Todays blog includes literature, racism, and physics.
In 1899 Helen Bannerman published Little Black Sambo. A book I had read to me, as did the siblings. It's frequently banned as 'sambo' is classed a racial slur.
For those of you interested in the full version, with pictures, it's available on Project Gutenberg here. (that links to the HTML version, there's epub etc available as well).
It turns out she's also the grandmother (or rather, was) of Prof. Tom Kibble who discovered the Higgs boson.
Which is just the bestest random link.
B
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
19 August 2014
17 December 2013
holiday reading
You'd think it was winter, aside from the sun shining and blue sky outside. Where's my f'ing snow, eh?!?!
anyway, stocked up the tablet with books for the *snowed in xmas*. in retrospect, I may need to find a few more lighter page turners as this collection doesn't look too cheery:
anyway, stocked up the tablet with books for the *snowed in xmas*. in retrospect, I may need to find a few more lighter page turners as this collection doesn't look too cheery:
- No Regrets: writings on Scott Walker [but at least it gives me yet another reason to play more of his genius]
- John Dies in the End
- The Golem [yeah the central/eastern european classic, felt I should read it at some point...]
- Danubia [the lighter read, really enjoyed Simon's other book, Germania]
- Creation: the origin of Life/The future of life [oohhh Science!]
I think i've still got a couple of unread Robert Rankin's lying around which will rock the lighter read stuff.
The downside to those heavy books is that them, and booze, mix poorly. Xmas and booze mix well, and there-in lies a problem...
B
31 March 2010
IT musings
I think it's time to come up with some predictions as to where I see IT for the next 12-18 months. Not much point heading beyond that the speed things move at.
I'm having a reasonably quiet day but have been pondering where I think we need to put resources for growth which has prompted this blog.
Cloud computing
Which has become a buzzword to confuse the crap out of pretty much anyone. Ask for a definition of cloud computing and the sheer variety of answers makes ways to use eggs in cooking seem simple. I think from a user perspective (not enterprise) the move to putting documents, settings, emails up on the website is well established - but will become more common place. Offerings from Google (email, docs, storage), Microsoft (new Live Mesh), and a number of other providers allow storage of, for example, documents, email (webmail), bookmarks, general settings etc. All of which means you can, in theory, have all of your work on the web. There are security issues there, but for convenience, it seems a good thing. I'm quite sold on it, if for no other reason than I don't have to email my documents from home to work etc, and since I use Dropbox, I can access them on the iphone. Seems pointless? It's been useful when I've been trolling vinyl in record shops, since I've got my list on the phone I can check what I've already got.
My concern here is the security, most people don't have secure password, and most people don't change them very frequently, let alone security by the hosting company. This is one reason why I'm using Dropbox over Google for my storage, I'm concerned at the amount of info Google already have about me (from gmail, searches etc), so why stick my documents up there too?
The big corollary is movement to smaller laptops. You don't need power to surf the web, so speed can be sacrificed to make smaller machines. This is where I see the power of the iPad, work on docs, browse the web and listen to music. How many of us really only use the computer for that?
In reality most of us don't use anywhere near the power of the computer we own and, in theory, could get away with a terminal server/thin client connection. This was thrown around a few years ago as the future of computing, but it's not until now that network speed/stability and the potential of the internet, have allowed it to become a realistic approach for users.
For Enterprise users, I see the cloud in the next 6-12 months being a trial period, while security and data storage issues are addressed. Who owns the data and how easily can it be migrated?
Computers
Going on a limb here, but I predict the effective death of the desktop PC in the next 12-18 months. The current economic climate will force a move to greener options (thin client, laptops etc). So outside of the few people who actually need high performance machines (gamers possibly) the rest will continue the move to smaller truly-portable machines. Even for traditionally desktop bound industries, for example movie rendering, there are now options for blade-based processors so thin-client is possible here. In theory anyway.
I think the ipad will really kick start the truly portable PC market. Although I'm in two minds about purchasing one: there is no camera, which limits the use for skype/msn etc, and the multi-threading is a bit pseudo which if you are trying to do a number of things, could be an issue. I also don't see the point of having a 3G one (see below).
Interesting that a number of mobile companies here will give you a 'free' netbook with the purchase of a 3G dongle and plan. I think that's a massive rip-off and have warned a few people off that - see Wireless below.
Wireless
This is where the interesting stuff happens - if we ignore NZs dire ADSL connections and focus on the better UK ones.
