All Robin Mitchell songs are available to download from my MySpace now. Shoulda done it ages ago - because after all, I really want people who want to listen to my music to listen to it - but I guess I wanted people to get the full CDs rather than just the tracks. But then, I only released 30 odd CDs ever, whereas I've had 4186 listens to date.
So, as of now, please download me. Rip me, burn me, spread me. And enjoy it, if you will...
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
short
do you ever get tempted to "sell all your possessions and give to the poor," to just let go of it all and do something right?
because life is too short
too damn short
because life is too short
too damn short
Philosophy
From the "Philosophers Do It Deeper" group on MySpace.
Philosophers do it deeper.
Philosophers do it a posteriori.
Philosophers do it consistently.
Philosophers do it conceptually.
Philosophers do it for pure reasons.
Philosophers do it with their minds.
Philosophers think about doing it.
Philosophers wonder why they did it.
Philosophers do it a posteriori!!!
I guess some of them do it a priori too.
[footnote is that they are, of course, talking about doing Philosophy]
Philosophers do it deeper.
Philosophers do it a posteriori.
Philosophers do it consistently.
Philosophers do it conceptually.
Philosophers do it for pure reasons.
Philosophers do it with their minds.
Philosophers think about doing it.
Philosophers wonder why they did it.
Philosophers do it a posteriori!!!
I guess some of them do it a priori too.
[footnote is that they are, of course, talking about doing Philosophy]
Panning
This might sound a bit music-geeky but...
doesn't it really bug you when drum kits are panned wide? Like, a drum kit is probably a metre and a half wide? Give or take... which is only slightly wider than a guitar rig, or a really fat opera singer. So why, when a guitar or singer is restricted to one area of the sonic field, eg. 11 o'clock or 2 o'clock or whatever... why do they stick the drum kit all over the place? I've got hat at 9am and snare at 3pm and it's like the widest drum kit in the world, spanning three continents or something. It's a bit scary, but so many modern productions do it and Cubase does it automatically with MIDI drums. I don't want a fat drum kit! :(
Fig 1: Massive Huge Drum Kit Spanning Three Continents
doesn't it really bug you when drum kits are panned wide? Like, a drum kit is probably a metre and a half wide? Give or take... which is only slightly wider than a guitar rig, or a really fat opera singer. So why, when a guitar or singer is restricted to one area of the sonic field, eg. 11 o'clock or 2 o'clock or whatever... why do they stick the drum kit all over the place? I've got hat at 9am and snare at 3pm and it's like the widest drum kit in the world, spanning three continents or something. It's a bit scary, but so many modern productions do it and Cubase does it automatically with MIDI drums. I don't want a fat drum kit! :(
Fig 1: Massive Huge Drum Kit Spanning Three Continents
That Is Mental
I can't believe Bristol Rovers won.
Won! Against Bristol City!
I mean, I should be happy, but I'm not. I'm more sort of apathetic, bland expression, don't really give a damn. In fact I'm not even thinking about football, I'm thinking about this massive thunder clap that brought me to the brink of consciousness this morning but failed to actually wake me up. And now the sky has just gone from bright white to dark grey in a fraction of a second. Terrifying.
Erm... Rovers.
My face actually literally looks like this
: |
Won! Against Bristol City!
I mean, I should be happy, but I'm not. I'm more sort of apathetic, bland expression, don't really give a damn. In fact I'm not even thinking about football, I'm thinking about this massive thunder clap that brought me to the brink of consciousness this morning but failed to actually wake me up. And now the sky has just gone from bright white to dark grey in a fraction of a second. Terrifying.
Erm... Rovers.
My face actually literally looks like this
: |
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Critical Error!
I wrote instructions to people to bring me "Man Fanz" instead of "Many Fanz" for my fanclub. Erm...
Also, Finn and I deduced that if you change the "a" in "impatient" to an "o," and remove the second "i" entirely from the word, you get "impotent." Which totally changes the meaning of the sentence.
Also, Finn and I deduced that if you change the "a" in "impatient" to an "o," and remove the second "i" entirely from the word, you get "impotent." Which totally changes the meaning of the sentence.
