Sunday, May 30, 2010

Bigbookosaurus!!!

Neen and I as per usual spent Saturday in town. During the morning she attended her weekly Stitch 'n Bitch group. We met at 2 and went window shopping, had a spot of lunch, then went to the cinema. While browsing through Charlie Byrne's book store I stumbled across this book. I say stumble but in fact it would be quite hard to miss. The book is massive...hardback and 880 pages! I am very interested in palaeontology, vertebrate palaeontology in particular, and I cant wait to sink my teeth into this...'The Dinosauria' is a scholarly reference tool for anyone looking for authoritive information on dinosaurs. This revised volume includes comprehensive coverage of dinosaur systematics, reproduction, and life history strategies, biogeography, taphonomy, paleoecology, thermoregulation, and extinction. The first few pages I have read were fascinating, I am in particular looking forward to the chapter on Stegosauria....

'The Dinosauria-Second Edition'
Edited by David B. Weishampel, Peter Dodson, and Halszka Osmólska.
Published by University of California Press.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Reading...Mary Jane



I bought these primarily for the artwork...Mike Mayhew is a seriously talented artist and the illustrations he created to accompany these novels are absolutely stunning. I am also hoping Neen will read them too, she likes Spidey and reads the occasional Graphic Novel but she has very particular taste...basically she likes a good romance...the less spandex and capes the better.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Attack of the Killer Moth!


Where's Godzilla when you need him...only joking! I found this cute little fellow in the studio this evening, just chillin' before a busy nights activities I assume. I'm sure he was enjoying all the electronic devices...little junky! : )

No More Dead Critters!

I finally managed to get my cat Sora a new collar. She isn't even 3 yet and has had at least 12, I don't know how but she manages to lose or destroy them all. I have to buy a certain type as well with a quick release clasp because as a kitten she was prone to getting stuck and I don't want to risk it happening anymore. Our house is surrounded by trees and machinery so there are a lot of dangers.

She really needed a new collar too. Lately she has been leaving me loads of 'gifts'. This weekend alone I was given 5 birds and a mouse, this tally even excludes the Blue Tit I saved and released Saturday morning. The new bell will hopefully even the playing field somewhat. It was killing me seeing all these poor creatures suffer. I respect a carnivores right to hunt, domestic or otherwise but I don't support unnecessarily cruel behavior. Our cats are by no means hungry. When they kill purely for sport the bell comes out!

I had hoped to just snap a photo of Sora strutting her stuff in her new blue collar, but unfortunately her hair is so long you can't even see that she's wearing one. This reflective type made by Ancol are great though! I bought a red one for our other cat Hope after she had her leg amputated earlier this year. I knew she needed something reflective given her reduced mobility.

We don't however need to worry about Hope drastically diminishing the local wildlife population. Her death tally post op. has been a grand total of....1 and come to think of it the afore mentioned Blue Tit I saved Saturday was actually Hopes 'kill'....


Saturday, May 22, 2010

Love Books?



If like me you love books, but find online shipping costs a bit expensive I may have a solution. A friend of Neens Michelle suggested a British site bookdepository.co.uk Everything in stock is substantially cheaper than you'll find in your local book store and delivery WORLDWIDE is FREE! Neen has already ordered and recieved a crochet book and I too ordered one last night so I can vouch for the service. Another huge bonus and the only reason we can avail of the sites service. They accept PayPal! One last point I still recommend when possible to support your local book stores too! Happy Reading, and thanks again Michelle for Sharing!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

My Birthday Suit



Neen gave me this jersey for my birthday! This new kit made by Adidas will be worn by Liverpool Football Club for the next two seasons and is the first to feature the new 'Standard Chartered' logo. I am really impressed with the quality of both the design and materials. The laser cut woven crest in particular deserves a mention. The photographs really don't do this wonderful design justice. The long sleeve version is extremely warm and comfortable and has jumped right up there with my favorite Liverpool kits of all time. What can I say my Wife spoils me!

Watching...Weapons of Self Destruction



'Robin Williams-Live on Broadway' is a hilarious DVD, I cant tell you how many times I've both watched and listened to it over the past few years. I pretty much know it off-by-heart by now. Robin Williams' new stand up show, 'Weapons of Self Destruction' is equally as brilliant. Neen and I watched the first half last night and are watching the second half tonight. Really really funny so far, great work Robin!

Reading...Picture Books



I picked these up on Wednesday in Galway and they are two absolutely beautiful books. They are in-fact quite similar in style and also coincidentally share similar colour palettes as well. I highly recommend them for adults and children alike!

'Norris the Bear Who Shared' by Catherine Rayner. Published by Orchard Books *****

'Birdsong' by Ellie Sandall Published by Egmont Press *****

New Computer!



My current work computer is a behemoth, a beautifully glorious beast of a machine. I love it! It roars to life every morning and has taken everything I've ever thrown at it! The problem is she's a desktop pc and lives solely in the dark chasm I call 'The studio'.

At the end of a long day I'd love to do a bit of writing, wander through deviant, or check out a few videos on Youtube but the idea of spending any more time out there alone is a serious deter-ant as I'd much rather be relaxing with Neen in the sitting room.

