Plutonic Rainbows

Rain

February 20, 2016

Beginning to wonder if it will ever stop raining. Some CDs I ordered arrived recently. I have been trying to pick up as many reasonably priced items as possible because it is unlikely I will ever be returning to Japan. To import would mean higher prices and customs charges.

  • Grace Jones - Inside Story (CP32-5186)
  • Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (28VD-1030)
  • Rush - Signals (258P-5169)
  • Propaganda - A Secret Wish (P35D-20007)
  • Laura Branigan - Branigan (38XP-64)
  • The Cars - Heartbeat City (38XP-76)
  • The Human League - Crash (32VD-1041)
  • Alan Silvestri - The Abyss (VSD-5235)
  • Toto - Hydra (35DP-42)

Went to the Post Office about the delivery pick-up but it seems I have to phone them. Only twenty work days left.

Ghost Story

February 18, 2016

I decided to re-read Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I first read it in the early 90s and thought it was time to revisit again.

It's nearly the end of the week.

Twenty-Three

February 16, 2016

That's how many working days I have left. Printed out my customs forms ready for the weekend.

Alternative Workspaces

February 15, 2016

Mark Johanson writing for the BBC:

When 48-year-old Londoner Cathy Eastburn had to give up full-time work in early 2015 due to ill health, she began looking for ways to make some additional income. That’s when she stumbled across Vrumi, a website that helped her rent out her living room as office space for location independent workers.

Lost Geographies

February 14, 2016

Still working on my new book (title as above). Also continuing with a young adult fantasy tale that has been in development for some time. I'd like to get that one finished in the next few weeks.

I only have six weeks left now before I return to England. Trying to get everything together now. It takes time.

Books

February 14, 2016

Just a reminder that my two books, a novel and a collection of short stories are available on kindle.

I am currently reading Algernon Blackwood's Four Weird Tales.

After Dark, My Sweet

February 14, 2016

I recently saw this film from way back in 1990. It has an incredibly good Maurice Jarre score but that is only matched by the sheer excellence of the film itself.

Roger Ebert review from 2005:

After Dark, My Sweet is the movie that eluded audiences; it grossed less than $3 million, has been almost forgotten, and remains one of the purest and most uncompromising of modern films noir. It captures above all the lonely, exhausted lives of its characters.

Numerous

February 14, 2016

This past year I have been using the excellent Numerous to keep track of things. I currently have twenty-five teaching days left.

Ticket

February 11, 2016

My ticket has been booked now and I will be flying on Sunday, March 30th. It also means that I will get to see China - well at least the airport in Shanghai.

Writing

February 11, 2016

Continuing with my new writing but it's slow right now. Sometimes it's just a case of waiting for inspiration to arrive. Writing about the past is sometimes not a good way to spend my time. It's better to live in the moment.