Portugal scores!

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
"Zarafa: the true story of a giraffe's journey from the plains of Africa to the heart of post-Napoleonic France" by Michael Allin
About a giraffe who was gifted to France and her journey overland from Egypt to Paris.
What did I think?
A lovely story. Much more interesting once the author gets to the giraffe - yes, the history (and people named) is interesting but it's the giraffe I want to know about. Makes you think about what it would be like without all the communication technology that we have now - letters for correspondance, few books, no movies. Also interesting to compare what was happening over in France with what was happening in NZ at the same time. (Man we're a young country.)

Great Wall of Sound

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
"Yu-Gi-Oh: volume one (Aka: The Millennium puzzle.)" by Kazuki Takahashi
About a boy who solves a puzzle and becomes the guardian of right and is given the power to pass judgement on evil. He doesn't know he has this power.
What did I think?
A typical manga with some violence, justice and a bit of sexiness thrown in for good measure. Plus of course the TV/Film tie-in which results in massive popularity. I caught one of these on TV one day - now I understand it. Surprisingly fun with a pretty good storyline...not sure if I'll follow it up but I certainly won't have the same attitude toward it as before. (i.e. damn kids and their messsed up cartoons.)

#49 Read Montana fiction winners of the last 10 years
2003 The Shag incident / Stephanie Johnson.

Lunch special

#49 Read Montana fiction winners of the last 10 years
2000 Harlequin rex / Owen Marshall
2006 Blindsight : a novel / Maurice Gee

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors & #87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
Robin Waterfield "Xenophon's retreat : Greece, Persia and the end of the Golden Age"
About the retreat of an army led by Xenophon (among others) over rugged land way back in, um, I forget the exact date, but it's before Alexander the Great.
What did I think?
I thought that it was going to be heavy going as the first chapter dives right into the story and descriptions of the weapons. However, with a bit of concentration, it turned out to be a fascinating bit of history. The Greek soldiers made an already arduous journey more complicated by their own treachery and greed. Of course, that all seems so obvious from our vantage point in history but I guess if you're desperate you're not exactly thinking clearly.

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors
Xinran "What the Chinese don't eat"
A collection of columns from the Guardian.
What did I think?
An interesting reminder of the differences between Eastern and Western culture and of the fact that China is such a large country that even if a Chinese person was willing to talk to you about their country it wouldn't follow that every Chinese person thinks that way or has expereinced that situation. Which is pretty bloody obvious when you think about it.

Yancey, Rick "The extraordinary adventures of Alfred Kropp"
About a boy who gets involved in stealing a sword and then has to deal with the mythical aftermath.
What did I think?
I very much enjoyed this take on the Arthurian legend. Especially the very well done bit just before the wrapping up scenes. Some very exciting blood and violence for the boys in this story, perhaps not so much for the girls - sometimes Alfred comes across as a bit of a whiner. Apparently the rights have been sold to Warner Bros Pictures...I hope they get the casting right. One tiny niggle about the resolution about parentage but if it hadn't have panned out the way it did what would be the point of the story? Recommended. (oh, it's another teen book.)

it's all in the breathing

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors & #87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
Updike, John "Villages"
A man remembers his life as it applies to sex and the computer industry in its early days.
What did I think?
Hhm. Didn't like the main character all the much. Actually, any of the characters. Thought some of the exposition was clumsy. I think I'm the wrong generation for this type of book. (Although I remember enjoying one of his other books (can't remember the title) so perhaps it's just this one.)

Voight, Cynthia "When she hollers"
About Tish who has had enough of being abused at home and has taken a knife to school to protect herself. How she copes during the day and what happens when she finally (justifiably) freaks out.
What did I think?
Harrowing portrait of when an abused girl snaps and can't take it any more. Written very much from her point of view so you can very much expereince her heart pounding and confusion over what her confession (if) will do to her and her family. Well respected teen-aimes author. Have to confess it did seem a bit like a book focusing on 'issues' that was all the rage in the late 90s. Worth persisting. Some loose ends for me - what happened with the teacher? What happened to her friend?

#35 Cook through the Edmonds cookbook
Tres proud. Did my first variation today. Granted it came from some fancy kitchenware shop via LoM but it has made me wonder - what if I made it with CUSTARD POWDER rather than COCOA? No pics - it came out of the ovens, our friends turned up, we ate it. (Pictures of crumbs ain't that much fun to look at (although hellishly fun to make.))

