The FINAL Weekly Quote

Yes it is!

I think it's time to call it a day with The Place That Is. Over the past few weeks I've been struggling to come up with stuff to write and to justify this blog's place on the bloggosphere. I've had the odd bust of inspiration here and there, which I'm proud of, but of late I've found there just isn't anything to write about.

I'm not really a tell-all kind of guy I don't feel the need to Tweet away my life's minutae or go on at length about my opinions on matters of importance, as many bloggers are skilled at doing. But rather this was just a place for me to hang out and post a few thoughts here and there. But increasingly I've been posting for the sake of keeping the blog going, rather than enjoying it - as Joss Whedon said, there's a point when it stops being rescussitation and turns into necrophilia...

...of course he was talking about the excellent TV show firefly which he did manage to resurrect as the movie Serenity and is still ongoing as a comic book series. Anyway, this blog didn't quite seem worthy of those efforts.

I think I might have a few loose ends to tie off before I close down completely, but for now...

"Jack Firebrace lay forty-five feet underground with several hundred thousand tons of France above his face. He could hear the wooden wheezing of the feed that pumped air through the tunnel. Most of it was exhausted by the time it reached him." - Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks

Weekly Quote - W/E 25/09/10

"Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident." - Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres

Splinter Cell World Tour, part 6

As I continue my imaginary world tour we've actually completed the first game with a large chunk of the action taking place in Myanmar and Georgia. They were great locations to play in, and I'm sure fantastic ones to visit. Pandora Tomorrow, the second game gives a wealth of settings to visit, which adds to the fun.

I do like the world travel side of the early Splinter Cell games, the latter ones, including the superb Conviction have excellent levels to play through, but largely take place on Sam's home turf. But not to worry, there's another video game series that features a lot of roaming around so the imaginary world tour will continue!!

Dili
Country: East Timor
Area: 14,874 km2 (East Timor)
Population: 150,000
Language: Tetum



Sam undertakes a mission in Dili, East Timor in response to a terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy there. The mission is rife with opportunities for Sam to show off his split-jumping, pipe-shimmying and shadow lurking as he gets closer to the threat and his target. Being an Embassy, this adds to the stealth action as Sam is restricted from using lethal force or leaving any sign of his presence.

Dili is the capital, an independent country in the Indonesian archipelago, half of the landmass of the island it occupies is taken up by West Timor, an Indonesian province. It was once a province of Portugal and carries that influence to this day, with Portugese being a primary language spoken. It was also occupied by Indonesia, but became an independant state in 1999.

However the violence has resulted in a large portion of Dili's buildings being severely damaged or destroyed. But a few significant buildings from the Portugese era remain, such as the Portugese Governor's office, which now houses the Prime Minister and also statues such as the Cristo Rei of Dili which is a major tourist attraction (pictured below)












It looks a fascinating place and like all the other locations it has the appeal of being a far away place. The appeal of Splinter Cell for me is that it doesn't rely on set-pieces in America (though it has some great ones) or show 'the world' with a few shots of Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower - it really takes you around the world. I'll finish off with something I've neglected - putting Dili on the world map.










More content soon.

Word of the post: Reconsider –verb (used with object)

1

to consider again, esp. with a view to change of decision or action: to reconsider a refusal.

Late Weekly Quote

sorry about the lack of content, I blame the summer holiday which, while bringing more free time, also brings a lack of structure which interrupted by blogging schedule.

"Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle." - Catch 22, Joseph Heller

Weekly Quote - W/E 31/7/10

"I'm tired of saying, 'how wonderful you are! To fool men who haven't got one half the sense I've got, and I'm tired of pretending I don't know anything so men can tell me things and feel important while they're doing it." - Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell

Funnier at the time...

On a trip to the Manchester Science Museum a friend and I came across this, an occurrence which is probably quite common, but at the time seemed hilarious.














A man polishing a bin - hah!!! What next people cleaning toilets?!!

Also funny is this weird piece of architecture.














