Thursday, January 26, 2006

To the Faithful Departed

From the silence comes noise.

Yes, Dear Reader, normal service has been resumed here. I apologise for the slight delay in proceedings but there's been a death in the family and I was needed elsewhere. The only thing that the last few days has served to tell me is things I already knew: that I hate funerals, that the worst thing about death is the people who get left behind, and that I don't deal particularly well with the news of Death's presence. Instead, I just seem to blank it out as much as possible until I'm faced with the actuality of the situation, and then it all comes out. All of which seems quite strange for me, since throughout my teenage years and beyond I've prided myself in writing songs that often mentioned the subejct in some form of back-handed metaphor. Perhaps the concept I think of is different from the reality of the situation? That's quite a good way to sum up my whole outlook on reality really; why bother dealing with the harshness of the real world when there are worlds of imagination that are far more interesting?

Anyways, I've been told by my folks to stop worrying, as it does no good for anyone, but I just can't escape this horrible, knawing feeling in my stomach when I think about my Gran's situation. No-one should have to be left on their own, especially during the twilight of their life. It just makes you fear the worst, that's all. What's that statement RTD once quoted with regards to narrative? "The Queen dies, then the King dies of a broken heart"? Perhaps I just need to keep repeating "Life isn't Who" in my head many times.

Talking of 'life', it was to my utmost horror that a member of one of the worst bands around (The Ordinary Boys) has turned up in the loser-hell of Celebrity Big Brother. To all those who think he's ultra-smart and all, he wrote and released an oh-so witty track last year called 'Life Will Be the Death of Me'. Ten out of ten for passing your Year 12 English exam with that one...

The Top 5 Most Played Songs on my iPod:

1. Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love Is
2. The Killers - Mr. Brightside
3. Maximo Park - Going Missing
4. Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins
5. Que Onda Guero -Beck

Thursday, January 12, 2006

TV Times Circa 1970-Something

So then, after all that Lost petered out with more of a whimper than a bang if you ask me. I mean, how obvious was it that they'd open the hatch and then it'd end? Add in some over-sentimental recap footage over who was on the plane and it was all just a little disappointing. It was, to me, as though it had been written as two catch-up episodes for anyone who'd missed most of the series and wanted to know what was going on. I suppose that's the problems of commercial television: having to make sure that your series is always open to new viewers.

It seems to be a time for new tv at the moment. However, I'm not sure if I'm following it all correctly; I completely missed the point of Life on Mars by the sounds of things, and have also lost my excuse for watching The O.C. by not being able to shout 'Jim' at the guy who played Jim Robinson from Neighbours for an hour. It seems I'm gonna either a) have to stop watching it, or b) admit that my only reason for watching it really was the rather lovely Rachel Bilson. Then again, is there anything wrong with that? I mean the show is crap. I used to like Dawson's Creek, and I genuinely admit to that. There was something cool about all that angst and cod-philosophising. Then again, I could watch DC again now and think it's crap. Yet, in all honesty, The O.C. has neither angst nor philosophy. It just has a very hot girl and a guy who talks in an ironic manner about Star Wars.

Why has telly become so full of reality tv and rubbish so nearly in the New Year? I mean, MTV2 has even shifted Gonzo so I can't keep up with what's new. How am I supposed to keep up with all that's new and indie if there's no show on? Having said that, if the only 'decent' stuff around at the minute is that god-awful Arctic Monkey's track, then I don't really wanna know. I'll go back to something else I think... Right then, Pyramids of Mars and some old Toto CDs it is. Unless anyone else can think of something else?

"Friday Nights have been lonely. Change your plans and then phone me"

Sunday, January 08, 2006

So... That'll be Christmas Eve, then!
















Just a short note to say this is the antics of what happens on a Christmas Eve in Newton Abbot. It perhaps doesn't capture the true spirit of the events but it'll hopefully serve as a good reminder of the times we had. It's just a shame they only seem to occur once a year. Nevermind, better once than never I suppose...

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Brand New Start

It's such a tired old cliche isn't it, that old "New Year, new start" nonsense? In this case however, I'm glad to see the back of 2005 what with the sorry state that my family managed to get itself into over the past twelve months. As a result, I've decided to draw a line underneath all that's gone before and try and start over this year. Already I've managed to bump into someone who I haven't seen for about a year and am gonna try my hardest not to get depressed over the sense of failure that hung over my thoughts towards my Masters that developed over the last few weeks.

Unfortunately, the lists that I promised on the last post never appeared due to the fact that I got sidelined in Devon for longer than expected. In short, the bolier breaking down (again) at home, combined with the thought of a couple of friends spending New Year alone, and a rather nasty head cold all combined to mean I took an extended leave of absense. However, a big thanks has to go out to everyone I saw whilst back, as it was an unexpected laugh. Just one note to casual readers: don't go anywhere near the Ten Tors in Kingsteignton expecting any New Year hospitality, since the greeting you'll recieve will be less than pleasent. Alright, it was about four in the morning but if lights are on and the doors are open, you have to assume they're still open! Even more so if there are still people in there drinking. Anyways, the promised lists are provided at the bottom just minus all of the explanations why.

So, we have the second series in the pipeline and what with the brilliant TCI under our belts, as well as the series garnering the 2005 TV Moment of the Year, that's something to look forward to. Oh, and of course we have the return of my good friends from Mondas. Or will that be Telos? I suppose it all depends what angle, and how much continuity, they're gonna get bogged down with. For those not in the know they originally came from Earth's twin planet, Mondas. Oh, and the wierd Elizabethan looking episode looked cool, just unsure if that was Tooth and Claw or Girl in the Fireplace. The only disappointing thing is the lack of new indie acts that seem to be tipped for the year; aside from Editors re-releasing 'Munich' there really isn't that much about. Ah well, just have to wait then!

The Bronze Medal's Films of the Year:

5. Serenity
4. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
3. 5 x 2
2. King Kong
1. The Descent

The Bronze Medal's Albums of the Year:

5. Editors - The Back Room
4. Beck - Guero
3. Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger
2. Coldplay - X&Y
1. Idlewild - Warnings/Promises

I'm sorry George, I wanted to include you but it just wasn't good enough. I mean, come on! As if the first words uttered by the most evil man in the Universe were the equivalent of "Where is my wife" ?!?