24 hours and I still can't remember what I was going to post yesterday. Oh well...
I'm going on holiday tomorrow, so interweb access will be pretty much non-existant. Expect a few pictures from my phone to pop up every now and then. God knows why I'm announcing it to a reader base that is a single person, and that person is coming on holiday with me.
Presumably this is the onset of madness. Splendid. I will be an insane super-villian by the end of the year.
Thursday 31 July 2008
Wednesday 30 July 2008
Sunday 27 July 2008
Saturday 26 July 2008
The Dark Knight
Mrs Mal and I went to see the new Batman film this morning (yes, it is perfectly acceptable to see a film before lunchtime...).
All the press has been about Heath Ledger and how awesome his turn as The Joker is. I have to say I agree. Christopher Nolan (the director) has described the villian as a force of nature, and I struggle to find a better description. His eyes breed insanity, the little ticks and mannerisms show a level of dedication to a character so often missed in the comic book genre and the way he shuffles about before unleashing a surprising level of agilty further adds to the unpredictability of the man. He'll get nominated for an oscar, but will he win? Hard to say, there are plenty more films to come out this year with plenty more performances to judge. RIP Heath - you done good.
Gary Oldman though? He done better.
Throughout the film you only see Jim Gordon and it wasn't until I mentioned to Mrs Mal that Gary Oldman was in the film did she a. ask for confirmation he was in it and b. which character he played. Oldman has the ability to vanish into his parts and this was no exception. I'm no film critic but if you -really- want to see an acting masterclass, have a look at Gary Oldman in this film. Good cop, family man, victim and hero. He won't get nominated for squat, but by God does he deserve to.
It's arguably the best comic book movie yet (certainly up there with X-Men 2, Daredevil and A History of Violence). I would offer an argument that it's also one of the best crime dramas in recent years, I found myself being reminded of Michael Mann's Heat throughout.
If you get a chance to, see this film.
All the press has been about Heath Ledger and how awesome his turn as The Joker is. I have to say I agree. Christopher Nolan (the director) has described the villian as a force of nature, and I struggle to find a better description. His eyes breed insanity, the little ticks and mannerisms show a level of dedication to a character so often missed in the comic book genre and the way he shuffles about before unleashing a surprising level of agilty further adds to the unpredictability of the man. He'll get nominated for an oscar, but will he win? Hard to say, there are plenty more films to come out this year with plenty more performances to judge. RIP Heath - you done good.
Gary Oldman though? He done better.
Throughout the film you only see Jim Gordon and it wasn't until I mentioned to Mrs Mal that Gary Oldman was in the film did she a. ask for confirmation he was in it and b. which character he played. Oldman has the ability to vanish into his parts and this was no exception. I'm no film critic but if you -really- want to see an acting masterclass, have a look at Gary Oldman in this film. Good cop, family man, victim and hero. He won't get nominated for squat, but by God does he deserve to.
It's arguably the best comic book movie yet (certainly up there with X-Men 2, Daredevil and A History of Violence). I would offer an argument that it's also one of the best crime dramas in recent years, I found myself being reminded of Michael Mann's Heat throughout.
If you get a chance to, see this film.
Wednesday 23 July 2008
Nothing is Safe!
The price to use the toilets at Paddington Station has been hit by the UK's crazy inflation.
It has gone from 20p to 30p - a 50% rise. Scandal, I tell you.
It has gone from 20p to 30p - a 50% rise. Scandal, I tell you.
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Bonding with Baby
I'm supposed to be talking to Mal Jr while he's swimming around in Mrs Mal's lady bits, playing him music, shining a torch or tapping out War and Peace using Morse Code on my good lady's stomach.
Problem is, I'm not that sort of person.
I love my wife and I love my unborn child but I'm not going to talk at a stomach. In the meantime, I'll do my best to make life as comfortable for her as possible.
Poor bugger's going to have me talking at him for the rest of his life. Reckon he should enjoy the silence while he has the chance.
Problem is, I'm not that sort of person.
I love my wife and I love my unborn child but I'm not going to talk at a stomach. In the meantime, I'll do my best to make life as comfortable for her as possible.
