I've just returned from the Big Sky Festival which took place last weekend in Geraldton (Western Australia where a colleague and I provided the delegates with books. They had a number of local, state and national writers that participated in panel groups, discussions and lectures about different subjects. The panel I gate crashed on Saturday afternoon, presented on the local radio station (Yo Mama), was a fascinating insight into their spiritual beliefs, intergalactic intelligence life and what planet they are from (Liz Byrski's ladies and gentlemen, is from 'Gerriatrica'. Yes, you heard it hear first.). It took place at the University Campus and run by the local library staff, who kept us well feed on a diet of cuppas, cake and quiches. Apart from taking in terrific sales, meeting fantastic friendly people and having an all out fun time, it really inspired me to start taking my writing seriously. I began a story on the weekend during the sessions and I intend on blogging more on this site.
So stayed tuned.
Reviews:
Book of the Week
I just finished The Soloist written by LA Times Columnist, Steve Lopez. The book is based on the story of his friendship with a ex-Julliard student, who suffers from schizophrenia. Once a talented uprising student, he now plays his two stringed violin in a city tunnel, the place he calls home. Lopez takes the reader on a journey through a world of extreme poverty on the darkest streets, where the journalist pursues the dream to improve Mr Ayers life and the people around him.
Despite the content, the book is not particularly heavy handed and gives a rather sheltered view in the blunt yet simple way it describes the streets and his disease. You feel for the characters and their struggles but the emotional involvement is limited. I have not seen the movie yet, but I don't mind waiting for the DVD to catch it.
TV of the Week
**Spoilers for Season 4 Finale**
How I Met Your Mother is still the favour of the month (or year at this rate) so I thought I might just review the last episode of the fourth season before the fifth begins Tuesday week. “The Leap” takes place around Ted's 31st birthday when he's desperately trying to design a hat shaped restaurant and revealing the not so fascinating story of the goat. Then there's Marshall and his attempt to finally....wait for it...leap off the building and land in their neighbours roof complete with a jacuzzi. This story line helps reveal that 1) Lily is really pregnant in this episode and 2) it's more amusing watching what object they use in their attempt to hid her belly then well, this story arc. Let me side track for just a moment to talk about hiding the female leads pregnancies during the the later episodes. It should be a drinking game. Anyway, fortunately story line number three is much better. I confess, I love that Barney has a crush on Robin and this arc deals with the subject in typical Barney style. I know fans have reservations about Barney being involved but I think as long as the writers keep within his character, it should be fine. So all in all, I finished watching the season, with a big smile planted firmly on my face.
Movie of the Week
Last weekend I watched Inglorious Basterds at the local cinema with my boyfriend. Even though it was set in Nazi-Occupied France 1941 (re First Chapter), the movie was amusing. I laughed out loud in a a couple of places. Tarantino made it work and the leads were great, especially
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