The Afterword

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The Afterword snob thread

by 72 Comments

I am sure we must have been here before, but regardless.

My boss at work has no taste for the finer things we tend to take for granted. On Friday, our conversation somehow came aroud to me mentioning a scene from Some Like it Hot. He looked at me, had never heard of the film. He’s not young, about 10 – 15 years younger but like Barry Wom, I was shocked and stunned. Previously, we had been talking about books and he was talking about Angels and Demons which I foolishly admitted I had never heard of. It was only when he mentioned The Da Vinci Code that something clicked and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that this was rubbish and I was thinking about someting a little more elevated.

What do we all do when we find ourselves us in this position ? I am more accepting these days, but still never having heard of Some Like it Hot or seen that scene of Marilyn playing the uke. That’s just plain weird.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zNWgGX48wY

ATM Spa days

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Anyone have any experience of spas in and around London ?

Big sister’s birthday on the horizon, and would like to get her a spa day but the places in London look horrendous, the kind of places where hatchet faced silicon enhanced beauticians would look sniffily at anyone who carries a bit of extra timber. I’m thinking old fashioned relaxing place, old world courtesy where a chap is a chap and a lady is a lady. She has more than enough to deal with at work, so doesn’t need any attitude, and a bit of relaxation would do her some good.

I know of Grayshott Hall which looks like it might fit the bill, but any other suggestions are most welcome. She has family in the Lakes so even a get-away up there is a possibility.

Many thanks.

Your favourite shoe

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On Today this morning, there was a bizarre interview about shoes & high heels which lost me completely. Coincidentally was in shoe shop yesterday looking for something comfortable/affordable and with laces that don’t fall apart with the first tug, and did learn yesterday that proper mocassins can only come with leather, not plastic or rubber soles; something about the way proper mocassins are made apparently.Not an entirely wasted trip then. Today I’m wearing an old pair which will have to do for a bit longer given the crazy prices.

I am now at the stage where a shoe has become the most important piece of clothing, and rather than fussing about the state of the world or what I’m going to have for dinner tonight, wondered what others feel about shoes and your favourite shoes. Mine are a pair of Church’s brogues which I give an airing to infrequently but they fit so perfectly they are a joy to wear. I was given a very gentle AW kicking for declaring my love for these brogues a while back, but what the hell.

Here’s what Nancy has to say…

The Power of the dog – top tip

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I thought I’d bring this to your attention. I’m halfway through reading The power of the dog by Thomas Savage. This is being pushed as another undiscovered classic from the publishers (well they would, wouldn’t they ?) that brought you Stoner. I think this is better. It’s set in the Montana ranch lands, a story of two brothers in the mid 20th century. There’s some fantastically rich & descriptive writing and the two brothers are really well drawn characters. There was a lot of love for Stoner on this site. Have a look out for this.

Here’s some Montana banjo music, let’s have some more Western music.

Songs about buildings

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I was in Waterloo station the other day, and everytime I pass the old Eurostar terminal (now all boarded up), I just feel terribly sad. It’s such a lovely building, a modern take on the old traditional train shed and built with a certain style. I have no idea what’s going to happen here but at the moment it just looks awful. It doesn’t have the glamour of being a ruin it’s just nothing, and it may be weird, but I can’t help thinking about the people who designed and built it. All that effort for maybe 10 year’s use. Anyway, I was wondering about two things; songs that are specifically about buildings. I just couldn’t come up with any, was thinking of the obvious – Waterloo Sunset – but it’s not really about the station. Anyway, homework for today – songs about buildings and buildings that sadden you.

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ATM – Speaker for laptop

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I’d welcome any advice on a good laptop speaker, around the £100 – 150 mark. Good sound the priority, wi-fi, preferably re-chargeable battery powered. I don’t really need any extras like it being suitable to listen underwater or some such. I had a look around yesterday, but am more confused than ever. JBL seems to have a good reputation, I did have a Logitech one in the past but wasn’t happy with it.

Thankyou.

How to fold a shirt – Japanese style

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I read about this last week and saw the book in Waterstones this week. I genuinely thought someone was taking the piss, until the bookseller told me it was a best seller and gave me a look which just about said it all. I really wish bookstores would hide this kind of stuff and oblige people to ask for it.

Anyone else come across this ? It’s bloody priceless. I have had long experience of the oddness of Japan, but this tosh is a step too far.

Any other examples of the bleeding obvious you’ve come across lately ?

http://penguinblog.co.uk/2016/01/13/organise-your-bookshelves-with-spark-joy/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Penguin%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=New%20Year%2C%20New%20You%2C%20New%20Books

Kindles – the end ?

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I came across this article about Kindles in Waterstones. Is this true ? I have never owned a Kindle and continue to buy & read books, but have noticed that on my morning commute, more people seem to be reading books. I don’t believe Kindles or e-readers will disappear, they have a role, though I am cheered by this if it means smaller bookshops can thrive.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/06/waterstones-stop-selling-kindle-book-sales-surge

Fings ain’t what they used to be.

by 47 Comments

Time we had another modern life is rubbish thread.

It’s just been two things that have bugged me recently.

– What’s happened to the good old Charles Charlie Charles handshake ? It all seems to be that FIFA sanctioned handshake of peace which has now hit Wimbledon. Does that happen in business ? Did Merkel and Tsipras do this ? I’ve never really noticed it anywhere else, but then I do avoid Shoreditch as far as possible. – Business spokesmen who say “we are complying with the legislation” (or words to the same effect) as if this were earth shattering news and we should all be grateful.

Over to you to contribute or ignore, as you wish.

Bye bye Blatter

by 30 Comments

Well well, he’s resigned.

I’m interested to read in his resignation speech how he puts the interests of FIFA before those of football which kind of sums up the whole sorry mess.

Will the house of cards now come tumbling down ?

Marvellous

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I don’t normally pay any attention to awards ceremonies, however really pleased to hear that Marvellous won an award last night. I watched this twice’ a really lovely heartwarming and genuinely funny drama. I hope they show it again, and if you haven’t seen it already, do.

What have you learnt this week ?

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I used to enjoy the what have you learnt this week bit on the old podcasts, usually the opportunity for the admirable Heppers to show off about some improving book he’d just read. Just thought I’d share the following:- – Pram-Jam is a term that emerged in the 1950’s when motherly pride was best demonstrated by enormous throne-like vehicles and the pavement congestion that resulted. I’ve seen photos of the enormous thing me and my sister were promenaded in. What’s the excuse now ? – Making a cuppa; putting the milk in first means your cuppa stays warmer for longer (well it wasn’t obvious to me) and is known as the Keighley method in certain parts of the country. I have doubts on this one though.

Over to you.

Russell Brand named one of world’s most important thinkers

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I’m not alone in ignoring all that toss (Victoria Beckham buys new bag) you see on the BT site before opening my e-mails, but this is just brilliant. Apparently Prospect Magazine – who they ? – have listed this cretin as the 4th most important thinker in the world. I’m sorry, but I’m finding it very hard to stop laughing hysterically as I type this. But what caught my eye is Atul Gawande being placed at no 10, he should be mortally offended being in the same list as Brand. Being Mortal (one of my books of 2014) vs my booky wook. Unbelievable, bit like shooting fish in a barrel but just had to get this off my chest. Done.

Your great euphemisms.

by 29 Comments

On my morning commute reading a very fine novel, I came across the following euphemism to describe how a country girl in 19th century America might avoid pregnancy – “only that he should leave the church before the last hymn has been sung”.

Well, it made me laugh.

What are your current faves ?