RickMcCharles.com

books, human rights, TV

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

November 27, 2020November 23, 2020 Rick Mc

Troubled Blood (2020) is the fifth novel in the Cormoran Strike series …

I ASSume Galbraith is a moral man — respecting human rights.

Cormoran Strike is as irritable and irritating as ever.

We can’t imagine why partner Robin Ellacott likes him as a boss — or for possible romance.

Happily, Robin finally divorced her husband. What a relief.

Troubled Blood is well written. But I enjoyed it least of the series, so far.

The 40 year old cold case is too long, too slow. I definitely couldn’t get into it.

More insight into Strike’s odd family was interesting. In fact, all the other story lines were engaging.

I’ll definitely be continuing with the series, even if it turns out Galbraith is a horrible person in real life.

photos, product endorsements

Editing PHOTOS with Pixelmator Pro

November 26, 2020November 25, 2020 Rick Mc

Kraig recommended this software. And I’m going to buy it. CAD $55.

Pixelmator Pro is Mac only. It supports the new (2020) M1-chip and macOS Big Sur.

Below is a Pixelmator edit of an iPhone X 4K original. I followed the official tutorials.

What you see below is a smaller version for web. But if you click on it — you’ll be able to see the full size original.

I’d long wanted to quit free Apple Photos software that comes with every Mac. Never liked it. Unfortunately Apple keeps you locked into the ecosystem. Happily, Pixelmator Pro works hand in hand with the Photos app. No conflict.

I’m also tested the Sony Imaging Edge software (horrible) and Capture One 20 Express (free). But Capture One 20 non-Express is too expensive – at least $10 / month.

I have Gimp (free) but find it pretty complicated.

This video show the fantastic interface of Pixelmator Pro.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

books

Song for the Dark Times by Ian Rankin

November 25, 2020November 20, 2020 Rick Mc

A Song for the Dark Times (2020) is the 23rd Rebus book by Ian Rankin.

I’ve read them all.

This one is as good as ever. Despite Rebus being long retired. I said goodbye (the first time) in 2007 with Exit Music.

Rebus had to move to ground floor residence as he can no longer do stairs. And he keeps his inhaler at the ready.

Brexit looms. But there’s no talk of COVID-19.

When his daughter Samantha calls in the dead of night, John Rebus knows it’s not good news. Her husband has been missing for two days.
Rebus fears the worst – and knows from his lifetime in the police that his daughter will be the prime suspect.
He wasn’t the best father – the job always came first – but now his daughter needs him more than ever. But is he going as a father or a detective?
ianrankin.net

My brother Randy linked to this video of a recent discussion of aging characters: Rebus v Harry Bosch.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Amazon, Apple, education, Google, internet, things getting better

Online education SUCKS

November 24, 2020November 20, 2020 Rick Mc

There’s no way online classes will be as bad in 2025 as they are today.

I expect Google, Apple, Amazon to be amongst the companies disrupting the current expensive American College system. Taking their money.

But it’s this organization — Outlier — that won a Time magazine BEST inventions of 2020 award.

At least they are trying to improve the experience.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

books

Code to Zero by Ken Follett

November 23, 2020November 19, 2020 Rick Mc

Code to Zero (2000) … follows Luke, an amnesic who spends the duration of the book learning of his life, and slowly uncovering secrets of a conspiracy to hold America back in the space race.

It’s set in 1958.

Luke wakes up in a men’s room with no recollection of his past.
His clothing, associates and surroundings suggest to him that he is an alcoholic derelict, however his behaviour, intelligence, morals and instinct lead him to investigate and research his past.

As always with Follett, the plot is intriguing. The love story passionate.

There was talk of a TV adaptation, but I’m not sure that happened.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Miquel Benitez/REX Shutterstock (4700397d) Ken Follett the day before Sant Jordi’s Day Ken Follett press conference, Barcelona, Spain – 22 Apr 2015

cycling, health & fitness, hiking

I HATE Running

November 22, 2020November 24, 2020 Rick Mc

But days are too short in November – January in Canada to do multi-day hiking or cycling trips. I’m stuck with it.

Right now I’m alternating:

Runs up to an hour. Up to 10km.
Stairs series
100m sprint intervals

For runs I head off from home towards my favourite park. Turn around at the half way point in time / distance.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch running Parksville in the Spring on YouTube. Flowers!

Click PLAY or watch running Bermuda on YouTube.

The Code (Aussie TV series)

November 22, 2020November 22, 2020 Rick Mc

Because I enjoyed Australian TV series Pine Gap, I went looking for more.

The Code — season 1 2014 — is a six-part series set in both outback and metropolitan areas of Australia.

Very intense.

Fantastic ending.

The main story is brothers Ned (Dan Spielman) — a journalist — and Jesse Banks (Ashley Zukerman) — a hacker — who publish a video of a mysterious outback accident.

Zukerman’s performance a socially dysfunctional genius is impressive and emotional. He was nominated Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama in 2014 in the Aussie AACTA Awards.

I’ll definitely watch season 2.

books

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

November 21, 2020November 17, 2020 Rick Mc

I was keen to get my hands on this book.

The author won the 2020 Hugo Award for her debut novel A Memory Called Empire (2019).

Arkady Martine is the pen name of AnnaLinden Weller, a historian and city planner in New Mexico.

AnnaLinden was a SciFi geek from a young age. A big reader too.

The book starts well.

A young female ambassador is sent from tiny Lsel Station to the home planet of the Teixcalaanli Empire.

She’s a fish-out-of-water. Unsophisticated. But with a secret technology.

I was hooked.

But about half way through I was tempted to give up. The palace intrigue not intriguing enough for me.

Not enough action.

Most people love this book. I made it through. But I won’t continue with the inevitable sequel.

books, movies

Girl in the Spider’s Web (film)

November 20, 2020November 15, 2020 Rick Mc

I liked the book — The Girl in the Spider’s Web — and finally got around to watching the 2018 film version.

Excellent.

It stars Claire Foy in the role of Lisbeth Salander and follows Salander as she battles against a mysterious notorious organization, the Spiders, who seek world dominance. …
A box-office bomb, … mixed reviews from critics, although Foy’s performance was praised.

Lisbeth Salander is one of the great characters of modern fiction. She’s been played by Noomi Rapace, Rooney Mara, and Claire Foy. All 3 superb, in different ways.