Flat Earth

As Louth is devoid of book shops and a drive into Lincoln or Grimsby didn't appeal, I ordered a few books from Amazon. The order started out as one book -"The Alchemist" but as p&p would have cost as much as the book I ordered a couple more so as to get the free delivery service. Sounds a bit daft but I like to have my money's worth. Like women in a shoe store, don't even try to begin to understand, a pointless exercise. But anyway what else did I order; a serious history book "Alexander The Great" by Robin Lane Fox and "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. I've been trying to remember where I heard about this last one. Must have been on here, maybe Znethru's blog, so being a devout atheist of long standing I thought I'd give it a whirl. But in the meantime I've started an Asimov collection of short stories - Robot Visions, another book which has been collecting dust since its last reading.

It was third time lucky, I finished it yesterday, although I realised long before the end that the previous two attempts to read the whole book were two attempts too many. I must state that as far as literature is concerned I am an ignorant peasant and my opinions mean nothing but I found it to be a dull read, no excitement, no great adventure, no sex, no violence, no car chases, no gadgets, just a dull read about a conman, so probably a more lifelike tale of spying.

Next read could be "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho recommended by a Finnish friend who first read it in French before it was a bestseller. So that is a Brazilian author, Finnish recommendation of a French translation of a Portugeuse language book to be read by an Englishman with a Scottish bookmark. To complicate matters the story takes place in Spain, Morocco and Egypt. I wonder if i will like it, there is the possibility that I could actually enjoy it....... mmmm, now to find a copy, none available in the shops here. Will have to go online.

The warmer weather has brought some of my little buddies out of hiding.

More on here;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46984194@N00/

A recently installed flashing "slow down 30mph speed limit" sign up the road from my home raises the issue of, why is it needed? There is a speed limit of 30mph on the road, a big sign indicating such, street lights, regular police presence busting good numbers of blind, stupid, ignorant idiots, unaware of such a speed limit, especially one that applies specifically to them. Watching the new sign light up for most cars has become a new pass time for me. Watching the brake lights on nearly every car light up as the sign flashes at each of them. Why does a flashing sign work when a regular 30mph sign has no effect whatsoever, or even a police radar speed gun pointing at them backed up with a fine and penalty points. Human behaviour never cease to amaze me.

I picked a book off one of my book shelves this morning, nothing unusual in that one might think, a very everyday sort of thing for many of you. But this book is special, why? I have failed to finish it twice since I bought it in an airport bookstore about 20 years ago. I read it for a week in between competitions in Germany, then put it down for a few years even though I was barely half way through it. The same happened a few years later. Is it a good book, a good read, what about the ending? I'll let you know if I finsh it this time. But what is the book you are screaming? Famous author, one of his best books according to the blurb - John Le Carre - A Perfect Spy. Do not tell me the ending!