Apart from iTunes. Obviously.

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors & #87 A-Z reading challenge - titles*
Stevenson, Robert L. "Torchlight"
Think of yer classic early 90's action film with square jawed hero and feisty heroine. Now give him a friend who turns out to be the actual hero and give her a psychotic, dangerous adpotive father. Oh, and throw in some deep sea diving facts.
What did I think?
I think you can tell by the plot...and no linky love because the other famous writer (yes, they're related) comes up when I Google him.

Thomas, Dylan "Under Milkwood"
A radio play which is "...an orchestration of voices, sights and sounds that conjure up the dreams and waking hours of an imagined Welsh seaside village within the cycle of one day."
What did I think?
Fantastic. I'd love to hear it as an audio track. (I'm partial to things that roll and tumble and lollop and twist like fighting kittens. Dance, music, writing - it doesn't matter what it is I'm partial to it. Think of then like the equivilent of kowhaiwhai or celtic knots.)

*I thought I'd be clever and start combining the author/title reading list. It's working but unfortunately I'm reading faster than I can get the damn books. Off the list "Shamanka" by Jeanne Willis and "Living Hell" Catherine Jinks - 2 excellent teen aimed books.

#43 See a performance that doesn't include anyone I know
King Lear at the ASB theatre in the Aotea Centre. A mixed bag this. The sound was shit. LoM couldn't even understand what they were saying - I thought it was just me and that I didn't have my shakespeare ears on. Wasn't helped by the coughing (have a fuckin lozenge people) or the deep breathing of the bloke behind us OR the man in front with the squealing hearing aid (although I forgive him. Like I said the sound was shit.) In some places the actors were 'doing' shakepseare - intoning, swooping up and down the register, screeching etc. (Might be personal preference though. That's just not my style.) It was made worse by the flashes of brilliance thoughout the production. Some really nice interpretations of individual lines. If they slowed down they were great too. I guess it's easy to race through the words when you've been doing it for a while. Highlights - blue painted jazz man (I think it was Edgar); the rain/on the beach scene; the arrest scene. Ian McKellan turned in a performance fine at times.

Update 26/8/07: the nasty brother was pretty good too. He always seemed to be on his knees, bouncing up and down, preparing to sprint over and slash someone's throat. Great stuff.

Sasparilla oooyyyy-yaaaaaa *

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors & #87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
Ruiz Zafon, Carlos "Shadow of the wind"
About a boy who finds a book written by a man who seems to have disappeared. The boy feels compelled to track down the author and find out what happened to him.
What did I think?
Simplistic plot explanation not matched by the writing. Excellent story and translation. Exciting and mysterious with a little bit of love and death thrown in. I love it when books turn out to be like those celtic knots where everything repeats and roils around. Great stuff. Recommended to others as this was recommended to me.

* song title/chorus

Wicked drunk or otherwise

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors
Newbery, Linda "Set in stone"
About a man who is art tutor to two girls who have a secret that is not their companion (who also has a secret.)
What did I think?
Took a long time to get going, was really exciting about 5 chapters from the end and finished too quickly. All the characters sounded alike. Good plot but.
N.B. Don't search Real Groovy for "Set in stone" unless you're interested in butch-on-butch erotica. Search Newbery.

This task and #87 A-Z reading challenge - titles seem to be going on forever. At least I'm over halfway with both of them now.

Feeling a bit 'fah' with the way things are progressing (if only I had "put on weight" as a task...)

Again.

You are not alone.

Went out yesterday with LoM to get new tramping boots. I thought it would take an hour or so...four hours later I managed to find some. Apparently that was very good in terms of how long it could have taken. Really good shop assistants in all the shops we went to as well which makes a nice change. Knowledgeable and helpful. Plus the boots are surprisingly comfortable. I guess they should be - they cost enough! I'm all ready for #84 Walk Auckland/Atuanui mountain on August 12. Just checking out the thermos to see whether it would be suitable to take with us. Hopefully the heavy rain will stay away - I don't mind a little bit of rain but I'd rather not get soaked!

Other progress areas
#35 Cook through the Edmonds cookbook
The more I do this the less scary baking becomes. I have no trouble whipping up a cake or a batch of biscuits after dinner. Our cupboards are well stocked with baking ingredients.

