camrogers | (no subject)

Walking around Leicester listening to Tom Waits' Bone Machine.

I should find something worthwhile to do with what time I've got left here. Today it's watching Adrian Brody shoot aliens, then pints with

ed_dirt at the Ten Bells, then dinner with

valkyriekaren. Tomorrow I'll work something out.

Was kinda sad to leave the Camden hostel. Even the janitor and the cook know me now.

I'm so, so glad this happened. There's a reasonable chance I'll do something like this again next year, but probably not so expansive. Berlin for Eurovision, maybe see Paris properly with Rachel. Damien sounds like he'd like to see Iceland and I'd like to go back - preferably with a license. Thing is these are all places I've already been. Told myself I'd try for NY once a year just to keep myself serious and to prove to agent and publishers that I'm serious. Early days yet, things change, some things'll happen others wont. But if I do this I need to include at least one leg where I'm someplace I've never been. Civilised or otherwise it doesn't matter, as long as it's someplace new.

I need to watch more Attenborough.

fluffworld's got me thinking about South America, even if the scopalomine thing (aka "Devil's Breath") gives me the heebies.

There's also the tentative plan to take an icebreaker to the South Pole from Argentina. Might talk to my uncles about the whole 'working a mothership' thing. My brother spent six months straight on one of those things. Aside from almost being sucked overboard in the dead of night into shark-infested waters, or waiting six hours for a dinghy team to return from a run to the PNG shore to trade .22 rifles for half-a-year's worth of grass. I remember the story he told of the shy, rosy-cheeked English lass who signed on as the cook. By the time they made shore again she'd gained twenty pounds, was screwing everyone onboard, swore like a - well - sailor, had lost three teeth and gained at least two diseases.

For some reason this stuff never makes the cut on Pirates of the Carribbean.

Still, I like to be adaptable. Colin (my uncle) seems to have mostly kept himself unmarred by the rapid degradation of whatever crew he has at any given time, except for the whole thing with facial melanoma. Might pick his brains RE scoping out people and possibilities. And an icebreaker crew's away for less time, usually, and - I can only assume - has a slightly more educated and altruistic outlook if they're running supplies to research stations.

I wonder if Bruce's brother is still stationed at one...? Might ask Sian, she'd know.

OK, better go. Got's me a date with the star of The Pianist and some improbably large guns.

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There's also the tentative plan to take an icebreaker to the South Pole from Argentina.

I. Am. Interested. I have long-service soon. How long for?

OK, better go. Got's me a date with the star of The Pianist and some improbably large guns.

I hate you.
No one I know will see it with me.

Actual hate not included. Just jealously.

I wanted to see it when we were in Mississippi, but I was overruled. Now we're all sorry.

So, um, wanna go see a movie?

As long as you buy me popcorn and soda.

And a plane ticket.

You are one expensive date.

You get what you pay for.

If you could refrain from hitting me I am sure I'd get my money's worth.

Well, that's up to you now, isn't it? ;)

Good lord!

I have no idea how to translate this.

You can imagine lots of monocle popping and spluttering.

You could do a Skype date. ;)

But that would involve piracy.

You could do a Skype date. ;)
Could. Won't.
I'd prefer to dance across the internet.

But that would involve piracy.

Argh! Some movies don't deserve that.

I have no idea when the icebreaker plan might happen. It's something I'll look into when I get back. Over the next 12 months I need to harden up physically, get a driver's license and make the writing start paying (whether that's books or articles, whatever.) There's half a plan to be in Berlin for Eurovision but I don't know really how likely that is. I also need to look into the practicalities of working my way south on a functioning vessel. A photographer acquaintance of mine gave me the idea (he did it for National Geo), but I've no idea if he just paid a fee and sat it out or what. Once I learn a little more about it I'll let you know.

'Predators' is the second-best of the series. One thing at the end didn't make practical sense, but other than that it did more to explore the actual culture and world of the most interesting character in the film than all the other films. There's a setup for a sequel that could take it further, and I'd see it on the promise of that alone.

Once I learn a little more about it I'll let you know.
Since writing that I recalled I don't know how to swim well.

'Predators' is the second-best of the series.

That's, like, the best thing anyone cold say about it. Especially if you include AvP.

Since writing that I recalled I don't know how to swim well.

Fortunately once you fall into Antarctic waters that point will probably become moot.

I sunk my hand into an Icelandic mountain stream, extrapolated that extreme sensation to my entire body for give minutes and concluded the outcome would be Death.

That's, like, the best thing anyone cold say about it. Especially if you include AvP.

I liked Predator 2. Most people don't. So I factored that into my response. IMO, from distant memory, P2 might be equal with this IMO.

Fortunately once you fall into Antarctic waters that point will probably become moot.

Oh, joy.

I liked Predator 2. Most people don't
Been a long time since I saw it. I think it was on TV when I was in high school. I never hated it either.

Please to not get washed overboard and eaten by sharks kthnxbai. I would make a sad face.

If you want to do anything out and about tomorrow, and want company, I'm happy to play guide/chaperone. Have a look on Time Out and see if you fancy anything?
http://www.timeout.com/london/

Edited 2010-08-06 12:42 (UTC)

Hey thanks! I'll poke around.

Alan killed time nightfishing, which is what almost got him overboard. His reel wrapped around his leg, and the other end of the line got wrapped around something else and it almost had him over. People vanish at sea all the time, forever, no trace, just gone come morning, and it's often put down to things like booze or nightfishing. Thing was he couldn't call out for help as the control room's locked airtight as a safety precaution against the boat rolling. So no-one could hear him. Fortunately he got out of it okay.

David Attenborough is great, if you can find them anywhere his Zoo Quest novels are definitely worth reading and the documentary Michael Palin did on his life is nice if you have not seen it.

One of his favourite pieces of footage was shot about 300 metres from my front door.

What piece was that?

This one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE0Kdfos4Y

HA! I was wondering if it was that one.

Yeah, you can hear them from our deck.

I may have misled you though, it seems it was voted the favourite Attenborough moment by the British public rather than his own favourite.