OK so it ain't the leaning tower of Pisa, but the Manchester Hilton still looks like a precariously balanced child's Lego brick construction to me.

And soon after this I ran out of battery so I have nothing really to show you of the Museum, but it is well worth a look.

Word of the post: Welcome –verb (used with object)

3

to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.

4.

to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good: to welcome a change.

Weekly Quote Late Double

falling behind again...

"Harry dived. Defore the dragon knew what he had done, or where he had disappeared to, he was speeding towards the ground as fast as he could go...he had taken his hands off the firebolt - he had seized the golden egg." - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling

"It was now too late and too far to go back and I went on. And the mist had all solemnly risen now and the world lay spread before me." - Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

back on track now.

Birthday Music

It's been ages since my birthday, but I thought I'd share with you some of the music I got for my birthday because I've bought a few other CDs since and I'd like to post about them too. I',m not going to bother 'reviewing them - I'm simply going to share what I got, and let you listen for yourselves.

G-Sides: Gorillaz








Gorillaz have quickly migrated to favourite band status and with the gift of this album they equaled the top spot for 'most albums owned' with 4 albums by the same artist. Buying G-Sides (an album of B-Sides for their first release) was something I'd always planned on getting around to so it was a great gift.

This is 'Ghost Train' - my favourite track on the album.




Through the Windowpane - Guillemots









I was aware of the band, but didn't know a lot about them so this gift was an attempt to broaden my horizons I think. It took me a while to get into them, but one song in particular stuck in my head and captured my interest, which is how I think music should work.

This is 'Made Up Love Song #43'



More soon.

Word of the post: Unwillingly –adjective

1. not willing; reluctant; loath; averse: an unwilling partner in the crime.

2. opposed; offering resistance; stubborn or obstinate; refractory: an unwilling captive

weekly Quote - W/E 03/07/10

"Somewhere out there is the origin of all the dust, all the death, the sin, the misery, the destructiveness in the world. Human being's can't see anything without wanting to destroy it, Lyra. That's original sin. And I'm going to destroy it. Death is going to die." - His Dark Materials, Phillip Pullman

Maybe you don't understand how this works...

I don't really follow the football, not when there's E3 and Glastonbury to more fully occupy the TV. But I did stay behind with some guys from work to watch the England game - the one they won, not the most recent one!!!

One of the teacher related a great conversation they'd had with a pupil

Teacher: What's the score now?

Pupil: 1-0 to England!

Teacher: Great! Who scored?

Pupil: Err....England?!!!


Guess it was kinda obvious really!!! Oh and Defoe scored the goal (I think) if you're wondering.

Word of the post: Verbal –adjective

1 of or pertaining to words: verbal ability.

2. consisting of or in the form of words: verbal imagery.

3. expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written: verbal communication; verbal agreement.

Weekly Quote - W/E 26/6/10

"In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri." - The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, Douglas Adams

Systems

I thought I might share with you some of my systems for web posting in various formats. Most of us like to put things on our blog, Facebook pages and computers. I got bored with waiting around with the same picture or words so I took to regularly updating by web output and this has slowly turned into a rigid system which I now stick to rigidly.

Monday





Facebook status update: Unless there's something tremendously interesting going on in my life I stick to my game of posting up song lyrics as updates.









Blogga's Wall: My newest venture; on Blogga the Hutt I now post up a picture every week showing what I'm up to. My reviews and updates are rarely on time and reviewing everything I did would be tedious so it's a quick way of showing what's new - be it movies, games or as we see this week: comics.

Wednesday





Facebook status update. Continuing the system. I work through an album song by song, picking any song line that fits with the 'is' status line of the original Facebook bar, the results when taken out of context are often amusing. I'm currently working through a Led Zeppelin album and am on 'Immigrant Song' currently.

Friday




Facebook status update: Yes, that's three a week, the Monday, Weds + Fri system works quite well and is used by more prolific bloggers like XKCD and Penny Arcade, ones who have real content to add!!

