Book Review - Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer

The travel fiction genre is much maligned by elements of the literary establishment. It is a shame though as despite there being many poor novels that tap into this potentially lucrative market, case in point Eat, Pray, Love by Elisabeth Gordon (I did’nt get past Rome I’m afraid), there is some good travel fiction around. Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi is one of them.

Dyer’s style is unmistakably old school English, dry wit. As sharp as a bloody sharp thing and always readable, this is 2 separate stories juxtaposed together. The first, a very funny and entertaining erotic love tale set in that romantic city. The second is set in India’s most spiritual city. A less than subtle dig at those privileged Europeans seeking some devout awakening in a town situated next to a dirty river?; perhaps. Having been one of those visiting privileged Europeans, I did not find such inspiration (not that I was particularly looking), nevertheless, his description of the surreal images part of everyday life in Varanasi, is wonderfully vivid.

The first stanza is definitely my favourite however as Jeff, (the authors alter ego?) finds the woman of his dreams, and revels in the perfection that is the primary stage of 'boy meets girl'. But don’t mistake this for a wet romance. Well, it is wet in places, and as mentioned, there is gripping erotica. Hmmm, best move on.

Dyer has been described the by The Daily Telegraph, as the greatest living British writer. Lofty accolades indeed, which suggests I should try some of his other stuff, see here for the list of works.

http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth233

Latin American Film Festival

It is rare that a foreign film festival appears in Kuala Lumpur, particularly Spanish speaking films, so last weekend we took the opportunity and headed across the road to the Mid Valley cinema.

We saw 2 movies, Miranda Returns, the story of the revolutionary Venezuelan of the 19th century, and Cronicas, from Ecuador, about journalists entwined in a murder case. The Venezuelan film was over-everythinged – except budget, and was ultimately forgettable. Cronicas on the other hand was a very thoughtful and intelligent drama that explores the role of the media and how muddied journalistic ethics can become in the search for a story. This movie has a great pedigree, being produced by Guillermo Del Toro, director of the outstanding Pan’s Labyrinth and Alfonso Cuaron who made Y Tu Mama Tambien. Predictably, it’s classy work.

Incidentally, for lovers of the Tolkien movies, I heard that Del Toro has been chosen by Peter Jackson to direct the Hobbit. A very astute choice, any watchers of Pan’s Labyrinth would agree.

Isaac's 3rd Birthday Party Pics - 17th October

Bali Holiday

I have not felt any urge to visit Bali. The only reason we planned to holiday there was to dovetail with a work conference of Lina’s scheduled for April of this year. The conference was cancelled and so a further attempt to reschedule was made in September but a last minute business trip to Taiwan for Lina curtailed this. Finally, on Sunday we made it and I’m glad we did.

This little Hindu enclave surrounded by Muslim neighbours has been part of the tourist trail further down my list of must sees. And anyway, I don’t surf, am not much of a shopper, and can only take limited beach bumming. Yes, I have resisted any urge to visit, but now I am delighted to have had the Bali experience. Not that there is such a thing as a Bali experience as it is obvious that for a small place, the full gambit of tourist niches, budgets, and preferences is entirely catered for. This place is geared for tourism like no other I have seen and although clearly well past its unspoilt, untouched heyday, the Balinese have a natural inclination to service the way that Westerners like me and thousands of others appreciate. It’s not just the smiles, which only the Nepalese can rival, but a genuine feel for the small details that make an excellent vacation. Admittedly, we chose an unashamably premium option for our ‘experience’ and arguably you get what you pay for. However, from my experience this is not necessarily so and perhaps this is partly the reason why they flock to Bali in vast numbers, far exceeding any Malaysian destination.

Our goal prior to arrival was multi pronged: relaxing/book reading/swimming, Balinese art shopping, and good food. This was all achieved in fine measure. We had 3 ‘grown up meals’, i.e. Isaac-less restaurant visits, and the decision where to go in what is an extremely competitive dining out scene, was difficult. The 3 restaurants were Sarong, La Lucciola, and Gado Gado, of which the latter 2 were the more superior package. Bali, unlike KL, has a range of restaurants that utilise the tropical environment wonderfully, the sound of the sea with a sultry, sweaty, and exotic atmosphere. Here, fine dining is largely an indoor affair in an air conditioned space that could be anywhere in the world.

For the art shopping, we spent a day at Ubud where many art galleries are located. Unfortunately, the paintings are still wrapped so I don’t have any photos of them; however we also got the silver dragon pictured below.

Our villa was beautiful. A real oasis with picture postcard Bali furnishings and a private pool surrounded by tropical garden. We had a chef come in each morning to cook breakfast and tidy up. A very luxurious way to holiday and I must say, quite romantic; even with a little one running about.