A New Game
Me and my brother Ben invented this amazing new table-tennis game, and having test-run it twice and decided it's still amazing I figured I'd spread the rules around.
The game stems from my love of a) playing really fast, really well and b) smacking the ball at my opponents. The aim of the game is to score Points using the traditional method of smacking the ball onto your opponent's side of the table, plus the ball continuing to hit your opponent. If you hit them in the face you score 5 points and automatically win (the game is first to 5 Points), if you hit them on any other part of the body with a serve you score 2 Points and if you hit them on any other part of the body with a return you score 1 Point.
Other rules are as follows:
- Play for service according to your tradition
- The player with the serve continues serving until a) he has scored 5 Points against his opponent or b) he has lost 3 points - that is, the traditional table-tennis point. If you lose 3 points (i.e. if you miss the table, hit the net etcetera) the serve goes to your opponent. And so the cycle continues...
- A let according to the normal table-tennis rules is still counted as a let
- If a finger or thumb covering the bat is hit, this will not gain you a Point
Aside from these rules, the game is played in the same manner as table-tennis. We are yet to think of a name, though Ben and I decided it should include the word "death" or something...
The game stems from my love of a) playing really fast, really well and b) smacking the ball at my opponents. The aim of the game is to score Points using the traditional method of smacking the ball onto your opponent's side of the table, plus the ball continuing to hit your opponent. If you hit them in the face you score 5 points and automatically win (the game is first to 5 Points), if you hit them on any other part of the body with a serve you score 2 Points and if you hit them on any other part of the body with a return you score 1 Point.
Other rules are as follows:
- Play for service according to your tradition
- The player with the serve continues serving until a) he has scored 5 Points against his opponent or b) he has lost 3 points - that is, the traditional table-tennis point. If you lose 3 points (i.e. if you miss the table, hit the net etcetera) the serve goes to your opponent. And so the cycle continues...
- A let according to the normal table-tennis rules is still counted as a let
- If a finger or thumb covering the bat is hit, this will not gain you a Point
Aside from these rules, the game is played in the same manner as table-tennis. We are yet to think of a name, though Ben and I decided it should include the word "death" or something...
Vocals
Writing a unique vocal melody is one of the things I find trickiest. Many of my songs use traditional chord progressions and harmonies - I, IV, V, VI et al - and it's so easy to slip into the typical melody. But I don't want to do that, I wanna do something original and captivating, and when writing with the voice it's flippin' 'ard.
For some reason I've been using the word flippin' a lot recently. I think it's all these Northerners that seem to be appearing everywhere, having a bad influence. Go back to Russia! You Northern monkeys...
For some reason I've been using the word flippin' a lot recently. I think it's all these Northerners that seem to be appearing everywhere, having a bad influence. Go back to Russia! You Northern monkeys...
The Internet Is A Mess!
Having accounts for everything, different names, different passwords...
after Timmy's Decision (see his blog) I thought about trying to tidy up my accounts and consolidate them a bit (especially with the Google monopoly) but it's proving impossible.
I might just give up on it all together...
after Timmy's Decision (see his blog) I thought about trying to tidy up my accounts and consolidate them a bit (especially with the Google monopoly) but it's proving impossible.
I might just give up on it all together...
Monday, February 26, 2007
Facebook Me!
Yeah, I joined. Actually I've been trying to for ages, but they have some child protection policy which means that they make it flippin' hard for under-18s. So, naturally, I said I was born in 1940. Anyway, befriend me! Do it!
An Offer You Can't Refuse
MySpace bulletin, posted today at 21:34
Triple Dare
The challenge is thus:
Change your MySpace name to the most obscure/obscene/bizarre thing you can think of. A statement about oneself (or someone else) is good, so is an imperative. The one that I find most amusing, or that is most extreme (perhaps I'll get people to vote?) I will write a song about, and your name of choice will be the name of the first song on my MySpace page for a month. Make sure you notify me if you want to play, otherwise I might overlook you. If your choice is really good (and if the song I write is good) I'll put it on my EP.
Now, there's an offer you can't refuse.
