Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[tikay]

These are gorgeous.

Click to see full-size image.

[AlunB]

Vegas reading material.

I enjoy an hour before bed with a good book in Vegas, to provide balance to poker, sticky buns & the general Vegas hedonism. Not sure I could manage a month without books either, so it's mandatory to feed my addiction.

This year, I took 5 books, & finished 4 of them.

Flash Boys

Started really well  but tailed off dreadfully. Subject matter was essentially High Speed Electronic (Stock Market) Trading. Faster data communications means that brokers could front-run the market. To get faster data transmission, brokers did 2 things. First, data cable transmits faster if it is in a straight line, so they dug a trench to run a x hundred mile long cable from Manhatten to wherever, but tried to keep it's purpose secret duing comstruction. Then they learned that the nearer the server is to the point of original data, the faster the info is transmitted. Milli-seconds, with computerised automatic rapid trading, make all the difference.  So suddenly, previously abandoned & low-cost buildings near the Stock Exchanges suddenly became worth a fortune, as the Brokers all vied to occupy them.

Then the NYSE & NASDAQ opened up Data Centres well away from Manhattan, & then allowed the Brokers to rent space in that buiding, right next to the servers, to get even faster access.

Really interesting stuff, but the book ran out of steam late on.

4/10.



      

Interesting you thought it ran out of steam. It definitely dropped the pace a little, but that's partly because the early section is some of the best written prose you will read. It was still one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year. The ending is very creative too.

[tikay]

Vegas reading material.

I enjoy an hour before bed with a good book in Vegas, to provide balance to poker, sticky buns & the general Vegas hedonism. Not sure I could manage a month without books either, so it's mandatory to feed my addiction.

This year, I took 5 books, & finished 4 of them.

Flash Boys

Started really well  but tailed off dreadfully. Subject matter was essentially High Speed Electronic (Stock Market) Trading. Faster data communications means that brokers could front-run the market. To get faster data transmission, brokers did 2 things. First, data cable transmits faster if it is in a straight line, so they dug a trench to run a x hundred mile long cable from Manhatten to wherever, but tried to keep it's purpose secret duing comstruction. Then they learned that the nearer the server is to the point of original data, the faster the info is transmitted. Milli-seconds, with computerised automatic rapid trading, make all the difference.  So suddenly, previously abandoned & low-cost buildings near the Stock Exchanges suddenly became worth a fortune, as the Brokers all vied to occupy them.

Then the NYSE & NASDAQ opened up Data Centres well away from Manhattan, & then allowed the Brokers to rent space in that buiding, right next to the servers, to get even faster access.

Really interesting stuff, but the book ran out of steam late on.

4/10.



       

Interesting you thought it ran out of steam. It definitely dropped the pace a little, but that's partly because the early section is some of the best written prose you will read. It was still one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year. The ending is very creative too.

Yes, that may be true. I felt it dropped a little subsequently. I must say, I was absolutely transfixed by the early part of the book, but it seemed to lose it's urgency & drama later.

Best non-fiction book you have read this year - have you tried any Bryson stuff yet? With your love of well-constructed writing, I'm quite sure it would appeal. He uses adjectives creatively, &  so well.

[AlunB]

Vegas reading material.

I enjoy an hour before bed with a good book in Vegas, to provide balance to poker, sticky buns & the general Vegas hedonism. Not sure I could manage a month without books either, so it's mandatory to feed my addiction.

This year, I took 5 books, & finished 4 of them.

Flash Boys

Started really well  but tailed off dreadfully. Subject matter was essentially High Speed Electronic (Stock Market) Trading. Faster data communications means that brokers could front-run the market. To get faster data transmission, brokers did 2 things. First, data cable transmits faster if it is in a straight line, so they dug a trench to run a x hundred mile long cable from Manhatten to wherever, but tried to keep it's purpose secret duing comstruction. Then they learned that the nearer the server is to the point of original data, the faster the info is transmitted. Milli-seconds, with computerised automatic rapid trading, make all the difference.  So suddenly, previously abandoned & low-cost buildings near the Stock Exchanges suddenly became worth a fortune, as the Brokers all vied to occupy them.

Then the NYSE & NASDAQ opened up Data Centres well away from Manhattan, & then allowed the Brokers to rent space in that buiding, right next to the servers, to get even faster access.

Really interesting stuff, but the book ran out of steam late on.

4/10.



       

Interesting you thought it ran out of steam. It definitely dropped the pace a little, but that's partly because the early section is some of the best written prose you will read. It was still one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year. The ending is very creative too.

