pontalba

Did you see my take on The Master above? I'd see it again.

lol nah, no maths for me...I keep track of reading on goodreads, they give the percentage, even if it isn't on an ereader.

Peacefield had queried the "meaning" of the film The Master on the film thread. I thought I'd post my answer/thoughts over here, just to keep track of it. It was an interesting and disturbing film. My husband and I saw The Master at the theatre a while back. I haven't seen much of Phoenix, but read about his performance and how he had truly pulled off a masterpiece of acting. Well, it was all true, the way he took on the physical aspects of the character was absolutely amazing to me. No, it wasn't much of a stretch, in a way for Hoffman, but man, he was good. Well. As to the point or meaning of the film, I thought Hoffman took Phoenix's unformed character. He was rather a thuggish sort I thought, and gave him focus. At the end when Phoenix had left Hoffman's "organization" (which I thought was a total rip-off of Scientology) he was a different man. Phoenix became a hustler/confidence man like Hoffman was in the film. The scene at the end of the film, when Phoenix was in bed with the girl.........he was totally spinning a tale for her, with much the same "aura" that Hoffman had in the beginning of their association. So for me the meaning was Phoenix's morphing into a focused sort of confidence man. Becoming Hoffman's character in a large way. So, the con continues. And, btw, I'd actually like to see it again, and so would husband.

As I posted on the other thread, I've consigned Ship of Fools to the bleech pile, not to be finished in the forseeable future. I'm about 44% in, but can't take it anymore. Uninteresting characters, being sleezy, and boring sleezy to boot. So, that's that. I'll get to Wolf Hall for the group, not next I need something lighter, but after the next one.

I've given up on Ship of Fools, 44% into it. Not what I thought. Uninteresting characters that don't truly come alive for me. Verra disappointed. What next I don't know. Not Wolf Hall, yet.....something light inbetween. /decisions, decisions.....?

Regarding Birdsong, I know what you mean...being tired of WW books. Me too, for the most part. Been there, done that both fiction and non-fiction. Very happy to hear you enjoyed Wolf Hall. That is my one after this next one book.

Just finished some rye flatbread with cream cheese and a cup of tea.

Of course they've improved since you are there. Snow....of course. Glad the days are improving. Is the fact they told you a lie in the interview something you can bring up to them? Or do you think that weekend was a one-off thing? Miserable people! I am so very happy for your mother!

I like both your posts and as far as I can tell, I agree fully. I especially like your second post though. The idea of Laclos examining women's roles (of the time) is very interesting. There is one of about everything. From silly girl, to wise grandmotherly) type. I think you are right on target. I do think there was more to Merteuil's role in that she was a truly vindictive person. I don't think it was only intelligence perverted, she truly hated people. Herself included I'd wager. I feel there had to be more than only frustration with women's role in life that got to her.Thousands of women were in her shoes, so to speak, and didn't feel the vindictiveness she portrayed.

We just finished watching the film with John Malkovich and Glenn Close. I'd only seen pieces of it before. Both of us enjoyed it, I thought they brought the pertinent bits of the book out for the most part. Natch lots was left out, including de Merteuil's pox, although she did get somewhat of a comeuppance. Not as bad as the book though. Plus, interestingly enough de Tourvel didn't come off as so pitifully nauseating.

Dangerous Liaisons with John Malkovich and Glenn Close. Verra good.

I've read the Sansom series, and loved it too.

The bank is sending my new credit card, should receive it this week. The irritating thing is that I have 2 back orders through Amazon that have been delayed on account of this bugger. grrr Oh well, it'll all come in time. Oh, now I remember your speaking of the Olympic Races last year! Sounds delightful. Good luck to him. Customer service can be a tough business. Of course anything to do with placating the public can be difficult. Of course they didn't tell you, they wanted to hire you and not scare you off. If you don't do the training bit when they've changed it to, will you be able to pick it up another time? I guess it comes down to how much it will actually inconvenience you. Pox on them, do what is best for you. Taking into consideration any back lash from management that could come your way. Oh, yeah, the parades are here too. At least down in New Orleans. There is an uptown section called The Irish Channel. Lots of green beer is being consumed, and cabbages thrown at the parade. I'm not Irish, but I really hate the so called reputation that is given...it doesn't seem fair to me to brand every person of any background like that. We've stayed in today as well, although it is mostly from being tired from day trips two days in a row.

