I finished the book on the flight from Tokyo to London on Saturday and am not afraid to admit that I found myself shedding a few tears somewhere over north eastern Russia. Ms Rowling sure does tell a good tale and the book very neatly tidies up all manner of questions regarding the inconvenient situations Master Potter finds himself in, with some pretty exciting (and sad - hence the tears) Wizarding battles and whatnot. I recommend it and am looking forward to the special-effects laden movie version in a couple of years time.
Per my earlier post on Harry Potter, it turns out that I'm not the only one who has questioned his leadership abilities. I found this lengthy essay on the mugglenet website just now. It appears the some people have a lot of time on their hands.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Hotel Art
As someone who spends more than their fair share of time in hotels these days, I'm becoming increasingly interested in the various pieces of art that they put on their walls. Some are just plain awful and gaudy and clearly intended to re-direct your attention away from the walls. Others are so uninteresting as make you wish you hadn't bothered taking a look. In a small number of cases, it seems, the stuff they decided to put on the walls is actually kind of interesting.
So, being jet-lagged, bored and awake at bizarre hours of the night, I decided that it might be interesting to start capturing some examples and share them with all of you. I've created a 'Hotel Art' set on the Flickr photo site that will be where I put any pictures I take.
Of course, I might get bored with this idea almost straight away, but it seemed like a good idea at 4am on Thursday morning in Tokyo...
So, being jet-lagged, bored and awake at bizarre hours of the night, I decided that it might be interesting to start capturing some examples and share them with all of you. I've created a 'Hotel Art' set on the Flickr photo site that will be where I put any pictures I take.
Of course, I might get bored with this idea almost straight away, but it seemed like a good idea at 4am on Thursday morning in Tokyo...
Happy 40th Anniversary
Congratulations to Mum and Dad / Val and Trev on reaching this fantastic milestone. And to think that you also found time to create 3 incrediby good-looking offspring too!
We're all very proud of you both. Keep up the good work!
We're all very proud of you both. Keep up the good work!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Digging to Tokyo?
When Meleena heard that I would be travelling again for a couple of weeks the thought of not seeing me for that long must have driven her plain crazy. Overnight she sent me this picture of the hole that she spontaneously decided to dig in her back yard, which I'm pretty sure was thinly veiled attempt to dig clean through to Japan.
It's a good job she didn't really get that far as I'm pretty sure that, rather than re-surfacing in Japan she would have found herself somewhere close to India instead.
It's a good job she didn't really get that far as I'm pretty sure that, rather than re-surfacing in Japan she would have found herself somewhere close to India instead.
Akasaka at Night
Konichi Wa, Craig Desu!
I thought I would share this picture of the view from my hotel room here in Tokyo that I took last night just before going to bed.
Not much of interest to report just yet as I've only just got here, but I'll keep you posted as the week unfolds.
I thought I would share this picture of the view from my hotel room here in Tokyo that I took last night just before going to bed.
Not much of interest to report just yet as I've only just got here, but I'll keep you posted as the week unfolds.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Mack in a Box
Just a quick post today as I thought I would share this picture that Meleena sent to me yesterday.
Enjoy! :)
Enjoy! :)
Saturday, September 22, 2007
There's no 'I' in Harry
I'm currently about halfway through the Deathly Hallows book and am thoroughly enjoying it. It does indeed grab you and insist that you stay in the bath an extra 5 or 10 minutes in order that you can finish the current chapter... and perhaps peek at the next one. ;)
However, I have to say that unless something miraculous happens in the second half of the book that turns it all around, that I have to the conclusion that Harry Potter himself is a bit a of whiny loner who's really not all that good at magic. And what's more, his leadership skills are highly questionable. Who could blame Ron for getting frustrated and storming off after months of aimlessly disapparating here and there all over the country to avoid the Death Eaters. After all, Harry really never had a plan and then when he finally decides to do something it ends up nearly getting them killed - just like Hermione said it would all along!
Let's just put it this way, I certainly wouldn't have picked him for my team during a family Softball game.
However, I have to say that unless something miraculous happens in the second half of the book that turns it all around, that I have to the conclusion that Harry Potter himself is a bit a of whiny loner who's really not all that good at magic. And what's more, his leadership skills are highly questionable. Who could blame Ron for getting frustrated and storming off after months of aimlessly disapparating here and there all over the country to avoid the Death Eaters. After all, Harry really never had a plan and then when he finally decides to do something it ends up nearly getting them killed - just like Hermione said it would all along!
Let's just put it this way, I certainly wouldn't have picked him for my team during a family Softball game.
Last of the 21 Nights
Last night was the final night of my favorite little rock star's London residency and it sounds like he went out in style.
There is footage of the opening 2 numbers available for you to watch on the Sky News site here.
And, there is also a video from the August 3rd show currently playing on his 3121.com website here.
Enjoy!
There is footage of the opening 2 numbers available for you to watch on the Sky News site here.
And, there is also a video from the August 3rd show currently playing on his 3121.com website here.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Weekend of Fun Art Gallery
In an effort to try and clear some space from my messy desk I decided to scan in the pieces of WoF Art that had miraculously found there way there and publish them online for your viewing pleasure.
IMHO some of them actually look pretty good - it seems that they look better when they are shrunk down a bit. Unfortunately, mine don't seem to fall in that category. So much so that I didn't bother scanning them. Yes, I know, the loss to the art world is immense. I guess I was destined to make my artistic contribution in other, let's just say more musical, ways. ;)
The WoF Art Gallery can be viewed here
IMHO some of them actually look pretty good - it seems that they look better when they are shrunk down a bit. Unfortunately, mine don't seem to fall in that category. So much so that I didn't bother scanning them. Yes, I know, the loss to the art world is immense. I guess I was destined to make my artistic contribution in other, let's just say more musical, ways. ;)
The WoF Art Gallery can be viewed here
Monday, September 17, 2007
Introducing Sparky!
Lizz and Mark Anthony stopped by last night to introduce us to Sparky, his new friend. She's a 4 month old Chihuahua/Terrier mix and is extremely friendly.
She explored the kitchen and family room, had a nibble in Cornflake and Miko's treat bowl and generally did a good job of making us fall in love with her.
Welcome to the family, Sparky!
She explored the kitchen and family room, had a nibble in Cornflake and Miko's treat bowl and generally did a good job of making us fall in love with her.
Welcome to the family, Sparky!