This book features a famous jazz musician with a secret. Fortunately for me I had followed my usual practice of not reading the blurb on the back, because I have found that very often these reveal quite plainly something which happens near the start of the book. Blurb authors should tantalise, not give away the plot! In this case I hadn't looked so I was able to appreciate the author's skill in unfolding the story. The book is very evocative of 1950s Glasgow (although I thought I spotted a mistake - I will check with my mother who was there at the time to see if I am right!) The author is a poet as well and this comes across in her often lyrical writing. This is a good story and the author copes well with telling it from many different viewpoints, gradually revealing what happened.
Then I read a Terence Rattigan play, French without Tears. I'd already read The Winslow Boy but this other play, while amusing, seems very dated now. It's cleverly done but the story is slight. The Winslow Boy will last, I think, because it raises questions about bigger themes such as truth and loyalty, but French without Tears is really just a piece of fluff, fun but insubstantial.
Day 99; Book 98
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
David Crystal
David Crystal is an authority on the English language. He writes clearly and with common sense on every aspect of English. You can find his blog here - scroll down to "On Insults, or Not" for his comments on a topical news story. Here is another link to his great reference work, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. This is a surprisingly readable guide to English right from its origins through to the different varieties of English in the world today. It's an ideal resource for any student of the English language.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
More Aeronautical Silliness
Rules of piloting:
1. Every take-off is optional, every landing is mandatory.
2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the
stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick
all the way back, then they get bigger again.
3. Flying is not dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous!
4. High speeds are not dangerous. Coming to a sudden stop is dangerous!
5. It is always better to be down here, wishing you were up there, than
up there wishing to be down here!
6. The only time you have too much fuel on board, is when you are on fire.
7. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the airplane, used to
keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot
start sweating.
8. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided
with the sky.
9. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great'
landing is one after which they can use the airplane again.
10. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to
make all of them yourself. (NB This applies also to novice car drivers!)
11. You know you have landed with the wheels up if it takes full power
to taxi to the ramp.
12. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle
of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and
vice versa.
13. Never let an aircraft get you somewhere your brain didn't get five
minutes earlier.
14. Stay out of the clouds. The silver lining everybody keeps talking
about, might be another airplane going in the opposite direction.
Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out
in clouds.
15. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the
number of take-offs you have made.
16. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing.
Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
17. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience.
The trick is to fill the bag of experience, before you empty your bag of
luck. (NB Another one for the novice car drivers!)
18. Helicopters can't fly. They are just so ugly the earth repels them.
19. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round
and round, and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger
compartment, things are not as they should be.
20. In the ongoing battle between airplanes going hundreds of miles per
hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
21. Good judgement comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience
usually comes from bad judgement.
22. It is always a good idea to keep the pointed end going forward as
much as possible.
23. Keep looking around. There is always something you've missed.
24. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It is the law. And it's
not subject to repeal.
25. The four most useless things to a pilot are altitude above you,
runway behind you, air in the fuel tank and a tenth of a second ago.
26. Lastly, always check the runway number; then double check!
1. Every take-off is optional, every landing is mandatory.
2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the
stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick
all the way back, then they get bigger again.
3. Flying is not dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous!
4. High speeds are not dangerous. Coming to a sudden stop is dangerous!
5. It is always better to be down here, wishing you were up there, than
up there wishing to be down here!
6. The only time you have too much fuel on board, is when you are on fire.
7. The propeller is just a big fan in front of the airplane, used to
keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot
start sweating.
8. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided
with the sky.
9. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great'
landing is one after which they can use the airplane again.
10. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to
make all of them yourself. (NB This applies also to novice car drivers!)
11. You know you have landed with the wheels up if it takes full power
to taxi to the ramp.
12. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle
of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and
vice versa.
13. Never let an aircraft get you somewhere your brain didn't get five
minutes earlier.
14. Stay out of the clouds. The silver lining everybody keeps talking
about, might be another airplane going in the opposite direction.
Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out
in clouds.
15. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the
number of take-offs you have made.
16. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing.
Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
17. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience.
The trick is to fill the bag of experience, before you empty your bag of
luck. (NB Another one for the novice car drivers!)
