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How many hours do you read a week?
It varies, about 5-10, most of which at weekends and probably at least half of that in the form of audiobooks when I'm walking/cycling/on the bus as it's obviously easier than reading a physical book in those circumstances.
I appreciate a good reciter like Tim Piggott-Smith (who recites Graham Greene books) or James Macpherson (who recites Ian Rankin) as they can really help bring the book to life and conjure up the sort of old-fashioned storytelling that our forefathers did when most people were illiterate.
I haven't read a book since the weekend but I hope to embark on reading/hearing The Honorary Consul this weekend as I do think re-reading can add more understanding to the first reading.
I appreciate a good reciter like Tim Piggott-Smith (who recites Graham Greene books) or James Macpherson (who recites Ian Rankin) as they can really help bring the book to life and conjure up the sort of old-fashioned storytelling that our forefathers did when most people were illiterate.
I haven't read a book since the weekend but I hope to embark on reading/hearing The Honorary Consul this weekend as I do think re-reading can add more understanding to the first reading.
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Amanda™
Stephen Ind
Must watch it can change your life https://youtu.be/EKv2JzB9PLQ
No
People you may like
Have you read other works by Graham Greene? :-)
Yes, he's one of my favourite authors, I actually haven't read them all but I will as all the ones I've read have been excellent.
As a South African you may especially be interested in The Human Factor, as it's set against the backdrop of apartheid, though most of the action takes place in London. Again, while it's set in the world of 1970s apartheid, it's about more than that, about universal themes of divided loyalty and betrayal, and having been a spy himself his understanding of that demi monde is second to none.
So that's the one I'd particularly suggest but if you see one of his works in a bookshop I'd recommend picking it up (there are lots of very cheap ones in second-hand shops and libraries) because you can't go wrong with the man.
See also the excellent biography by his friend Father Leopoldo Duran.
As a South African you may especially be interested in The Human Factor, as it's set against the backdrop of apartheid, though most of the action takes place in London. Again, while it's set in the world of 1970s apartheid, it's about more than that, about universal themes of divided loyalty and betrayal, and having been a spy himself his understanding of that demi monde is second to none.
So that's the one I'd particularly suggest but if you see one of his works in a bookshop I'd recommend picking it up (there are lots of very cheap ones in second-hand shops and libraries) because you can't go wrong with the man.
See also the excellent biography by his friend Father Leopoldo Duran.
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
What are you reading at the moment?
RN I'm reading The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene, an excellent tragicomedy which I recommend. It's set in a vanished world, the old-time conservative dictatorships of South America in the 1970s, and it's excellent not just because it brings to life that world and the revolutionaries who fought to overthrow it, but also sheds light on human nature, and is also very funny and memorable.
One of my favourite bits is after it becomes clear that the revolutionary plot has gone wrong, but they persist in [not going to give a spoiler]
"Doctor Plarr said, "It is always the same when one thing goes wrong — it is like an error in an equation. Your first error was (spoiler) and now this follows.
Your equation will never work out"
The revolutionary knows this, but carries on with his failed plan because he has orders from a leader who, like "the General" who is the allegedly all-powerful dictator, is never actually seen, leaving pawns like the honorary consul and Dr Plarr to suffer.
So it covers all bases and I highly recommend it.
One of my favourite bits is after it becomes clear that the revolutionary plot has gone wrong, but they persist in [not going to give a spoiler]
"Doctor Plarr said, "It is always the same when one thing goes wrong — it is like an error in an equation. Your first error was (spoiler) and now this follows.
Your equation will never work out"
The revolutionary knows this, but carries on with his failed plan because he has orders from a leader who, like "the General" who is the allegedly all-powerful dictator, is never actually seen, leaving pawns like the honorary consul and Dr Plarr to suffer.
So it covers all bases and I highly recommend it.
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Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
In your answer to my question about visiting Tamworth Castle you mentioned that you would like to visit the place where Robert Peel lived but did not get the chance as you were visiting other sites, which other sites did you visit?
I was here:
http://www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
It's a really fascinating place telling the history of this regiment.
http://www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com/regiment.html
Which fought in the Napoleonic wars and both world wars and many other campaigns, and it's all the more worth commemorating because it no longer exists, having been amalgamated with other regiments in 2007.
The museum reflects this and has done an excellent job tying the threads of past and present, and showing the living history, which is what a museum is for.
The only criticism is that it's too far from any town & hard to do on public transport, hence the missing some places I'd hoped to visit, but I suppose that gives me something to look firward to on my next trip to that area.
http://www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
It's a really fascinating place telling the history of this regiment.
http://www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com/regiment.html
Which fought in the Napoleonic wars and both world wars and many other campaigns, and it's all the more worth commemorating because it no longer exists, having been amalgamated with other regiments in 2007.
