Day 748

Aka Sunday 17^th February 2019

Went for a morning constitutional, aka my long walk to get the newspaper, and managed to walk 11.05km (6.87 miles), in 1 hour 58 minutes and 42 seconds, which burnt through 1,200 calories and took 13,603 steps…

 

…during my walk I listened to The Rolling Stones ‘Sucking in the Seventies’ and ‘Rarities: 1971 – 2003’ compilations:

...both of which have some nice original songs on them and some good live versions of classic Stones songs, but I think they are very much aimed at the existing Stones fan, who wants to explore some of the lesser known roads of the Stones journey. 7/10 for each album. 

…did my New Comic Book Day shopping via eBay, as there are only a couple of comics out this week that I want…

…then I did a bit of job searching, including working through the London Southend Airport jobs my work coach give me, most of which I couldn't apply for due to lack of previous experience or due to not being able to drive, but I have sent an email for further information about the Graduate Trainee post…and completed and submitted application for a 'Business Support Officer' post…

…one thing that has annoyed me at my job hunting (aside form not getting a job yet!) is when a company includes a line/paragraph along these lines “Due to the volume of applications we will not reply to all the applications, so if you haven’t heard back within four weeks you haven’t been successful”. Why? Practically all applications are made electronically nowadays, and it is highly rude not to take a minute of two, to acknowledge that someone has taken the time and interest to apply, and to send out a pro forma email saying thanks for applying but you haven’t been successful on this occasion…

…I also re-watched ’Safe House’ and noticed a possible link between one of the lead characters, Matt Weston, to Michael Weston from ‘Burn Notice’…are they related? Was Matt a cover for Michael or vice versa? Or is it coincidence?...

…and I read:

 

‘Mata Hari’ #3, #4 and #5: Emma Beeby has written an intriguing story about the legendary/infamous Mata Hari, which is beautifully illustrated by Ariela Kristantina and Pat Masioni. The story isn’t told in linear fashion and we see Mata Hari’s past, near past and present together (sometimes simultaneously) and how the past impacts, and is reflected, in the present. At times this can make it a little hard to follow the story, but you never forget that this is a story about a woman trying to make, and live, her own life, at a time when this was not easy, and the choices she has to make to do this (or just to survive one day to the next). And it left me with a new image of Mata Hari, no longer just a ‘scarlet woman’, but a more rounded person. 7/10.

‘Doom Patrol’ #12: a nice side story focusing on the Lucas family, as they explore a D&D inspired fantasy world, fight baddies and free the Demonscape of its demonic ruler, Margoth. But it does feel a tad slight and inconsequently, maybe because it was pretty delayed, which means that it feels disconnected with the rest of the Young Animal stories.  6/10.

‘Accell’ #18: a full issue as Daniel/Accell has a straight up superhero/supervillain fight, while saving a bunch of hostages and developing new powers/refining what his powers can do. This is a fun take on traditional superheroics but told with a modern viewpoint and ideas. 7/10.

 

…and my copy of ’Comics Will Break Your Heart’ by Faith Erin Hicks, arrived, and if it’s half as good as Faith’s comics work it will be a great read…