'C'est La Folie'

Review

C'est La Folie

by Michael Wright

2006

I haven't laughed out loud reading a book in a long time. I was so impressed with this piece of travel writing from Michael Wright, I have been telling everyone about, trying to relate the little adventures and funny anecdotes. They always fall short of reading the real thing though. As far as I'm concerned this should be a must-have on the bookshelf.

Michael moves from the UK to rural France to experience some "proper problems" and break away from feeling so "uncomfortably comfortable". If you're stuck in a rut or question your life in any given place, you'll totally understand where he's coming from. I was bursting to do the same!

So he introduces farm animals, run-down renovations to his eccentric new home, interacts with the community and comes head on with French life. He acts as my portal into a world I can only imagine, and his failings/concerns seem so close to my own I was cheering him on at every turn of the page. There are segments of conversation in French, often with no explanation as to what is taking place. In this way, a bit of guess work is necessary and it adds to the overall mystery of communicating in a language other than English, an adventure in itself full of funny mistakes and patchy (and often important!) details.

To laugh out loud on the bus is such a release. I can see this book being made into a movie, perhaps a more realistic (and less romantic) version of Under the Tuscan Sun. There were moments during C'est La Folie when I felt like crying, or felt utterly wretched on behalf of Michael and his predicament. To be that close to the highs and lows of life, not just the elaborate social trappings that we put around ourselves and call life.

Everyone should read this. It gave me a better appreciation for everything around me and reinvigorated my call to head off and see somewhere new.

Space delays

I plan to spend a little time in Florida, USA, waiting for a shuttle launch. This will be in 2008, of which there are no definite schedules yet. And seeing how Atlantis was delayed it could a whole month out of whack. I reckon I'll be using the tent a fair bit during that time, camping out and waiting.. waiting.. waiting.

The NASA website is pretty cool. As much of a waste of money as it is it still raises a few questions, and attempts at answering some of these re: space and its place in our future. I've always been a fan of space travel (I've only actually been in space in my mind) and for me it as inspiring as a wind swept field, snow-capped mountain range at sunset or early morning forest.

Space stations in the future were best described in Neuromancer by William Gibson. An upper strata of society reserved for science and the ridiculously wealthy. Young corporation heirs cruising around in solar sailships, non-stop parties on top of the world, while the actual screwed up planet was left for those who didn't have the means to get up and out.

Seeing a shuttle blast off will be a childhood dream come true, and another thing ticked off my lifelong wishlist.

Dear So and So..

My first letter of appreciation and thanks was never sent, as I finished up Lord of the Rings (a solitary discovery) in early high school and then found out Tolkien had died even before I was born.

It's almost taken me 15 years to get back into the swing of sending them and I am doing so before anyone else dies. During the break in HK over Christmas I sent a letter to Stephen R Lawhead the moment I read the closing pages of Hood.

You've gotta try it. Send a letter to someone or a group/company who do things just the way you like them. I was brought up on laughs and encouragement and to this day I find they are my fuel to keep going. It's easy to pick up a pen, sit down to an email or ring up if we have a problem with something. Not so easy is writing a letter of thanks for just doing what they do, or letting someone know that their service each day with your coffee is the best start to your morning. Mind you, I have done this and had it come across as a lame attempt at a pick up. lol

Letters I will be writing soon:
TransAdelaide (buses are always on time and get through peak hour)
Rosemary Mahoney (author of The Singular Pilgrim)
Michael Wright (author of C'est La Folie)
Donald P. Bellisario (writer/creator of Quantum Leap)

Go ahead and do it. You'll feel fantastic and know that the person receiving the compliments or praise will be feeling pretty darn good about things too.

'The First Casualty'

Review

The First Casualty
by Ben Elton

2005

I read this book in 3 days over the Christmas period and it was such a fast, easy read that I'd almost completely forgotten to write something about it. First off, what another brilliant literary offering from Elton. He really is one of my favourite authors and I've come to appreciate his intricate way of preparing a story.

Set during World War One, this book deals with the almost absurd notion of a murder investigation on the Western Front. There is death and carnage all around yet a London policeman, a conscious objector, is sent to unravel the mystery.

Ben Elton has a way of telling a story and involving every aspect of human interaction in amongst the drama and intrigue. There are no one fit stereotypes he likes to go with, they appear as believeable characters, with as much depth and human fault as in real life. His storytelling is aimed at everyone, not a select few, and for this you can see why his previous successes have been so well received (esp. the tv shows).

The twists and turns keep you reading on, ploughing through details which suddenly turn on their heel and happily lead you down the garden path before revealing their true outcome. I love being tricked when I'm reading, even in an age where we think we've seen it all before.

