Susan Hated Literature

After we left the RWC and headed home I has to switch and support some other countries. As mentioned, I did the almost unthinkable and cheered on England against Australia. And what a match! And that was followed by France V new Zealand. And for all the moaning about the ref I couldn’t see much wrong with his decisions. Yes, it was a forward pass that led to the French try, but refs miss forward passes all the time. It hurts when it your team that suffers, but swings and roundabouts folks. For the rest of it I thought he was quite fair, although France do seem to be able to play different refs a lot better than other countries.

Sun didn’t go so well. Fiji lost, although South Africa almost threw it away before realising what was happening and putting the squeeze on. And in the final quarter-final, I know, I said before hand that I’d support Argentina, but once it started I just couldn’t. Too many years of cheering Scotland on.

I don’t think Argentina played their best, but their game plan is very effective, and those moments of brilliance mean you just can’t begrudge them a win. Apart from when they beat us, obviously, and I suppose if you were Scottish.

So we’ll have one Six Nations team in the final and probably one Tri Nations. There is the possibility that Argentina will beat the South Africans, and wouldn’t that be something, but I just think that SA have too much skill and power all over the pitch. I’m hoping that Argentina do it, but my head says they won’t.

If they make it I’ll be cheering them on in the final, otherwise I’ll be shouting for France. I can’t see England doing the impossible two weeks in a row. Although anything is possible I suppose.

Luna Nina says:
1. Teacher ::
2. Fifty ::
3. Crossword ::
4. Stuffed ::
5. Family ::
6. Purr ::
7. Toad ::
8. Cocktail ::
9. Insecurity ::
10. Magical ::

mine are under the cut

So Sat we got our digital stations all hooked up. We now have something like 50 or 60 of ‘em, and yet there is still nothing on^[1]

On Sunday I got a text at around half eleven, from a brother informing me they were in Maynooth. So I had to head out in that horrible weather and meet them^[2] take them shopping for foodstuffs and whatnot before they headed off to the rugby.

And three hours later, watching the match on the telly, I figured they’d be soaked as the rain was bucketing down, and Lansdowne is well known for its “swirling breeze”. But no, their seats were right in under the tier so they were nice and dry. I is a genius with my ticket buying isn’t I?^[3] More importantly, the match itself was fabtabulous.

Well, the first half was. From Ireland. The Aussies may now be blaming the weather but, in mature reasoned tones I say to them, Ha-Ha, sickened^[4] on ya!

And what’s the story with the agro? What is it about Australians that they have to resort to violence when playing against us. First the International Rules match, and now in the rugby too.From now on all sporting encounters between Ireland and Australia will have to display a “warning, may contain extra helpings of violence” sticker. Though, in fairness it wasn’t really all that violence, more a bit of a “dude, who you talking to!”

So far, so good in the Autumn^[5] Internationals, 2 out of 2. And next week the Pacific Islanders who seem to not play in the first half and then come out, all guns blazing in the second, but with too much to do. Wonder what sort of a team Eddie’ll pick for next Sunday.

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So, sport is fun isn’t it? It is the taking part that matters, right?

Or maybe not.
The game on Sunday between Ireland and Australia was a disgrace. Fights dominated the first quarter, even before the game started there were brawls on the field.
I couldn’t tell who started what, but it doesn’t really matter does it? The fact is that the officials were never in charge, and never really tried to take control, happy to issue yellow cards when what was called for were reds.

I’ve never been anti the International Rules series, but I’m starting to agree with Mickey Harte that it is a sham and a waste of money, time and resources. There are plenty of international GAA teams out there. Why doesn’t the GAA fund an international match between Ireland and the US if they are looking for an international aspect to the game?

The fact of the matter is that the tackle is something that the Irish players have never gotten used to, taking or giving, instead relying on speed to get them out of trouble. But when you have full-time professionals going up against amateurs there can really only be one winner.

The Aussies did outplay the Irish in terms of skill as well, but no one will remember that, all we’ll remember is the tackles and the fights.

As for the Shinty match, well, we lost that too. But at least there weren’t any fights there, and congrats to Scotland for the win. Sunday was not a good day for Irish sports, cause Munster also lost in the Magners League..

Still, the women won their International series. Although at one stage in the second test they had too many players on the pitch, which meant they were stripped of all 42 points they’d scored until then. They still won, Ireland 3.5.6 (39) - Australia 0.4.6 (18)

I haven’t forgotten about our Unconscious Mutterings either:

1. Theft ::
2. Storage ::
3. Pick ::
4. Los Angeles ::
5. The one ::
6. Accent ::
7. Rivalry ::
8. Process ::
9. Streets ::
10. Museum ::

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Mwaaahaha

I’m sorry to any, and all, Aussies, but dude, pwnage

Also kinda proves ROG^[1] right when he said that the Magners/Celtic league is just as good as the English Premiership. Although yes, the Wallabies did put out a second string outfit, but you know what, so did the Ospreys. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when Wales play Australia^[2]

And, speaking of Australians, the first ever Women’s International Rules match took place between Ireland and Australia on Tuesday, and it wasn’t a happy result for the Aussies. 130 - 15 to Ireland.

