I've moved my blog as it was annoying me and I felt I needed to start afresh.
The new one is located at http://kpjones2.blogspot.com/
Enjoy, and thanks for reading.
Lord Foul's Bane (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, 1) by Stephen Donaldson.
Thomas Covenant . . . is a fantasy classic that my friends have long been telling me to take up and read, and having recently picked up the omnibus version, I have finally got around to reading it.
It's taken me a long while to read this book, but I think that's down to the size more than anything else. It's not a book I could easily carry around with me, so I've had to read other things on train journeys and the like. It's certainly no detriment to the quality of the book.
Whilst it's probably not going to fall into my list of favourite books, I've enjoyed reading it, and will certainly go on to read the remainder of the trilogy. Donaldson's voice is strong and unique enough to retain the reader's interest, and his descriptions stay in the mind long after a passage is read. But the real stand out-point of this book is the characters. Thomas Covenant is an odd anti-hero, refusing to believe that what he is experiencing is anything but a dream through fears that when he does wake up he'll go mad. Despite his actions and his moods he remains a sympathetic character throughout. This is helped by the people of the Land, whose Oath of Peace has made them a sympathetic and understanding people. Only killing unless they have to, and never forcing anyone to do anything they don't want. Through them we understand and accept Covenant's struggles.
Some people I've spoken with had issues with certain aspects of the piece, but I'm not going to go into too much detail here.
Later . . .
Went to over to the County Ground to watch the Swindon-Southampton game last night. Swin lost 2-1, although Soton were not as good as I was expecting them to be (they're a whole two leagues higher than Swin), and Swin's defence sometimes lacked.
Had a good night despite the result, and surprised myself by how much I've missed going to the footie. Been a long while since I've been to a game, longer still since I've been a regular anywhere. One of my friends has just bought a season ticket at Swin. I'm not looking to be going to every game (my team's in green, no matter how loosely I follow them), but I might try and catch a match with her every now and then.
Later . . .
(Incidentally, the pilgrims managed to beat the saints 3-1 when they played recently)
Wolf in Shadow by David Gemmell
The Dark Tower comparisons are obvious. Two stories about a loner, a religious man with a personal moral code, on a quest for something of great significance. Both protagonists gunslingers. Both of them already a good way into their quests when we first meet them. Two worlds that have moved on. Stories littered with references to our own world, popular culture and histories.
So, it's going to be hard to look at this story objectively :)
As ever, Gemmell's stories are a joy to read. Relentless adventure that picks you up and carries you along until you reach the end. Worlds and characters that stick in your head long after you finished, demanding that you read the next story in the sequence as soon as possible.
This is the first non-Drenai book of Gemmell's that I've read, and it's reassuring to discover that he's not a one-trick pony. It's still quest-fantasy, but it's deeper and darker, the issues that he raises more challenging.
Jon Shannow will be compared to Roland Deschain. It's inevitable. I don't guess it's a bad thing. I found him to be a likeable enough protagonist though. His supporting cast were fairly well-rounded and Batik I liked especially.
Later . . .
Of course, now that I have a new toy [entry], expect to be plagued with pictures of me pissed up . . .
Mid-way through the afternoon, Harmsway tells us that Maffew, Jose and myself are going to have to compete for the positions of his Best Man and his Usher. We are told that we 'will be set challenges', the outcomes of which will be judged by him, his Fiancee Laetitia, and David (who has already accepted the role of Witness). I begin to feel that I've stepped into an episode of Friends. Best Man Challenge? Could we be any more American?
I wonder why he's doing it this way. Al, the notable fourth contender, is absent, and it's my opinion that Maffew should be the Best Man anyway. I wonder just how Harmsway is planning on embarrassing us.
We've gathered to celebrate Harmsway and Laetitia's engagement. It's our first such reunion in nine months, and everyone's in good spirits. The new couple look very good, and very happy together. We sit on a crowded waterfront all afternoon, enjoying the return of summer.