And the complex weave of human existence is ever present in his novels. Poor man alongside the rest, a seemingly insignificant character bumbling into the path of the main storyline. Even the actions and repercussions of a removed character, how they change the plot for better or worse. I love it.

Another great Elton book is High Society. Get into it!

'The Pilgrimage'

Review

The Pilgrimage
by Paulo Coelho

1995

It is with great discomfort that I report back poorly for the read that is The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. Having read The Alchemist, I turned around and borrowed this with great excitement, awaiting the juicy details which lay within, especially those regarding the trail I will set out on next year.

Maybe it is because The Alchemist was written on the success of its predecessor and reading them out of sequence has left a gap. It could be that the spiritual searching found within its pages are not the random kind that I'm looking for, having already discovered spiritual truths for myself. Or it could be that it reminds me of the mystical writings of Carlos Castaneda, a hybrid-reality style of writing that moves between reality and mysticism with no pointed direction or conclusion. A mixture of all these perhaps had me sighing within the first few chapters and finally putting it down saying "get over it mate".

It is yet another work for spiritual over acceptance, the kind which agree with everything and infringe on nothing. Very suitable in these times where to agree in a blanket sort of way is the politically correct way of believing in something more. This sort of belief, like Bahá'í, reminds me of putting all your favourite things in a blender, whipping it, and finding that it was always be brown. The fence-sitting colour, the shade of non-existent conviction.

But for an explored review into spirituality this may be just your thing.

Working in a library

It's an interesting cultural hub the ol public library. Not that at any stage does it feel 'cultured', rather the mish-mash of cultural phlegm that mingles there.

The public library acts as a drop-in centre against the elements, air con in summer and heating in winter. It's for people who come in for a chat, and then do the rounds of other hapless conversation victims (ie. anyone stuck behind a desk in customer service). Escaped loonies, conspiracy theorists, armchair politicians, intellectual wannabees. All provide equal measure of entertainment and occasionally, mild panic.

They are magnets for every tightarse under the sun, wanting everything for free (cos it is), demanding service and then being uppity about paying a $1.20 late fine. This free element does attract another crowd, who smell like bins, fish guts or week old sex. Drifters from interstate, stinky backpackers, ferals who demand service cos they fink we're part of the guv'nmint.

These institutions (every town should have one) try to connect the community but really only reach out to those listed above. Each community focused group session (course etc) will have a smattering of people usually led by a bossy resident who seems kinda miffed that they're only (again) dealing with the above.

Babies crying, parent's telling their kids what they do and don't like to read, young couples trying to get busy in darkened corners, the regular who complains every time he comes in but continues returning years on end... ahhh, the culture!

9 copies of the Da Vinci Code and old cds of IceHouse. Can't beat it.

Scorcher

A long walk in the Hills is off today. I just went for an hour local walk (the usual track) and even though it was from 8:30-9:30am, the sun was still kicking up a bit of a fuss. 40deg forecast today and it already feels like the gates of Hades have been left wide open.

In fact, it's like a mini heatwave this weekend so any form of a hike is off. It's research time though and I'll probably make my way out to some camping shops to check out lightweight tents, a decent sleeping bag and perhaps even buy a compass to get some practice in. Don't even know how to work the darn things although the knowledge alone (whether it's used to navigate or not) will be an invaluable tool for a situation that may arise. Never know!

Another trail I'm interested in is the Pennine Way which runs up the middle of England and crosses Hadrian's Wall, another place of interest for me. Good chance for some decent camping along it's route and long distance practice for the Camino.

Valentine's

I would love to say something sarcastic and/or sinister about Valentine's Day, but I won't. hehe Just once it would be nice to be with someone during this time of the year, or my birthday (or theirs), or at Christmas. I'm taking myself out to tea: takeaway Bongournos, a dripping steak with mushrooms and roasted veg. They know my regular anyway. Just walk in and say "the usual thanks". Bit more upmarket than my fish n chip shop usual. lol

Best of luck to everyone today. Enjoy.

Brownhill to Belair

What a beautiful day it was today. A lovely 26deg and patches of shade, a nice breeze - perfect. Poison and injury changed the order of the day although it turned into a nice recap on some area already covered. No-one has been poisoned. Put the phone down. Today's hike was meant to be Waterfall Gully to Lofty area but the track was closed due to poisoning so Frank and I turned around, back to good ol Brownhill Creek, the trusty setting off point.

With Kath out with a back injury from netball, Jon still sore with a twisted ankle and Tania working it was nice to hit the trail with Frank. We have future plans of doing the Kokoda Track, money/time permitting, so it's fitness a go-go in the meantime.

