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Thursday 20 November 2008
Quickie
Hey, people are still reading the blog! Ain't that a shocker...;^)
This one will be quick, but I'll get back later in the day with something at least a bit interesting to say.
So, yesterday, IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) released what is, so far, the broadest study in the development of our country (socially, economically, cultural...) during the 20th century.
It covers from the migrations and populational growth in the big urban centers to the increased participation of women in the economical life of families. It covers exportation rates, increasing of the number of people covered by our public health system, cultural and behavioral developments in our society.
And I still have not hearing a single mention about gay people, or alternative families, or the (increasing) violence against minorities in here.
"Shock. Horror."
So, I have the whole joint to myself...
Hey, there, everyone.
I'm James, writing from Brasilia (probably the city with the most f*-up weather in the world, but I'll get to that in a minute).
I'll be standing in for Jon while he enjoys his existential holiday at sunny Ibiza.
I don't have much to say right now, so I'll just throw in a couple of random thoughts, ok?
-Technology hates me. No, really. Last week, Jon asks me if I can manage the blog for him while he's away. "Of course!", I say. So, the next morning, without a warning or any kind of sign (yeah, because where would be the fun in *that*?), my computer crashes. For the second time this month. The damn thing won't even turn on. And I promised to take care of Jon's place.
"Ho, hum".
-The weather here is acting up again. It's usually very sunny and hot in Brasilia, the dry kind of hot. A couple of days ago, we reached the hottest day of the year so far, with the temperature looming over 34°, and the umidity of the air at pathetic 13%. It's like trying to breathe solid air or something.
But, yesterday, rain started to fall. Hard. And cold.
It's getting to the point where you can't leave the house without a small suitcase, containing clothing for every season.
Anyway, enough bitching.
I should start to think of funny things to say, or I'll scare away all of Jon's audience.
....
....
Oh, God, Jon is so screwed...
Ibiza Baby!
Right, that's it, I'm finally ready to go off on my existential holiday.
James will be by on Monday sometime.
Have a great week all.
Well This Is Interesting Too
Okay - the update on the holiday situation:
Weirdly, we are still going away tomorrow.
More weirdly still, in an almost existential twist, we're going on our holiday. We're taking the flights we were going to be on, and staying in the same apartments we were going to be in . Obviously they all suddenly became available when the company we had booked with wasn't there anymore, so we have them through a different company. It's all had to be paid for twice of course, but we'll get back payment one somewhere along the line.
So we're going on the same trip to the same place at the same time as we would have been, but on another level, it's a completely different trip.
See - deeply existential.
Well This Is Interesting
You know those stories you hear of people who book holidays and then the holiday company goes bust, so some people end up stuck in their holiday destination and other people who haven't departed get the whole thing cancelled, sometimes only just before they're due to leave?
Can you see where I'm going with this?
The *Great* Thing About The Internet....
.... is the one that people often overlook. It's the fact that I can sit here in the UK and men all over the world, straight men at that, seem more than willing to show me their arses.
It's truly a magical world we've created for ourselves.
Guest Blogging From The Southern Hemisphere
Long-standing readers will remember that when I went away for what was supposed to be a week this time last year, I handed this place over to the Mystery Guest Blogger, whose Figure Project ended up assembling a composite More a way of life.... reader. This one, in fact.
This year, as I jet off to sunnier climes, I'm handing custodianship over quite openly to James.
James is the creative genius behind the artistic endeavours which have graced this place recently. He lives in Brasilia, and I'm giving him a free reign to post about whatever he likes.
I'll get him to introduce himself, but in the meantime, please make him feel welcome.
Guest Blogger
Just thought I'd mention that I'm lining up a guest blogger for next week while I'm away. I'm hoping to be able to announce the recipient of this rare honour shortly.
Getting things sorted out at work and home before I go is occupying me pretty fully at the moment, so sorry I'm a bit quiet. When I come back all rested and refreshed you won't know what's hit you.
People I Hate
Number one of an occasional series.
People who manage still to be in perfrectly uncreased shirts at the *end* of the working day.