I'm currently discussing with our networks team removal of hardwired network connections to the halls. And we all see that within the next year or two, wireless is robust and secure enough to cope with the increased demand. And that's with general student usage of iPlayer, legal (and illegal) P2P usage, movie downloads (via itunes etc).
The ubiquitous nature of wireless means connection is possible pretty much everywhere. So why not kill off hardwired connections - mostly. There is demand for backbones to have the extremely high speed connections being rolled out (100GB+), but whether this needs to be to the users desktop/thin-client is questionable. Actually thin-client entirely negates the use of wired, if the wireless is stable enough...
Another issue I find amusing is people who get cabled connections to their house, then run wireless. Kinda defeats the purpose.
If wireless is going to take over from wired, then I do agree speeds need to be increased - which is likely to mean more connection points, or at least smarter trafficking of data. This isn't an area I know much about...but the hit as more people are connected to the same point is significant.
I also think 3G is dead and shouldn't be used. It's over-saturated as it is, and connection speeds are dire. 4G is on it's way, but can we just go for full wireless? There's big implications for Telco's here as the mobile companies have the investment in 3G, and the traditional (eg BT) telco's have the wireless, could lead to an interesting battle for customers.
That's my point on why I'd be going for a wireless only iPad. All I ever do with my phone is swear when I'm using data over 3G. It would be fine for text, but as sites all use graphics and interaction (eg google maps), 3G kills my battery and my will to live. die 3g, die.
For much the same reason, don't be tempted on the 3G dongle+netbook deals, as they'll lock you into a long term contract (from what I've seen anyway).
OS and Software
I'm sure most of you expect me to say Linux is the way forward. It's not. Or rather, it's nowhere near ready for general users. So for the foreseeable future, it's a niche market and we're stuck with Apple and Microsoft. Both of which I'm fine with, Win7 is good, and I like Mac OS...
What may begin to shake things up is Google when they launch their OS. Given their success and market dominance, and the full integration with GoogleApps/Mail/etc. it could become quite a challenging competition for the two established brands.
Microsoft are obviously concerned, and have responded with the launch of MS Live Mesh. Kind of Dropbox meets Google Apps/Mail. So allows multiple machines access to stuff.
Apple need to seriously rethink their offering, currently MobileMe and iDisk are paid services - which look good, but with the combination of free offers available, I don't see much of a win using them. And cost-wise, they are expensive for what is being offered.
General software has become a web-based service (software-as-a-service), and I think it's ridiculous to expect users to keep paying for basic office programs. Google Apps and MS both offer free web-based options, and OpenOffice has been free for years (and cross-platform). There is the opportunity for enhanced offerings on a cost-model. It's been tried before (Mandriva linux and OpenOffice/StarOffice spring to mind), but never very successfully. Possibly as a lot of them charged beyond what the market was keen to pay.
There is a strong separation here between consumer and enterprise tho', and that's the split that needs to be exploited by software manufacturers. I foresee something like 'buy our enterprise software and get the consumer version free' - or the enterprise comes with a web-based version accesible from outside the organisation. From the looks of Office 2010, and the recent updates to Office 2008 (Mac) that's certainly where MS are headed - as in integration with the MS Mesh Live offerings. Rumours have it that Mesh Live will be synched properly with SkyDrive (25GB online storage for free) in the next few months as well.
eBooks
I can't see the death of paper based books just yet - although as I mentioned in a recent blog, I can see the increasing decline of the newspaper industry.
However with the new Apple iTunes Books section competing head to head with amazon's kindle etc., I think we're in for some fun times as consumers. For ease of use, it's hard to beat itunes, so it's going to come down to compatibility. Amazon have been a bit petty about this recently, but are obviously doing something as ebooks are unavailable on their website.
I can't see a DRM (digital rights management) system working too well here, but there are more limited licensing models available that could work.
Will be interesting times for the book world. We've already seen the death of Borders and the near collapse of other major bookstores, apparently due to a lack of diversification or acceptance of new media forms. Is this the beginning of the megastore (amazon, itunes) and the micro-niche store (indie book shop) with very little as high street stores? I suspect it might be.
Crickey that was a bit of musing.
Links of interest:
MS Live Mesh
Dropbox referral
Apple iPad
Apple MobileMe
I'm having a reasonably quiet day but have been pondering where I think we need to put resources for growth which has prompted this blog.