We saw two movies yesterday, Quartet with Maggie Smith, et als. We both liked it. Yes, it was mushy, yes it was predictable. Don't care. Beautiful ending. Only wish they'd shown the act, not just the sound. Oh well. Other film was the opposite end of the spectrum...Dead Man Down with Noomie Rapace and whatshisname. Well known, his name has slipped my mind at the moment. Revenge film, but at least Rapace can act. Both good actors actually. Mean story though.

Oh, poppy. Wonderful. Thass a cat.

I know, he certainly fell into bed with the Witch fast enough, thinking with his "other brain". At no time did I believe he was genuine with Cecile. The whole thing was about deflowering her. IMO I wish I remembered more, but all I recall is something about her mother being either distant or disapproving of her in general. Plus they were poor? They rather were, I agree. There were def times I felt like strangling most of them, or throwing the book across the room! But I was always compelled to come back and see how they would arrive at the inevitable conclusion. But, remember, the letters were the only manner of communication, and the times were such that all the flowery phrases and hypocritical mouthings were very much in vogue, and required by society.

Another beautiful, spring-like day here in the South (US). 77F, sunshine, the few clouds present in the morning have gone away.

What about Philippa Gregory's books? She has scads on the Boleyn family. I've read some, and they are pretty good. Fiction though.

I can recommend Wool by Hugh Howey. I've read it on kindle already...that is, at least the first 5 parts which has now come out in a lovely hardback copy. Howey has an on-going series of this, continuing with First Shift Legacy (A Silo Story), Second Shift Order (A Silo Story), and Third Shift Pact (A Silo Story). The latter three are in trade paperback, at least that is all I could find on Amazon. I think I've only read the first 5, but it is a well imagined story of a dystopian future (is there any other kind?).

I know, and the weird thing is I'd had a strange feeling I should check the bank website all weekend, just didn't get to it. Yean, good on Macy's! Not only freaked, but mad as the devil! Awww, poor Mum. Hope it went ok. What is his apprenticeship? They've taken it off the card, and I think it will stay off. They know me and my habits, so there wasn't any question about the veracity of my claim. Thankfully. Sainburys sounds like a neat place. Is that the famous White Cliffs of Dover I've heard of? I'd hope so, but wonder. My friend at the bank said she sees this type of thing all day long! Gadzooks, what a world.

Thanks muggle. I think that is an unusual situation, usually they go for the big bucks. Glad yours turned out ok. Thanks, I think it'll be ok, the bank took it all in stride when I went in to sign the papers. I've dealt with them for many decades and they know me. I was mad as a hatter at first I can tell you! But, it could have been much worse. After the bank yesterday morning we drove over to the Gulf Coast. Bay St. Louis is a beautiful small, old community on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that was devestated during Hurricane Katrina. It has rebounded beautifully! Great restaurants, and a fantastic independent book store, Bay Books. We had great weather, and it is a beautiful drive. Down the coast toward Biloxi there must be a dozen Casinos, but neither of us gamble, but have walked through....fascinating! Some of their restaurants are quite good.

For a decade or so I took the bus into town to work every day, and I don't recall seeing that many readers. Some of course, but not enough for a baseball team. I carried a book and a spare in case I finished the current book on my lunch break. On a few of my jobs I was fortunate enough to be able to read at my desk if not busy. Nowadays I don't even see that many people reading in, for example, Starbucks. Most are on their laptop. We always bring books when we go out, never know when we might have a chance to read.

Just a note regarding bookcases tipping over.....I have put shims http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shim_(spacer) under the front of some of our bookcases. That way they are even, or tilted back towards the wall. They've been that way for some years now, with no problem. Of course I don't have a 2 year old clombing either! And our cats don't seem to care about climbing on them. They do get in the bottom sometimes though and peek out at us. lol