The museum reflects this and has done an excellent job tying the threads of past and present, and showing the living history, which is what a museum is for.
The only criticism is that it's too far from any town & hard to do on public transport, hence the missing some places I'd hoped to visit, but I suppose that gives me something to look firward to on my next trip to that area.
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
When someone uses the expression “back in the day” what era does it conjure up to you?
2005-6, my last year at university.
Should have drunk less, studied harder & stayed in academia. :(
Should have drunk less, studied harder & stayed in academia. :(
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Saujanya Dash
Doug
Herbert Henry Asquith
How was your visit to Tamworth Castle?
It was good, thanks!
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/post/169393818519/offa-came-to-tamworth-where-he-caused-a-palace
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/post/169396680244/and-if-within-tantallon-strong-the-good-lord
One thing I didn't really mention is the town's links to former prine minister Robert Peel, about whom I don't know much and would like to find out.
This trip dwelt on the feudal & medieval times, but when I go back I'd like to touch on the Victorian industrial wealth that came to the area (touched on in the mention of the Cooke family, but not really part of the remit of those posts).
I'd love to go to this place, where Robert Peel lived, I didn't go this time because I was at other sites in the opposite direction but it's on my list.
http://www.middleton-hall.co.uk/the-peel-collection-and-police-museum/
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/post/169393818519/offa-came-to-tamworth-where-he-caused-a-palace
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/post/169396680244/and-if-within-tantallon-strong-the-good-lord
One thing I didn't really mention is the town's links to former prine minister Robert Peel, about whom I don't know much and would like to find out.
This trip dwelt on the feudal & medieval times, but when I go back I'd like to touch on the Victorian industrial wealth that came to the area (touched on in the mention of the Cooke family, but not really part of the remit of those posts).
I'd love to go to this place, where Robert Peel lived, I didn't go this time because I was at other sites in the opposite direction but it's on my list.
http://www.middleton-hall.co.uk/the-peel-collection-and-police-museum/
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
where would you rather be today?
Lots of places, let's single out Patagonia :)
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/book-of-a-lifetime-in-patagonia-by-bruce-chatwin-7873053.html
I've never been to any part of North or South America and this seems like a good place to start!
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/book-of-a-lifetime-in-patagonia-by-bruce-chatwin-7873053.html
I've never been to any part of North or South America and this seems like a good place to start!
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Herbert Henry Asquith
Do you think you can develop strong feelings, by that, I mean fall in love with someone you haven’t met in person? Let’s say, for example, on ASKfm.
Personally I believe you can, though I strongly advise against it as it's a dead end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXyXN0UDcWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXyXN0UDcWk
I see that you quite like "The Songlines" by Chatwin, are there other travel books which you enjoy?
Yes, I love all the travel books about William Dalrymple. As a Catholic you will particularly enjoy this:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/william-dalrymple/from-the-holy-mountain/
It was written before the illegal invasion of Iraq, so is sadly out of date, it's sad to read about the religious tolerance of Syria (still found in areas that Assad controls, though threatened by jihadi "moderate" "rebels" and their Saudi, Turkish and Israeli sponsors (someone remind me again why Trump loves those countries so much)).
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/sep/02/comment.syria
It's a bit poignant but a fascinating read, hopefully if you enjoy it you'll move on to his other books, all of which are excellent.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/william-dalrymple/from-the-holy-mountain/
It was written before the illegal invasion of Iraq, so is sadly out of date, it's sad to read about the religious tolerance of Syria (still found in areas that Assad controls, though threatened by jihadi "moderate" "rebels" and their Saudi, Turkish and Israeli sponsors (someone remind me again why Trump loves those countries so much)).
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/sep/02/comment.syria
It's a bit poignant but a fascinating read, hopefully if you enjoy it you'll move on to his other books, all of which are excellent.
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
When writing here of your interest in going on the Way of St. James you mentioned you have walked 92 miles in 4 days, where was that?
It was at Easter 2016, doing http://twosaintsway.org.uk
It was amazing, and has established a tradition, though obviously none were as good as the first.
It's hard to convey the physical & mental atmosphere of those times, it was very hard but one of those challenges which is worthwhile for several reasons.
After getting lost several times, the feeling of peace that descended during evensong at Easter Sunday here.
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/lichfield
I suggest. if you (or anyone reading this!) have a holiday, that you undertake a long-distance walk, then you can understand the feel.
If you read The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin, he explains how pilgrimage, as in movement from one sacred place to another (preferably on foot), is a universal theme and the need to do it is somehow innate. Of course people still do this in various ways, but I'd recommend the simplicity and purity of the original.
http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2012/06/25/walking-with-bruce-chatwin/
As I live in a cold climate doing such a thing at Christmas is ruled out, so Easter it is!
It was amazing, and has established a tradition, though obviously none were as good as the first.
