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In the spirit of Halloween, I posted the lyrics to “Werewolves of London," by Warren Zevon, on Zenwind. My favorite werewolf films are “Werewolf of London” (1935) starring Henry Hull; “The Wolf Man” (1941) starring Lon Chaney, Jr.; “I Was a Teenage Werewolf” (1957) starring Michael Landon; and “The Wolfman” (2010) starring Benicio Del Toro.
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Ahooww-Oooooh!!!
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01 November 2010
14 October 2010
Mid-October Note and Nietzsche’s Birthday
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Happy 166th birthday, Nietzsche, wherever you are! What a guy!
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It is mid-October, and we are expecting the monsoon rains to end someday soon and for drier, cooler monsoon winds to come down from China. Things have generally been going very well for us, except that Tuk just came down with a bad flu, perhaps the 2009 variety. It could not have occurred at a worse time for her, as she is extremely busy at work with new responsibilities. I am feeling healthier now than I have in many years. I am in hopes of not catching Tuk’s flu virus.
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I still do not have a reliably working computer at home, so I am posting this from an internet café. Without having time on the internet at home, I am reading a lot more using that quaint archaic information technology (which some of you older types will remember) called “books.” Using another archaic technology called “pen and paper,” I am writing notes and drafts for reviews.
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Police presence on the streets is becoming more apparent these days, as there have been a lot of small bombings throughout the greater Bangkok area in recent months. One last week was in a district not too many klicks away from us in our own province, when a bomb-maker accidentally blew up himself and a few other people in his apartment building. They found one of his arms, and via fingerprints they identified him as a Red Shirt activist. Why am I not surprised?
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I have just written a review of an extraordinary book that I have read: Mountains of the Mind: a history of a fascination by Robert Macfarlane (2003). I have posted the review on my main blog, “Zenwind,” here.
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I just found another book that will be my immediate project to read and review: Climbing – Philosophy for Everyone: Because It’s There. It is another volume in the increasingly rich collections of books, from several publishers, each dealing with various subjects via philosophy, e.g., TV shows, books, movies, music, food, drink, etc. Stay tuned for a review notice of this climbing volume someday.
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-Zenwind.
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Happy 166th birthday, Nietzsche, wherever you are! What a guy!
.
It is mid-October, and we are expecting the monsoon rains to end someday soon and for drier, cooler monsoon winds to come down from China. Things have generally been going very well for us, except that Tuk just came down with a bad flu, perhaps the 2009 variety. It could not have occurred at a worse time for her, as she is extremely busy at work with new responsibilities. I am feeling healthier now than I have in many years. I am in hopes of not catching Tuk’s flu virus.
.
I still do not have a reliably working computer at home, so I am posting this from an internet café. Without having time on the internet at home, I am reading a lot more using that quaint archaic information technology (which some of you older types will remember) called “books.” Using another archaic technology called “pen and paper,” I am writing notes and drafts for reviews.
.
Police presence on the streets is becoming more apparent these days, as there have been a lot of small bombings throughout the greater Bangkok area in recent months. One last week was in a district not too many klicks away from us in our own province, when a bomb-maker accidentally blew up himself and a few other people in his apartment building. They found one of his arms, and via fingerprints they identified him as a Red Shirt activist. Why am I not surprised?
.
I have just written a review of an extraordinary book that I have read: Mountains of the Mind: a history of a fascination by Robert Macfarlane (2003). I have posted the review on my main blog, “Zenwind,” here.
.
I just found another book that will be my immediate project to read and review: Climbing – Philosophy for Everyone: Because It’s There. It is another volume in the increasingly rich collections of books, from several publishers, each dealing with various subjects via philosophy, e.g., TV shows, books, movies, music, food, drink, etc. Stay tuned for a review notice of this climbing volume someday.
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-Zenwind.
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30 September 2010
End of September Note
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I am still not able to write much because of endless computer problems. But we are all doing very well and trying to stay dry during the delightfully cool monsoon rains. So no one should worry about us because of long silences. I am feeling better than ever, exercising and dieting. If I were still actively boxing, I would be a Middleweight now, having come down from the Heavyweight and Light-Heavyweight classes in recent months. Lean and meaner than ever.
