From BBC News:
One amateur sumo official told the paper: "Pubescent kids are not going to take part if they don't look cool."
'nuff said.
24 March 2005
22 March 2005
Br Danielson
Just thought this was an amusing picture of Daniel Smith of various Danielson related projects:
Also rather frustrating box game:
Escapa
Also rather frustrating box game:
Escapa
17 March 2005
Down is the new up.
Hello
Just thought I'd check in. I'm having one of those weeks where one day life is great and everything seems to go well (except for the sore knee I acquired along the way) and the next I remember all the things I still haven't done. So. End of neurology/neurosurgery tomorrow; it has been fairly interesting, as per usual and some good teaching this week from the consultants.
Been listening to the rather wonderful 'To Spirit Away the Mews' compilation by my new favourite record label Asthmatic Kitty (home of Sufjan Stevens, Danielson Famille and Half Handed cloud plus a load of others). I have an itching to get back to writing and playing more of my own music but the aforementioned 'things I still haven't done' always come to mind; not that it spurs me to do them, rather it just encourages me to ignore them, mostly by wandering the innnernet or eating. Yum. Food.
Also playing the Ultimate at the weekend at our outdoor Regionals. We did ok given our lack of experience in general. I had a good time, which is the main thing. I know that I'll never be the best player in the world but I retain the desire to improve and mostly enjoy the game; c'mon it's not a real sport so having fun is the main objective.
It's my Granny and Grandpa's 50th Wedding Anniversary today, so best wishes to them. They really are 'Golden Oldies' now. Ahem. 'Taxi'.
All the best to you and your kin.
Just thought I'd check in. I'm having one of those weeks where one day life is great and everything seems to go well (except for the sore knee I acquired along the way) and the next I remember all the things I still haven't done. So. End of neurology/neurosurgery tomorrow; it has been fairly interesting, as per usual and some good teaching this week from the consultants.
Been listening to the rather wonderful 'To Spirit Away the Mews' compilation by my new favourite record label Asthmatic Kitty (home of Sufjan Stevens, Danielson Famille and Half Handed cloud plus a load of others). I have an itching to get back to writing and playing more of my own music but the aforementioned 'things I still haven't done' always come to mind; not that it spurs me to do them, rather it just encourages me to ignore them, mostly by wandering the innnernet or eating. Yum. Food.
Also playing the Ultimate at the weekend at our outdoor Regionals. We did ok given our lack of experience in general. I had a good time, which is the main thing. I know that I'll never be the best player in the world but I retain the desire to improve and mostly enjoy the game; c'mon it's not a real sport so having fun is the main objective.
It's my Granny and Grandpa's 50th Wedding Anniversary today, so best wishes to them. They really are 'Golden Oldies' now. Ahem. 'Taxi'.
All the best to you and your kin.
07 March 2005
Someday we may see a Woman King
Just a quick note to say that I'm enjoying the new Iron & Wine EP - Woman King. This was my first introduction to the group and I am enjoying it muchly...as well as listening to the Clem Snide track 'Fill Me With Your Light' quite a lot. Melodic folky stuff (apologies for poor description) is very soothing to my slightly anxious mind at the moment. Pick me up Sam Beam.
Ready Reckoner.
Ready Reckoner.
27 February 2005
Enjoy your Rabbit
Yo, yo.
Anaesthetics. The flipside of orthopaedics in many ways, it is controlled and monitored, it involves little to no blood spillage and is relatively interesting.
Now that that's out of the way, to the worthwhile part of the week:
Went to see Low on Friday night in Glasgow. Was good, quite shambolic in some ways, with Alan Sparhawk seemingly randomly switching on and off various pieces of noice making equipment. I'm not sure if this new 'loud/fast' sound sits entirely well with the man but he seems to be having a good time anyway. The new songs are coming across well in a live setting, but you do lose some of that sense of bewilderment at the harmonies between Mimi and Alan when there is a growling riff in the background. Kid Dakota were surprisingly good, along their songs were a little meandering at points. Made me think...'hmm, I could write songs like that'.. But I couldn't sing songs like that. Sounds good on the record, I'd say. Regretting not buying it when I was there. Will maybe borrow it off Pete at some point if I can prize it from his huge food-caked fingers.