Cloud computing
Which has become a buzzword to confuse the crap out of pretty much anyone. Ask for a definition of cloud computing and the sheer variety of answers makes ways to use eggs in cooking seem simple. I think from a user perspective (not enterprise) the move to putting documents, settings, emails up on the website is well established - but will become more common place. Offerings from Google (email, docs, storage), Microsoft (new Live Mesh), and a number of other providers allow storage of, for example, documents, email (webmail), bookmarks, general settings etc. All of which means you can, in theory, have all of your work on the web. There are security issues there, but for convenience, it seems a good thing. I'm quite sold on it, if for no other reason than I don't have to email my documents from home to work etc, and since I use Dropbox, I can access them on the iphone. Seems pointless? It's been useful when I've been trolling vinyl in record shops, since I've got my list on the phone I can check what I've already got.
My concern here is the security, most people don't have secure password, and most people don't change them very frequently, let alone security by the hosting company. This is one reason why I'm using Dropbox over Google for my storage, I'm concerned at the amount of info Google already have about me (from gmail, searches etc), so why stick my documents up there too?
The big corollary is movement to smaller laptops. You don't need power to surf the web, so speed can be sacrificed to make smaller machines. This is where I see the power of the iPad, work on docs, browse the web and listen to music. How many of us really only use the computer for that?
In reality most of us don't use anywhere near the power of the computer we own and, in theory, could get away with a terminal server/thin client connection. This was thrown around a few years ago as the future of computing, but it's not until now that network speed/stability and the potential of the internet, have allowed it to become a realistic approach for users.
For Enterprise users, I see the cloud in the next 6-12 months being a trial period, while security and data storage issues are addressed. Who owns the data and how easily can it be migrated?
Computers
Going on a limb here, but I predict the effective death of the desktop PC in the next 12-18 months. The current economic climate will force a move to greener options (thin client, laptops etc). So outside of the few people who actually need high performance machines (gamers possibly) the rest will continue the move to smaller truly-portable machines. Even for traditionally desktop bound industries, for example movie rendering, there are now options for blade-based processors so thin-client is possible here. In theory anyway.
I think the ipad will really kick start the truly portable PC market. Although I'm in two minds about purchasing one: there is no camera, which limits the use for skype/msn etc, and the multi-threading is a bit pseudo which if you are trying to do a number of things, could be an issue. I also don't see the point of having a 3G one (see below).
Interesting that a number of mobile companies here will give you a 'free' netbook with the purchase of a 3G dongle and plan. I think that's a massive rip-off and have warned a few people off that - see Wireless below.
Wireless
This is where the interesting stuff happens - if we ignore NZs dire ADSL connections and focus on the better UK ones.
I'm currently discussing with our networks team removal of hardwired network connections to the halls. And we all see that within the next year or two, wireless is robust and secure enough to cope with the increased demand. And that's with general student usage of iPlayer, legal (and illegal) P2P usage, movie downloads (via itunes etc).
The ubiquitous nature of wireless means connection is possible pretty much everywhere. So why not kill off hardwired connections - mostly. There is demand for backbones to have the extremely high speed connections being rolled out (100GB+), but whether this needs to be to the users desktop/thin-client is questionable. Actually thin-client entirely negates the use of wired, if the wireless is stable enough...
Another issue I find amusing is people who get cabled connections to their house, then run wireless. Kinda defeats the purpose.
If wireless is going to take over from wired, then I do agree speeds need to be increased - which is likely to mean more connection points, or at least smarter trafficking of data. This isn't an area I know much about...but the hit as more people are connected to the same point is significant.
I also think 3G is dead and shouldn't be used. It's over-saturated as it is, and connection speeds are dire. 4G is on it's way, but can we just go for full wireless? There's big implications for Telco's here as the mobile companies have the investment in 3G, and the traditional (eg BT) telco's have the wireless, could lead to an interesting battle for customers.
That's my point on why I'd be going for a wireless only iPad. All I ever do with my phone is swear when I'm using data over 3G. It would be fine for text, but as sites all use graphics and interaction (eg google maps), 3G kills my battery and my will to live. die 3g, die.
For much the same reason, don't be tempted on the 3G dongle+netbook deals, as they'll lock you into a long term contract (from what I've seen anyway).
OS and Software
I'm sure most of you expect me to say Linux is the way forward. It's not. Or rather, it's nowhere near ready for general users. So for the foreseeable future, it's a niche market and we're stuck with Apple and Microsoft. Both of which I'm fine with, Win7 is good, and I like Mac OS...
