A May surprise

I've recently discovered James May's motoring column in the Telegraph on Saturdays, and I'm rather surprised to find myself a fan.

Surprised because I have no interest whatsoever in cars as long as they get me where I want to go and are well-designed. I spend as little on motoring expenses as I can get away with, and dread those times of the year when the MOT looms (soon) and the road tax and insurance have to be renewed.

So I am surprised to find myself reading May's column with enjoyment each week. The thing is that he writes very well and with a big dollop of humour, bringing in all sorts of other concerns, such as his new stair carpet and his wandering cat, who inspired the column on the wonders of cat-nav!

Another Saturday newspaper pleasure is the Writers' Rooms slot in the Guardian Review, which I devour greedily, while noting with satisfaction that successful writers all appear to have heaps of paper stacked around their rooms on the floor and on desks. If that is a qualification for publication, then at least I am a contender.

Back to the keyboard

So where has May gone? Swept by in a daze of word counts and presentations, that's where. To the extent that my brain helped itself to a total shut-down and all writing activity was suspended. But time now to get back on track and plunge into the book. I need to warm up, so back to regular blogging for me.

The emperor's new face

I'm back at last - blogger.com unilaterally decided my password was defunct and has locked me out for the last week or so. It only relented when I called in Technical Support, who stands no nonsense of this sort. Computers are like horses; they know when you're not entirely in control and take advantage of it. As soon as someone with a firm hand gets on board, they are meekly biddable.

So finally I'm back in the blogging seat, but there's not much to report, as once again deadlines have taken over my life. I did watch a film last night, though - 'The Road to Perdition' with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. Turns out the 'Perdition' of the title is a town where the hero and his son head after his wife and other son are killed. Can you believe anyone would name a town the equivalent of 'Hell'? There are plenty of places that deserve the title, no doubt, but to actually call it that ...

I wasn't expecting to like it much. I thought it would be dark, brooding and violent with that unintelligible gangster dialogue I can't follow. But in fact it was extremely well-acted and a gripping story. Quite an unlikely mix of British and American actors, playing Irish American gangsters. Daniel Craig was the boss's out of control son, and Jude Law an assassin/photographer of dead bodies. Nice bloke. I have to say I have initial doubts about any film Jude Law is in. It amazes me he actually gets cast. As far as I am concerned he is the emperor's new face. Pretty, for sure, but so lightweight I am always surprised he doesn't need to be tethered. He never actually seems to act either, just be Jude Law in different clothes. This was the least irritating I have ever seen him.

I did find the story quite predictable, but I think that's beacuse I'm so familiar with the 12 step story. I could give you a good example of this but it would ruin the film for you, so I'll keep quiet. Watch it for yourself.