My week off so far...

....has consisted of:

Reading, reading...

...reading!  I love reading - there just isn't enough time in life to read as much as I would like.  However, I have committed myself to read 1 book per month...and so far, I have kept up with this.  So, January through to April, I have read 4 very different books:

Frankenstein
American Psycho
Fuck It Therapy
World War Z

What did I think of each?  Read on:

FRANKENSTEIN
We all have a basic idea of the story - scientist creates a monster which then turns against him because said scientist rejects said monster.  Cue a story about revenge and murder with a dash of gothic-ness thrown into the mix.  Of course, Frankenstein is much more than this and is in turn a warning about "playing God" as well as a study in what makes us human and the importance of the soul in humanity.  The story takes us all over the globe and plays with the readers loyalties forcing us to sympathise with both monster and scientist at different stages and on several occasions throughout.  Both Frankenstein, Frankensteins monster and the cast of supporting players are all on an inevitable collision course from page 1, both truly tragic and wholly expected as creator and creation lock themselves in a battle of wits and torment.  A true classic way ahead of its time, Frankenstein is as much about parents bringing up their children with love rather than rejection as it is about meddling with science without truly understanding it.  7 out of 10.

AMERICAN PSYCHO
We've all seen the film (or should have...shame on you if you haven't!!).  A fairly disturbing look at one mans obsession with murder, status and own good looks.  Part black comedy - part horror, it brings out an amazing performance by a never better Christian Bale and leaves you with more questions than answers upon its exit.  I love the film and it sticks as close as it can to the book.  I say this because if there were to be a 100% faithful adaption of the book, it would be unwatchable!  Not because of the story...not because it wouldn't make sense...not because the book is un-filmable...no...simply because no human on Earth could sit through it without throwing up every 10 minutes!  This is a story about Patrick Bateman, Wall Street employee, intelligent, very good looking, likes drugs, likes women, likes murder, likes dismemberment, likes torture, likes fine dining, like business cards.  I don't really want to give to much away about American Psycho because it is a book that needs to be experienced with fresh innocent eyes.  Never has a book left horrific images in my mind as much as this has.  Never has a book affected my moods as much as this has.  Never has a book made me face the true terrors of what is out there as much as this has.  It is a stunning piece of work which WILL make you laugh as much as it WILL make you sympathise with the world Bateman lives in.  I guarantee though that this WILL live with you till you die.  Especially when it comes to the section with the rat...you have been warned!  9 out of 10.

FUCK IT THERAPY
Self help books.  Never really been into them but this caught my eye because I am one of those people that finds it very hard to switch off from work.  I am one of those people who deeply cares (not that I like to admit it) about what I do even though what I do isn't in the slightest bit important in the grand scheme of things.  Basically this book advises you to say "FUCK IT" to certain aspects of your life.  It does this by first making you see what type of prison you are in and how much importance you put onto very un-important things.  It then asks the reader what he or she really wants and how they go about getting it.  It also has some energy exercises and relaxation methods with are there to help us focus and build strength on our road to happiness blah, blah, blah.  Er, I am not sure about this book.  I enjoyed aspects of it and related to parts of it.  But, I am one of those people who see the strings above my head already.  See the strings above the heads of my superiors and their superiors and so on and so on.  I have a very unique attitude to the world around me and can see the various prisons which have a vice like grip on humanity due to the nature of how we live and how we survive.  One thing is does do well though is teach you that just by saying "FUCK IT" makes you feel better.  5 out of 10.  