Saturday







Weekly Quote: You should be familiar with this, I try and get 'em in once a week, mostly I succeed. I've used a variety of sources but for a while I've been using quotes from novels listed in the 'Big Read' survey done by the BBC a while back.
















Wallpaper: I like to keep my desktop looking fresh so I change my wallpaper every week. Again I use a variety of sources, I'm currently using a nice set of Mass Effect 2 wallpapers e-mailed to me by a friend.

And that's it - interesting or a sign of madness - maybe you can tell?

Word of the post: Questionable –adjective

1

of doubtful propriety, honesty, morality, respectability, etc.: questionable activities; in questionable taste.

2.

open to question or dispute; doubtful or uncertain: a statement of questionable accuracy.

Weekly Quote Double - W/E 19/6/10

"I am no bird and no net ensnares me. I am a free human being with an independent will." - Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte

I saw the Leonardo DiCaprio movie recently, this has always stuck in my head

"Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word.
Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee." - Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

Nowhere near as funny but...

I've been getting into XKCD recently and I was bored and stuck for ideas on what to post so...











and I'm aware that it may not be funny at all, but a boy can dream right?

Word of the post: –Manoeuvre noun

1 a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.

Weekly Quote - W/E 05/05/10

"I don't think it will be any good trying to go back through the wardrobe door... you won't get into Narnia again by that route... yes, of course you'll get back to Narnia again some day... but don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it." - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis

Somewhat unfortunate...

From the inside cover, of 'The Pacific' - the book that accompanies the new Series. I don't have the exact words so I'm paraphrasing, but I don't think any meaning is lost.

'This is the tale of those men who fought on to the closing days of the war. Standing together they continued to the end, though there was a heavy price to pay, a price paid by all...


£20.

*wince*

Weekly Quote - W/E 29/5/10

"I hate to think I've got to grow up and be Miss March and wear long gowns...it's bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boy's games and work and manners!" - Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

Some Trips Out

I haven't used my camera in a while. I keep forgetting to take it out, perhaps I'm subconsciously used to having a massive delay before the flash goes off and so not being able to capture the action I'd like. Still I've managed to take some reasonably decent photos with it so maybe I should be more forgiving.

I can't quite remember where I took this but I love these plants, they're fantastically weird, I think they could pass for the next Doctor Who villain or something.











Near where I live there is a farm park, which hosts a fairly impressive collection of animals these days including peacocks...










Highland cattle...










And the advantage to being local is you can walk around the perimeter and sometimes be greeted by the odd curious Ostrich!










The place also hosts what is quite possible the creepiest fairground ride ever!










That's it for now - I'll dig some more stuff out of the random cupboard soon.

Word of the post: Yardstick –noun

1.a stick a yard long, commonly marked with subdivisions, used for measuring.

2.any standard of measurement or judgment: Test scores are not the only yardstick of academic achievement.

Some Weekly Quotes I missed

Sorry about the delay, lots of extra work, which is great, but keeping me away from the computer a bit too much!!

Ooh - one of my favourites! This book's vivid description of life in totalitarian rule was so captivating I was ill by the end of the book!!

"The horrible thing about the teo minutes hate was not that one was oblidged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in." - Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell

And another favourite!!

"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." - The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R.Tolkien

Thanks for your patience, I'll try and knock up some more content soon.

Splinter Cell World Tour, part 5

I've nabbed the demo for the fifth game and I'm hoping to get my hands on the full version soon. In the meantime let's have a look at where Fisher heads next in his first mission.

Myanmar
Country: Myanmar aka Burma
Area: 676,578 km2
Population: 50,020,000
Language: Burmese




After infiltrating the CIA headquarters and investigating a corrupt software manufacturer based also in Langley, Sam's trail takes him to the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar. This is an even tougher assignment than Langley as discovery could cause an international incident, so Sam must remain completely undetected throughout.

I know little about Myanmar other than that it is 'near China' so I'll have a quick dig to find out what might appeal to a novice tourist on his way over there. Seemingly one of the most interesting things to see over there are the massive Buddhist temples seen above, with the lush jungle surrounding it fit for exploring. There are also plenty of beaches as a third of the perimeter is an uninterrupted coastline all the way down.

