Reads

I’ve Been Reading:

Warren Ellis – Crooked Little Vein
William Gibson – Spook Country
Drew Curtis – It’s Not News, It’s Fark
Penny Arcade – Birds are Weird

Ellis’s book is a fine novel, but somewhat less dark, and much less dense than I was anticipating. I’ll be buying the next one, though. Gibson is on form for Spook Country – his usual mix of The Internerds, Confused People, and Scary Folks With Guns. The Fark book is supposed to be a big eye-opener about what the media does instead of reporting news .. I guess it might be to some. It is funny, however. And Penny Arcade – as usual, the commentary alone is worth the price, if you’re a fan.

I’ve Been Watching:

The Tomorrow People (British Sci-Fi Circa 1973)
Spooks
Dexter

Well, I remember this 70’s british sci-fi show as being very cool indeed. Surely, it will have aged well, like a fine wine, and not be a laughably bad exercise in 70’s clothing and haircuts and terrible acting and special effects? Sadly, nay. Spooks is fine, nasty, sneaky spy stuff. A whole lot less wakka-cha-wakka music and driving around fast in big dumb cars than that OTHER MI5 series, The Professionals. I’m up to season 2, enjoying it so far. Dexter, also, just started season 2. This is a great show. I’m not sure how long the concept will hold out, but right now it’s great fun.

I’ve Been Thinking:

Podcasts

Annette and I have been planning our podcast, and I’ve been doing some of the tech infrastructure side of it – mixer, a couple of decent headsets with good mics, server space, etc. Annette did an excellent job of putting together the software (Blogging, RSS feed for subscription, etc) side of things – she rules so much.

I’ve Been Drinking:

I am out of Port. This is no good thing. I shall purchase more, with speed.

7 thoughts on “Reads

  1. I have recently switched from Port to Cognac and am highly happy I did.. despite the terrible recent association with Gangsta culture…

    o/~ little bit o-henassy o/~

    … it’s actually really nice and a lovely evening drink. You feel most civilised reading with a glass in hand.

    Get some XO. Good stuff.

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    1. I have some! I’ve tried various cognacs, actually – I think there’s Hennessy and Courvoisier of middlin’ age both in our drinks cabinet. I’m not so keen on it, though – it may actually be too high a proof for me. The alcohol taste itself tends to overpower the rest of it. I vastly prefer the tastes of various ports – and if I’m in the mood for stronger stuff, I tend to switch to whisky.

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      1. I heartily agree — a good tawny port is just about right; cognac always seems as though it should be a delight but never really is.

        And besides, I’ve finally learned after many, many years that no matter how persuasive they may be, spirits are just Not My Friends. Nuh-uh.

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      2. Cognac is my vice – like other people with whiskey, I can unfortunately taste the difference between a good one and a cheap one. You can water cognac down with benedictine, that’s very nice. Or you could just send it to me.

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      3. mmm Benedictine is also wonderful. We went to the Benedictine house when we were in France and had some fresh from the tap. *shiver* sooo good.

        We also went to the Hennesy House in Cognac and that was also delightful.

        Another way to have it is called a B&B which works well with ice… mix it with ginger ale and it’s delightful. (This was suggested to us by the Cellar master of Hennessy so it’s gotta be good) (only the cheap stuff tho apparently)

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      4. Hrmm try warming the cognac before drinking. It smooths it out _immensly_ If you’re drinking it straight or on Ice then yes… it can be very overpowering. But cognac is (in my opinion) served best warm like Sake.

        Heat some water… pour your cognac into a glass then sit the glass in the hot water for 2-5 min or until the cognac is warm… then try.. it’s _very_ smooth then.

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