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
"Pride and Prejudice" Jane Austen
The original chicklit novel - girl meets boy, girls dislikes boy, boy thinks girl's family are embarassing, boy reluctantly falls in love with girl, boy declares himself, girl is incredulous, boy goes away, girl suffers period of angst and consternation then it all works out in the end.
What did I think?
It took me a while to get into this novel. Orginally I wondered what the hell I'd gotten myself into (bad vibes for #19 Read all of Jane Austen) but then I came to appreciate the elgeance of some of her sentences. So in the end I quite enjoyed it. I took it to the last film of the film festival (for me at least.) Funnily enough one of the actors in that film was in the latest film version of the book I had just read. Everything is linked right?

That film was "Death at a funeral". (#76 Attend films I want to see - by myself if necessary.) This choice for me was a bit of a wild card. I liked one of the actors in it but wasn't sure that it was actually a valid reason for going. Boy was I glad that I had decided to go! Very very funny. I was wiping tears away at one stage. Nicely paced and edited - there was a section of high comedy then one of high drama. The whole theatre went silent. Quite a good result considering it was packed out (at the Civic) and had moments before been in hysterics. Sure, there were some over the top moments, but it could be forgiven in that environment. Best seen in a large theatre with lots of people. (There was applauding after this film which I totally understood.)

#86 A-Z reading challenge - authors
Izzard, Eddie "Dressed to kill"
An old title (almost ten years old) written when Mr Izzard was just starting to get into films and become known over here in NZ. Musings on life with a bit of biography thrown in.
What did I think?
Another wild card choice - I wasn't sure what to read so I thought I'd search the library catalogue for the first last author listed in the "I"s. I think I'd already read it but I found it interesting all the same. I'd just read an interview so it was a lucky coincidence that this book came up. Lots of fun if you don't mind philosophy and the occasional tangent in your biographies.

Shut up just shut up shut up *

#57 Have a cheap-as-chips movie day - all movies, all day
(also counts for #66 Attend some festival events - arts, literature, movies etc. and #76 Attend films I want to see - by myself if necessary)

Done and done. Four movies in one day. I thought they started at 11am and that I'd missed the start because of the traffic. Then it turns out they started at 11:30am so all was good.


First two films were at Sky City village theatre. Nice, comfy seats and places to put your drink. Next one was at the Civic. Luckily it was a short one becaus those seats weren't very comfortable. Plus I got an itch and fidgeted all the way through the film. The last one was at the SkyCity Theater. Comfy seats but nowhere to put a drink except on the floor. And they had the sound too loud. I kept wanting to put my hands over my ears!

"A world of shorts" - Short films from around the world. Top one - "Family Reunion"About a girl from Iceland who has moved to New York. She has a girlfriend there who her family doesn't know about. Then she goes back to Iceland for a family party where she thinks her secret has been discovered. Excellent twist at the end. Some other thought provoking films in the lot too.
"The great happiness space" - Japanese host clubs where men encourage women to come and party (i.e. get drunk and shout a lot. Oh, and moon over their host.) Very interesting. I thought the host men were a bit like geisha in that they provide support and emotional comfort to the woman who go there. It was quite sad in that host clubs were quite expensive, so to support their 'habit' the women they interviewed had moved into sex trades to get the money. Therefore it was a bit of a revolving circle of sorrow and money and sex and desperate attempts to feel something and manipulation and lies and deceit.
"Manufactured landscapes" - This wasn't what I was expecting so I didn't really get into it until after the film. It was about a photographer who interprets man-made landscapes. During the course of his career he has come across many interesting created landscapes which show the influence that manufacturing has had on the environment and on people's lives. Some of his phtotos were amazing - great, enormous caverns that were quarries, making huge dumptrucks look tiny. Large factories in China where there are over 50 rows of workers (a shot of the factory opened the film. I didn't count but it must have gone on for several minutes, just dolly-ing down the side.) He had a few pictures that showed the end-life of some things we use - ships that are taken apart by hand and computer components that were melted down and all useable metal salvaged. He didn't really come out and say "You idiots! Look what your desire for stuff has done to these people and this country and it will be only a matter of time before this impacts on your lives!" but you could tell that he had thought about the consequences of his actions and what he does etc. I think it would be a good companion piece to "An Inconvenient truth" (which I have not seen) and "The Planet" (which I will see next week.)
"Helvetica" - about the font. Wonderfully done. The font is treated like a person with its history delved into and opinions on it from a number of graphic artists. They are all interesting people if slightly manic. I love the way they describe how the font makes them feel, what it reminds them of and why (or why not) they use it. The most surprising thing to me was how many people were NOT graphic artists (all the articles I've read seem surprised by the opposite.) The director was there and told a great story - apparently he is now tired of Helvetica and sees it everywhere. On Sunday he went out to Piha and climbed Lion Rock. What should he see but Helvetica on the sign. Priceless :) However, his doco was not priceless. All financed by Mr Visa so if you get a chance go see it, buy the DVD and download the music. (All available later this year.)