Watched 'Chocolat' last night. Ok, call me an unfeeling Philistine if you like but I thought it was pretty poor, especially as everyone gave up on their weak French accents after the first scene. The cinematography was also fairly uninteresting reflecting the inaneness (inanity?) of the plot. Maybe if I had stayed awake long enough to watch the end of the film I would have enjoyed it but I just couldn't identify with any of the characters; Judi Dench had a reasonable performance, but she rarely turns in anything too bad (it's no Iris, mind you). Still to see Anchorman...one of those films everyone keeps recommending. I'm looking forward to 'The Aquatic Life of Steve Zissou', the new Wes Anderson film - The Royal Tenebaums is one of my favourite films, although I can never pinpoint exactly why.
Just a last wee note:
Ireland 19-13 England. A pretty poor game of rugby but a result of which to be proud. Sure the referring decisions went our way but that makes a change - usually the English are 'cheatin' bandits' to steal a phrase from a Glaswegian friend of mine. I can't stand the biased BBC commentary, however. It makes the game almost unlistenable. If I was slightly less lazy I might have half a mind to write to them and tell them just what I think, but perhaps my white hot venemous rage might cool after several words. The last two games (France and Wales) are going to be pretty tough, I can't see us winning both of them. Ah well.
Hurray, no timetabled events tomorrow. Hope you have a fulfilling last day of February.
Anaesthetics. The flipside of orthopaedics in many ways, it is controlled and monitored, it involves little to no blood spillage and is relatively interesting.
Now that that's out of the way, to the worthwhile part of the week:
Went to see Low on Friday night in Glasgow. Was good, quite shambolic in some ways, with Alan Sparhawk seemingly randomly switching on and off various pieces of noice making equipment. I'm not sure if this new 'loud/fast' sound sits entirely well with the man but he seems to be having a good time anyway. The new songs are coming across well in a live setting, but you do lose some of that sense of bewilderment at the harmonies between Mimi and Alan when there is a growling riff in the background. Kid Dakota were surprisingly good, along their songs were a little meandering at points. Made me think...'hmm, I could write songs like that'.. But I couldn't sing songs like that. Sounds good on the record, I'd say. Regretting not buying it when I was there. Will maybe borrow it off Pete at some point if I can prize it from his huge food-caked fingers.
Watched 'Chocolat' last night. Ok, call me an unfeeling Philistine if you like but I thought it was pretty poor, especially as everyone gave up on their weak French accents after the first scene. The cinematography was also fairly uninteresting reflecting the inaneness (inanity?) of the plot. Maybe if I had stayed awake long enough to watch the end of the film I would have enjoyed it but I just couldn't identify with any of the characters; Judi Dench had a reasonable performance, but she rarely turns in anything too bad (it's no Iris, mind you). Still to see Anchorman...one of those films everyone keeps recommending. I'm looking forward to 'The Aquatic Life of Steve Zissou', the new Wes Anderson film - The Royal Tenebaums is one of my favourite films, although I can never pinpoint exactly why.
Just a last wee note:
Ireland 19-13 England. A pretty poor game of rugby but a result of which to be proud. Sure the referring decisions went our way but that makes a change - usually the English are 'cheatin' bandits' to steal a phrase from a Glaswegian friend of mine. I can't stand the biased BBC commentary, however. It makes the game almost unlistenable. If I was slightly less lazy I might have half a mind to write to them and tell them just what I think, but perhaps my white hot venemous rage might cool after several words. The last two games (France and Wales) are going to be pretty tough, I can't see us winning both of them. Ah well.
Hurray, no timetabled events tomorrow. Hope you have a fulfilling last day of February.
20 February 2005
I was thinking 'bout your face
Hello sportsfans
After a week of travelling to Perth and back I am a bit tired although going to bed regularly before 12 seemed to limited the extent of this. Orthopaedics is reasonably interesting, well the trauma part of it rather than the rather boring joint replacement part. Standing all day in an operating theatre watching bits of bone being sawn off the end of someone's leg is enjoyable from a pure gore perspective (there's something innately amusing about wearing goggles to keep blood from going into your eyes (yes I know that's sick and wrong) and there being a bone-crunching machine which works like one of those spinning cheese graters) but incapacitating in a muscle-numbingly stiff way.
Otherwise, weekend was pretty good, fairly non-eventful. Went to see Sideways at the DCA last night with Helen and Eddie (my occasional flat-mate). It was thoroughly enjoyable (well mostly, but it would spoil it to mention the less enjoyable parts), with some very funny moments. One of those films that didn't need a 'The End' caption as it was so well told it was obvious that the tale was complete. A wine-tasting tour may have to be embarked upon at some point, however.