WORLD WAR Z
For months, I put off buying this book despite it being on offer constantly...then I saw the trailer for the film and thought, enough is enough - get it now!  And boy am I glad I did.  Basically a collection of eye witness accounts and interviews with the survivors of the 10 year Zombie war fought all over the world.  It charts the initial outbreaks to the complete overrun of entire cites and countries then onto humanities close proximity to extinction before the final sections fightback and mans unity.  Told by various people of various nationalities with various opinions and experiences, World War Z flows perfectly and never gets lost or confusing throughout.  The eye witness accounts are at times heart breaking and horrific, to joyous and sometimes even funny with each character having his or her very distinctive voice and uniqueness; I loved reading each ones little story.  And then we come to the Zombies.  Very much the slow, lumbering Romero type which can only be killed by destroying the brain, they are a relentless army, both existing in the realms of fantasy and reality at the same time.  Believe it or not though, they also bring with them some originality.  Zombies have, literally, been done to death on film, television and in books.  And yes, these Zombies are familiar...but...they also freeze in the winter then are reanimated in spring.  They don't drown so stalk the ocean floor until destroyed.  Their tastes are not limited to human flesh either - animals are definitely not safe in World War Z's world.  And what a world this is...our world...overrun with Zombies...a must read full of parables and frightening predictions.  8 out of 10.  

 

 

   So, what's next?  A Clockwork Orange!!!

Live music...

...is a massive part of my life.  So far, I must have seen well over 100 bands live since 1996 when I went to my first live gig, Marilyn Manson.  I still remember it well - touring the 'Antichrist Superstar' album and absolutely killing it (in a good way), even after half way through someone threw an empty plastic water bottle which clocked him square in the face, Manson owned that stage, smashing stuff over his chest and telling the audience to spit on him.  From then on, my eyes were open and my desire and passion for going to the live gig exploded!!  Type O Negative, Roger Waters, Fear Factory, Iron Maiden, Faith No More, Devin Townsend, Public Enemy, Faithless, Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Rammstein - B...fucking...Witched - I have seen a wide range of bands/artist live and have loved every single one of them (apart from The The which I walked out of).  This year I have Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Fish, Eric Clapton, Status Quo and Joe Satriani to look forward to and no doubt many more (I am hoping Black Sabbath and David Bowie announce tours). 

So, Friday just gone (8th March), was my first - The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown.  My first memory of Arthur Brown was seeing the video for 'Fire' on the music show Dave Lee Travis used to do (a good few years ago now - hahahaha!) and it etched itself into my brain forever...but, I never really became a fan.  When I noticed he was touring though, I instantly wanted to see him live - I mean really, who wouldn't??  70 years old, playing a tour billed as "a celebration of Fire", in a venue I have never ever been to (The Ruby Lounge in Manchester) and costing £15 a ticket - my curiosity and love of music guided my hand to click 'buy ticket'...and besides, the man is a LEGEND!!  With a fellow fan as my companion (one of my work friends/bosses) and stood in the venue - a sort of club/bar type setup - we really did not know what to expect...what we did not expect though was that this gig was to be one of the best we have ever been to!!  Trojan Horse, Moulettes, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - this was the bill.  Never heard of the 2 support acts and only owning the 1 Arthur Brown album...this was going to be interesting!

Trojan Horse came on the stage - guitar, bass, drums, keyboard - and exploded!!  A cross between Opeth, Frank Zappa and early Pink Floyd (especially on keyboards), they only played about 4 songs - simply because the songs they played must have lasted 8-10 minutes each.  Heavy, unexpected, mellow...damn good...the night had gotten off to a good start!!
Even before Moulettes had taken the stage, my curiosity was sky high as I watched a cello, bassoon and a double bass appear - I actually thought this was Arthur Browns equipment being set up!  Moulettes came on stage - 2 male, 2 female - quietly introduced themselves and started.  Something happened, my jaw literally dropped!!  From the very first note that came from that cello - I was hooked.  The music was impeccable (folk, prog, alt), the harmonies coming from the 2 girls were heavenly and the songs were brilliant and unique...I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing/hearing!!  As soon as they finished and announced they would be selling their albums off stage - I bought both of them.
So, I found myself asking...myself, what is Arthur Brown going to be like?  70 years old and having to follow 2 brilliant support acts!!  I was slightly worried.........but I shouldn't have been!!  Covered in make-up, he took to the stage and owned it!!  With several garments coming off throughout the show and several groovy dances and moves, Arthur Brown sang, looked and moved like a man possessed.  In short, he was brilliant!  Amazing songs, amazing band (especially the keyboardist), funny banter with the crowd and an intimacy sometimes lost at a live gig; it was stunning.  The crowd (myself included) clapped hard, screamed loud and loved every minute of it.  Artists like Arthur Brown have been going this long for a reason...because they are LEGENDS...and on Friday the 8th March, he proved it.  I was privileged to see 2 of the best support acts EVER (I am now an official Moulettes fan) and then see an absolute living legend.  It was, and will remain, a gig I will never forget and out of all the live bands/artists I have seen live, it is quite possibly the BEST...a bold statement I know...but...maybe...just maybe...very true! 

