Saturday, February 27, 2010
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
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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.
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
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
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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. |
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Weekly Quote - W/E 13/2/10
"Women were expected to have weak opinions; but the great safeguard of society and of domestic life was, that opinions were not acted on. Sane people did what their neighbours did, so that if any lunatics were at large, one might know and avoid them." - Middlemarch, George Eliot
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Weekly Quote - W/E 06/02/10
"I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice - not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God, I am a Christian because of Owen Meaney." - A Prayer For Owen Meaney, John Irving
Friday, February 05, 2010
Splinter Cell World Tour, part 4
With the fifth game now near to release I'm continuing my imaginary travels based on Sam Fisher's exploits in the first game of the series, after visiting Georgia the journey now takes him back to American soil.
Langley, Virginia
Country: U.S.A.Area: 47.9 km2
Population: 38, 929
Language: English
Sam's next mission takes him to very dangerous ground, infiltrating the very headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency to gain information on the conspiracy going on within the government. The stealth element really ramps up in this mission as you are not supposed to be there at all, meaning you can't leave a trail of bodies behing, no matter how silently you dispatch them.
The name Langley is one I'm very familiar with from all the U.S. spy games and TV I've absorbed over the years, but I've very little other ideas about the place. For all intents and purposes the CIA HQ is the town's claim to fame. However it would still be great to go just to see the place and maybe get a tour of the ground floor or something. To be where secrets are held and important decisions are made would be an exciting thing I'm sure.
Other than that the town seems to be built up but fairly quiet and probably a pleasant place to visit. It is big enough to hold the publishing offices of USA Today, but from the scant information I've seen it's otherwise a leafy part of town which is good for a stroll after my exciting visit to CIA.
More soon.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Weekly Quote - W/E 30/1/10
"You're not buying only junk, you're buying junked lives. And more - you'll see - you're buying bitterness. Buying a plow to plow your own children under, buying the arms and spirits that might have saved you." - The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
Monday, January 25, 2010
Weekly Quote - W/E 23/1/10
" ' But I don't want to go among mad people', Alice remarked.
'Oh you can't help that' said the cat: 'we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
'How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice
'You must be' said the cat 'or you wouldn't have come here' " Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
'Oh you can't help that' said the cat: 'we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
'How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice
'You must be' said the cat 'or you wouldn't have come here' " Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Weekly Quote - W/E 16/01/10
"I've gone past my sell-by date already. It gets hopeless when you get older than five or six. You've stopped being a cute little toddler and started to be difficult. And I'm not pretty either." - The Story of Tracy Beaker, Jaqueline Wilson
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
White death from above!
Aaaaaaah! It's still snowing, what are we going to do, how will we live...
oh wait, snow is actually quite fun, apparently you can build snowmen - even go sledging. Plus you get to stay off work (which is slightly less fun if you don't get paid I can say firsthand!) and be at home.
But oh no - it's a disaster according to the news as always, rather than five minutes of snowball fight footage and creating igloos we get the danger statistics, and if you're utterly cruel like ITV news, footage of a woman falling painfully after slipping on ice repeated in between every news item.
What I really hate is the bit where they do show the kiddies enjoying themselves and end with a pessimistic line like 'it might be fun for these youngsters, but many of us will be finding it hard to laugh this winter. Back to the studio." Euugh, leave 'em to their fun don't drag the innocent into your fearmongering!
Well these are unusual circumstances in that it has snowed on more than two consecutive occasions within the same month so that's panic stations for us, and a normal day for many many places in the world. But should the situation continue the BBC have issued some guidance.
The situation does give rise to some cool stuff like this classic image of what is now known as 'Frozen Britain'
Have fun out there everyone, and above all stay safe.
Word of the post: snow –noun
| 1. | Meteorology. a precipitation in the form of ice crystals, mainly of intricately branched, hexagonal form and often agglomerated into snowflakes, formed directly from the freezing of the water vapor in the air. |
| 2. | these flakes as forming a layer on the ground or other surface. |
| 3. | the fall of these flakes or a storm during which these flakes fall. |
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Weekly Quote W/E 09/01/10
"Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buenida was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice." - One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Friday, January 08, 2010
A Christmas treat
Another great moment from working with kids - this one during a Christmas concert - the reading is taken (phonetically) from the book of Matthew
'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Maggie from the east came to Jerusalem'
Dontcha just love it?!!
Word of the post: Objective –noun
'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Maggie from the east came to Jerusalem'
Dontcha just love it?!!
Word of the post: Objective –noun
| 1. | something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; goal; target: the objective of a military attack; the objective of a fund-raising drive. |
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Weekly Quote W/E 02/02/10
The first of 2010!
"I am become death" - Robert J. Oppenheimer
Had this one in my head for a while - fun one to start the year eh?
"I am become death" - Robert J. Oppenheimer
Had this one in my head for a while - fun one to start the year eh?
Friday, January 01, 2010
Merry New Year!
OK so Christmas has been and stuff - I'm not good with the whole punctuality, Christmas for me is a time of year where I'm actually too busy to be on the internet and I regard that as healthy and a worthy goal.
