boy's own

[mockturle06]

'Let's get gay', decided the erstwhile hero of the book I'm reading right now. It's page 162 and I'm thinking, well, you know what I'm thinking.

It isn't just the lashings of Edwardian slang that makes it almost feel like one is ploughing through a novel in some devilish version of Polari or Nadsat (and there's an episode of Doctor Who where the aliens are actually speaking Polari, and the Tardis doesn't translate it. What up with that, then?).

It's just that these jolly old boys own adventures, which I picked up for v.cheap at a remainder bookshop, well, they're jolly fun, but man, do they lend themselves to a certain reading, with the whole chaps only all boys together thing. I'm sure you understand, my dear old bean.

That minor eyebrow raise aside, they're still rollicking fun (so long as one takes all the king and country larks with lashings of salt and ginger beer) and have brightened my mornings on the bus (because sometimes I'm not in the mood to struggle through a homework text before dawn). And they'd never be printed in Russia anyway, if the rabidly tory opinions of the protagonists are anything to go by (not a fan of the ragged trousered radical, by any stretch, for his lack of style as much as his politics, old bean).

Meanwhile I'm bemused at just how my Victorian detective novels (1860s-1900) are surprisingly lacking in the sexism, racism and any other ism you'd expect that are so very pronounced in novels from the mid 20thC. Okay, there's some, and anyone who is vaguely German or a fiendish gipsie is immediately suspect, as is right and proper, but they're just not so in your face -ist as novels written a century later. Surprisingly so.

It's like the Peanut Gallery tried to explain, it's not a thing until it becomes a thing. You know, like the war on women, gays and the secularly orientated going on outside right this minute, just because there's been some legal progress in those areas.

Still, reading proto Mrs Peels from the 1860s (and Mrs Paschal so is), has been educational and fun. Chasing criminals through London sewers in crinolines? Now that's hardcore.

Still enjoying my Ripper Street viewing. It's on tap. No, seriously, I was putting the dvd in the pvr on Saturday night but before I hit play, there were the opening titles (to my momentary confusion). Turns out it was starting up on One anyway, so I watched that, and saved the poor pvr another session (which is starting to make unhappy noises). This bemused me very much, as other shows I like can't be viewed here for love or money.

Skipping ahead slightly, I'm still bemused, at the expense of poor Drake, that his request for the smallest raise was laughed out of the office, budgetery concerns were cited. The same budgetery concerns that seemingly vanished when creating The Best Morgue In The World for Jackson, no expense spared. Guess who's the favourite. Heh. Or maybe it was just bad timing on Drake's part. Should have asked for that raise before Reid went nuts trying to impress that shady American.

But seriously, how else am I suppose to watch that scene? Lookit what I've made for you, please, please, please be my special friend. Too cute.

Last night's ep wasn't so cute, and best dinner was done with before sitting down to watch it, oh my, yes, and, to be honest, I was a bit disappointed it was a bog standard serial poisoner (if they want serial poisoners, best to be looking at housewives and their rat problems, or maybe that's more of a 1900s-1950s thing), but never mind. We got to see Jackson be the cleverclogs Reid so admires (the scenes of sleaze are excised from the Ten versions, which isn't half as much fun, and it undercuts the dark duality of the man), and I loved the scene where they did the whole 'he's American' thing, as implied threat (well, he's certainly not gun shy).

Drake I remain desperately fond of, but Jerome has always brought a surprising degree of sensitivity and heard to his big lugs (come on, like I'm pretend I didn't OD on Soldier Soldier in the 90s?) and I was pleased to see Patrick Baladi show up. Oh, the horror on his face when he, too, caught sight of Reid's backhair. Come on, man, you know what the sugar paste is for. I'm sure Rose would do it if you paid her. Jackson, too, since he seemed to know all about it. Smooth, snakehipped...stop it.

Okay, I'm back. Sort of. Rest of weekend blah. Attacked the rose garden, or rather the reverse, tottered about from job to job, tried to write in breaks inbetween, but nothing of sense or use. Sigh.

I wish there were more episodes, but perhaps not, they're already hitting the tropes pretty hard. They've even dusted off the old crazy vet trope, and it's only series one, ferkrissakes. Even f it does star The Magnificent And Wonderful Iain Glen, it was pretty awful. Like those crap episodes of Robin Hood where they let the barrow they were pushing run roughshod over character and plot (such as they were).

