My weekend was made up of Bar Bloc, China Seas, Bar Bloc again, Mono, The Press Bar, Walkabout, Scotland vs. Moldova, Star Wars Episode Three and Sin City.
Of the pubs visited Walkabout was awful. Never go there. Ever.
Scotland vs. Moldova was a dull match really, always the better team for some reason we kept allowing Moldova to get back into the game. I did enjoy the attempts to get the fans roused though, with Runrig’s Donnie Munro coming out to lip sync to an odd version of Flower of Scotland that had a daft drum beat behind it. They then played Billy Connolly routines and chunks of Braveheart that was still going after the game had kicked off. They may have started doing this ages ago, but I don’t mind of it from the last Scotland game I went to.
Nice that it was almost a full house, it only really got going as an atmosphere after the second goal, but then there were only about 3 minutes left.
Revenge of the Sith gets 3 stars from me. It was quite good. Where Attack of the Clones was a rollercoaster of really good and really rubbish, this maintained a level of quite good all the way through. I wanted more Darth Vader, but yeah it was all right. Though at the end of this franchise what you’re left with is two masterpieces (Star Wars & The Empire Strikes Back) one quite good film (Revenge of the Sith) two all right films (Return of the Jedi and Attack of the Clones) and one rubbish film (The Phantom Menace).
The Star Wars films have become kind of like Microsoft it’s like ‘here’s the latest upgrade.’ The three new films only improved upon the first three in terms of special effects or in what new stunts could be performed. They couldn’t match them in terms of engaging characters or thrilling storytelling.
Sin City grabs 4 Tom stars. This is the nearest there’s been to a comic book on the big screen. I knew my early acting idol, Mickey Rourke still had it. He’s awesome, while looking like a mutant Kirk Douglas. When I saw him in that Enrique Inglesias video a few years ago I knew he’d be back.
Bruce Willis turns in his usual dependable performance, Clive Owen makes up for Closer (yeah he got an Oscar nomination, but really he was nauseating in that), Benicio Del Toro is menacing, Brittany Murphy, Rosario Dawson and Jessica Alba are all sexy and dangerous just like they’re meant to be.
I also spent some time over the weekend attempting to put the new You Owe Me Glue script into some sort of shape. But more about that later.
Monday, 6 June 2005
Saturday, 4 June 2005
Chappelle's Back!
Dave Chappelle turned up unannounced at two comedy clubs in Hollywood on Wednesday night and performed a couple of sets.
Friday, 3 June 2005
Just to Finish Off
Awright, so some links and some boring stuff to finish a blog intensive week. I had Cabbage and Sausage soup for lunch. “Cabbage and Sausage soup!” I declared incredulously at first, and after decalaring “Aye it doesn’t taste like poison I’ll have it,” it turned out to be quite nice. Red cabbage and spicy sausage as it turned out.
Here are some film directors including Tarantino, Lumet, Loach and Mann listing their Top 10 Films.
Here, again courtesy of Alasdair are 60 or so ‘simple games.’
An interview with Sin City star Benicio Del Toro.
I’ve been listening to Rilo Kiley a lot recently and at this site there are loads of live bootlegs that are worth a download.
Here are some film directors including Tarantino, Lumet, Loach and Mann listing their Top 10 Films.
Here, again courtesy of Alasdair are 60 or so ‘simple games.’
An interview with Sin City star Benicio Del Toro.
I’ve been listening to Rilo Kiley a lot recently and at this site there are loads of live bootlegs that are worth a download.
The World's Best Character Actor
An article from Time Magazine on the excellent Paul Giamatti. That moment outside the wedding chapel in Sideways, when his ex-wife appears, is by far and away my favourite movie moment of the year so far.
The Friday Discussion
Every Friday at work it seems that Alasdair and Landry have some sort of bizarre discussion that lasts an hour or more. Two weeks ago the debate concerned Landy’s belief that women ‘should not drink in excess.’ Last week he declared that ‘Hair is unhealthy and spreads disease.’ Alasdair attempts to turn him round on each point with his own brand of debating.
Landry: “Hair is not good for you. It spreads disease.”
Me: (Stirring it up) “What about Jesus? He had long hair.”
Landry: “And did Jesus not get ill?”
Alasdair: “He came back from the dead! You can’t get much more well than that.”
This week, the topics they’ve touched on include Law and Order, Immigration, Religious Clothing and inevitably Big Brother. I’m waiting for them to hit upon something juicy.
Landry: “Hair is not good for you. It spreads disease.”
Me: (Stirring it up) “What about Jesus? He had long hair.”
Landry: “And did Jesus not get ill?”
Alasdair: “He came back from the dead! You can’t get much more well than that.”
This week, the topics they’ve touched on include Law and Order, Immigration, Religious Clothing and inevitably Big Brother. I’m waiting for them to hit upon something juicy.
