Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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I am amazed Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree is known around the world. Amazed.And Waltzing Matilda was known in Canada. Also amazing.
I like a couple Kevin Bloody Wilson songs. He has some real crackers that make me laugh.
But there are more of his that I don't like at all. That I think is him being uncouth for no comedic reason, just to get a laugh for saying lots of swear words.
Definitely has some classics that always make me laugh though. :-)
Mark wrote: "Margaret wrote: "David wrote: "Lol! A childhood friend of mine's dad was Australian and he had some cassette tapes to which we sneaked a listen when the parents were out. We thought it was hilariou..."Two of the funniest men ever. I am incredibly lucky to have seen both of them perform.
Mark wrote: "lol. dont over dose on jasper.look out for the detectives.i like python but prefer the goodies."
Another Goodies fan! Yaaayyyyyy.
David wrote: "Billy Connolly is a lot of fun! However, we have just found a serious gap in my education. Just discovered Jasper Carrot, just now, as in, that just happened! ;) Thank you. Time for a little youtub..."Jasper Carrot is wonderful. See if you can find his monologue on Biff the Wonder Dog, his "mentally defective labrador". I'm rendered into a state of hysterical collapse when I hear/see that.
Will look for the Wonder Dog sketch. :)Probably my favorite stand-up comedy is
Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIUuO...
The intro is a little slow, but once the show starts it's golden. :)
David wrote: "Will look for the Wonder Dog sketch. :)Probably my favorite stand-up comedy is
Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIUuO...
The intro is a little slow, but once the sh..."
Eddie is great, I have seen him live twice now.
Have a look at this, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009zbr2 pre python and goodies.
Terri wrote: "I am amazed Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree is known around the world. Amazed.And Waltzing Matilda was known in Canada. Also amazing.
I like a couple Kevin Bloody Wilson songs. He has some r..."
Every time I hear Waltzing Matilda I see Ava Garnder and Gregory Peck dancing in "On The Beach"!!!
Tasha wrote: "2 dogs: German Shepard (9yo, retired security explosives detection dog from Iraq) and the second is a true mutt: coonhound, chow chow, and Australian shepherd adopted from the south (US).We also ..."
I have found that as far as rats and mice go (my son had both as a kid) that it is the males who stink-sorry guys, but their pee is very strong. If you want them as pets, get females or neuter the males,
Terri wrote: "Bobby,So it is in that movie?"
Yep...one of my favorite movies and book. The era in which it was written was a time of uncertainty concerning the use of nuclear weapons. Late '50's early '60's I believe. The shot of Gardner and Peck was one of the first uses of the modern-day steadicam. Check it out. The movie has aged well. The stoutest heart will hiccup when "Waltzing Matilda" comes on.
I found it on You Tube. I have never seen the movie so was surprised to discover it was set in Australia.I see it is music only though. Lol. I was expecting the song. As Waltzing Matilda is a bush song to me, (as in, has no music) and the music is added to it by various musicians.
Waltzing Mstilda is not Waltzing Matilda without its lyrics. :-)
And it's set in Australia http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053137/I thought I had seen all of Fred Astaire's movies but I haven't seen this one. I will have to look for it. :)
Terri wrote: "I found it on You Tube. I have never seen the movie so was surprised to discover it was set in Australia.I see it is music only though. Lol. I was expecting the song. As Waltzing Matilda is a bush..."
Picky..picky :) Have you read the book? One of the few books ( To Kill a Mockingbird is another) that loses nothing in the cinematic translation. Odd that both movies have Gregory Peck in them.
Hey, Waltzing Matilda is a national treasure. :-) Even if it is about a thief who commits suicide.I loathe the book To Kill a Mockingbird. I don't think I will be watching the movie. :D
I have had that song stuck in my head for two days now. :)It's worth watching the movie just for Gregory Peck.
I think To Kill a Mockingbird can only be appreciated if you are familiar with early 20th Century U.S. southern thinking. My family moved North from Tennessee in the early 1900's so my roots were from the South and I had a great deal of family that we would visit often and the lifestyle was something I was very familiar with...ergo, I really appreciated and could relate to the story. In the States its a true classic. I think it's the only book Harper Lee ever wrote. And I guess for you, Terri, thats a good thing. I don't want you to overloathe!! LOL
I don't know, mate. Plenty of Australians and British love the book. We had to read it in school over here.
Hugs to all on the loss of pets... It would be interesting to do a study about the percentages of readers who have pets in their lives, compared to the general population.
I've almost always had a cat in my life. Currently, coal black Kamir [a fancied up spelling for 'come here'] resides in my household, "helping" me read by curling up in my lap or lolling on the back of my easy chair whenever I open a book or turn on my Kindle. Her comforting presence and purrs are just part of the experience.
Linda, I sympathize with how you feel, as I was reluctant to have another animal after mourning the death of our 18 year old cat who'd been with us since she was a wee kitten. But several months later, I went along to the local shelter with a friend who was looking to adopt. I realized I just had to open my heart to one of the lovely animals there needing homes so badly. Kamir chose me as her new human companion.
Thank you. Cats are so independent, and they choose their company. Dogs say, "Love me! Love me!" Cats do what they please. When my husband sat in his easy chair our Kitty Belle would jump on the chair arm. When I would go to bed she would jump on the bed, circle my body purring all the way, then settle between my feet to sleep. Pet parents have good stories to tell.
Although I am a dog person I can relate to those who love a cat curled up next to them. I do miss that warmth as our dogs are not allowed on the sofa. Not because I care so much about the fur and stuff, mainly because there are definite dominance issues with our one dog and keeping him off the sofa keeps things a bit more level around here.
