ajponder

Red Dwarf is BACK well, kind of -- it's Red Dwarf: BACK TO EARTH

2009-01-29T10:38:44Z

Did you say something Mr Flibble?

That's CRAZY Red dwarf could never return to earth. Only --

http://scifiwire.com/2009/01/red-dwarf-finally-returns-to-earthand-to-uk-tv.php

So there you go. Assign me three weeks W.O.O. and hand me a dose of antivirus.

OK so it's ten years too late and the BBC has finally realized how much money they threw away by ignoring Red Dwarf's rather rabid cult following but at least the red dwarf team is finally getting the proper farewell they deserve..

Tell me it isn't a dream.

Actually this is article is more fun! http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/return-of-the-red-dwarf-space-cats-971254.html

Smegging-tastic!

ajponder @ 2009-01-07T23:54:00

2009-01-07T11:07:21Z

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Mark 4.25

I remembered this quote from a book, and it seemed to fit with the tragedy unravelling in the Gaza strip. But there are also other places in which children suffer dreadfully, so I thought perhaps it being the beginning of a new year that promises financial difficulties it would be worth spending a moment to consider that which we have, but also the plight of those who truly hath not.

ginger beer, vegetarianism and women's rights

2008-12-30T15:56:06Z

It struck me with great force, the idea that in Edwardian times the women's rights movement was fueled by the two staples of my childhood - ginger beer and vegetarian fare. Ok yes, I was watching a stupid program with kids and it might have slightly overstated the case -- that at such restaurants in the 1800's the heroes of the women's rights movement drew up their strategy and prepared to take on the establishment. But it's an image that should turn up in a fantasy book somewhere, or an "historical novel" or I don't know, but I could just imagine an (old-fashioned) Dr Who bumbling into one of those establishments, dashing off a cup of ginger beer, and being charming to all the ladies before they go and chain themselves to fences and throw themselves under carriages.

Schools out

2008-12-15T12:28:53Z

It's just like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The kids have reverted right back to second childhood. I'm reading bed-time stories, partly because they want more "mum time" and partly because of the horror of the Horton hears a Who movie. It moved my daughter to tears. "They butchered it." Sadly I agreed. It was no longer about the smallest person making a difference, it was about emo, and well, I'm not entirely sure what it was really about, but I guess at least poor old Horton was faithful one hundred percent, although the writing wasn't. Not that I expected them to have a good handle on the poetry but mangling the characters and the point so badly -- well it exceeded my expectations of dreadful.

And sometimes I wonder if schools haven't been doing the same thing. Mangling the point and the characters for the sake of the ideal that students should be left at school for as long as possible, but without direction, without a point, it's just an airy fairy well-meaning expectation that somehow being at school is all you need to make a difference. It isn't. It wont, and it prevents others from learning. Fortunately there does seem to be increasing awareness that students have different needs and that some would be better off learning better workhabits in an environment that can give more immediate results for effort -- or lack thereof.

Someone needs acknowledge that Jo Jo is a twerp, that he can do better, and that however good he might be with that yoyo it takes more than one skill on which to build a life, including the knowledge that sometimes, just sometimes you have to do things, not because they're fun, but because you should -- and that it's often those little things that make a difference between success and failure.

Yes. School's out.
But for the smallest of us learning never really stops.
So for every parent out there think, what values do you want your children to own? It's your job to live by those values, demonstrate them, be clear about your expectations of them - and I guess expose your children to good books because they'll take those books and those morals and the characters to heart. Unfortunately I think what most children are learning is that money is important, and children are something that are meant to be picked up, dropped off, and left in front of the tv. Then TV teaches even those who have somehow gained good interpersonal skills that they should be moody and capricious and unable to communicate with adults.

Yep it's the difference between Horton the book and Horton the movie.

Still, it's not all bad. Horton was faithful One hundred percent. And perhaps the lesson Maizie learned (in Horton Hatches the Egg) is as good as any other in today's world.

David Tennant says goodbye to Dr Who

2008-10-31T10:29:34Z

I picked this, it must have been a year ago (no - longer ) when I heard David Tennant was doing a shortened 2009 season because of other interests. I was p!ssed off then - and I'm still p!ssed off. Don't get me wrong - Tennant was great. Is great. But either you're Dr Who or you're not. Either you're making a commitment or you're not, and maybe it's just me, but there was no real surprise only disappointment. Expecting everyone to go into hiatus and then deciding you're not coming back ... great.