Telling All Y'all it's a Sab-o-tage
So the second night of Sabotage, recorded at Gilmorehill. How many, if any, of our sketches will they use? I don’t think we drank much more of the free booze, we just seemed to be drunker. It also made us need the toilet much more and myself and Fizz pretty much sat in pain throughout the recording of the first show, pushing past people in order to go relieve ourselves when it was finished.
And did they use any of our stuff? Well, yes. Not as much as we were led to believe, but over the course of the three shows I think there were 8 of our sketches in. They had however changed a couple of them, but ho-hum. Fizz missed what was probably the best of the bunch, the Official Exorcist sketch, since along with Jo and Jill he had decided to spend most of episode 5 outside the building smoking. We laughed at our stuff as much or as little as we did anyone else’s. So there ya go, our first professional writing credit for which “the cheque is in the post.”
No celebrities this time second rate or otherwise.
The show airs in July at, I think, 12.05pm on Saturdays. The pre-football slot, though since it’s the close season I dunno what it will now be the precursor to exactly.
At the bus stop on the way home I endured an 84 year old man (I know cos he told me) singing a song he had written himself about Scotland. He then explained the decline of the education system over the last 50 years. It’s funny when you think these guys are telling you something that might be worth knowing but you can’t help feel they’re simply an irritant.
And did they use any of our stuff? Well, yes. Not as much as we were led to believe, but over the course of the three shows I think there were 8 of our sketches in. They had however changed a couple of them, but ho-hum. Fizz missed what was probably the best of the bunch, the Official Exorcist sketch, since along with Jo and Jill he had decided to spend most of episode 5 outside the building smoking. We laughed at our stuff as much or as little as we did anyone else’s. So there ya go, our first professional writing credit for which “the cheque is in the post.”
No celebrities this time second rate or otherwise.
The show airs in July at, I think, 12.05pm on Saturdays. The pre-football slot, though since it’s the close season I dunno what it will now be the precursor to exactly.
At the bus stop on the way home I endured an 84 year old man (I know cos he told me) singing a song he had written himself about Scotland. He then explained the decline of the education system over the last 50 years. It’s funny when you think these guys are telling you something that might be worth knowing but you can’t help feel they’re simply an irritant.
"Secrecy at All Costs"
Here is Bob Woodward's story of how he came to know Mark Felt.
And transcripts of Nixon's tapes show that he suspected Felt all along.
And transcripts of Nixon's tapes show that he suspected Felt all along.
Thursday, 2 June 2005
Just Wondering
OK A couple of things, can anyone explain what the point is of tellers in petrol stations asking if you have ‘any fuel?’ Do they think they’re catching folk out with this? ‘Well I was going to nick it, but now you’ve asked, I’ll own up. I wouldn’t want to be a liar on top of a thief. Cos that would be Double Jeopardy.’
I was recently asked this question twice, the second time after my ‘no’ response obviously wasn’t clear enough for the guy. I almost pointed out to him that he had asked me two needless questions when zero needless questions was the requisite amount. Though I felt I couldn’t do this without at some point changing my tone, so I decided against it.
And why do Subway feel the need to ask you 7 different questions when all you want is a sandwich. Mitch Hedberg: “What kind of bread? Banana. Any cheese? Yeah cottage.”
Which leads me to…I find it weird that I’m worrying slightly about my favourite comic and cynic Doug Stanhope. He posted this on his website yesterday.
“I keep having dreams about Hedberg. I keep trying to write his parents but I dont know what to say. I'd like to eat mushrooms with them so they could see things the way he saw them. Then they might understand a bit. But I dont think that is going to happen.”
With guys on the edge like Stanhope you never know where they’re going to turn next.
Have you seen the tragic yet hilarious story of ex-East 17 man Brian Harvey? Ran over by his own car, which he was driving at the time. Some say it’s a suicide attempt and others a tragic accident. I think I go with the accident theory, cos like his manager says, who could have planned that? Alasdair suggested that if it was a suicide attempt perhaps Goths would change their music and dress of choice to East 17 and their ilk.
The suicide talk brought up Kurt Cobain. However I think Cobain would have killed himself no matter if he was an international rock star or a gas station attendant. Harvey’s depression seems to stem from the ‘I had it all and now I’ve lost it and what the fuck do I do now?’ camp.
I was recently asked this question twice, the second time after my ‘no’ response obviously wasn’t clear enough for the guy. I almost pointed out to him that he had asked me two needless questions when zero needless questions was the requisite amount. Though I felt I couldn’t do this without at some point changing my tone, so I decided against it.
And why do Subway feel the need to ask you 7 different questions when all you want is a sandwich. Mitch Hedberg: “What kind of bread? Banana. Any cheese? Yeah cottage.”