Today was 18km there and back along the tail end of the Yurrebilla Trail. We had some fantastic photo opportunities and it was exciting to see so much wildlife about the place today. Along with the usual scurries of lizards and flocks of birds we saw some well-built horses, friendly maggies, dragonflies with wings that clicked like claws on lino, and my favourite, a pazzed out koala in the nook of a gum tree limb. Bonus points to Frank for spotting that one.

The area is a welcome respite from the demands of city living. I cleared my lungs again, oxygen touching the bottom of them, a deep down place usually reserved for clear air and/or coughed out bong smoke (ancient history). We're so lucky to have an area that close to the city/suburbs which still boasts some sort of bush feel, where you can walk for 20+ minutes and not see a soul. Frank has an interest in conservation so it was interesting hearing about various flora diseases and the intermingling of natives and introduced species.

The trail cries out to be walked in its entirety. Keen to have that one under my belt. It feels right somehow, to discover my own city on foot before I venture out to walk/hike other places in the world.

Solitary

After finishing the Camino chapter in The Singular Pilgrim, it became clear to me my reason and purpose for taking on board that particular journey of solitude. It's almost an embodiment of my life, where I find myself ultimately following my feet down my own distinct path. No-one else is following me or walking alongside and I find I need to put my hope and trust in something greater than myself. And to take this step out there and actually physically put myself in a situation where I am truly alone then I will clearly be put to the test. I hope to succeed.

The realisation that I am still as solitary a creature as I was years ago is a bit of a life starter. I have often times waited around for others to follow, or for me to tag along. It really is time I beat my own path, to give a wave from my future direction and send a postcard with love to those I inevitably leave behind.

So the Camino for me will be an acknowledgement to myself that my direction is worth it and that's where you'll find me.

Female writer

So good to be actually enjoying a non-fiction book by a female author again. I am currently reading The Singular Pilgrim, by Rosemary Mahoney. It's all about the journeys a writer takes discovering belief in the essence of religion, and the pilgrimages around the world where people put this belief to the test. The chapters I am particularly focusing on are those on the Camino de Santiago and her trip to the holy land.

Her account of the Camino is of particular interest as I've been trying to find someone who's written on it who doesn't waffle on about the existential stuff and miss out on real details. Or the online writing (blogs, journals) where people seem to have justified the time spent on it and skip out parts which fall anything short of romantic or ideal.

I love her style of writing! The little caricatures she paints with each passing glimpse, and funny scenes played out in dark reality. Her observations on a morose Spanish pilgrim were the best. It had me laughing out loud, which looks kinda crazy on the bus. The description of how this woman's sneakers were hung on the outside of her pack, and how they swung crazily with each step.. and more, so many observations that had me smiling. :)

And it's a book by a woman who doesn't need to harp on all the time about the fact that she's a woman - that's why I like it. It's a story of a human traveller, not a triumph over gender bias. And for this my hat is off to you Mahoney.

Stick Cricket

Another obsession. While I'm on the phone, waiting for a sales representative to take my important call, or just killing time... stick cricket.

It's like that board game Test Match and how I wore out the mat with that one.

Find it here.

Brownhill to Waterfall Gully

Cue Lawrence of Arabia soundtrack, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Survivor. Today was a battle against the elements and the mind. Warning: do not walk on days above 30deg - today was 36deg and I'm sure we all almost died.

Kath and I were joined by 2 friends, Jon and Tania. It was easier to do a more grueling walk with more of us cos at least one person was likely to be upbeat and cheering us all along. It was the slog up 'the hill' first (Brown Hill) then along the Yurrebilla Trail to Waterfall Gully. Part of this segment included walked past the remains of buildings up at Eagle on the Hill, a flash back to an era before our new freeway. The monumental remains of the old BP were like something from Rome, left to weather the ages as a sign of former glory.

Water was a bit of a concern today and I went through 5+ltrs, luckily we made the stop at Waterfall Gully and were able to stock up on more fluids. It was a give and take situation, where if we hadn't walked that segment we would have made it back fine, but by doing the extra we gave ourselves a bit of a self-inflicted water crisis. It was the first time since school sports days that I've felt the real effects of dehydration, oncoming faint feeling and a sort of claustrophobic closeness about the clear, dry heat.

It reminded me of what it must have been like for early settlers coming here during a time where they would have worn woollen clothing, ties, girdles, itchy breeches, that sort of thing. What a glimpse at that perseverance and determination to survive.

The Hills have a fair bite in them during summer and when bushwalking make sure it's done early morning (and no later than mid-morning) or only on days of 30deg or below. Or, like us, read about it all you like but once you've experienced it realise that it's something you never want to come across again.

Approx. 19kms today. Ouch.