HTML for the World Wide Web with XHTML and CSS, Fifth Edition (Visual QuickStart Guide)

My first foray into the world of HTML, XHTML and a splash of CSS. This book helped me on my first baby steps with the building blocks and foundations of website design.

The level is beginner to intermediate and as with all good technical books, starts off at the very beginning and describes the history of the web, technologies, browser wars, the different flavours of HTML, best practices and proper coding tips. The book also explains defunct and proprietary tags as well as elements and their use/misuse.The crucial role of separating content from design is explained via the dichotomy of XHTML and CSS.

This is a very good starting point and handy reference book for anyone looking to start off on a path of web design. I would recommend it to anyone who has the patience and dedication. Some parts of the book are a bit hard to digest, but not by much.Overall its step by step definition and tutorials will leave you feeling ready to take on the finer aspects of XHTML & CSS.

Whatever You Say I am: The Life and Times of Eminem - A review

A close up examination of the rise of Marshall Bruce Mathers III, the author delves into the underlying circumstances of what made him into a formidable rapper - relentless, unforgiving, barrage of verbal assaults coupled with the ability to weave narratives and a unique rhyme and musical style. The focus of his music often an assuage on the harshness of childhood, teenage and later years; also, his often explosive relationship with his mother and wife.

The book is somewhat sycophantic a quarter ways in, but the rest is a fairly accurate appraisal of the musical scene holistically, its evolution and influences on Eminem in particular. The book also showcases the landscape of rap from its birth to its darkest hour in the gangland style shooting of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur to the resurgence of rap as a materialistic grandioseness to the nihilistic, incendiary tendencies found in Eminem’s verses.

Midway through, the particular issue of proliferation and gratuity afforded him by his race and ability are drawn out and perused, amongst social awareness, barriers and the trials and tribulations of segregation versus integration endemic in the Mid West.

The later half focuses on the socio-economic rise and fall of Detroit – The Motor City. The backdrop of Marshall Mathers’ life, home to the once booming automotive industry to its decline and decrepitude, also on a cultural level as Motown moved house.

The personal level of connection the author has with Eminem adds credence and some of the narratives are reminiscent of the story telling style of ‘Guilty Conscience’ in light of the author’s first few encounters with the rapper and his life. Also reveals the man behind the masks (Eminem, Slim Shady), the true Marshall Mathers past the streetwise, witty, entrepreneur, the deeper, calmer persona, doting father, someone who just wants to be left alone and free from the repressive economic drudgery and enslavement. In his ability to translate that to verse while transcending and achieving his goals lies the ubiquitous appeal he has garnered in his loyal fans. This book is an excellent read for fans of Eminem as well as a primer for the uninitiated to the hip-hop scene.

Disclaimer: This excerpt taken from my previous posting elsewhere online.

A-Team

A-Team is based on the classic 80's TV show of the same name. This modern day blockbuster shows the team's inception by kismet. After a decade of service together, unscrupulous clandestine government agencies and their ulterior motives sees the team tangled up in an operation which leads to their incarceration and finally a life lead on the lam as soldiers of fortune.

The cast include Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Sharlto Copley.

A-Team is a movie choc full of action and humour and a plot line even though not too taxing, still a very good one. The stunts are very well choreographed in terms of technical merit and creativity. A completely entertaining must watch movie of the summer.