Well when I originally thought that my blogging might be somewhat infrequent I doubt I imagined it would be five years in between posts. I could tell you I had been taken hostage by a corrupt foreign government but then aren't they all? Someone, a relative once told a story about a distant uncle who went for ice cream and did not return for six or seven years. Maybe this disappearing business just runs in the family. Honestly, I'd lost track of what happened to my lonely blog and assumed it was just gone, killed or floating around in the ethernet or whatever, wherever.
So it's good I found it because I've been wanting to have a public space where I can torture all my friends and family with my writing. Actually I am hoping to improve a bit on said skills. Since I'll soon be crossing the threshold into my seventh decade it does appear time to get serious about the things I'd like to accomplish. Jane and I attended a book signing party this weekend for the lovely and extremely wonderful author, Susanna Daniel and her latest novel,'Sea Creatures.' If only by osmosis I feel more energized meeting and talking to other writers even as I pretend to be one. I do think there is every possibility I could pull together a memoir with appeal and interest covering our expat days in Hong Kong. We were there for the last year and half of Hong Kong's existence as a British Colony ending at the 'Handover,' July 1, 1997. We stayed until the end of 1998 when the slumping Asian economy pushed us back to the US. The time leading up to the 'Handover,' turned out to be some of the most interesting times of our lives. It was fascinating to have a front row seat and observe the British-US ham-fisted grab to empty the Hong Kong Reserves from the Treasury. The Chinese saw that one coming fairly early on, instituting preventative measures in the form of project stops. There were so many incredible experiences and for us, the formation of dozens of extraordinary friendships. I am pretty sure a memoir compiling our extreme good fortunes whilst in Hong Kong might just have genuine appeal. It certainly did for us.
The great quandary of course is whether my writing skills can match up to the three brilliant years we spent on the Island City State. I do hope through blogging with a bit of measured regularity, more than every five years, I might shore up the writing a bit and enhance the vocabulary.
As a couple we go to the cinema quite a bit and do a substantial amount of reading, perhaps 60 to 70 books a year or more for Jane and a minimum of 50 for me. I say this only to let readers know I will occasionally do a mini film or book review. There are so many excellent book review sites that I'd never pretend to be in the same league with reviewers I'd consider expert and who are often times gifted writers themselves. Since we're on those topics for the moment, let me mention a movie and several books. First off from the Cinema, we just saw 'The Way Way Back.' It's my favorite movie of the Summer, hands down. I haven't laughed that often in a long time. It was just a genuine good time. Now to books, My Top Five Summer reads are, 'Sea Creatures,' 'Sisterland,' 'The Interestings,' 'Letters From Skye' and Close My Eyes.' Those of course are only listings. Quality reviews can be found at Good Reads, The Book Reporter, Book Smuggler, Great New Books........I am really partial to this group of author/reviewers, The Nomad Reader, Jenn's Bookshelves, and Books On The Nightstand. I like Cinema and Television reviews done by Caryn James on Indiewire at the blogpost 'James On Screens.'
Manana Friends & Neighbors
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
64 And Just Now Blogging
Well I have little idea enough of what I am doing that I should be dangerous before I've finished this escapade. I've certainly read enough of other blogs to know that quality is all over the place. What I am hoping for is moderate discussion of news and current event topics. I am particularly interested in book publishing. Although any topic allowing for more than one point of view works for me. So, I'll be all over the map before finishing.
I do enjoy reading and discussing novels aligned in the counter terrorism genre. There are at least a half dozen authors who've provided me with countless hours of reading pleasure. People, before they post, would do well to remember that novels are fiction and come with a broad spectrum of literary license, at least in America. History can be and often is altered to suit the author's purposes. I wonder as I read other blogs if an interest in reasoned give and take is really possible.
If you've followed the adventures(used advisedly) of Sherry Jones and her Author Author Blog you'll know what of I speak. Thoughtful, rational discourse seems to be relegated to the past. In fact the very topic of her novel, The Jewel of Medina, might have seemed like an interesting debate if there had been more to evaluate than a brief prologue. That, however didn't stop the howling masses from salivating for her scalp. As she pointed out herself; "So much discussion over a book no one has read."
The fact that so many people joined the snarling pack snapping at Ms. Jones makes you wonder what they do or don't do. People seem to have limitless amounts of time dedicated to being drawn into a lynch mob mentality. What happened to individualized, rational thought?
Just to up the ante we shouldn't overlook Denise Spellberg, the self-acclaimed expert, censor, and guardian for all things sacred to Muslims. If you want a look at a self-aggrandizing, narcissist at work read her letter to the Wall Street Journal, Saturday, August 9, 2008.
After her attack on Ms. Jones you have to wonder if she's sharpening her verbal scimitar to take on producer and screenwriter, Kamran Pasha whose novel Mother of the Believers(similar subject matter to Ms. Jones novel), is due out next April. My guess is not. Time well tell.
Well puppets that's all for today. I am sure I've written enough for anyone who might want to read this. And what you have to love is I've been all over the map as promised. Kind of fun. Now the dogs want to go the park so I will be engaging in something of value and quality.
cheers,
I do enjoy reading and discussing novels aligned in the counter terrorism genre. There are at least a half dozen authors who've provided me with countless hours of reading pleasure. People, before they post, would do well to remember that novels are fiction and come with a broad spectrum of literary license, at least in America. History can be and often is altered to suit the author's purposes. I wonder as I read other blogs if an interest in reasoned give and take is really possible.
If you've followed the adventures(used advisedly) of Sherry Jones and her Author Author Blog you'll know what of I speak. Thoughtful, rational discourse seems to be relegated to the past. In fact the very topic of her novel, The Jewel of Medina, might have seemed like an interesting debate if there had been more to evaluate than a brief prologue. That, however didn't stop the howling masses from salivating for her scalp. As she pointed out herself; "So much discussion over a book no one has read."
The fact that so many people joined the snarling pack snapping at Ms. Jones makes you wonder what they do or don't do. People seem to have limitless amounts of time dedicated to being drawn into a lynch mob mentality. What happened to individualized, rational thought?
Just to up the ante we shouldn't overlook Denise Spellberg, the self-acclaimed expert, censor, and guardian for all things sacred to Muslims. If you want a look at a self-aggrandizing, narcissist at work read her letter to the Wall Street Journal, Saturday, August 9, 2008.
After her attack on Ms. Jones you have to wonder if she's sharpening her verbal scimitar to take on producer and screenwriter, Kamran Pasha whose novel Mother of the Believers(similar subject matter to Ms. Jones novel), is due out next April. My guess is not. Time well tell.
Well puppets that's all for today. I am sure I've written enough for anyone who might want to read this. And what you have to love is I've been all over the map as promised. Kind of fun. Now the dogs want to go the park so I will be engaging in something of value and quality.
cheers,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)