by Anthony Kiedis with Larry Sloman. 

Red Hot Chilli Peppers vocalist and songwriter Anthony Kiedis shares his personal experiences in a first-person, chronological narrative of his life from childhood through to today.

Anthony has lived a breathtaking life. He started doing drugs with his father at the kitchen table from 12 years old and at around the same time his dad ‘loaned’ him his girlfriend so Anthony could lose his virginity.  Scar Tissue recounts the fascinating and tragic story of Kiedis’ life and the history of the RHCP. His tale of heroin addiction, love, fame and making music lurches the reader from one crisis to the next and gives us an often shocking insight into lives almost crippled by drug dependency. I read this and can’t believe how RHCP made a success of music making for 20 years and still continue to survive and grow today.

A superb read for anyone who enjoys autobiographical non-fiction; a simply fantastic read for RHCP fans.

My name is Scout

DuPree and Bob did this surprisingly interesting internet quiz about what book matches your personality. It appears I am as below which is pretty cool seeing as I love this story -

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Perceived as a revolutionary and groundbreaking person, you have changed the minds of many people. While questioning the authority around you, you've also taken a significant amount of flack. But you've had the admirable guts to persevere. There's a weird guy in the neighbourhood using dubious means to protect you, but you're pretty sure it's worth it in the end. In the end, it remains unclear to you whether finches and mockingbirds get along in real life.

Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Aww shucks Kyle

It’s award time again folks and I’m delighted and flattered to accept this award bestowed on me by Kyle from Out Left.

Kyle

Kyle is a creative type who lives and works in stunning New Hampshire with his partner Stan. He and Stan are passionate about their 19th century home and beautiful gardens of which we occasionally get to see photos. Kyle is also a movie buff and provides great reviews for those of us who need a bit of guidance. 

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Apparently I am supposed to share 5 things that I enjoy before passing this award on to more worthy recipients.

Friends: There’s nothing I like more than settling down in comfy chairs for a good catch up with a friend. It’s even better when we can relax over a chilled and fruity Sauvignon Blanc. 

Food: Be it Middle Eastern or Italian or Thai or Greek or Indian – you name it I love it. The more flavoursome the better.

Learning: I undertake some formal learning every year and right now I should be working on a presentation that I’ll deliver on the 17th as part of  my current objective which is a diploma in Public Sector Leadership.  I’m nearly half way through this now after working on it part time for the last 6 months.

Coffee: Love it, can’t live without it.

Books: I’m afraid to say I’m not intelligentsia; for me it’s about a great story that’s not a chore to read. My favourite authors are Margaret Attwood, Sebastian Faulks and Wally Lamb.

And now to the fun part. I’ve made lots of new friends blogging but here are some of my favourite gals. Always great for a laugh are…

At the next two sites I do more lurking than commenting due to the intimidation factor, but whether they know it or not I always read and greatly enjoy their wit and intelligence.

Thanks to you all for brightening my days. I’ll pop a comment on your latest post to let you know about this. Sorry to those of you who don’t want such awards – do with it what you will.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Tales from the Tao

Very late last night after posting here, I picked up a new book for a few minutes reading before lights out. I was quickly engrossed and read it start to finish. Tao_SolalaTowler

About the Tao is an interesting  website which explains the background to the book better than I can:

In ancient China, there was a very wise man named Lao Tzu who was the keeper of the imperial library. Lao Tzu saw the growing corruption of the government and decided to leave the city for a simpler life in the country. On his way, the guard at the city gates asked Lao Tzu to write out the essence of his understanding to benefit future generations. Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, then left the city and was never heard of again.

The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, is one of the most influential books in history. It is the source of famous Chinese sayings such as;

“Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know”.

This book above is put together by Solala Towler and comprises about 30 of Lao Tzu’s tales. The stories introduce Taoist principles about many of the most basic human experiences – birth, death, loss, dignity.

The Tao was more a philosophy than a religion though when Buddhism came to China in the 5th century it became mixed up with the native Taoist traditions and became a unique form of Buddhism, called Chan, which later on travelled to Japan where it was taken up by the Samurai class, who laid it over their own bushido philosophy and named it Zen.

It’s a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.

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“Even a 1,000 mile journey starts with a single step” The Tao

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Be sure of today

I was reading a book a few weeks ago that was given to me by my darling grandmother before she died. Inside the book I found a beautiful handmade bookmark with a message in my grandmothers tiny handwriting.

“No matter what the future holds, if you can you should eat good food today, enjoy the sunlight today, spend time with loved ones today and be thankful for it all. Do not look back on happiness or dream of it coming in the future, be sure only of today and do not let yourself be cheated out of it .”

I intend trying harder to live my life by that credo.

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Flame

 

By the way this is my 200th post since I restarted my blog in February. So many words, so much rubbish. 

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Curiouser and curiouser

The_Mad_Hatter

 

 

 

I am looking forward to seeing what Tim Burton does with Alice (Alice in Wonderland due for release early 2010).

I love these stories. They played a significant part in my childhood.

 

 

Queen_of_Hearts

 

As far as I’m concerned this is Mr Burton’s best opportunity to date to really bugger up a story that I care about. The photos released so far look very typically Burton, perhaps too much so, though I remain hopeful. 

More information on the movie here or here.

 

 

 

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
  Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
  And the mome raths outgrabe

from Jabberwocky from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872 by Lewis Carroll

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Joy Joy Joy

I’m inspired by the ‘joy lists’ published by edder from I don’t care for your tone and DuPree from chlorine in the gene pool.  I wasn’t tagged but I'm doing it anyway, just because…

Things that bring me joy;

  • a roaring wood fire on a cold wet night
  • a new hair cut and colour
  • gently waking to birdsong on summer holiday
  • the butterflies that go with a first date
  • a comfy chair in a warm spot and a good book
  • my skin tingling in the sun after swimming in the sea
  • driving with the top down
  • my girlfriends and a jug of icy margarita
  • a good movie in a luxury cinema (one with recliners)
  • a rollercoaster ride with a child

Friday, May 29, 2009

Gee thanks sassy girl

1) What is your current obsession?  Statistics. Not an easy choice of study when one is mathematically challenged but I had to take the plunge for my careers sake.

2) What are you wearing today? I am having a day off work and it’s freezing. I’ve just got out of bed so I am wearing baby blue pyjamas with tiny little cartoon elephants on them – I am a big fan of elephants.

3) What's for dinner? No idea yet. Nothing imaginative I can guarantee you that.

4) What would you eat for your last meal? It would  involve pasta and red wine and fresh fish and bread. WineAnd pavlova and cream with strawberries to finish.  It’s a last meal for goodness sake, who cares about calories?

5) What's the last thing you bought? A DVD copy of the movie Trainspotting. I loved that movie when I saw it years ago so I re-watched it last night. It’s shocking but entertaining.

6) What are you listening to right now? The local rock flavoured radio station. Pearl Jam classic Better Man is playing right now. Love this song!

7) What do you think of the person who tagged you? sas from sas’ magical mystery tour  is a thoughtful and intelligent kiwi chick. She’s cool.

8) If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? On a huge Montana ranch. Not that I have ever been to Montana but in the movies it looks like somewhere I’d want to live.

9) If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? London to catch up with a couple of good friends or maybe New York for a quick peek. Or perhaps Fiji for a swim in the sun in tropical clear waters mmmmmm.

10) Which language do you want to learn? Spanish

11) What's your favourite quote (for now)? Sorry I can’t limit it to one. A couple of nights ago I re-watched a few episodes on DVD of a kiwi TV series called Outrageous Fortune and I’m still chuckling;

Grandpa: "Life is shit."
Wolf: "What's pushed your button?"
Grandpa: "Being old and useless."
Wolf: "Yeah, well, you get that."
Grandpa: "That's pretty fucking profound son."

"Is texting someone eighteen times and getting nothing back - is that stalking?" – Munter

I'm going to be like a nun - except better dressed. And no church crap." – PascalleThe West family - Outrageous FortuneVan: "What does ironic mean?"
Munter: "It means how come the guy with the job has never got any money for any piss?"

12) What is your favourite colour? Plum right now I think with winter here. I seem to be wearing a lot of deep reds this season, though by no particular design. More to do perhaps with the beautiful maroon 3 inch courts I succumbed to a couple of weeks ago. Italian.

I was too ashamed to post about them at the time seeing as how I am meant to be on an economy drive *sigh*

13) What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? My winter swing coat. It’s a double breasted, hip length, tiny grey and white checked pure wool number and I feel like Audrey Hepburn when I wear it.

14) What is your dream job? It makes me sad to think about it as I have no idea what my dream job would me. Perhaps a children's author or maybe a teacher?  Maybe a travel writer or a professional foodie? All I know is that right now I have to be challenged. One day perhaps I could run my own small business combining my loves of people and food and books and coffee?

15) What's your favourite magazine? Don’t have one. The only time I pick up a magazine is in a doctor or dentist waiting room. Perhaps NZ House and Garden? It’s very stylish and glossy but it’s also about NZ$16 a copy. I’d never spend that much on a magazine.

16) If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on? That’s about NZ$256 right now. Heaps. Don’t even have to think about it. Boots. 

17) What are you going to do after this? It’s scheduled maintenance day today. Hair cut, manicure and eyebrows. Am considering adding a facial to the usual mix as am holding a wee soiree tomorrow night.

18) What are your favourite films? See my profile, they’re all listed.

19) What's your favourite fruit? I pretty much only eat seasonal fruit so I need two favourites: oranges in winter, I love the smell. Peaches in summer.

20) What inspires you? A great book. A fantastic sunset. Italian renaissance art. Snorkelling in clear water. A million things inspire me. Botticelli - Birth of Venus21) Your favourite books? See my profile, they’re all listed.