Myanmar is also a hotbed of controversy with human rights abuses causing strains with the Western States. The country is very deprived, and with tensions with the regime diminishing foreign investment it means that there are signs of the lack of development around, such as the Sakura Tower, depicted below, which is almost empty due to lack of investment. Despite these controversies and difficulties it still looks to be a lush and diverse nation and well worth a visit.












Word of the post: Far-fetched–adjective

improbable; not naturally pertinent; being only remotely connected; forced; strained:

Weekly Quote - W/E 30/04/10

"Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me...but these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without." - Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Having a laugh in P.E....

I recently took a class down for some track and field P.E. at a local College where they generously let us make good use of their track and erm...field. We had a good session doing relay, long jump in the sandpit etc.

The pupils also have the opportunity to train in throwing events, namely shot and javelin. Now not being healthy or particularly safe when it comes to these matters we felt it best that I not teach the students with the real deal so we set out to get the foam javelins used for practice and some lightweight balls.

While there I found something fantastic - a lightweight, safe, practice version of...









The Hammer Throw!! It was brilliant. My attempt at 'proper techniqu' was rubbish, but then we just got around to flinging the thing and it went miles - everyone enjoyed it and we had a great time.

I don't know where you get them from and I know they're not toys, but it was just fantastic. I do wanna be fair to the guy in the picture and state that he is using a proper hammer so if it looks like that and weighs a tonne - don't use it!!!

Word of the post: Puzzlement - noun

1.the state of being puzzled; perplexity.

2.something puzzling.

Weekly Quote - W/E 24/4/10

"I pictured them all down there in the bay, and the little dark hull of the boat rising slowly to the surface, sodden, dripping, the grass-green seaweed and shells clinging to her sides." - Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier

Water resistant to 30 degrees

I'm quite impressed.









My watch has done me proud. It is not the watch seen above, my watch is a cheap watch and therefore not covered in branding and logos so I couldn't actually Google the make and model so what you see above is the result of a search for 'watch'

Nonetheless, through misfortune my watch had been placed in the washing machine at work. I caught the mistake early on, but the washing machine we have is a clever one which won't let you do a silly thing like stop the cycle and open the door when it's halfway through a wash, physically jamming the door for the duration. I was forced to leave it and pick it up at the end of the day.

And, you've already worked it out, it still works!! Despite a thorough soaking and being rattled around for the better part of an hour it's chronological functions are not impaired. The only difference being that it's somewhat cleaner and more fragrant.

Good eh?

Word of the post: Extrapolate –verb (used with object)

1.to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture.

2.Statistics. to estimate (the value of a variable) outside the tabulated or observed range.

3.Mathematics. to estimate (a function that is known over a range of values of its independent variable) to values outside the known range.

Weekly Quote - W/E17/04/10

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." - To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

Map I made

This a map I made to show a friend how to use the trains and get round Liverpool

we still got lost!!!

















Word of the post: Plethora –noun

1. overabundance; excess: a plethora of advice and a paucity of assistance.

Weekjly Quote - W/E 10/4/10

"In historical events great men - so-called - are but labels serving to give a name to the event, and like labels they have the least possible conexion with the event itself." - War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy

More Music for Me - Magnificent!!

Yes I've managed to actually lay hands on some more music of late. I've been to the shop and bought some CDs and even managed to complete one of my letter quest things. I'm still struggling on 'I', but I've managed to get an M, as you may have guessed from the terribly subtle alliteration in the title!










OK, the first album isn't an M - it's a G, by my favourite G in the whole world - Gorillaz!! Their new album Plastic Beach has been released and I was out like a shot on the day of release to lay my hands on it. I've always been a fan of this band since hearing the 'refix' of Clint Eastwood back in my early High School years and they improved on that with the release of 'Demon Days'. I'd heard rumours that the band were finishing so to hear that they were bringing a new studio album out was incredible!