Poor bugger's going to have me talking at him for the rest of his life. Reckon he should enjoy the silence while he has the chance.
Thursday 17 July 2008
Tuesday 15 July 2008
Glasvegas
Nope. Don't get them. At all. I think it's something to do with their drummer. She frustrates me.
Anyway...
The digital world is up in arms. Viacom have insisted that Google release details of every one who has ever used You Tube and what they have watched. Even though the American courts have ruled that the data and IP addresses are to be made anonymous, it is a whopping infringement of privacy.
Surely that by being in possession of my viewing habits (anonymous or not), Viacom are in breach of my personal copyright. I did not give them consent to have my data, yet they are free to trade it among their employees, who in turn could share it with their peers, who can then transfer it to their peers...hmm...peer to peer. Isn't that what the whole fracas is about (in a manner of speaking)?
I am fortunate enough to earn enough that if I want a song, I can pay the 89p and download it. There are those who aren't in my position. Hell, ten years ago I couldn't have afforded to download anything.
The free sharing of music, films and games is not going to destroy the industry. Over-paid, over-hyped, mass marketed dross will do that with or without file sharers. Something that seems lost on the moguls who insist on ramming repetitive, meaningless, forgettable songs down my ears while I am forced to watch a remake of a film from two decades ago because Hollywood has lost its originality.
Perhaps when the powers that be decide to stop catering to the lowest common denominator there might be a reason for folks to pay for a product that is (shock! horror!) actually worth paying for.
Anyway...
The digital world is up in arms. Viacom have insisted that Google release details of every one who has ever used You Tube and what they have watched. Even though the American courts have ruled that the data and IP addresses are to be made anonymous, it is a whopping infringement of privacy.
Surely that by being in possession of my viewing habits (anonymous or not), Viacom are in breach of my personal copyright. I did not give them consent to have my data, yet they are free to trade it among their employees, who in turn could share it with their peers, who can then transfer it to their peers...hmm...peer to peer. Isn't that what the whole fracas is about (in a manner of speaking)?
I am fortunate enough to earn enough that if I want a song, I can pay the 89p and download it. There are those who aren't in my position. Hell, ten years ago I couldn't have afforded to download anything.
The free sharing of music, films and games is not going to destroy the industry. Over-paid, over-hyped, mass marketed dross will do that with or without file sharers. Something that seems lost on the moguls who insist on ramming repetitive, meaningless, forgettable songs down my ears while I am forced to watch a remake of a film from two decades ago because Hollywood has lost its originality.
Perhaps when the powers that be decide to stop catering to the lowest common denominator there might be a reason for folks to pay for a product that is (shock! horror!) actually worth paying for.
Every bloody day...
I can't remember the last time I sat down on the train to work. I think it was three weeks ago.
Sunday 13 July 2008
Thursday 10 July 2008
Bloody Hell, I Needed That!
I've just come back from the studio having hit a full drum kit for the first time in a month and I feel great! It is one of the best feelings on earth to be able to make music, especially with J (lead guitar and vocals) and Sexy Mutha (bass), both are scarily talented musicians.
Turns out that Sexy Mutha also has a blog. You can read it here
Turns out that Sexy Mutha also has a blog. You can read it here
Freebirthing
Imagine, if you will, that the various methods/techniques of giving birth (that I am aware of) could be placed on a scale of meat-eating...
21st century birthing (the-smacked-off-your-tits-on-every-drug-in-the-hospital method) is your average, omnivorous diet with lashings of sweet sweet cooked flesh. That is what the majority choose.
Hypnobirthing in a hospital is a Vegetarian who loves the carrot, but flirts with the seductive joys of fish when the occasion arises.
Hypnobirthing at home is the Vegetarian happily in a monogamous relationship with the carrot.
Homebirthing is the Vegan willing to bend the rules and grab a glass of milk if their life depended on it.
Freebirthing is the militant Vegan who imposes their will on yours because every other method is evil. Man.
You can tell then, that having had a day to reflect on things, I'm very firmly of the opinion that Freebirthing is bad mojo.