More Fun With Blaine
Warning: Do not click on this link if you find the idea of a game based around shooting mock-celebrities hanging in boxes distasteful or offensive.
If you don't have a problem with it, however: Fire Away.
[Cheers to Pete for the link]
Hugo Young, RIP
Guardian columnist Hugo Young has died, aged 64.
Always provocative, always passionate, I may occasionally have disagreed with him, but it was only very occasionally.
I've linked to his columns on a number of occasions. Sad that I won't be doing so again.
Holiday
Did I mention I'm off for a week's holiday on Sunday? If not, I am. I can't wait. Stress levels are rising all the time, and I *need* to chill and do nothing for a week. I'm in the mood for some beach time, some great food and drink, and pleasant company, all of which are very much on the agenda.
Five days and counting.
Referrer Madness
Okay, you know I don't dwell much on this stuff, but I've suddenly noticed that some really odd referrers have started showing up in the logs for this place. Is anyone else finding anything similar?
So far this month, I'm getting quite a lot of traffic from all of the following, and none seem to offer any clear indication of why this should be the case:
http://schoolfinder.monstertrak.ca/
http://www.xsorbit2.com/users/glbtxfan/index.cgi - which is a forum for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered X-Fans that I didn't know existed, so it's actually quite useful that it came up....
http://development.ux.com/~steven/ which is a site belonging to a pro-gun Catholic as far as I can see, so definitely not in my usual cachement area.
And possibly oddest of them all:
http://www.moevenpick-braunschweig.com
Avast There!
So, weeks later, Alison and I finally got to see Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl this afternoon. Not a bad romp all told, though there's a swordfight early on that seems to go on forever. Jonny Depp is as bonkers as he's ever been in anything, and Orlando Bloom remains as pretty as ever. (Actually that's very unfair - he's really good in this, as is most of the cast.) The screenplay lets it all down a bit, as it's rather too full of coincidence, and no one seems to be very much phased by the fact that there's a crew of skeletons wandering around, but I guess if you suspend your disbelief, it's a diverting enough way of passing acouple of hours.
Seasonal
An interesting change has clearly occurred in thelast week or so, probably tied to the schools having gone back.
When Alison and I turned up to play tennis this morning, there was none of the usual jockeying for a court/people hanging around looking annoyed at anyone who started a new game/calls of "how long have you been on that court?" - there was us and one other pairing for most of the time we were playing. The tennis season, it seems, is over.
However, the teeny football season has clearly started - dozens of small boys were charging up and down the pitches in the park accompanied by the shouts, cheers, encouragements and occasional ridicule of all the football dads and more than a few football mums. These latter were right there at the upper volume end of the shouting and ridiculing range.
Somewhat off-putting, actually.
Oh My Word
Non-comics-readers tune out now.
20 or so years ago, potentially the biggest-ever crossover between the Marvel and DC comics 'universes' was proposed: Avengers/Justice League of America. Eager fanboys like yours truly slavered over the very thought of it, even though not particularly big DC fans.
Politics got in the way; relations between 'The Big Two' soured, and it began to look like it would never happen. But now it has.
A couple of weeks ago, issue one went on sale, written by recent Avengers writer Kurt Busiek and pencilled by legendary artist George Perez. It's almost certainly going to end up being the biggest-selling US comic of the year, and while some have criticised the plot for being of the old-school "heroes have to find a series of powerful objects to avert disaster"-style, I'm in the camp that thinks this is Busiek's homage to an era that inspired this kind of crossover. I think it's great.
But it gets better, and here's the thing I'm "Oh My Word"-ing about: I just found a sneak peak of Perez's uncoloured art for the cover of issue three. I assume that this is every *single* character who's ever been a member of either team.
Bloody Hell.
Bloody Hell - I Was Forgetting!
Not sure how I'd failed to do so already, but anyway:
Congratulations to Dave and Octavia on their engagement.
Woo-Hoo! Party frocks, here we come.
Tube Announcements
Am I the only one getting increasingly pissed-off by the latest style of announcements that London Underfround have embarked upon?
On those increasingly rare occasions when things are going well, I've started to hear "We are pleased to announce that there is a good service running on the Jubilee Line at the moment".