We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
By the way, I signed up for a Gmail account in the latest round of invitations so update your file-o-faxes (I have to attempt to consolidate the 5 or so other addreses I have into one at some point). polardave@gmail.com
After a week of travelling to Perth and back I am a bit tired although going to bed regularly before 12 seemed to limited the extent of this. Orthopaedics is reasonably interesting, well the trauma part of it rather than the rather boring joint replacement part. Standing all day in an operating theatre watching bits of bone being sawn off the end of someone's leg is enjoyable from a pure gore perspective (there's something innately amusing about wearing goggles to keep blood from going into your eyes (yes I know that's sick and wrong) and there being a bone-crunching machine which works like one of those spinning cheese graters) but incapacitating in a muscle-numbingly stiff way.
Otherwise, weekend was pretty good, fairly non-eventful. Went to see Sideways at the DCA last night with Helen and Eddie (my occasional flat-mate). It was thoroughly enjoyable (well mostly, but it would spoil it to mention the less enjoyable parts), with some very funny moments. One of those films that didn't need a 'The End' caption as it was so well told it was obvious that the tale was complete. A wine-tasting tour may have to be embarked upon at some point, however.
We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
By the way, I signed up for a Gmail account in the latest round of invitations so update your file-o-faxes (I have to attempt to consolidate the 5 or so other addreses I have into one at some point). polardave@gmail.com
13 February 2005
I'm a reasonable man get off my case
Cloud Cuckoo Land | Current feature.
An interesting if long interview with Thom Yorke of Radiohead in Third Way magazine transcribed here.
One of those you need to read a couple of times. Interesting pointers to various lyrics but perhaps I'm just that sad that I see them.
An interesting if long interview with Thom Yorke of Radiohead in Third Way magazine transcribed here.
One of those you need to read a couple of times. Interesting pointers to various lyrics but perhaps I'm just that sad that I see them.
05 February 2005
04 February 2005
Hello Hello
Welcome to the world of post-
Rock. Yes indeed. New Low album severely underrated by several reviewers. Yes it's different, but we can all handle a bit of difference in our lives. If you were in a band you wouldn't want to play the same kind of stuff for your whole life, would you? Also...Horses (haaarses/arses) in the Sky...soon.
Psych. -iatry. Yes it's over. Not so bad but not a bit tedious at the same time. Can you make anyone better from these problems? Perhaps for a while. it's enough to depress you, despite the inherent irony in that statement.
Ing. The post is great. I send a CD around lunch time yesterday, it gets to my brother in Glasgow before lunch today and I have to do very little except pay a paltry 29 pence. Civilisation has its uses.
Rock. Yes indeed. New Low album severely underrated by several reviewers. Yes it's different, but we can all handle a bit of difference in our lives. If you were in a band you wouldn't want to play the same kind of stuff for your whole life, would you? Also...Horses (haaarses/arses) in the Sky...soon.
Psych. -iatry. Yes it's over. Not so bad but not a bit tedious at the same time. Can you make anyone better from these problems? Perhaps for a while. it's enough to depress you, despite the inherent irony in that statement.
Ing. The post is great. I send a CD around lunch time yesterday, it gets to my brother in Glasgow before lunch today and I have to do very little except pay a paltry 29 pence. Civilisation has its uses.
25 January 2005
The Stars are Underground
I really should do this more often as it ends up that I have too many things to write about.
1. The Frames in Glasgow last Thursday. It really was very good. I must say that this was the first time I had seen the Frames or Glen Hansard live. Glen has an amazing energy about him, a great entertainer (despite his rather psychopathic glare at times); his voice was great and the sound was very good in what must be a tricky venue (the Arches - built under Queen Street Station). I Am Kloot supported...wasn't overly impressed at first impression, except with the drummer who looks like the archetypal stoner jazz drummer.
2. Manchester Not the Nationals Ultimate tournament. As 2 of our players dropped out on the Friday we left it remained for the 5 of us to play all the points all weekend. This was tiring, but surprisingly not much more than usual, at the time but the main point was the pain that endured in my legs and back for at least 3 days after we finished. We did ok, coming runners-up in the 'Plate' (10th). We beat Stirling (our arch rivals) convincingly, however, which made everything else irrelevant. Visited the curry mile and enjoyed on Saturday night.
