Siam Sam

The Royal Tenenbaums (spelling)

Daniel Craig

I'm a huge Beatles fan but more on that later

I gave him a lift home in 2004 when I was a taxi driver. He had (and still does I think) a beautiful house in Bucklers Hard in the New Forest which is in the south of England. Very cliche but he was a nice guy. Brothers in Arms is a class track and album. I think he tipped me as well. Can't remember for sure.

I've recently read The Wolf of Wall Street, the autobiography by Jordan Belfort. It was disappointing and one of those rare occasions where the film is better than the book. In the book Belfort just comes across as arrogant and it isn't funny, whereas I found the film hilarious. Most of the funny bits in the film didn't actually happen either. In the film Leonardo DiCaprio did a good job of making Belfort endearing and likable because he was funny but in the book you don't get that at all and I can't say I enjoyed the book very much.

It sounds like that must have a been a great time in your life. I often think that the sixties and seventies were the two best decades of the 20th century and I wish I'd have lived through them as a young man. If you haven't already read them then I'd recommend reading The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe and Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley. It sounds like you'd enjoy them. I've read The Age of Reason by Sartre and I enjoyed it. I've got a copy of Nausea too but I haven't read it yet.

Dan Aykroyd

United are looking good. Will this be the season where everything comes to fruition?

My top four prediction: Manchester United Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea

True Grit

I'd just like to say that I like the Windmill Club too. It's really good.

I recently finished Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. This is one of the most unusual books I've ever read. It's totally unique. It's a fictional autobiography about a motorcycle road trip that the first person narrator makes with his young son. The story is punctuated with numerous philosophical discussions. If you're a fan of philosophy then you'll enjoy this book. The actual story isn't particularly interesting at all but the discussions on philosophy are absolutely fascinating and it holds the book together. If you want something completely different then give it a go - its success speaks for itself because it's sold over 5 million copies.

Right then only a few weeks to go so all the discussion and banter for this season starts here. Let's have some top 4 predictions then?

Barfly

Pete's Dragon

The Krays

If it's your first time and you're staying in Pattaya the whole time and not going elsewhere then my advice is not to plan anything because the plans won't happen. You'll be too busy drinking and shagging. On your first day, draw out five thousand baht and head for somewhere like the Ruby Club on Soi 6. You'll work the rest out on your own. If you lack confidence and you don't think you have the balls for that then meet up with a regular from the forums - there's loads of people out there that like taking newbies under their wing for a few days and it's so easy to arrange a meet up.......

Last week I finished a biography of The Clash frontman Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz. It was brilliant and if you're a Clash fan then you would really enjoy this. I'm currently reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.

Oh I could elaborate, believe me. For a novel that is so long the plot is however, quite simplistic. Much of the plot concerns the only son of the Bolkonsky family and the eldest son of the Rostov family and their involvement in the war against Russia which reaches a climax with the famous battle of Borodino. The French briefly occupy Moscow but shortly after they retreat back to France. The novel's main character - Pierre Bezhukov is the illegitimate son of a wealthy count whose fortune he inherits when he dies. Although socially desirable because of his fortune, he is a social misfit and disillusioned with his wealth. He becomes a Freemason and at the end of the novel becomes involved with the war although he isn't officially a soldier or a member of the army. During the French occupation of Moscow he carries out some heroic acts and is taken prisoner before being rescued and liberated by the Russians when they eventually restore order and take back control of the country. He eventually marries the girl he loves and finds his peace with the world. He is an extremely complex character that is often a voice for Tolstoy's own beliefs and struggles. Some of the best chapters in the book concern him. I highly recommend this novel - it's awesome.