Not that I don't have great sympathy for the message, that is, the treatment of soldiers coming home from pointless foreign wars, I do get it, you didn't need to hammer it home quite so hard (hell, my ancestors have fought in nearly every battle going). Please don't turn my Ripper Street into an episode of Quincy. Not a fan of the shrill message episode.

Ah well, at least they have favourite and beloved actors. Unlike certain American shows who have hired the worst non actors ever, for no adequately explained reason. I could barely watch it today - I've heard better line readings from my map app. Dreadful. Absolutely dreadful.

Back to my book and our Very British Hero has fallen in with a flash American, as they will do. First they giddily exchange case notes, then it's off to a fine dinner together and then our hero is getting into bed. As I wrench my eyebrows back down onto my head I read on to find the hero is alone, despite the sudden jump cut edit, oh, no, wait, there's a chap with a blow dart in the room as well. Business as usual, in other words. The American does end up in the room at the end of it. We fade to black. I'm sure it was all whisky and cards. Hee.

Yes, reading it wrong, very much so, but the whole no chicks thing, well, it's just asking for it, really.

And Ripper Street? There's no need to stay on message all the time. Leave the rants to The Newsroom. I prefer a more historical touch, like Hell on Wheels, which I enjoy so much. Explain how modern London came to be, that's a far more interesting story, and let the parallels fall naturally. Don't force the issue. It's a tv show, not an editorial.

There are plenty of stories to tell: Burkers, spiritualists and mesmerists, tennis, matchgirls, theatre, football, tiddlywinks. Heh. Yes, I'm sure I'm it was a game of tiddlywinks that occupied my hero.

Investigating the Female Detective in Victorian and Edwardian Fiction
http://www.ncgsjournal.com/issue31/bredesen.htm

Women Detectives: An Overview
http://salempress.com/store/samples/cs_mystery/cs_mystery_women.htm

The Beginnings of the Mystery Novel From Edgar Allen Poe to Sherlock Holmes
http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/booksf/mystery/early.html

Jason and the Argonauts: The five films it inspired
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10243366/Jason-and-the-Argonauts-The-five-films-it-inspired.html

Google has included an 'Easter egg' of Dr Who's iconic TARDIS on a London street
http://www.news.com.au/technology/google-has-included-an-8216easter-egg8217-of-dr-who8217s-iconic-tardis-on-a-london-street/story-e6frfro0-1226696913777?from=public_rss

'Napoleon Solo changed my life': John Walsh recalls the thrill of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/napoleon-solo-changed-my-life-john-walsh-recalls-the-thrill-of-the-man-from-uncle-8762173.html

LG kicks it old school with retro TV set perfect for hipsters
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-lg-retro-tv-set-20130813,0,6355919.story?track=rss

Kubrick recalled by influential set designer Sir Ken Adam
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23698181

Daily Show pokes fun at Australian elections
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/daily-show-pokes-fun-at-australian-elections-20130814-2rv7j.html

'The Daily Show' discovers Australian politics as absurd as our own
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-the-daily-show-australia-election-stephanie-banister-20130813,0,5984774.story

Didn't Anyone Ever Teach You to Knock?
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/08/knock_on_the_bathroom_door_you_owe_it_to_the_person_who_might_be_in_there.html?wpisrc=newsletter_slatest_morning_newsletter

Boris Johnson and the right to write
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/boris-johnson-and-the-right-to-write-20130815-2ryy9.html

Alfredo Moser: Bottle light inventor proud to be poor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23536914

Ostrich necks give clues to dinosaur flexibility
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23679932

Bomb in parcel was actually sex toy
http://www.news.com.au/world-news/north-america/bomb-in-parcel-was-actually-sex-toy/story-fnh81jut-1226697676354?from=public_rss

Criminologists identify family killer characteristics
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23686913

“One Murder is Statistically Utterly Unimportant”: A Conversation with Warren Ellis
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/08/15/one-murder-is-statistically-utterly-unimportant-a-conversation-with-warren-ellis/

Centuries old Byzantine garbage dump reveals 400 ancient coins, gold jewellery
http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/centuries-old-byzantine-garbage-dump-reveals-400-ancient-coins-gold-jewellery/story-fn5fsgyc-1226697560442?from=public_rss

British Library blocks online access to 'violent' Hamlet
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/10242699/British-Library-blocks-online-access-to-violent-Hamlet.html

Notes from famous people hark back to era of letters
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23696866

Bee numbers dropping
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3824974.htm

Alex James: I'm terrified of crayfish
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/10237188/Alex-James-Im-terrified-of-crayfish.html

9 Awesome Facts About Lemons You Should Know
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/lemon-beauty-benefits_n_3743905.html?

