The Web Haunt of Ryan K Lindsay

During my European holiday I celebrated a birthday. This occasion saw me rise the ranks to someone who was, I would say in my opinion, past his mid-twenties and into his late-twenties. I altered my physiological form and became a twenty-seven year old. Not sure how good a thing that is. I’ll find out by the time I’m twenty-eight though, I’m sure.

For the coming occasion, as it once was, I was afforded two presents early, which is always fun. The first was a book that I saw and instantly wanted, Stan Lee’s Amazing Marvel Universe.

It’s funny because it looks like a kid’s book with the sound board on the right side. I keep thinking of those old read-along books where you have to wait for the sound to turn the page, like R2-D2 will make this noise, or you will hear the whip, or in the Caravan of Courage book you heard a special shingle noise. I assure you, this is not like that. The book inside reads like an A-quality history book, just about comics. It’s relatively text dense but when you need a break you key in the appropriate number and you get to hear Stan tell you the tale from his very personal perspective. It’s like a book with director’s commentary, which I am all for. I’d love to write a novel and have one of these to relate to the reader what I was feeling and eating when I wrote that scene, ha.

The second early present was also a book, and one that I wanted as soon as I heard the title. It is, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Yes, you heard it right, and it’s as awesome as the title, and cover suggest.

That is one cover that just sings off the shelf, in my opinion. I am a huge fan of everything zombie, and this has proven to be a welcome addition like The Walking Dead or 28 Days Later… Seth Grahame-Smith has done a great job at weaving in a tale of zombies to the dusty old Austen text. I tried to read P and P a few years back and didn’t get past page fifty. I just hated the girls. They were vapid, annoying and boring. The only redeeming quality was the dad, and he just wasn’t getting enough page time for my liking, so I tossed it for want of something more. But now, the allure of zombies was too strong. I had to know.

So, how was it? Exactly as you would want and think. There is still, I would estimate, three-quarters of Austen’s text left as is, but when it is altered, you really strap yourself in. Hordes of the living undead busting into balls to feast, Japanese ninjas having their hearts ripped out with bare hands, musket shots to the head of the undead and an exploding carriage complete with witty one liner in the walkaway. If filmed, this will be the best throwback flick of all time. It’s part 80’s action, part 80’s horror and all 80’s goodness. I for one, loved it. It’s not perfect but it is so damned enjoyable that you take it on its merits.

One in Europe, and Florence in particular, I decided to indilge in some leather. No, not a hood with zippered eyes and lips, but a journal. I am crazy of writing journals. They fascinate me, I guess because they hold the blank page. Anything can be put into them. I took two different journals with me to Europe and came home with another one. And I love it, Tuscan leather from a Michaelangelo shop this bad boy was worth every Euro.

I can’t wait to get cracking on it and see what I can fill it with.

The latest present I have been blessed with, and I still have a wait for some family members to get theirs in via mail and visit, is of a high quality to stick with these other ones. It’s the Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter DVD, with the Under The Hood doco with it. I am very keen to watch this, and not sure which section I think will be better. I am waiting to watch and possibly be surprised.

Overall, it was a successful haul with no dead weight in the bunch. Always a pleasure.

Posted on June 18th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under: books, life, movies, travel