What may begin to shake things up is Google when they launch their OS. Given their success and market dominance, and the full integration with GoogleApps/Mail/etc. it could become quite a challenging competition for the two established brands.
Microsoft are obviously concerned, and have responded with the launch of MS Live Mesh. Kind of Dropbox meets Google Apps/Mail. So allows multiple machines access to stuff.
Apple need to seriously rethink their offering, currently MobileMe and iDisk are paid services - which look good, but with the combination of free offers available, I don't see much of a win using them. And cost-wise, they are expensive for what is being offered.
General software has become a web-based service (software-as-a-service), and I think it's ridiculous to expect users to keep paying for basic office programs. Google Apps and MS both offer free web-based options, and OpenOffice has been free for years (and cross-platform). There is the opportunity for enhanced offerings on a cost-model. It's been tried before (Mandriva linux and OpenOffice/StarOffice spring to mind), but never very successfully. Possibly as a lot of them charged beyond what the market was keen to pay.
There is a strong separation here between consumer and enterprise tho', and that's the split that needs to be exploited by software manufacturers. I foresee something like 'buy our enterprise software and get the consumer version free' - or the enterprise comes with a web-based version accesible from outside the organisation. From the looks of Office 2010, and the recent updates to Office 2008 (Mac) that's certainly where MS are headed - as in integration with the MS Mesh Live offerings. Rumours have it that Mesh Live will be synched properly with SkyDrive (25GB online storage for free) in the next few months as well.
eBooks
I can't see the death of paper based books just yet - although as I mentioned in a recent blog, I can see the increasing decline of the newspaper industry.
However with the new Apple iTunes Books section competing head to head with amazon's kindle etc., I think we're in for some fun times as consumers. For ease of use, it's hard to beat itunes, so it's going to come down to compatibility. Amazon have been a bit petty about this recently, but are obviously doing something as ebooks are unavailable on their website.
I can't see a DRM (digital rights management) system working too well here, but there are more limited licensing models available that could work.
Will be interesting times for the book world. We've already seen the death of Borders and the near collapse of other major bookstores, apparently due to a lack of diversification or acceptance of new media forms. Is this the beginning of the megastore (amazon, itunes) and the micro-niche store (indie book shop) with very little as high street stores? I suspect it might be.
Crickey that was a bit of musing.
Links of interest:
MS Live Mesh
Dropbox referral
Apple iPad
Apple MobileMe
26 December 2009
Boxing Day
Didn't have as much booze as I thought I would. Had a nice relaxing day tho, watching movies, drinking booze, eating food. Ended up watching the mini-series Alice - kinda derivative, if you've seen Kubrick, Gilliam, even the Matrix, you won't be very surprised - but it was mindless, which is all we wanted.
This morning, woke up and read for a bit. A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz was shortlisted for the 2008 Man Booker prize, which I'd generally avoid. But I'd been in a literature search the other week and picked up this, Cormac McCarthy's The Road (brilliant, if disturbing reading on a train through the blank snow covered wilderness of the Scottish Borders...) and something else. Anyway, this one is very very funny, and is rocking along at high speed.
Made brekkie (toast and coffee), did the remaining dishes, cleaned the kitchen and organised recycling, now my feet are up watching the John Carradine classic, Silent Night, Bloody Night. A soft romantic comedy concerning a haunted house and the nutjobs involved with it. Seems a good example of the slasher flick genre so far, scripting has been, at best, clumsy. Non-sequitors abound which is superb listening. I'm also liking the lack of emotional investment in any of the characters, nice touch !!
Me.
A Fraction of the Whole; Silent Night Bloody Night
This morning, woke up and read for a bit. A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz was shortlisted for the 2008 Man Booker prize, which I'd generally avoid. But I'd been in a literature search the other week and picked up this, Cormac McCarthy's The Road (brilliant, if disturbing reading on a train through the blank snow covered wilderness of the Scottish Borders...) and something else. Anyway, this one is very very funny, and is rocking along at high speed.
Made brekkie (toast and coffee), did the remaining dishes, cleaned the kitchen and organised recycling, now my feet are up watching the John Carradine classic, Silent Night, Bloody Night. A soft romantic comedy concerning a haunted house and the nutjobs involved with it. Seems a good example of the slasher flick genre so far, scripting has been, at best, clumsy. Non-sequitors abound which is superb listening. I'm also liking the lack of emotional investment in any of the characters, nice touch !!