The album is a great mix of distorted electronic sound, with new single 'Stylo' leading the way. It's a bit of a diversion from the style of Demon Days so it took a bit of getting used to, but I love it, with 'Rhinestone Eyes' being a contender for all time favourite Gorillaz track. There are some great supporting artists, including Snoop Dog, Lou Reed and band Little Dragon which create some great collaborative track. My only downside is there is perhaps too much of this, with supporting artists taking over some tracks - this works well in some places, like Bobby Womack's solo 'Cloud of Unknowing' but fails in others, such as 'White Flag' featuring some rappers and no 2-D.










The next album is 'Conditions' by Temper Trap. I got into this band through the iTunes single of the week which gave me their excellent track 'Sweet Disposition'. I really like this band, their vocal style sticks out from the crowd. I guess that what I'm after these days. I'm no musical expert, and I'm far more mainstream than I might confess to being, but I can't stand stuff that just sounds the same as all the other stuff it needs to call to me, it needs me to listen to it, enjoy it a bit, then find myself singing the words subconsciously a week later - this album does that with great success.










Next and finally my 'M' is Massive Attack. I got their best of as a '2 for £10' along with Temper Trap and it hasn't disappointed. I can't remember what the genre is called - 'trip hop' or something, but I really like it, it's a break from my usual listening, but a welcome one. A highlight for me was rediscovering 'Teardrop' which had been rattling around the noggin' for a while and it was fantastic to finally have it on CD.

More music momentarily.

Word of the post: Impertinent –adjective

1.intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil: a brash, impertinent youth.

2.not pertinent or relevant; irrelevant: an impertinent detail.

Weekly Quote - Birthday special

Yes I missed it last week, sorry completely passed my by. Oh well, I'm now older than I was before and I've a few quotes to commemorate this, but first last week's quote:

"They recalled the languorous siesta of hot mid day, deep in green undergrowth, the sun striking through in tiny golden shafts and spots; the boating and bathing of the afternoon, the rambles along dusty lanes and through yellow cornfields; and the long cool evening at last, when so many threads were gathered up, so many friendships rounded, and so many adventures planned for the morrow." - The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame

The following come from a famous TV show which indicates my age, try and figure it out.

"Damn it! There just isn't time!"

"I'm sorry Mr President"

"Save my daughter!"

Ok, maybe I'm paraphrasing a little...

Weekly Quote - W/E 20/3/10

"Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! Only do not leave me in the abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!" - Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte

We're into the top 21 books now!!

And so it goes on...

OK so my hopeful prediction of Zombie-Love didn't come true...yet, but they're cranking out another twilight film and apparently there's a fourth book out too.

The trailer for Eclipse has been released and here's the promo poster.



















What will the saga hold in store next? To be fair you can probably make a decent guess.

Word of the post: Penchant –noun

a strong inclination, taste, or liking for something: a penchant for outdoor sports.

Weekly Quote - W/E 6/3/10

"Dear Mr Potter, we are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress." - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling

Virtual Insanity

More random reflection on life in the digital age. It's interesting how different my generation is to that of, say, my parents. Now of course all young folk follow different trend to that of their forebears, and maybe my perception is no different to previous generation's but I do feel that technology is widening the gap in how people of different ages approach the world.

One thing that has brought about significant change is automated checkouts. As Bill Bailey said 'you know, the one with two extra members of staff!' And this highlights the problem. Our local ASDA is well equipped with this stuff, sporting automated purchasing points for both goods and petrol.

















Some older folks will avoid these and fear them - it is not part of their understanding and they would rather deal with a person. I tend to regard this as irrational and I'm easily irritated by the cautious pace people take with these devices and how they have to keep asking questions. 'It's obvious' I think, ;just read what it says on the screen'.