But then I'm only Joe public (not to be confused with the plumber) - I have to wonder how many of the cast and crew feel. Especially after the expectation that he would come back - and look I wasn't the only one to pick this as being too damned obvious a thing to happen --

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2379603.ece

Pleasant dreams - maybe now we'll have something radical. Hubby's picking a black Dr Who. I'd pick a female but that's obviously not going to fly because lots of people have a hang up about sex even though Dr Who is an ALIEN. Maybe one day. Still whatever happens, and however grumpy I might be, it's still exciting isn't it?

Books wot I read, and goodbye 4 a bit while I do some writing be back in a month or two

2008-07-24T12:56:44Z

Books wat I've red recently.

Right that should have the grammar and spelling nazis well and truly annoyed.

Verdigris Deep by Francis Hardinge is unmissable, it's crisp clear test and darkly edged brilliance is somewhat akin to a stained glass window, or the most perfect of summer apples as the wicked juice dribbles down your chin. And then the sweet, sweet core. It's harsh funny inciteful, clever, a rollicking yarn, and just ignore all the trite cover bullshit, once I picked it up I only put this book down once!!

The latest in the fire within series. The Fire Eternal by Chris De Lacey, Verdict - hints of brilliance but pulled down with all the arctic polar ice sermonising - although I've been advised by a very good source that you just skip the polar bear sections and the rest of the book is brillaint as you don't keep on getting bogged down by boring bits. As far as I was concerned Chris DeLacey has spoilt the mythos by having David Rain be not an ordinary boy.

And I read a couple of other books, one was even written for adults actaully the adult one was O.K but the other kids one, I just remembered was The Alchemist by Michael Scott, now I'm just angling if I can get a reading copy of the Magician, because the ALchemist was such a great rollicking fun yarn, not nearly as well, deep, as Verdigris Deep, but a world of characters that kind of did exist and do have their own mythos, like Nicholas Flamel and his nemisis, and the two main characters are kids that are cool and into sport so it might well appeal to some of the more reluctant readers. Oh and for the older, boy reluctant reader the cherub series 13+ in content, 8+ in reading age.

Anyway this is my big sign off. But of there's no money back guarantee on how long I'll be gone, just that I'll be back.

ajponder @ 2008-07-19T00:54:00

2008-07-18T14:13:23Z

Yeah, It's me. I want to be angry. It just feels right.
There's nothing like waiting for people you love to die, watching their personality wither and knowing it was preventable and that it is now too late to do anything about it.
According to http://www.aihw.gov.au/cdarf/index.cfm chronic diseases are largely preventable. I guess they're correct. There is nothing on that list that isn't heavily smoking and/or gluten related, but surely the system needs to do their job instead of waffling on about diet and weight. Change the crappy old food pyramids that are still taught in schools for a start.
Oh, and the current celiac tests are useless. http://ezinearticles.com/?Celiac-Disease-and-Gluten-Linked-to-Brain-Disease-by-Deposits-in-Intestine-and-Brain&id=399309-is just one example. I could give way more sites. Dr Gluten etc. Can't be bothered. I'm just angry, because we're dying here http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/163/13/1566 just the same as in scandinavia - except by all accounts there is a higher actual incidence. Far higher.

I know I only fell into this because I was convinced I was going to a massive infection was going to kill me and it was just a matter of time. I was prepared to try any flakey cure and run with it. But it's changed my life, it's changed my children's lives (not always conveniently) but hell it beats massive moodswings and anxiety and coughing up blood and bits of throat as well as the interminable ear/nose/throat infections that would last all winter, oh yeah and the aneamia and depression and and and and...

The average time in NZ is 27-28 YEARS before a diagnosis. It's not good enough. A Christchurch study showed AT LEAST three percent of the population will test positive on the traditional tests - which are laughably useless for screening coeliac (especially as people are not warned that they need to be eating an av of 4 plus slices of bread for a month for it to work) and only good for confirming you have it.