It's hard to convey the physical & mental atmosphere of those times, it was very hard but one of those challenges which is worthwhile for several reasons.
After getting lost several times, the feeling of peace that descended during evensong at Easter Sunday here.
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/lichfield
I suggest. if you (or anyone reading this!) have a holiday, that you undertake a long-distance walk, then you can understand the feel.
If you read The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin, he explains how pilgrimage, as in movement from one sacred place to another (preferably on foot), is a universal theme and the need to do it is somehow innate. Of course people still do this in various ways, but I'd recommend the simplicity and purity of the original.
http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2012/06/25/walking-with-bruce-chatwin/
As I live in a cold climate doing such a thing at Christmas is ruled out, so Easter it is!
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
tea.
How many of you read another’s bio when you go to their page on here? What about any other site where bios are a thing?
Yes, I do it to make sure I never reblog any dodgy people, and out of interest/curiosity :)
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C.
Women have had their day, when am I going to have mine?
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Herbert Henry Asquith
What is your highest aspiration?
Ever since reading the book Sharpe's Rifles by Bernard Cornwell, and watching the TV series when I was 14, I've had this asmy ambition, perhaps for when I retire.
http://santiago-compostela.net
The biggest walk I've done was 92 miles in 4 days so I'd really be busting myself but think of the achievement at the end!
As another Spaniard once said,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JjI7VeIA7ZI
http://santiago-compostela.net
The biggest walk I've done was 92 miles in 4 days so I'd really be busting myself but think of the achievement at the end!
As another Spaniard once said,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JjI7VeIA7ZI
Liked by:
Herbert Henry Asquith
Are you easily influenced by music? What song has the most influence on you?
Yes, I love music, I often post what I'm listening to on my website. :)
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/music
As for a song, I suggest you follow the wise advice here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mae5Ght8iBA
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/music
As for a song, I suggest you follow the wise advice here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mae5Ght8iBA
How would you describe the feeling that you get when looking at the sky?
Liked by:
Herbert Henry Asquith
In your answer to my last question you touched on the concern that some have, falsely as it turns out, of areas of England being taken over by Muslims. That has prompted this very broad question - do you think that Muslims are integrating well into English society?
Well, there are some problems such as
-The attitude of some Muslim men towards "kufr" women.
I do think this is what led to things like the Rotherham scandal and other scandals. But this could have been stopped if not for the fact that the police and other authorities shared the perpetrators's scorn for white working-classwomen, so the voices of the victims and their supporters weren't heeded. The perpetrators wouldn't have got away with a robbery or a shooting but they got away with what they did, not because of political correctness, but because it wasn't viewed as a crime to be taken seriously.
-The tendency of some to segregate themselves and some, especially women, who still haven't learnt English.
But in this case, it's obviously to do with the fact that funding for English lessons have been cut so what really are people meant to do? David Shameron, unlamented former prime minister, lambasted "traditionally submissive" women for not integrating when he himself was making it harder for people to integrate!
There are problems but none that couldn't be solved by taking the right approach, as distinct from the right-wing approach.
Also it would be a good idea to stop selling arms to the worst theocracies and giving support to Saudi atrocities in Yemen, which right-wing "patriots" are oddly silent about.
So I'm not denying the scale of the challenges ( I'd suggest watching the TV series Three Girls as well), just asking why those who shout the loudest have exactly the wrong approach.
In general I'd agree with this (written by a conservative)
http://theviewfromcullingworth.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/bradford-valentines-day.html
http://theviewfromcullingworth.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/wives-or-whores-thoughts-on-grooming.html
-The attitude of some Muslim men towards "kufr" women.
I do think this is what led to things like the Rotherham scandal and other scandals. But this could have been stopped if not for the fact that the police and other authorities shared the perpetrators's scorn for white working-classwomen, so the voices of the victims and their supporters weren't heeded. The perpetrators wouldn't have got away with a robbery or a shooting but they got away with what they did, not because of political correctness, but because it wasn't viewed as a crime to be taken seriously.
-The tendency of some to segregate themselves and some, especially women, who still haven't learnt English.
But in this case, it's obviously to do with the fact that funding for English lessons have been cut so what really are people meant to do? David Shameron, unlamented former prime minister, lambasted "traditionally submissive" women for not integrating when he himself was making it harder for people to integrate!
There are problems but none that couldn't be solved by taking the right approach, as distinct from the right-wing approach.
Also it would be a good idea to stop selling arms to the worst theocracies and giving support to Saudi atrocities in Yemen, which right-wing "patriots" are oddly silent about.
So I'm not denying the scale of the challenges ( I'd suggest watching the TV series Three Girls as well), just asking why those who shout the loudest have exactly the wrong approach.
In general I'd agree with this (written by a conservative)
http://theviewfromcullingworth.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/bradford-valentines-day.html
http://theviewfromcullingworth.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/wives-or-whores-thoughts-on-grooming.html
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
tea.