I think this is another generational element. People of my age, and tech savvy nerds who grew up on 'super calculators' in the seventies, are used to developing, changing technology and to adapting to it on the fly. We will readily fiddle, change, turn off and on again and keep going until it works while others are left browsing the instruction manual. That's not to say I can do everything, nor am I acquainted with even half the tech that's out there, and yeah it was confusing the first time I used the auto pump - but heck, it's a chip and pin device with a touch screen - I can use both of those, why not do it together!

Conversely though I guess I am afraid of something in the same scenario - I prefer to avoid the checkout now there's the option. If I mess something up I won't get embarrassed in front of a computer, a computer won't say something weird and expect a conversational reply, a computer won't judge me for my food purchases. Again, I have to admit I do sometimes enjoy conversations with people at the tills, but buying petrol from a person is something I will always avoid when I have the opportunity.

I might be better equipped for the modern world, but I do wonder which disposition is ultimately better or worse?

Word of the post: Pedagogy–noun,plural-gies.

1. the function or work of a teacher; teaching.

2. the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.

Weekly Quote - W/E 27/2/10

"At least a hundred Dementors, their hidden faces pointing up at him, were standing below. It was as though freezing water was rising in his chest, cutting at his insides. And then he heard it again...someone was screaming, screaming inside his head." - Harry Potter and the Pris0ner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling

The evolution of the hammock

Digging through my old pictures again and I found this gem of teenage prankery, again taken on the youth camp in 2005.

I don't think anyone actually sat on it mind.
















As we said at the time: 'It was the Badgers'

Word of the post: Gallimaufry –noun,plural-fries. Chiefly Literary.

1.

a hodgepodge; jumble; confused medley.

2.

a ragout or hash.

Origin:
1545–55; < class="ital-inline">galimafree kind of sauce or stew, prob. a conflation of galer to amuse oneself (see gallant) and Picard dial. mafrer to gorge oneself

Stuff I've read recently - 8

OK not too bad a length of time since my last post, I actually bombed through one of my books because it was on loan from the library but got a bit slowed down on the others due to additional work commitments. But I got there and a long train journey helped me finish them off so here's a look at the books I've been reading since I last talked about reading books.

The Bible - God

I finished off Revelation. I've always loved that book. I still haven't got my head around half of it, but I don't think it's as big a stumbling block as we sometimes see it to be, it is after all a revelation - not a mystery! Revelation also gives you a grand scale of what's going on and of God's plans. You see that there is a war between good and evil, but also that the war has been won and that God will and does reign supreme - something important to remember. I've also done a two week overview on the life of Jesus, seeing how God achieved ultimate victory.

The Sovereignty of God - A.W. Pink

A very helpful book dealing with a central issue and it's impact on our lives. God is supreme ruler of all the universe, not one centimetre of it can escape him or is out of his control. All events are forseen and controlled by God and nothing is outside of His power. Do we accept that, and what does that mean for us? While slightkly dated the book has lost none of it's relevance or clarity on this and it has been helpful to think through the scope of God's sovereign power and what it changes for me.

Wolverine: Origin - Paul Jenkins

One of the most loved comic book characters gets his beginnings explored in this great graphic novel. The film differs significantly from this story, only the opening few scenes are similar. It travels far back in time, showing the real age of the character and how long he has lived due to his restorative mutation. There are a number of twists and turns as 'Logan' finds who he is and accepts his mutation. If you're a Marvel fan well worth a read.

Star Trek: Countdown - Roberto Orci et al

The prequel to the new Star Trek movie takes place long after the events of the film - of yeah it's typical head-bendy Sci-Fi stuff here. The novel deals with the events that kick start the film, namely the destruction of the Romulan homeworld and the catapulting of Spock and Nero back to before the time of the first Enterprise. The book follows Spock and the crew of a certain famous vessel-E as they attempt to save Romulus and stop the tragic events that follow. I got mine with my copy of the DVD, good read.

Halo: The Fall of Reach - Eric Nylund

I bought this book because of the upcoming game, though the plots will likely have little in common it seems from recent interviews. Nonetheless it is good to have already a sense of what the planet Reach is about and what it cost humanity when it fell. The book largely centres around the Spartans as they are trained and augmented from childhood to be the best hope for humanity. In terms of the eponymous battle the book centres largely on naval engagements, showing how outclassed the UNSC are in space, something you don't see much of in the games.

