Here on the Flight Path...

I just got home from seeing the new play at the Ottawa Little Theatre, Here on the Flight Path by Norm Foster. It's light and funny; very like Neil Simon, if you can imagine Neil Simon as a Canadian. (My mind boggles.)

Busy, busy day at work. Got a lot done. Feel a little boggled by it all.

After work I went to the fitness club and did both weights and aerobics, listening to "Lord of the Dead" by Tom Holland. I've wanted to read it ever since it came out, because Lord Byron is a character; I find the book very, very reminiscent of Anne Rice's vampire novels, right to the point of being derivative. It's being read by Richard E. Grant, who was interesting in "Withnail and I" and appalling in "The Scarlet Pimpernel", so my impression is that I don't like Richard E. Grant. But his voice is quite wonderful when you can't see him, and the overdone prose is hardly his fault, though I think he makes the most of it.

While I was on the elliptical trainer there was a fun scene where Lord Byron (still mortal at this point) has a scene with a beautiful Greek youth named Nikos, who kisses him. I was disappointed that they didn't go beyond a kiss (why not?) but thoroughly enjoyed the moment and wondered why no one had ever told me this was a slashy novel. Unfortunately, I learned why quickly enough: the young Greek Nikos turns out to be actually a girl in disguise. I was extremely disappointed.

I'd rather read a novel about Byron that isn't fantasy, or filled with vampires, or quite so straight in orientation, but what the heck, I'll take what I can get and I'm enjoying it enough to continue.

Yesterday my audiotape du jour was Tolkien's reading from his own works. What a magnificent voice he had! I'm sure Andy Serkis studies Tolkien's rendition of Gollum very thoroughly. It was fun hearing Tolkien himself reading "A Elbereth! Gilthoniel!" and you can be sure he pronounced the Elvish right. When we get to Sam's story about the troll and the uncle's bones, Tolkien actually sings it, and chuckles.

It's an odd feeling, like a moment of time-travel. Thanks to technology, Tolkien's voice is right here with me.

I suppose it's even more remarkable that I can play a DVD in the comfort of my own home that shows me the adventures of Aragorn, but somehow... that seems less miraculous.

Good news: the Ottawa Public Library has a copy of "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo" with Gerard Depardieu as Edmond Dantes, which I've been very much wanting to watch. Now I just have to request it - and find the time to watch.

Yesterday I also finished reading "The Hedge Knight" by George R.R. Martin. I enjoyed it as much as the first time, but I realize why I couldn't remember how it ends: the ending is delightful, but rather abrupt. Despite death and violence in the story, it seems so much less dark than the other "Song of Ice and Fire" books it's hard to think of them as the same universe, but this is maybe all in the point of view, since Dunc is a good-hearted innocent. But then, I suppose in a way you could say the same of Sansa Stark and her story is very dark indeed. I find it amazing that she's survived three books without being raped. It's very difficult to like her - or maybe I'm just miffed because I thought she was unkind to my favourite character, Tyrion Lannister.

I'm rambling when I should be in bed.