Which leads me to…I find it weird that I’m worrying slightly about my favourite comic and cynic Doug Stanhope. He posted this on his website yesterday.
“I keep having dreams about Hedberg. I keep trying to write his parents but I dont know what to say. I'd like to eat mushrooms with them so they could see things the way he saw them. Then they might understand a bit. But I dont think that is going to happen.”
With guys on the edge like Stanhope you never know where they’re going to turn next.
Have you seen the tragic yet hilarious story of ex-East 17 man Brian Harvey? Ran over by his own car, which he was driving at the time. Some say it’s a suicide attempt and others a tragic accident. I think I go with the accident theory, cos like his manager says, who could have planned that? Alasdair suggested that if it was a suicide attempt perhaps Goths would change their music and dress of choice to East 17 and their ilk.
The suicide talk brought up Kurt Cobain. However I think Cobain would have killed himself no matter if he was an international rock star or a gas station attendant. Harvey’s depression seems to stem from the ‘I had it all and now I’ve lost it and what the fuck do I do now?’ camp.
"I Had no Idea it was Coming"
Here’s a story about the chain of events that saw Tuesday’s reveal of Deep Throat fall into place.
And here's some other articles on reactions to the revelation.
Deep Throat: Straight Shooter or Back Stabber? complete with a 1958 picture of Felt going for his guns.
Here’s the suggestion that his motives were to protect the FBI.
Not surprisingly Nixon’s Buddies condemn Felt as ‘a traitor.’
Is anyone listening to G. Gordon Liddy? A dangerous yet entertaining nutcase in his day. And as someone who spent several years in prison for his role in Watergate is it any surprise that he's less than thrilled with Felt?
And finally, what Bill Clinton thinks.
And here's some other articles on reactions to the revelation.
Deep Throat: Straight Shooter or Back Stabber? complete with a 1958 picture of Felt going for his guns.
Here’s the suggestion that his motives were to protect the FBI.
Not surprisingly Nixon’s Buddies condemn Felt as ‘a traitor.’
Is anyone listening to G. Gordon Liddy? A dangerous yet entertaining nutcase in his day. And as someone who spent several years in prison for his role in Watergate is it any surprise that he's less than thrilled with Felt?
And finally, what Bill Clinton thinks.
It's a Mirage
Last night was our first night in professional writing. We went along to the recording of the first three episodes of Radio Scotland’s forthcoming sketch show ‘Sabotage’ of which we were assured included ‘loads’ of our sketches.
Beforehand we quaffed free drink and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Kevin McDermott and Sanjeev Kohli, who’s best known for playing Navid in Still Game. So star studded already, we didn’t need Scotland’s finest comedy sketch troupe showing up! Fizzy had to be held back from asking for their autographs…or was it from spitting on the main guy’s jacket?
As we found our seats at the back of course, we were treated to a warm up comic. Anyone who is familiar with my story about the Govan Comedy Festival should have heard the name Frances Healy. Oddly enough yet again she was faced with numerous children in the audience and did she change her routine about c***s and labias? No way!
We settled back to watch the recording with an odd feeling of apprehension. Having done You Owe Me Glue and been in total control over every aspect of the script and performance it was odd waiting to hear our stuff being read and not knowing how it would be done. Tone, accents, timing, emphasis etc. well, we shouldn’t have worried.
After half an hour or so the first episode was in the can and a total of zero of our sketches had been used. So into episode two and again not one of our sketches. During the break I failed to recognise one of the other writers when she came over to speak to us and I just stared at her blankly.
After the break we move onto the recording of episode three and yes…it’s one of ours…no, it’s just a line of ours they’ve used for another sketch. The evening wraps with not a single one of our sketches used.
As for the show itself we didn’t just listen out for our own stuff there were a few of the sketches we laughed at.
So tonight we go along once more, to sit in the dark and hope that this time a whole bagful of our stuff is being used. I think this time we may tan more of the free booze beforehand though.
Beforehand we quaffed free drink and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Kevin McDermott and Sanjeev Kohli, who’s best known for playing Navid in Still Game. So star studded already, we didn’t need Scotland’s finest comedy sketch troupe showing up! Fizzy had to be held back from asking for their autographs…or was it from spitting on the main guy’s jacket?
As we found our seats at the back of course, we were treated to a warm up comic. Anyone who is familiar with my story about the Govan Comedy Festival should have heard the name Frances Healy. Oddly enough yet again she was faced with numerous children in the audience and did she change her routine about c***s and labias? No way!
We settled back to watch the recording with an odd feeling of apprehension. Having done You Owe Me Glue and been in total control over every aspect of the script and performance it was odd waiting to hear our stuff being read and not knowing how it would be done. Tone, accents, timing, emphasis etc. well, we shouldn’t have worried.