#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
"On a hoof and a prayer : around Argentina at a gallop" by Polly Evans.
About a woman who rides around Argentina on a horse.

What did I think?
It was interesting to compare this book with the Llama book. Both women travelling alone. Polly has also written a great book about cycling through Spain. Their attitude was certainly different - Polly being a bit more concerned about appearances and comfort and eating well. This one was okay. Read the book that's "Not about the Tapas" rather than this one for a better travel story. Bussing somewhere and then jumping on a horse was interesting but not as gritty as the cycle story.

*song title/chorus

My tornado hell

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
"New Spring" by Robert Jordan
A prequel to his Wheel of Time series which is up to book 11 and still counting. It is the story of Moiraine, how she became Aes Sedai and how she bonded Lan to her.

What did I think?
This is pretty good. I used to read the Wheel of Time series but sort of lost interest when the books a) became big enough to use as door stops, b) contained no movement or story advancement and c) took ages to be published. After reading this I think I'll go back to it. The characters are a bit annoying (does she have to be so snooty? does he have to be so aloof?) so don't start reading unless you love fantasy books and think you might like to start a loooong, epic series.
Fun fact #1 - I always cry a couple of tears in the same place in the first book every time I read it. Every time.
Fun fact #2 - I once walked into a book store and was up at the counter paying for a book in this series before I'd even realised that it was on display. Magic.

This title also counts in #70 Read the books I own but haven't read. Surprinsingly there weren't that many of them. Well, not that many if I don't count the ones I have read and then bought but not read after buying. So far I've read "New Spring" and...
"Wizard of the pigeons" by Megan Lindholm.
About wizards in Seattle - or are they just ordinary people with mental issues?
What did I think?
Loved it. The characters, the situations, the mix of magic and realism. I think there are some fuzzy edges around the plot but I was too busy enjoying myself to care. This author also writes as Robin Hobb who I highly recommend. (Except for her latest which I just couldn't get into.)

I am finally starting to get better. There is still a tiny cough plaguing me but it will hopefully be gone by Monday because I am #66 Attend some festival events - arts, literature, movies etc. I have 4 movies to see as part of the film festival. Since they are cheaper than ordinary movies (because I got in on the earlybird rate) they will count as #57 Have a cheap-as-chips movie day - all movies, all day. I'm really looking forward to them. I used to belong to the film festival when I was just a young thing but somehow I lost sight of how much I enjoyed it. The four films I am seeing on Monday are "A world of shorts" (short films from around the world), "The great happiness space" (Japanese club for women run by men - if you get my drift...), "Manufactured landscapes" (building and progress in China) and "Helvetica" (about the font). There are three others booked on other days too. I'm just ticked I can't afford more films and more time off to see them.

Breathing, itchy skin

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles

"The Know-it-all: one man's humble quest to become the smartest person in the world" by A.J. Jacobs
About a man who decides to become smarter by reading the Encyclopaedia Britannica. All of it. Including the Macropedia.
What did I think?
Loved the bits of trivia in the books. Hated the bits about their struggle to have a baby. Thought the author was a bit of a twat. Flagged halfway through the book/alphabet. Decided the author was actually alright. Found out his Dad likes to give fake names to strangers (which I have been known to do.) Was pleased when they got pregnant. Liked the summing up of what he learnt on the last couple pages.

"Llamas & empanadas: 5000 kilometers by bicycle through South America" by Eleanor Meecham.
About a New Zealander who cycles South America almost by accident and by herself for much of the time.
What did I think?
Well, I'm a sucker for a cycle story so this one had everything going for it before I even started. Great writing and a certain amount of self-disclosure ensure that the story doesn't disapoint. I admire people who can do what she did and just get out there with no fixed plan trusting that it will all turn out. A fitting tribute to her brother.