Triple Dare
The challenge is thus:
Change your MySpace name to the most obscure/obscene/bizarre thing you can think of. A statement about oneself (or someone else) is good, so is an imperative. The one that I find most amusing, or that is most extreme (perhaps I'll get people to vote?) I will write a song about, and your name of choice will be the name of the first song on my MySpace page for a month. Make sure you notify me if you want to play, otherwise I might overlook you. If your choice is really good (and if the song I write is good) I'll put it on my EP.
Now, there's an offer you can't refuse.
Happy Robin
It's a beautiful day. I have no urgent commitments, no pressing matters. Life is good.
I stuck "Monsters" on the Goldfish Archives, if anyone does feel the need to re-read the whole thing :)
I stuck "Monsters" on the Goldfish Archives, if anyone does feel the need to re-read the whole thing :)
the monsters under my bed #10
badass: so, to conclude my eventful and decorative narrative, there was a clap of thunder, a strike of lightning and a big kabloosh. at that precise moment i awoke, bewildered and disorientated, and then it was morning
jacques: [sniffs] badass, ma friend, zat 'ees ze most be-autiful thing i 'aff ever heard
badass: but... but it was a tragedy! my mother died!
jacques: oh! well, i wasn't really listening, i was watching robert
bobby: but i'm not doing anything
jacques: i am always watching robert, watching and waiting
bobby: [cowers in fear]
franklin: well then, fellows! it's the end of your first season together - HOW DOES IT FEEL?
bobby: [jumps] ow!
badass: must you shout so loud?
franklin: sorry, i was getting a bit excited...
jacques: i keep telling you, frankie, you don't even belong 'ere. go back to your own script
franklin: ...the end of "the monsters under my bed" season one, a tremendous failure on all accounts. allow me to read you some statistics: children succesfully scared - 2, monsters - 1, laughs - 0
badass: at least we got in a multi-cultural element
jacques: erm...
badass: i mean, jacques is our frenchie-thru-and-thru funny chappy thing
jacques: about that...
bobby: oh no
jacques: i'm not actually french, you fools! why else would i have such a preposterous accent?! oh, what a disaster
[pause]
bobby: at least we have each other
END!!!1!
jacques: [sniffs] badass, ma friend, zat 'ees ze most be-autiful thing i 'aff ever heard
badass: but... but it was a tragedy! my mother died!
jacques: oh! well, i wasn't really listening, i was watching robert
bobby: but i'm not doing anything
jacques: i am always watching robert, watching and waiting
bobby: [cowers in fear]
franklin: well then, fellows! it's the end of your first season together - HOW DOES IT FEEL?
bobby: [jumps] ow!
badass: must you shout so loud?
franklin: sorry, i was getting a bit excited...
jacques: i keep telling you, frankie, you don't even belong 'ere. go back to your own script
franklin: ...the end of "the monsters under my bed" season one, a tremendous failure on all accounts. allow me to read you some statistics: children succesfully scared - 2, monsters - 1, laughs - 0
badass: at least we got in a multi-cultural element
jacques: erm...
badass: i mean, jacques is our frenchie-thru-and-thru funny chappy thing
jacques: about that...
bobby: oh no
jacques: i'm not actually french, you fools! why else would i have such a preposterous accent?! oh, what a disaster
[pause]
bobby: at least we have each other
END!!!1!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Success!
It was a great evening. I feel that we played our best as a band, even if individual parts weren't at their peak, and even though it was pretty quiet I had great fun singing my heart out and all! Thanks to the brave few that came and supported us, it meant a lot! And special thanks to Rowena for the photos (don't we look evil?). Oh, and thanks to Barrie for the pint...
Responsibility
Isn't it funny how the whole time you're a kid you want to be treated like you're older, more responsible? And now that I'm almost an "adult," I'd be more than happy staying a kid.
Review #18
...I Don't Give A Wooden Nickel About Your Legacy... - Rasp-Barrie Clart
http://insase-gotnobrain.blogspot.com/
It is my great pleasure to review the blog of my friend Jack "Barrie" Barrie, who requested that I save him 'til last. I have done this for a number of reasons, not least because his blog (currently called "I Don't Give A Wooden Nickel..." but forever undergoing title changes) is totally unique and probably the most dangerous blog on the internet.