Me.
A Fraction of the Whole; Silent Night Bloody Night
23 May 2009
Gray's Anatomy : the book
I recently read The Anatomist : A True Story of Gray's Anatomy by Bill Hayes. Figured it was worth changing from CD/movie/booze reviews briefly to comment on this. The title is misleading, the book actually explores Gray's collaborator, the anatomical artist (and Dr. in his own right) Henry Carter. Mainly as there is more information to be found about him than Gray (who died young, 34). As a biography of Carter, it's interesting, but not great.
The author sat in on some anatomy dissections to try and understand what the Henry's achieved, which I guess provides some context. However I felt there was too much of the author and his opinions/feelings in the writing, failing as a biography of either Henry. Hayes' detective work to find dissected items of Gray's is interesting, but ultimately doesn't help illuminate what drove Gray or Carter. And his comparative work of 19th London with what Gray's hospital has become is pointless.
Hayes goes to great lengths to frequently reiterate that he is gay, another example of too much of the author, not enough of the subject. The reason becomes clear later when he begins dissecting his partners disease.
There have been a lot of positive reviews of this book, describing the interweaving of the authors anatomy courses and Gray's work as seamless. I'd disagree, I found it detracted from both leaving it without a focus. At no stage did I think I was reading a biography of Gray, and even as a biography of Carter, it was lacking detail - and much was 'inferred' by the author with limited support from surviving documentation.
B
20 April 2009
J.G.Ballard
Died yesterday - or today - who knows with this silly timezone stuff from cancer. He of 'Crash' fame - not that crap recent movie, rather the book the Cronenberg movie was based on.
I like his stuff. It's bleak, visceral, sexual - powerful.
More info here.
me
I like his stuff. It's bleak, visceral, sexual - powerful.
More info here.
me
22 October 2008
Work
This blog was going to be a review of the scotch tasting last night. But it's not. Instead it's going to discuss my job. An almost unheard of thing in my ramblings about beer, whisky and music.
As many of you know I recently departed the world of science for the world of IT, in which I've dabbled for some time. Dipping my toes, but refusing to get anything more than soggy socks. My disgust at the state of science, and organisation thereof in NZ, caused me to apply for a Team Leader role. Which I got, and am enjoying. Full immersion to continue the watery analogy.
One reason for the hiring was to implement a knowledge base - using KCS methodology. Basically it's knowledge base management but from calls/incidents in real time and everyone gets to create the entries, and depending what status you are, some people get to edit others' entries. It's a bit more complicated than that, but it relies on everyone doing stuff (not just one person) and getting feedback and keeping the solution simple.
I think it's going well. We've discovered we do *a lot* more than we thought we did, which means we're still in the creation phase, rather than re-use phase of the entries.
What has been interesting is peoples response to this, as it is a paradigm change for some of them. Our ServiceDesk had had a complete turnover of staff, so they were in a WTF is going on here phase, so convincing them of the use was easy. My lot were more sceptical, about half of them thought it was a good idea. Some of the others just did it cos knew I'm not likely to let go of things if I think they are a good idea. And some were grumpy cos they like to hoard knowledge and be known as 'the expert' which is what I wanted to break. I didnt' see any wins there, and figure all of the team should be able to do, in theory, anything. Hells bells, I wrote one of these entries and got my boss (who is sooo not technical) to test it, by configuring server stuff.
The last couple of weeks I've been gathering data and putting it into various reports/charts for various presentations my boss and I are working on. This is where we found out we do far more than we thought. And at the meetings where we've been promoting some of the people to the 'you can edit others entries' phase, there have been some very unhappy campers. So many of them didn't get that the crux of this was formatting. It's all well and good writing a feckin' novel how to fix a problem - but if you can't write it so someone else can follow steps. What's the point?
The funniest was one of the non-english speakers (my boss likes hiring them, cos they make her laugh...) who we promoted above someone who thought he was excellent (he's not). Her explanation "I wrote them so I could follow them" was exactly the point.
So yeah I'm enjoying this at the moment. A mixture of analysis, cajoling, violence, manipulation and dictatorship. It all seems to fit my personality.
We did a presentation to a group of Wgtn support people this afternoon, which was interesting as well. the ones who see knowledge as a 'something we should do' vs those who see it as a cornerstone of support was quite obvious.