3. Douglas Coupland, Life After God. The first Coupland book I have read. An impulse buy from Fopp for £3. Not exactly what I was expecting at all. I really enjoyed his style-the short chapters and tight prose really kept my attention (I did make the mistake initially of thinking that all the stories from the same narrator). I especially liked the apocalyptic part, for these kinds of things interest me (see earlier posts). I think I'd like to read more, recommendations?
4. I'm trying to do some recording again, finding it enjoyable (I am fascinated by all the wee production thingies you can do, even with my limited knowledge and age of the Cakewalk program I'm using), but ultimately futile - perhaps it is slightly narcissistic to want to perform songs that you've written? - as I do not have a band to play with and few musically like-minded individuals with which to play.
Finally got all the stuff to send off for my elective today, so should get that on the go.
Hopefully won't be this long again before I post.
Dave.
1. The Frames in Glasgow last Thursday. It really was very good. I must say that this was the first time I had seen the Frames or Glen Hansard live. Glen has an amazing energy about him, a great entertainer (despite his rather psychopathic glare at times); his voice was great and the sound was very good in what must be a tricky venue (the Arches - built under Queen Street Station). I Am Kloot supported...wasn't overly impressed at first impression, except with the drummer who looks like the archetypal stoner jazz drummer.
2. Manchester Not the Nationals Ultimate tournament. As 2 of our players dropped out on the Friday we left it remained for the 5 of us to play all the points all weekend. This was tiring, but surprisingly not much more than usual, at the time but the main point was the pain that endured in my legs and back for at least 3 days after we finished. We did ok, coming runners-up in the 'Plate' (10th). We beat Stirling (our arch rivals) convincingly, however, which made everything else irrelevant. Visited the curry mile and enjoyed on Saturday night.
3. Douglas Coupland, Life After God. The first Coupland book I have read. An impulse buy from Fopp for £3. Not exactly what I was expecting at all. I really enjoyed his style-the short chapters and tight prose really kept my attention (I did make the mistake initially of thinking that all the stories from the same narrator). I especially liked the apocalyptic part, for these kinds of things interest me (see earlier posts). I think I'd like to read more, recommendations?
4. I'm trying to do some recording again, finding it enjoyable (I am fascinated by all the wee production thingies you can do, even with my limited knowledge and age of the Cakewalk program I'm using), but ultimately futile - perhaps it is slightly narcissistic to want to perform songs that you've written? - as I do not have a band to play with and few musically like-minded individuals with which to play.
Finally got all the stuff to send off for my elective today, so should get that on the go.
Hopefully won't be this long again before I post.
Dave.
09 January 2005
Back in the USSR
Hello all. Back.
This was the first time since 1st year that I had been particularly apprehensive about returning to the flat; for a number of reasons - after the break-in earlier in the year I was concerned that all that would be left would be the chipped plates in the cupboard also I had forgotten to feed to the fish with a slow-release capsule before I left; furthermore this year, more specifically this half of this year, will probably be the busiest I have experienced in my 22 years.
Things to sort out this year:
So that's not too bad, but quite a lot to start the year off with. Planning and general hard work will probably have to suffice rather than some ingenious plan to ignore everything and hope it falls into place (unless you have any better ideas?)
Anyway, to my surprise the fish managed to survive 3 weeks of not being fed...they must go into some kind of hibernation, clever.
Also the flat was as I had left it before Christmas, another reason to be grateful.
Right, time to unpack and figure out where I'm supposed to go tomorrow.
Happy New Year.
This was the first time since 1st year that I had been particularly apprehensive about returning to the flat; for a number of reasons - after the break-in earlier in the year I was concerned that all that would be left would be the chipped plates in the cupboard also I had forgotten to feed to the fish with a slow-release capsule before I left; furthermore this year, more specifically this half of this year, will probably be the busiest I have experienced in my 22 years.
Things to sort out this year:
- Medicine wise:
- Pass finals
- Do 4th year project
- organise & go on elective
- chase record of achievement boxes
- any other work for each block
- Organise wedding and get married
- Buy a flat
- Later in the year I'll have to start applying for jobs (this I ignore for now)
- Not go mad (this may be the most difficult)
So that's not too bad, but quite a lot to start the year off with. Planning and general hard work will probably have to suffice rather than some ingenious plan to ignore everything and hope it falls into place (unless you have any better ideas?)