After half an hour or so the first episode was in the can and a total of zero of our sketches had been used. So into episode two and again not one of our sketches. During the break I failed to recognise one of the other writers when she came over to speak to us and I just stared at her blankly.
After the break we move onto the recording of episode three and yes…it’s one of ours…no, it’s just a line of ours they’ve used for another sketch. The evening wraps with not a single one of our sketches used.
As for the show itself we didn’t just listen out for our own stuff there were a few of the sketches we laughed at.
So tonight we go along once more, to sit in the dark and hope that this time a whole bagful of our stuff is being used. I think this time we may tan more of the free booze beforehand though.
Wednesday, 1 June 2005
Only Inches Away From the Motorway...
With the CD Exchange in full swing here at work I thought I would post this genius review by Alasdair of Lindsay's CD. He has compared each track to Glasgow, though I'm not sure why.
The Sleepy Jackson – Good Dancers
Kelvingrove Park on a summer’s day, when it’s busy but you’re not sitting near any Goths, yobs or irritating skaters. I can hear the river, the breeze in the trees and people having lazy fun. 9/10
The Velvet Underground – Stephanie Says
Byres Road, probably near the Dumbarton Road end where there are a few herbalist shops, cheap barbers, record shops and a political t-shirt store. 9/10
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Sometimes Always
In front of the two lions on George Square, after getting off the bus after a day trip to Edinburgh. 8/10
Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
Taking the 44 bus from the city centre to Jordanhill as the sun sets and getting off outside Victoria Park. 8/10
Ryan Adams – To Be Young
Getting drunk on organic wheat beer at Mono. 10/10
Elliot Smith – Needle in the Hay
Trying to find what you’re looking for but getting distracted in the Mitchell Library. 7/10
My Morning Jacket – Lowdown
The glasshouses at Queen’s Park where they have some beautiful gold fish (perhaps koi carps) in an ornamental pond. 7/10
Neko Case – Deep Red Bells
The now derelict arts centre at Anderson that was home to many drama, music and art classes but was only inches away from the motorway and where the bodies of dead prostitutes were discovered.7/10
Lampchop – This Corrosion
The RSAMD building, although filled with creative and spirited individuals the building itself is strangely oppressive in its design. 8/10
Nick Cave - Do You Love Me
Walking along the Gallowgate, past the drunks and the Barralands, in an electrical storm. 7/10
The Kills – Cat Claw
Getting into a fight on Sauchihall Street and getting laid shortly afterwards. 9/10
Interpol – PDA
Getting chatted up after a great gig at the Barralands and heading off to a really crap party believing that it is the best night of your life so far. 10/10
The Cure – The Lovecats
Exploring Mr Ben’s and all the other odd ball stores in Virginia Galleries before M and S renders the building unsafe. 7/10
The Sleepy Jackson – Good Dancers
Kelvingrove Park on a summer’s day, when it’s busy but you’re not sitting near any Goths, yobs or irritating skaters. I can hear the river, the breeze in the trees and people having lazy fun. 9/10
The Velvet Underground – Stephanie Says
Byres Road, probably near the Dumbarton Road end where there are a few herbalist shops, cheap barbers, record shops and a political t-shirt store. 9/10
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Sometimes Always
In front of the two lions on George Square, after getting off the bus after a day trip to Edinburgh. 8/10
Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
Taking the 44 bus from the city centre to Jordanhill as the sun sets and getting off outside Victoria Park. 8/10
Ryan Adams – To Be Young
Getting drunk on organic wheat beer at Mono. 10/10
Elliot Smith – Needle in the Hay
Trying to find what you’re looking for but getting distracted in the Mitchell Library. 7/10
My Morning Jacket – Lowdown
The glasshouses at Queen’s Park where they have some beautiful gold fish (perhaps koi carps) in an ornamental pond. 7/10
Neko Case – Deep Red Bells
The now derelict arts centre at Anderson that was home to many drama, music and art classes but was only inches away from the motorway and where the bodies of dead prostitutes were discovered.7/10
Lampchop – This Corrosion
The RSAMD building, although filled with creative and spirited individuals the building itself is strangely oppressive in its design. 8/10
Nick Cave - Do You Love Me
Walking along the Gallowgate, past the drunks and the Barralands, in an electrical storm. 7/10
The Kills – Cat Claw
Getting into a fight on Sauchihall Street and getting laid shortly afterwards. 9/10
Interpol – PDA
Getting chatted up after a great gig at the Barralands and heading off to a really crap party believing that it is the best night of your life so far. 10/10
The Cure – The Lovecats
Exploring Mr Ben’s and all the other odd ball stores in Virginia Galleries before M and S renders the building unsafe. 7/10
Tuesday, 31 May 2005
Deep Throat Has Been Revealed
One of the biggest political mysteries of the last 30 odd years has been solved. W Mark Felt has outed himself as Deep Throat. Felt was suspected as Deep Throat by Richard Nixon himself and by film director Nora Ephron, ex-wife of Carl Bernstein.