"Magic or madness" by Justin Larbalestier
About a girl who is sent to stay with her grandmother when her Mum has a nervous breakdown. Her mother has warned her about her grandmother all her life so she is understandably nervous about staying with her.
What did I think?
A couple of moments when I wondered how old the characters were - they get served alcohol in a restaurant and go out to a nightclub - and a few character behaviour moments that I didn't quite get but overall an interesting read. It's the first in a series of three.


Haven't been doing anything else because I am still sick. First tonsillitis, then a tummy bug and now a head cold. The Boyfriend had an operation a few days ago so I've had to play nursemaid. And the cat was sick. To be honest, I feel a bit ripped off.

ma easy goin' nature is being sorely fuckin tested

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles

"Ivy tree" by Mary Stewart
About an individual who impersonates another individual ostensibly to get some cash from her co-conspirators but then it turns out that she may not be what she seems. There's a couple of handsome men, a doting sister, dying grandfathers, thwarted love affair and possible Roman ruins.

What did I think?
I like Mary Stewart. I really do. I especially liked her King Arthur series. And there's another one - something to do with greyhounds? But this I hated. It felt like reading for an assignment. The format didn't help - old, brown falling apart paperback with text that had started to bleed across the page. Maybe it's because the story is so set in it's time - with different norms and expectations. Or maybe it's the way they all refered to each other as 'darling' or the creepy sister love. *shudder* (Found through Unshelved book club - "Ivy tree" here.)


"Joust" by Mercedes Lackey
About a serf who is rescued from his serf-y life by a dragon rider (aka a 'Jouster') who takes him into the dragon compound and teaches him about caring for a dragon. This 'Jouster' has trained his dragon from an egg so they have a bond that the other riders (who steal their dragons when they are young and then entrust their care to others who ensure they are drugged up) lack.

What did I think?
Alert readers will note a similarity between this one and the 'A' title book. This is the beginning of the series and it makes so much more sense now. (There is definitely a bonus in reading a series in order.) So this time there didn't seem to be so much action going on in the background of the story. The character had his troubles and managed to work through them. I'm pretty lazy so reading about how hard someone works is always fun. Still, not her best title.

#76 Attend films I want to see - by myself if necessary
Didn't have to attend this one by myself - Transformers. This movie is nothing but action action action. Plus a bit of talking in between. Seriously - how wrong can you go with shiny vehicles, Shia LaBoeuf, men in uniforms and lots and lots of guns? Just leave your brain at the door and have a good time. More than meets the eye baby!

The press have jumped the gun

#35 Cook through the Edmonds cookbook
On Sunday I made English muffins for breakfast, honey oat, hokey pokey and chocolate chip cookies, bread and Russian fudge (which is not like chocolate fudge at all except that it is just as delicious.) Most of the day was baking in fact. Baking, cooking or laundry.

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles
"Getting things done : the art of stress-free productivity" by David Allen
How to structure your working and home environment effectively so that you feel 1. in control and 2. on top of things and 3. you are working effectively and efficiently

What did I think?
There's a lot of really great stuff in here that I will use in the future. I'm doing okay with keeping on top of things at the moment so I'm not going to implement some of the suggestions. Plus I already do a version of some of them so there's no point in changing something that works. (This title is another great example of a 'worldview' thing - it's come up lots of times on various blogs that I read.) Some of the reviews I read say that it is 'amazing' and 'totally changed my life'. One of the more balanced said exactly what I have just said - there's some great things etc etc

"Hot springs of New Zealand" Sally Jackson
Lists hotsprings around New Zealand including location and a description including personal observations.

What did I think?
This also links to #65 Go to a natural hotspring. In fact I got it so I could find one and plan a trip. Unfortunately my original version of a hot spring - not man-made - has turned out to be quite scarce so I'm going to revise. There are natural hot springs e.g. hot water beach but you don't get much of a soak and that's what I'm after. There are also private pools that you can go to but I'd rather not bother someone. So now the version will be water that is heated naturally in a natural as possible surrounding. I'm still looking. The book itself is very well done and seems to be quite comprehensive. Only annoying thing is the descriptions of springs that you can't go to any more! e.g. the one on the Tongariro crossing.