Anyway, to my surprise the fish managed to survive 3 weeks of not being fed...they must go into some kind of hibernation, clever.
Also the flat was as I had left it before Christmas, another reason to be grateful.
Right, time to unpack and figure out where I'm supposed to go tomorrow.
Happy New Year.
28 December 2004
Post-Christmas roll
Hurrah.
I had a good Christmas/Boxing Day/Post Christmas sleep. I'm not going to go on about the snow, although it made me feel as if I was in a 1940s Christmas film...helping with the Christmas dinner as the snowflakes fell on the revellers below. Added poignancy this year as it may well be the last Christmas morning I wake up in the Maconachie family home; there's probably more room at Helen's house so it's likely we'd stay there next year. After that, who knows where we could end up? But Christmas isn't a time for philosphising, it's a time for sleeping, eating and relaxing.
The best part was seeing relatives (and future relatives) and friends (despite being trounced on both occasions at Risk), watching DVDs (Dave Gorman is a genius, I dare you to disagree) and eating junk food - I'm attempting to have a chocolate free day today. I also got a bit of frisbee in yesterday thanks to the guys from BUG who organised it; consequently my knee has flared up again today.
I have been watching a bit of the aftermath of the tsunami in South East Asia on satellite TV. Many of the people had no warning; I can't even imagine their sense of panic when water suddenly came rushing through their windows and doors.
Brian Wilson - Smile. Odd in places (it was devised in the 60s) but good, quite different to other music I listen to. I also completed my Sufjan Stevens collection by receiving 'Enjoy your Rabbit' for Christmas. I really must finish a compilation CD when I get back to Dundee (perhaps some sort of 'My Best of 2004', consisting of the music I was listening to during 2004, but with a snappier title)
See you in 2005.
I had a good Christmas/Boxing Day/Post Christmas sleep. I'm not going to go on about the snow, although it made me feel as if I was in a 1940s Christmas film...helping with the Christmas dinner as the snowflakes fell on the revellers below. Added poignancy this year as it may well be the last Christmas morning I wake up in the Maconachie family home; there's probably more room at Helen's house so it's likely we'd stay there next year. After that, who knows where we could end up? But Christmas isn't a time for philosphising, it's a time for sleeping, eating and relaxing.
The best part was seeing relatives (and future relatives) and friends (despite being trounced on both occasions at Risk), watching DVDs (Dave Gorman is a genius, I dare you to disagree) and eating junk food - I'm attempting to have a chocolate free day today. I also got a bit of frisbee in yesterday thanks to the guys from BUG who organised it; consequently my knee has flared up again today.
I have been watching a bit of the aftermath of the tsunami in South East Asia on satellite TV. Many of the people had no warning; I can't even imagine their sense of panic when water suddenly came rushing through their windows and doors.
Brian Wilson - Smile. Odd in places (it was devised in the 60s) but good, quite different to other music I listen to. I also completed my Sufjan Stevens collection by receiving 'Enjoy your Rabbit' for Christmas. I really must finish a compilation CD when I get back to Dundee (perhaps some sort of 'My Best of 2004', consisting of the music I was listening to during 2004, but with a snappier title)
See you in 2005.
16 December 2004
Best foot forward
2 posts? (Doing work makes you do crazy things)
See the second review on this site for an example of bad film criticism
Reviews of Garden State
Now, I may be slightly more liberal than some Christians when it comes to movies - perhaps it is just because I am used to hearing "atrocious language" (the F-word used an incredible 30 times! Wow! Close your ears! He obviously hasn't seen Magnolia (yes, I know there are films with worse language, but this was the most recent example in my mind)) or maybe it doesn't register with me. I understand the whole garbage in, garbage out theory and maybe for particularly susceptible people this is a problem; Anyway, I don't feel giving a film a bad review solely on the basis of 30 words out of a total of thousands is justified - the short plot run down (biased by little digs), followed by some praise for Natalie Portman ("wonderfully played") then a comparison with Good Will Hunting...from what I've seen of trailer for Garden State it looks nothing like GWH (hopefully not as I thought it was pretentious crap, but I've only seen it once on TV)...concluding with a telling paragraph about waiting for it to turn up on TV "when hopefully the objectionable material will be removed".