So anyway. I'll go back to quietly dying. I wont even be a statistic. Just yet another self diagnosed flake. I'll go quietly back to watching people slowly kill themselves because I don't want to screw up whatever is left of their lives, or they don't want to give up bread or beer. And I'll be able to do that because I got rid of some of anger onto the internet. Hope you don't mind and thanks for listening. And if you have any long term chronic health problems, - do me a favour. Make sure you eat four slices of bread a day for a while and GET TESTED.

Diseases associated with celiac

* Allergies including rashes, eczema, allergic rhinitis etc.

Alzheimers (possibly there is a connection here with B12 deficiency but as yet it is unproven)

* Anaemia that will not respond to treatment, or recurs soon after.

Anorexia (this issue has come up on several discussion groups, and while it would be very hard to prove or disprove, due to the nature of the current tests, the unpleasant feeling that food gives some celiacs would exacerbate such a condition.)

* Asthma

Ataxia

Bipolar disorder/Anxiety

Calcium Metabolism problems including: osteoporosis and calcium oxalate

kidney stones, bone and joint pains. Low blood calcium levels with muscle spasms.

Cancer - usually bowel or non Hodgkinson's lymphoma, but others have

been implicated including oesophageal and bladder.

Chrone's disease (misdiagnosis)

* Chronic poor health

Dementia

Dental enamel defects
Depression & anxiety, in fact many mental complaints are associated with coeliac, Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Diabetes (type 1 particularly but also type 1.5 often misdiagnosed as type 2)

* IBS

Kidney Disease

* Lactose intolerance

Learning disorders - ADD, ADHD as well as possibly autism and Aspergers, Although the medical profession doesn't seem to think so, there are cases where real gains have been made by the elimination of both casein and gluten.

Liver problems (in one study 1 in 20 people waiting for a liver transplant had celiac)

Epilepsy

Infertility & miscarriages

Multiple Sclerosis (misdiagnosis)

Nephritis (probably incidence of, but because it's rare and celiac is "rare" it's hard to be positive, but definitely there is an increased mortality from kidney failure, as well as the fact that the treatment is steroids, which are known to promote the growth of villi)

Nerve damage (Can vary from tingling and numbness in the feet to confusion, memory loss, dizziness and loss of balance)

* Obesity

Psoriasis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Schizophrenia

Thyroid problems, including cancer.

* Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, most notably B 12, A, D, E and K

ajponder @ 2008-07-10T21:34:00

2008-07-10T09:51:44Z

Read the George RR Martin Dreamsongs no 1 must be about a week ago, and finished it more or less at the same time as the last Dune book.
What can I say? The good the bad and the ugly. Don't bother reading Dune unless you HAVE to know how it all ends. I think it's nicely plotted but the characterization was so hollow it was in a vacuum, and the writing just doesn't have the life of the chapterhouse Dune books earlier on in the Dune revival.
The George RR Martin short stories though. Yep. Fantastic (although I think the first was the weakest, so don't be put off if you're not captured by it). I'd even read a couple of the stories before and they resonated all the stronger for it. Interesting little segues (actaully segues is probably the wrong word but WTH) to what was going on in his life and little writing bits and pieces about the short stories etc. I even found those quite readable, probably more interesting for authors than most, but a nice little insight nevertheless. So here I am having not picked up a book for a few days, contemplating the last of the Icefire series, or at least the most recent, it's hard to tell. Anyway I'm looking forward to it. Kids books rock so much more than adult books on the whole. And there's a new stravaganza out as well - I am SO looking forward to that, it's supposed to be briliant :) although in fantasy terms the concept is a little tired it's still a fun, well written, look at an alternate venice.

Catch you lot all later, I have worlds to build, for I suddenly feel the overpowering need to avoid the one I'm in.

scary

2008-06-09T10:59:05Z

Age banding 'ill-conceived and damaging', say children's authors

Publishers to put age guide on children’s book covers

O.K. I'm a little slow. But surely at some point can't people just read stories because they enjoy them? I mean I enjoy "diary of a wombat" for christsakes, in my opinion the hobbit is far superior to the lord of the rings and quite frankly I think it would have been a majorly terrible economic decision if someone had tried to ageband harry potter (however terrible I might think the story is).

