POSTING LESS

I have been posting less and less recently - occasionally I will realise and think that I ought to but when I start to type, it doesn't come out as witty or interesting as I'd like so I delete and don't bother until the notion takes me.

Since last post about Stephanie Beacham, I've not been too glued to Celebrity Big Brother. I have managed to devour season 3 of Ugly Betty and the fabulous season 3 of Brothers and Sisters - really brilliant and endearing TV. And always camp or dramatic.

I've tried to get into my Mae West collection but I have to say, it's a struggle. Every character Mae plays is irresistible to all men and she doesn't do much except strut and pose and start every sentence with that slutty "Oohh" voice that makes it sound as though someone's just tickled her under carriage. I even bought a trilogy of books that seemed right up my alley - however, I am a few chapters into book one, set in 1938 Hollywood - I have no sympathy for the lead heroine, none of the characters have any character really and it just seems to be a poor homage to that bygone era. I will stick with it and see how it goes but I'm wondering how on earth this author got published - it's beyond plotless. I'd liked to have been this guys editor and snipped this fluffy poodle of a novel into a dashing greyhound but it's just as though he's written this and protected his own work but to the detriment of the reader.

A bright spark in all of this is that I picked up Michael Tolliver Lives - the newest novel in the Tales Of The City series by Armistead Maupin. I loved the 6 original books and devoured them with ease - this one is no different, I have every intention of hitting the hay early and finishing it tonight - Maupin writes with such wit and heart that you can't help transporting yourself to San Fransisco - soaking in the atmosphere of Michael Tolliver, Anna Madrigal and the other strange inhabitants of Maupin's world. Not in the least bit fluffy - every line is well crafted and his storytelling ability is second to none. I will just be gutted when I'm finished and have only my poor novel to look back at and wonder - why would anyone publish such a poorly executed book - it does make me appreciate some great storytellers such as Maupin or another favourite of mine, Joe Keenan.

And I do promise to post more - I have only a few movies left in my never ending Top 25 Camp Movies Of All Time to complete and damnit Janet - I will do it!