Monday, February 27, 2006
So how good does this look?
Trailer here.
It's not called, "gym-nice-tics".
Killer line courtesy of the writer of Bring it On. Bring it On is pretty good, though I was slightly disappointed with it, I had high hopes. It's nowhere near as strong as Get Over It. I'm really too old to say things like that, aren't I? I've passed the point where it becomes creepy.
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Trailer here.
It's not called, "gym-nice-tics".
Killer line courtesy of the writer of Bring it On. Bring it On is pretty good, though I was slightly disappointed with it, I had high hopes. It's nowhere near as strong as Get Over It. I'm really too old to say things like that, aren't I? I've passed the point where it becomes creepy.
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It's that time again, when I unlock the vault and share some things I've scrawled in my notepad. I am unsure of the significance of:
Just me on the bus; me and an elderly Rasta.
Do wolves wag their tails?
"Love someone to bits" = a euphamism for "think they're alright".
Teaspoons that taste of boiled eggs.
Children should be scratched with briars.
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Just me on the bus; me and an elderly Rasta.
Do wolves wag their tails?
"Love someone to bits" = a euphamism for "think they're alright".
Teaspoons that taste of boiled eggs.
Children should be scratched with briars.
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This has given me much browsing fun.
Pick a state - Wyoming!
Look - bobcats, striped skunks, beavers and pikas! Cool!
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Pick a state - Wyoming!
Look - bobcats, striped skunks, beavers and pikas! Cool!
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Saturday, February 25, 2006
From a pro-Denmark protest in Washington DC.
Americans: brilliant.
UPDATE: Hitchens speech from said demo. The American signs in the background are enough to set me weeping.
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Americans: brilliant.
UPDATE: Hitchens speech from said demo. The American signs in the background are enough to set me weeping.
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The hundred most used words on this blog (apart from the most common ones), apparently:
Nice to see Susanna making an appearance two years on, and Ian of course. But did I really need "fuck" and "fucking"?
Link via Life's Windows. You want it? You got it.
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Nice to see Susanna making an appearance two years on, and Ian of course. But did I really need "fuck" and "fucking"?
Link via Life's Windows. You want it? You got it.
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Friday, February 24, 2006
So I was watching "Lefties" earlier.
It's easy to mock.
Despite everything, I still consider myself to be on the left; and in many ways the Seventies leftist movements were really quite inspiring in their optimism and ambition. But Jesus... Don't rely on them to get anything done.
By the way, how much am I looking forward to Planet Earth?
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It's easy to mock.
Despite everything, I still consider myself to be on the left; and in many ways the Seventies leftist movements were really quite inspiring in their optimism and ambition. But Jesus... Don't rely on them to get anything done.
By the way, how much am I looking forward to Planet Earth?
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Excellent Danny Baker show today - he played nothing but yacht rock.
UPDATE: The listen again feature will be available for a week.
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UPDATE: The listen again feature will be available for a week.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2006
I'm probably going to go to a couple of Jewish Book Week events - specifically the conversation with Linda Grant about her new book and the Occidentalism roundtable. If you fancy coming too, let me know. I'm soon to buy tickets.
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"Bobbie, a man in his 70s from the village of Halkirk, near Thurso, had driven down especially. 'It's not him I've come to see, it's the girlfriend; I'm a bachelor so I've not seen as much as a married man,' he said unabashed. 'It's a bit of fun. There's not much else to brighten the winter here.'"
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I've just joined the RSPB. I now have free access to over a hundred nature reserves. And they threw in a feeder. I know. Sweet.
Why not serve one of these at your next Islington dinner party?
"As well as offering high quality wines at reasonable prices, all the wines sold under the RSPB banner will come sealed with a natural cork. The production of cork is completely sustainable and the cork forests of Spain and Portugal are very important for wildlife."
Also, some nice rice.
My next move is obviously in this direction.
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Why not serve one of these at your next Islington dinner party?
"As well as offering high quality wines at reasonable prices, all the wines sold under the RSPB banner will come sealed with a natural cork. The production of cork is completely sustainable and the cork forests of Spain and Portugal are very important for wildlife."
Also, some nice rice.
My next move is obviously in this direction.
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Friday, February 17, 2006
The Guardian's good today for reactionary nonsense. It wouldn't be fair to single one of them out: take your pick!
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Thursday, February 16, 2006
Tune I once dismissed as trash but which I really wouldn't mind listening to soon:
Mr Jones - Counting Crows.
Of course Mr Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky.
UPDATE: Of course I felt so symbolic yesterday.
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Mr Jones - Counting Crows.
Of course Mr Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky.
UPDATE: Of course I felt so symbolic yesterday.
