WATCHING = DOCTOR WHO [SERIES 5] June 7, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Fun, Read Watch Listen.add a comment
I adore Doctor Who; I have been watching since 1976 [my eldest brother used to hide behind the sofa – WUSS]. Tom Baker was definitely my favourite Doctor, but I found Doctor # 7 played by Sebastian McCoy and his companion Ace [Sophie Aldred] really engaging. They were in the very last three-episode story-arc of Doctor Who called “Survival” in 1989, before the BBC finally pulled the plug after 25 years.
The return of Doctor Who in 2005 was wonderful, and the series so far have been consistently good and living up to the iconic nature of the show. Of course there have been grumbles about things “not being like they used to be” but generally I find the show works better in its 45 minute format [as opposed to 25 minute episodes] and general improvements in special effects, costuming etc. The aliens are still basically men in rubber or metal suits though, just as in 1976; there’s something very comforting about that.
I wasn’t sure I would like the Eleventh Doctor [Matt Smith], in fact I was decidedly against the idea of using such a young actor – over 10 years younger than David Tennant*. However thanks to the ABC I’ve been able to get to know and like this young, cheeky boy; he’s definitely growing on me. The first episode’s minor “glitches” could mostly be put down to a) canonical issues with the Doctor’s personality et al arising from his latest regeneration; and / or b) growing pains.
PET THERAPY May 27, 2010
Posted by otterkat in People & Other Animals.add a comment
A dear friend’s beloved dog and long-time constant companion died recently. Naturally she was absolutely devastated; even more so as the pup had been her comfort and consolation through many many years of incredibly rough personal-health-related times. The news and the thought of her pain and loss made me sob and snuffle in empathy. I adore my two ridiculously fluffy Maine Coon cats and honestly couldn’t cope without them in my situation – no matter how amazing and supportive my husband is [and he IS truly amazing and supportive; I don’t know how I got so lucky].
I am bed-ridden for so much of the time, for days / weeks / months, and those two kitties are constantly entertaining, affectionate and perceptive. When I’m especially bad, they will snuggle up on the bed as close as possible to me, one on each side, with a head snuggled into my shoulder here, or paws wrapped around my wrist there . . . aaaaaawwwww.
I’ve had several cats over the years:- My first cat Rocky was a splodgy black and white mog who had no interest in humans and snuggling whatsoever. Cat Numero Due was Bella, a dumped, abused stray who turned up on our doorstep and yowled to come in, please. She was not at all averse to cuddles or snuggles and returned affection with fervour. I really could have done without the disembowelled rats left for me on my duvet cover as a precious gift, though. Bella lived to the amazing age of 22, and died quietly in her sleep just a few weeks after we returned to WA from Ireland. I’m forever glad I had the chance to snuggle those last times and say goodbye.
PLEASE NOTE . . . May 24, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Basics.add a comment
I have added new Categories of my favourite links, over on the left right, I meant RIGHT, there, including; = = Blogs, Food, Horse, Make Up Etc., Online Shopping and Resources.
Please have a bit of browse. You know, if you feel so inclined. There might be something there to pique your interest.
LISTENING TO . . . May 24, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Read Watch Listen.add a comment
Massive Attack – Collected
NEW MAKE UP STUFF May 21, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Girl Stuff.add a comment
We all know about my ever-enduring love of all things MAC Cosmetics. We also know that an anal-retentive uber-list-maker like me will have a looong wish list of MAC items. Starting with loads of delicious eye shadows to pop into the MAC PRO 15-Pan eye shadow palettes I’ll be getting later this year. Greens, blues, greys/monos, purples, neutrals . . . there is so much choice at MAC. Not to mention the thrill of the hunt for past Limited Edition shades! I would also like to pick up a few more lipsticks and lipglasses [oh so delicious!] and beauty powders / highlighters this year as my collection is pretty bare in that department.
Here’s what I have saved up for and bought with great excitement so far.
There were a couple of collections in January but I was only caught by Love Lace. I managed to hold back and picked up only two eye shadows; Hypnotizing, a sort of frosty grey-mauve and the eponymous Love Lace, a heavenly smooth mid greyed-out blue in my favourite MAC eye shadow formula Veluxe Pearl, which is pretty much what it says on the label, luxe and pearly. While I was shopping online [MACCosmetics.com.au] I got two eye shadows from the permanent collection – in Electra, an icy silver-grey, and Knight Divine, a smooth dark grey with silver pearl. All four of these shades lend themselves really well to a variety of smoky blue-grey eye looks, both subtle daytime and more intense dramatic night time combos.
BOOK BLURB – THE PIPER’S SON – MELINA MARCHETTA May 20, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Read Watch Listen.add a comment
The Piper’s Son is a sequel-ish to Saving Francesca. I say “ish” because it’s not about Francesca, but another member of her group of friends at high school, and is set some five years later. Set again in Sydney, Thomas Finch Mackee – who seemed the archetypal yob but with hidden sensitivity in Saving Francesca, has lost touch with his friends and family in the last couple of years, and has pretty much lost the plot. He spends his days stoned out of his mind, deliberately cut off from family, friends and the world except for his love of music.
