Watch Me

And of course in some higher quality.



And of course for the Dutchies among you, the Museum of the 20th Century in Hoorn has an exposition fully dedicated to Alice going right now. Good times for all the fans of reverend Dodgson's book.

When Time Stands Still

As promised, my assessment of


Elizabeth Kostova - The Historian

The book starts off, as many a book does, with the introduction of the protagonist, a girl who remains nameless throughout the entire story. It starts like the gothic novels, by creating an atmosphere of dread, crampedness and the dusty, yet enticing, allure of libraries. As her father before her, she is studying history, through which she comes in to contact with a mysterious book, containing a wood cut print of an ornate dragon.
This is simply the prelude to what will encompass the greater part of the book: the travels of her father Paul and his search for his mentor Bartholomew Rossi, whom received a similar book. Along the way he is accompanied by Helen, an anthropology student and their trip takes them across the greater part of eastern Europe, to find his whereabouts. And all signs point towards the involvement of the Ordo Dracul, or at the least the one for whom they were named.
I will not spoil the plot any further, but as this could as well have been gleaned from reading the back cover, I do not think that any major revelations have been given.
The book is told in an epistolary fashion, through letters and diary entries, although the entire novel is more akin to a frame narrative, with the protagonist writing it as her memoirs, telling of her own travels in search of her father, the stories of her father and in turn the stories he learns from the people he meets and the letters and diaries he encounters.
It all makes for a very interesting adventure novel, which unfortunately, just like its inspiration, ends with a decidedly unsatisfactory ending. But then again, it is not a bad ending, just a little abrupt.
Should the book be bequeathed to you, do give it a read, you just might like it.


Cause in this world of troubles

More rehearsals, as always, this one decidedly less spectacular and moist than the last one. We jammed for the greater part of two hours, after which the brass section joined us for coordination of a new song. Unfortunately, this had them studying the notes for the rest of the session. We decided that we shall reconvene next Monday, to really get it together.
But it also heralded the renewal of my stint in music, as I decided, once I arrived back home, to pick up my dusty pile of scores and play some songs on my keyboard. Now if only I would rehearse the ones I am supposed to play.

The Sauna Sessions

Our band decided, once again, to rehearse during one of the hotter days of the last couple of weeks. Needless to say, we learned the hard way why music is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration.
Oddly enough the last two rehearsals were among the more productive ones we have had so far. Songs we had not played since 2006 sounded remarkably better than then. Apparently practice can make perfect. Some inpromptu renditions of Seven Nation Army, (with me warbling the vocals to the point that it did not matter that I did not know the lyrics) Brain Stew, We Will Rock You and Another One Bites The Dust. Last Tuesday had us playing a blues version of Vastenaovend Kaaiendonk, our 2006 Carnaval song, which was totally awesome, albeit quite loud.
This Saturday we will hopefully continue this merry music making, getting ready to add some brass to the songs we will perform during our next gig. (last time S&L, this time S&Y)
And if we can slip in some songs some people might not be expecting, even better.

Books That Go Bump In The Night

The Twilight Watch - Sergei Lukyanenko

I finally got around to reading the last book of the original trilogy and it certainly did not disappoint. More misanthropy, snide remarks and plotting lead to a couple of very interesting stories. And of course Anton still has to bear the brunt of it, not knowing whether he is really doing the right thing. But the fact that he seems so human, makes him recognizable. Even if he shifts into the Twilight every other page, Anton leaves the real spell slinging to the other Watch members, be they Light or Dark.
The book finally comes full circle with the confrontation between one of the first Others you encounter and Anton.


Boogiepop and Others: Boogiepop Doesn't Laugh - Kouhei Kadono

In contrast to the human behavior of Lukyanenko's protagonist stands Boogiepop.
Emotionless, distant and meticulous, this defender of justice keeps the streets safe, although most of the populace assume that it is simply an urban legend. The entire book consists of short stories, which are arranged in an anachronous order. Every story has a different protagonist that comes into contact with the recurring characters, being Boogiepop, tough girl Kirima Nagi and the chimeric humanoids Manticore and Echoes.
It is mostly a suspense story, with action taking over some of the scenes.
It really is a book you should read twice, if only to get a good grasp on the continuity of the story

All hope's lost, it can't be undone
This weekend also heralded my return to the ever enjoyable realm of MMORPGs, more specifically Guild Wars. Some friends and I decided to start, if only for the fact that you need a healthy alternative for all that UV-soaked fun you are having at the beach. And as such, I sincerily hope that grinding missions in Nightfall, with some friends sitting next to you doing the same, will be easier than dying in solo mode.

And of course I would not be me if during my daily travels some other forms of entertainment were not available. I am currently alternating between Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier, an RPG with beat'm'up comboing possibilities, and Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian, which has the makings of an enjoyable vampire novel, well-inspired by and heavily borrowing from Stoker's masterpiece.