I'm writing this while listening to Albinoni Oboe concerti. As some CDs arrived which are going to take some time to absorb: Albinoni Oboe concerti; Calexico (new one); bob dylan bootleg v8; Rush snakes and arrows live; Telemann concerti; Lilburn Symphonies. And I hope the new Marillion arrives in the next day or so.
I'm also reading Sandman again. Ahhhh lovely. Back to that now.
Love, me
As many of you know I recently departed the world of science for the world of IT, in which I've dabbled for some time. Dipping my toes, but refusing to get anything more than soggy socks. My disgust at the state of science, and organisation thereof in NZ, caused me to apply for a Team Leader role. Which I got, and am enjoying. Full immersion to continue the watery analogy.
One reason for the hiring was to implement a knowledge base - using KCS methodology. Basically it's knowledge base management but from calls/incidents in real time and everyone gets to create the entries, and depending what status you are, some people get to edit others' entries. It's a bit more complicated than that, but it relies on everyone doing stuff (not just one person) and getting feedback and keeping the solution simple.
I think it's going well. We've discovered we do *a lot* more than we thought we did, which means we're still in the creation phase, rather than re-use phase of the entries.
What has been interesting is peoples response to this, as it is a paradigm change for some of them. Our ServiceDesk had had a complete turnover of staff, so they were in a WTF is going on here phase, so convincing them of the use was easy. My lot were more sceptical, about half of them thought it was a good idea. Some of the others just did it cos knew I'm not likely to let go of things if I think they are a good idea. And some were grumpy cos they like to hoard knowledge and be known as 'the expert' which is what I wanted to break. I didnt' see any wins there, and figure all of the team should be able to do, in theory, anything. Hells bells, I wrote one of these entries and got my boss (who is sooo not technical) to test it, by configuring server stuff.
The last couple of weeks I've been gathering data and putting it into various reports/charts for various presentations my boss and I are working on. This is where we found out we do far more than we thought. And at the meetings where we've been promoting some of the people to the 'you can edit others entries' phase, there have been some very unhappy campers. So many of them didn't get that the crux of this was formatting. It's all well and good writing a feckin' novel how to fix a problem - but if you can't write it so someone else can follow steps. What's the point?
The funniest was one of the non-english speakers (my boss likes hiring them, cos they make her laugh...) who we promoted above someone who thought he was excellent (he's not). Her explanation "I wrote them so I could follow them" was exactly the point.
So yeah I'm enjoying this at the moment. A mixture of analysis, cajoling, violence, manipulation and dictatorship. It all seems to fit my personality.
We did a presentation to a group of Wgtn support people this afternoon, which was interesting as well. the ones who see knowledge as a 'something we should do' vs those who see it as a cornerstone of support was quite obvious.
I'm writing this while listening to Albinoni Oboe concerti. As some CDs arrived which are going to take some time to absorb: Albinoni Oboe concerti; Calexico (new one); bob dylan bootleg v8; Rush snakes and arrows live; Telemann concerti; Lilburn Symphonies. And I hope the new Marillion arrives in the next day or so.
I'm also reading Sandman again. Ahhhh lovely. Back to that now.
Love, me
18 April 2008
International Indie Record Shop Day
Is tomorrow. Go support the local indie shop. Buy something. Chat to the nice people behind the counter. If in Wgtn go to Slowboat and catch Sam Flynn Scott.
In other news, I've started reading Joyce's Ulysses. I'm enjoying it so far, will let you know if that position changes.
B. x
In other news, I've started reading Joyce's Ulysses. I'm enjoying it so far, will let you know if that position changes.
B. x
9 September 2007
William Gay - Twilight
For a change, a book review.
I saw this one reviewed in the DomPost recently and figured it sounded 'like me, don't ya know'. So rather than pissing around let's just list the bits that attracted me to it:
* Southern gothic
* necrophilic undertaker
* bootleg whisky
* inbred nutjobs
* gun toting rednecks
* murderers
* gorgeous use of language
The story is very dark, involving photographs, a perverse undertaker, bootleg whisky all the great subject matters - and for those of you who like the genre (including the music), it is wonderful Southern Gothic. There's blackmail when the undertakers misdeeds are discovered, a murderer employed to deal to the blackmailers, a number of great screwball anti-social characters who pop up, and a great ending. Wot more could you want! Oh and as I've mentioned in other posts, I don't like morally pure characters. This book I liked :) Even the ending is ambiguous and there is little redemption for anyone. Ahhhh, happy.