With this is mind Neen my wonderfull wife bought me a Netbook for my birthday yesterday, It's a beautifully compact 10" Asus eepc 1005p and I love it. It's silky black and I call it 'Toothless'

Reasons being: Number 1 it reminds me of a Nightfury and number 2 this particular model has Bluetooth, which is super handy for transferring files and images from my phone. Thank you Neen! : )

Review...Iron Man 2


I have been awaiting the release of Iron Man 2 with much trepidation. To say I loved Iron Man 1 is an understatement I think Favreau knocked the proverbial ball out of the park with the first film, It was true to the source material and Robert Downey Jr was exceptional in the role of Tony Stark. I mean there have been other great comic book movies, but with due respect they all had something for lack of a better word 'wrong' with them. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight...wonderful films but Bale seriously needed a cough drop or something. Spiderman 1, great film, but terrible terrible Green Goblin suit. My point being directors usually get something wrong, they lose the plot in some way or another due to studio pressure or simply a poor understanding or disregard for the original source material. Iron man 1 seemed as good as a comic book film could get. But Iron Man 2...I was in truth probably expecting dare I say it, another...Spiderman 3!

Before watching the film on Wednesday I had naturally both heard and read a few non-spoilerish reviews. I heard it was good, but didn't match the tightness of the first film, I heard it tried too hard to be too much...I heard it spent too much time setting up the Avengers Universe. Basically I was slightly apprehensive about IM2

Gotta say I loved it. Yes it wasn't as tightly edited as the first but I consider that a sign of Favreau stretching his directorial muscles, he took chances, tried out new shots...expeimented with pacing and most importantly had fun with it. So well done Jon you have my vote of confidence and congratulations.

Robert Downey Jr is perfect for this role...He was simply fantastic. 5 star performance as usual.

Mickey Rourke....This guy is a serious method actor. I'm not sure how closely he stuck to the original script but I got the distinct feeling he dropped as many unnecessary lines as possible and it worked exceptionally well. Although his character is obviously an amalgamation of two separate villains from the Iron Man universe the gamble payed off and I believe the fans were treated to a villain in Rourke that closely rivals Heath Ledgers Joker.

Don Cheadle...what can I say. This guy exuded more class in the opening two seconds than Terrence Howard managed in all of Iron Man 1. Cheadle is great as Rhodey. Calm, collected, controlled. As in the comics Tony's complete opposite.

Im only going to say one thing about Sam Rockwell as Hammer, whats with the orange hands dude, is there an inside joke I'm not aware of or something...That guy had been tango'ed!

Scar Jo and Gwyneth Paltrow...definite tension there on and off screen I feel. Both provided very confident performances in their respective roles. I will say one thing. Paltrow has made the role of Pepper Potts her own, I think while any one could have been cast as Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff it would be very difficult to find anyone to better Gwyneth's performance.

A couple last things I absolutely loved. The Mach V suitcase armour! Brilliant.

All the humour... there were plenty of laugh out loud moments I wasn't expecting.

The Captain America shield scene...

A couple of things I didn't like, however small.

Rhodey's first on screen flight in the soon-to-be War-Machine armour was just too easy, I would have like to have seen him struggle a bit on take off. If they were eluding to the fact that the suit was in-fact being developed for him and that Rhodey had recieved prior training it could have been more obvious, maybe a line or scene was cut. This however is just a very small thing.

The final battle with Ivan Vanko could have been a smidge longer...

Happy Hogan! Tony's bodyguard and chauffeur! Now I don't blame Favreau for wanting to be in his own movie...I would in his position too. But the shear amount of shots he has awkwardly positioned himself in is at times distracting, if not annoying. On the plus side the fight scene between Happy Hogan and the security guard in the closing scenes was very funny and a wonderful inclusion.

All and All. Really really enjoyed this film, fair play Favreau you created another great Iron Man film, lets hope the makers of the eventual Avengers movies can maintain your high standard and sensibilities.

8.5 out of 10

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Reading...W.B.Yeats



'Time can but make it easier to be wise.'


'My rhymes more than their rhyming tell.'


'While still I may, I write for you. The one I lived, the dream I knew.


'From our birthday, until we die Is but the winking of an eye.'


'Thread softly because you thread on my dreams.'


'Dance like a wave of the sea.'


Saturday, May 8, 2010

Amy Winehouse, Helium and a Wheelie Bin


My 15 brother-in-law Ant uploaded the funniest videos ever today! You've got to check them out! He just bought a Flip Video Camcorder and he's been getting his YouTube on!! Guaranteed laughs I promise or your money back.

http://www.youtube.com/user/13angryants#p/a/u/0/p0ojxChxEUo

http://www.youtube.com/user/13angryants#p/a/u/1/JNZLaU98lnI

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Reading...Wildcats

These arrived in the post today, going to start reading tonight. I'm slowly but surely building up my collection of Wildcats Graphic Novels. I'm hoping to put an order in with Sub City for my next two reads shortly...'Wild Cats Worlds End' and 'Wildcats Family Matters'!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Playing...Pokemon Heart Gold

Free Comic Book Day


Saturday was Free Comic Book Day world wide! Past couple of years Neen and I arrived in town late and the pickings at that stage were pretty poor. This year however I meant business, and we were at the doors of our local comic book shop in Galway 'SubCity' by 11. By we I mean myself, Shauna (11) and Antony (15). They are Neens lil' brother and sister. Ant recently read his first graphic novel, 'Kick Ass' by Mark Millar and John Romitta Jr and was interested in expanding his palette. Brian in SubCity was really great and let them take as many comics as they wanted. I think they really appreciated the special treatment and secretly loved seeing all the other customers restricted to the 1 comic per customer rule!

I must add one thing...We are lucky to have FCBD! Next year please don't harass your local comic shop owner with daft questions like 'Is this sealed hard-cover graphic novel, retailing at €25 free too?' Or 'Why cant I have that complete Battlestar Galactica Box set, the sign says free comic book day'...Support your local comic book store, buy a comic book or graphic novel today!