I have quite an extensive book collection, collected over a number of years. In my library I have all the Ian Fleming-written James Bond Novels. And just the other day, I finished the last book of the entire series. It’s only taken me around about 3 years. I’ve not been reading them one after the other, but rather whenever I could read them, out came the novel next on the list. I read them in the order they were published, rather than all over the place, as I’d read elsewhere that Fleming would sometimes refer to novels gone before in whatever he was writing.
In these days of politcal correctness, some of the writing is quite offensive. But the novels are very much a product of their time. But for all their faults, I prefer the Jmaes Bond of the novels than the earlier movies. The difference is that in the last 2 movies, James Bond bleeds, and in the books he bleeds. One of the things I like about the film version of “Casino Royale”, is that it’s probably as close to the book as possible, even down to the quote of “The bitch is dead” at the end of both book and movie.
If you thought that the quote “Bond…James Bond” came from the scriptwriters of the movies, think again. It’s in the books. And also the quote, “We’ve got all the time in the world” (at the end of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service). What I’m seeing in my mind while I’m reading is a different character entirely to the one on film.
If I had to choose my favourite book out of the lot, ‘twould have to be the first one, “Casino Royale”. Excellent pace, excellent imagery, and an excellent way to torture your hero in the very first book (near enough the same in the movie, if you want to know). And the worst, has to be “The Spy Who Loved Me”. Yuck. Ugly book. Just wanted to get to the last page and forget about it. Just didn’t work for me at all.
I wonder whether the reason why they’ve put the new James Bond movie on ice, is because they’ve run out of fresh ideas?
About time too.
Peter Jackson has a Knighthood. We ll deserved. Even though it’s probably down to just 3 movies, but boy, those 3 movies are amazing. Whatever your views are about Knighthoods, OBEs, MBEs etc, he’s earned it.
That is all.
At the moment there is a small amount of upheaval in Chez Threelight. We are having a new shower put in at present, and it’s likely to be a week until everything’s back to normal, and we get a new shower. The two contrasts of workmen, the one now vs the one last time (January 2009, if memory serves) is striking. This one turns up on time (unlike the one last year who turned up at odd times and worked until about 8 or 9pm). The sheer professionalism of the one here now is there to be seen. There is a lot to be done, ripping out what the former “workman” did. At least here, everything will be wired in and all correct. I could go into a long list about what was wrong last year, but it’s such a long list, I could be here all night (wrong procedures and wrong parts).
So, soon we will be getting a brand new bathroom (again), The old one has been ripped out, along with the sink which will be repositioned to a more logical place than it was before. And also the shower will be slightly bigger. Hopes are high that it’ll look quite good.
It’s the warmest day of the year so far, and I have a late shift at work to look forward to. Which is absolutely great…not!
I can think of many things that I can do other than go to work for 8 hours. And the most annoying thing about it? My original shift was supposed to be the early one, but then I decided weeks ago to go do a shift swap with somebody and take their lates. I have called myself a load of names I don’t normally call myself for doing that, and I’m regretting making that decision. And another bad thing? The next week, I swapped some perfectly good day shifts to do even more lates (cue much shouting and gnashing of teeth).
Why did I do that? It’s not that I like the job…unless I was thought helping a pretty girl. I see the pretty girl quite often at work, and I’ve mentioned to her that I’m regretting doing the shift swaps. She didn’t seem at all interested in my change of heart. And who can blame her? I’ve done the shift swaps and that’s all there is to it.
So I’ve had my “weekend” on Thursday and Friday. God, I really miss the normal working week…
I live relatively close to a major UK airport (about 5 mins, if that, away. Very useful).
It sure is quiet today. Normally there is a steady sound of planes taking off and landing, but today it is eerily quiet. When I woke up and was having a small bite to eat (I have another late shift at work to look forward to), I was watching the coverage of the ongoing calm that is taking place in UK airports over the volcanic ash coming over the UK. On Sky News they had an interview with Eric Moody, the pilot of a plane that went through volcanic ash in 1982. A few of his remarks took the interviewer by surprise (like, “I had to think of what to do. So I was calm about it, and over the mic I said, ‘Hello this is your captain speaking. We have a problem in which all 4 engines are not working. We’re looking into this and would the Chrief Steward please come up to the flight deck’ “ and one I couldn’t possibly say as this is supposed to be a politically correct blog. [ Really?]). That is why all the flights are grounded now.
In a way I suppose, because I’ve lived close to the airport for well-nigh on 20 years now, I’m used to the sound of the planes. Still, it sounds a bit odd with the sound not there. And it probably made me sleep a lot longer this morning too.
