Hello,
This is one of these rambling blog posts about little of any real importance to those of you in the non-Clairwil community but may it comfort you to know rambling pleases me.
Obviously a proper writer would find some way to link their personal situation to Gordon Brown or some other drain on the nations joy. It's bloody typical of me to become quite upbeat when everyone else is walking around with their faces tripping them because blighty has gone to the dogs.
I suspect it's the thrill of the new that's put a spring in my step. Recently I met a Lady as in a member of the aristocracy. I thought she was top form and not at all snooty -though very, very posh indeed. Obviously I felt like a bit of a midden in comparison and experienced several cold sweats about doing something non-u with an imaginary serviette. Still when all is said and done I do not believe my conduct besmirched the reputation of the lower middle classes. No doubt a huge parade of casual racism and curtain twitching will be held in my honour when the sixties semi set get wind of it.
I'm actually feeling rather aristocratic myself following mother's announcement that my granny's books are to be disposed of . Mind you, unlike the real aristocrats I don't even have the option of involving the Scottish National Trust
My inheritance snatched from me by an unfeeling feng-shui practitioner. Instead of expressing my true feelings on the subject I have opted for damage limitation. To date I think I have saved the poetry, The Book of Snobs , Three Men In a Boat and a P.G Wodehouse that I believe is in the collection but no one else does. I have also petitioned for the sale of the rest since their presence is such an affront. I cannot bear to see those damp smelling, dusty hardbacks binned.
They aren't just objects or clutter they are the library of a clever, curious woman forced to leave school at thirteen because of a lack of money, who rather than just whine about the injustice chose to combine rage with lifelong self -education. I think there is a lot to admire in that, however difficult and bitter she was on a personal level. Who can blame her? Virtually all her siblings won scholarships and went on to better things while she became a servant. You'd think Mummy would be delighted with such a legacy but no. On she trundles in her quest to leave nothing but a crap pebble-dashed semi.
Recently I've taken up yon knitting which I'm finding restful and tricky in equal measure. I cannot move for tripping over knitting needles holding the beginnings of bears, snoods, cats, balls and caterpillars. Sadly despite my best efforts crochet eludes me. For now.
My gardening, fund raising and bulb planting mission continues and whilst I think we shall fall short of the big target having been very badly let down here and there, both I and my partner in gardening crime have exceeded our targets and between us brought in a cool 7000 bulbs. All donations are gratefully received but we were particularly impressed by the good folk of the North Kelvin Meadow pitching in with £50 and priceless free labour with yesterdays planting. This donation was particularly touching because the city council are in the process of removing them from the land to sell the land to folk who will build a block of flats that are neither wanted or desirable in that area. Depressing stuff.
Strangely the council think my troop of guerrillas are just the ticket and have offered us all sorts of much needed help. Better still we're more or less a constituted group which means we can apply for funding. My aim has always been for the group to become a full time occupation -let's face it there's plenty neglected land that needs our attention. However I'd like us to at least generate most of our own income and just top up with grants and the like. Between us all we've a million plans and hopefully we're at a point where they might just be possible. All in all I'm happy.
Cheerio
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
12/26/2007
Holiday Reading!
Hello,
Whilst I was off on my travels I read three books which I'd like to draw your attention to. I know I'm sure it will come as a great surprise to you all to realise that I have ever read one book -let alone three. Honestly the emails my last go at junkies has generated beggar belief. Getting a row for lack of compassion from someone who is pleased that I'm going to die of cancer soon because that's what 'scotch filth' do being my current favourite. Do keep them coming girls.
Anyway let's get back to the books. First up is 'What's Left?' by Nick Cohen. It's not as bad as I'd thought and there are some good points in there but it ended up irritating me a bit. His basic premise that the left is barking mad is about right. I've been reluctantly coming to that conclusion since my SSP days. Nowadays I'm an independent candidate in the world of pub politics working on a cross party basis issue by issue. However I do wonder what sort of people Nick hangs about with, he seems to think that everyone who was against the Iraq war supports the insurgents and hates Iraqi trade unionists. I opposed the war but it went ahead despite my objections so I then started hoping that it would be a roaring success and democracy would prevail. As far as I'm aware that isn't a particularly controversial view, in truth it bores me slightly. To return to the book I was glad to see the utterly disgraceful opening of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 take a well deserved kicking. I was also most amused by the hilarious antics of the Redgraves and the WRP - partly because actors being involved in any organisation with workers in it's name is almost too funny for words. 'What's Left?' I'll give it a seven out of ten and send it on it's way.
The second book I read was 'My Bookywook' by Russell Brand. I'm wasn't a fan of Mr Brand prior to reading it. I'd started leafing through it in the airport bookshop with the intention of sneering and ended up chortling. Please ignore the appalling title and put aside your dislike of Russell Brand -it's a belter! No matter how much of a swine he's been in life he's brutally honest. His experiences in the sex addiction clinic are hilarious. In my whole life I don't think I've ever come across a man quite as delighted by his own penis as Russell Brand. It's a strange thing but a brief look at the facts should make one despise him but instead he comes out of it all like a splendid, if daft fellow.
The last book I read was 'The Sewing Circles of Herat' by Christina Lamb. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The author is a journalist who spent two years covering the Soviet-Afghan war when she was twenty one. When I say covering I mean virtually living with the mujaheddin for the duration. The book is mainly concerned with her return visit after the fall of the Taliban. In it she travels Afghanistan and meets with a variety of people, including many for whom the word brave is an inadequate adjective. For all it refuels one's hatred of the Taliban, it is by no means a depressing book. That people by sheer will can stay sane in such terrible circumstances is a source of optimism. That no matter how mean spirited, ignorant, small minded and wicked the oppression there are people willing to defy it almost makes me want to dance. Mind you whilst life in Afghanistan is better for many now than it was under the Taliban it's far from ideal to say the least. Which is why before I go I'd like to draw your attention to these fine women.
