Viggo's Blog: A Streetcat named Bob - A Review

Hiyah fans, Viggo here.

Today I want to tell you about the book my woman has read to me over the last couple of days.
Being of the catty persuasion, I'm always interested in art about cats, obviously. Couldn't care a fig about other animals.

Right, this book, listen up.
It is called A Streetcat named Bob and it has been written by James Bowen - or rather it has been written by this other guy called Garry Jenkins, and he did a pretty good job pretending he was James Bowen.
Are you still following me, or did you dive too deep into the catnip last night?

Anyway, it is about a red cat in London, who hooks up with a down-and-out junkie (old Jaimy). Garry/James seemed to think this was very very special, where in fact we all know that us cats have far more sense that you humans anyway and we pick and choose among you. You think you chose your cat, do you? Phah! Dream on, my friend.

Bob and James form a bond, and Bob quickly realizes he's onto a very good thing when lonely James starts to coddle and cuddle him, and spends a substantial amount of his benefits on cat food and the vet. He even walks down five flights of stairs to let Bob do his business several times a day!
I can relate, I hate that litter tray as well, especially now that Bowie uses it all the time. Boy, does that shit stink!

James falls in love with Bob, and Bob lets him. In return for food, shelter and a nice warm spot in front of the central heating he starts accompanying James to the streets of London, where he is busking. He even susses out that lying along James's shoulders as some sort of cat rug, makes people donate more. And he protects James, who clearly is a sad specimen, by sitting in front of him and keeping mad dogs away.

My woman and I had an argument at this stage. She claims that I should try to empathize more, as James has had a rough time of it and being a heroin junkie is no picknick. And wasn't it a wonderful thing that Bob was the catalyst that helped James pick up his life, get off the methadon, start selling The Big Issue, get a publishing deal and now a movie deal as well and probably has a chance of leading a better, more healthy and fulfilling life?

Well...yeah. Ish. 
What bothers me is that Bob, being a cat, surely has nine lives, but is clearly living his ninth incarnation and what will James do when Bob snuffs it? Hm?
At that stage she got all huffy and told me 'probably what I will do when you snuff it - get another cat' and relations were a bit strained after that for a while.

Did I mention that I bit her in the lip? I must admit I did feel a tiny frisson of guilt when I saw her sitting there all shocked and sad with a bloodstained tissue pressed against her mouth.
But she didn't have to call the doctor for a tetanus shot (she said she probably would have to), so she clearly overreacted.

Should you read this book?
Only if you adore cats.
Tarrah!

To FB Or Not To FB?

Hey there.
Some years ago I (one of the first generation FB users) quit FB, after getting very tired of the trolls and slanging matches and look-at-me-what-a-wonderful-life-I-lead photos and unsolicited and very unwanted tags.

BUT.

There's a huge but. A bit like that white elephant in the room. Remember? You agree not to see it and yet it's there larger than life and knocking your Gran's treasured Hummels to the floor?
I've found that in this day and age, there is no getting round being on this medium. Not only do I miss 99% of the birthdays around me (have bought a calendar but that doesn't work as well), but I miss out on people getting together as well, which is a bother.

What clinched it for me though, was the fact that a music collective that I really really really do want to become a member of, only communicates through Facebook.
Right.
Long story short (I did sleep on it!), I have uploaded a profile. Strictly for music communications purposes (with one exception: I do like stuff on my kid's pages. Heck, I can do that, can't I?)

So. If you see Song Smith's guitar floating past your timeline, you'll know it's me. Stars passing in the night, sort of.
Have a lovely day! 

UPDATE Jan. 8th, 2017.

Happy to be able to say that, so far, I haven't regretted it.

I have joined that music collective, and quite a few others as well, so that's wonderful. 

And although yes, (deep deep sigh), I do get invites for Candy Crush and assorted lame stuff (sorry if you are a CC addict), I have not been accosted that much by people screaming their heads off about things. The occasional Trump thing comes along, but I quickly avert my head and then that's sorted.

So, all in all, I am not disappointed.

Matt Steady - My Plug

Good morning over there, where ever you are.
A couple of weeks ago one of the bloggers I follow, Tim Clark, pointed out an English singer-songwriter, and curious biddy that I am, I looked him up.
And consequently did something I have never done before - I signed up for an album, Matt's second album, that hasn't even been made yet.

I know, I know, an album gets produced, keep your socks on.

After listening to Tim's tip "The Roamer" on YouTube and liking it, I searched out Steady's  website, and was joyed to find many samples of his songs there, so I could have a leisurely listen. And I liked what I heard! So much so, that I left a comment (I am one of those commenters, can't help myself). Much to my surprise, he answered.
So I listened to some more of his music, and found myself pledging to his new album "Feels Like Coming Home".
Never done such a thing before, I need to be careful with my money.
But what a great way to get to know a new musician! Look up PledgeMusic if you are interested - it is a wonderful concept. The link to PledgeMusic.