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My old computer is all but dead, but I saved important written document files even though I cannot use them yet. I have a new laptop, which is fast and sleek, but the store-installed software was pirated. A very good friend of mine has been extraordinarily helpful sorting through this mess for me and advising me, and he has remained cheerful throughout it all.
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I have been sitting in front of screens so much lately, trying to figure out computer problems, that my hind-end is too sore to sit anymore, so I'm going into Bangkok to raid more bookstores and either meet up with libertarian friends or else catch the Soi Dogs Blues Band at Nomad's pub. ("A night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble.")
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-Zenwind.
I am still not able to write much because of endless computer problems. But we are all doing very well and trying to stay dry during the delightfully cool monsoon rains. So no one should worry about us because of long silences. I am feeling better than ever, exercising and dieting. If I were still actively boxing, I would be a Middleweight now, having come down from the Heavyweight and Light-Heavyweight classes in recent months. Lean and meaner than ever.
.
My old computer is all but dead, but I saved important written document files even though I cannot use them yet. I have a new laptop, which is fast and sleek, but the store-installed software was pirated. A very good friend of mine has been extraordinarily helpful sorting through this mess for me and advising me, and he has remained cheerful throughout it all.
.
I have been sitting in front of screens so much lately, trying to figure out computer problems, that my hind-end is too sore to sit anymore, so I'm going into Bangkok to raid more bookstores and either meet up with libertarian friends or else catch the Soi Dogs Blues Band at Nomad's pub. ("A night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble.")
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-Zenwind.
31 August 2010
End of August Note
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It is still almost impossible for me to get online, so I’ll just leave a short note here while I have some limited access. We are all doing very well (except my computer), and there really isn’t much news.
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I am feeling more fit than I have in a long time, and today I just returned from a long march through an area of the city that is new to me. I am in my explorer mode, my true nature.
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Tomorrow the plan is to take the boat downriver on a shopping expedition and jump ashore like a raiding Viking. I need to get another pair of solid sports sandals, and of course I also plan to sack a number of bookstores. Ooh rah!
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-Zenwind.
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It is still almost impossible for me to get online, so I’ll just leave a short note here while I have some limited access. We are all doing very well (except my computer), and there really isn’t much news.
.
I am feeling more fit than I have in a long time, and today I just returned from a long march through an area of the city that is new to me. I am in my explorer mode, my true nature.
.
Tomorrow the plan is to take the boat downriver on a shopping expedition and jump ashore like a raiding Viking. I need to get another pair of solid sports sandals, and of course I also plan to sack a number of bookstores. Ooh rah!
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-Zenwind.
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21 August 2010
Offline: Computer Down
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21 August: My home computer is increasingly dysfunctional, so I can barely even log online these days. I will ask Tuk to look at it when she gets more time. Damn addictive technologies! – we get so that we depend on them.
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My point is that family and friends can now expect even longer silences from me for the foreseeable future.
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-Zenwind.
21 August: My home computer is increasingly dysfunctional, so I can barely even log online these days. I will ask Tuk to look at it when she gets more time. Damn addictive technologies! – we get so that we depend on them.
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My point is that family and friends can now expect even longer silences from me for the foreseeable future.
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-Zenwind.
03 August 2010
Reviews of Dan Simmons’ novels
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I have four new posts on Zenwind blog about Dan Simmons and his novels. He is a favorite of mine, and I will read anything I find of his. My Intro Review is followed by three reviews of his books: Ilium/Olympos; the Hyperion Cantos; and my favorite, The Terror.
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-Zenwind.
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I have four new posts on Zenwind blog about Dan Simmons and his novels. He is a favorite of mine, and I will read anything I find of his. My Intro Review is followed by three reviews of his books: Ilium/Olympos; the Hyperion Cantos; and my favorite, The Terror.
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-Zenwind.
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01 August 2010
Reading, Reviewing, and Recovering from the Hot Season
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During the Hot Season of spring and early summer, it is hard to be active and productive because of the oppressive heat and humidity, and one becomes weak. This year’s Rainy Season monsoons are weak due to El Nino-related weather patterns, but the clouds have relieved the wicked heat a bit. On recent nights, I have been able to go outside without a sweatband on my head. But I still put ice in my beer.