I watched a TV show last night about women who choose to have their baby without any pain relief, medical attention or even a midwife on standby. Now, I'm all for women who know their own bodies and want to give birth in the way that is most comfortable for them, but I am also naturally cautious. None of the women seemed to consider that they might hemorrhage, that the placenta might be blocking the exit or other complications that could require (dare I say it!) a Caesarean. In the ten minutes it would take an ambulance to get there, their baby and possibly themselves, would be dead.
It's not so much stupid, as just plain irresponsible.
Have your birth as you want, have no pain relief if that's your ideal, have your partner be the one who delivers it at home, but for christ's sake - just have a midwife or someone who knows what they are doing in the next room or behind a closed door, or something.
Please.
21st century birthing (the-smacked-off-your-tits-on-every-drug-in-the-hospital method) is your average, omnivorous diet with lashings of sweet sweet cooked flesh. That is what the majority choose.
Hypnobirthing in a hospital is a Vegetarian who loves the carrot, but flirts with the seductive joys of fish when the occasion arises.
Hypnobirthing at home is the Vegetarian happily in a monogamous relationship with the carrot.
Homebirthing is the Vegan willing to bend the rules and grab a glass of milk if their life depended on it.
Freebirthing is the militant Vegan who imposes their will on yours because every other method is evil. Man.
You can tell then, that having had a day to reflect on things, I'm very firmly of the opinion that Freebirthing is bad mojo.
I watched a TV show last night about women who choose to have their baby without any pain relief, medical attention or even a midwife on standby. Now, I'm all for women who know their own bodies and want to give birth in the way that is most comfortable for them, but I am also naturally cautious. None of the women seemed to consider that they might hemorrhage, that the placenta might be blocking the exit or other complications that could require (dare I say it!) a Caesarean. In the ten minutes it would take an ambulance to get there, their baby and possibly themselves, would be dead.
It's not so much stupid, as just plain irresponsible.
Have your birth as you want, have no pain relief if that's your ideal, have your partner be the one who delivers it at home, but for christ's sake - just have a midwife or someone who knows what they are doing in the next room or behind a closed door, or something.
Please.
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Max Mosley
My God. Why is this story getting press coverage?
What he does behind closed doors is his business. Headline news it is not.
I don't care about what he spends his money on, I don't care about his kinks and I don't care what the News of The World thinks - this is not a story 'in the public interest'. Kindly stop bombarding me with it, dear national press.
Gracias.
What he does behind closed doors is his business. Headline news it is not.
I don't care about what he spends his money on, I don't care about his kinks and I don't care what the News of The World thinks - this is not a story 'in the public interest'. Kindly stop bombarding me with it, dear national press.
Gracias.
Monday 7 July 2008
You know you've arrived when...
We are staying overnight in a fancy hotel for our anniversary. They have upgraded us to a suite that is arranged over two floors and is bigger than our house! Rock and roll.
Sunday 6 July 2008
Not as bad as I was expecting.
Turns out it's a course though, so it's going to be done over a few weeks. I'll use the time to make up my mind properly rather than post a knee-jerk reaction after this afternoon.
Hypnobirthing
Today, dear reader(s), I am to attend a Hypnobirthing course. I have no idea what to expect.
Curiouser and curiouser
Curiouser and curiouser
Friday 4 July 2008
It's Not What You Know...
I love my job. I love buildings and I love numbers and I'm in a role where I can combine the two.
What I hate about the industry is the old boy network that surrounds it. There was an example of it today that really wound me up.
"...and my son would make a excellent addition to any valuation team."
Bah. I know people who qualified years ago who still can't value. Your opinion of your son's ability fresh out of university will not sway me.
Bad luck, Pal.
What I hate about the industry is the old boy network that surrounds it. There was an example of it today that really wound me up.
"...and my son would make a excellent addition to any valuation team."
Bah. I know people who qualified years ago who still can't value. Your opinion of your son's ability fresh out of university will not sway me.
Bad luck, Pal.
Thursday 3 July 2008
Accomplished
Had a good day at work today, feels like I got lots of stuff done.
I am strangely proud of myself.
I am strangely proud of myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