22) Do you collect anything? Architectural drawings of old houses. The pure lines are fabulous. 

23) What are you currently reading? I just started re-reading Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. I adore this book.

24) Go to your book shelf and take down the first book with a red spine you see, turn to page 26 and type out the first line: “…the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue in it five weeks without changing.” from an 1889 Clarendon Press edition of The Tempest that I bought a couple of years ago at a fair.

25) By what criteria do you judge a person? Tough question. Language I suppose, openness, integrity and let’s not forget that grooming and hygiene are also important.

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1. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention. 
2. Tag eight other people. Tagging, with love:
Du Pree, Uamada, Xanadu, edder, Kate, Bob, Lermontov and Tim. Anyone though please feel free to participate (or not) just as you desire.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Non-fiction at Noosa

Reality Bites

Have you seen that the Reality Bites Non-fiction Literary Festival is happening at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast between 6 June and 2 August? 

Click on the logo to check out the Reality Bites blog.

I am almost tempted to use my last 3 remaining days of annual leave and jump on a plane and take in a couple of sessions or three but I’m way too poorArt Life Chooks unfortunately.

I see that fellow blogger and author Annette Hughes is one of the featured authors at the festival. 

Seeing I can’t make it there this year I’m treating myself instead. I’ve ordered a copy of Annette’s book Art Life Chooks. It looks like my kind of read. 

 

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Onwards and upwards

I’ve had a much better day today.

Thanks everyone for your support over the last week. Sorry I haven’t much acknowledged messages - a great big thank you to you all. It’s been a tough week but it was made easier through the support of my online and local friends. 

I’ve also been lurking around but not commenting sorry so I’ll try to remedy that as well and re-engage a bit.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

…a few of my favourite things

http://whatscookingamerica.net/LavCremeBrulee.htm Crème Brulee by Chris Caldes. Photograph by Carrie Russell

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Got this idea a couple of days ago from Dade Freeman’s great site It’s My Life. Thanks Dade.

My favourite things…

- Author: Margaret Attwood
- Beverage: Ice cold Jim Beam and coke
- Cologne / Perfume: Elizabeth Arden Red Door
- Dessert: Crème brulee mmmmmm
- Electronic Device: my Nokia E71
- Food: Thai (specifically yum nua and giang panang)
- Game: Pixel Junk Monsters
- Hobby: Mosaic
- Ingredients as a pizza topping: Chicken and capsicum
- Job (you've had): my current role (Operations Mngr)
- Kind of breakfast: Eggs Benedict with salmon
- Living or dead person: my fabulous dad
- Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
- Novel: I know this Much is True by Wally Lamb
- Organic Produce: Big fat juicy tomatoes
- Programme on TV: Outrageous Fortune
- Quote: “Do or do not, there is no try” (Yoda)
- Relaxation Method: sorry don’t know you all well enough to share this – let’s stick with ‘see favourite beverage as above’
- Song: Run to the Water, Live
- Time to wake up: around 6:00am
- Unusual Talent: None (only fairly normal ones)
- Vacation Spot: various NZ lakes and rivers
- Website: http://www.youtube.com/
- Xperience: travelling (especially south-east Asia) 
- Yoghurt: no thanks – yuck
- Zodiac Sign (your own): Leo Leo

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Limerick laughter

I know that the limerick is considered the very poor and somewhat back water cousin of ‘proper’ poetry but I have always been a big fan of all things licentious and bawdy.

There was a young fellow named Hyde

Who fell down a privy and died

His unfortunate brother

Then fell down another

And now they’re interred side by side

Spot the pun in the last line?  Chuckle.

There was a young girl whose frigidity

Approached cataleptic rigidity

Till you gave her a drink

When she quickly would sink

In a state of complaisant liquidity

From ‘The Lure of the Limerick’ compiled by William Baring-Gould and published by Wordsworth Editions Ltd 1989.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Book review

Since getting my new reading glasses a few weeks ago, my voracious appetite for reading has been re-ignited. I am steadily working my way through the pile beside my bed after applying a ranking system to enhance expectancy and maximise diversity and enjoyment.Red River

This afternoon I have finished reading Red River by Lalita Tademy. I have been really looking forward to this after reading Cane River by the same author, a few years ago. Red River is the second narrative of Lalita’s father’s family, the Tademy’s.

I was not disappointed.

The book starts with the story of the Colfax massacre. In the 1870’s, after Louisiana had granted voting rights to former slaves, the black men of Colfax risk their lives to vote. They elect a new sheriff but when the incumbent refuses to step down, a group of black militiamen blockade the courthouse. Expecting the federal government to uphold the election results, the militants wait for reinforcements, but weeks pass and no relief eventuates. The siege is finally broken when the white attackers set fire to the courthouse. A massacre results in which many unarmed blacks are killed. This event shapes lives right through until the end of the book in the 1930’s.

This is an incredible book. Powerful.

What are you reading right now?