Well now, life is beginning to get a bit dull and boring for me. It doesn’t help that I am presently in the middle of working 8 out of a possible 9 (does a quick calculation – Thursday to the following Friday week, yes that’s right). Even though I was working 9 – 5 for five days in a row doesn’t help when you consider that the “week” ran from Thursday to the following Tuesday. So far, my hours are all over the place. One of the most crappiest things about my job I think.
I think that’s why posts are beginning to be a bit sporadic on this here blog. My weird hours mean that I have nothing to write about, so I don’t even think about posting stuff whatsoever. Promises made to myself about posting are never fulfilled. Looking at past posts show that at least I had something to write about, even a year ago. But now, it’s a bit different.
It’s these weird hours I work, I tells ya.
The media has now got their wish, and the General Election has been called. Cue much outside broadcasting and much live coverage of Our Illustrious Leader movong from one building location to another. And then the so-called analysis not really telling us much.
I suppose it doesn’t help that ever since the so-called Expenses Scandal I have taken a small interest in politics, about how it can be corrupting to those in power and to those who can weild that power.WIthout going into too uch detail, when you’re reforning something, be like the rest of us, and make do with what you’re given, and not try to give yourself move and to negotiate your way round these reforms.
I think I’ll switch off now, It’s a month to go, and already it feels like the “campaigning” has been going on for months now.
Enough. I’ll make my own mind up, thank you very much.
One of the downsidesa of where I’m working is that the only day that is universally recognised as a day off is Christmas Day. Because, as I know you have probably guessed, the organisation is a 24/7 type operation, there is really no distinction between Bank Holidays or weekends and such like. So, while the rest of the people around you observice the usual 4 days off for Easter and the Bank Holidays, unless I am not down to be in that day, or I decide to take it as a day off (arranged well in advance of course), then I have to work it. Such is life. I am working mid -afternoon to late evening tomorrow, Sunday and Monday.
Not to worry though. Yesterday I took my car to our “designated” garage, where it had a full service, which I’m happy about. Nothing serious, but there’s two tyres I have to get later on in the week, when hopefully the place I think is still there, will be open.
Today, I went with Polyhex and Agent to the local park to do a a number of geocaches, which was fun and a bit muddy. I remember last time that my GPS was all over the place, mainly because I didn’t know how to work it. But now, even though I still don’t’ know how to properly work it, I was able to navigate reasonably well. I didn’t find any caches myself: I left that to the seasoned professionals. Thanks to Polyhex and Agent again for allowing me to get some fresh air (not to mention making 4 burps).
Blog wise, I’ve re-arranged and updated my links again. One thing I’ve noticed is that I have to get new links to include on that thar right hand side. I have a particular process I go through when selecting the links, and looks like I have to make some time to do that (or maybe taking my time is the best thing to do) I know from just looking athrough a few blogs that it’s not as popular as it used to be, and that quite a lot of bloggers have silenced their keyboards. It may be slightly difficult to look for new ones. Oh dear.
Of course I’d heard all the hype about the series of books that Stieg Larsson wrote before he died, but I knew nothing of the plot of the book, or indeed that the film was coming out in a few weeks time. I’d got the book a few weeks back and decided to take it on holiday with me (one of three books, all of which I finished on holiday).
I’d just like to say that I wasn’t disappointed. The book flows at a reasonable pace, even though the ending somehow didn’t surprise me. What I got out of the book was that the Swedish appear to be a randy lot – must be where the idea of the Swedish blondes come from. And yes, the so-called heroine has a bit of a nasty side to her, a very nasty side. The characters appear to be sound, and do what they have to do. Oh, and they lkike their eating they do.
I’m trying to write this without giving much of the plot away, which believe you me is quite difficult. From reading the Wikipeadia post, which if taken as proof, certain aspects of the book appear to be autobiographical, which is interesting.I’ll leave it up to you to read the book then.
It took me three days of my holiday to read, which to me is lightning quick. And yes, I’ve bought the second book to read (purchased after holiday).
Book marks out of 5: a healthy 4.5.
This weekend has been, and next weekend will be, a bit of a novelty for me.
Because of the job I work in, where weekends aren’t really counted, but a way for the company to get more money, we are given our “timetable” well in advance, and as it so happens I have 2 weekends in a row off. That’s never happened in my “new” job, not including holidays or sickness.
Oh, and because of the hours I can work, Monday to Friday will be a bit of a novelty with me. I’m working 9am to 5pm, with the weekend off next weekend. Just like old times.
Today was also quite sunny to begin with. So I managed to get some sorting out done (moving stuff about and throwing some stuff away that I now longer need.) I really think that it’s going to be a warm summer – no doubt the “global warming” lobby will start up again. But it’s true, I feel a lot better when it’s warm and the sun’s shining.
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