Wednesday, April 06, 2005
A girl after my own heart
Thanks to John at C&S I have discovered the word according to Clare Sudbery, who apart from being devastatingly younger than me (increasingly everyone is), who writes at Boob Pencil. To say she is hilariously entertaining would be an understatement. I laughed so much reading her musings on "The Body" - up today - I nearly choked on my dinner.
Belated Book meme
Bah, humbug. The difficulty with me being away from the office, poorly or not, is that it prevents me blogging sufficiently. Which also means I get behind with all the lovely work done by my fellow bloggers.
So here, belatedly, are some thoughts on the not-so-recent-meme circulated to me from the luscious Hak Mao.
You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
Something meaningful I guess, with a sentiment I can identify with... not thinking too hard about this I would propose The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony by Roberto Calasso for its enigmatic style and exploration of mythology (also a great discussion of Nemesis - a past identity of mine)
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? I guess TV wouldn't count or else I would chose Dr. Daniel Nash (smile!), or in terms of fictional characterisation, Joshua Lyman. Am I seduced by the performer, performance, or the written character? Most recently as a legitimate fictional character my thoughts go to Jeremy Danvers, Alpha werewolf of the pack from Bitten and Stolen.
The last book you bought is: All those Kelley Armstrong books!
The last book you read: Fictionwise, again its already been recorded here, the Lucifer book Mansions of Silence. I tried to get book 7 but Page 45 had sold out. Sniff.
What are you currently reading? Fictionwise, not a lot at this moment but I'm due for another re-read of the Sandman novels. Neil Gaiman's ability to weave stories from such a range of sources always thrills my soul and the visual constructions always please the eye as well.
Five books you would take to a deserted island:
King James Bible - because it is great poetry and will sufficiently annoy me in equal measure to keep me angry enough to survive
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman - because I can always do with a good cry and it will go well with the above
House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski - because I still haven't read all the footnotes
The Collected Dorothy Parker - because I like a bit of bitterness
TV scripts - oh come on, they're fictional right? Am undecided whether I want the Blackadder scripts (for humour), a Buffy volume (because it will help me visualise my favourite show), or Aaron Sorkin's volumes of West Wing scripts (because he constructs such great characters).
Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
Cloud - because he is so much better read than I am and will impress readers more
Casyn - because she needs to blog her way out of her hard work on Jekyll and Hyde
John at Counago and Spaves (even though he probably already has received it) - because he writes such great little book reviews: see his holiday reading reviews if you don't believe me!
So here, belatedly, are some thoughts on the not-so-recent-meme circulated to me from the luscious Hak Mao.
You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
Something meaningful I guess, with a sentiment I can identify with... not thinking too hard about this I would propose The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony by Roberto Calasso for its enigmatic style and exploration of mythology (also a great discussion of Nemesis - a past identity of mine)
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? I guess TV wouldn't count or else I would chose Dr. Daniel Nash (smile!), or in terms of fictional characterisation, Joshua Lyman. Am I seduced by the performer, performance, or the written character? Most recently as a legitimate fictional character my thoughts go to Jeremy Danvers, Alpha werewolf of the pack from Bitten and Stolen.
The last book you bought is: All those Kelley Armstrong books!
The last book you read: Fictionwise, again its already been recorded here, the Lucifer book Mansions of Silence. I tried to get book 7 but Page 45 had sold out. Sniff.
What are you currently reading? Fictionwise, not a lot at this moment but I'm due for another re-read of the Sandman novels. Neil Gaiman's ability to weave stories from such a range of sources always thrills my soul and the visual constructions always please the eye as well.
Five books you would take to a deserted island:
King James Bible - because it is great poetry and will sufficiently annoy me in equal measure to keep me angry enough to survive
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman - because I can always do with a good cry and it will go well with the above
House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski - because I still haven't read all the footnotes
The Collected Dorothy Parker - because I like a bit of bitterness
TV scripts - oh come on, they're fictional right? Am undecided whether I want the Blackadder scripts (for humour), a Buffy volume (because it will help me visualise my favourite show), or Aaron Sorkin's volumes of West Wing scripts (because he constructs such great characters).
Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
Cloud - because he is so much better read than I am and will impress readers more
Casyn - because she needs to blog her way out of her hard work on Jekyll and Hyde
John at Counago and Spaves (even though he probably already has received it) - because he writes such great little book reviews: see his holiday reading reviews if you don't believe me!
Donations invited to the Rosie Millard Hardship Fund
Donations are hereby invited to the Rosie Millard Hardship Fund; surely a well-deserving cause for all us good middle-class folk.
Okay, irony over.
Hard to know whether to laugh or scream at reading about Rosie Millard's reported poverty. Whilst I have some sympathy with those caught with one asset (their home) and little/no cash, those with assets (plural) and a lifestyle like that of RM and partner must surely realise the idiocy of their claims. Probably not.
Could she consider instead looking here for some clarity about her personal situation?
Okay, irony over.
Hard to know whether to laugh or scream at reading about Rosie Millard's reported poverty. Whilst I have some sympathy with those caught with one asset (their home) and little/no cash, those with assets (plural) and a lifestyle like that of RM and partner must surely realise the idiocy of their claims. Probably not.
Could she consider instead looking here for some clarity about her personal situation?
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
New theme music for Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Can I just add, why did NBC change the music for this show mid-way through Season 2? It sucks. I really liked the musing tone of the original theme music.
Life in 2005
Am sure that this has been doing the rounds longer than this year but it amused me...
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2005, WHEN....