Lemon Cream
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/lemon-cream/

Why Do People Think Carrots Improve Night Vision? Nazis.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/trending/2013/08/14/carrots_night_vision_carrots_are_good_for_your_eyes_but_nazi_history_has.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content

Neanderthals may have made tools from bone, study says
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-neanderthals-tools-20130813,0,6482422.story?track=rss

Unearthed Shipwreck May Be 2,000-Year-Old Roman Vessel
http://www.slate.com/blogs/trending/2013/08/13/roman_shipwreck_discovery_may_be_2_000_year_old_commerce_vessel.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content

Lucille Ball And 'Star Trek': The Surprising Celebrity Producers Behind Top Shows
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/15/lucille-ball-star-trek-surprising-celebrity-producers_n_3756120.html?utm_hp_ref=tv

Big, bigger, biggest: Comparison chart shows the relative sizes of machines and monsters from the worlds of gaming and film
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/big-bigger-biggest-comparison-chart-shows-the-relative-sizes-of-machines-and-monsters-from-the-worlds-of-gaming-and-film-8760113.html

The Entire History of the World—Really, All of It—Distilled Into a Single Gorgeous Chart
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/08/12/the_1931_histomap_the_entire_history_of_the_world_distilled_into_a_single.html?wpisrc=newsletter_slatest_morning_newsletter

Religious people are 'less intelligent', says University of Rochester paper
http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/religious-people-are-less-intelligent-says-university-of-rochester-paper/story-fn5fsgyc-1226696669744?from=public_rss

Rowan Williams tells 'persecuted' western Christians to grow up
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/15/rowan-williams-persecuted-christians-grow-up?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2&et_cid=45459&et_rid=1255308&Linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.theguardian.com%2fuk-news%2f2013%2faug%2f15%2frowan-williams-persecuted-christians-grow-up

First Shot Monument, Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-london/plain/A3100221

Report On the Treatment of Prisoners of War By the Rebel Authorities During the War of the Rebellion
http://www.archive.org/stream/reportontreatmen00unit#page/n5/mode/2up

Austerity addicts: why is 1940s nostalgia all the rage?
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/aug/13/austerity-1940s-war-vintage-fashion?INTCMP=SRCH

William Bligh: Captain of Bountiful Mutineers
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/william-bligh-captain-of-bountiful-mutineers/

Man Creates Very First Website for Women Ever
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/08/14/bleacher_report_s_bustle_bryan_goldberg_s_new_website_for_women.html

Jane Austen museum raises funds to buy author's ring off Kelly Clarkson
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jane-austen-museum-raises-funds-to-buy-authors-ring-off-kelly-clarkson-8758934.html

Jane Austen museum given £100k to match Kelly Clarkson's ring bid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-23664433

Austenland: a woman's movie with a new kind of message: men, stay away
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/10/austen-film-comedy-shuns-male-audience

Have we literally broken the English language?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/13/literally-broken-english-language-definition?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2&et_cid=45200&et_rid=1255308&Linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.theguardian.com%2fcommentisfree%2f2013%2faug%2f13%2fliterally-broken-english-language-definition

Cate Blanchett: 'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead' Opening
http://www.justjared.com/2013/08/10/cate-blanchett-rosencrantz-guildenstern-are-dead-opening/

Post-Water-Cooler TV
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/arts/television/how-to-make-a-tv-drama-in-the-twitter-age.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130811&_r=0

Rogues Gallery: Walton Goggins
http://www.empireonline.com/features/walton-goggins/?utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=081613+newsletter

The Tragedy of the Sunset Photo
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/08/sunset_photos_on_instagram_why_they_re_so_hard_to_get_right.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content

Picture this: Is there life after Photoshop?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23714699

Joy Division tapes 'saved from skip'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23717926

Microsoft to fund Blake's 7 remake for Xbox Live service
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/aug/15/microsoft-blakes-7-xbox-one-bbc

Google Street View takes a peek inside the Tardis
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-street-view-takes-a-peek-inside-the-tardis-8761163.html

How language is literally losing its meaning
http://www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2013/aug/14/language-literally-losing-its-meaning

Vivien Leigh archive acquired by V&A
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23692733

