"And the worrrrlllddd, will live as one."

Does anyone remember the big event that happened in London a few weeks back.  Yeah, the Olympics!  Well, actually I don't.  I was working in Oxford over that period with no TV, so the only thing I saw was the opening ceremony before I left and the closing ceremony (because we managed to get a live link on our computer at work).

I have to say, I wasn't that bothered about the Olympics.  We had had all the hype for years, were told about the awful transport we would have in London and I was just desperate to be away from home for it.  Unfortunately, when it came to it, it wasn't as crazy as they had expected and I've probably missed out on something cool.

However, asides from that, I was looking forward to being back for the Paralympics.

First of all, channel 4 should be congratulated on not only broadcasting the event but on their amazing advertising:  They truly built the lead up from the Olympics to the Paralympics with their adverts alone.

Secondly (but not less importantly), everyone involved and participating in the Paralympics should be congratulated.  This is one of the first times that the sporting event has been noticed in the way it should be and I can tell it is already going to be an amazing week and a half of coverage.

I watched the opening ceremony yesterday and it was great to see the likes of Steven Hawkins alongside dance act Orbital, an array of arial acts, the history of science and much more.  The evening was innovative, clever and inspiring and really showed us the greatness of the United Kingdom and what we can be.  I also love that Beverley knight finished with "I am what I am" whilst everyone else was dancing in the background - great choice!

Today, I have been watching the swimming and having previously been a swimmer as a youngster ( 3-16 years old and my main discipline was speed swimming), I am SO impressed by the competitors.  One guy won the backstroke who had no arms and all his power came from doing backward butterfly kicks for 100m and another women with cerebral palsy, mainly used only the power in her arms to win.  Watching today really puts life into perspective and makes you realise how many incredible people live and work around us.  Everything I have trained for seems nothing against what some of these people must have gone through to get where they are today.

I hope, like me, you will enjoy and support the Paralympics and make the most out of this incredible sporting event that we are lucky enough to host.

My blog title comes from a very fitting song, which is a favourite of mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRhq-yO1KN8

"The info from what she reads, makes her a total fox"

Reading.  One of those things I was forced to do by my intellectual father, who liked nothing more than to engulf himself in a book.  He wanted me to be academic, I was academic but I also knew what I liked and didn't like.  And some of his choices (including 3 men and a boat) just didn't rock my boat of imagination - it made me want to sleep!

I gave up on books after my GCSE's and didn't find them again until university, when suddenly all I wanted to do was read and absorb the words from every page.  And this wasn't just academic books, it was plays, autobiographies and fiction - I wanted it all!

I read books for a weird reason - I am a front cover reader.  I choose books because I like the cover, then I read the back and if I like both, I buy it.  In general, this has always worked for me as I am picky about what I read and if something looks boring from the outside, the design probably goes with the text - why wouldn't it!

This doesn't mean I stick to one genre or anything, I have read Stephen King to more contemporary writers like Matt Beaumont (love him, have loads of his stuff ("E" is good and "The Book, The Film, The T-shirt") and his wife's a writer too (Maria Beaumont) - have a look at her stuff too).  I also like plays by people like Mark Ravenhill and Patrick Marber.

There is something about a book, that I don't think I would ever get from a Kindle.  It's not just about the words being on a digital screen (which I hate by the way, because it hurts your eyes a lot quicker - wait until Kindle readers start going blind by using theirs too much) but it's the feel of the pages, the fact that if it's borrowed or 2nd hand, the people that have gone through the same emotions when reading the text, being excited about finding the book in your bag and desperate to read.  That's what makes reading a book so great!

One of my favourite collection of books that I have ever read has to be Red Dwarf.  Being a big fan of the series and intrigued by the books, I decided to borrow my dad's copy.  As a fan, these books were amazing!  I used to lie on the bed and read them whilst imagining the different characters saying the words - it was like the words truly lifted off the page.  I also like the fact that different episodes appear in the books but they are only part of the bigger picture, which was even more exciting!  I am very lucky that one of mine is actually signed by two of the cast - I was like 16 and the book was originally my dad's but soon became mine once it was signed.  I also have a book signed by Danny Wallace and Rich Fulcher (Tiny Acts of Rebellion is hilarious - seen it live and read the book) - by chance, not even on purpose originally : )

I am currently reading the great How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran.  I have to say, it has been while since I have laughed and nearly cried on transport because of a book.  She has completely covered the feeling of growing up as a woman and not really knowing how to become one.  I also love her references to the world around her - so many of her childhood memories are things I remember too (which makes sense, as she's probably only about 5 years older than me).  If there are any woman out there who haven't read this (it's won at least one award and I'm probably one of the last to read it), you must!  Well, I say must.  As long as you are an open minded and open person in general, I would suggest it.  If your not, maybe leave it.  It will make you cringe and laugh quite intensely, but that's what I like about it : )

You see, the great thing about a book is the connections or disconnection from your life causing an amazing form of escapism that one hardly ever finds in any other art form.  I tend to work in stressful environments and a book is the only time I can remove myself from my work and just feel relaxed (especially if my phones off).

So if it's been awhile since you've read a good book, give it a go.  Whether its by reading a book suggested to you or being radical like me and choosing a front cover : )  By the way, I haven't read the Fifty Shades of Grey but did hear them taking the piss out of it in the comedy tent at Latitude Music Festival.  I actually wanted to read it cos the one with the mask on the cover - I own that mask, so I wanted to read it.  What can I say?  I'm weird, LOL

Blog title based on the amazing Mark Grist's "I Like a Girl That Reads" comedy poem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWwXJT4LA5A&feature=player_embedded

"Round round, baby, round round..."

It's a bit hard to tell from the title what today's post will be about, but it's Karl Pilkington, known as the "the little round-headed buffoon" by Ricky Gervais.  There aren't any song titles with Karl Pilkington in, so I went with a song that reminded me of his head, lol.


Karl Pilkington came into my TV life a few years back when the first season of The Ricky Gervais Show was on.  In all honesty, before this show, they're weren't many cartoon based comedies I liked (barring Family Guy), so it was my brother that convinced me to watch it.


I obviously knew of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant because of The Office and Extras, but didn't know who this other person was and what to expect - no, I didn't even know about the radio show they used to have.


I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.  Not at Ricky Gervais taking the piss out of someone (we've all seen that before), but this seamlessly comic character, who even through constant ribbing from the other two, is just being honest about his thoughts.


I wouldn't try and re-create any of the conversations from season 1 (because it which just seem weird and wrong out of context) but I literally cried through some of the episodes at the randomness of some of Karl's responses.  That and the fact that he would stick hard and fast to his views even when they didn't make sense - I applaud you sir!


After watching season 1, I then couldn't wait for season 2 and also the arrival of An Idiot Abroad (a Sky series where Karl gets sent by the other two to see the wonders of the world, even though he dislikes the idea of travel).


Karl is a pleasure to watch and always has a surprise up his sleeve:  watch his funny but awkward interview with Warwick Davis and then in complete contrast, his more serious role in the pilot episode of Derek (One of Gervais's newest creations).  He is an interesting person not to be misconstrued.


If you haven't experienced his wonder check out some of the things I've mentioned.  He's not the "diamond in the rough" exactly, but more like the unusual pebble next to it that everyone's been ignoring because it's not shiny!


Bless Karl Pilkington for bringing a new edge to comedy and keep up the good work : )

Post title based on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHh86ySgKrA

Season 3 of The Ricky Gervais Show currently on 4oD: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-ricky-gervais-show/4od#3340026