1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses
6. You go home after a long day at work, you still answer the phone in a business manner
7. You make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial 9 to get an outside line
8. You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies
10. You learn about your redundancy on the 10 o'clock news
11. Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job
12. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries
13. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen
14. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it
15. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee
16. You start tilting your head sideways to smile
17. You're reading this and nodding and laughing
18. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message
19. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list
20. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list
AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself!
Have a good day
Thanks to Rita
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2005, WHEN....
1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses
6. You go home after a long day at work, you still answer the phone in a business manner
7. You make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial 9 to get an outside line
8. You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies
10. You learn about your redundancy on the 10 o'clock news
11. Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job
12. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries
13. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen
14. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it
15. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee
16. You start tilting your head sideways to smile
17. You're reading this and nodding and laughing
18. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message
19. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list
20. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list
AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself!
Have a good day
Thanks to Rita
Doctor Who-will-be-next?
Shame that just as he has done the rounds with the interviews for Doctor Who, the truth comes out Eccleston had already quit (how utterly frustrating that must have been on his professionalism). A pity as well since I have to admit so far the series has been great fun. The humour is well-paced and Piper isn't too irksome. And frankly Mr Shankly if they do get DT in for series 2 I'll admit I will still be watching... good friend Chrissie suggested DH for the role! Now that would be hilarious! In the unlikely event of that coming to be, will happily settle for DT!
Signs of respect
Norm raised the question of how delaying the announcement of the UK general election till today was a sign of respect.
I offer that one the day of Princess Diana's funeral, Cloud and myself walked through Coventry to return a hungover friend to the train station and passed a store with a sign up saying "Closed as a mark of respect for Princess Diana's funeral".
It was a porn shop.
Now THAT's respect. [Typeface for irony definitely needed].
I offer that one the day of Princess Diana's funeral, Cloud and myself walked through Coventry to return a hungover friend to the train station and passed a store with a sign up saying "Closed as a mark of respect for Princess Diana's funeral".
It was a porn shop.
Now THAT's respect. [Typeface for irony definitely needed].
Forthcoming gig: Rufus Wainwright
Following excellent nattering with my former PhD buddy Ian B. (one of the few who can out-yak me), Cloud and I have booked to see Rufus Wainwright in Nottingham next week. Since my illness and the CF deadline busted our plans to see Patrick Wolf, this will compensate for that. though am amazed that despite recent GLUT of coverage for said Wainwright offspring the tickets were still available. On topic of PW though, I still recommend blog-readers track down at least the first track off his new album, The Libertine which really gets me going.
Equal Opportunities applications for Pope
Amidst the hijacking of the media by Vatican Radio (sorry I can't find the Guardian letters link), my pal George raised the question of Equal Opportunities in the nominations/applications for the vacant post. Why not nominate an atheist?
Birmingham voting
Can I just say that I have real issues with the criticism of the recent report on rigged voting in the Birmingham elections last year. Not because they did not rig the votes - I have no dispute with the notion that rigging occurred. Not because at a local level this wasn't systematically tolerated and at a national level was blind-eyed - it was. But to elide from what happened on a local level to make the statement that "The LABOUR PARTY" was behind this, as if it was somehow intentionally set up as a means to defraud the intentions of the electorate... that takes it too far. Sorry.
EVERYONE benefitted from the poor system introduced, not just those who won and were challenged. There were and are internecine battles between racial and religious groups being fought in the area that were exploited by both those who won and those who challenged the results. The results were terrible and a shame to all with belief in democracy, but to phrase the blame against the Labour Party in the way it has been doesn't do the argument any favours.
EVERYONE benefitted from the poor system introduced, not just those who won and were challenged. There were and are internecine battles between racial and religious groups being fought in the area that were exploited by both those who won and those who challenged the results. The results were terrible and a shame to all with belief in democracy, but to phrase the blame against the Labour Party in the way it has been doesn't do the argument any favours.
Election day announced: worst kept secret ever
Nick Palmer is a good local MP. Whatever other issues I have with Labour, he's still getting my vote. Can foresee dire turn out except for anti-war protests and "are you thinking..." [oh I doubt it] xenophobic racists.
Casanova
If you missed this on BBC3, then please say you have invested the time to watch it now that it has quickly come to BBC1. In much the same way as I grinned through Misty's Big Adventure, this production just made me gleeful. It was smart, funny and emotionally connected with me. Also, David Tennant as the young Casanova is superb and gives dashing Peter O'Toole a real run for his acting money. Glorious. Why no due date for DVD release? Am still hanging for Blackpool to get a release as well. As I am for Holding On (1997 and counting). AND Green Wing... turning into a DVD grumbler...
Comedy sketches... bleugh
John, as ever at Counago and Spaves, has much sensible comment to make on the above monstrosity that was foisted on the viewing public this weekend by Channel 4. Personally speaking, context is often everything for a sketch: the momentum of the programme, the characters, you as the viewer and where you are at. Mostly the stuff doesn't work when repeated ad nauseum by 'fans', many of whom frequently miss the point of the joke(s) or characterisations presented.
Mind, glad John commented on it as it reminded me just how glorious the Absolutely team were: Morwenna Banks, what a gal!
Mind, glad John commented on it as it reminded me just how glorious the Absolutely team were: Morwenna Banks, what a gal!
"Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical" in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
I'm BACK!
Yes folks, I'm back at work. I took two weeks of vacation and spent most of it ill. There's a good investment of my energy. Still, I got the CF essay done - at least done enough to earn me some extra time to polish it. Now I have a backlog of mail and blog stuff to deal with... look out folks it's gonna be a bumper day of blogsworth!
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