Cheerio
Whilst I was off on my travels I read three books which I'd like to draw your attention to. I know I'm sure it will come as a great surprise to you all to realise that I have ever read one book -let alone three. Honestly the emails my last go at junkies has generated beggar belief. Getting a row for lack of compassion from someone who is pleased that I'm going to die of cancer soon because that's what 'scotch filth' do being my current favourite. Do keep them coming girls.
Anyway let's get back to the books. First up is 'What's Left?' by Nick Cohen. It's not as bad as I'd thought and there are some good points in there but it ended up irritating me a bit. His basic premise that the left is barking mad is about right. I've been reluctantly coming to that conclusion since my SSP days. Nowadays I'm an independent candidate in the world of pub politics working on a cross party basis issue by issue. However I do wonder what sort of people Nick hangs about with, he seems to think that everyone who was against the Iraq war supports the insurgents and hates Iraqi trade unionists. I opposed the war but it went ahead despite my objections so I then started hoping that it would be a roaring success and democracy would prevail. As far as I'm aware that isn't a particularly controversial view, in truth it bores me slightly. To return to the book I was glad to see the utterly disgraceful opening of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 take a well deserved kicking. I was also most amused by the hilarious antics of the Redgraves and the WRP - partly because actors being involved in any organisation with workers in it's name is almost too funny for words. 'What's Left?' I'll give it a seven out of ten and send it on it's way.
The second book I read was 'My Bookywook' by Russell Brand. I'm wasn't a fan of Mr Brand prior to reading it. I'd started leafing through it in the airport bookshop with the intention of sneering and ended up chortling. Please ignore the appalling title and put aside your dislike of Russell Brand -it's a belter! No matter how much of a swine he's been in life he's brutally honest. His experiences in the sex addiction clinic are hilarious. In my whole life I don't think I've ever come across a man quite as delighted by his own penis as Russell Brand. It's a strange thing but a brief look at the facts should make one despise him but instead he comes out of it all like a splendid, if daft fellow.
The last book I read was 'The Sewing Circles of Herat' by Christina Lamb. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The author is a journalist who spent two years covering the Soviet-Afghan war when she was twenty one. When I say covering I mean virtually living with the mujaheddin for the duration. The book is mainly concerned with her return visit after the fall of the Taliban. In it she travels Afghanistan and meets with a variety of people, including many for whom the word brave is an inadequate adjective. For all it refuels one's hatred of the Taliban, it is by no means a depressing book. That people by sheer will can stay sane in such terrible circumstances is a source of optimism. That no matter how mean spirited, ignorant, small minded and wicked the oppression there are people willing to defy it almost makes me want to dance. Mind you whilst life in Afghanistan is better for many now than it was under the Taliban it's far from ideal to say the least. Which is why before I go I'd like to draw your attention to these fine women.
Cheerio
6/24/2007
I Fought The Law -Dan Kiernan
Hello,
I have just finished reading 'I Fought The Law' By Dan Kiernan. If I may be critical it's a little bit ill-focused. Although I can see the point he was driving at he could have shown the links between his various bugbears a little better. Still there's nowt wrong in filling in the blanks and the book is a very much a personal one. It won't plough new furrows in your brain or turn the way you see the world on it's head but it's entertaining, frighteningly spot on in places -though perhaps a little hastily researched. If you've a few hours spare then treat yourself.
The book was initially conceived as a humorous look at all those absurd old laws that remain with us, though are not used that prohibit shooting Welshman before midnight and so on. However horrified by some of the governments new laws in particular the whole Parliament Sq business he decided to focus on the present.
The author regards protest as very much part of the English identity. A fascinating theme I would have loved him to expand more than he does on. He argues that far from being a stiff upper lipped nation of Hugh Grants the English are bolshy, awkward beer swillers with a hatred of injustice. I felt he weakened this by trying to be inclusive and tacking it onto Britishness. For heaven s sake boy you're English and proud just sodding say so without making excuses. There were almost two books waiting to be written one on his vision of 'Albion' and the other on Britain as a whole. I do hope the author regards this book as an introduction an expands on both in turn.
I very much get the impression that he's on a mini-cruise of reassessment of his views and his national pride. Bon voyage Dan and do send postcards!
I have just finished reading 'I Fought The Law' By Dan Kiernan. If I may be critical it's a little bit ill-focused. Although I can see the point he was driving at he could have shown the links between his various bugbears a little better. Still there's nowt wrong in filling in the blanks and the book is a very much a personal one. It won't plough new furrows in your brain or turn the way you see the world on it's head but it's entertaining, frighteningly spot on in places -though perhaps a little hastily researched. If you've a few hours spare then treat yourself.
The book was initially conceived as a humorous look at all those absurd old laws that remain with us, though are not used that prohibit shooting Welshman before midnight and so on. However horrified by some of the governments new laws in particular the whole Parliament Sq business he decided to focus on the present.
The author regards protest as very much part of the English identity. A fascinating theme I would have loved him to expand more than he does on. He argues that far from being a stiff upper lipped nation of Hugh Grants the English are bolshy, awkward beer swillers with a hatred of injustice. I felt he weakened this by trying to be inclusive and tacking it onto Britishness. For heaven s sake boy you're English and proud just sodding say so without making excuses. There were almost two books waiting to be written one on his vision of 'Albion' and the other on Britain as a whole. I do hope the author regards this book as an introduction an expands on both in turn.
I very much get the impression that he's on a mini-cruise of reassessment of his views and his national pride. Bon voyage Dan and do send postcards!
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