Posts by Chris Bell

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  • Stories: Best Party Ever,

    That image closed down this discussion sharpish, didn't it. :-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Stories: Life in Books,

    Rob Stowell wrote:

    [Hoban's] children's books are near perfect. The Francis books and "How Tom beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen" are classics.

    Of course I agree, in light of which am almost inclined to let the following slide:

    I'm not such a fan of Russell Hoban's adult novels (sorry Riddley- good but not great)

    but I just can't. Rob, have you read Pilgermann, or Kleinzeit, or The Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Jachin-Boaz?

    And are you saying Riddley Walker is good but not great, or addressing the Riddley on this forum?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Stories: Life in Books,

    As an adult, Russell Hoban's books, particularly Kleinzeit and Pilgermann, have always grabbed me. Reality, death, futility, human vanity, fun, all in a neat little package.

    It really makes my day to read Russell Hoban's name mentioned here - as it does when I read it anywhere - and so early in the discussion. Yes, I'm biased, for many reasons, but Riddley Walker really did change my life in so many ways. I was introduced to it by these guys, in the days when they were still called Freur.

    Pilgermann is my favourite novel by anyone and, as I write this, I have a framed photo of Russ looking down on me at my desk in my study.

    Stephen, I raise a figurative glass to you.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Hard News: DUM DUM DA DAT DA DAT DADA…,

    I couldn't quite find the right place to post this, but is anyone else having trouble viewing recent video content on the PA site?

    I'm running Internet Explorer 7.0.5730, and the last few clips are just showing as image placeholders.

    I have no option to show the file, open or run it as far as I can tell.

    Matt, Russell: any suggestions...?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Hard News: Trams, drams and scams,

    Do-oh!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Hard News: Trams, drams and scams,

    The Laphroaig is on me, Mr Tibby. Mine was R18, too, for some strange reason. Thanks for the tip, let's try that...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Hard News: Trams, drams and scams,

    'Bill and Ben' was my favourite on 'Watch With Mother'... But, really, you guessed it, "I'm just testing my Gravatar".

    I have the feeling I'm missing some vital step - I've set up the image, linked it to my email address and activated it... but nothing. When you've succeeded, does it show up in 'Preview' mode?

    And doesn't palm oil just make your hand slip? I expect someone has already cracked that one...

    At least the invisible Gravatar isn't dangerous to your health.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Stories: Best Party Ever,

    I guess the classic would have been climbing out the window, but it was nine floors up at Brooklyn.

    I lived in a flat on the top floor of Brooklyn for a couple of years. It has six floors, but it certainly felt like the ninth if you had to go down the stairs, or the 15th if you had to walk up them.

    I'm 46 and I can't remember a truly great party on any continent, but measured on the open-ended O'Neill scale of hangovers, 35 Priory Avenue in aptly named Turnham Green (west London) in around 1983-84 would have scored highly, or badly, depending on your PoV.

    No one stole our furniture, as far as I can remember - the Kiwis, Aussies and Poms who lived there scored most of it from nearby skips - but a gatecrasher tore Frank Zappa's graduation photo off the wall one night. And I was still thin enough in those days to be able to go into my bedroom at the end of one New Year's Eve party, remove my clothes, pull the covers over my head, fall asleep and not be seen by my then girlfriend, my sister or her boyfriend... Resulting in a worried search party being sent out all over Chiswick, looking for a wandering, naked drunk.

    Naked walks in the middle of winter were the sort of thing my friends and family thought I did in those days, apparently.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Hard News: Trams, drams and scams,

    Tom said...

    It's also what makes [Laphroaig] great for breakfast :-)

    Now there's a breakfast I haven't tried yet. Thanks, Tom!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

  • Island Life: Browned to perfection,

    Juha said...

    NoS!

    As you were, Juha. That's Riddleyspeak for numbers, not "network operating system" or whatever.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report

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