Yes, that may be true. I felt it dropped a little subsequently. I must say, I was absolutely transfixed by the early part of the book, but it seemed to lose it's urgency & drama later.

Best non-fiction book you have read this year - have you tried any Bryson stuff yet? With your love of well-constructed writing, I'm quite sure it would appeal. He uses adjectives creatively, &  so well.

I was, and remain, a huge Bill Bryson fan as teenager. His travel writing has made me laugh out loud more than pretty much anything I've read.

Unlike almost everyone else in Britain though I found his Small History of Everything really boring and gave up about a third of the way in and haven't read anything new of his since. I might give this or his Shakespeare one a go.

[tikay]

Vegas reading material.

I enjoy an hour before bed with a good book in Vegas, to provide balance to poker, sticky buns & the general Vegas hedonism. Not sure I could manage a month without books either, so it's mandatory to feed my addiction.

This year, I took 5 books, & finished 4 of them.

Flash Boys

Started really well  but tailed off dreadfully. Subject matter was essentially High Speed Electronic (Stock Market) Trading. Faster data communications means that brokers could front-run the market. To get faster data transmission, brokers did 2 things. First, data cable transmits faster if it is in a straight line, so they dug a trench to run a x hundred mile long cable from Manhatten to wherever, but tried to keep it's purpose secret duing comstruction. Then they learned that the nearer the server is to the point of original data, the faster the info is transmitted. Milli-seconds, with computerised automatic rapid trading, make all the difference.  So suddenly, previously abandoned & low-cost buildings near the Stock Exchanges suddenly became worth a fortune, as the Brokers all vied to occupy them.

Then the NYSE & NASDAQ opened up Data Centres well away from Manhattan, & then allowed the Brokers to rent space in that buiding, right next to the servers, to get even faster access.

Really interesting stuff, but the book ran out of steam late on.

4/10.



       

Interesting you thought it ran out of steam. It definitely dropped the pace a little, but that's partly because the early section is some of the best written prose you will read. It was still one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year. The ending is very creative too.

Yes, that may be true. I felt it dropped a little subsequently. I must say, I was absolutely transfixed by the early part of the book, but it seemed to lose it's urgency & drama later.

Best non-fiction book you have read this year - have you tried any Bryson stuff yet? With your love of well-constructed writing, I'm quite sure it would appeal. He uses adjectives creatively, &  so well.

I was, and remain, a huge Bill Bryson fan as teenager. His travel writing has made me laugh out loud more than pretty much anything I've read.

Unlike almost everyone else in Britain though I found his Small History of Everything really boring and gave up about a third of the way in and haven't read anything new of his since. I might give this or his Shakespeare one a go.

I intend to read every one of his books which have so far escaped me, except that one.

Even Alexander Pope - he of "Hope Springs Eternal" & heroic couplets, (whatever they are) described some of the writings attributed to Mr Shakespeare as "hopelessly bad".

[RED-DOG]

Vegas reading material.

I enjoy an hour before bed with a good book in Vegas, to provide balance to poker, sticky buns & the general Vegas hedonism. Not sure I could manage a month without books either, so it's mandatory to feed my addiction.

This year, I took 5 books, & finished 4 of them.

Flash Boys

Started really well  but tailed off dreadfully. Subject matter was essentially High Speed Electronic (Stock Market) Trading. Faster data communications means that brokers could front-run the market. To get faster data transmission, brokers did 2 things. First, data cable transmits faster if it is in a straight line, so they dug a trench to run a x hundred mile long cable from Manhatten to wherever, but tried to keep it's purpose secret duing comstruction. Then they learned that the nearer the server is to the point of original data, the faster the info is transmitted. Milli-seconds, with computerised automatic rapid trading, make all the difference.  So suddenly, previously abandoned & low-cost buildings near the Stock Exchanges suddenly became worth a fortune, as the Brokers all vied to occupy them.

Then the NYSE & NASDAQ opened up Data Centres well away from Manhattan, & then allowed the Brokers to rent space in that buiding, right next to the servers, to get even faster access.

Really interesting stuff, but the book ran out of steam late on.

4/10.



      

Interesting you thought it ran out of steam. It definitely dropped the pace a little, but that's partly because the early section is some of the best written prose you will read. It was still one of the best non-fiction books I've read this year. The ending is very creative too.

Take no notice. "Random out of steam" is just a descriptive metaphor. More of a filler than a fact really.