Latest project...

...is coming along nicely.

So, this is going to be my next book, 'Life and Death' which is a collection of poetry on both subjects with a story sandwiched in the middle about my life and its possible future.  The story is written in a sort of Homer's Iliad/Dante's Inferno style and will be spread over several pages and written sometimes in poetry form and sometimes in narrative form.  The Life and Death poetry sections are complete and I reckon I am about 75% the way through the 'my story' section.  I was flipping between projects but have now decided to concentrate on this one.  Below, is a section of the 'my story' bit for you to enjoy:

OF LITTLE COMFORT

 And it was now that my body was to suffer.

It was now that what was once in the background now wasn’t.

Now that “the drink” took control of my life.

 

At first, it sympathised and counselled.

Listened and supported.

Nodded and understood.

 

It gave me strength and courage.

Showed me a good time in small doses.

Led me to a weekend of social joy.

 

Happy, smiling, fun.

Good memories in good places.

A period of wonderment and knowledge.

 

Life was renewed.

Time and money had no teeth.

My mind was free and open.

 

Then “spirits” began to playfully haunt me.

The stronger, the purer; the better.

Taking me to another level of experience.

 

Warnings of “never mix” were ignored.

Leading to the odd issue.

Leading to the odd embarrassment.

 

But even these “spirits” could be controlled (somewhat).

Their devilish ways an extension of happy, smiling fun.

Their impish actions shared and laughed about collectively.

 

Soon though, a slight addiction developed.

A want to consume these “spirits” more and more.

A desire to feel their affects over longer periods.

 

And indulge in an excessive intake.

So excessive it bred violence and memory loss.

Guilt and pain.  Fear and inspiration.

 

For all its faults and trappings.

A period of substance was born.

Art, film, poetry; all were touched upon.

 

But with it, it brought back those dark feelings.

Back once more - stronger, more destructive.

Of loneliness.  Of helplessness.  Of uselessness.

 

And of little comfort I fell into.

Unable to stop and wanting to take it further.

Creativity became more important than health.

 

And so, I came upon a shop on a corner.

Peering through the glass, something catches my bloodshot eyes.

A girl…no…a fairy, a green fairy.

 

ABSINTHE


Twinkle twinkle.

A shine of deep.

A glisten of desire.

 

Pure liquid of possibility.

Twisting reflections.

Breaking arms.

 

This green fairy.

Shimmers and swims.

Burning inside glass.

 

To free her and inhale her.

An odour of pain and release.

Sweet and playful.

 

Pouring that first deadly shot.

Its deathly silent and still.

Enticing and exciting.

 

Then feeling it blaze and eat away.

It takes your breath away.

Leaves you gasping for free air.

 

Churning your insides out.

Getting into your very veins.

Feeding your alcoholics desire.

 

Warnings are meant to be ignored.

Limits are meant to be tested.

Imagination is meant to be un-caged.

 

Eyes are meant to be wide.

Fingers are meant to be busy.

Memory is meant to be lost.

 

Surroundings are meant to be destroyed.

Views are meant to be questioned.

Time is meant to be conquered.

 

Feelings are meant to be explored.

Colours are meant to be heard.

Music is meant to be touched.

 

Fears are meant to be submerged.

Changes are meant to be welcomed.

Blood is meant to be spilled.

 

And so pains are meant to be black.

And so emotions are meant to be frozen.

And so despair is meant to be long.

 

For what is gained in art and poetry.

Is lost in health and sanity.

And poured out in love or suicide.