Isaac outside Ku de ta

Breakfast.......

with our chef

Stone art

The silver dragon we bought in Ubod

Weekend in Singapore

Last weekend we flew down to Singapore and stayed at Steve & Debs place. The special occasion was Keisha's 1st birthday and this was a good, old fashioned kiwi do-it-yourself shindig.

The kids party in the afternoon was closely followed (or did it continue; the transition was so seamless!) by the adults party which went till the early hours.

Another great weekend in Singers, thanks guys.

Saturday Night in Kuala Lumpur

I’m standing on a piece of concrete that is rare in a Kuala Lumpur street scene, a walkable footpath, clutching a plastic bag of pirated, just bought DVD’s. Lina has been drawn into the next door clothes shop, its gravitational pull always too strong for her to resist. Our Saturday night is reaching its conclusion, beginning with a visit to a restaurant we have heard much about, but have never been, 5 minutes from our home. We had both noted the absence of a hearty appetite, however as is customary here, ordered enough dishes to satisfy one – just in case. We didn’t want to miss out on anything and I had heard the pork spare ribs are a treat. As frequently happens, the majority of the food was disposed of........down our throats.

Another 5 minutes up the highway to Bangsar for coffee and cake and the shopping. Other married men will be familiar with this scene. Pacing the pavement beyond the shop front, watching the street life go by as his wife stalks the clothes racks with frightening intent. The alternative option is trailing in their wake, glancing around, wishing - hoping, that something of interest to you would appear. Is a holographic image of an All Black test match too much to ask? In my extensive experience – yes. For some men this would be their definition of emasculation. I wouldn’t go that far, but I will happily forego it for the delights of watching the parking offenders across the street negotiate their ‘instant’ fines and counting the number of red Protons that pass.

I am summoned, rather sheepishly. This suggests my opinion will be sought as to whether the outfit makes her look fat. I quickly survey for any holograms before resigning to my fate. I am pleasantly surprised this time however as I am introduced to the owner. It turns out that she dabbles in Interior design and, glancing at her business card, this is but one of a smorgasbord of services on offer which include, film making, clothes design, and shop fitting design. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving in Malaysia. Her photo resume of previous work is close at hand, and because our family is planning a move to more spacious, or more specifically, less shoebox-like accommodation, this was of personal interest. Many of these properties, she says, are owned by the very rich, most of whom have no taste. Unfortunately, during our time in Kuala Lumpur, we have seen little to disprove this. The home mentioned in the previous blog entry excepted. A promise is made to call her when we make the move and we leave laden with shopping bags.

Television Series Review - United States of Tara

This series is the creation of Diablo Cody, whose screenplay for the movie Juno won an Oscar in 2007. Tara is a married mother of 2 teenagers and suffers from a multiple personality disorder causing her to shift from a range of 4 alternate characters. Not many can write a quirky contemporary family better than Cody. Her teenage characters here are every bit as outrageous as Juno’s, with the unmistakable snappy dialogue typical of Generation Y portrayals on screen. Think; Generation X from John Hustons’s movies, add in thesaurus-inspired dialogue, and lots of cussing.

However, I had my doubts initially, largely due to the premise of the show. A show with multiple changing characters screams of a TV executive’s wet dream to ensure viewers don’t change channels after the 3 minute attention span (according to their latest research) expires. Of course, anyone who has had the misfortune to sit through an episode of ‘Quantum Leap’, will tell you that this formula is the not the yellow brick road to Oz TV.

Toni Collette as Tara and her unwelcome, but progressively likeable ‘alters’ is complete class in a demanding, gymnastic acting role, and was clearly deserving of the Emmy accolade received this year. Equally, John Corbett is the ideal, understated offsider to Collette’s manicness, achieving the right tone of calmness with a touch of exacerbation in an impossibly dysfunctional situation. The teenagers are the real dark horses here as, typical of Diablo Cody, they have the best lines, and the characters break free of typically teen stereotypes and continue to surprise.

As with all supreme TV series (The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, etc) , the key is not to overcook it and to keep the audience guessing. We don’t necessarily need the answers right away, if at all, as long as the journey is fun. And all 12 episodes certainly are.

Isaac's 3rd Birthday Today

Lets give this a go

Giving it a spin in the condo lobby

What a great surprise to wake up to

The birthday cake at kindy

Movie Trailer - The Road

'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy is a superb novel.

Yes, the apocalyptic disaster theme has been done ad nauseum but the relationship between the father and son is the core of this novel, not the disaster. I felt this book very personally as it was read shortly after the birth of Isaac. It is a love story at heart between a father and his boy. The father lives to ensure his son's survival and the simplicity of this theme is mirrored in the starkness of the prose, which is incredibly powerful and reflects the bleak, greyness of the environment.

After viewing the movie trailer, I have my reservations but regardless I will be watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94KcI0gLq1A