I really enjoyed Christmas - a traditional family affair as always, though my inner five year old is always disappointed at the dwindling stack of presents you get as an adult, that and the lack of a LEGO moonbase or somesuch! But it was a really good time spent with friends and family.
The highlight was of course getting a white Christmas, something we hadn't had in a while. This was made all the more fun for me because of a South African family who have moved into our area and who hadn't seen snowfall before - so introducing them to snowball fights, sledging etc. made it all the more magical.
New year was ok, hung out with a mate and played a long game of poker - New Year's things are difficult for me generally as I'm not too fond of drunk people or fireworks so there aren't many events that I can access - but nonetheless we had a good time.
Right as always it's time to reflect and look back - so let's pick out some highlights of my year's blogging!
My first 'random picture post' - I've really enjoyed digging around the 'My Pictures' folder and posting stuff this year.
Splinter Cell World Tour - my imaginary travels around the world started here.
My 200th post landmark
Some Political Commentary
Digital Kid - one of my first posts to get some attention of Facebook
Blog Action Day - I kinds missed it this year, but it's an important event on the bloggosphere
OK enough of that - how about some reolutions - please bear in mind that I'm making these up right now so salt at the ready folks.
1. Blog more - duh!
2. I will not buy Xbox games for more than £30 unless it's a must buy now title like Halo: Reach
3. Be more organised, not losing bills and important paperwork like my driving license
4. Get a full-time job
5. Keep on top of my Coke[tm] addiction
That'll do - have a good decade folks!
Word of the post: Elongated
I really enjoyed Christmas - a traditional family affair as always, though my inner five year old is always disappointed at the dwindling stack of presents you get as an adult, that and the lack of a LEGO moonbase or somesuch! But it was a really good time spent with friends and family.
The highlight was of course getting a white Christmas, something we hadn't had in a while. This was made all the more fun for me because of a South African family who have moved into our area and who hadn't seen snowfall before - so introducing them to snowball fights, sledging etc. made it all the more magical.
New year was ok, hung out with a mate and played a long game of poker - New Year's things are difficult for me generally as I'm not too fond of drunk people or fireworks so there aren't many events that I can access - but nonetheless we had a good time.
Right as always it's time to reflect and look back - so let's pick out some highlights of my year's blogging!
My first 'random picture post' - I've really enjoyed digging around the 'My Pictures' folder and posting stuff this year.
Splinter Cell World Tour - my imaginary travels around the world started here.
My 200th post landmark
Some Political Commentary
Digital Kid - one of my first posts to get some attention of Facebook
Blog Action Day - I kinds missed it this year, but it's an important event on the bloggosphere
OK enough of that - how about some reolutions - please bear in mind that I'm making these up right now so salt at the ready folks.
1. Blog more - duh!
2. I will not buy Xbox games for more than £30 unless it's a must buy now title like Halo: Reach
3. Be more organised, not losing bills and important paperwork like my driving license
4. Get a full-time job
5. Keep on top of my Coke[tm] addiction
That'll do - have a good decade folks!
Word of the post: Elongated
Made longer; extended.
Having more length than width; slender.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Weekly Quote - W/E 19/12/09
"Tom had been offered the post of builder to the Exeter Castellan, repairing and improving the city's fortifications. It would have been a lifetime job, barring accidents, but Tom had turned it down, for he wanted to build another cathedral...once he had tasted that wine, Tom was never satisfied with anything else." - The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Weekly Quote - W/E 12/12/09
"And I was going to sea myself, to sea in a schooner, with a piping boatswain and pig-tailed singing seamen, to sea, bound for an unknown island, and to seek for buried treasure." - Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Snow through the ages - 2006
Hmm, I thought I had more pictures than this, but either the snow's been unimpressive recently or I keep forgetting to take pictures - actually yeah - I think we made a snow bear in 2007 but I don't have photos on my computer so maybe that didn't happen - but anyway, in 2006 we got very creative with our snow.
Behold snowhenge!! This was meant to be a snowman, but after my sister and her friend used up all the snow in the garden, then make the 'body' by rolling snow down the entire length of our street resulting in a snowball about six feet tall and wide, there was no hope of moving the thing, let alone lifting it, so we cut the beast up and created snowhenge!!
We had had a coating several inches thick of sn
ow, after this escapade -all that remained was...
Later on there was more snowfall and again opportunities for creativity - with my sister again heading up the creation - this was produced.
Mr Head - as he is affectionately known. Well that's it, if some white powdery snowball fodder falls this year I'll be sure to take a few pictures - word out people.
Word of the post: Quarantine –noun
Behold snowhenge!! This was meant to be a snowman, but after my sister and her friend used up all the snow in the garden, then make the 'body' by rolling snow down the entire length of our street resulting in a snowball about six feet tall and wide, there was no hope of moving the thing, let alone lifting it, so we cut the beast up and created snowhenge!!
We had had a coating several inches thick of sn
ow, after this escapade -all that remained was...Later on there was more snowfall and again opportunities for creativity - with my sister again heading up the creation - this was produced.
Mr Head - as he is affectionately known. Well that's it, if some white powdery snowball fodder falls this year I'll be sure to take a few pictures - word out people.
Word of the post: Quarantine –noun
| 1. | a strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease. |
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