People always say that there was a time when no one locked their doors, or that children were safe to play outdoors, unsupervised. What caused things to change? What's caused people to be more unpredictable? What caused the world to be more dangerous than generations ago?
Well I'm a bit sceptical about these claims, as people often seem to have a rose-tinted view of events they hated when they were happening. I recommend reading this book as a corrective to that.
http://www.bibliofreak.net/2011/06/review-saturday-night-and-sunday.html
I often read it when I was in his city.
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/nottingham
I do think something has been lost since the 1980s, and there are two causes for this:
1. The deliberate destruction of working-class male employment by politicians who decided stock prices counted for more than breadwinners being able to support their families in strong communities, and that family breakdown and poverty were a price worth paying.
2. The official encouragement of selfishness, materialism & greed that has also been the position since the 80s.
And, while the left are far from blameless, the most damage was done and is still being done by those who call themselves conservatives, though what they're trying to "conserve" is a mystery to me.
http://stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com/stumbling_and_mumbling/2008/10/conservatives-for-revolution.html
So I'd be sceptical of what those people say about the old days, but I certainly know what not to do!
http://www.bibliofreak.net/2011/06/review-saturday-night-and-sunday.html
I often read it when I was in his city.
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/nottingham
I do think something has been lost since the 1980s, and there are two causes for this:
1. The deliberate destruction of working-class male employment by politicians who decided stock prices counted for more than breadwinners being able to support their families in strong communities, and that family breakdown and poverty were a price worth paying.
2. The official encouragement of selfishness, materialism & greed that has also been the position since the 80s.
And, while the left are far from blameless, the most damage was done and is still being done by those who call themselves conservatives, though what they're trying to "conserve" is a mystery to me.
http://stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com/stumbling_and_mumbling/2008/10/conservatives-for-revolution.html
So I'd be sceptical of what those people say about the old days, but I certainly know what not to do!
Sorry I might have asked you this already, how do you decide which of the sights of England you will see next?
That's a good question, I'm not totally sure. By reading books and blogs, speaking to people at the places I go about what I'd like if I like that (a sort of human algorithm!), and the research I do into posts, I become aware of all sorts of things.
And by blogs such as brownhillsbob.tumblr.com who lives about 40 miles from me so covers areas that overlap, but I may not have heard of.
So I hear of all these places, and in practice the decision of whether to go there is made for me because I'm on public transport and only have time and money for some places and can't visit others.
And because my girlfriend lives here it's my most frequently visited.
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/birmingham
(You may recall that this is the city which, according to American conservatives, is a ghetto where non-Muslims are too afraid to go; as you can see, reality diesn't bear out this impression).
And by blogs such as brownhillsbob.tumblr.com who lives about 40 miles from me so covers areas that overlap, but I may not have heard of.
So I hear of all these places, and in practice the decision of whether to go there is made for me because I'm on public transport and only have time and money for some places and can't visit others.
And because my girlfriend lives here it's my most frequently visited.
http://dry-valleys.tumblr.com/tagged/birmingham
(You may recall that this is the city which, according to American conservatives, is a ghetto where non-Muslims are too afraid to go; as you can see, reality diesn't bear out this impression).
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Doug
What color will you like in 2018?
Blue!
Have some bluebells, at Keele, where legends study. \m/
Have some bluebells, at Keele, where legends study. \m/
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Do you have any sightseeing trips planned?
Yes, I'm going here tomorrow!
http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4672
I keep hearing what a good, historic place it is but it's 50 miles from where I live so I haven't been there yet.
What I like to do in my photoshoots is to compare the pictures of the place now with old photography and art, so this is a painting by two of my favourite artists.
http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4672
http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4672
I keep hearing what a good, historic place it is but it's 50 miles from where I live so I haven't been there yet.
What I like to do in my photoshoots is to compare the pictures of the place now with old photography and art, so this is a painting by two of my favourite artists.
http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4672
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
I see that you watched "The Accountant," did you enjoy it?
I think so, but I didn't really understand the plot!?
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
Did you enjoy the concert of Black Country Communion?
It was amazing, thanks, all the better since there may never be another (there's a lot of tension in the band, perhaps because they're all excellent musicians in their own right and there may be a bit of ego).
They only played two concerts on their exclusive tour, sadly I'm not going to the one in London tonight so I won't be one of the legends who attended both, but I still have the shirt.
They only played two concerts on their exclusive tour, sadly I'm not going to the one in London tonight so I won't be one of the legends who attended both, but I still have the shirt.
Liked by:
Stephen Ind
Herbert Henry Asquith
I’ve thought of a name for a EDL splinter group I’m going to form, we’re going to be called the English Defence Association, is that good or is English Freedom Fighters a better name?
Will you become the next Everard Webley
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