like memory of music fled

There is a lot of publicity for the new Nick Cave album, which is making me not want to buy it. I could live stream it, every google ad is about it, but I just don't want to. I didn't like the last 3 much, why will this be different? There is no Mick, there is no Blixa, I am prejudiced against it.

I feel a bit like I'm being overwhelmed by artists who used to be important in my life bringing out new stuff that will, inevitably, not thrill me as much as they used to, Depeche Mode, IAMX, maybe Bowie...it all makes me feel rather jaded and sad. Or perhaps that's the rain and the cold which are still here, or just life in general. I don't expect buying things to give my life meaning, but it's nice to have things to look forward to.

I have cheered myself up by ordering some postcards from the fabulous Esther Green , I love her artwork and her taste in music is exquisite too.

Life is going on, I'm struggling through a book I don't really like much, perhaps I should abandon it, yesterday I briefly glimpsed 2 friends, but wasn't in a position to talk to them (at work) and I've done something to my shoulder that feels like a really big bruise.

Sorry to post a moan, I really need some sunshine. Have a good weekend.

We've been having our bathroom updated, I'm going to moan about it now( Read more... ) Hope you're all okay and warm, Sayonara.

It was rather an event going to see the Hobbit. As big fans of the book, the whole family were excited by the idea of the film and we had to wait until all of us had 3 hours free to see it. This Sunday we booked the tickets in the "extreme" cinema at Vue, it's basically really big and allowed the film to be seen in the experimental more frames per second format 3D.

This was at times like speeded up film, jumpy and awkward and at others briefly nauseating, but mostly kind of hyper-real, bright and dream-like, actal life looked dull in comparison, is that good or bad? I don't know.

The film added bits that I don't remember being in the book here and there, but I can't begrudge it, because it was done well and it worked. I've never been very certain before about which dwarf is which, or been very interested in them, but suddenly I'm not just excited because Aidan Turner is playing Kili, I think lots of them are ace. This is an improvement on the book. Never before have I considered Thorin Oakenshield to be exciting and particularly admirable. Now I think he reminds me of Carl McCoy, but with a beard. Did I mention that a rather love to pieces Mr McCoy?

Anyway, Gandalf is unreliable and vague, Bilbo is reluctant, but resourceful, the dwarves are not played just for comedy, they are individuals and Christopher Lee appears as Saruman. The scenes with Bilbo and Gollum are perfect, it's like watching a play on stage, no need for special effects, it worked.

I cried a lot, but that seems to be what happens to me in Peter Jackson versions of JRR Tolkein. Overall if you might want to see it, I recommend you do, in comfortable cinema with plenty of leg room. I was very happy to have a free seat next to me, so I could sit cross legged and move about. I want to go again, just got to find the time.

We've all been ill and yesterday I saw a fox get hit by a car. Looking forward to the Solstice when days get longer again, it all feels dark and cold at the moment.
A video to cheer me up, look it's Blixa making the most goth food stuff ever...

There is something delightful about finding out people you've been online friends with are just the same in real life. I am not naturally gregarious, and I don't get out much as I have family responsibilities, so meeting people who share my interests isn't always easy. Over the years though, I've found a group of friends who are all music fans, different music, but our passion is music.

Yesterday I met some of them in Somerset. It was a lovely event. The food was wonderful, the conversation was delightful, the sun shone and there were cats. I had my camera with me, but forgot to use it, so you'll have to imagine the garden, the bird of prey circling in the thermals, the home made cider, the group of people who could chat endlessly about music, chatting endlessly, but politely listening to each other and relaxing.

The journey back was a strange one. I had to get a train from Westbury which then travelled through Trowbridge and Bath Spa before getting to Bristol Temple Meads and then going out again to Abbey Wood, where I got off and walked for a bit to get to a bus and home. Bath Spa from that direction is ever so pretty with the canal, old stone buildings and generally bucolic views.

I have 5 people's mix CDs to listen to now, new music and a lazy Sunday (not including the 4 lots of homework), quite lovely. I've finished the latest Ben Aaronovitch book, sadaprilsky might be interested to know that there is a mention of the game Call of Cthullu and now have 2 other books to look forward to. Life is good.

We watched an odd film yesterday. It was Inventing the Abbotts from 1997. Based in the 1950s my primary reasons for watching it were the actors, rather than the story, I guess it was romantic, but it was mainly odd. Anyway, we had a discussion about what is handsome and we disagreed. Now, I've always liked Joaquin Phoenix's face, I think he has character and is interesting, here he is, the handsome devil


but Mr Bethnoir thinks he's ugly and was surprised I didn't find Billy Crudup and his cheekbones pretty


He does look a bit like Andrew Eldritch I guess, but I think Joaquin is much better looking. Am I just weird? The female leads weren't bad either, Jennifer Connelly is my idea of beautiful and Liv Tyler is quirkily gorgeous. There was a lot of ironing visible, did people in the 1950s spend all their evenings starching shirts do you think?

I've got 2 weeks off work, these are some of the things I would like to do: stroke an owl, have my hair french plaited, swim in the sea, sit inside a long barrow, drink from a holy well.

Apparently it's World Goth Day. I celebrated by using my parasol for the first time and visiting a graveyard, where I managed to find some shade despite the blazing sunshine


I've been having a lovely time reading lots of entertaining books, specifically Soulless by Gail Carriger and Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling, both fantasy, but of different sorts. I get so excited when I find characters I know I want to read more about, the anticipation is delightful.

Now though, I must get ready for my son's birthday and party tomorrow. Time for some Earl Grey tea I think.

things I have learned recently

*Kurt Russell looks good in tights (Mr Bethnoir was watching Tango and Cash)

*eating granary toast with marmite is dangerous
(something from the toast irritated my throat making me cough uncontrollably for 10 minutes, all my mascara ran off and everything, scary)

*Music really does sound better loud, really not even loud on headphones, properly loud

*it's amazing how many times I need to tip my head forwards
(I have sinus issues, so every time my head is forward I get blinding pains and the top of my nose crackles like someone hit it with a lead pipe)

*Storm Corrosion, the new collaboration between Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth and some of Porcupine Tree mainly sounds like you've wandered into a new age shop by mistake, all that's missing is the gentle trickle of an indoor fountain

*I hate feeling ill and rain is getting boring

That is all. Do carry on.

Just had a dream which has made me wake up feeling happy and excited. That's worth remembering I think. ( Read more... )

The Affinity Bridge by George Mann

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There was something not quite right about this book, I think it might have been a question of pacing, whatever it was, it almost got 4 stars, but not quite. There's plenty of characterization, lively and entertaining characters they are too, if wildly anachronistic. The scene setting was very pleasing, although I may have watched more Victorian period drama than I knew as it seemed very familiar and the story unravelled rather excitingly. It did feel a bit rushed towards the end, with event after event piling on and little time for thought, but I shall be reading the next one.



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