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Bookazine Book Review: Been Where? Done What?
by Lang Reid
Published over five years ago, I happened across a few
copies of this book on Bookazine’s shelves. On the back cover it
promised that “This book is for ordinary people who dream of doing
extraordinary things. It is your guide to having a unique, enjoyable and
outrageous life.”
Written by Roland Watson, and self published after he
found that publishing houses do not welcome first timers with open arms,
his credentials are simply that he turned his back on corporate America
and began touring the world. At the time of writing the book he had
visited over 60 countries, and 100 was his goal. The book then stems from
his own personal experiences, from being robbed, to climbing lofty peaks,
to squat toilets.
 Watson
has divided the book into 24 chapters dealing with such diverse areas
Preparation, Psychology, Partners, Risk Prevention and even Romance and
Wildlife Preservation. To be honest, there was not too much that I could
think of that he had omitted.
He is a very committed world traveller and this has
encouraged him to become what he describes as a “free thinker.”
Personally I believe he fits more into the “independent thinker”
genre, but this is probably a matter of semantics. For me, the “free
thinking” group tend to be selfishly isolated, to the point of not
caring about others, but Watson is not like that at all. Definitely more
“green” than “scorched earth” and notable for his
“inspirational” approach to the business of successful world
travelling. Even in his epilogue he writes, “Please let me encourage you
one more time. You can have an extraordinary life, and there is no
obstacle that you cannot overcome. And you should start soon! You only get
one life or, as the Buddhists would say, you only get this life once, so
take advantage of it. There is so much for you to see and do.”
In the often amusing section called “How to avoid
being a victim” author Watson suggests that you avoid places having an
election as tempers and emotions can flare up during these times.
Especially if the vote buying process is not being correctly adhered to.
Perhaps he was in this country some years ago - I’m sure it doesn’t
happen now!
Available at Bookazine, 1st floor, Royal Garden Plaza
at the ‘knock-down’ price of 200 baht, I found it an enjoyable and
informative read. Despite being published a few years ago, it has remained
within current thinking, and most of the information is of “common
sense” derivation. For any young person, in particular, who is thinking
of the “great adventure” it is invaluable, and at 200 baht a steal.
For the older traveller who might just like to do something different on
their next vacation, this book will also be a good reference source. There
were not too many copies on the shelves, so be quick! It really is a good
guide for that promised “outrageous life.” Indeed, he even includes
notes on how to increase your chances of photographing tigers, such as the
one on the front cover - without being eaten!
Movie Review: Collateral
Damage
By Poppy
I have to say that although I am a fan of Arnold
Schwarzenegger this film is too predictable, as a lot of his movies seem
to be these days.
The basic plot is that Arnold, playing Gordon Brewer, a
firefighter, goes to pick up his wife and child and a terrorist bomb goes
off, killing them both. It was done by a Columbian terrorist who wants to
bring the war to American soil by blowing up buildings and killing as many
people as possible, with hopes of changing American policy towards
Columbia. (Does this ring any bells? You can understand why the release of
this film was postponed).
 In
one scene Arnold plants a bomb next to the terrorist’s headquarters and
is waiting for it to blow up when the terrorist’s wife and child - who
are the same ages as his late wife and child - happen to be walking by.
Unlike his terrorist counterpart, he wants to protect innocent people, so
he screams out to get the woman’s attention, unintentionally drawing
attention to himself and thereby getting captured. He is finally face to
face with the terrorist, who asks the crucial question: “So here we are,
two men, both willing to kill for a cause we believe in. What makes us
different from one another?”
With action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up
with acclaimed director Andrew (The Fugitive) Davis, I expected more.
Directed by: Andrew Davis
Cast:
Arnold Schwarzenegger ... Gordon Brewer
Elias Koteas ... CIA Agent Peter Brandt
Francesca Neri ... Selena Perrini
Cliff Curtis ... Claudio ‘The Wolf’ Perrini
John Leguizamo ... Felix Ramirez
John Turturro ... Sean Armstrong
Lindsay Frost
Jsu Garcia ... Roman
Shelley Malil ... Doctor
Tyler Posey ... Mauro
Harry J. Lennix
Kevin Beard ... Agent Phipps-Driver and FBI Agent
Ehecatl Chevez ... Augustin
Rodrigo Obregen ... Rodrigo
 Mott’s
CD review:
Mott the Hoople - Live
by Mott the Dog
***** 5 Stars Rating
The Glam-Rock makeover of the early seventies produced
a handful of sparkly diamond studded masterpieces topped by the likes of
David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust”, Slade’s string of storming
anthems, and Marc Bolan & T Rex created the odd little gem. Mott the
Hoople were right in there, too, and here their posthumously released live
album captures them on a couple of hot nights on either side of the
Atlantic. Side one is taken from their week of sell out shows at the
Broadway Theater in New York; the second side comes from their Christmas
show at the Hammersmith Odeon.
Side one opens up bursting out the gates with rocking
barrel house piano and crunching guitars introducing the infectious “All
The Way To Memphis”, one of a handful of great rockers from the English
Quintet. Front man Ian Hunter, he of the charmingly roguish dylanesque
sneer (“I felt sooooo ashamed”) wears his heart on his glittering,
shimmering sleeve with songs such as “Rose” and “Rest In Peace”,
whilst the slag-rap in the middle of “Angeline” is a great example of
audience participation and cockney humour.
 This
is creative, challenging hard rock that transcends the usual limitations
of the genre and here, in the band’s natural habitat, the stage, with a
baying crowd of the converted, they live the life to the full.
The boys in the back line keep the foot flat on the
floor, allowing the frontline to really go for their lives. Master of this
(continuously trying to steal the spotlight from the others) was the
ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll showman, lead guitarist Ariel Bender. He
succeeds in splendid style on the rockers like the fabulous Medley of Mott
classics from Hammersmith that closes the show or the song that would
always be associated with Bender’s contributions to Mott the Hoople
“Walkin with a Mountain”.
If you want an album that sounds like it was recorded
in the sterile atmosphere of the studio, then this huge audience
participation plastered over the top of them is perhaps not the album for
you. But if you like to take your music raw and feel as though you’re
right there in row A seat 10 then step right up because this is the little
cookie for you. This album was recorded when the world of rock rolled with
a passion often missing these days. Do yourself a favour and get yourself
a slice of hot Mott to add to your collection.
Musicians:
Ian Hunter - Cheerleader
Ariel Bender - Sonic Guitar
Overend Watts - Rock ‘n’ Roll Star and Bass
Buffin - Thunder sticks
Morga Fisher - The Ivories
Track Listing
1. All The Way From Memphis
2. Sucker
3. Rest In Peace
4. All The Young Dudes
5. Walkin With A Mountain
6. Angeline
7. Rose
8. Rock ‘n’ Roll Medley Including
9. Jerkin Crokus
10. One Of The Boys
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Queen
12. Get Back
13. Jean Genie
14. Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On + Violence
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