This after their fellas lost the first test by 8 points, and were then terrified by kids “invading the pitch and getting in their faces“, and then had a player sent home for an alleged incident involving drink, a barman and a headlock.

Plus, on Home and Away they’ve just had an explosion at a wedding-barn-dance, and now a helicopter has crashed. What’s up with that Australia?

ROG photo nicked from here

Dir & Writ: Scott Ryan
starring

• Scott Ryan - Ray Shoesmith
• Ben Walker - Tony Rickards
• Massimiliano Andrighetto - Max “Massimo” Totti
• Kane Mason - Benny
• [Nathaniel Lindsay - Edna

This is the story of Ray, who for the right money can make anyone disapear. Although it isn’t magic he uses, not unless you count a count as a wand. He is a hitman, working in Melbourne, and this documentary style film recounts a few of his jobs. The condition imposed on film-maker Max is that he won’t release the film until after Ray’s death.

It is a strange film, but very enjoyable. The style is used to allow Max to question Ray about his actions. To have an outsider looking in wondering can Ray tone down the violence, or how much would he want in order to eat his own shit. Did I forget to mention this is a comedy?

The focus of the film is all on Ray. The rest of the characters are just their to provide him with something to interact with. And Max, the cameraman is never shown un-pixelated on screen, to protect his identity from the police no doubt. And Scott Ryan gives an excellent performance as the almost charming hitman. His sense of timing is perfect and his delivery of the lines is spot-on. Of course he did write and dirct it, so he should know everything about this character, but it is still a wonderful role.

It is almost a buddy road movie, with Ray, Max and a possible target traveling across Australia to locate some money. There is a great discussion about Wayne Carey and whether sleeping with your vice-captain’s wife could ever be regarded as merely a mistake. Probably more likely to turn out to be a cult hit than a blockbuster, if yuo get the chance you should try to catch this film.

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ISBN: 1841492531
DDC: 823.92
The First Parrish Plessis Book
Author: Marriane De Pierres

First line:
If Jamon Mondo touched me one more time I’d kill him.

I almost wish I hadn’t finish this book. I was on the verge of tossing it around two thirds in, but figured I’d read this far might as well see how it ends. But the final third is actually quite good. Not sure if it is enough to make up for the first part, But now I am a little curious about the next books in the series.

When we first meet Parrish she is low on the pecking order, a bodyguard-come-unwilling companion to a local gang leader. And in this is a dystopian Australia of the future if you go against the gang leaders without backup you end up dead. And most likely after a spell of torture.

So when Parrish runs into Dark and Sto she thinks that maybe by using them she can get in with the Cabal, and maybe get away from Jamon. But things are not what they seem, and Parrish soon finds herself in deeper than she could ever have believed.

The basic story itself is vaguely interesting. But the writing isn’t. First person narration often results in supporting characters lacking depth and, well character, but in this book Parrish herself isn’t all that interesting or believable. A fairly typical wise-cracking, but scared underneath it all heroine. There is also a fair amount of future slang that seems clunky and forced.

But, over halfway through and the book seems to shift a gear. Almost as though everything in this book is simply setting the scene. Letting the reader get to know the Tert and Viva. Letting us see how things worked, and then suddenly introducing another plot element that really doesn’t seem to fit with everything that has gone before.

From then on it is readable, and even enjoyable. The question is, is this what the other books or like? Or will they return to the dull story-telling-by-numbers of the previous chapters.

• Guy Pearce - Charlie Burns
• Emily Watson - Martha Stanley
• Ray Winstone - Captain Stanley
• David Wenham - Eden Fletcher

Sometimes you go to the cinema hoping for a good film, but thinking that what you are about to watch isn’t going to be fun, it may not even qualify as entertainment. The Proposition written by Nick Cave had that sort of an aura to it.

An Australian western, about a brother possibly heading into the outback to kill a brother in order to save another brother. A western that has far more in common with the violent realism of Unforgiven rather than the over the top, almost cartoon violence of some other westerns. It often makes for hard viewing.

None of the characters are the sort you’d want to take home and meet the family. Arthur Burns is a psychopath, middle brother Charlie took part in a robbery turned rape turned murder before leaving his elder brother. The police officer, Ray Winston’e Captain Stanley is the sort of man who would use one brother against another in an attempt to “civilise the land.” But at the same time you can sympathise with some of the characters, to a certain extent. Seeing Stanley with his wife won’t help you forgive some of his actions, but it does offer a sympathetic side. Likewise, Charlie’s desire to protect his younger brother Mike shows a less violence aspect to his character.

The great cast of actors are matched by some wonderful cinematography. The camera work doesn’t really make you want to go and live in the sand and grit, but it does convey the beauty and harshness of the landscape. And the amount of flies.

There is plenty of violence, and you see the effects, although it only rated a 16s here in Ireland, despite the censor’s warning of strong gory explicit violence. There are no bloodless deaths, nor off screen departures here. Everything is very sudden, and very real. And combining this with the occasional bit of poetical dialogue and the soundtrack makes for a great film. You will have to be in the right frame of mind to watch this film, but I’d highly recommend it.

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