John Jarvis › Comments

jlj's review: "Absolutely made my trip to Berlin. The only improvement I could suggest is that a later edition might also index the establishments by location or proximity to major U and S bahn stops (similar to the latest London pub guide, for example)." Cogan and Mater Ltd (2011), Paperback, 112 pages - John Jarvis

Love it! - John Jarvis from Bookmarklet

Boy, really enjoying this one, so far. - John Jarvis

Ah, Zelda. A lot of the other submissions for 8-Bit Champions are really good too. - John Jarvis

That estimate of one hundred is surprising: we were speaking with a local last weekend who said they're easily outpacing the culling, and probably stand at closer to 300 now (making them a danger to pets, etc.). I also found the last line amusing: I can imagine how this woman would've laughed at "escaped" coming before "released" in the theories presented for their emergence in the area. - John Jarvis

Nice. Great memories. - John Jarvis

Love to see this sort of thing. There's such life in these places. - John Jarvis

Love it! So proud to call that place home. :-) - John Jarvis

Great post. I was lucky enough to try Landlord early on in my time here, at the lovely Plaisterers Arms in Winchcombe. The nose on it, yeasty followed by the hops, blew my mind. I didn't know beer could smell (or taste!) so wonderful. I've only recently discovered Thornbridge, but what I've found -- Jaipur (every bit as good as Pete says) and Kipling -- knocked my socks off. Out of this world hops, which I love. Can't believe I haven't been to the GBBF yet... Fingers crossed for 2013. (London will be crazy at that time next year.) - John Jarvis

I find these sorts of stories really, really disturbing. Probably 'cause I used to have nightmares about this kind of thing as a kid. - John Jarvis

Really enjoying this woman's insights... - John Jarvis

Referenced on BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs... - John Jarvis

I was going to say that this sounds familiar. At the end they reference Laval, where that horrible accident happened -- five years ago... Wow, wouldn't have said it was that long ago. Jeepers, to heck with worries about driving through Montreal: my vote's for cutting through the States from now on! - John Jarvis

Man, that's really unfortunate. Beer fans are missing out, whoever's to blame. - John Jarvis

I've only come to know these illustrations as an adult, but I couldn't agree more with Dennis' sentiments. - John Jarvis

I can imagine the looks I'd get if I pulled that headline out at a dinner party here. :-D - John Jarvis

Wow, I'd call that quoted statistic significant. I've normally been very sceptical of rehabilitation as a policy. - John Jarvis

It always amazes me, how libraries and their funding will fire people up; in Toronto now, nationally here in the UK with the latest budget, in Ottawa in the past. I have mixed feelings, normally. This passage from Alan Bennett really speaks to me, but I can't help wondering whether most of the younger generations would agree: "I have been discussing libraries as places and in the current struggle to preserve public libraries not enough stress has been laid on the library as a place not just a facility. To a child living in high flats, say, where space is at a premium and peace and quiet not always easy to find, a library is a haven. But, saying that, a library needs to be handy and local; it shouldn’t require an expedition. Municipal authorities of all parties point to splendid new and scheduled central libraries as if this discharges them of their obligations. It doesn’t. For a child a library needs to be round the corner. And if we lose local libraries it is children who will... - John Jarvis

Wow. I didn't realize there'd been that many shootings at the festival in the last ten years. - John Jarvis

O.K. I'm homesick now. Great post, Jodi. I've done all that stuff -- well, except seeing Will and Kate, of course -- but it seems all the more exotic on your blog, amongst posts of Asia. - John Jarvis

"Those look like some good boots for this slop." "They are... Canadian!" - John Jarvis

Absolutely fantastic site. - John Jarvis

jlj's review: "This was my first Scalzi novel. I thought I'd better get that out straight away, as I suspect it gives me a somewhat odd and rare perspective amongst (what I can only assume are legions of) Scalzi fans. The book was brilliant. In its scope, pace and execution, I put it in select company. I am a big OSC fan, and I was revelling in the similarities long before the obvious one of parallel storylines was revealed in the acknowledgements. Hence my caveat. Rarely do you see an epic story unfold at such pace. And then to have it not only avoid collapse, but, with nary a misstep, to conclude beautifully, was, frankly, shocking. However, upon learning about TLC, I now wonder, as a writer, knowing you have all these plot points to hit -- and, importantly, knowing that most of your readers know them too -- whether you allow yourself to jog, and even run, at times. I am not saying this was easy. Far from it. I laughed at Scalzi's mocking of his initial thoughts on the project. But... - John Jarvis

Stunning. WANT! - John Jarvis

It would be great if we took take advantage of this man's considerable experience. Sadly, the man who's demonstrated the least respect for Parliament in our country's history now, with a majority, can look forward to even fewer consequences to flying in its face. - John Jarvis

Huh, a decisive result from FPTP; it does happen. - John Jarvis

"... [B]y five votes." (!) Incredible. Hard not to be impressed by the NDP's results this time 'round. - John Jarvis

jlj's review: "No one could ever approach Adams, but Colfer comes surprisingly close. Many laughs and snickers later, I'm much happier with the current state of the 'trilogy'." Hyperion Books (2009), Edition: 1, Hardcover, 288 pages - John Jarvis

A great summary (for me, out of the country and the day-to-day, anyway). I really thought Harper's dismissing Parliament's role and process to a large degree would have visible consequences. - John Jarvis

It stuns me, how little this man resonated with the public. I was excited when he entered politics; I should go back and read my posts around that time. :-) Still, I've never voted Liberal, and, man, was I in good company this time 'round. - John Jarvis