The Journey(s) of Ian

Anne Francis was the female star of the science fiction movie classic 'Forbidden Planet' (1956). A movie I have always enjoyed and have always seen as one of the great SF movies. Anne Francis played the role of the innocent, but sexy daughter of the 'mad scientist', Walter Pigeon. Perhaps not conceived of as a serious role, however, she balanced the two male characters (her father and the starship commander, Leslie Nielson) and made the movie engaging on a human level. As an actress her career was successful, but not wildly so. She starred here and there, but never became a name, however, she will always be remembered by SF fans for that one role, back at the dawn of the era of the science fiction movie: Altaira Morbius. Anne Francis with the late, great Leslie Nielsen.

I am not the most prolific of bloggers, as anyone (if there is anyone), who reads this blog regularly, can see. I write when I am motivated to do so, when I feel I have something to say, however, to be frank, I sometimes do not write, even when I feel I have something to say. This being the case, let me bring you up to date. I spent a month (mid-Oct to mid-Nov 2010 ) in Phnom Penh, and I had a great time. PP is a great city, pleasant, friendly, small(ish), interesting. I look back on that month happily. I then, slowly, made my way back to Perth, Australia. First from PP to the Thai town of Trat, then to Pattaya, then Bangkok (Khao San Rd), then to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. From Sing I took a freighter (the Palermo) to Fremantle. At Freo my friend Jeff took me to my house. (Long story here, my house was in poor condition, after 18 months of rent. Even things were stolen.) My review of their service is DO NOT use them. Here are the details of the company I am not recommending: Ki