Long live chaos. Long live bolshy authors and down with controlling attitudes. I mean really, do you remember the graded books at school? It'll be like they're all trying to bring school into what is supposed to be entertainment. Yaboo and sux

2 people and some very crazy puppets on V

2008-06-04T10:38:30Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EllgBW1kDL8

If only I could work out how to do a proper link -- the movie's pretty fun given we had a team of two and 48 hours. Anyway gotta move onto the next thing. Got a nice reject from fantasy magazine today. One day the nice rejects might turn into something. Gotta live in hope. Gotta keep going.

Fallen Gods

2008-05-25T10:29:25Z

Just finished Fallen Gods by Jon Blume and Kate Orman.

Very elegant. Very beautiful piece of writing.

Normally for a Dr who novel this would be quite unexpected, but not from these two. It's a grown-up piece of writing, which was somehwat of a dissapointment for me - I rather favour the kiddies stuff with the second to second plot developments, so I can understand why there are detractors out there - but in the end it's the hard bitten charm and attention to detail that makes Fallen Gods well worth a second reading.
Thanks guys - just in case yr reading this. Really enjoyed that. Can't wait to read some more of yr stuff just to see the Dr go through the wringer once again.

Oh and P.S. Rather reminded me of one of the early episodes of this season. Alot.

Writer's Block: Whose part would you play?

2008-05-23T02:03:15Z

If you could be cast on any TV show, from any time, who would you play?

View 503 Answers

I'd be Inigo Montoya. Now I know he's not technically from a tv show, and perhaps I could have gone for dr who, but waving a sonic screwdriver around really wouldn't make my day.

I also thought about playing Wesley, but that's a terrible idea, being the man in black is just work work work, and a fair amount of pain -- so I decided I could swallow my pride, and lose a swordfight -- just the once.

ajponder @ 2008-04-28T23:24:00

2008-04-28T11:38:49Z

There are times when it is easier not to think past the squishines in your head. This is one of those times. If I wake up tomorrow will the sun still be shining or will the nasty little invaders have made camp, lit fires and threatened never to leave. Tell me when did words on paper become so bland and mean so little?

Top Gear - Ground Force is so funny it's sick. Think Trainwreck on a Titanic scale.

2008-04-23T10:15:35Z

Really the best way to describe the top gear men starts with a w and rhymes with banker. For some reason this makes the pillocks absolutely hilarious, so much so that I actually watch cars - the most boring, innane, idiotic, wasteful, dysfunctional, toxic lumps of metal and pastic to ever clutter up our countryside - just to see what idiotic thing they are going to do week after week - but I had never seen true idiotic genius until I laughed myself sick watching Top Ground Gear Force.

Jeremy starts the ball rolling by blasting weeds out of existence with a gun - and well -- they're like three boys in a sandpit/SOMEONE ELSES GARDEN with a "little yellow digger" and it really was bad luck... you can get a small taste on this preview: http://www.finalgear.com/news/2008/03/13/top-garden-ground-gear-force-preview/

cheers,

enjoy.

jokes about something that is not funny - thanks writers block

2008-03-29T17:12:54Z

writer's block gave me an idea. Jokes about something I don't consider funny.

How sick do you have to be to be diagnosed as a coeliac?

Well, are you dead yet?

How many doctors does it take to diagnose a coeliac? - None. It's up to you get your diagnosis.

So how can you get a diagnosis? Get hospitalised enough times, and be the worst pain in the ass patient they've ever had. Then they're prepared to do anything to get rid of you, including the tests they should have done in the first place.

How many years does it take to get a diagnosis of coeliac? - Don't make me laugh. Aint nobody ever going to diagnose a disease that doesn't need drugs to treat it.

And last and probably least -

"We don't test for coeliac because it's so rare and the symptoms are so common. The symptoms for coeliac are so common but it's rare because we never test for it -And besides any test that shows gluten sensitivity is common was thrown out because coeliac is rare, godamit it's rare, and if you feel better on the diet it's because you're a headcase - no that's - dammit - don't tell me that's a symptom as well!"

I know these jokes are not funny. And I apologise for being so crass as to post them.
A.J.

Writer's Block: No Laughing Matter

2008-03-29T16:20:33Z

What do you think is too serious to joke about?

View 500 Answers

I remember when my grandfather died, and my uncle (his son) cracked jokes all the way to the funeral. It was how he dealt with the situation. We were still grieving, but it was also a kind of homage. You know it is easy to get upset about jokes, and say this that or the other is not acceptable, but almost everything is acceptable in the right circumstances especially if we can be inclusive with our jokes instead of exclusive, and or taunting.