It makes me want to kill someone. I mean, apart from the fact that it's so unbearably smug - (is the service really so infrequently working to a decent standard that you feel you have to draw attention to it when it does? Apparently so) - it's also meaningless. "A good service"? Good by whose standards? There's practically never a time when I'm not jammed into an overcrowded train that lurks at stations or in tunnels for no adequately-explained reason, even when the service is 'good'. Isn't good rather a subjective concept? Wouldn't announcing an 'on-schedule' service, for example, be a rage smug-sounding, rage-inducing thing to do?
At the other end of the scale, by the way, there's a platform announcer I sometimes encounter in the mornings whose latest approach, as the movement of air indicates a train coming to the platform, is "As the wind blows, your train approaches." Which at least brings a human element to the proceedings.
Blown Away
There's an episode of Absolutely Fabulous in which Edina and Patsy go into hospital, and the first thing they do is ask for the wine list. Last night, I was in a private hospital for the first time ever, and while waiting, leafed through the 'Information For Patients' folder.
The very first page, before even a "Welcome" message, was the wine list.
Blew me away.
The Time Goes By
It's curious - once again I didn't even realise I hadn't posted anything here yesterday until just now - I was quite convinced that I had.
I certainly had several contenders for subjects:
I was going to talk about the freakshow that David Blaine has turned himself into, having passed his spot by the Thames at the weekend, but it's as well that I didn't, because if I had, drawing attention to one dauntless soul's efforts to bring the whole pointless exercise to a halt would have seemed like I was fixating.
I also wanted to mention the upcoming return of Acorn Antiques as a stage musical. So now I have.
I'm off doing my Florence Nightingale, tending for the sick, routine this evening, so that's it for now. More later.
Tonbridge
Went this afternoon out into sunny Kent for lunch at Tim's. Tim's house is really lovely, with its own walled garden where you can sit under the apple trees and lunch among the flowers. Really, really pleasant way to pass a few hours, and accompanied by a walk to burn off some of the excellent lunch, it ended up even feeling slightly virtuous.
Though between the walk and tennis this morning i think I've managed to strain something.... Ho hum.
FA Highlights
The Fascinating Aida gig was wonderful, a combination of all-time classics like Sew On A Sequin, My Favourite Tool, Herpes Tango and On The Piste mixed with new stuff and a redition of Socialist Britain that made me long for the day when we may indeed be socialist again.
Among the new stuff, my favourites included Yes, But Is It Art?, Stately Semi-D and Stick Your Head Between Your Legs "and kiss your arse goodbye".
But the total standouts were The Enemy Of Beauty, which included the line "Our vaginas have been tightened so they Grip. Like. Hell" accompanied by appropriate movements, and Suddenly New Zealand, an ode to how in the light of the dangers which threaten us while we live under a government apparently determined to make the world more dangerous, some other locations seem rather more attractive:
"Suddenly New Zealand
Doesn't seem so boring.
Suddenly New Zealand
Seems attractively remote."
The initial run-through being followed by an audience participation version punctuated with sheep, goat, geyser and Rotorua effects from designated audience members while the rest of us sang along.
Awesome night out.
Sweet FA
Off to see Fascinating Aida on their farewell tour this evening. I haven't seen a show of theirs in a good many years, so I'm glad not to miss out on the last chance to see.
Big Night
Last night was a lot of fun, if more drink-fuelled than I originally intended. There's a tendency to have glasses filled by the staff in passing that causes one to lose track of how much one is drinking. I suspect this may be tha last of the big birthday bashes in this style - going out for a meal seems perhaps a bit more sensible.
Anyway, thanks very much to all who came along. Everyone I remember was: Alice, Alison, Barnaby, Carlos, Cath, Celia, Chris, Chris, Charles, Dan, Gert, Jeremy, Mike, Owen, Pete, Sanni, Sarah, Sam and Tammy.
In fact, I've just looked at the photographic record and it seems my memory is entirely accurate. Near sixty photos were taken on my camera alone, which I'll run through to remove the blurred ones and the ones of the table and I'll put up a gallery later for the benefit of those involved.