#1 Tramp a Great Walk

I'm investigating Waikaremoana for this. LoM and I were going to get to it several years agao and just never made it. She has done the walk before and has generously agreed to go again. I've been looking at maps and visitnig websites. We will probably aim for early next year. Since I'm not much of a tramper that should give us enough time to do some practice over-nighters in the big ARC parks.

Don't have more police, just give out pies

#86 Complete A-Z reading challenge - authors

Eisler, Barry "Choke point"

About an assassin and his latest mission. Includes an old girlfriend, a new country, an old friend, a new enemy and a new girlfriend.

What did I think?
This I think is number three in the series. Easy to read although squeamish readers may not enjoy the fight and kill descriptions. (Plus if he is a smart assassin why does he make so many mistakes after deriding them in others? Perhaps because he's human?) One of the issues bought up in the books is the challenge soldiers face when they come back home. They are taught to kill and to fight and to stay alive. They see terrible terrible things. When they get home we expect them to just integrate back into society without any problems. This make the character a bit more 'real'. Two comments - One. [hearsay from the 60s] there are high rates of spousal abuse in marriages where the husband is trained for war but doesn't go- he has no way to release the tension built up inside or to prove that he has learnt the lesson. Two. Soldiers who have been to war years ago will still not talk about what they have seen due to trauma. Have we any reason to believe that today's soldiers will get any different treatment? (Actually three comments.) Three. I have heard of someone's grandfather who will not talk about the war. He didn't go to war. He was a conscientious objector in WWII. What must he have experienced in that era of intense patriotism that he still will not talk about it? (Okay. Four comments.) Four. It's not just the soldiers who suffer.



#87 Complete A-Z reading challenge - titles

"Fat" by Rob Grant
A cast of characters all dealing with eating and body size issues. Best characters - sad wasting little Hayleigh and furious Grenville. Worst character - exposition girl who's name I can't be bothered looking up. (She's the myth de-bunker of the novel.)

What did I think?
Fantastic. A book that takes the mystic of dieting, shakes it by neck until it's dead and then chows down. Yes. There are unhealthy fat and thin people out there. Yes. School uniform sizes are going up. So yes. There is a problem. The main 'fact' that annoys me so much it practically makes me froth at the mouth - The BMI. Based on calculations from an insurance company. Goal posts shifted some years ago so that a previously healthy individual was now a overweight individual. No allowance for ethnic background. No allowance for an individual who lifts weights regularly. No allowance for All Blacks. It drives me CRAZY when I see magazine articles still touting this as an essential tool in your body diagnosis. There are much more appropriate measures out there. e.g. waist measure vrs hip measure; waist measure vrs height measure; do your jeans still fit? *froth* * froth* This is discussed in the novel. If nothing else it will make you question what you think you know about health and other weighty issues. (Except for the smoking thing...I haven't quite got my head around that one.)



Reading is going to be postponed on the list for a bit. I've started "Night Watch" by Sergei Lukyanenko. Can't put it down, I'm finding it that interesting. I'm surprised because I don't usually enjoy translated material. It always feels as if there's something missing. A gap between what was meant and what is written. There is a movie based on the book which is where it came to my attention.

#8 Make fudge
Made it. Tastes great. Looks like dirt. Not marking off until it's successful. My sister used to make this when she was 8. How hard can it be?

#100 Send Power company the key to the house.
I received the receipt from the power company today. Hurrah!

Let's fix it

I was going to RANT about eco-things but I've been distracted after reading this. Sometimes the internet is beautiful...

#87 Complete A-Z reading challenge - titles

The Experience economy : work is theatre & every business a stage by B. Joseph Pine II, James H. Gilmore.
Discusses how businesses should be looking to create experiences for customers that are valued and obvious, because that's what will distinguish them from their competitors rather than the commodities they have.

