This will hurt me...

Polite. East Derwent Highway, Lindisfarne. August 2013. The Gardener from Ochakov , Andrey Kurkov: I had been anxiously awaiting the latest from my favourite Ukrainian author, and it didn't disappoint. A time-travel adventure (a theme this week) with a light touch, I'm not sure whether Kurkov is satirising or indulging in a bit of post-Soviet nostalgia. As we often see in Kurkov's books, there is a clash of the mundane - tracksuits, minibuses, homemade vodka - and the surreal - knife-wielding gangsters from 1950s Soviet Union. I really enjoyed it. B+ . The Time Machine , H.G. Wells: The classic of the genre, it's a surprise to see just how much the story is interwoven with Darwinian and Marxist theory. The 19th Century was one hell of a trip! I reckon that it stands up. Well worth your time. B+ . Me Talk Pretty One Day , David Sedaris: A collection of essays by Jerri Blank's brother (that's who David Sedaris will always remain in my heart). Some of the ...

Art? Lindisfarne Bay, Lindisfarne. September 2012. A Room with a View by E. M. Forster: Repressed Edwardian culture. Sharp sketch of the stupidity of the upper classes and the effects of shifting mores. Good stuff. B+

I would have added a question mark. Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay. July 2012. Theme Thursday ? "It's your EYES", he used to say. He said it a lot. "I love your EYES." "You have the most beautiful EYES." "Your EYES are deep whirlpools of adorableness." He might have lacked a good thesaurus, but he always seemed sincere. However, his fixation on her EYES always worried her. Even during their most intimate moments, he would start and finish with them. He would start by kissing them, gaze intently at them right throughout the act and usually returned to them with soft and tender lips before rolling over into a deep sleep. To be sure, he enjoyed the delicate cleft underneath her left buttock. He relished the suppleness of her pert yet full breasts. And yes, it was not unusual for him to dwell on the gentle curve of her waist or lightly tongue her right earlobe. Yet is was always about the EYES. Even as he left, after he carefully pa...

Occupy Geilston Bay? Geilston Bay path to nowhere. September 2011. The Internet is a wonderful place filled with the rich and varied treasures of the world holds (pay attention folks). The following are some things that I've had a look at in the last few week. I call this: a Compendium of Click-throughs for Monday Morning ... Some answers to a question that has troubled me for some time: Has the use-by date gone past its prime? This history of HIV sounds like the best epidemiological detective story of all time. On why we shouldn't cry for Argentina ... Troll or idiot? I honestly cannot decide. Another existential question that needs answering: Why does the Australian Labor Party still exist? Dang! Another dream has been snatched away from me ! How is this for a depressing fact: ten times as many girls are trafficked into brothels annually as African slaves were transported in the peak years of the slave trade. The NY Times has more on the face of modern slavery . Ever wonder...