Drinking At Lunchtime?
Don't be ridiculous! I'd never even dream of doing such a thing.
That was a good lunch though.
Religion - Gah!
[Rant mode on]
I've been reading a discussion with someone in the US who has just received (but not yet opened as his family aren't home yet) his 'call' letter. He's a Mormon, and this tells him where he's going to be going for the next two years on his mission to spread the word and convert heathens.
I'll temporarily overlook the comment he made as part of his response to someone's question about where he could be sent to: "most of Europe (except for the more wartorn Eastern Europe, I think)". Actually, I won't overlook it - what does this even mean? 'the more wartorn Eastern Europe' - WTF? More wartorn than what? Does this mean that there's a degree of wartorn where he could be sent? Maybe the less wartorn parts of Eastern Europe....
But he'd also mentioned that he won't be able to access the internet, go to the cinema, read comics, "or really participate in a lot of popular culture". The reasons?
"A. I'll have barely any time to do so.
B. For the most part, it takes your mind off of what you're supposed to be doing. "
Once again - WTF? 'What you're supposed to be doing'? Things like having a life you mean? Getting some experience of the real world and having fun? Turning into a well-rounded human being rather than a robot, repeating the words you've been told to say as you talk to the heathens in your uniformed little groups?
Religion is fucked-up. What does not experiencing life to the full and doing the things you want to do have to do with celebrating our existence? Wouldn't a more positive (and bluntly more appealing if you're trying to win converts) message be one that says you can believe, give praise and spread the word while still living an enjoyable and open life? Why does religion insist on denying things to the very people it depends on? The long and bitter experience of any number of churches must surely show them the error of this approach.
Oh My Good Lord!
Grant Morrison does it again.
This week's issue of New X-Men (#146) is the start of his second-to-last storyline on the title, and there's a clear shift towards clearing up some of the plots that have been developing ever since he arrived nearly three years ago.
This issue hinges on a shock ending that I won't spoil, but which just demands that I go back to my back issues and re-read everything that has gone before. In terms of his time on the title this is huge. It's got fanboys all over the internet alternately crying 'foul' and cheering at the sheer audacity of the man. I'm in the cheering camp at the moment.
It's been a wild and crazy ride, his run. Dogged by artistic fluctuations and scheduling problems, it's sometimes felt intentionally disorienting and sometimes accidentally so. I've been a bit concerned that his last couple of storylines have been a bit lacklustre, but not any more - it's all coming together, and by the look, it's going to be a hell of a big finish.
Discretion
You know, I love that I blog. I love the act of spotting things I want to talk about or just having a thought and committing it to their record.
But sometimes I wish I had stayed totally anonymous - been one of those bloggers who guards their real identity ferociously. The reason? Because there are things that I simply can't talk about here owing to the fact that people know it's me. There are things to do with work, for instance, that I'd love to share, but I can't. Rants that I'd love to have that simply won't be ranted, because the subject of the rant might pass by.
Frustrating. I'm increasingly reaching the point of wanting to create a separate little rants-and-secrets-space that I can use for venting all the things that I can't put up here.
Does anyone else hit the same thing?
Immortalised Again
Remember last week when i was in Bizarro World, and my time there involved me winning a "Who is our sex god?" vote, among other things?
Well, spinning out of that, James, the creator of that great tennis sketch I blogged on Saturday, has done me a birthday greeting, and I simply have no choice but to share it. I think this is awesome. James is brilliantly talented, and I'm flattered that he took the time to work this up.
That Friday Feeling
Not today, obviously, but I just wanted to do a last call for anyone who might want to come along and drink to the passing of another year on Friday. Looks like this one will be quieter than birthday drinks past, which is probably no bad thing.
Anyway, drop me a line if you're up for coming along on Friday.
BWAHAHAHA- HAHAHAHAHAHA!
So, unusually, I've been watching a programme on Five this evening; The Curse Of Friends Reunited - I only caught a bit in the middle, but if you missed it, it was possibly the funniest television all year. Remember the story of the guy who announced on his FR profile that he was doing a very good business selling cocaine on Redcar seafront? Well, his family (mother and I think brother) were on this programme complaining how if not for the FR connection it would have been just a minor local news story. They were suggesting that he hadn't actually posted that profile himself, but someone had done so in his name to get him into trouble.