The writer uses language beautifully, and it's worth reading for that alone. Except his subject material could be construed as disturbing for the more pure members of my readership (do I have any of those?). The book has had rave reviews from a lot of good reviewers, and is worth a spin.
The author is worth a peek too, I've managed to track down a picture...
I suspect some serious bloggage today btw...
B xx
I saw this one reviewed in the DomPost recently and figured it sounded 'like me, don't ya know'. So rather than pissing around let's just list the bits that attracted me to it:
* Southern gothic
* necrophilic undertaker
* bootleg whisky
* inbred nutjobs
* gun toting rednecks
* murderers
* gorgeous use of language
The story is very dark, involving photographs, a perverse undertaker, bootleg whisky all the great subject matters - and for those of you who like the genre (including the music), it is wonderful Southern Gothic. There's blackmail when the undertakers misdeeds are discovered, a murderer employed to deal to the blackmailers, a number of great screwball anti-social characters who pop up, and a great ending. Wot more could you want! Oh and as I've mentioned in other posts, I don't like morally pure characters. This book I liked :) Even the ending is ambiguous and there is little redemption for anyone. Ahhhh, happy.
The writer uses language beautifully, and it's worth reading for that alone. Except his subject material could be construed as disturbing for the more pure members of my readership (do I have any of those?). The book has had rave reviews from a lot of good reviewers, and is worth a spin.
The author is worth a peek too, I've managed to track down a picture...
I suspect some serious bloggage today btw...
B xx
16 January 2007
Bikes, indie retailers and Capote
Went for a nice long bike ride yesterday (she's a lovely girl...heh heh) and am feeling surprisingly good this morning. So blonde bit, no need to wheel me to the cafe this morning. Unless you want too of course. And it's summer, so except for the stupid twats in their cars reversing out of parks, it's all good. Lots of cute joggers. Mmmm.
I've just had some great service from a couple of retailers. There's a German music artist called Sylvan, and his album last year got rave reviews from everyone who heard it. So I ordered it along with the new one. Had some nice conversations with him as he didn't have NZ on his 'mailto' list. And the link from his website to Paypal went a German version of Paypal, which was a little confusing. The music sounds good from the samples I heard. It would have been cheaper to order from the CDUniverse or Amazon, but hey I'm all for supporting the artist. So go check him out here.
And the other example has been from the ever reliable Charles at Tonefloat records. Yeah I've even got the t-shirt... He presses lots of vinyl in small collectable numbers. And since he's done lots of Steve Wilson and Steve's various offshoots (Bass Communion, No-man, IEM etc) I've spent a fair amount there. The last vinyl I bought from him was damaged somehow in the post, so he's replacing it - and he's nice and friendly and helpful via email.
So go support the little guys. Sure the big boys are cheaper, but hey, personal service is so much nicer.
Am currently reading the complete short stories of Truman Capote thanks to the surreal JossieB. It's great. Nice and twisted stories which are a joy to read.
Well it's off to the lab to make up some SST now - having found out what SST is yesterday, thanks google. It's apparently SSC + tween20. There, you can all sleep better...
Word.
b.
I've just had some great service from a couple of retailers. There's a German music artist called Sylvan, and his album last year got rave reviews from everyone who heard it. So I ordered it along with the new one. Had some nice conversations with him as he didn't have NZ on his 'mailto' list. And the link from his website to Paypal went a German version of Paypal, which was a little confusing. The music sounds good from the samples I heard. It would have been cheaper to order from the CDUniverse or Amazon, but hey I'm all for supporting the artist. So go check him out here.
And the other example has been from the ever reliable Charles at Tonefloat records. Yeah I've even got the t-shirt... He presses lots of vinyl in small collectable numbers. And since he's done lots of Steve Wilson and Steve's various offshoots (Bass Communion, No-man, IEM etc) I've spent a fair amount there. The last vinyl I bought from him was damaged somehow in the post, so he's replacing it - and he's nice and friendly and helpful via email.
So go support the little guys. Sure the big boys are cheaper, but hey, personal service is so much nicer.
Am currently reading the complete short stories of Truman Capote thanks to the surreal JossieB. It's great. Nice and twisted stories which are a joy to read.
Well it's off to the lab to make up some SST now - having found out what SST is yesterday, thanks google. It's apparently SSC + tween20. There, you can all sleep better...
Word.
b.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)