"I never leaked information to Woodward and Bernstein or to anyone else!" Felt wrote in his 1979 book.
Here is an article in Atlantic Monthly from 1992 which speculates on Felt's involvement. It's written by James Mann who worked at the Washington Post at the time of the investigation. And here is a 1999 article at the time of the 25th anniversary of Nixon's resignation, that features a telephone interview with Felt.
Here's the article from Vanity Fair, where he makes his revelation, in PDF format.
"I never leaked information to Woodward and Bernstein or to anyone else!" Felt wrote in his 1979 book.
Here is an article in Atlantic Monthly from 1992 which speculates on Felt's involvement. It's written by James Mann who worked at the Washington Post at the time of the investigation. And here is a 1999 article at the time of the 25th anniversary of Nixon's resignation, that features a telephone interview with Felt.
Here's the article from Vanity Fair, where he makes his revelation, in PDF format.
The Space You're Not In Reviewed
Here’s a brief review of The Space You’re Not In from Oran Mor’s own website.
"I Didn't Do Anything"
Star of Heathers, True Romance and Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory Christian Slater, has been arrested for grabbing a lady's rear in Manhattan.
Platoon director Oliver Stone was also arrested over the weekend for Drink-Driving.
Platoon director Oliver Stone was also arrested over the weekend for Drink-Driving.
Some Links to Look at
OK here’s some links for you all.
First off Fizzy has started reviewing records for Diskant. Nah, I wasn’t asked. One of his first assignments is the debut album from Liquid Blue. Have a look at the biogs.
In addition to being the lead singer with Liquid Blue, Scott is also a Chartered Financial Consultant.
Drummer Jordan Medina's nickname is 'Funky Cold'.
There’s always a discussion on Squander Two. More often than not there’s something interesting being said. And he has had a link to us up for ages.
If anyone is wondering how Ben is doing back in New Zealand, look at his site. There’s some photographs displayed as slideshows. He’s off to Mexico in about four weeks.
Since I was on about The Smiths earlier here’s a good Smiths fan site. Passions Just Like Mine.
The Shizzolator never gets old.
I think the death of Mitch Hedberg hit Doug Stanhope hard and he’s moving pretty soon, so he’s getting rid of everything he owns. In addition to a yard sale he’s punting all his goods on e-bay. Including tapes of him playing live and all his pornography and sex related toys. The sale starts June 10th.
You Owe Me Glue is back on in July so go have a look at the website. Familiarise yourself with the old stuff and very soon our webmaster will have some new stuff up for you to enjoy.
There is NOTHING to see at the Naked Bear Theatre Company website. But you never know, one day...
Have a look at Alasdair’s odd collection of photographs on Flickr. From abnormalists to cows. And here too is Marceline’s.
As the reviews for my CD compilation trickle in it’s obvious that just like The Ataris the folk in here hate Ben Lee.
I'm sure there's more I could serve up, but I think that's about enough to be getting on with eh?
First off Fizzy has started reviewing records for Diskant. Nah, I wasn’t asked. One of his first assignments is the debut album from Liquid Blue. Have a look at the biogs.
In addition to being the lead singer with Liquid Blue, Scott is also a Chartered Financial Consultant.
Drummer Jordan Medina's nickname is 'Funky Cold'.
There’s always a discussion on Squander Two. More often than not there’s something interesting being said. And he has had a link to us up for ages.
If anyone is wondering how Ben is doing back in New Zealand, look at his site. There’s some photographs displayed as slideshows. He’s off to Mexico in about four weeks.
Since I was on about The Smiths earlier here’s a good Smiths fan site. Passions Just Like Mine.
The Shizzolator never gets old.
I think the death of Mitch Hedberg hit Doug Stanhope hard and he’s moving pretty soon, so he’s getting rid of everything he owns. In addition to a yard sale he’s punting all his goods on e-bay. Including tapes of him playing live and all his pornography and sex related toys. The sale starts June 10th.
You Owe Me Glue is back on in July so go have a look at the website. Familiarise yourself with the old stuff and very soon our webmaster will have some new stuff up for you to enjoy.
There is NOTHING to see at the Naked Bear Theatre Company website. But you never know, one day...
Have a look at Alasdair’s odd collection of photographs on Flickr. From abnormalists to cows. And here too is Marceline’s.
As the reviews for my CD compilation trickle in it’s obvious that just like The Ataris the folk in here hate Ben Lee.
I'm sure there's more I could serve up, but I think that's about enough to be getting on with eh?
