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Book 7/50 : The Lost Fleet Fearless

Courageous is the third book in Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet Series. It follows the first book Dauntless, and the second book Fearless. It continues the story of Captain ‘Black Jack’ Geary as he endeavours to get the alliance fleet home through enemy territory.

While the narrative continues on, it takes sometime to get going. Campbell continues with trying to flesh out the characters. While I understand why he’s doing this, part of the charm of the first book was the fact that apart from Geary the characters were paper thin. After all this is a military sci fi book you don’t need characters to be anything more than efficient/good/team-players , sloppy/insubordinate or just plain baddies. Sometimes the scenes between Geary and Victoria are rehashes of earlier scenes in this and the other books. Like he is trying to hammer home the format of their relationship so that everyone in the class fully understands. The fleshing out isn’t all negative the series does benefit from the view into fleet politics. Loyalties are shown not to be so black and white. It turns out those that support Geary aren’t all angels and those that don’t are not necessarily idiots.

The arc plot continues as Geary’s theory on a third party involvement in the hypernet is all but confirmed. Although the interesting nugget is added that maybe they aren’t alien rather they may be a third group of Humans, as there is very little evidence either way. While the impact of Geary’s previous victories on the syndicate worlds are shown. As its hinted that his good treatment of civilians is causing a softening of feeling towards the alliance and that this may lead to a revolution as syndic civilians seem to only be kept away from open revolt by their belief that there is no alternative.

I’m still really enjoying these books, I am however getting a little bit pissed at paying full price for each book. Lets not beat around the bush here, I’m on “book” 3 and while each "book" has a distinct start and finish its one story really. Add this to the fact you can easily read each book in a few hours and the only conclusion is that these books should have been published in omnibus form.

Looking Ahead to Glastonbury 2013

Just coming round from an amazing trip to Glastonbury Festival. This was my fifth time and can i dare say the best one so far. You may read people talking about it being too big, too corporate, too decadent. I can categorically say that anyone who has been knows none of this is true. Yes its come a long way from its humble beginnings and yes the hospitality/rich sections have grown somewhat, but the core of the festival is still as strong, beautiful and beguiling as ever. Also the Hospitality bits are just a way of squeezing money, for the worth while charities Glasto supports, out of the rich and stupid. The real festival is out with the people anyway, that's why so many of the bands venture out among us plebs.

So 2013. Glastonbury festival, and by extension worthy and its neighbouring farms, will be enjoying a fallow year next year. Strategically timed to coincide with the national portaloo shortage to be caused by the Olympic games. The festival will be returning, no doubt bigger and better in 2013. Gates are rumoured to open on Wednesday 26th June 2013.

Just the same as the last 5 years you will need to register your details to be able to buy a ticket. You can register now here. Why wait?

Tickets will be on sale...Well if they stick with current procedure tickets will go on sale sometime in late 2012 possibly the first weekend in October, and will cost around £200. Again if they stick with current procedure you will be charged a deposit of £50, you will than have to pay the rest of the price by a set date early in 2013 (around February). If you don't you will lose your ticket and be refunded your deposit minus an admin fee (£10 this year).

Glastonbury's a busy place so here is ...

A Considerate Guide to Glasto

1. Give priority on the paths to those lugging stuff. If your exploring the site once you've pitched camp, and your on the same path as someone lugging a ton of gear go round them. They are probably in no mood to go round you.
2. The paths are full of people trying to get from one place to another, if your on one and you need to stop step off them. Don't just stop and hold up several thousand people.
3. Do not wash wellies at the stand pipe. You don't need to wash wellies! Glasto festival itself had to tell people off about this. It is a wellies raison d'etre to be muddy, and anyway they will be just as muddy within 4 steps I promise you.
4. Do not wash your hair at the stand pipes. If you absolutely, positively, must wash your hair than do it at your tent with a jug. (As most others do.) Or get one of those fancy pants solar showers. I literally had to queue for 2 hours to fill a 5 litre water bottle(which takes about 2 minutes,) because lots of people were washing their hair (which can take between 10-20 mins each person.)
5. Don't wee anywhere but the toilets*. It really does put the festival at risk. It kills fish etc. Also its minging to step in mud that is a large percentage piss.
6. Love the Festival Love the farm. If you bring it take it home. In 5 festivals we have left nothing but the odd bag of rubbish.



* Comfort bottle or travel Johns are fine.