Oct 16 2008

White Skinny Dipping

Category: In The Media,Videos — ChrisM @ 4:12 am

Head over here for the BBC report, or if you find their streaming video has problems with your internet connection, see the following three YouTube videos. On what? Well in case you missed out on the news, a British man dove into the Moat surrounding the Emperor’s residence in Tokyo. The undeniable facts are that he was naked, not likely to get cold this winter with his in-built insulation, either a litttle unhinged or drunk, and splashed water and threw bricks when the police attempted to catch him.

Thanks to Japan Probe for the following picture (and preceding videos)…
Mad Naked Brit In Japan

So why my interest?
Well I saw the following image over at Pundit Kitchen, and wanted to find out more about the background to it.
Obama Pictures and McCain Pictures
see Sarah Palin pictures

So what happened to the crude and aggressive tourist? Detained under the equivalent of Japan’s Metal Health Act? Received a good public beating after throwing bricks around? No, he had a slap on the wrists and was released! At least according to the Daily Telegraph’s article.

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Apr 27 2007

Diplomatic Immunity

Category: Books — ChrisM @ 10:32 am

Diplomatic Immunity – Lois McMaster Bujold

Returning to the traditional novel format, Lois finally bowed to fan-pressure. (OK, no proof of that, to be honest, but I know people were asking her if they’d return) The Quaddies return :> (See the Falling Free review)

Miles and his wife go on their honeymoon, whilst their babies are approaching full term in their uterine replicators. (The same system that enabled Miles to be born after the attack on his mother and father). When Miles and Ekaterin are returning home, his friend the Emperor dispatches Miles to sort a problem with the Quaddies.

Not only does he have to use all his mental faculties to try and sort out the initial incident, but another conflict is brewing, both on the inter-stellar scale, but also domestically – if he isn’t back home before his children are ‘born’ his mum & wife will have his guts for garters.

That marks the end of my Vorkosigan Saga book reviews, we have 3 more offerings from the same author to come, but these are based in a different time and universe.

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Apr 26 2007

Memory

Category: Books — ChrisM @ 6:15 pm

Memory – Lois McMaster Bujold

Now that all the main characters have had their ground work laid, Lois is able to concentrate on the plot a little more, at least in my mind. Miles, although only just 30, has suffered heavy tolls on his brittle boned body, through all the battles and scrapes he has survived. ImpSec (Imperial Security) plays a large role in this story, and Miles often finds himself unsure of who to trust.
Gregor, already a fully fledged emperor, decrees that Miles should be made an auditor – the highest and most powerful investigator position possible within Barryar’s realm.
I particularly liked this book, and found most of the plot twists not as predictable as usual.

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Apr 25 2007

Barrayar

Category: Books — ChrisM @ 1:43 am

Barrayar – Lois McMaster Bujold

The two characters I mentioned in the last book review (Shards of Honor) are still happily together in this novel. Miles, the future star and main character of this series, is in Cordelia’s womb still.
Meanwhile, the emperor dies, and after a little soul searching, Mile’s dad becomes Regent, until Gregor is old enough to take power himself. Unfortunately, not all the political movers and shakers are happy with the situation, and try to kill Aral. As his wife is hurt in the attack, Miles life is put in danger…

Want to know more? Leave me a comment, or read the book ;>

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