Bank Holiday Weekend
How was the bank holiday weekend for the ‘Pish readership? Mine? Yeah well…
On Friday after work some of us went to a party at Marceline’s new flat, a converted stable just off Great Western Road. I think it was ‘converted’ some time ago. The funniest story we heard from the evening was from a girl who used to be employed in the complaints department here at work, who told us of a customer who bought 15 of the sub standard websites we have to offer as he suffered from multiple personality disorder and each one of his personalities called up to buy a site. You’d think at least one of them would have a little bit of savvy.
From Marceline’s party I went off to meet Jo at the Woodside Social. The last Friday of the month is National Pop League, which is really good cos they played a lot of stuff I quite like. Arcade Fire, The Go-Betweens, The Go! Team, Velvet Underground, The Smiths etc. though at the start of almost every song Jo did ask me “Who’s this?” I had to admit I don’t know everything. The last song played was ‘You Just Haven’t Earned it Yet, Baby,’ by The Smiths. This just sums up what a good band The Smiths were. That wasn’t even a single, (it was considered but was passed over for ‘Shoplifters of the World Unite’) it made its first appearance on the compilation LP ‘The World Won’t Listen’. How many other bands could have a non-single played as the last record in a disco?
It was here when a stranger walked up to me and said “Excuse me, are you the guy out of You Owe Me Glue?” he then went on to tell me how much he enjoyed the show and how he’d be at the next one. It’s always nice to meet the fans, cos at the end of the day, they’re the ones you do it for. Shame though, that it wasn’t a hot girl, but got to start somewhere I guess.
Saturday afternoon saw me miss the only goal in a dull televised Scottish Cup Final by virtue of my niece pulling a jumper over my head at the very moment the ball went in. However she didn’t think it was too funny when I turned her upside down a moment later.
Saturday night involved Nice N Sleazy’s, Mosquito, Fury Murrays and a dance crazy Nicola.
On Sunday I watch out to watch the League Two play off match between Hartlepool United and Sheffield Wednesday with Jo and ‘Pool fan Jill. They came very close, but ultimately lost 4-2 after extra time. From there we ended up in Jill’s local in Kinning Park, the name of which escapes me.
Last night I went to see my pal Sara in two one act plays. 'The Secret Love Life of Ophelia' by Steven Berkoff and 'Desdemona: A play about a Handkerchief' by Paula Vogel. She appeared in the first one and directed the second. I have to say that although the first featured a typically fine performance from Sara, the second play, which she wasn’t in, was far superior. It was very funny and featured an excellent comic performance from Friend of Glue Alison May.
And that was about it for me and pay-day Bank Holiday weekend.
On Friday after work some of us went to a party at Marceline’s new flat, a converted stable just off Great Western Road. I think it was ‘converted’ some time ago. The funniest story we heard from the evening was from a girl who used to be employed in the complaints department here at work, who told us of a customer who bought 15 of the sub standard websites we have to offer as he suffered from multiple personality disorder and each one of his personalities called up to buy a site. You’d think at least one of them would have a little bit of savvy.
From Marceline’s party I went off to meet Jo at the Woodside Social. The last Friday of the month is National Pop League, which is really good cos they played a lot of stuff I quite like. Arcade Fire, The Go-Betweens, The Go! Team, Velvet Underground, The Smiths etc. though at the start of almost every song Jo did ask me “Who’s this?” I had to admit I don’t know everything. The last song played was ‘You Just Haven’t Earned it Yet, Baby,’ by The Smiths. This just sums up what a good band The Smiths were. That wasn’t even a single, (it was considered but was passed over for ‘Shoplifters of the World Unite’) it made its first appearance on the compilation LP ‘The World Won’t Listen’. How many other bands could have a non-single played as the last record in a disco?
It was here when a stranger walked up to me and said “Excuse me, are you the guy out of You Owe Me Glue?” he then went on to tell me how much he enjoyed the show and how he’d be at the next one. It’s always nice to meet the fans, cos at the end of the day, they’re the ones you do it for. Shame though, that it wasn’t a hot girl, but got to start somewhere I guess.
Saturday afternoon saw me miss the only goal in a dull televised Scottish Cup Final by virtue of my niece pulling a jumper over my head at the very moment the ball went in. However she didn’t think it was too funny when I turned her upside down a moment later.
Saturday night involved Nice N Sleazy’s, Mosquito, Fury Murrays and a dance crazy Nicola.
On Sunday I watch out to watch the League Two play off match between Hartlepool United and Sheffield Wednesday with Jo and ‘Pool fan Jill. They came very close, but ultimately lost 4-2 after extra time. From there we ended up in Jill’s local in Kinning Park, the name of which escapes me.
Last night I went to see my pal Sara in two one act plays. 'The Secret Love Life of Ophelia' by Steven Berkoff and 'Desdemona: A play about a Handkerchief' by Paula Vogel. She appeared in the first one and directed the second. I have to say that although the first featured a typically fine performance from Sara, the second play, which she wasn’t in, was far superior. It was very funny and featured an excellent comic performance from Friend of Glue Alison May.
