Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell...

Time for a mini-review of JS & MN, the sort of book I call a tome. Very long and tending to drag in the first hundred or so pages, due to the pace being the pace of Mr. Norrell really, the book begins to pick up with the introduction of The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair, the character about whom the book revolves.

We see Mr. Norrell commit what turns out to be a consummate crime of pride. The succeeding events roll along toward darkest days for Britain and the continent, while a war rages between England and France. Into this steps Jonathan Strange who is much more upbeat and very different from MN.

As most people know by now the book deals with the resurgence in England of practical magic, formerly a lost art, but revived by MR and honed by JS. I found the book to be somewhat precious, in that the style was intended to be Edwardian, and in fact to remind us of Jane Austen. It didn't really remind me of Jane, but I did enjoy this book. It was so different, so original, and so absorbing by the last third of it, that I can't be critical. it was well written, if a bit tedious. Very much worth reading though, especially to fans of Tolkien and J.K. Rowling, as well as those interested in fantasy and good books in general. I am waiting to see if Susanna Clarke writes a sequel.

Seattle Spring '07...

Another delightful trip to Seattle...not so much on the horizon this time, but another nice run of weather, no rain!People out there in Seattle want us to think it's all rain all the time but it isn't. Only once in the two weeks I was in Seattle did it rain, and then only a bit. I guess it all depends on the season you come! Lake Washington is wonderfully lovely on a sunny May day! Out on the water or watching geese at the park on Juanita Bay, all good. This time I did see and enjoy the Space Needle. Downtown Seattle is crowded, and all the things you want to see seem close, although I didn't get to the old square. Next trip! The view from the Needle is terrific, but the admission price too high! It is fun though, and really - I guess we can't put too high a price on fun! It was a dull sort of day but that didn't matter. We sandwiched the trip in before a kid birthday party on an Aikido studio. Nice drive around town in the area around the Needle as well. Funky museum and Music center there made good photo opportunities, and grandchildren made the trip extra fun! Other hi-lites of the trip were various local beaches and just the fun of the buildings and the cafes around the area. Seattle has so many little nifty coffee houses and grand cafes. When I say Seattle I mean the surrounds as well. Kirkland has a lovely downtown with shops and eateries, all very arty.



I liked Bothell and the wonderfully magnificent Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park Towne Centre. They shelve the used books in with the new! Innovative and convenient!

I love the buildings in and around Seattle. They range from the Ravenna neighborhood's lovely old Craftsman style homes to the modern cliff climbing glass and concrete apartment houses on Juanita Drive. The picture in the previous blog entry of the angles is a shot taken in Seattle. I love the sort of buildings there that are terraced up a hill, and the lines created by the interplay of the design are wonderful. As usual, a trip to Microsoft is fun and educational. Spread over quite a bit of territory and even at several locations across town, Microsoft is a fixture in the region, and has helped many a Seattle cause. This time I saw the Visitor's Center, which was not as central nor as large as I had thought it would be, but still a very interesting corporate display. I did tremendously, as always, enjoy my trip! For the aerial view from the Needle my picture shows the great view, but not on as bright a day as some days. The trip up into the observation deck was in an elevator with a lot of glass. you get to watch the ground disappear below as you ascend. You can see Seattle and a bit-o-the-Sound. Then, when you come out into the observation deck itself, you find yourself inside a nicely carpeted area - larger than I thought it would be, and hosting a nice coffee shop/snack bar. Eating a muffin at the top of the needle - the end of a good day's adventures!

Book roundup Summer' 07

I find myself woefully behind in commenting on recent books read. SO - I will make quick and simple reviews. First up is Helene Hanff, all of whose books I have now read. They make literate and funny reading, her sense of humor is sharp and her insight always to the point. From 84 Charring Cross Road to Apple of my Eye, all her books are engaging just for these qualities. In Apple of my Eye, Helene writes a guide to New York City which was written at a time of economic downturn for the city, and at the same time a nostalgic time just after the World Trade Center was new. It is not a tourist guide in reality, it is more of a love story to the city she lived in so long and loved the most. Her meanders through the city to see sights she had never seen before in order to write the book make great reading, and her always sharp wit enhances the experience. Highly recommended.

Bob Dylan...

Bob Dylan played here recently. I didn't go to the concert. Those who did talked about it a lot, and the consensus was it was one of the best they'd seen over the years. I have of course always been aware of Dylan....I mean he's a bit older than I am, but we are contemporaries. When he was young in NY, I was in NY going to nurses training, when he was a kid in Hibbing, I was a kid less than 200 miles away in upstate MN. And then he gave the concert here and I live here - weird coincidence or what???

I had of course known about the usual stuff...Blowin' in the Wind, Mr. Tambourine Man etc., but being busy with other things during the 60s and 70s, I hadn't really listened to much Dylan. So this past week I have been overdosing, and enjoying myself. I have always respected him as as writer and felt he would be remembered for a couple centuries more than almost everyone else from the music he was so instrumental in forming, but I hadn't listened to much of the lyrics he sang. What do you know! He really was a genius with words. Those songs resonate with humanity rather than any particular agenda. He says he isn't political, and I think that's true. He's a human though, and that comes through loud and clear.

I would like to pipe Masters of War into every governmental institution right now until they get the message. But the one I have sticking in my head is I Ain't Gonna Work on Maggie's Farm No More...great song, sticks in the head...

No more MacAddict...

Shockingly, today I found out that MacAddict is no longer the old rabble rousing pub it once was. Now it has been reborn as MacLife. YAWN. Well, I had let my subscription go as I have let Mac World go. They are mainly advertising, although I had gotten some great tips and advice over the years from both pubs. The old MacAddict CDs were a lot of fun. I liked the attitude. A few web pundits are of the opinion that as Apple got more prosperous, and iPod rules, the whole revolutionary Mac "thing" was outdated. That's probably a good point. Probably the most revolutionary thing about Mac at this point is the inclusion of Boot Camp, thus rendering your Mac able to run windows. I expect the next generation of Mac to come with either OS installed already or both. Apple hardware is so much better than other hardware. You can't go back to a plastic black cheapie box after you've had a Mac, but maybe you're a Windows person who wants some quality in the hardware! Great - I am no apostle of Steve Jobs, and if the hardware fits - wear it!