August, in the middle of, some thoughts appertaining to.

[robshearman]

I'm feeling cautiously celebratory. The last time I felt this celebratory was a couple of weeks ago, for no especially good reason, and to commemorate that I took Janie off to the South of France for a few days. There's a lovely town there called Carcassonne which boasts a huge medieval walled city on the top of the hills - as you fly in on the

Comments

[aderack]

There's also a board game inspired by that city. It's rather wonderful.

The movie is... strange. Extremely low-key. It feels like an epilogue to everything, and it works as that. The best moment comes after the credits, so don't just get up and walk out.

[robshearman]

Yes. Strange is how I'd describe it too. Rather brave. It deliberately sets out to confound all your expectations of what you'd expect from an X-Files movie. I quite admired lots of it - but I'm not sure I really *liked* it all that much...

[affablestranger]

It's good to hear from you, Rob, and congratulations on the completeness and near-completness of the books. And too for the award nominations. I'll vote for you if they send me a ballot. I might even if they don't.

[robshearman]

Oh, thank you! Fingers crossed, really. It all seems very unlikely, but it's lovely to be given the attention...

[alawston]

I took my girlfriend to Toulouse for a week for her 21st birthday and we developed a crazy intense love for Carcassonne over the course of a single day trip. It was mid-November and we were still wandering around in t-shirts. Everything about the place is brilliant, from the cassoulet to the castle to the fact that it's all incredibly accessible from the train station.

[brewsternorth]

Oo, have you ever seen "Les Visiteurs"? A lot of that movie was filmed in and around the Carcassonne.

On the other hand, when I think of Calgary all I can think of is the Winter Olympics and Eddie the Eagle, which is even less help.

*cautiously celebrates with the OP*

[alawston]

I have indeed, and I've also almost managed to blot the horrific US remake from my mind. Now that you mention it I can picture quite a few of the scenes that must have been filmed in the region.

[arabian]

the one about the Von Trapp family member who can't sing

Now that I want to read. ;)

Congrats on the nominations and good luck.

As for The X-Files movie, I actually LOVED it, but I'd suggest going it to not expecting some huge, action-y, sci-fi blockbuster; it's a more contemplative, introspective X-File. I really, really loved it. Oh, and STAY PAST THE CREDITS!!!

[robshearman]

It's becoming a real git to write, though. It wants to grow into something too big and unmanageable for the book. And I'm not sure whether to stunt its growth or not, or run with it and see where it goes...

And I haven't actually written a word of it yet. God knows how much bigger once *words* become part of it. Hmph.

[transcendancing]

Huge congrats again on World Fantasy!

*raises glass of strawberry sparkling in your honour*

I am studying away, not at European History, but at Identity in Australia, or the Identity of Australians... something along those lines. I'm finding it very fascinating in that there are several things I agree with, and several that make my teeth hurt - but that's actually part of the fun.

I hope you enjoy the new job heaps - does it mean you get to dress up in a suit more often or do you get to be more 'casual' :) Mmm cruising - sounds so very lovely. I could do that one day. *fantisises*

*big hugs* As a sentimental person about anniversaries - happy any-versary to you :)

[robshearman]

Aw, bless you, Ju! Strawberry sparkling is always welcome!

I think I can be pretty casual. But because I'm on board in the position of a Serious Academic Lecturer (it says in the brochure), I suspect I shouldn't wear a thong or a kiss me quick T-shirt. Not unless I have a mortar board and a monocle to offset their flippancy.

[transcendancing]

I support your commentary on presentation of the self and how serious people take you :P

You will be fantastic I am sure!!

This morning as I read this, I've just listened to another of my lectures - this time on money, political economy, corporations and how they shape things etc... Given I was on the train however, there are no notes to speak of so I'll have to go back to extract some of the stuff out of there :)