And that was about it for me and pay-day Bank Holiday weekend.
Thursday, 26 May 2005
The Music Exchange
Here at work in an effort at ‘team building’ (nah, not really it was just an idea I had while having a conversation about music) I’ve organised a CD Exchange. The simple idea being that everyone in our ‘team’ makes up a CD and then we all start swapping them around.
This has been enhanced by us all writing reviews of the CDs and e-mailing them round. Prompting such reviews as
Bis - Today of all Days
This reminds me of my days in college radio when the power violence show was relegated to a fifteen minute slot on the noise show. Granted, you could play thirty or more songs in that time, but that's irrelevant. The people who ruled that station with an iron fist were into music like Bis. 3/10.
And
Playgroup – Make it Happen – after the last few tracks, I have to ask if I should really be on an e for this whole experience. Another sweaty club pot boiler, this has an engaging bass line and what I can only image are hastily scribbled down lyrics which don’t make sense, even in the good way. 5/10
And
Justin Timberlake – Rock Your Body 2/10
I suppose this is all right for the genre, but since the genre is soulless pseudo funk pop tinged rubbish with its eye firmly on dollar signs I’m less than impressed. If he’d just taken out an advert in the New York Times declaring ‘I am Good at Shagging’ maybe then no one would have to be subjected to this garbage.
It does seem to be ‘bonding’ us all…kinda.
So far my CD hasn’t been reviewed, though Marceline did tell me that one of the songs on it was ‘dreadful.’ For the record my compilation is as follows.
1. Digerati – Good Morning Harry Shaw
2. Death Cab For Cutie – Technicolor Girls
3. Arcade Fire – Neighborhood # 1 (Tunnels)
4. Brendan Benson – Spit it Out
5. Ben Lee – Catch my Disease
6. Built to Spill – Strange
7. David Cross – Advertising
8. Jon Brion – Knock Yourself Out
9. Ben Folds – Rent a Cop
10. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists – Bleeding Powers
11. Ben Kweller – In Other Words
12. Doug Stanhope – Offensive to Midgets
13. Sahara Hotnights – Hot Night Crash
14. Say Hi To Your Mom – Let’s Talk About Spaceships
15. Demetri Martin – Swimming
16. Aimee Mann – You Do
17. Teenage Fanclub – Take the Skinheads Bowling
18. Tegan and Sara – Walking with a Ghost
19. Mitch Hedberg – Sandwiches
20. William Shatner – That’s me Trying
21. The Go-Betweens – Surfing Magazines
22. James Mercer – Pink Bullets
23. The Wolf Parade – It’s a Curse
24. Rilo Kiley – The Good That Won’t Come Out
This has been enhanced by us all writing reviews of the CDs and e-mailing them round. Prompting such reviews as
Bis - Today of all Days
This reminds me of my days in college radio when the power violence show was relegated to a fifteen minute slot on the noise show. Granted, you could play thirty or more songs in that time, but that's irrelevant. The people who ruled that station with an iron fist were into music like Bis. 3/10.
And
Playgroup – Make it Happen – after the last few tracks, I have to ask if I should really be on an e for this whole experience. Another sweaty club pot boiler, this has an engaging bass line and what I can only image are hastily scribbled down lyrics which don’t make sense, even in the good way. 5/10
And
Justin Timberlake – Rock Your Body 2/10
I suppose this is all right for the genre, but since the genre is soulless pseudo funk pop tinged rubbish with its eye firmly on dollar signs I’m less than impressed. If he’d just taken out an advert in the New York Times declaring ‘I am Good at Shagging’ maybe then no one would have to be subjected to this garbage.
It does seem to be ‘bonding’ us all…kinda.
So far my CD hasn’t been reviewed, though Marceline did tell me that one of the songs on it was ‘dreadful.’ For the record my compilation is as follows.
1. Digerati – Good Morning Harry Shaw
2. Death Cab For Cutie – Technicolor Girls
3. Arcade Fire – Neighborhood # 1 (Tunnels)
4. Brendan Benson – Spit it Out
5. Ben Lee – Catch my Disease
6. Built to Spill – Strange
7. David Cross – Advertising
8. Jon Brion – Knock Yourself Out
9. Ben Folds – Rent a Cop
10. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists – Bleeding Powers
11. Ben Kweller – In Other Words
12. Doug Stanhope – Offensive to Midgets
13. Sahara Hotnights – Hot Night Crash
14. Say Hi To Your Mom – Let’s Talk About Spaceships
15. Demetri Martin – Swimming
16. Aimee Mann – You Do
17. Teenage Fanclub – Take the Skinheads Bowling
18. Tegan and Sara – Walking with a Ghost
19. Mitch Hedberg – Sandwiches
20. William Shatner – That’s me Trying
21. The Go-Betweens – Surfing Magazines
22. James Mercer – Pink Bullets
23. The Wolf Parade – It’s a Curse
24. Rilo Kiley – The Good That Won’t Come Out
Could You Believe It?
