Reality Bites: An Indiana Jones Fantasy

In the AU of my life - that's Alternative Universe for those not in the know - I'd like to think that I was writer or a bookstore owner or even maybe an archaeologist.

Like Daniel Jackson from Stargate, a space traveling archaeologist or even better Bernice Summerfield from Doctor Who, a space traveling, time traveling archaeologist.

I can see myself now, covered in dust and grime, uncovering some amazing galactic discovery that would change the universe with a handsome bad boy space captain by my side.  You know the kind, the one with the sexy grin and the snarky attitude.  Hey it's my fantasy after all and if you're going to dream why not dream big.

Since I'm not an archaeologist or even a historian I have to settle to watching others.  Those that can't... watch or something like that.  And let me tell you there are some amazing documentaries around, so if you're like me and are something of a history buff with a secret yearning to carry a bull whip and act all Indiana Jones then why not check out some, if not all, of the titles below.

Vikings presented by Neil Oliver

The world of the Vikings has always intrigued me, maybe because I have my very own Viking, so learning about these warrior people was something I've always wanted to do.

Even better, presenter and archaeologist Neil Oliver really knows his stuff and makes it all come alive.

A History of Scotland by Neil Oliver

Not only an archaeologist, Neil Oliver is also a Scotsman so it was probably only natural that he would do a documentary about the land of his birth.

Personally I could listen to him all day just for his Scottish accent alone.  A man with brains and a sexy accent. Pretty much a winner really.

Andrew Marr's History of the World

A fascinating look at some of the lesser well known aspects of world history with some insightful parallels made between the past and what is happening in today's world.

This is history through a journalist's eyes and well worth watching.

Beneath the Sands : Ancient Egypt Revealed

Egypt.

Land of the Pharaohs. The Spinx. Lost treasures and curses. Death on the Nile

Agatha Christie is totally to blame.

Although I could do without the death & murder part.  The 1920's clothes on the other hand...

Origins of Us

Archaeology is much more than the history of the world.  It is also the history of us.

Where did we come from?

Why are we the way we are?

How did we evolve?

Mankind The Story of All of Us 

The History Channel is made for people like me.  I could, if I had the time and the access, pretty much watch it all day.  Luckily I don't because death by history overdose might just raise a few strange queries.

Instead I can drip feed myself all courtesy of the libraries dvd collection.

The Crusades

Knights and swords and battles, The crusades is an era of history that captives the imaginations of many.

It was also an era that was bloody and brutal and with no true winner and the outcome of this echoes throughout history right up to today, with the implications effecting both the West and East and all over one little city, Jerusalem.

This Month I'm Loving...

The cooler weather, bowls of steamy hot soup and socks.

I love socks.

Long socks, short socks, stripey socks, spotty socks.  The brighter the better, though I am also rather fond of long, black socks, the longer the better.  My current favourites are my latest purchase -  a pair of Big Bang Theory Soft Kitty socks.

Yes you heard correctly. And yes I *adore* them because Reasons.

Damn Sheldon Cooper and that Soft Kitty song.  And if ever someone makes a pair of Supernatural socks (the show, not the other...) I'll be the first in line.

As always I've been discovering a world of new things.  Many of which aren't available for purchase in New Zealand.  Yet...

Our selectors at Auckland Libraries are amazing so I know that when these do become available they will probably be purchasing them.  In the mean time here's an advance preview of things to watch out for.... and which I can't get enough off.

Teen Wolf

I totally blame Tosca for this one.  She's the one who kept taking about it.  So of course I just had to give it a try.

And of course I've become completely and utterly hooked.  And don't get me started on Sterek....

Trust me you really don't want to know.  What you do need to know is that it features werewolves, hunky guys, great music...

It was pretty much a given that I would love it and become addicted to it... all in a completely non-obsessive way...

Vikings

Blood and mayhem.

It's a thing.

And I make no apologies that I have a certain weakness for it.  Especially when it involves good storytelling and great characters.

Ignore the fact that Vikings is made by the History Channel (even though it is) or that it's creator was the man behind The Tudors (which he was).

Vikings is a rousing tale that follows the mythic adventures of Ragnor Lodbok.  There's also swords and leather and men with beards so you just knew I had to be there.

Utopia

As much as I like blood and mayhem and supernatural things I also like things that are just a little dark... okay make that a lot dark.

Utopia fits the bill perfectly.  There's brutal deaths (and that's just in the first few minutes), weird characters and a comic which may just hold the destruction of mankind in it's pages.

Mikky Ekko

I mentioned above that one reason for watching Teen Wolf is some of the great music and this artist is just one that I've fallen for.

Most people probably know him through his duet with Rihanna on the song Stay, but you really need to check out his solo stuff which is even better.    I'm hanging out for his debut album which hopefully will be coming out later
this year.  Until then Youtube will have to fill the void.  Check out this song of his which has been on constant repeat on my Spotify account Who Are You Really

Haim

Another artist that is due to release their debut album later this year, Haim are three sisters who have been slowly building up a huge following over the past year,

I fell in love with them when I heard their song Don't Save Me earlier this year.  It's bouncy and catchy, just like the rest of their music.  You just have to check them out

8th Doctor Who Big Finish Adventures

After my last post you're all probably aware how much I have fallen in love with audio dramas so it will come as no surprise that I am just loving the 8th Doctor Who adventures which I have been working my way through.

Paul McGann is just as brilliant doctor and he has the perfect voice for audio and as always Big Finish have produced a series of just wonderful audios which I know I will probably listen to again and again.