18. Helicopters can't fly. They are just so ugly the earth repels them.
19. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round
and round, and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger
compartment, things are not as they should be.
20. In the ongoing battle between airplanes going hundreds of miles per
hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
21. Good judgement comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience
usually comes from bad judgement.
22. It is always a good idea to keep the pointed end going forward as
much as possible.
23. Keep looking around. There is always something you've missed.
24. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It is the law. And it's
not subject to repeal.
25. The four most useless things to a pilot are altitude above you,
runway behind you, air in the fuel tank and a tenth of a second ago.
26. Lastly, always check the runway number; then double check!
From the Sublime to the Ridiculous
These are supposedly actual logged maintenance complaints by QUANTAS pilots and the corrective action recorded by mechanics. (Supplied by Mechatronics Technician Mr F, who will naturally be on the side of the mechanics and their subversive use of language!)
P stands for the problem the pilots entered in the log.
S stands for the corrective action taken by the mechanics.
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
S: Autoland not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.
P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back order!!
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200-fpm descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for!
P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windscreen.
S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing. (note: this was for a piston-engineered airplane; the pilot meant the engine was not running smoothly).
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed radar with words.
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
P stands for the problem the pilots entered in the log.
S stands for the corrective action taken by the mechanics.
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
S: Autoland not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.
P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back order!!
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200-fpm descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for!
P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windscreen.
S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing. (note: this was for a piston-engineered airplane; the pilot meant the engine was not running smoothly).
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed radar with words.
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
It is amazing that someone almost completely paralysed after a stroke, and able to communicate only by moving one eyelid, should nevertheless conceive, compose and dictate this memoir. Jean-Dominique Bauby found himself in a completely alien situation but still managed to convey to us his love of life and family as well as his sense of humour. He dictated the book letter by letter by blinking whenever his assistant reached the appropriate letter in the alphabet, so the whole book was planned and edited in his head. By the end of this book, which is just over 100 pages long, you will feel you really know the author, so well has he conveyed his personality. It is a tragic yet also uplifing work.
Here is the website of the film which has been made of the book.
Day 97; Book 96
Here is the website of the film which has been made of the book.
Day 97; Book 96
Monday, 12 January 2009
Nation by Terry Pratchett
I had put off reading this because I don't tend to like reading children's books but this one had plenty of depth and would be equally enjoyed by adults. The idea is unusual and the action exciting, plus there are the usual Pratchett throwaway humorous lines. It's a satire as well and he makes a good case for his point of view. Very enjoyable.
Next, still basking in reflected glory, I decided to read Alison Baverstock's Marketing your Book: an Author's Guide. This is in an easy-to-read style and the author has lots of experience of her subject. It's interesting that your book can still fail even after you find a publisher - apparently appropriate marketing is essential.
A Radio Commemoration of Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1950) is a short work published 59 years ago, but still full of insights into the life and writing of R L Stevenson. Reading this has made me want to read Kidnapped again (I read Treasure Island again fairly recently). Terry Pratchett's Nation, incidentally, has some echoes of Treasure Island (as well as of Coral Island).
I had also been reluctant to read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. Regular readers will know how much I like John Connolly, but because this book is about a boy and has a "childish" cover, I wrongly assumed it was a children's book. I started to read it anyway and was soon hooked. It wasn't until I was at the end that I read that the author explicitly states that it is not a children's book, which was a relief because it is a very scary book indeed and I am sure it would give any sensitive child nightmares! The theme of loss is very strong too. Here is a link to a website all about the book.
Perfect Match by Jodie Picoult is another work of fiction which the author bases on a controversial current issue. How far would you go to protect your child and how far would it be acceptable for you to go? You may not agree with the main character's decision (and I didn't) but I still felt for her.
Finally I had an enjoyable time reading The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith. This is part of the Scotland Street series, originally published in daily serial form in the Scotsman newspaper, and set in contemporary Edinburgh. McCall Smith's humanity always shines through in his books, as you will know if you have read the Ladies' Detective Agency series. Here there are just as many sympathetic characters, but also the monstrous (in their different ways) Irene and Bruce. You want Bruce in particular to come a cropper, but unfortunately he is more likely to continue on his self-satisfied way ...