Crossrail unearths evidence humans lived on Thames in 7,000 BC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23609994

On The Fly: When Did The Customer Stop Being Right?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-brenoff/customer-service_b_3707900.html

New Research Supports the Notion That There’s No Such Thing as a “Consensual” Police Encounter
http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/08/15/alisa_l_smith_police_encounters_new_research_supports_the_notion_that_consensual.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content

The Seattle Police Have a New Drug-Education Tool: Doritos!
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/08/15/hempfest_doritos_seattle_pd_to_hand_out_chips_at_pro_pot_rally_to_education.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content
http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/11/09/marijwhatnow-a-guide-to-legal-marijuana-use-in-seattle/ [Great govt. copy]

Felicia Day Issues a Geek Call to Arms
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/08/geeks-guide-felicia-day/

First 'Supernatural' Season 9 promo photo released of Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/08/first-supernatural-season-9-promo-photo-released-of-jensen-ackles-jared-padalecki-and-misha-collins.html

Picasso and Dali artworks go on show after being recovered from Mafia collection
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10235999/Picasso-and-Dali-artworks-go-on-show-after-being-recovered-from-Mafia-collection.html

The face machine that knows if you're happy or bored
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23633394

Archaeologists discover treasure trove underneath New York street
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10229908/Archaeologists-discover-treasure-trove-underneath-New-York-street.html

One Queens Painter Created Forgeries That Sold for Millions, U.S. Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/nyregion/one-queens-painter-created-forgeries-that-sold-for-millions-us-says.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130816&_r=0

White Collar, Season 5 - Back This Fall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FRpvzg-XOk&feature=share&list=UU8f-Gdi6VjGivLhIMqqzebA

White Collar Season 5 Truncated; Tim DeKay to Direct Penultimate Episode 12 & Willie Garson Episode 07
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/497066/20130806/white-collar-season-5-premiere-episode-tim.htm#.UglgU22EwuE

Matt Bomer Spotted Looking Rocker Cool in Leather Jacket at White Collar Season 5 New York City Set
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/497424/20130807/matt-bomer-spotted-looking-rocker-cool-leather.htm

Matt Bomer and Rashida Jones Join DreamWorks' B.O.O.
http://movies.broadwayworld.com/article/Matt-Bomer-and-Rashida-Jones-Join-DreamWorks-BOO-20130805

Matt Bomer Dons Leather & The 10 Best Stories Of The Week
http://socialitelife.com/matt-bomer-dons-leather-the-10-best-stories-of-the-week-08-2013

On location @AMNH @WhiteCollarUSA photo by @MattBomer
https://twitter.com/TimDeKay/status/367429669542322176/photo/1

USA Network Announces Fall Programming Premiere Dates Including ‘Modern Family’, ‘White Collar’
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/15/usa-netiwork-announces-fall-programming-premiere-dates-including-modern-family-white-collar-psych/197737/?utm_campaign=WP%20%3E%20Twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

'White Collar' and 'Covert Affairs' will return in October, 'Psych' musical in December
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/08/white-collar-and-covert-affairs-will-return-in-october-pysch-musical-in-december.html

USA Sets White Collar, Covert Affairs Returns
http://tvline.com/2013/08/15/white-collar-season-5-premiere-date/

Matt Bomer: 'White Collar' Scenes with Willie Garson!
http://www.justjared.com/2013/08/14/matt-bomer-white-collar-scenes-with-willie-garson/

‘White Collar’ Season 5 Spoilers: Matt Bomer 13 Episode Appearance, Willie Garson, Tim DeKay Direct, ‘Graceland’ Series, Twitter Fan Mixed Reactions
http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/10329/20130815/white-collar-season-5-spoilers-matt-bomer-13-episode-appearance-willie-garson-tim-dekay-direct-graceland-series-twitter-fan-mixed-reactions.htm

‘White Collar’ season 5 spoilers: A ghost from Peter’s past comes back
http://cartermatt.com/78725/white-collar-season-5-spoilers-a-ghost-from-peters-past-comes-back/

White Collar Season 5 : Peter's Past Re-Surfaces, 5 Things to Know, Matt Bomer Clicks Tim DeKay
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/498889/20130814/white-collar-season-5-spoilers-neal-caffrey.htm#.Ug37-JKLDXU

			Entertainment Weekly #1262 31 May - 7 June 2013 US
		Total Film #209 August 2013 UK