In summary, points made about quality of film, 2 - Natalie Portman good, film good enough to watch; points made about side issues, lots. Perhaps the writer of the film put the scenes or the language in for a reason? Outright dismissal is religious nonsense. Write about the film dude.
Anyone seen it and wish to enlighten me? I'm quite keen, Scrubs is fairly amusing and a couple of the bits in the trailer made me chuckle.
See the second review on this site for an example of bad film criticism
Reviews of Garden State
Now, I may be slightly more liberal than some Christians when it comes to movies - perhaps it is just because I am used to hearing "atrocious language" (the F-word used an incredible 30 times! Wow! Close your ears! He obviously hasn't seen Magnolia (yes, I know there are films with worse language, but this was the most recent example in my mind)) or maybe it doesn't register with me. I understand the whole garbage in, garbage out theory and maybe for particularly susceptible people this is a problem; Anyway, I don't feel giving a film a bad review solely on the basis of 30 words out of a total of thousands is justified - the short plot run down (biased by little digs), followed by some praise for Natalie Portman ("wonderfully played") then a comparison with Good Will Hunting...from what I've seen of trailer for Garden State it looks nothing like GWH (hopefully not as I thought it was pretentious crap, but I've only seen it once on TV)...concluding with a telling paragraph about waiting for it to turn up on TV "when hopefully the objectionable material will be removed".
In summary, points made about quality of film, 2 - Natalie Portman good, film good enough to watch; points made about side issues, lots. Perhaps the writer of the film put the scenes or the language in for a reason? Outright dismissal is religious nonsense. Write about the film dude.
Anyone seen it and wish to enlighten me? I'm quite keen, Scrubs is fairly amusing and a couple of the bits in the trailer made me chuckle.
Tis the season to be jelly
Hello all
End of term tomorrow, hurrah. Looking forward to the holidays and the sleep that it shall bring. Before then, a couple of hours work - yes the usual end of block Patient write-up rush (tests creative writing to the limits). Felt slightly Christmassy today but it soon passed when the wind blew my hood down and the sleet pelted my face.
Last minute:
Oxfam Unwrapped
Also World Vision
Mortgages are scary. I can't imagine ever earning enough money to pay it off...I don't understand the concept of borrowing an amount of money and paying back nearly double over 25 years; I hesitate "shelling out" £10 (except for CDs and DVDs - Amazon is dangerous).
Back to the coffee grinder. Yo ho hoomph.
End of term tomorrow, hurrah. Looking forward to the holidays and the sleep that it shall bring. Before then, a couple of hours work - yes the usual end of block Patient write-up rush (tests creative writing to the limits). Felt slightly Christmassy today but it soon passed when the wind blew my hood down and the sleet pelted my face.
Last minute:
Oxfam Unwrapped
Also World Vision
Mortgages are scary. I can't imagine ever earning enough money to pay it off...I don't understand the concept of borrowing an amount of money and paying back nearly double over 25 years; I hesitate "shelling out" £10 (except for CDs and DVDs - Amazon is dangerous).
Back to the coffee grinder. Yo ho hoomph.
14 December 2004
It's not going to stop 'til you wise up
Alright?
I didn't make it to the KYTN event...lack of friends hampered my progress. I did, however, watch (between naps) the extended version of Return of the King. I don't know if it's a good thing that I find the extras on the DVD more interesting than the film. 4 and a half hours is an awfully long time. Not that it wasn't good - I enjoyed the twists and turns...perhaps less so with the random "comedy" bits that P. Jackson et al decided to bestow upon the extended version. I missed the extended views of New Zealand scenery that we got in the Two Towers; it seems silly to say that it seems less "real" but that's the feeling I got.
Also:
Magnolia - this was an experience which I was glad I had; I'm not sure if the film was enjoyable as such - much like the Pianist or Schindler's List (in a non-Nazi way) - it was a dark film, but had rich intriguing characters; definitely a film I would watch again - the "plot" is largely irrelevant. Also a great soundtrack from Aimee Mann - integral to the film.
Thirdly:
Burn the Maps is still brilliant. Just in case you didn't know.
And...finally:
Last week of term and not a moment too soon. The fatigue of 4 months is very rapidly catching up with me. Slightly concerned about the Jan-July phase in the new year. Oh well, it can only send me more "insane".