Well what a game that was last night eh? Much like the rest of Europe the lot of us who went to O’Neill’s to watch the game thought that Liverpool were dead and buried by half time. There was talk of another Euro Final exhibition style performance from Milan like 1989 when they put Steaua Bucharest to the sword 4-0 or 1994 when they gubbed Barcelona by the same scoreline.
But it wasn’t to be. Instead we were treated to one of the most unbelievable comebacks I’ve ever seen. Not least because with Crespo’s deft finish for number three Milan looked every inch European Champions and Liverpool looked like their journey to the final was achievement enough.
Jerzy Dudek made up for his occasional blunder throughout the tournament with first of all a fantastic double save at the death and then his penalty saves in the shoot out. And of course his Grobbelaar style antics on the goal-line. Grobbelaar himself said this “Jerzy Dudek was fantastic; he was like a starfish with jelly legs. I heard he was told to remember what I did in 1984 and he did it. He put the first one off and saved two penalties.”
Dalglish and Hansen both said that if Liverpool could do it last night it would be a greater achievement than what the teams of the 70s and 80s achieved and I think that’s correct. No one would say that this team is the best in Europe but they only way to prove it is by winning the Champions League and they had by no means an easy journey to the final. Juventus and Chelsea were, along with Barcelona most people’s tips to win it and Liverpool dispensed with both of them.
Now the talk turns to whether or not they will be allowed to defend the trophy next season. For me UEFA should allow them entry. It was their silly and greedy rule that installed 4 teams from England into the tournament in the first place so who cares if Liverpool as holders make 5? Well maybe the Spanish and Italian FAs. UEFA are saying 'the rules can't be changed mid season.' Well, for one thing it's not mid season, but these are rules that they themselves make up as and when it suits them. Back in the days when it truly was a Champions's tournament the only way more than one team from the same country could get into the competition was if the holders hadn't won their respective league that season.
However UEFA do seem to be sticking to their guns and refusing the holders entry for next season. In the latest twist TNS in Wales have volunteered to let their place in the qualifiers go to Liverpool if they were to beat them in a pre-qualifier play-off. A masterstroke by TNS as a 2 legged play off against the European Champions would be an excellent money spinner. However the Football Asociaton of Wales have since declared TNS’s suggestion ‘not feasible’ and that they will not back it.
Still Liverpool and their fans will I’m sure simply revel in this victory for some time to come.
But it wasn’t to be. Instead we were treated to one of the most unbelievable comebacks I’ve ever seen. Not least because with Crespo’s deft finish for number three Milan looked every inch European Champions and Liverpool looked like their journey to the final was achievement enough.
Jerzy Dudek made up for his occasional blunder throughout the tournament with first of all a fantastic double save at the death and then his penalty saves in the shoot out. And of course his Grobbelaar style antics on the goal-line. Grobbelaar himself said this “Jerzy Dudek was fantastic; he was like a starfish with jelly legs. I heard he was told to remember what I did in 1984 and he did it. He put the first one off and saved two penalties.”
Dalglish and Hansen both said that if Liverpool could do it last night it would be a greater achievement than what the teams of the 70s and 80s achieved and I think that’s correct. No one would say that this team is the best in Europe but they only way to prove it is by winning the Champions League and they had by no means an easy journey to the final. Juventus and Chelsea were, along with Barcelona most people’s tips to win it and Liverpool dispensed with both of them.
Now the talk turns to whether or not they will be allowed to defend the trophy next season. For me UEFA should allow them entry. It was their silly and greedy rule that installed 4 teams from England into the tournament in the first place so who cares if Liverpool as holders make 5? Well maybe the Spanish and Italian FAs. UEFA are saying 'the rules can't be changed mid season.' Well, for one thing it's not mid season, but these are rules that they themselves make up as and when it suits them. Back in the days when it truly was a Champions's tournament the only way more than one team from the same country could get into the competition was if the holders hadn't won their respective league that season.
However UEFA do seem to be sticking to their guns and refusing the holders entry for next season. In the latest twist TNS in Wales have volunteered to let their place in the qualifiers go to Liverpool if they were to beat them in a pre-qualifier play-off. A masterstroke by TNS as a 2 legged play off against the European Champions would be an excellent money spinner. However the Football Asociaton of Wales have since declared TNS’s suggestion ‘not feasible’ and that they will not back it.
Still Liverpool and their fans will I’m sure simply revel in this victory for some time to come.
Monday, 23 May 2005
U-Turn of the Mac
An amusing yet inevitable twist to the gag theft post of a few days ago. It would appear that Mac has had to eat some tasty humble pie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)