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Games without Frontiers
19/04/2023 09:24 pmThere are so many things to squiggle about lately but so many other temptations and distractions.
Firstly, I know that my book hoarding habit is out of control when I look for a book in the library (in this case Ryan Halliday's "The Obstacle is the Way" because I cannot find the copy I bought 6 weeks ago.
But in the spirit of the new 90 day challenge that I have signed up for starting on Monday just gone, I am now taking seriously the need to impose some order on the chaos in my 3 book room lair.
I am currently reading "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and absolutely loving it. I try not to pig out and usually stick to a couple of chapters a day. This book being a prequel but written after the main Hunger Games story, I can see why Coriolanus Snow is so obsessed with roses, with District 12 and with poisoning his enemies.
It's always interesting when the main character is a villain but written in a way to make the reader sympathetic.
I wonder if there is any fan fiction about the utterly creepy hippity hoppity Dr Gaul? She and Dolores Umbridge would make a most interesting pair. God knows what sort of evil corporation would employ them. Preferably as mortal enemies in competition for the top job.
I don't think anyone would be game to be Brand Ambassador for either of them.
For me, the story is very different this time. When I originally first read The Hunger Games trilogy back in May 2012, I was working at a "Dog eat dog" job where the new boss was absolutely intent in creating a culture of total mistrust and snitching. It was Divide and Conquer on steroids and so few staff could see what she was doing.
I kept asking myself the question - Is it possible to be a decent person in a toxic environment? And if so, how?
I think that is the question that Peeta was obsessed with too. And unlike me, he did not have the option of refusing to play the game.
A fortnight ago a new Vietnamese Banh mi shop opened in one of my usual lurking grounds. They chose the unlikely name of District 1. I think District 11 would be more appropriate. I am a bit of a banh mi junkie but was disappointed with their offerings. The fillings were delicious but the baguettes just totally lack the required crunch.
Which reminds me, I need to get busy planting coriander seeds because now is the growing season and coriander is an essential ingredient in those magical baguettes.
I was hoping that Banh Mizzle at the local university would be open by now. I was there today on a guided tour of assorted artworks but was disappointed to discover that none of the places in the new restaurant strip have opened yet.
Having a university just around the corner certainly is handy for having excellent public transport and an assortment of interesting events. There is also a lot of very interesting public art. Some of it is quite fugly but certainly not boring.
There are also so many inviting spots to sit and read. Lots of little nooks and crannies and weird weeds to admire and snaffle cuttings from.
Firstly, I know that my book hoarding habit is out of control when I look for a book in the library (in this case Ryan Halliday's "The Obstacle is the Way" because I cannot find the copy I bought 6 weeks ago.
But in the spirit of the new 90 day challenge that I have signed up for starting on Monday just gone, I am now taking seriously the need to impose some order on the chaos in my 3 book room lair.
I am currently reading "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and absolutely loving it. I try not to pig out and usually stick to a couple of chapters a day. This book being a prequel but written after the main Hunger Games story, I can see why Coriolanus Snow is so obsessed with roses, with District 12 and with poisoning his enemies.
It's always interesting when the main character is a villain but written in a way to make the reader sympathetic.
I wonder if there is any fan fiction about the utterly creepy hippity hoppity Dr Gaul? She and Dolores Umbridge would make a most interesting pair. God knows what sort of evil corporation would employ them. Preferably as mortal enemies in competition for the top job.
I don't think anyone would be game to be Brand Ambassador for either of them.
For me, the story is very different this time. When I originally first read The Hunger Games trilogy back in May 2012, I was working at a "Dog eat dog" job where the new boss was absolutely intent in creating a culture of total mistrust and snitching. It was Divide and Conquer on steroids and so few staff could see what she was doing.
I kept asking myself the question - Is it possible to be a decent person in a toxic environment? And if so, how?
I think that is the question that Peeta was obsessed with too. And unlike me, he did not have the option of refusing to play the game.
A fortnight ago a new Vietnamese Banh mi shop opened in one of my usual lurking grounds. They chose the unlikely name of District 1. I think District 11 would be more appropriate. I am a bit of a banh mi junkie but was disappointed with their offerings. The fillings were delicious but the baguettes just totally lack the required crunch.
Which reminds me, I need to get busy planting coriander seeds because now is the growing season and coriander is an essential ingredient in those magical baguettes.
I was hoping that Banh Mizzle at the local university would be open by now. I was there today on a guided tour of assorted artworks but was disappointed to discover that none of the places in the new restaurant strip have opened yet.
Having a university just around the corner certainly is handy for having excellent public transport and an assortment of interesting events. There is also a lot of very interesting public art. Some of it is quite fugly but certainly not boring.
There are also so many inviting spots to sit and read. Lots of little nooks and crannies and weird weeds to admire and snaffle cuttings from.