Even the URL is a giveaway: a blatant typo that remains uncorrected suggests a devil-may-care attitude. Get on to his profile, and Jack "Meme-man" has put DRAGONFORCE as an answer to everything. If you have not heard of 4chan, or have not been exposed to the peculiarities of the Internet Meme, this will be over your head. It doesn't matter: we can deduce the necessary information - that our writer is a bit odd.
And so, onto the weblog. It's purpose is manifold - to entertain, to disgust, to provoke, to amuse, to provide and insight into the deep and angsty* feelings of our writer... and to baffle beyond belief. Barrie retells amusing anecdotes, springs raging rants or thoughtful poems at us, and clogs up the pages with .gifs, .movs and enough photos of cats to fill a large box. This is all done in the haphazard and slightly waffling manner of someone who is drunk, but this adds to the comedy rather than detracting from the content. Barrie's mastery of the meme makes this blog all the more amusing and surprising... but not always in a pleasant way.
Anyway, for one such as I who knows Jack Barrie, this blog is something of an insight, into the character of a unique individual. It is guaranteed to entertain, in the style of an '80s B-Movie. Good stuff.
*Just kidding, bro
http://insase-gotnobrain.blogspot.com/
It is my great pleasure to review the blog of my friend Jack "Barrie" Barrie, who requested that I save him 'til last. I have done this for a number of reasons, not least because his blog (currently called "I Don't Give A Wooden Nickel..." but forever undergoing title changes) is totally unique and probably the most dangerous blog on the internet.
Even the URL is a giveaway: a blatant typo that remains uncorrected suggests a devil-may-care attitude. Get on to his profile, and Jack "Meme-man" has put DRAGONFORCE as an answer to everything. If you have not heard of 4chan, or have not been exposed to the peculiarities of the Internet Meme, this will be over your head. It doesn't matter: we can deduce the necessary information - that our writer is a bit odd.
And so, onto the weblog. It's purpose is manifold - to entertain, to disgust, to provoke, to amuse, to provide and insight into the deep and angsty* feelings of our writer... and to baffle beyond belief. Barrie retells amusing anecdotes, springs raging rants or thoughtful poems at us, and clogs up the pages with .gifs, .movs and enough photos of cats to fill a large box. This is all done in the haphazard and slightly waffling manner of someone who is drunk, but this adds to the comedy rather than detracting from the content. Barrie's mastery of the meme makes this blog all the more amusing and surprising... but not always in a pleasant way.
Anyway, for one such as I who knows Jack Barrie, this blog is something of an insight, into the character of a unique individual. It is guaranteed to entertain, in the style of an '80s B-Movie. Good stuff.
*Just kidding, bro
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Wet
Of the many things I didn't anticipate doing today, one of them was standing by a fire in a torrential downpour at 11pm. Mental.
Bleh
You can tell you've truly worked hard when you are exhausted. And you have no voice.
We played a three hour band practice, which was really refreshingly intense. We sounded brilliant, everyone was really giving it some... if we play like that tomorrow, if will be an awesome gig. But dear God, I am shattered...
We played a three hour band practice, which was really refreshingly intense. We sounded brilliant, everyone was really giving it some... if we play like that tomorrow, if will be an awesome gig. But dear God, I am shattered...
Review #17
Strangers Among Us - [multiple contributors]
http://strangersamong.blogspot.com/
This is a photo blog with random photos of people, that was once listed in "Blogs of Note." It's an interesting subject, and there's some neat pics. Not a lot to say really...
http://strangersamong.blogspot.com/
This is a photo blog with random photos of people, that was once listed in "Blogs of Note." It's an interesting subject, and there's some neat pics. Not a lot to say really...
Friday, February 23, 2007
In A Black Mood
Bit racial, I know. But it's true.
I have no reason to be - my life is pretty much perfect. I am rich, well educated, I live in one of the safest countries in the world, I am healthy, I have a family that loves me, I have both my legs...
but for some reason, I'm in a black mood.