What happened to Tom to send him off the rails and basically treat his friends like shit gradually unfolds and is explained, in much the same way as Taylor’s story in On The Jellicoe Road.
BOOK BLURB – ON THE JELLICOE ROAD – MELINA MARCHETTA May 20, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Read Watch Listen.add a comment
Melina Marchetta is the Australian author of the much-beloved and much-awarded Young Adult books Looking For Alibrandi and Saving Francesca (also Finnikin Of The Rock – so far unread). I’ve read these multiple times, and on my latest visit to a bookshop greedily scooped up On The Jellicoe Road (published 2007) and her most recent release The Piper’s Son.
I am a big fan of Melina Marchetta and her writing. Her characters are so real and alive, through brilliant characterisation and dialogue. Her books are in the Young Adult category so are directed at the mid-to-late teen group, but the stories and themes are universal and heart-warming* so Proper Grown Ups can enjoy them too (and have a bit of a nostalgic gleam about their teen years).
*I usually despise the description of any YA or chick-lit as “heart-warming”, it’s tossed around by reviewers in such a generic way, like so many MickDee burgers (and just as nauseating). However in Marchetta’s case “heart-warming” is so perfect a description I’ll let it go. In Saving Francesca especially I totally related to the feeling of alienation experienced by Francesca herself, and also her mother’s “nervous breakdown” and deep dark depression.
So, firstly, On The Jellicoe Road (The Piper’s Son to follow)
ADDENDUM – URBAN FANTASY April 12, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Read Watch Listen.add a comment
Whilst mulling over the previous post and posts-to-come, I recalled a chat I had with a Borders counter person the other week. I was in the Young Adult / Children’s section, and couldn’t help but notice all the Twilight books and tons upon tons of merchandise. Burning out my retinas, so they were [and those of the poor young woman working there, who noted with despair that the movies / merch are only up to the second book, oh woe].
I could do an entire post about my hatred for all things Twilight but most of the points are in the Urban Fantasy – Patricia Briggs post. I did, however, come up with my own nickname for the phenomena. “Twi-hards” simply doesn’t cut it.
For the books, the undiluted Year-Nine-level crappiness of the writing within, all the merchandise, and the silly people who roll about in the mediocrity of it all, I came up with “Twi-Shite”, which says it all, really.
BOOK BLURB – URBAN FANTASY – PATRICIA BRIGGS April 11, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Read Watch Listen.1 comment so far
The “urban fantasy” genre (or “paranormal”, “supernatural” et al) is really big these days. The vile Twilight series is getting all the credit for the rise in popularity of books about vamps, werewolves, fae or faerie, witches and various other ghosties and beasties. This pisses me off enormously because hellooo? Buffy??? Anne Rice novels? And the hundreds of other books to be found in the SF&F shelves that were deemed too nerdy for the general adult / young adult populace? Now it’s “cool”. And hey it’s all down to a series that is misogynist, anti-feminist (or anti any non-passive-female; the only strong female characters are Evil), abstinence-only and MORMON. BLECCHHHH!
I’ve always loved the fantasy genre (oh I like SF too, except for the really heavy-duty military-space-opera stuff) starting with Lord Of The Rings at nine years old, and moving on from there. It’s true a lot of fantasy is, well, bilge, and poorly-written bilge at that. The same-old, same-old heroes, stupid names, dragons and swords and beautiful useless heroines.
Some fantasy is pretty damn wonderful though. Terry Pratchett is one of my absolute favourite authors, over all genres, not merely the SF&F category. Personally I think his books should be on the same shelves as the posh Booker-Prize-winning Literature, he’s so good; besides he got an OBE for Services To Literature so the Queen (or some lackey) obviously agrees with me! For an incorrigible bookophile (technically it’s “bibliophile” but I don’t want to bring the so-called Good Book into this), even one who is a compulsive list-maker, such a thing as “Absolute Favourite Authors” is difficult to quantify.
COMMENCE OPERATION “REDUCE ELEPHANT” April 5, 2010
Posted by otterkat in Girl Stuff, Mindfuck, Physical Jerks.add a comment
Way back when I was diagnosed with The Collection, an intense, varied exercise regime became an important part of my life. Hydrotherapy, weight training, cardio, boxing, Pilates and yoga, core work and resistance exercises; I was at the gym four times a week. And I loved it. Suddenly I turned from a tiny weak weed to a tiny buff and muscle-y dynamo – I even earned the nickname ”Pocket Rocket” at my workplace.
[When I met Tuxedo I looked like a Mini-Me version of Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2, right down to the black combat pants and tank-top, but sans uzi.]
Over the years of course, my health and thus my routine had their ups and downs, but I always managed to keep some kind of exercise going. Even when the situation got really bad – like last year where thankfully I had Tux around to look after me so I didn’t have to be hospitalised for months - I managed to do daily stretches, leg lifts, sit ups, push ups, basic Pilates core work and resistance stuff.
At the start of this year, after The Year Of The Shite, I knew I had to get some serious informed physical therapy and rehabilitation to get me back on my feet. But that wasn’t the only obstacle I faced . . .
