This will hurt me...

I’m not aware of any such services in the building! Mayfair Plaza car park, Sandy Bay. December 2011. Three books finished this week, a Russian, Hungarian and American walked into a bar authors all represented. First up is A Russian Affair by Anton Chekhov, a collection of five short stories all about love. Writing in the nineteenth century, Chekhov has a reputation for mastery of the short story form, so I was really looking forward to reading it. As a collection, A Russian Affair gives us a fair insight into Chekhov’s style, which has aged remarkably well and combines both an ease to with real emotional depth. Obviously, it represents a small sample of what Chekhov has to offer, but if you’re after a taste of his work, you could do far worse than this exploration of the emotional complexities of love. Recommended, especially if you are keen on quality short fiction. Second up is Detective Story by Hungarian Nobel Laureate (and author of one of my favourite books , Fatel...

Someone must have had some time on their hands. Opossum Bay Beach. January 2011. Christ almighty, we’re ankle deep into February already. In barely eighteen [ 18!!! ] more days, my oldest – and loudest – beautiful boy will begin his journey through the Tasmanian educational system. Yes, the time for Kindergarten has arrived! While I am certain that Henry will enjoy, and indeed flourish in the new environment, I do fear for the welfare of his teacher. He’s a bright boy, but headstrong. Firm of opinion (and even firmer of resolve), I suspect that he will attempt a classroom putsch ! Be warned. Whatever happens, he’ll be sure to have an easier time of it than I did, Why, my school was so rough we had our own coroner! Which leads me to today’s Sunday Top Five; [In Chronological Order] My Top Five Educational Institutions That I Have Attended ! Upper Burnie Primary School Parklands High School Hellyer College The University Of Tasmania The School of Hard Knocks When I look at that list of...