The Pig Scrolls

by Paul Shipton

Just finished this book. About a pig named Gryllus, who was actually a person turned into a pig and just wished to live out his life in peace and quiet. But the fates had other plans for him. Caught in a doozy, he meets Sybil, a young prophetess and a boy goatherd, Bumscruff (name given as said boy is not of proper mental capacity to speak nor comprehend speech). The world as they know it is coming to an end and the Greek Gods are running scared, world is in chaos and it is up to them to save the world. In their adventure, they run into dodgy characters as well as monsters. Sybil brings to the group the brains and leadership, Bumscruff the fearlessness (for really, he does not really know much to be afraid in the first place), and Gryllus...well, Gryllus seems pretty much dead weight. Cracking witty remarks and all. Well, the cosmos have him down in the fates. So what can you do, Sybil's got to take him along. And besides, what would a good story be, without a talking pig.

This book was alright. It is quite funny at times, especially the running commentary of the events by Gryllus and what actually is going on during that time. The plot picked up somewhat during the end, but I felt something to be desired during the first 2/3s. Overall, it's decent, did not really engage me but good as a light read. Again, probably should not read 4 books at one time.

The Catcher in the Rye

by J.D. Salinger

Just finished this book yesterday after 3 weeks. Next time I should really not read 4 books simultaneously. Wasn't confusing because they were all very different stories and genres, but I just could not really get into the books, seeing I was jumping between them all. But I did at last attempt to finish this book first.

I only heard of this book from watching Stephen Colbert when he said that Salinger had passed away. Salinger is himself a peculiar guy, likes living in seclusion. During publication of this book, he did not even promote the book but instead went off to Europe. In his later years, it was even said he wrote books and just kept them in a safe box, never to be published.

This book is written in the form of a journal by a boy, Holden Caulfield who describes a crazy period in his life, from being kicked out of school for the umpteenth time and what he did in between that time and going back to his family. It being a journal by a 16 year old, makes this book one of the best I have read. Holden does some very crazy things and have some ridiculous and contradictory thoughts. And this leads to a series of crazy things he does and his commentary of his past and actions is very entertaining.

This book is not morally and socially correct but it to me, is also the most accurate book I have read of human behavior. This I say in the sense that I can relate very much to the ideas and actions of Holden, being the logical or the illogical (more the illogical). Catcher in the Rye is a book to be kept and re-read, it was a wonderful read the first time round and I am sure it will always remain wonderful to many people for a long, long time.

Burnt Piano

Playwright:
Justin Fleming

Director:
Andrew and Alice Warwick

I love plays. I just freaking love plays. Just watched this one at Garrick Theater. The story is something as follows. Just copied the description off the program.

Paris, 1989. Karen Idlewild must meet Sam Beckett - for the most unusual of reasons. On a visit to Paris, and against the instinctive warnings of her father, Karen takes her nine-year-old son, Jonah, on a bizarre quest to meet Beckett - no easy mission, as the man is vigorously protected by his wife, Suzanne, and others. Buried in the adventure is Karen's need to explain a mysterious, dreadful and tragic moment in her past and that of her young son.

The story of the play was alright and had some very witty script. The actress doing the Karen character was wooden at times though, felt like she was just reciting lines. The character of Karen's father was quite well done though. And in between scenes there were piano playing parts, I thought that was lovely. At the end of the day, I don't really care much about some of the rigid acting. I just wanted to be moved into that world on that stage. And I was.

Early monkey, Late monkey

The early monkey gets the banana,
     The late monkey gets faeces thrown in his face
          by the monkey who woke up early and ate the banana
                and then obviously had to take a poo after.

The wobbly protrusions

by the incapable hands

I wish I have bionic arms so I can lift many things, not least of which my own body weight. Went indoor rock climbing at The Hangout last Sunday. I could only do about a third of the walls theres. My arms simply could not handle some of the more difficult out-slanted walls. More weights and pull ups at the gym I guess. I think it'd be absolutely awesome if I could have done all of it. Hopefully will be able to do more next time. Now, still licking my very sore forearms and hope they get normal soon. Typing with what must feel like the early stages of arthritis.

On Writing

by Stephen King

I started on this book 3 days ago and finished it just now. It is a sort of autobiographical and guide on how he became a writer and the things necessary to be a writer. He came from a lower middle class background and his road to being a published author is one of struggle.

His book has given me inspiration in that even he goes through the same pains ; the uncertainty and insecurities of writing. Also at the start of his career he was broke, married and had 2 children to care for. My "problems" pale in comparison to what he was going through. So I resolve in his steps to read and write as much as I possibly can as is his advice. What is important at the end of the day is producing that 1st draft and not get held up on grammar and prose. These can be mended later given a good story. Also I absolutely agree on many points he made on the process of writing where it is like unraveling fossils bit by bit. Sometimes the things I discover while writing surprise myself and indeed the characters take on a life of their own.

Lastly and most importantly, to stay true and honest to one's writing. Do not replicate the work of someone else (perhaps to sell more books or is more successful). There's no harm in following the style but the content of the story itself has to come from one's own heart and mind. So again, write a lot, read a lot.

My Walk Along The River

by Gary the very important person.

Shut up. Please shut up. I am on holiday. This is not the time nor the place. Look at this beautiful place. Look at the river and the boats. Let's not think about anything else and just appreciate the beauty. How beautiful. How wonderfully the river reflects the afternoon sun... I wonder what time it is back home. Must be just after dawn there. That reminds me I better call Mark later and make sure he sends the proposal off today. Or is that tomorrow. I better check my calendar. Oh, I left my organizer back at the hotel, better go...No, No, No. On holiday. Focus. You are here to relax. So relax damn it. Okay, let's just sit down here on the bench and breathe. Deep breaths, deep breaths. There we go. Peace and quiet. I did not drive 8 hours just to be concerned endlessly of work. Smell the fresh air. How perfectly crisp and clean. You'd never get air like this back in the city, no siree Bob. I bet Jim and Daisy never tasted air like this. I will go back and tell them about it. How wonderful it is. I should call them later this evening. Better still, I should take some pictures and put it up on my blog. Then everyone would know how great my holiday is. This has got to be one of the the best holidays I have ever been on... Stop this Gary! Enjoy the moment, enjoy the moment......
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This is not working. I need to call Mark about that proposal.