Ok so a bit of catching up to do here, I'll have to dig out some quotes now, lemme see, herm
Ooh, there's quotes from books in my Big Read compilation thing, that'll do. So going backwards from 100
100. "The nose assumed a patriarchal aspect. On my mother it looked noble and a little long-suffering; on my aunt Emerald, snobbish; on my aunt Alia, intellectual; on my uncle Hanif it was the organ of an unsuccessful genius..." - Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie
99. "Geez! Whatever happened to nice Greandmothers, who bake brownies for you and tell you how precious you are? It's just my luck I get one who has tattooed eyeliner and tells me I look like a hooker." - The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
98. "Dan isn't my boyfriend. OK OK, he's fun. And I have a good time with him. And I can say all sorts of stuff to him. And though he's a hopeless nerd he's also brave. And quick-witted. And imaginative. And it doesn't really matter one hundred percent if he looks stupid." - Girls in Love, Jaqueline Wilson.
Phew - those'll keep me busy for a while!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Frusciante's new music challenge (1 of 3)
So I took up the challenge and trawled HMV for albums that would fit the categories mentioned by legendary guitarist John Frusciante for exploring new music. The music I found wasn't entirely new to me, but most of the songs I haven't heard before and aren't necessarily something I'd buy normally so I think it fits the bill. There was also a "2 for £10" deal on so I restricted myself to that! But I also got the Run DMC greatest hits which was very cool!
So category one was to talk to people who I think are cool, well a significantr number of my close friends who I talk to a lot and who buy maybe a bit more music than I do all are fans of Radiohead. Yuo may be one of those folks who looks aghast and think "you're not?!!" - well then you'll probably get on well with my friends! I'd never had a problem with Radiohead and usually liked it when it was played, but never called myself a fan - and probably still wouldn't, though I am warming to them. However I was always quite critical of the semi-religious fervour attached to this band, but in the interest of challenge I went for it and got myself...
...and I have to say I've enjoyed my purchase. On initial listening I wasn't quite as excited as I'd anticipated being, but I think that was to be expected. The buildup was so great the album had little chance of impressing me on a weary first listening. But a great work holds out and comes through in the end. I'm reminded of when I watched Napoleon Dynamite after hearing people talk about it for months and months - and ending up being dragged through one of the slowest, dullest films I have ever seen as a consequence. Some time later I can see the merit of the film, and the comedy of the character, though I still wouldn't watch it again.
I wouldn't say the same of Radiohead and their album however, of which I have had several pleasant listenings post my first encounter. Familiar tracks like "Just" were enough of a draw for me to give it another a whirl and then I realised I also knew "High and Dry" and several of the guitar riffs were also familiar. I was able to move past preconception and begin to enjoy the music.
What I really love about The Bends is the sheer variety available within their distinct "sound" - while Radiohead are recognised for being abstract and there's plenty of abstract sounds on the album there are also more than enough catchy and enjoyable bits of music that mainstream ears can tune into easily, easing you into the world of the band.
Well my music ignorance is probably driving some Radiohead fan into a fit of rage as we speak so I'll stop there and just say that I bought Radiohead and liked it - that OK?
Word of the post: Discombobulate –verb (used with object)
to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate
So category one was to talk to people who I think are cool, well a significantr number of my close friends who I talk to a lot and who buy maybe a bit more music than I do all are fans of Radiohead. Yuo may be one of those folks who looks aghast and think "you're not?!!" - well then you'll probably get on well with my friends! I'd never had a problem with Radiohead and usually liked it when it was played, but never called myself a fan - and probably still wouldn't, though I am warming to them. However I was always quite critical of the semi-religious fervour attached to this band, but in the interest of challenge I went for it and got myself...
...and I have to say I've enjoyed my purchase. On initial listening I wasn't quite as excited as I'd anticipated being, but I think that was to be expected. The buildup was so great the album had little chance of impressing me on a weary first listening. But a great work holds out and comes through in the end. I'm reminded of when I watched Napoleon Dynamite after hearing people talk about it for months and months - and ending up being dragged through one of the slowest, dullest films I have ever seen as a consequence. Some time later I can see the merit of the film, and the comedy of the character, though I still wouldn't watch it again.
I wouldn't say the same of Radiohead and their album however, of which I have had several pleasant listenings post my first encounter. Familiar tracks like "Just" were enough of a draw for me to give it another a whirl and then I realised I also knew "High and Dry" and several of the guitar riffs were also familiar. I was able to move past preconception and begin to enjoy the music.
What I really love about The Bends is the sheer variety available within their distinct "sound" - while Radiohead are recognised for being abstract and there's plenty of abstract sounds on the album there are also more than enough catchy and enjoyable bits of music that mainstream ears can tune into easily, easing you into the world of the band.
Well my music ignorance is probably driving some Radiohead fan into a fit of rage as we speak so I'll stop there and just say that I bought Radiohead and liked it - that OK?
Word of the post: Discombobulate –verb (used with object)
to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate
Monday, August 11, 2008
Weekly Quote 09/08/08
I'm detecting a possibly flurry of Simpsons quotes...
"Who made you Judge Judy and executioner?" - Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
"Who made you Judge Judy and executioner?" - Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Corporate Rivalry
While it's on my mind I just thought I'd post up some thoughts on advertising in the present day. Ine recent weeks I've noticed that a lot of companies in their ads are making a lot of references to their competitors and how they are better than them.
ASDA are frequently doing this, showing how many 'cheaper' prices Tesco has and then demonstrating how they are cheaper on twice as many products or whatever. Another is Huggies natural fit nappies - which specifically compare themselves to Pampers active fit (possible name/company mix up here) and show how they are better. A recent example is of sports starts causing havoc as they urge men to replace their Mach 5 with a better Gilette Fusion (I've just thought that Mach 5 might be a Gillette product, but it's odd all the same) and so on and so forth.
I'd always thought it some kind of unwritten (or more likely an actual written) law that you could not directly slander or discredit or mention your competitor in advertising your own product and I don't seem to remember any adverts of the kind until recent times. So has there been a change in legislation, have companies just got bolder or has this always been going on under my nose? If you know do drop a comment - I might do some more digging when I've got the time, but while it's puzzling me I figured I'd post it up.
Word of the post: Qwerty –adjective
of or pertaining to a keyboard having the keys in traditional typewriter arrangement, with the letters q, w, e, r, t, and y being the first six of the top row of alphabetic characters, starting from the left side.
ASDA are frequently doing this, showing how many 'cheaper' prices Tesco has and then demonstrating how they are cheaper on twice as many products or whatever. Another is Huggies natural fit nappies - which specifically compare themselves to Pampers active fit (possible name/company mix up here) and show how they are better. A recent example is of sports starts causing havoc as they urge men to replace their Mach 5 with a better Gilette Fusion (I've just thought that Mach 5 might be a Gillette product, but it's odd all the same) and so on and so forth.
I'd always thought it some kind of unwritten (or more likely an actual written) law that you could not directly slander or discredit or mention your competitor in advertising your own product and I don't seem to remember any adverts of the kind until recent times. So has there been a change in legislation, have companies just got bolder or has this always been going on under my nose? If you know do drop a comment - I might do some more digging when I've got the time, but while it's puzzling me I figured I'd post it up.
Word of the post: Qwerty –adjective
of or pertaining to a keyboard having the keys in traditional typewriter arrangement, with the letters q, w, e, r, t, and y being the first six of the top row of alphabetic characters, starting from the left side.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Weekly Quote Double - W/E 02/08/08
Ok, been away and stuff - been exposed to a lot of comics so this one had to go in
"With great power comes great responsibility." - Ben Parker, Spiderman.
and another picked at random.
"Diligence is the mother of good luck" - 16th century proverb
Good stuff, more from me soon I hope
"With great power comes great responsibility." - Ben Parker, Spiderman.
and another picked at random.
"Diligence is the mother of good luck" - 16th century proverb
Good stuff, more from me soon I hope
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