Guy Portman's Blog, page 2

Feasts, Fiction, Fall & Football.

What with the endless Covid-19 related restrictions, I hadn’t eaten out in ages. That all changed this past week. I have eaten out twice. Both meals were of a similar ilk. Here are the pictures. As you can see, I am a carnivore at heart. Vegetarians, please avert your gaze.

I also went into London for the first time since 2019. The place was inundated with people. I sought refuge in a bookshop.

Here’s another bookshop I came across. It was a throwback to the bookstores of yeste...

It’s That Friday Feeling

The week has flown by, can’t believe it is the weekend already. We’ve had something of an Indian summer here in southern England. It’s over now, but was nice while it lasted.

With the lack of rain, my pond has become covered in toxic green coloured algae again. Looks like something out of Ghost Busters.

Trigga waiting for his afternoon walk.

Another day, another green tea served in my Italian 90′ Panini mug.

I am still reading Razor Girl. Looking forward to finishing ...

Misanthropic Ramblings

If I had as many interactions with people as I do deer, I would be considered a sociable creature. Take this morning for instance. Was barely out my garden when I stumbled across these three. Fortunately, deer don’t comment on the weather or I’d be sick to death of them by now.

And here are yesterday’s.

And Wednesday’s.

You get the point. Admittedly, some of them are no doubt the same deer. My dog doesn’t chase these deer (roe) if I tell him not to. The muntjack (little deer...

Photos, Promotions & Purchases

It’s been a few weeks since I posted photographs of deer. Three roe deer have been making regular appearances near my house of late. Here are two of them.

The buck.

All three together.

It seems that much of the world has been afflicted by extreme heat this summer. However, the UK has escaped this trend for the most part. It has been a disappointing summer in terms of weather, but it has been sunny of late.

What a treat.

I finally took the plunge and purchased a...

6 Irvine Welsh Novels Reviewed

It has been a non-eventful week, so I’m reverting to my trusted subject that is books. I am an avid fan of Scottish transgressive author Irvine Welsh. Here are 6 Irvine Welsh books that I have read. Click on the links to read my reviews.

Skagboys

Skagboys is a work of Transgressive Fiction whose main focus is many of its characters increasing obsession with heroin.

My Review: Skagboys is the prequel to Trainspotting. Its colourful, mostly young characters hail from the Edinburgh por...

My Trip To Wales & A Surprise From Germany

I went to Wales last week. Like many of you no doubt, it had been a long time since I had travelled so far from home. Here are some pictures from my time away.

The weather was variable, as to be expected considering the location. The fluctuating weather did allow for some good photographs.

The steam train we went on.

It took a scenic route.

Some of the shops did not keep reliable hours.

Anyone else a fan of sea bass?

Eggs benedict – what a great way ...

8 Palahniuk Novels Reviewed.

Here are eight Chuck Palahniuk books that I have read. Click on the links to read my reviews.

Choke

Choke is in essence a social commentary about our innate craving for attention and the fundamental nature of addiction.

My Review: The protagonist, Victor Mancini, is a sex addict employed at an eighteenth-century historical re-enactment park. Victor attends various sexual addiction support groups, where he …(more)

Damned

Damned is a a light-hearted satire of hell, punct...

8 Palahniuk Novels – Rated & Reviewed.

I am not about this week, so I have scheduled this Palahniuk-dedicated post to take the place of my usual update. Here are eight Chuck Palahniuk books that I have read. Click on the links to read my reviews.

Choke

Choke is in essence a social commentary about our innate craving for attention and the fundamental nature of addiction.

My Review: The protagonist, Victor Mancini, is a sex addict employed at an eighteenth-century historical re-enactment park. Victor attends various sexual...

Cafes, Calamities, Catnaps & Creepy Crawlies

It had been a long time since I’d been in a cafe. I guess I’m not alone in that regard.

No sooner had I started on the brush cutting than I discovered the metal plate had buckled. This resulted in a forty minute round trip to the garden tool repair shop.

En route I took to thinking about what it would be like living in rural Alberta when something like this happened. The garden tool shop could be two or three hours away.

Here is a picture of the kebab I had last weekend.

...

Games, Grub & Gardening Galore

By ‘Games’, I’m referring to The Olympic Games. The opening ceremony is today. Can’t say I’ll be watching. Maybe it’s just me, but there is something unappealing about an Olympics with no spectators.

Synchronised swimming isn’t particularly exciting at the best of times, and without a vociferous crowd in attendance it is tantamount to watching paint dry. Same goes for a lot of other events I’m thinking. However, one suspects a significant proportion of the world’s population will still tune ...