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From the Guardian:
"The Bush administration made an emergency request to Congress yesterday for a seven-fold increase in funding to mount the biggest ever propaganda campaign against the Tehran government...
"Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, said the $75m (£43m) in extra funds, on top of $10m already allocated for later this year, would be used to broadcast US radio and television programmes into Iran, help pay for Iranians to study in America and support pro-democracy groups inside the country."
Excellent.
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"The Bush administration made an emergency request to Congress yesterday for a seven-fold increase in funding to mount the biggest ever propaganda campaign against the Tehran government...
"Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, said the $75m (£43m) in extra funds, on top of $10m already allocated for later this year, would be used to broadcast US radio and television programmes into Iran, help pay for Iranians to study in America and support pro-democracy groups inside the country."
Excellent.
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Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Sunday, February 12, 2006
We've just been to Rye. This morning we took a walk on the marshes. The weather was terrible - my right ear went numb from the wind and rain. I was being punished for my city ways, the lashes penance: it was a purge, and a gentle reminder of nature's awesome power.
"I feel my culture slashed by shredding rain,
And in that icy squall I'm born again."
I started making a shopping list, of things I once had but had long since shed - gaiters, boots, waterproofs. I felt with fresh force the need to extend my experience beyond the delineations of hipster pursuits and broadsheet culture pages.
Basically, if you're looking for company on a walk, or someone to visit a church or nature reserve with, I'm in.
Yet I worry where this might lead. What if become some Ted Hughes/Melvyn Bragg type? What if I end up living in Cumbria or somewhere? Am I to go on walks with a staff, the wind blowing through whatever hair I have, spouting poetry, only stopping to point out the tracks of a stoat, or to declaim on dialect words or crag and tail?
I'm being dishonest with you and with myself: I would welcome such a future.
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"I feel my culture slashed by shredding rain,
And in that icy squall I'm born again."
I started making a shopping list, of things I once had but had long since shed - gaiters, boots, waterproofs. I felt with fresh force the need to extend my experience beyond the delineations of hipster pursuits and broadsheet culture pages.
Basically, if you're looking for company on a walk, or someone to visit a church or nature reserve with, I'm in.
Yet I worry where this might lead. What if become some Ted Hughes/Melvyn Bragg type? What if I end up living in Cumbria or somewhere? Am I to go on walks with a staff, the wind blowing through whatever hair I have, spouting poetry, only stopping to point out the tracks of a stoat, or to declaim on dialect words or crag and tail?
I'm being dishonest with you and with myself: I would welcome such a future.
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Friday, February 10, 2006
When I imagine bliss, a state of perfect happiness, I think of two things – the first is a direct quote from an email I just sent Jake: it gave me the idea for the post.
1) “I'm wiping away a sentimental tear imagining being in a convertible when Louie Louie by the Kingsmen comes on the radio: I turn it up; then up some more: I sing along, at the top of my voice: it is the greatest moment of my life.”
2) I am at the beach. There is no one around. I am in a car. I get out, and I take a golf club from the boot. I climb onto the roof of the car. The sun is setting into the sea. I place a ball on the surface of the roof. I swing the club and the ball arcs slowly into the water. I take another ball from my pocket and I do it again: it is the greatest moment of my life.
But I hate cars.
And golf.
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1) “I'm wiping away a sentimental tear imagining being in a convertible when Louie Louie by the Kingsmen comes on the radio: I turn it up; then up some more: I sing along, at the top of my voice: it is the greatest moment of my life.”
2) I am at the beach. There is no one around. I am in a car. I get out, and I take a golf club from the boot. I climb onto the roof of the car. The sun is setting into the sea. I place a ball on the surface of the roof. I swing the club and the ball arcs slowly into the water. I take another ball from my pocket and I do it again: it is the greatest moment of my life.
But I hate cars.
And golf.
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The worst thing about Prêt, far worse than the homogenisation of our high streets, is the corporate matiness of their signs.
Paraphrased examples:
1) We are legally obliged to add 17.5% VAT on all purchases to be consumed on the premises. Nightmare.
2) Shirley and Lesley decided that Green and Blacks do the best icecream. They were testing them for ages. Funny that.
I don’t want to be your friend: I want a sandwich.
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Paraphrased examples:
1) We are legally obliged to add 17.5% VAT on all purchases to be consumed on the premises. Nightmare.
2) Shirley and Lesley decided that Green and Blacks do the best icecream. They were testing them for ages. Funny that.
I don’t want to be your friend: I want a sandwich.
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I went to see Rigoletto yesterday at the ENO. It was a reminder of the primacy of Jonathan Miller amongst the Beyond the Fringe alumni. That he is the most talented, the "best", is beyond doubt; but he is not the funniest. That would be Alan Bennett.
