GOING TO THE CINEMA

When I took my two Grandsons to the cinema, I expected to be able to have a doze, especially when I saw on the screen a Hamburger walking with legs. The film was called Turbo and you got to hand it to these script writers who wrote the story, as perhaps the themes of the story, you could apply to everyday life. Especially the theme of - no dream is too big and no dream too small, for everyone should have a dream. The story was about a snail who had magic power, that was all in his shell. It seemed a ridiculous idea for a snail to be entered into a motor racing competition, but you found yourself routing for him to win.   He was entered into the race by a boy who befriended him, who had faith in the snail, telling people the snail could win the motor racing championship. We see this snail with big blue eyes, sitting on the boys shoulder, wearing a pair of goggles and  the boy even puts him to bed with a pancake as a blanket. As we watched the snail tearing along the race track with an illuminous light trailing from his tail, (that was supposedly his magic) we wanted him to win. And even though the snail was almost squashed between racing cars as they tore around the track the little snail rally`s on and the crowds cheer.  But alas when his shell got cracked he lost all his magic power and my Grandson and I sat on the edge of our seats as he tried to reach the finishing line. We see him crawling along, puffing and panting and the crowd is urging him on, but alas behind him comes the mean racing champion who runs him over with his wheel and then tries to stamp on him to stop him reaching the white line and we are sitting on the end of our seats urging him on. My Grandson kept saying - his shell is cracked, he has lost his power and  when the snail just gets over the finishing line, we raise our hands and cheer.  Afterwards I explained to them, that the snail could have easily lost, when all his power went and then he would have been a looser - but when he became a winner all the crowd applauded him.  Perhaps that was a bit adult for a six year old. Nevertheless, you could for instance, compare this theme to trying to get published.  For how many people spend so much time writing a book and no one wants to read it and they become loosers.  Yet, if one person likes it, then others may follow and they become a winner. Yes, it can be a fine line at times, between winning and loosing.  

book event

 

The Book Talk

It was a good evening on Monday the thirtieth, with my friend Samantha. The event was held at Kings Place. I didnt know what to expect as we walked from Kings Cross Station. It had always seemed a bit of a seedy area and not somewhere I would like to be walking about late at night. But London had changed, with the skyscraper office blocks, wine bars replacing the old pub on the corner and fancy pavement cafes, just like Paris.  From Kings Cross we passed the many office workers rushing along to get home and soon approached this big glass building, inside was open plan, very spacious and full of light.  We were greeted by friendly staff in black and white uniforms, telling us where to go.  Our Book Event  was being held inside hall two and we headed up the escalator to that floor. It was a while before the star talker Tracy Chevalier came onto the stage and in between time we were entertained by a with it young man, dressed in jeans who interviewed another writer on stage.. He also went around with the microphone asking the audience questions, joining us in, making it all interesting. There was a book group in the audience and we were asked our favourite childhood book.  I called out that mine was `Heidi` that lovely story,  about a little girl who goes to stay with her Grandad in Switzerland in the mountains. I loved it and confess I have been reading it again in recent years - yes even at my age.   Tracy Chevalier talked about her work and the audience could ask questions and read out a piece from her latest book - that was all very interesting and what a lovely film that was - `The Girl with the Pearl Earing` based on the artist Vemeer. that she wrote the book about.  Afterwards there was a quizz, hosted by this with it young man who seemed very at home with the audience participation. Although, Samantha and  I did not do so well at this quizz, putting down Dickens play Oliver, where it should have been Les Miserables. Never mind, we got two right I think..  Two young women, behind us, got the answers right and won two books - that were the prize.  In the interval we had a glass of wine at the bar and just outside was the Regents Canal, where narrow boats docked. Seating was available by the Canal and on a warm summer evening, you could imagine it to be a lovely spot to sit on this patio and view the scene, although one would have to be careful not to have too many wines, as the river was close to the edge. .  Walking back down to the Station, we talked about the lovely evening and perhaps we will go there again. They have different venues, there`s a `Jane Austin` event, - its called "dinner with Mr Darcy" - never know, i might meet my Mr Darcy there.  Samantha suggested dressing up and lending me some kind of Jane Austin dress, but I think Ill decline on that.