Yes. The Star Wars DVD box set tempts me, but I'm not a huge fan of these "digitally remastered" versions...no Ewok song? Do-do-do ai ai..
Dave.
I didn't make it to the KYTN event...lack of friends hampered my progress. I did, however, watch (between naps) the extended version of Return of the King. I don't know if it's a good thing that I find the extras on the DVD more interesting than the film. 4 and a half hours is an awfully long time. Not that it wasn't good - I enjoyed the twists and turns...perhaps less so with the random "comedy" bits that P. Jackson et al decided to bestow upon the extended version. I missed the extended views of New Zealand scenery that we got in the Two Towers; it seems silly to say that it seems less "real" but that's the feeling I got.
Also:
Magnolia - this was an experience which I was glad I had; I'm not sure if the film was enjoyable as such - much like the Pianist or Schindler's List (in a non-Nazi way) - it was a dark film, but had rich intriguing characters; definitely a film I would watch again - the "plot" is largely irrelevant. Also a great soundtrack from Aimee Mann - integral to the film.
Thirdly:
Burn the Maps is still brilliant. Just in case you didn't know.
And...finally:
Last week of term and not a moment too soon. The fatigue of 4 months is very rapidly catching up with me. Slightly concerned about the Jan-July phase in the new year. Oh well, it can only send me more "insane".
Yes. The Star Wars DVD box set tempts me, but I'm not a huge fan of these "digitally remastered" versions...no Ewok song? Do-do-do ai ai..
Dave.
07 December 2004
You rock rock
Some films -
The Incredibles - good film, decent plot for an animated film, remembering that it is essentially a film for kids.
I 'heart' Huckabees - This was amusing...the plot is relatively guff but Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin form a visually comic partnership and the antics of the repressed aggressive Mark Wahlberg reminded me of an infantile 'Fight Club'. The pseudo-philosophy provided a worthwhile distraction provided you don't take it too seriously. Interesting points about learning by experience. I can see why people wouldn't like it- depends on your tolerance of pretension.
Speaking of pretension - this sounds interesting:
Kill Your Timid Notion
In Dundee's Contemporary Arts Centre - an attempt to marry experimental music with experimental film. Just the kind of thing I like. £8 for a day...I'd feel a bit lonely going on my own.
Underdeveloped thoughts there again, but I'm far too lazy to write anything detailed - and the effort of excavating long forgotten biochemistry is sucking my imagination.
Listening to James Yorkston & the Athletes - Just Beyond the River.
The Incredibles - good film, decent plot for an animated film, remembering that it is essentially a film for kids.
I 'heart' Huckabees - This was amusing...the plot is relatively guff but Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin form a visually comic partnership and the antics of the repressed aggressive Mark Wahlberg reminded me of an infantile 'Fight Club'. The pseudo-philosophy provided a worthwhile distraction provided you don't take it too seriously. Interesting points about learning by experience. I can see why people wouldn't like it- depends on your tolerance of pretension.
Speaking of pretension - this sounds interesting:
Kill Your Timid Notion
In Dundee's Contemporary Arts Centre - an attempt to marry experimental music with experimental film. Just the kind of thing I like. £8 for a day...I'd feel a bit lonely going on my own.
Underdeveloped thoughts there again, but I'm far too lazy to write anything detailed - and the effort of excavating long forgotten biochemistry is sucking my imagination.
Listening to James Yorkston & the Athletes - Just Beyond the River.
03 December 2004
Nothing good can come of dead nostalgia
Hello.
Thank you to everyone who was thinking of and praying for the family over the last week.
Grandpa's funeral was yesterday. The service itself was good; not in an enjoyable way, but the scriptures read at funerals always give me hope and joy rather than despair;
John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
I was glad to hear the stories of my Grandpa's life, times before I was born and the people to who he was able to minister both in an official capacity and the more informal side. He was certainly a man of the people, not in any false political way either, and the attendence at the funeral mirrored that.
Personally, I will always remember the time I was able to spend with Grandpa last summer, helping in the garden, and the random chats about sport, past holidays and his never ending interest in Scotland and my studies here. My thoughts and prayers will be with my Granny as she tries to adjust to a life without him.
Apologies for the somber nature of the posting this week, but I imagine you will understand.
Thanks.
Thank you to everyone who was thinking of and praying for the family over the last week.