The dominance issues aren't bad, he just gets really bratty and gets a bit dominant over the bigger dog so I just like to keep him in check. Other than that, he is a sweet dog. He did fight me once over a spot on the bed so that is what did him in for ever getting on the bed/sofa again. lol
You are a very good mother. You teach obedience.My brother and his wife sleep with four dogs, one cat and two birds. The birds don't like to be caged. Those animals are their children.
My folks have made the same decision as you mentioned. No more pets for them, although I do secretly hope they cave in like Marilee did ;) , though it might be impractical as they hope to travel more in their retirement.As for dominance issues, it's tough but it's better for the dog that you assert yourself with some ground rules. As much as I adore my dogs and would love to spoil them (which would make them rotten), apparently dogs like rules and assertiveness and find it less stressful when someone else takes the role of pack leader. Suffice it to say, I'm a big fan of
Cesar Millan though I don't slavishly subscribe absolutely everything he says.Like Linda said, it sound you're a good mother and on top of things, Tasha. :)
David, I love Cesar Milan too and have read several of his books. He has such a respect for dogs and they respond so well to him.
Simona wrote: "Terri, I love your bloodthirsty Santa! LOL"Thanks! I love him and use him every Christmas on GR. Always makes me laugh that there's a picture of a reindeer on his shield.
He's a bit of fun. :D
Morning all. Just so Terri doesn't worry, just letting you know I won't be around today. It's our work Christmas Lunch. We're out off the office at 10.30am and won't be back until tomorrow. :D
Hi Margaret,Enjoy your Christmas work party. :-)
I think everyone is busy with Christmas right now. We are all quiet.
My fellow mod Dawn is without computer and only has her smart phone. So she has been absent...and everyone else, including me too, has been preparing for Xmas.
I too will keep trying to pop in, but things are a bit hectic here, so it will be erratic.
Gee is it quiet. Is GR always like this in Dec? It's my first Christmas here. I'm one of those who have NO preps so feel like I'm in outer space here. Still, busy time of year at work, that'll keep me out of trouble.
My first Christmas here too, Bryn. I guess it probably is normal for this time of year. Almost everywhere on the internet is quiet. Even that cesspit of hysteria AKA Twitter.
Bryn wrote: "Margaret wrote: "cesspit of hysteria"That's just a great phrase."
It seemed appropriate.... and I do like to play with the English language.
Last Christmas, on a nameless site I do not miss, I remember people popped up to post on Christmas Day. I think they were in escape from their families, needed a bit of respite or normal life.
I have done a few Christmas' so far in GR. This has been the quietest one I have experienced in here. I think the 'bad thing that happened' in the US will have people quiet too.
(I only mention the 'bad thing' as I don't think we should talk about it. I think this needs to be a place where people can escape the 'bad thing' for a few moments, but I do think it has affected internet activity).
I generally pop in on Xmas day and see what people are up to.There is that boring period after the present frenzy and once the food is cooking. Some people go off and have a sleep. The people who don't sleep during the day (like me) then get left alone bored in the living room with nothing to do...so I jump on GR and post about the books I got.
I know I won't be getting books this year. But I may still try and jump on GR.
If anyone has a lonely Christmas, as does happen, I'll exchange random thoughts with you. I may be drunk on eggnog.
Terri wrote: "I generally pop in on Xmas day and see what people are up to.There is that boring period after the present frenzy and once the food is cooking. Some people go off and have a sleep. The people who ..."
I'm not getting any books this year unless i buy my own. :)
Many people in the USA are stunned by the events in Newtown, and don't feel very festive. I'm hoping I'll break out of this hopeless, sad feeling. The children of the world deserve better, the children in my sphere deserve their Christmas. I've asked Santa for books, or at least a credit for eBooks... so much worthy to read... I love to own books too, so cost and bookshelf space is always a consideration. I've tried to explain that some books are better in paper... some are just fine in eInk.
Margaret wrote: "I'm not getting any books this year unless i buy my own. :)"Sometimes it's better that way. Last time I received books, enthusiast friends decided to give me a romance regency book, a romance book about vampires (I really HATE romance books with vampires), and the second books of a fantasy series. I haven't been able to find the first one, ever.
Yep, I've always found that when getting others to give you books very specific hints are needed to ensure satisfaction, or gift vouchers are a better option. I'm sure my sister in-law still doesn't understand why I prefer book vouchers to a random gift that someone else thinks I'll like.On a more positive note I hope you all have an enjoyable Christmas in whatever you are doing to celebrate the holiday.
Simona wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I'm not getting any books this year unless i buy my own. :)"Sometimes it's better that way. Last time I received books, enthusiast friends decided to give me a romance regency bo..."
If asked I ask for book store gift cards. :)
Marilee wrote: "Many people in the USA are stunned by the events in Newtown, and don't feel very festive. I'm hoping I'll break out of this hopeless, sad feeling. The children of the world deserve better, the chil..."The kids of the world who celebrate Christmas or Yule or other, sure do need it this year especially. Bless those precious and innocent ones.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Berry Pickers (other topics)Fortune's Child (other topics)
Hild (other topics)
Sharpe's Command (other topics)
Edenglassie (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Amanda Peters (other topics)Nicola Griffith (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Allan Hands (other topics)
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I was a big Monty Python fan (still am) and, for standup, early Robin Williams as well as Dennis Leary.
'An Evening with Robin Williams':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9FMrj...
'Dennis Leary: No Cure for Cancer':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVCN8d...