Day 96; Book 95
Next, still basking in reflected glory, I decided to read Alison Baverstock's Marketing your Book: an Author's Guide. This is in an easy-to-read style and the author has lots of experience of her subject. It's interesting that your book can still fail even after you find a publisher - apparently appropriate marketing is essential.
A Radio Commemoration of Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1950) is a short work published 59 years ago, but still full of insights into the life and writing of R L Stevenson. Reading this has made me want to read Kidnapped again (I read Treasure Island again fairly recently). Terry Pratchett's Nation, incidentally, has some echoes of Treasure Island (as well as of Coral Island).
I had also been reluctant to read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. Regular readers will know how much I like John Connolly, but because this book is about a boy and has a "childish" cover, I wrongly assumed it was a children's book. I started to read it anyway and was soon hooked. It wasn't until I was at the end that I read that the author explicitly states that it is not a children's book, which was a relief because it is a very scary book indeed and I am sure it would give any sensitive child nightmares! The theme of loss is very strong too. Here is a link to a website all about the book.
Perfect Match by Jodie Picoult is another work of fiction which the author bases on a controversial current issue. How far would you go to protect your child and how far would it be acceptable for you to go? You may not agree with the main character's decision (and I didn't) but I still felt for her.
Finally I had an enjoyable time reading The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith. This is part of the Scotland Street series, originally published in daily serial form in the Scotsman newspaper, and set in contemporary Edinburgh. McCall Smith's humanity always shines through in his books, as you will know if you have read the Ladies' Detective Agency series. Here there are just as many sympathetic characters, but also the monstrous (in their different ways) Irene and Bruce. You want Bruce in particular to come a cropper, but unfortunately he is more likely to continue on his self-satisfied way ...
Day 96; Book 95
Friday, 9 January 2009
In which your intrepid reader basks in reflected glory
If you look at the post below you'll see an image of a new novel, Windows of the Soul, written by my friend Jo Alexander! She's a local author and I'll quote from the back cover of her book to give you a flavour of what it's about:
"Vienna and Jazz - two women who belong to different generations and who have never met - struggle to come to terms with events and tragedies in their lives. Vienna is a fifty-something housewife whose marriage is beginning to show signs of being past its sell-by-date; Jazz is a much younger career-girl who hates the thought of being trapped in a permanent relationship, while her boyfriend longs for a baby. Will Vienna's marriage disintegrate? Will Jazz grow up? Is there a connection between these two women? As events unfold both women have to cope with grief and pain and both have to try to rebuild their lives. Will either find happiness and peace again?"
I can tell you it's an involving story, written in a flowing, easy-to-read style, and I wanted to read on and on to find out what happens. You'll need a hanky for some of the scenes too! The main characters are both very sympathetic in their different ways. All in all a very enjoyable read.
Anyone who knows me is more than welcome to borrow my copy and if you then decide to buy a copy for a friend I will be happy to give you the details. ***STOP PRESS*** Now available on Lulu with the opportunity to preview the text (just click on the preview button at the bottom)
I'm so excited that I know a real live author!
"Vienna and Jazz - two women who belong to different generations and who have never met - struggle to come to terms with events and tragedies in their lives. Vienna is a fifty-something housewife whose marriage is beginning to show signs of being past its sell-by-date; Jazz is a much younger career-girl who hates the thought of being trapped in a permanent relationship, while her boyfriend longs for a baby. Will Vienna's marriage disintegrate? Will Jazz grow up? Is there a connection between these two women? As events unfold both women have to cope with grief and pain and both have to try to rebuild their lives. Will either find happiness and peace again?"
I can tell you it's an involving story, written in a flowing, easy-to-read style, and I wanted to read on and on to find out what happens. You'll need a hanky for some of the scenes too! The main characters are both very sympathetic in their different ways. All in all a very enjoyable read.
Anyone who knows me is more than welcome to borrow my copy and if you then decide to buy a copy for a friend I will be happy to give you the details. ***STOP PRESS*** Now available on Lulu with the opportunity to preview the text (just click on the preview button at the bottom)
I'm so excited that I know a real live author!
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