Grandpa's funeral was yesterday. The service itself was good; not in an enjoyable way, but the scriptures read at funerals always give me hope and joy rather than despair;
John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
I was glad to hear the stories of my Grandpa's life, times before I was born and the people to who he was able to minister both in an official capacity and the more informal side. He was certainly a man of the people, not in any false political way either, and the attendence at the funeral mirrored that.
Personally, I will always remember the time I was able to spend with Grandpa last summer, helping in the garden, and the random chats about sport, past holidays and his never ending interest in Scotland and my studies here. My thoughts and prayers will be with my Granny as she tries to adjust to a life without him.
Apologies for the somber nature of the posting this week, but I imagine you will understand.
Thanks.
29 November 2004
I wonder what they'll make of me when I'm good and gone
Hello.
I received some sad news this morning; Mum phoned to let me know that my Grandpa had died last night.
It is sad; he was very well up until the last year or so and even yesterday he went out to church as usual. It was less than 2 weeks ago that I last saw him. I worry more about my Granny. She is already very frail and unable to do much for herself. Last week my Grandpa intimated to her that he didn't want to die a long and drawn out death; perhaps this was God's blessing.
I have been reflecting on Myles' post from last week about being thankful. His words, "Thank God for life, and death" struck me at the time and seem even more relevant now. How is it possible to be thankful for this death? I pray that God will use it in some way.
All for now, I don't feel particularly lucid this evening.
I received some sad news this morning; Mum phoned to let me know that my Grandpa had died last night.
It is sad; he was very well up until the last year or so and even yesterday he went out to church as usual. It was less than 2 weeks ago that I last saw him. I worry more about my Granny. She is already very frail and unable to do much for herself. Last week my Grandpa intimated to her that he didn't want to die a long and drawn out death; perhaps this was God's blessing.
I have been reflecting on Myles' post from last week about being thankful. His words, "Thank God for life, and death" struck me at the time and seem even more relevant now. How is it possible to be thankful for this death? I pray that God will use it in some way.
All for now, I don't feel particularly lucid this evening.
27 November 2004
"They're really Satan's little run-around"
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | 4x4s 'should carry health warning'
Interesting view point there. I always thought the Devil would drive something a bit more flashy, say a Lamborgini Diablo-the designers must have had a similar point of view.
Interesting view point there. I always thought the Devil would drive something a bit more flashy, say a Lamborgini Diablo-the designers must have had a similar point of view.
24 November 2004
It's a long long way to Tipperary
Hello again netizens (Cheers Pete for this word).
I would like to say that in the last 3 weeks I have been away on a journey of self-discovery, to a land that exists beyond time, where friends are valued and that much maligned cheesy voice-over guy is praised; but I haven't. I finished off my GP block had a wee trip back to Norn Iron via the Uni Ultimate Regionals, where we came 6th, then the long way back via Gartmore House (and Virgin Megastore where there was a good 5 DVD for £30 offer and some of the money I got for my birthday was spent).
Very little in the way of news to comment upon; I was again uninterested to see the Fox Hunting "debate" last week...*yawn*. I have tried to interest myself in this...the cruelty to the fox, yadda yadda, (is there a more humane way?), the psychology of killing animals for sport, class warfare, blah blah (Conservative band-wagon)...but as I have never seen a fox hunt and only the occasional fox, I feel ultimately apathetic about the whole thing; chastise me if you wish.
Anyhow. I shall hopefully write more again soon. All the best to you in your everyday mishappenings.
I would like to say that in the last 3 weeks I have been away on a journey of self-discovery, to a land that exists beyond time, where friends are valued and that much maligned cheesy voice-over guy is praised; but I haven't. I finished off my GP block had a wee trip back to Norn Iron via the Uni Ultimate Regionals, where we came 6th, then the long way back via Gartmore House (and Virgin Megastore where there was a good 5 DVD for £30 offer and some of the money I got for my birthday was spent).
Very little in the way of news to comment upon; I was again uninterested to see the Fox Hunting "debate" last week...*yawn*. I have tried to interest myself in this...the cruelty to the fox, yadda yadda, (is there a more humane way?), the psychology of killing animals for sport, class warfare, blah blah (Conservative band-wagon)...but as I have never seen a fox hunt and only the occasional fox, I feel ultimately apathetic about the whole thing; chastise me if you wish.
Anyhow. I shall hopefully write more again soon. All the best to you in your everyday mishappenings.
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