(no subject)

a very interesting NPR piece on elections and politics in film

I'm moved to try watching most (if not all) of these before the election, a sort of politics film festival.

And how weird is it that McCain likes 'The American President' (one of my favourite films)? He isn't exactly a carbon copy of Bob Rumson, but he's a lot closer tot hat than Andrew Shepard.

(no subject)

I love Scotland.

I enjoy trains tremendously.

But £5,150 for a one-week trip around Scotland on a train?

Yes, I know it's a luxury train, with all sorts of super food, beyond-first-class accommodation, and fascinating side-trips.

But let's be real: their version of the Orient Express is only £5,790 for a longer trip over a much greater distance and more exotic locales.

Both my current and former wives think me an appalling spendthrift, but I can't see laying out that kind of dosh for a train trip, no matter how super the train!

For considerably less than £1,000, NJ and I (and up to two friends) could spend a week pottering about the UK or Europe on a canal boat. And we could even bring the cats!