Book 44 - Simon Winchester "A Map That Changed the World"

Simon Winchester "A Map That Changed the World: The Tale of William Smith and the Birth of a Science" (Penguin)





Here is a book that whilst its subject is science it covers a far wider ground than i had anticipated before reading it.
It's one of those classic 18th century tales where there's science, religion, class, prejudice money and, out of the mess and shambles comes something that is really mind blowing. William Smith produced the first geological survey of the UK. All by himself. And a small version is reproduced on the inside front cover and it's a real thing of beauty.

It's set during that great upheaval in science, when Britain finally moved from being a medieval belief led society to one that valued science, facts, precision, deduction and started wanting to ask questions of the natural world. this is one example. It was driven by his being involved in the coal mining industry, then in the routing and digging of a canal through Somerset. What he'd seen by the vertical descent into the ground of the mines was reinforced by what he'd seen in the cut made across miles of Somerset - the rocks beneath our feet are different, but predictably different in different places.

It's got it's fair share of trials and tribulations, and the class system comes in for a fair old (and entirely justified) bashing, but Smith doesn't always seem to be the most astute of individuals. Even so, it's nice to see that he did finally get the recognition he deserved in his lifetime - even if he seems to have been largely forgotten since. Simon Winchester does write a good story, as well as managing to get some facts to stick in your brain at the same time. I thought this was a good read.

That Charmed Reboot Again

There are rumours flying around about a reboot of Charmed and that Holly Marie-Combs has denied that the gals are in talks with the network to see a reboot of the original cast members in a new show.The Daily Beast stated that as far as Holly is concerned “I’m sorry to say that all the reboot rumours are just that… rumours.”.

And as Milano tells it, the tabloid reports are mostly baloney.
“I’ll tell you everything I know: the last few years, CBS Studios—not the network, the studio—has been trying to reboot Charmed without any of the old cast members. They just want to use the franchise,” she says. “Because we have the best fans ever, they were up in arms over this and said you can’t do Charmed without the original cast members. I think CBS Studios understands the importance of getting it right, so they came up with the idea last year that they were going to do a prequel to our story but the script didn’t come in the way they wanted, and so it went back into redevelopment.”
The actress does maintain, however, that the cast is game for a reunion of some sort. “The other thing that I know is that Shannon, Holly, Rose and I have all said out loud that we are open to some sort of reboot, reunion or something,” Milano tells The Daily Beast. “The next thing I heard was that Netflix was doing it, but I heard that strictly from the media and not from my deal with CBS Studios or Netflix, where I have two shows right now.”

If the Charmed reboot were actually being set up at Netflix, Milano says, “I would think I would have heard what’s going on from my CBS Studios or Netflix contacts, but I haven’t heard anything. I’m as open as humanly possible to what the scenario is, but I don’t know the scenario, honestly.”

So, as fans,and myself included,we can only wait and hope.If they can reboot X Files why not Charmed?

The Idea Of A Female Doctor Is Not New

How Doctor Who nearly became the Time Lad

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/8052694/How-Doctor-Who-nearly-became-the-Time-Lady.html



Sydney Newman devised Doctor Who when he was head of BBC drama in the 1960s Photo: BBC

Book 45 - Helen Ellis "American Housewife"

Helen Ellis "American Housewife" (Scribner)




This collection of 12 short stories is chock-full of quirky, creepy, clever women. I can't imagine someone not seeing themselves in at least one of these characters. I read several stories multiple times and plan on reading a few of my favourites again.I think the shortest stories are my favourites -- they pack a big punch in just a couple of pages (especially "Southern Lady Code", "What I Do All Day", and "Take It From Cats").

Some of these stories verge on the absurd and surreal, even through all the exaggerated scenarios, there is also an undeniable truth: I have experienced grocery aisle rage,- and “Hmmm” is most certainly Southern Lady Code for: I don’t agree with you but am polite enough not to rub your nose in your ignorance.


If you like wacky ,funny,and strange stories and if you are interested in the inner lives of women, I highly recommend this book.

Just Because.....

I have been watching a three DVD set of the comedy of Bill Bailey,and laughing my socks off,and stitched up in mirth.


Bill Bailey - Brief History of Time - Bewilderness

Bill Bailey - Insect Nation - Cosmic Jam

At Spoons with Phil

At my local Spoons with Phil. Two pints down and a third to go

. We ended up having four pints of a fine session ale.