Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[tikay]

I ought to update my Reading List, have read some corkers lately.

A book about American Pool Hustlers back in the 50's & 60's was too good, with a lot of stuff about Minnesota Fats & Co, & their tales from the road. Such times will never be seen again.

Throughout the book thery refer to the cue ball as "whitey", which seemed rather apt.

Also, I got a cracker of a book on the Routemaster Bus, cradle to grave thing, pictures, maintenance tips, where to buy one, how much to pay, where they all are now. Bit hardcore to read in bed though.

[tikay]

Have you ever read the book 'Four Iron in the soul' by Lawrence DoneganTony?

Yes, but a good few years ago if it is the one I am thinking.

Author was a Journo, wrote wonderfully, & caddied for a Pro Golfer for a season or somesuch?

Yes, that's the one. I just spotted it on my bookcase and it is going to be this weeks read. A brill read on sporting mindset and what counts as achievement for some can look like weakness to others.

Chilly Old?

Yup.  Mr C.Old......

[TightEnd]

Simon Wilde the author?

[tikay]

Did you know that there is a Foyles Bookshop on St Pancras Station now? All wrong that. Foyles belongs in Charing Cross Road, nowhere else, & has to be all higgelty piggelty uppity downity to work. 

Having it one floor, & all neat & tidy is so wrong.

[TheChipPrince]

Apols if you've already seen this.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/welcome-back--remodelled-routemaster-set-to-hit-the-streets-of-london.html

[tikay]

Simon Wilde the author?

The Golf Book, or the Routemaster book?

[tikay]

Apols if you've already seen this.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/welcome-back--remodelled-routemaster-set-to-hit-the-streets-of-london.html

Thanks, & yes, some kind soul Posted it a while back.

It's just horrible, yes?

Proper London Buses HAVE to be open platform style. Doors that close & smoovy-woovy transmission does not tick any boxes.

[bobby1]

Have you ever read the book 'Four Iron in the soul' by Lawrence DoneganTony?

Yes, but a good few years ago if it is the one I am thinking.

Author was a Journo, wrote wonderfully, & caddied for a Pro Golfer for a season or somesuch?

Yes, that's the one. I just spotted it on my bookcase and it is going to be this weeks read. A brill read on sporting mindset and what counts as achievement for some can look like weakness to others.

Chilly Old?

Yup.  Mr C.Old......

ahhh very good. Route master buses you say, I will file that one under must read later....much later.  

[Graham C]

Tikay,

Did you see the Michael Portello train trip program?  I guess was talked about previously in the thread, I've probably missed it.

[tikay]

I was at Covent Garden Underground Station on Saturday. A lovely station by any standards, very old-fashioned, & VERY busy.

They have no escxalators though, so exit to the street is either by Passenger Lift (= queue, which I try never to do), or up the stairs.

So, stairs it was, quickly ignoring the sign "WARNING - 193 steps to street level".

Street stairs, too, very steep.

I have a sort of personal "how am I coping with advancing years?" test, whererby I ALWAYS walk up steps & stairs two at a time, & try to use stairs instead of lifts if not more than three floors.

I failed the Covent Garden test in splendid style, had to take a breather halfway up, then two more breathers. 193 steps does not sound much, if you say it quickly.

Click to see full-size image.

[david3103]

Ages since I read  Four Iron in the Soul, I must dig it out for another look

I read  Final Rounds by James Dodson at around the same time as Donegan's book. One of those stories that helps to explain to non-devotees what the appeal of the game is.

For those who already know what the appeal is, Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy is a fascinating read too.

[Chompy]

Did you know that there is a Foyles Bookshop on St Pancras Station now? All wrong that. Foyles belongs in Charing Cross Road, nowhere else, & has to be all higgelty piggelty uppity downity to work. 

Having it one floor, & all neat & tidy is so wrong.

"I don't suppose you have a cope of Backing The Draw For Profit? Only it is rather old..."

[JaffaCake]

Have you ever read the book 'Four Iron in the soul' by Lawrence DoneganTony?

Yes, but a good few years ago if it is the one I am thinking.

Author was a Journo, wrote wonderfully, & caddied for a Pro Golfer for a season or somesuch?

Yes, that's the one. I just spotted it on my bookcase and it is going to be this weeks read. A brill read on sporting mindset and what counts as achievement for some can look like weakness to others.

Chilly Old?

Yup.  Mr C.Old......

Favourite sporting nicknames:
- former Aussie RU captain John Eales = Nobody....because nobody's perfect
- QPR defender Fitz Hall = One Size

[tikay]

Tikay,

Did you see the Michael Portello train trip program?  I guess was talked about previously in the thread, I've probably missed it.

Yes. I adore Portillo. Hated him as an active Politician, of course, but he is A+ TV now, he has a great TV voice, & a certain air of gravitas.

None of the vainglorious stuff (see, got the word in!), with great humility, & very self deprecating now.

One of the people I most enjoy listening to & watching.

Please God he never dumbs down & does Celebrity Dancing or whatever, he is a national treasure.

[tikay]

Ages since I read  Four Iron in the Soul, I must dig it out for another look

I read  Final Rounds by James Dodson at around the same time as Donegan's book. One of those stories that helps to explain to non-devotees what the appeal of the game is.

For those who already know what the appeal is, Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy is a fascinating read too.

Amen to all that. I doubt any sport has more really good books about it than Golf, I must possess over 200.

For the very best golf books, though, you must get all of Henry Longhurst's tomes.  I guess he mudt be long dead now, but what a splendid chap, in just about every sense, really admirable values & outlook on life. He lived in a pair of windmiills on Sussex Downs, "Jack & Jill", which are still there, to this very day.