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I’m trying to exercise and build up some strength after the long period of heat and inaction. I have dumbbells and a very light routine of lifting, and after six weeks I’m feeling much better.
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I’m also getting into a more ambitious reading program and working on long-abandoned drafts of reviews. I missed a big book fair in downtown Bangkok this week because I was feeling too sick to travel. (We had gone out for movies and dinner, and I ate too much; it takes me days to recover from such big meals, but I can rarely resist them.)
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Here is my Review of the novels of David Gibbins, a marine archaeologist and historian that I enjoy reading.
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During the Hot Season of spring and early summer, it is hard to be active and productive because of the oppressive heat and humidity, and one becomes weak. This year’s Rainy Season monsoons are weak due to El Nino-related weather patterns, but the clouds have relieved the wicked heat a bit. On recent nights, I have been able to go outside without a sweatband on my head. But I still put ice in my beer.
.
I’m trying to exercise and build up some strength after the long period of heat and inaction. I have dumbbells and a very light routine of lifting, and after six weeks I’m feeling much better.
.
I’m also getting into a more ambitious reading program and working on long-abandoned drafts of reviews. I missed a big book fair in downtown Bangkok this week because I was feeling too sick to travel. (We had gone out for movies and dinner, and I ate too much; it takes me days to recover from such big meals, but I can rarely resist them.)
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Here is my Review of the novels of David Gibbins, a marine archaeologist and historian that I enjoy reading.
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18 July 2010
New Book Review: Matterhorn: a novel of the Vietnam War
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I have just posted a new book review on my Zenwind blog. It reviews Karl Marlantes book, Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (2010). One of the best war novels I’ve ever read.
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I have just posted a new book review on my Zenwind blog. It reviews Karl Marlantes book, Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (2010). One of the best war novels I’ve ever read.
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13 July 2010
The Runaways: Joan Jett before The Blackhearts
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Movie Review: Fearing that this film’s limited showing will soon end in Bangkok theaters, I took an early boat downriver to the city just to see The Runaways. It’s a film about the late-‘70s all-girl band that Joan Jett was in before she hit it big with The Blackhearts. The long boat and rail trip there and back knocked the hell out of me, and I’ll be incapacitated and in pain for several days, but it was worth it.
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I was never familiar with the music of this band, The Runaways, because in those days I was on the go, climbing in all my spare time, and I was oriented to rock radio rather than albums. And The Runaways’ brief fame was more overseas than in America, and they were especially popular in Japan. But I do remember Joan Jett and The Blackhearts later hitting the radio waves in the early ‘80s. Wow!
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“I love rock and roll!
Put another dime in the jukebox, Baby!”
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This film isn't really a classic, and it doesn’t make my list of my favorite reviews, but it does present the raw and rude nature of the ‘70s. Kristen Stewart plays Joan Jett quite well, and Dakota Fanning plays The Runaways’ teen singer Cherie. The downward spiral of substance abuse was a basic part of that infamous decade. If you want a sample of the ‘70s, and/or if you like these young actresses, you might be interested in catching this film on DVD.
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Movie Review: Fearing that this film’s limited showing will soon end in Bangkok theaters, I took an early boat downriver to the city just to see The Runaways. It’s a film about the late-‘70s all-girl band that Joan Jett was in before she hit it big with The Blackhearts. The long boat and rail trip there and back knocked the hell out of me, and I’ll be incapacitated and in pain for several days, but it was worth it.
.
I was never familiar with the music of this band, The Runaways, because in those days I was on the go, climbing in all my spare time, and I was oriented to rock radio rather than albums. And The Runaways’ brief fame was more overseas than in America, and they were especially popular in Japan. But I do remember Joan Jett and The Blackhearts later hitting the radio waves in the early ‘80s. Wow!
.
“I love rock and roll!
Put another dime in the jukebox, Baby!”
.
This film isn't really a classic, and it doesn’t make my list of my favorite reviews, but it does present the raw and rude nature of the ‘70s. Kristen Stewart plays Joan Jett quite well, and Dakota Fanning plays The Runaways’ teen singer Cherie. The downward spiral of substance abuse was a basic part of that infamous decade. If you want a sample of the ‘70s, and/or if you like these young actresses, you might be interested in catching this film on DVD.
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