More Classic Kiwis - The L&P Commercials

Aaaahhhhh we're a simple folk. I think these are my fave ads ever. And yes, our mum was on the PTA, and yes, we did have a key to the school pool. And no, there was no adult supervision, no cellphones. Just 8 hours of kids left at the pool by themselves, all under 12 years of age. Summer was awesome as a kid!!

Summer this year though, has been a bit grey and cooler than usual, no global warming for us!! Still I'm going to enjoy every day off work as though it was stinking hot!!

Wuthering Heights Dvd

Wuthering Heights (2008)

You know, I do love a good classical novel adaption, and this one was done well. I thought it captured the Cathy/Heathcliff love/betrayal relationship well, with Heathcliff (Tom Hardy), being handsome and conflicted, while manipulating all around him. The directors and screen writers were able to find a good balance between portraying the passion of Heathcliff and Cathy, and the gothic drama of the way that their love eventually destroyed both their lives.

So I am going to have to give it a Christmas 4/5 for watchability. Television is only playing repeats of horrible comdramadies at the moment, and is not fit for watching. So hopefully when my call ends tomorrow morning and the cellphone is switched over to my boss, I can sneak out and watch some movies.

What the Dog Saw - Malcolm Gladwell

What the Dog Saw - Malcolm Gladwell (2009)

Malcolm Gladwell is one of those authors, of whom I have picked up or ordered his books from the library, and then failed to read any one of them. I often pick them up at the bookstore and browse, but always put them back down.

This time, I thought I would bite the bullet, and actually read one, and was surprised that I got this new book, only a week after reserving it. What the Dog Saw, is a collection of articles that have appeared in the New Yorker. Obviously a talented writer, with great research skills , he writes about a variety of topics, attempting to get within the subject and understand it, questioning and probing the subject.

So the most interesting chapter I found was on Mammography, and also talked about the paradox of Intelligence reform and long range bombing missions.

In the end though, I found myself skipping pages and just wanted the book to end, feeling a little like I was getting lectured by the know it all nerdy boy, like Sheldon on the big bang theory. Maybe he would be perfect to read this on a talking book series. I think my dad would enjoy this book more than me, which is a shame, as my inner nerd wanted to like it. 2/5

The Memory Garden - Rachel Hore

The Memory Garden - Rachel Hore (2007)

It's a Christmas miracle, I finally finished not one but two books. My error may have been in trying to read two at a time in a busy pre holiday week, but grey skies meant I didn't feel the need to rush outside or go for a walk, but to lie horizontal on my bed and read and snooze.

The Memory Garden is the second Rachel Hore book I have read, and her first book is sitting on my to be read pile. Although I was tempted to buy it, I always try and check with the library first, as I hate reading a bought book, disliking it and feeling guilty about spending or wasting the money.

In this book Mel, a university tutor takes a sabbatical to write a book about NewLyn Painters in Cornwall. She hires a garden cottage, taking a break to consider a broken relationship and the recent death of her family. While there she discovers paintings of a mysterious PT, and tries to discover who the talented artist may be.

I like Rache Hores style of writing, her believable characters and although you know where the plot is heading the journey is enjoyable. One part of the story is happening in the present, but the other plot line occurs around 1912 - 1920, and this helps to fill in the gaps. A pleasant Christmas read. 3/5

Merry Christmas - A Kiwi Christmas

I found this one on youtube and it pretty much sums up a kiwi christmas. It is summer time here, and although we usually all get together for a big cooked meal, it also means running around outside with the new toys, or garden cricket or going to the beach.

I am busily reading, and have some movies and dvds to watch. So there will be more stuff coming up soon. Big thanks to my number one fan Miss Pia, without you I would have given up months ago.

So, I hope you all get to feast with your friends, families and furries.

Smooches

Julie Q

Music Monday - Paloma Faith

My newest song to play over and over - Paloma Faith and New York. I did actually buy her singles on itunes and then went to the CD store, and bought a CD. A real one, with real money!! I haven't done that in ages, but thought I would like some old fashioned CDs playing over the weekend.

Music Monday - Texas and Alan Rickman

Knotted - Michelle Holman

Knotted - Michelle Holman (2009)

I sooooo wanted to like this one. A, because I liked the idea of the main character being a nurse, and it was written by a kiwi writer. The premise sounded good, struggling nurse sister becomes the guardian of her sisters children after her sister dies of cancer.

I just couldn't do it, after 40 pages I could feel my brain switiching off, and I wanted more. I could tell where the plot was heading, the old I hate the new handsome stranger scenario.

So sorry Kiwi writer, but your book has to head back to the library, I hope someone else enjoys you.

Rifling Through My Drawers - Clarissa Dickson Wright

Rifling Through My Drawers - Clarissa Dickson Wright (2009)

Clarissa Dickson Wright is one half of the two fat ladies, who cooked their way around England on their tv series. I never sat down and watched a full episode, but have seemed to have watched snippets of it, every so often.

She has written an earlier biography, which I haven't read, but I spied this one at Borders and thought it might be ok. Going from January through the months, she writes about touring around with her book, going to literary festivals, hunting, British produce and game, and is very anti the political correctness of the New Labour Britain that she inhabits.

She is also anti the anti hunting protesters and I did find a bit grating after a while, and although for country folk, it may be a bit of an interesting read, as a dedicated townie, I found myself a bit bored with all the rants against a modern life. 2/5

The Jane Austen Book Club - Dvd

The Jane Austen Book Club - DVD (2007)

I started watching this one on Friday night, but the hospital cellphone called me into work half way through, so I only got to finish it this evening. I remember being underwhelmed by the book, a promising plot and original idea, that somehow fell a bit flat. Therefore, I didn't rush to the cinema, but chose to wait til the dvd came out.

Basically a group of friends, decide to form a book club, and each month get together to talk about one of Jane Austens books. Like the stories, their lives are complicated, and through the meetings we get to hear about their relationships and they get to thinking about their own lives and how they relate to 200 year old stories.

I don't know quite what was missing in the movie, maybe the same thing the book was lacking. I think I missed any true emotion, sure there was crying and the end was sweet, but I didn't feel any true joy, any moment that I will remember from the movie next week, thus a 2/5.