Their biggest complaint, though, was that the guy's drug-dealing (which they acknowledged) was one thing, but that this message on FR had made him look stupid, and that was completely out of order.
Can we all say "wrong priorities", boys and girls?
English Country Garden
Got back unusually tired from the trip to Sheffield, having driven back via Hardwick Hall where we also stopped for lunch.
Ailsa's party was much fun, and though I says it as shouldn't, I was on pretty good (if bitchy, as was pointed out) form.
Ailsa and John's garden has to be seen to be believed, however. So I'm allowing you to see it. Believe.
Weekend Round-Up
Ray's funeral was very affecting; lots and lots of people, all very emotional. That's the third I've been to this year, and they were all very different.
I'm off (with Alison, Philippa, Chris, Cathy and Courtney) to Sheffield shortly for Ailsa's fiftieth birthday party, which should be fun, so I won't be back in town until tomorrow. Today's also Chris's birthday and it's Philippa's on Tuesday, so a week of celebration kicks off here.
Best of luck to Dave for the Nike 10K Run tomorrow.
And last but not least, James has done a sketch of me in tennis mode which is thumbnailed on the right and which you can click through to see the full-size version. Considering he's never seen me in real life, I think it's pretty impressive.
Still Senseless
As Dave noted in his comment yesterday afternoon, Ray's murder remains as senseless as ever.
Maybe, though, today people can start at least to begin to deal with it in some ways, as it's his funeral this morning. I suspect there are going to be a *lot* of people there.
Jenny Everywhere
Now here's a cool idea - originally dreamt up by the genii at Barbelith, Jenny Everywhere is an open source superhero - her basic character and situation is set, but from there, anyone who wants to is free to use her in a story of their own devising.
And part of the concept is that Jenny shifts, so you could put her in any time period, any genre, and kind of story you like.
Makes me feel all creative.
Meanwhile, In Bizzaro World....
.... I'm having a very, very strange evening. Several people have told me that the sound of my voice has instilled a sexual physical reaction in them, there's a vote going on to decide which of several men will jump out of my birthday cake, and I appear to be in the lead in a 'Who is our sex god' poll.
What in the name of almighty fuck is going on?????
Still Working
I'm trying not to jinx it, but....four hours in, all seems well so far.
Moment Of Truth
So here I am, just connected at home, with a new set-up that according to all the expert views should prevent the glitch that I've been encountering here for the last few weeks occurring.
I'll let you know.
Blogadoon Is Back!
Sorry - just noticed that Ian has returned from his extended absence - I'd been checking for updates every couple of days until my laptop troubles started reducing the amount of time I was spending online, so I missed that the return happened last week, but anyway, the long, empty wait is over.
And do not miss the posting from Saturday 30th about Desmond Elliot's obituary.
You've Got To Hate It
All the effort required to keep Windows even vaguely up-to-date and secure that is. Courtesy of a reinstall of my machine yesterday, I'm in Service Pack and Patch hell. If I had a pound for every reboot this thing's had in the last 24 hours, I'd have thirty two quid.
You've Got To Love It
Being able to buy hard drives as cheaply as you can these days that is.
I just picked up 120Gb for around the two thirds that number of pounds, including VAT and express delivery.
From Ebuyer, if you're interested.
Civilised
There's something wonderfully civilised about lunching at home with a friend - none of the 'queue for a sandwich, sit at your desk to eat it and get caught up with the news, "lunch-break; what's one of those?"' of ordinary days, just a chance to chat about anything that comes to mind, eat something that someone's gone to the trouble of making with you in mind, and generally relax in the middle of the day.
Life should have more lunchtimes like today.
Welcome to September
This time last year I did a little introduction to the joys of my birthmonth, and when I set out to do likewise this morning, I realised that I was largely covering the same ground. So in order to avoid repeating myself, I offer you the joy of the internet: A link to one year ago today.