Right: Matt Steady! This is the gorgeous piece of music that hooked me. I have very thoughtfully provided a link for you.
Zakaras Lament
But he does a great cover as well. Just listen to this Johnny Cash cover - cover ;-)
Hurt
71 Views, it said just now. Guys and Girls, this man deserves at least three 000s behind that number within a week!

Thankfully his pledges have reached the 100% mark; meaning that the new album will be actually recorded and shipped to his followers.
And he is so approachable...We, his pledgers so to speak, have had a say in the album cover. Love that sort of thing! Refreshing to see a guy who doesn't think he's a star after 2 YouTube uploads.
So. Do you need more encouragement?
Visit his website and listen to the many songs up there.
www.mattsteady.com
As simple as that. 
Enjoy yourselves!

Viggo's Blog - I Hate Halloween!

Hiya, fans, Viggo here.

See this woman? It's my woman, in a silly witches hat. Not that she's going to any of those stupid Halloween parties, mind. She's told me the hat is for a Harry Potter Night in the library. Equally stupid if you ask me. Grown persons dressing up and pretending they're at a school called Hogwarts? Humbug!

Last night I was out minding my own business, chilling with the mates on the pavement near the primary school, when all of a sudden we were surrounded by ghouls and screaming youngsters. We nearly lost half of our hair from fright!
Why, I ask you, WHY do those teenage girls always have to scream as if they don't like it when being chased by young guys?
Us cats know that a good jowl is only used for two purposes only: as the interlude to mating OR to tell another cat he/she it sitting on our bit of pavement.

Anyway. The only one I liked was dressed up as a giant mouse. I like mice.
Apart from that, it's same old, same old over here. The leaves are falling nicely, there's lots of toadstools everywhere, and all those lovely little birdies have re-appeared in the bushes around my house.
Bowie is growing like mad, and he is mad as well. I need to put him in his place at least five times a day.
And that's it.
Have a good Sunday, won't you?
Tarrah!

Song's Best Books Club - Library of Souls

Hi there!
Number three of the trilogy by Ransom Riggs. And I dived straight into it from the second one (Hollow City). Perhaps I should not have done that...?

A new book is always a promise to me, like a beautifully wrapped gift. And when I've already read and enjoyed two previous ones by that author, my expectations are sky high.
So it was with pleasant anticipation that I started reading the third book of this trilogy back-to-back from the second one.
And fiddlesticks...
I was disappointed.
Ransom Riggs has done his utmost to make it even more exciting, but in my opinion only made the story more gruesome and violent, and I simply tuned out  halfway (can you say that with a book?).
I finished it - obviously, it is sacrilege not to finish a book. But it took stamina, perseverance and needed a good whisky to help me along.

Jacob, needless to say, continues his battle with the dreaded whights and hollows, and makes some peculiar new friends along the way. And wins. Sort of.
What really disappointed me was that the, so far, really poignant love story between Jacob and Emma somehow lost all glow, it petered out. And I think I know why. 
In part 1 and 2 they fell in love, love deepened, physically as well as mentally, but propriety prevailed (this is a YAL series after all) and they didn't go farther than hand holding and a kiss.
But when you are fighting for your life, and appear mortally wounded, I believe instinct and nature take over, and I simply cannot believe two feisty youngsters in love would go no further in that situation than gazing into each others eyes and another chaste clothed embrace. No way! Any historian could tell you that (think baby-boom).
So...was this a conscious decision by Riggs? Probably. He writes mainly for an American audience.

So. Anyway.
The main question now is, should you still read this book?
My answer is: if you've enjoyed the first two, then read it by all means. Hey, my opinion is just that: an opinion.
And I'll be interested in yours, so be sure to let me know.

Gyotaku : a new project (lampshade).

Hi there!
My first try pleased me enough to want to have another go at this ancient Japanese printing technique.
This time I opted for something more difficult: a lampshade.
I bought this rather nice cheap pottery lamp but it came with a boring white shade.

It does have some black needlework as a decoration, but I don't like that either. So, I decided to have a go at livening it up with a print of one of my potted ferns.

And this is the result:

This first is the shade next to the real fern; the second is the detail.

Autumn! And it makes my heart sing.

Good afternoon!
Something entirely different from cats, rambles and printing techniques.
I woke up this morning and was greeted by this:

Well, actually I was greeted by ravenous cats and a dog who wanted sniffies and a tousled son-in-law who had to leave for the morning shift. But then I went out (with Gina and Bowie) and feasted my eyes and nose. Everything smelled so fresh. And ( it being 8.00) I was the only one enjoying all that...I do like that!

The rest of my country is shrouded in mist, we of the wetlands apparently are the only ones blessed with sunshine - even better! 
It made me all enthusiastic and energetic, so I started pruning the shrubbery at the front door, and now I'm writing this to you and afterwards I'll do another bit of printing (which I will show you, don't worry).

I wish you all a great Sunday, enjoy yourselves!