A busy weekend ahead. I’m co-presenting a screenwriting module at Reading Writers’ Writers Day this afternoon, with an extra work shift in Sunny Slough booked for tomorrow morning. Go, Robbie, go. So let’s crack straight on with this week’s Swipery, shall we?
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
Night School by Lee Child. One of those volumes digging into Jack Reacher’s military history, here dealing with a potential terrorist threat in the run-up to Y2K. I find these ones a little flat — Reacher has support and backup, and navigates through a system he knows like the back of his gigantic hand. I much prefer the stories where he walks into a situation with no plan or supplies and has to punch his way out of it. Neagley appears in Night School, so it’s not all bad, and Lee Child’s storytelling instincts are too strong to make this a complete bust. Just not among the best, is all I’m saying.
Rob is watching…
Reacher Season 4. There’s chatter that the last two seasons were a bit of a disappointment compared to the first. I’m not really seeing it. I’m a big fan of the Amazon adaptations. I will say, though, that the new season is fast, funny, brilliantly violent when it needs to be, with enough plot twists and turns to keep you thoroughly engaged. Huge justice hobo is back, back, back.
Rob is listening…
To Alan Ritchson sing Norah Jones.
Ok, fine, enough Reacher. For now.
Rob is eating…
Turkey. The in-laws brought a big frozen chunk of protein down for the Bank Holiday weekend which they swore was pork. Nu-uh. It was a giant turkey breast, which fed all four of us successfully for days. I happen to like the fibrous texture and mild flavour of turkey. It’ll take up marinades and rubs brilliantly. Great in a curry, of course, but the meat is surprisingly versatile. Make sure you dry brine it the night before you cook it, go gentle on the heat, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
How Blackwing pencils are made. This is utterly mesmerising.
An exploration into the vast imaginary spaces of Olaf Stapleton, a writer who worked on a universal scale. Typically, his work was informed by a great global crisis—in his case, the First World War. Cruelty on a global level can set the mind wandering amongst the stars, either for escape or the quest towards a greater purpose.
The work and detail which went into this prank has to be seen to be believed. Mostly self-funded, the question ‘why?’ is kind of redundant here. It’s all about ‘why not’ — a glorious moment of giddy, stupid inspiration which takes on its own momentum and has to be followed to the end, however ridiculous that might be.
Jarvis Cocker’s writing space. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in a nook like this? I have to make do with a corner of my own, and I know I’m lucky to have it. Still, a guy can dream, right?
Tim Peake was literally on top of the world when he called his folks to share some exciting news. The big reveal did not go as planned.
Please Leave A Message After The Tone
Yes, I get this next piece is a satire using some particularly esoteric philosophical arguments. However, I did find my mind breaking a little as I ploughed through the argument. It’s true that we now live in a world where we can often doubt the evidence of our own eyes. but how far do we take that skepticism?
Great news for fans of director Duncan Jones and 2000AD. His eagerly anticipated Rogue Trooper movie will be screening at the London Film Festival next month. This is gonna be a good one. Sorely tempted to make a trip to That London and support the cause.
C sent me this yesterday, and I couldn’t agree more.
I spent a lot of last week listening to Dolly Parton songs, both by her and others. Unsurprisingly, Maria McKee does a killer version of I will Always Love You. Once on the Maria trail, I inevitably head for her third solo album, Life Is Sweet. Here, she shrugged off the twee gothic cowgirl schtick, strapped on a battered Les Paul Junior and a thousand-yard stare and proceeded to weaponise heartbreak in a way that still skewers my heart. This live run through the title track and Perfect Dress from a 90s MTV session gives you the flavour. Existential horror has never sounded so good.
The days keep rolling along. Rolling along.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS 