07-08 / 13-08 2010
This week has passed fairly slowly. The weather, which was supposed to be indicative of a sweltering summer, has been so depressing and constricting that I have had to cancel plans with friends it's hard enough to see as they have work commitments, etc. We were told in March that this summer could be the hottest on record but with only a few weeks left of official summertime I am yet to see anything to shout, or even murmur about. As I am ever the optimist, ahem, I will hope for some sun sooner rather than later.
Yesterday I went to see the much acclaimed Inception and I'm still undecided. There is little doubt I have rarely been more gripped by a film than this but the opening thirty minutes was so confusing at times that I would have had an easier time reciting the bible from memory. Once it got into the main narrative and reflected back on the opening it was mesmerising. Apparently its taken Christopher Nolan 10 years to fully formulate his ideas and I could understand this immediately. I know it's actors & actresses jobs to learn this kind of stuff but they must have had to re-read the script quite a few times (said in a long drawn out voice) to grasp it totally. But I'll still get it on DVD and you should still go and see it.
The weekend brought with it the start of the football league season and the ever dependable Soccer Saturday, meaning for another 8 months I can keep myself occupied with the musings of Chris kamara and co. Dad continues to claim that it's ridiculous how it starts mere weeks after the world cup and I'm not sure really what to make of it. Players need a break, but do they need a break long enough to merit missing the start of a campaign when they only train for a few hours a day? (I say this out of bitterness as Arsenal are likely to be without their two most influential players next Sunday). There will undoubtedly be a world cup hangover but lets hope this moves away as soon as possible after England's flaying at the hands of the fans on Wednesday *rubbing hands at the prospect*. Brighton got off to a winning start as they look to get promoted in order to fill their new stadium next year. I have high hopes as a class manager plus shrewd signings show great intention. Leicester however lost. Pfft.
I've just finished a David Baldacci book which was good and have now moved onto yet another course book called 'A Complicated Kindness' which is better than the last travesty I had to read. The story of a girl's struggle to make the transition to adulthood is depicted with heart felt emotion and possible catharsis from the author Miriam Toews. Although a lot of small details are covered it is these that makes the story cohesional and adds to the overall scheme of things. I read a quote earlier that i really like but am not sure if I fully understand it...
'Insanity could be defined as the attempt to reconcile one's overwhelming urge to write things down with one's overwhelming conviction that silence is the most appropriate response'.
I found this eerily beautiful and often find myself in this predicament, on this occasion of course I've chosen to write it down but I am quite a quiet person. I hope I don't fall under the insane bracket. Not yet anyway.
I've watched a couple of good films in the last few days. I hadn't seen 'The Shawshank Redemption' before now but I thought it was great. Fantastic story and despite the crimes convicted by the murderers I found myself shed a tear on their behalf. It's up there with 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' which is probably my favourite film. On Monday I watched 'Derailed' with Clive Owen and that was pretty good as well although there were definite points that I thought could have been exploited. But that's why I'm not a director.
I've read some strange pieces of news this week. It made me laugh and it probably shouldn't have done. Apparently it's a turkish tradition for the groom to fire an AK-47 into the air as a form of celebration. Well yes I find that slightly strange in itself but the funny, kind of, bit was when he lost control of the rifle and managed to kill two aunts and his father as the rest of the guests ran for their lives. I felt a bit wrong laughing inwardly at this, but I'd be surprised if you're not right now.
I also read that the North Korea manager Kim Jong-Hun has been forced to work as a builder due to his sides performance at the World Cup. I found this ludicrous as it was an immense achievement even getting to the finals, scoring against Brazil and playing some decent stuff as well. Alright they got battered by Portugal but there's no great shame in that. The coach was accused of 'betraying the trust' of one of Kim Jong il's sons and has been kicked out of the Workers' Part of Korea. I don't know why I'm so surprised really. In the past the players would have been sent to prison camps so I bet they're laughing.
Yesterday I went to see the much acclaimed Inception and I'm still undecided. There is little doubt I have rarely been more gripped by a film than this but the opening thirty minutes was so confusing at times that I would have had an easier time reciting the bible from memory. Once it got into the main narrative and reflected back on the opening it was mesmerising. Apparently its taken Christopher Nolan 10 years to fully formulate his ideas and I could understand this immediately. I know it's actors & actresses jobs to learn this kind of stuff but they must have had to re-read the script quite a few times (said in a long drawn out voice) to grasp it totally. But I'll still get it on DVD and you should still go and see it.
The weekend brought with it the start of the football league season and the ever dependable Soccer Saturday, meaning for another 8 months I can keep myself occupied with the musings of Chris kamara and co. Dad continues to claim that it's ridiculous how it starts mere weeks after the world cup and I'm not sure really what to make of it. Players need a break, but do they need a break long enough to merit missing the start of a campaign when they only train for a few hours a day? (I say this out of bitterness as Arsenal are likely to be without their two most influential players next Sunday). There will undoubtedly be a world cup hangover but lets hope this moves away as soon as possible after England's flaying at the hands of the fans on Wednesday *rubbing hands at the prospect*. Brighton got off to a winning start as they look to get promoted in order to fill their new stadium next year. I have high hopes as a class manager plus shrewd signings show great intention. Leicester however lost. Pfft.
I've just finished a David Baldacci book which was good and have now moved onto yet another course book called 'A Complicated Kindness' which is better than the last travesty I had to read. The story of a girl's struggle to make the transition to adulthood is depicted with heart felt emotion and possible catharsis from the author Miriam Toews. Although a lot of small details are covered it is these that makes the story cohesional and adds to the overall scheme of things. I read a quote earlier that i really like but am not sure if I fully understand it...
'Insanity could be defined as the attempt to reconcile one's overwhelming urge to write things down with one's overwhelming conviction that silence is the most appropriate response'.
I found this eerily beautiful and often find myself in this predicament, on this occasion of course I've chosen to write it down but I am quite a quiet person. I hope I don't fall under the insane bracket. Not yet anyway.
I've watched a couple of good films in the last few days. I hadn't seen 'The Shawshank Redemption' before now but I thought it was great. Fantastic story and despite the crimes convicted by the murderers I found myself shed a tear on their behalf. It's up there with 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' which is probably my favourite film. On Monday I watched 'Derailed' with Clive Owen and that was pretty good as well although there were definite points that I thought could have been exploited. But that's why I'm not a director.
I've read some strange pieces of news this week. It made me laugh and it probably shouldn't have done. Apparently it's a turkish tradition for the groom to fire an AK-47 into the air as a form of celebration. Well yes I find that slightly strange in itself but the funny, kind of, bit was when he lost control of the rifle and managed to kill two aunts and his father as the rest of the guests ran for their lives. I felt a bit wrong laughing inwardly at this, but I'd be surprised if you're not right now.
I also read that the North Korea manager Kim Jong-Hun has been forced to work as a builder due to his sides performance at the World Cup. I found this ludicrous as it was an immense achievement even getting to the finals, scoring against Brazil and playing some decent stuff as well. Alright they got battered by Portugal but there's no great shame in that. The coach was accused of 'betraying the trust' of one of Kim Jong il's sons and has been kicked out of the Workers' Part of Korea. I don't know why I'm so surprised really. In the past the players would have been sent to prison camps so I bet they're laughing.
My plans were once more ruined by the shitty English weather on Tuesday which is strange as today is Wednesday and the weather is really nice, yet my friends are busy today so foiled again. I attempted to take some pictures but it was so torrential it just wasn't worth it. I tried to take some artistic photos of the garden, couldn't so put Mum on the job and she did a bit better. Our garden does look great when the sun is shining though, not that I know any of the names of the flowers or anything but I still appreciate them. I'll try and improve with my photo taking skills over the next few weeks so this isn't just one long narrative.
I watched the football tonight and England played fairly well, despite going behing to a bunch of nobody's. I definately think if players like Gibbs, Wilshere, Rodwell and Hart can progress as I expect them to then we will have a chance of making a half decent team in the future. Capello's lack of enthusiasm and passion annoys me and to not tell David Beckham he won't play again before telling the press is RIDICULOUS but you can't really argue with his CV..up to now anyway.
I also enjoyed the twisted version of Churchill's quote at the Battle of Britain which read 'never have so few given so little for so many' and they had a point.
I've started to read 'Crime and Punishment' by Dostoevsky and so far it's pretty enjoyble. I'm intrigued to say the least although in the front of my edition is says it was published in 2000 and not the year it was first published which was 1866. I thought that was standard in the front of books but the fact it confused me even momentarily is still slightly embarrassing.
I watched the football tonight and England played fairly well, despite going behing to a bunch of nobody's. I definately think if players like Gibbs, Wilshere, Rodwell and Hart can progress as I expect them to then we will have a chance of making a half decent team in the future. Capello's lack of enthusiasm and passion annoys me and to not tell David Beckham he won't play again before telling the press is RIDICULOUS but you can't really argue with his CV..up to now anyway.
I also enjoyed the twisted version of Churchill's quote at the Battle of Britain which read 'never have so few given so little for so many' and they had a point.
I've started to read 'Crime and Punishment' by Dostoevsky and so far it's pretty enjoyble. I'm intrigued to say the least although in the front of my edition is says it was published in 2000 and not the year it was first published which was 1866. I thought that was standard in the front of books but the fact it confused me even momentarily is still slightly embarrassing.
The future of England: From left to right; Joe Hart (GK), Jack Wilshere (CM), Jack Rodwell (CB/CM), Kieran Gibbs (LB/LM)
I've just got back from a night out with 3 mates and it was fantastic. Such twisted and lewd conversations that morally should never see the light of day which involved spew, windmilling housemates and the destruction of a regular guys internal system sounded phenomenal. I never thought a night started of by the cheapest of carveries could be so funny. But the abuse we gave the food served to us, which was in all honestly pretty terrifying, was immense. The majority of fat people and people with a lower IQ than a foetus added to the atmosphere. We basically got the rind of the gammon and the fat of the meat pretty much dominated. But can you really abuse a meal that only cost £3.59? Prob not. We had a few more before filling Wils' pint with vodka and arranging an ever gayer sounding date to see Toy Story on Wednesday with more foolish antics to follow next week and beyond. I don't know why I'm writing this now but I guess it will be even funnier in the morning when I read it, after I've edited it properly.
And finally, after a day of trawling through the internet at the cheapest holidays money could buy Natalie and I are heading to Fuertaventura in September. A week in the sun with some interesting things to do and a lot of nothing should be good. B.e.a.utiful.
And finally, after a day of trawling through the internet at the cheapest holidays money could buy Natalie and I are heading to Fuertaventura in September. A week in the sun with some interesting things to do and a lot of nothing should be good. B.e.a.utiful.
A Twisted Design
A monstrous apparition, that kills all around it
That contaminates the skyline, that rapiers the o-zone
Its metallic grip holds our throats in a deathly vice
To squeeze the breath from our dying existence
It rises from the earth to constrict our lives
To dominate our surroundings and slash our resistance
It shines near the moon blinding those around it
Confining our hearts and ripping us apart
Its wires are a mass of bewitched veins lost amongst the mass
Intertwining and constricting our hold on reality
Infallible around the lost world below
Indestructible due to the authority it demands
It stands before us almighty and commanding
Never to compromise, never to surrender
Enveloping us all in its web of mystery
Murdering the growth, a destroyer of history
A monstrous apparition, that kills all around it
That contaminates the skyline, that rapiers the o-zone
Its metallic grip holds our throats in a deathly vice
To squeeze the breath from our dying existence
It rises from the earth to constrict our lives
To dominate our surroundings and slash our resistance
It shines near the moon blinding those around it
Confining our hearts and ripping us apart
Its wires are a mass of bewitched veins lost amongst the mass
Intertwining and constricting our hold on reality
Infallible around the lost world below
Indestructible due to the authority it demands
It stands before us almighty and commanding
Never to compromise, never to surrender
Enveloping us all in its web of mystery
Murdering the growth, a destroyer of history