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Thursday, February 09, 2006
Did I miss something?
When buying food from, say, Pret, is it not unconscionably rude to stand in the queue, talking loudly into your mobile phone, and then bark an order at the counter-person, keep chatting on the phone, and then take your food without a nod, eyebrow-twitch or smile?
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When buying food from, say, Pret, is it not unconscionably rude to stand in the queue, talking loudly into your mobile phone, and then bark an order at the counter-person, keep chatting on the phone, and then take your food without a nod, eyebrow-twitch or smile?
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Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Have we argued about the Iraq war before? I don't recall.
Whatever - there's now no reason for me to state my case. I refer you to this article by the great Paul Berman: it's basically the same as my take on things.
Thanks Marty.
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Whatever - there's now no reason for me to state my case. I refer you to this article by the great Paul Berman: it's basically the same as my take on things.
Thanks Marty.
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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
I don't quite understand why nobody forced me to watch Shameless. The posters had put me off. I was wrong: it is obviously one of the best things to have ever been on British television.
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Friday, February 03, 2006
From some design site (thanks Jane):
“iPod Status is a wearable information display. It reads artist and title information about the currently playing song on an attached iPod, and presents this information on a small screen that attaches to any messenger bag shoulder strap. Many of us have taken rides on public transportation and wondered what the interesting-looking person beside us is listening to. iPod Status is intended to encourage social connectedness by making this hidden information visible.”
Translation: are you worried that people don’t realise quite how cool you are? What’s the point of listening to (whoever) if others don’t realise you’re listening to (whoever)?
Have you picked one up yet, Pato?
Talking of self-regarding disingenousness - I haven’t been using iTunes long, so the sample is size is too small to use its “Most Played” as an indication of my taste; even so, numbers 1 to 6...
Heartbeat - Annie
Wrap Your Arms Around Me - Agnetha Fältskog
Diddy Wah Diddy - Captain Beefheart
Winter - The Rolling Stones
Liar Liar - The Castaways
Lipstick on your collar - Connie Francis
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“iPod Status is a wearable information display. It reads artist and title information about the currently playing song on an attached iPod, and presents this information on a small screen that attaches to any messenger bag shoulder strap. Many of us have taken rides on public transportation and wondered what the interesting-looking person beside us is listening to. iPod Status is intended to encourage social connectedness by making this hidden information visible.”
Translation: are you worried that people don’t realise quite how cool you are? What’s the point of listening to (whoever) if others don’t realise you’re listening to (whoever)?
Have you picked one up yet, Pato?
Talking of self-regarding disingenousness - I haven’t been using iTunes long, so the sample is size is too small to use its “Most Played” as an indication of my taste; even so, numbers 1 to 6...
Heartbeat - Annie
Wrap Your Arms Around Me - Agnetha Fältskog
Diddy Wah Diddy - Captain Beefheart
Winter - The Rolling Stones
Liar Liar - The Castaways
Lipstick on your collar - Connie Francis
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Thursday, February 02, 2006
I know, I know. Politics. I'm not about to bang on about something. I just point at this, offering nothing more than a polite cough.
One signatory:
Kate Hudson
CND
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Protesting about an attempt to...
I'm sorry, I've already gone too far.
(Cough)
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One signatory:
Kate Hudson
CND
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Protesting about an attempt to...
I'm sorry, I've already gone too far.
(Cough)
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Those Islamists love a bonfire, don't they?
My, all this fuss about some cartoons.
It's open and shut, right? There's only one possible side to be on.
UPDATE! Marty's got a thing going on at his blog about this.
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Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Everyone in this article annoys me.
UPDATE! Specifically what I object to is the bleatings of Oxbridge types who interpret any attempt at reform – of making Oxford or Cambridge accountable, or of promoting teaching and learning – as joyless Gradgrindism.
Back when I read the NME, say ten years ago, there was some controversy over a tightening up of benefit entitlements. “Oh no!” some talentless wastrels cried, “now people won’t be able to hang around playing guitars all day. Where will the next generation of Richard Ashcrofts come from?” Where indeed.
UPDATE 2! By "bleatings of Oxbridge types" I do not mean anyone who comments here!
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UPDATE! Specifically what I object to is the bleatings of Oxbridge types who interpret any attempt at reform – of making Oxford or Cambridge accountable, or of promoting teaching and learning – as joyless Gradgrindism.
Back when I read the NME, say ten years ago, there was some controversy over a tightening up of benefit entitlements. “Oh no!” some talentless wastrels cried, “now people won’t be able to hang around playing guitars all day. Where will the next generation of Richard Ashcrofts come from?” Where indeed.
UPDATE 2! By "bleatings of Oxbridge types" I do not mean anyone who comments here!
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