Bubbajay's Totally Awesome and Well Researched Book Review

His Dark Materials By Phillip Pullman
I really recommend this series. Its a trilogy of The Nothern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.

In a nut shell, we start off in a parallel world were the Reformation never happened and neither did the two World Wars. People also have personal Daemons which are a physical manifestation of themselves (its get weirder and more fun).

The writing style is actually quite light and although the book is marketed at 'young adults' ("nosin' around, nosin' around") Pullman advises that he had no particular audience on mind. To that end there are some great ideas explored about the soul and the nature of identity, awareness and consciousness. As well as an ever quickening pace of an adventure that involves armoured Polar Bears, Zeppelins, murderous children, angels, tourture and fanatical priests.
In comparing these book's to the Harry Potter series, the principal difference in my opinion is Pullman is a better writer. He knows when to economise, when he has painted a scene with just the right amount colour for us the reader to see as well as allowing us to see though the eyes of the characters. He also has that rare talent for a fantasy writer to be able to invent names without employing the lesser used consonants.
I've never been a fan of the Fantasy Genre for the simple reason that, to me, the author spends far too much time inventing the setting, its history and people's and too little time on prose. The story doesn't seem to want to move along without the usual crutches or clichés.

His Dark Materials works for me because its is simple on the one hand and on the other explores some really great ideas about humanity, evolution, quantum theory.
I can't imagine what some children will make of it, but for me it was good fun.

Four Ninja Stars: ****

PS If you do decide to buy it, look for special edition covers (not the movie tie in's) in the back of the book there are some 'bonus features', that mark Pullman out as good writer.

Bike Riding

Its not the distance, I've been getting better at that (last Saturday was a ride around Lake Burleigh Griffith 37km and a 20km ride on Sunday) its my seat.
Or more specifically my tail bone. I've noticed it starts to cramp after about the 10km mark.
Will have to find a more comfortable seat (perhaps one with arm rests!!)

Well other than bicycling around and catching some really sweet air on the odd jump (like swear to god, one had to have been 5 feet at least) there was an election on Saturday.

So some buddies and I held an election night BBQ and there were fun and games (election night Bingo, which I won!) and a new government.
I'm a little stunned to tell you the truth. I had a good feeling that Labor would get in, but certainly not by the margin they did. And no body went the mongrel in their victory or defeat speeches.
It was eerily civilised. Like I said stunned mullet.
Having voted earlier in the day, I was full of vim and vigour for the democratic process. Labor has run an aggressive campaign from January when Rudd took over. Canberra is traditionally safe Labor and after the humiliating defeat last time... I was just gobsmacked by the result this time round.

To be continued...

Some good old fashion ROCK

These guys were my world in '85.
Its time to reconnect with some fantastic good old fashion family values.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE?

Quiter

I got invited to sing as part of the University of Canberra Choir a couple of months ago. They are preparing to sing Handel's Messiah this Friday.
The problem is, after 2 months of practises, I still don't know the music well enough to be confident to sing it. Its weighing on me a bit, I made a commitment and now I'm backing out on it.
That said, there are a few things I don't like about the choir;
- For most of the last few weeks the practises have been lead by a reserve back up instructor, not the guy with the mad skills.
- Then there's this officious little old lady who wants to run things, but in a 'I've got nothing better to do with my life' way. It kinda pisses me off to tell you the truth. Especially when I get a phone message from her during my work day wanting me to ring her back about some trivial crap
- Its a fairly average choir I would have to admit. I could wonder how much of that is my fault, having never heard let alone sung most of the music before, but there are veterans there who should be on top of their game and who are not.

Anyway I could go on, the performance is this Friday but I've got to be on the radio so its a no go on that front.
A bit disappointing, but there it is.

The last time I played golf

Last week was busy, in a good way. My radio station did its radiothon we were aiming for $35,000 and got $41,381. So all in all an outstanding result.
For my part I was there every night from about 5.30 to 10 answering phones, spruiking, organising stuff. Just glad to be part of it all to tell you the truth. Did a massive show on Friday drive (5 - 7pm) got $1,500 in two hours. Feeling good about that.

Well on Thursday I took time out from my busy schedule to play golf for the Legacy society. Actually I though I was playing golf on the Friday, but a reminder call got me out of the office and into a golf shop for pants, shoes and a crash course lesson as to exactly how you hit a golf ball.
armed with a 15 minute tutorial I rocked up to the golf day.
It was an 'Ambrose' with a 'shotgun start'.
Ambrose - team event, everyone tee's off and the team can then play on from the best shot. The team must play at least 3 drives from each player.
Shotgun Start - Each team is assigned a hole to tee off from, the proceeds in a clock wise direction.

I was crap.
Possibly the worse person on the field but a lengthy margin. I did sink some putts, but that was about the limit of my contribution.
I did have fun though.

A good idea at the time

This has been an insanely busy weekend I have to tell you Bubba's.
My radiostation is holding its annual radiothon, so its been a lot of work at the station answering calls, co-hosting and stuff in between. Its running all week so I'm locked in for a fair bit of it.

But I had some time this morning to go on an actual mountain bike ride. I went up Mt Stromlo it would be about 20kms all up (and down). I consider myself the kind of guy who is happy to take a challange, especially if there are thrills and spills involved.
Well the medium track I took today was no exception. Thinking back on it, I have to ask, just what they hell was I thinking! I mean for the most part going down the track was less than half a metre wide!! One side was up and the other was a steep down!!

Did I mention I was flying down this thing at amout 30kph!
I've had some time to thnk about my actions and I have ask myself, just what the hell was I thinking!?!

Can't wait to try it again though.

Melbourne Cup - Gamblor

Yesterday was Melbourne Cup, the so called 'race that stops a nation'.
Which to be fair its always been a bludge day only in Canberra it is now a public holiday. Hoteliers and restaurateurs complained a bit at the idea, but otherwise everyone else seemed happy enough. Monday was pretty much a write off for productivity as well (lord knows if I was able to I would have bunked off too).
Anyway, Tuesday lunch time and I was down the pub with some mates, one of whom had a clue about horses. 7 of us pooled $20 bucks each as a kitty and we began picking ponies.
There was beer, steak and chips for lunch and good company.

Only one beer fuled bogan fight to be seen and otherwise a pleasant afternoon. The horses ran and thankfully we each made our $20 investment back AND $10 profit. Everyone was jolly excited until we worked out how much we actually make an hour and we had been at the pub for 5 hours.

Such is the vicious grasp of gambling.
Still it was a fun day out. The only problem with the day as far as I could tell, it was almost impossible to find a restaurant or take away joint open for dinner. Perhaps that will change next year.