A table of bunny girls celebrate a hen night across the restaurant from us. A challenge is set to obtain one pair of bunny ears and a fluffy tail. We do so, but only at the cost of a pair of underpants, and suitable embarrassment.
We share a toast with another of our absent friends, who is currently driving a truck-load of people around Equador.
We leave the restaurant, and I manage to embarrass myself by walking across Bristol with a fluffy bunny tail pinned to the back of my shirt. Many photos are taken.
I fall over whilst walking downhill, and because I'm drunk what should have been a simple tumble turns into several forward rolls. Somehow I manage to finish the move back on my feet, which is a display of drunken athleticism completely out of character. I sprain my ankle, so it's not all good.
We're told later in the evening that Maffew will be Best Man (like I said, not a total surprise), and the rest of us will be Ushers. At a French wedding. Should be amusing. Despite the fact that my CV says basic French, the truth of the matter is that I speak French like Derek Trotter. I have a year to brush up.
Getting a taxi at the end of the night is a veritable free-for-all. Nothing cheers up standing around for half an hour like an attractive bunny girl who's lost her ears and can't get home. Sadly, I'd thrown away my fluffy tail when I realised that I'd walked across Bristol as Bunny Boy, and she's going to the opposite side of Bristol to us, so I can't help her on either count.
The following day we have a barbecue and slowly boil in Harmsway's Sun-trap garden. Laetitia discovers that Worcester Sauce and cheese on a salmon grill is not a delicacy.
I was preparing not to like this movie. The 'i'-button on the Sky remote described it as a 'Matrix-style actioner', which always usually means what you're about to see is an hour and a half of dodgy wire-fighting sequences, strung together with a plot you could use to drain pasta. Boy, was I surprised.
It's actually a really good movie. Christian Bale is rapidly becoming an actor I have a lot of respect for (even though I wasn't blown away by American Psycho), and I can't wait to see how he handles being Bruce Wayne. The action sequences are original, and anyone who says that the Gun-Kata sucks was obviously disappointed that the film didn't contain more Matrix-style ridiculousness.
But the real surprise was the story. The idea is an interesting one -- society curbs human emotion in an attempt to stem man's more violent and distructive impulses -- but one you don't believe they'll be able to pull off without any conviction. But they do, and you find yourself immersed in this world. Bale's development from just another one of the emotionless masses to a sense-offender, is excellent, and his struggle to accept his new role in society is well handled. The emotion of many of the scenes stands out all the more because of the stark and restrained backdrop they are set against.
Definitely recommended.
Later . . .
Old and busted: my Nikes. The new hotness: my new trainers.
Went shopping for trainers with my ex today. She knew of a sports shop in Reading so we hitched over there to check it out. A small place, but it was empty and the staff give consultations to ensure you get a trainer that suits your running style. Sounds a bit over the top, maybe even unnecessary, but it didn't cost me any, so I ain't complaining.
Next week, I'm back on the track. Anyone wanting a laugh should get their video camera out.
Later . . .
Went drinking on a school night again last night. Was able to relax a little as I had today booked off work, but didn't go mad as I didn't want to write today off.
Seb and one of his mates were out. Seb didn't drink, so was able to save a bit of money by getting a lift in and out. Another of his mates got us on the guest list to Poon's, which was cool, so I ended up having a relatively cheap night. Nothing much to report from it though.
Later . . .
From the 'Wanted' bulletin board:
Item 1:
Forgiveness
Looking for forgiveness of my friend who caught me in bed with his gurlfriend. He is a great bloke and i feel very guilty. I am a very very bad person
Item 2:
A gurlfriend
looking for female company after breaking up with long term partner. (foung her in bed with my flatmate!!!)Im looking for a attractive 18-22 year old. She must have a gud sense of humour. I miss feeling the closeness so if your the right girl to fill this hole in me heart please come and see me and say hello.
Funny-sad . . .
By Kevin Paul Jones.
Stupid again.
Writing journal and the occassional misadventures.
Current Work in Progress: 'Dearest . . .'
