Most people have their favorite books that they like to pull out and read again every few years. Right now I am reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I think this is the fifth time I've read it.Bryson is an ex-pat re-pat ex-pat who lives in the UK now. In the 1990s he hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail with his childhood friend "Stephen Katz," who at the time of the hike was a morbidly obese 44-year-old slacker with a sharp tongue. The conversations and insults they drop on fellow travelers and characters they meet along the way are hysterical. Particulary funny is Mary Ellen, an annoying piece of work who trails Bryson and Katz while talking nonstop and making frequent Felix Unger honking sounds while "cleaning" her eustacian canals. Which prompted Katz to tell her, in all seriousness,
I know a guy who did that once, and one of his eyes popped out. It rolled right across the living room floor and his dog ate it. Isn't that right, Bryson?
8 comments:
I didn't realise or have forgotten he'd gone back to the UK, I thought he was going to settle in the US for good.
You and I are both fans. He went back in 2003 and was appointed Chancellor of Durham University. How serious this title is I cannot say, considering that the prior Chancellor was Peter Ustinov. No, I am not kidding.
Chancellor is probably an honorary position.
My wife graduated from William and Mary. Their current Chancellor is Sandra Day O'Connor. At the time she graduated, 5 years ago, the position was held by Henry Kissinger, and before that it was Margaret Thatcher. I don't recall seeing any of them around town.
I've read at least 5 or 6 of his books, none more than once though.
Funny guy.
I did a quick bit of research and I don't think it is an honorary position although they did award him an honorary degree beforehand. Chancellorships of UK universities are a bit of an odd position to be honest and often awarded on the basis of the "old boys network". I don't think they do much to actually run the university but they help out with PR stuff etc. and probably appear at all the relevant board meetings. I'm sure they did it to try and raise their profile, although it's a prestigious university to start with. It's also one of the most beautiful places in England so I wouldn't blame anyone for taking a job there!
For a real treat check out the unabridged audio book.
Based on the cover, I thought the book was "...and sometimes the bear gets you".
I was surprised to see that Robert Redford is a fan of the book and plans to turn it into a movie.
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