A combination of bookmarks and a blog. Just for me. Feel free to browse. Contact me: rich(one of those at symbol thingys)foshy.co.uk
Tags (by frequency):Nightscape - 02.04.2021
Reminds me of the DLR at Canary Wharf. Fun to make. Code here
Plainsong - 23.03.2021
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Kent Haruf wrote six novels, all set in the fictional Colorado town of Holt. Plainsong is his third book and the first of a trilogy featuring interlocking stories of some of Holt's inhabitants.
Did I like Plainsong? Well, I devoured it in a day, then didn't take much longer over the other two parts of the trilogy. There followed his first and second novels and I'm just starting his final book. He writes about a small town surrounded by large farms and their farmers, and the local bars and diners full of characters - all wonderfully drawn. One such is Victoria, a pregnant teen thrown out of her home by her alcoholic mother. One of Victoria's teachers hatches a plan to get two bachelor farmers to take her in. These crusty brothers and Victoria will bring a tear to your eye.
Frank Zappa's Perfect Playlist - 22.03.2021
Did you know Frank Zappa was a Radio One DJ? I can hear gasps of astonishment and disbelief. Well, I gasped. I think I'm the only one reading this.
Back in 1980, Radio One invited Frank to host an episode of Star Special, a show where (err) stars played their favourite tracks for a couple of hours. Among other guests spinning the discs were David Bowie, Abba, Brian Ferry and Dennis Waterman. An eclectic mix of huge names and ... Dennis Waterman.
You can listen to the show and read a really good review here. There are some surprising choices, some songs I'd never heard, and Frank's segues are fascinating.
Someone has gone to the trouble of making a YouTube playlist of all the tracks.
I really enjoy listening to musicians playlist choices. Another favourite was Brian Eno's appearance on Desert Island Discs. Well worth a listen, there are some musical gems which sent me off on an audio voyage of discovery.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North - 21.03.2021
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A successful and latterly famous Australian doctor looks back on a passionate love affair and his experiences as a WW2 prisoner forced to work on the Burma railway. Reading this made me realise (not for the first time) how easy my generation has had it and how resilient people can be when there is no alternative.
Staying On - 20.03.2021
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An elderly couple are the last British people left in Pankot after Indian independence. I really enjoyed the bittersweet story of Lucy and Tusker's daily battle to keep some sort of control over their lives, and Lucy's reminiscences of their long marriage. Vibrant and sometimes randy locals add to the fun and kept me turning pages.