She’s only 5

A 5-year-old Russian girl sings the Beatles’ song “Oh Darling”.

Unbelievable voice for a 5-year-old. Not just the voice, but the presentation, too. Her stage presence is amazing she is so confident.

http://hutko.net/out/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8F-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA-oh-darling-%7C-%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B0

 

Book Review: JINGO

JINGO by Terry Pratchett is another fantasy novel in the City Watch series.

The rising of a previously submerged island and the subconstituent sovereignty dispute were inspired by the real-life island of Ferdinandea. (Wikipedia)

When the island of Leshp suddenly emerges from the sea halfway between Ankh-Morpork and Al Khali, the capital of Klatch, the two countries both want to claim it for strategical reasons.  The weather vane pops up first and it doesn’t take long to see which way the wind will blow.

In a nutshell, Leonard of Quirm designs among other things a,’Going- under- the -sea- safely’ device. Vetinari resigns, and most of the City Watch resign as well. Commander Vimes is promoted, Angua is wolfnapped. There are international incidents, preparations for war, and an assassination.

Can war be prevented? Can Vetinari resume his position? What happens to Leshp? What becomes of the City Watch? Is Angua rescued?

This book is not as funny as most of Pratchett’s books, though there are some funny moments like Corporal Nobbs in his harem outfit, while exploring his feminine side. The poor old demon in the dis-organizer Mark II. It gets it wrong again and again. It just can’t seem to keep its appointments straight.

This book is Pratchett’s quirky look and indictment on war, mob rule,politics, nationalism, diplomacy, and land disputes.

 

As usual Pratchett’s books are an enjoyable read. I love all his characters, and the more you read about their adventures in the various books, the more you come to like them. They are like old friends, full of  faults, quirks and eccentricities, but still loveable.

 

Book Review: Hogfather

 

Cover of Hogfather (Discworld)

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. This story is roughly based on our Father Christmas, but it’s set in the alternate universe of the Discworld. Instead of deer he has hogs to pull his sleigh. The cosmic auditors are out to get rid of belief anomalies in reality, so they hire the assassins guild. Because reality has been affected gremlins, fairies, gnomes,sock thief, tooth fairy, bogeyman, and other monsters  start popping out.  Without the Hogfather the sun won’t come up in the morning after Hogwatchnight so it’s up to DEATH who plays a pivotal role, with the help of his grand-daughter Susan, and his faithful aide Albert, to put things right. The wizards at the Unseen University help out in their own inimitable way. Another rollicking good story by the master.

P.S. There is also a telemovie which is quite good and follows the book pretty well. (www.imdb.com/title/tt0765458)

Book Review : Maskerade

Maskerade by Terry Pratchett has a gentle poke at the world of opera with a subtle reference to Phantom of the Opera. Anyone who has the slightest acquaintance with the opera will laugh at the names of the operas and characters appearing in the story. There is the ghost of the opera,witches,Death, fat opera singers, and  a dastardly criminal. The Watch and  the librarian also make fleeting appearances.  Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg  leave Lancre to  visit the opera to try and convince Anges Nitt (an ex Lancre girl who went to the big city to try her luck)  to join their coven. Nanny Ogg has also written a racy cookbook that she hasn’t been paid for. The witches intend to rectify both these problems. Death gets into the swing of things and dresses up in operatic costume. Only at the Ankh-Morpork Opera House on the Discworld could these events occur. It’s brilliant, funny, and irreverent. His writing always leaves me wanting more Terry Pratchett.

BOOK REVIEW: SOUL MUSIC By Terry Pratchett

A shelf full of Terry Pratchett’s work, mostly Discworld novels (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another wonderful book by Terry Pratchett. In this one DEATH goes missing and joins the Foreign Legion. He  has been replaced by his granddaughter Susan with some help from the RAT DEATH, and a talking raven who acts as an interpreter. Rock and Roll makes an appearance which is to say that there are rocks that roll with help of a magical guitar.  The band’s members Buddy,Glod, and Cliff make up the group called, The Band With Rocks In.  Most of the Discworld favorites make an appearance, the wizards, Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, and some of the night watch ,and my personal favorite, the Librarian. A great parody on the lives of the rock and roll legends and the music industry.

7 Wonders of the World

Have you ever thought about what the 7 wonders of the world are?

To me they are not anything manmade, they are much more important than that .

1)  the gift of sight 2) to be able to hear 3) to laugh 4) to touch 5) to taste 6) to feel 7) to love.

Sometimes I think we all take them for granted which is a shame. Because there are so many people who can’t see or hear, or people who don’t liked to be touched, or lonely people unable to find love.

When we are out walking the dogs we say good morning and smile to everyone we pass. It brightens up our day and most people respond in kind.  However, there is a small  number of people who put their heads down and look away. It amuses me that they put so much effort into ignoring us.

I wonder why their parents didn’t teach them good manners.

Or maybe they are so cut off from their fellow-man that they can’t enjoy a smile from a stranger.  I feel so sorry for them because a smile is a lovely thing. It means someone recognizes you as a fellow being. It means they want to share something nice with you.

Chichen Itza (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Poor Julia

Wayne Swan, Treasurer of Australia Source commons:category:Politics of Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard at a Q & A Session in Rooty Hill, New South Wales (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’ve been readings some of the comments about Julia and I have to say I find them quite disturbing. While she is not my cup of tea politically, as a woman I take umbrage with some of the things that have been said about her.

People don’t like her clothes or her hair or some other    ridiculous  thing. Do they say that about any of the men  politicians? Do they comment on what Wayne Swan is wearing, or if his bum looks big in that suit, or how his hair is styled? It really is sexual discrimination.

If they want to bag her politics that is acceptable, but to comment on her personal grooming is ludicrous. Journalists and the public ought to concentrate on the issues at hand and we have plenty of real issues that need discussing e.g. I read in the Courier Mail today that 72% of the population are against the Carbon Tax. Then there is the Peter Slipper affair and Craig Thompson and a myriad of other important issues.

To have our first woman Prime Minister ( even if you disagree with her politics) ,is a great step for equality. It’s an example for the younger generation of women to enable them to realize that the sky is the limit.  If you have the willpower and knowledge you can achieve anything you desire. (not necessarily politics)

Book Review : Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

I have just finished reading ‘Deadlocked’ by Charlaine Harris. It’s another Sookie Stackhouse book with fairies, vampires, shape shifters and a few relatively normal humans. It is the 12th book and pretty much the same as all the others. How many times can Sookie’s life be threatened, and saved in the nick of time?

For a woman who is supposedly telepathic she is amazingly unsuspecting and trusting which leads her into all sorts of trouble.

Bill, Pam, and Eric are the ‘good vampires’. While her fairy relatives are good and bad with dire consequences, and the werewolves are the same.

I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn’t read it. There are no deep messages in Harris’s books they are just pure light entertainment.  Good fun if you want a quick read that won’t tax your brain.

Related articles

• Charlaine Harris Announces the End of the Sookie Stackhouse Series (readersread.com)
• ‘Deadlocked’ by Charlaine Harris shows Sookie’s human desires (examiner.com)