What did I think? Excellent and tied in nicely with the plea for us to become polypan multinarrans from "Darwin's Watch: the Science of Discworld III" by Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen. It's all about the stories people. Think about it. When you go into an over priced cafe and get excellent service do you wonder why it's so crowded? No. You think to yourself "this place has an atmosphere, it has something different about it" - it's creating an experience that is more than just about what you are getting. For example. There is a cafe that I used to frequent in my previous work incarnation. Yes, it was a bit pricey, but I felt it was worth the price because it gave me more than just coffee and a friand. It gave me the chance to imagine that I had a cooler lifestyle where lingering over morning tea was a given. I can't take my boyfriend there because he complains about the price. Loudly. For him there isn't a lifestyle/experience pay-off. Another example. A deli down the road that sells imported cheeses and foods. Slow service, terrible parking but I will go back. Why? Apart from the imported French camembert, it's run by a guy who thought he'd just start a deli business. He cooks in front of you. There are often samples and delicious smells in the shop. The service is slow forcing you to slow yourself down. It's in a village style area with a butcher, fruit shop, wine shop etc. He's found a niche market. It's gourmet living NZ style. (Or English I guess 'cause that's where he's from.) Both these places give me the chance to live a different story. Romanticising? Maybe. Now I'm not saying that everything should be 'experiencentalised' (my word). Personally it would drive me crazy. But it's nice to have those places to go to that let you live in the moment and pretend to be someone else.
The book is hard work for a few chapters then it gets going. Read it.

#24 Find a food balance between the 'good' and the 'bad' foods. I had a piece of rich chocolate cake and 3 mandarins plus 1 apple today. I think that's a balance baby.

"That's a damned lie!" "Yes - what's your point?"

#87 Complete A-Z reading challenge - titles
Isn't it funny how sometimes you dread reading something because you think it is going to be dry and unappealing and make you think...then you start and realise that yes, it's making you think but this is actually a good thing and wow, it links in with that other book you read even though you are pretty sure that one was picked up randomly and the other came from a work-related blog you were reading? This happens to me fairly regularly and the E-title book falls into this category. But, I don't have it with me so you will just have to wait because I want to quote bits out of it.


#2 Make alphabet cubes. I want to experiment with some of the fabrics in a style similar to this. But then I wouldn't be able to show anyone...


#35 Cook through the Edmonds cookbook. I've made some more things out of this - scrambled eggs, ANZAC biscuits, bran muffins. I used a silicon tray for the muffins. First time I've used one and I have to say, it's a little weird. The muffins tasted quite okay. I really MUST get measuring spoons.


#43 See a performance that doesn't include anyone I know. Investigating shows at Silo Theatre. I like the look of them all! Dammit. On the plus side I only know one guy in one play (Lobby hero) for the rest of the year. Now I just have to figure out which one to go to. Leaning toward Three days of rain because the theatre did "Take me out" by the same playwright last year and I really enjoyed it.


Did a variation on #50 and wore only skirts to work last week. Interesting. I think it was probably a bit colder last week than it has been (and for winter it's positively summery) so wearing skirts wasn't the best option for staying warm. I ended up wearing a woolen coat in the morning just so I could feel my fingers.

#63 Buy food from the Farmers Market. Went back to the Farmers Market just so I could say that it wasn't a oncer. Bought 2 bags of mandarins, 1 bag of apples, 1 pain au chocolat. Mmmm. Delicious. Plus I feel good that the food we're eating comes from a place that I can cycle to.

Let's hear more about the yurt

#87 - Complete A-Z reading challenge - titles

"Dark side of the sun" Terry Pratchett
About a little green man who travels through space looking for the ultimate secret of his universe.

What did I think? Initially I was disappointed - it's billed as a Discworld book but is quite quite different to that series. Plus I'm not too keen on 'scientific language' and words that I can't even pronounce in my head. However, okay overall. A fun way to spend a couple hours. (I think I have read this before but somehow managed to block it out of my mind. I think I thought it was by Douglas Adams which is ridiculous. They're nothing alike. Well, not much alike.)


#86 Complete A-Z reading challenge - authors.

Collins, Max Allan "Before the dawn"

(Continuing with 'Dark Angel' (c.f. #93) I thought I'd read the novelised prequel to the story.) It follows Max as she tracks one of her brothers to Seattle and makes a life for herself.

What did I think? Just. Stay. Away. There aren't enough words to say how awful this is. Cheesy, cliched, badly simile-d, dodgy scenarios, uncomfortable characterisation. He's written a lot of other novels, mostly based on other TV shows, and is apparently also responsible for "Road to Perdition" the graphic novel. Even so. Stay far, far away.

trn off yr tv

#87 - Complete A-Z reading challenge - titles A-C

"Alta" Mercedes Lackey
About a boy who used to be a slave but now rides a dragon that he tamed so can hold his head up high among the rich and powerful. Has escaped the slave life to return to his homeland. Since that home land is at war with the place he escaped from he manages to convince the authorites that he can help train up more dragons like his own thus giving them controllable sober killing machines as opposed to the drugged up killing machines they have now. Along the way he falls in love, is taken into the confidence of the heir-apparent and discovers a foul plot.