[AlunB]

You're such a contrarian Mr Kendall. You will be saying you don't like football next...

His travel writing is an absolute joy. All of it. The Australian one contains one of my dad's favourite lines. He quotes it all the time.

“But don't worry," she continued. "Most snakes don't want to hurt you. If you're out in the bush and a snake comes along, just stop dead and let it slide over your shoes."
This, I decided, was the least-likely-to-be-followed advice I have ever been given.”

[Tal]

That reminds me of the old joke of how you attract a rabbit:

Sit perfectly still and make a noise like a lettuce.

[tikay]

You're such a contrarian Mr Kendall. You will be saying you don't like football next...

His travel writing is an absolute joy. All of it. The Australian one contains one of my dad's favourite lines. He quotes it all the time.

“But don't worry," she continued. "Most snakes don't want to hurt you. If you're out in the bush and a snake comes along, just stop dead and let it slide over your shoes."
This, I decided, was the least-likely-to-be-followed advice I have ever been given.”

Very good.

The most noticeable thing about Bryson's musings & descriptions is that they are almost invariably understated, which particularly appeals.

I really did think "One Summer" was first-class, in every way.

Football? Well I never bothered to watch the World Cup Final last night, even though I was at home, & on my own. There was a great nature documentary on Nat Geo about hippos & crocodiles, so I watched that instead. I think I more enjoy the off-field drama of football than the game itself. It's all so surreal, the amounts of money sloshing around at the top. It's hard to discuss it on Forums, too, as almost everyone is so parochial. Given the (sporting) choice, I'd prefer Test Cricket, or Golf, I think.

I shall watch the Premier League matches once they start again though, but not with great enthusiasm.

I watched Fishing this weekend, as it happens, which was more enjoyable than you'd imagine. I may take up fishing when I retire, or get put out to grass. 

[AlunB]

You're such a contrarian Mr Kendall. You will be saying you don't like football next...

His travel writing is an absolute joy. All of it. The Australian one contains one of my dad's favourite lines. He quotes it all the time.

“But don't worry," she continued. "Most snakes don't want to hurt you. If you're out in the bush and a snake comes along, just stop dead and let it slide over your shoes."
This, I decided, was the least-likely-to-be-followed advice I have ever been given.”

Very good.

The most noticeable thing about Bryson's musings & descriptions is that they are almost invariably understated, which particularly appeals.

I really did think "One Summer" was first-class, in every way.

Football? Well I never bothered to watch the World Cup Final last night, even though I was at home, & on my own. There was a great nature documentary on Nat Geo about hippos & crocodiles, so I watched that instead. I think I more enjoy the off-field drama of football than the game itself. It's all so surreal, the amounts of money sloshing around at the top. It's hard to discuss it on Forums, too, as almost everyone is so parochial. Given the (sporting) choice, I'd prefer Test Cricket, or Golf, I think.

I shall watch the Premier League matches once they start again though, but not with great enthusiasm.

I watched Fishing this weekend, as it happens, which was more enjoyable than you'd imagine. I may take up fishing when I retire, or get put out to grass. 

You often hear people say fishing is the biggest participation sport in the UK, although I somewhat doubt the maths behind that. It does seem popular with your sort of person though. I can definitely see you hanging out with Dappy http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01355/SNF06BIZN-280_1355752a.jpg

[simonnatur]

Been meaning to recommend a book called Gentleman thief, the recollections of a cat burglar by Peter Scott - since I think you mentioned you like true crime books. A copy can be picked up very cheaply on ebay if you're so inclined.

[bobby1]

I'm guessing you saw a bit of the golf last night Tony as I saw you mention Monty's win on the tft thread. It felt wrong to be rooting against Monty but given what the mentioned Gene Sauers had been thru I just wanted him to win.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Sauers

[AndrewT]

+1 to Flash Boys love here - I thought it fair zipped along with just the right balance between facts and explaining the sometimes complicated things and background of the people involved so they became a bit more than just names on a page. The ending was also a brilliant little teaser which immediately had me off on Google.

[Karabiner]

"Like a teenage butterfly, drawn to the flame that was San Francisco...."

Ralph Shalston.

I'm sure that moths are closely related to butterflies.

And what's the odd "t" between friends.

I'll continue with the next installment of my Coombe Hill ramblings when I find some inspiration, but The Summer of Love is on the back-burner for now.

[Marky147]

Jeez... Loads to catch up on here!

I thought you might like this video  (if you haven't seen it already)