OK more onto my 'main' books now.

Stardust - Neil Gaiman

This was lent to me by a friend. I will say now that if you liked the film and are thinking of getting the book for your kids - don't! It is a good book and a great fairy tale, but it is for grownups most definitely. Having said that it is a fun, heartwarming tale with equal parts humour and action. The faerie world is superbly described and the narrative flows so well that you soon finish the book, not because you couldn't put it down, but rather because you hadn't realised that you didn't put it down!

God Emperor of Dune - Frank Herbert

The next in the Dune series is a chunky old book, but I still got it read thanks to the impending library deadline. It is a break in style from the previous books, not least of all because Dune has been transformed into a lush garden world with only a hint of the desert and the Fremen tradition remaining. Leto II has reigned for millenia unchallenged, genetically engineering and shaping humanity into a path that it struggles to escape, but one that will keep it from extinction. And in training his allies he also trains his deadliest enemies all to his purposes. A convoluted, but still interesting and exciting read.

The Men Who Stare At Goats - Jon Ronson

A superb book. I got this on offer after seeing the film. The book is the result of the author investigating the psychic spying agencies in America. Not only are they real, but they were authorised (though not publicised) by the highest levels in the military. After the depressing end to Vietnam, different approaches were needed, some of those approaches involved training men to psychically locate targets, walk through walls and kill a goat just by staring at it. It's all true, though how successful they were is up for debate, and what's more this is a driving force behind psychological operations used extensively in the present Iraq War - incredible but (at least partly) true!!

Well that's it for now, I've nearly finished another book so you may hear from me soon, but I've also got some classics to read, which may slow me down!

Word of the post: Hodgepodge –noun

a heterogeneous mixture; jumble.

Weekly Quote W/E 20/02/10

"All alone it rose and looked across the marshes to the forest. The lonely mountain! Bilbo had come far and through many adventures to see it, and now he did not like the look of it in the least." - The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

Today's post is brought to you by...the letter D!

That's right kids, this post is all about the letter D and also my blind fumbling into the world of music and bands and actually paying for music as opposed to streaming (not illegally downloading!!!) music from the web.

A while back I bough albums based on Red Hot Chilli Pepper's recommendations of 1. Buy bands your favourite bands like 2. by albums your friends like and 3. buy an album just 'cause you like the cover, and I accomplished all those goals. My music buying is still incredibly sporadic, though iTunes free single of the week has gotten me into new music such as Gaslight Anthem, Airborne Toxic Event and the XX, I'm also considering getting Temper Trap.

But now a new way has arisen to get me into more music, both new and old - alphabet CD buying!! My goals is to have one artist for each letter of the alphabet in my CD collection, and yes that does just show how limited my collection is. The first missing letter is, you guessed it...D!! I already have albums will the preceding letters,

A - Arcade Fire
B - Basement Jaxx
C - Coldplay

I considered a number of options, consulting with friends and browsing shelves. Contenders included Deep Purple and also contemporary electro bands Delphic and Does it Offend You Yeah? But in the end there was only one winner...

Dire Straits!










I've nodded along to so many of their songs at friend's houses and parties that I was, I think, always going to end up getting this band. I won't attempt to do their music justice by describing it other than to say it's great with many an iconic guitar riff found within.










The Album I got was a 'best of' - always a safe bet with a classic band. While my listening has largely consisted of playing 'Sultans of Swing' on repeat I have enjoyed the album and getting into less familiar (to me) songs such as 'Tunnel of Love'.

So there we go, where will my musical travels take me next...to HMV I'd imagine! I think the next missing letter is 'I' so chip in with suggestions.

Word of the post: Sentinel –noun

1.	a person or thing that watches or stands as if watching.

2.	a soldier stationed as a guard to challenge all comers and prevent a surprise attack: to stand sentinel.