What did I think? Unfortunately I leant my lesson too late - this is the second in a series which I didn't pick up until about halfway through the book. I wondered why there was so much reference to 'before' and 'when I was a slave'. Maybe this contributed to the disjointed feeling I got from reading the book. It seemed like there was a lot of action going on in the background but because it was boring it was just ignored. Recommend you read something else of hers instead.


"Bowling alone : the collapse and revival of American community" Robert D. Putnam.
About the decrease and decline of social capital in the States and how this led to social problems. Filled with lots of tables and interesting facts and figures about different generations and how changes affected them.

What did I think? Unfortunately I was reading to find out how to fix the problem, not the casues and reasons for it. The author doesn't have this solution, only suggestions and challenges for social groups and individuals. Overall an interesting, challenging read but ultimately useless to me. (Probably should be recommended reading for college classes in USA though.) It did make me think about other social trends e.g. crafting, eco-chic, etc and whether the revival of these old-style pursuits would also lead to a revival in volunteering and group social activities. Probably not - I think we're still a world of spectators. Or more appropriately, lurkers.


"A Canticle for Leibowitz" Walter M. Miller
About an order of monks (not monkees) who protect data and documents hoping to one day turn it into knowledge. Leibowitz is the founder who was responsible for booklegging items for preservation after a cataclysmic disaster. The book is in three parts and covers a number of generations and years. Do the monks contribute to the saving of civilisation? Does humanity learn humanity or is it doomed to repeat past mistakes?

What did I think? Unfortunately...there is no unfortunately. I'm not even sure why I read this (Maybe those dastards at Unshelved? Hhm, apparently not) but after a slow start I began to enjoy it. By the end I was marvelling that this book had been written in 1959 as it seemed particularly relevant to todays situation. I found some of the sentence constructs hard to cope with - I'm not much good at reading the religious stuff and I hate having to translate things. (So I didn't...hope it wasn't important.) If you can get through it though it's a great commentary on the human condition. Recommended.

do not leave your longings unattended

Progress!

#87 Complete A-Z reading challenge - titles 3/26 and started #86 Complete A-Z reading challenge - authors. Reviews to come.

#97 'Run' from home to my home town. 4/160km. There's a long way to go.

#93 Watch 'Dark Angel' on DVD. Complete. Mental note - next time watch Season One BEFORE Season Two. A whole lot of things made so much more sense. Verdict to come.

#2 Make alphabet cubes. I have a niece who is only new - she will be 1 in september. I'm planning to make her some alphabet cubes which I have never done before. But of course I have to do something tricky - I want her to be able to spell her names out. That means I need at least 6 cubes for the longest name. Then I want her to be able to spell the names of her friends and family which means that certain letters can't be on the same block - e.g. D and J and O. Add to that the fact that I want to include the Maori alphabet making it 28 letters rather than 26 and it all gets a bit complicated. I think I've figured out what I need to do to ensure that it will work. I'm thinking of mocking some up in paper before I start cutting and sticking. Plus I have to buy some fabric scissors. I do have the fabric and a sewing machine!

#50 No black to work for a week. Done and laundered. This was an interesting experiement. I had to combine clothes that I normally wouldn't wear together. Surprisingly this went down quite well with my colleagues. What did I learn? That you should always try new combinations of things. (Thank god it's over though!)

No progress - We didn't end up going to Tawharanui on the weeknd. My friend's family came up and she hung out with them - and had a great time by all accounts. So #7 remains unfulfilled.

That's just crazee talk Mr Hickey

Update #13 -plus 15

Update #93 - Season one has arrived. Is it too geeky that I watched half an episode at work? And that I'm loving it?
Update #87 - still reading

Update #101 - tweaking to read "Plant a tree for Arbor day." There's an ARC planting mission on Queens birthday - the day before. Near enough is close enough I say.

update #50 - 3/5 days with no black worn to work.

update #52 - spent the pig money on icecream from the ice-cream van. yumyum! but. yeah. oops.