Knowledge is freedom - My rant for today

2008-03-26T10:36:26Z

Every time I read this it sends me a little mad. Why should Coeliacs have to wait until they are severely ill before we get the information we need and deserve. The first statement seems reasonable and then -- and then WHAT?!? why can't we have some kind of screening for this serious illness (see below)

It's about time that somebody said to these people WHAT THE F##K - haven't we got the RIGHT to know if gluten is making us SICK? Why is it up to YOU to withhold information that would improve our QUALITY and QUANTITY of life!! Why should we have to wait 30 YEARS on average for a diagnosis? How many people are dying of liver disorders, stomach cancer, nonhodgkinsons lymphoma etc.... who never EVER get the chance to even find out WHAT KILLED THEM!!!

Yeah, I'm angry, I'm supposed to be writing and instead I'm fuming about this patriarchal, you're too stupid to know what's good for you attitude. Coupled with the half a*sed tests we have in NZ - because we wouldn't want just anybody to have a diet that might not be detrimental to their health. No much better to clog up the public health systen with people who don't know why they're always sick. Oh sorry we're too stupid to be able to manage our own condition.

It's an extract from this article:
Answers about coeliac disease and still more questions

Mark Lane, Clinical Director Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland

Population screening?

With a prevalence of less than 1:100, are we reaching a point where we should be considering population screening for coeliac disease? We have a simple test (transglutaminase test) that is sufficiently specific and sensitive, and we have effective treatment proven to mitigate the potential long-term complications. This suggests that a case could be made for mass population screening. Studies suggest the cost for case finding is not large.

What we do not have are sufficient data on the natural history of asymptomatic coeliac disease. How many ‘well’ people will have to adopt a gluten-free diet to avoid one patient developing a significant complication? (The ‘number needed to treat’.) What is the expected compliance with diet in ‘well’ people? (One suspects it will be poor.) What are the adverse effects of a gluten-free diet on ‘well’ people? (There is evidence that treated coeliac children tend to be more overweight than their counterparts.) Is the community able to supply the volume of gluten-free foods that would be needed in these circumstances? In the absence of these data it is not possible to make cost-effectiveness calculations for presentation to governmental bodies, who are the funders of mass screening programmes.

To date I am not aware of any mass screening programme for coeliac disease in the world, nor in my view are there data to support such a programme. There is a case for screening some groups who are at increased risk of coeliac disease, particularly those in whom the nutritional consequences of unidentified coeliac disease will have an added effect on the consequences of their associated condition. For example, in primary biliary cirrhosis, where added coeliac disease may result in accelerated bone disease, or insulin-dependent diabetes, where dietary management plays such a key role in care.

A more moot scenario is the screening of first-degree relatives of coeliac patients, of whom about 10% can be expected to have coeliac disease. My personal view is that only those with gastrointestinal symptoms, biochemical evidence of malabsorption, or a known associated condition should be offered diagnostic testing (antibody or biopsy) at this time.

ajponder @ 2008-03-25T22:57:00

2008-03-25T10:06:42Z

So this is new. I don't think I've quite graduated from myspace yet. It's amazing how all these places have their little quirks. Maybe one day I might even read the instructions and figure out how it all works.

NZ Nat Con

2008-03-24T10:45:54Z

What can I say? Had a ball. Got pissed off. Had a ball. The usual stuff. Figured out what was wrong with my writing. I'm not sending it away enough, and there's a certain lack of adhesive at my house and far too much access to the web. Kate Orman was a revelation and Jon Blum - so much so that I'm struggling to remember the name of the main guest although she was cool as all hell. Truly anyone who does any swordplay of any kind is alright in my book. That's right, Elizabeth Moon. Awesome. I'll get round to her book at some point but in the meatime Dr who is getting a bit of a battering a

Highlights

Kate Orman's writing workshop.
Renaldo first sheep on the moon ran off with a sir julius vogel award.
Russell Kirkparick ran off with another sir julius vogel award
Some more people got some awards including Tracie MacBride for best new talent

Lowlights
thief with no shadow - a worthy contender missed out on the sir julius vogel - and don't get me wrong it was up against Russell's work which was every bit as good but loved this also. Alot. Damn but there was stiff competition this year!!