Sometimes, you just gotta be grumpy.
I have no reason to be - my life is pretty much perfect. I am rich, well educated, I live in one of the safest countries in the world, I am healthy, I have a family that loves me, I have both my legs...
but for some reason, I'm in a black mood.
Sometimes, you just gotta be grumpy.
Draft 1!
I've literally just finished Draft 1 of my history project (Six Day War essay thing, remember?), for which I am overjoyed. I kept a straight face right to the end, where part of the plan said I should say "what I have learned." I wrote:
On this project I have learned a lot about the recent history of the Middle East, about the tensions involved in the conflict between Jews and Arabs, and more importantly about the positives and negatives of human nature, and the extremes that man will go to in times of crisis and struggle. I have also developed the way that I read and analyse sources, such that I consider myself a far more efficient reader thanks to this wonderful and fulfilling experience. God save the King!
Hey, it's only the first draft...
On this project I have learned a lot about the recent history of the Middle East, about the tensions involved in the conflict between Jews and Arabs, and more importantly about the positives and negatives of human nature, and the extremes that man will go to in times of crisis and struggle. I have also developed the way that I read and analyse sources, such that I consider myself a far more efficient reader thanks to this wonderful and fulfilling experience. God save the King!
Hey, it's only the first draft...
Review #16
Ghetto-Net :: The dump - [multiple contributors]
http://ghetto-net.blogspot.com/
I discovered this blog by a series of coincidences - a friend of mine had put "nothing" as one of his interests, and I cliked the link to see which other bloggers were similarly dull. The first profile that came up had a picture of a guy with glasses and a shaved head, whose other interests were "nada" and "zip" which I found very amusing. I began to browse through his blogs, and finally came across "Ghetto-Net" which described itself as "the bitching on two guys, that rather go live in the south of France." Since then mich and Dimitri have had several friends join their blog (though the description remains the same), but they still represent the core: two slightly nerdy European guys (I have no idea where they're from but they're both multi-linguists) with interests in computers, politics and drinking. Basically a bit like Tim. Brilliant!
Anyway, I found their humour and slightly nerdy, slightly badass devil-may-care attitude highly amusing so I kept reading their blog. It hasn't been updated for a while (a month, give or take) but there's enough of them to keep it going and they write about everything from Tom Cruise to Microsoft to powertools, and essentially they just bitch! Written well, but in casual American English, the blog reads like a conversation with asides and in-jokes. There are also many photos, most of them very odd. Occasionally a post will descend into techspeak, or into some matter of French regional politics, but these bits are easy to identify and ignore (they are best left well alone). Despite these occasional ramblings - and despite photos of our writers getting plastered at their bar that seem to appear every now and then - this blog is very amusing and provides an interesting insight into the lives of some totally random strangers elsewhere in the world.
http://ghetto-net.blogspot.com/
I discovered this blog by a series of coincidences - a friend of mine had put "nothing" as one of his interests, and I cliked the link to see which other bloggers were similarly dull. The first profile that came up had a picture of a guy with glasses and a shaved head, whose other interests were "nada" and "zip" which I found very amusing. I began to browse through his blogs, and finally came across "Ghetto-Net" which described itself as "the bitching on two guys, that rather go live in the south of France." Since then mich and Dimitri have had several friends join their blog (though the description remains the same), but they still represent the core: two slightly nerdy European guys (I have no idea where they're from but they're both multi-linguists) with interests in computers, politics and drinking. Basically a bit like Tim. Brilliant!
Anyway, I found their humour and slightly nerdy, slightly badass devil-may-care attitude highly amusing so I kept reading their blog. It hasn't been updated for a while (a month, give or take) but there's enough of them to keep it going and they write about everything from Tom Cruise to Microsoft to powertools, and essentially they just bitch! Written well, but in casual American English, the blog reads like a conversation with asides and in-jokes. There are also many photos, most of them very odd. Occasionally a post will descend into techspeak, or into some matter of French regional politics, but these bits are easy to identify and ignore (they are best left well alone). Despite these occasional ramblings - and despite photos of our writers getting plastered at their bar that seem to appear every now and then - this blog is very amusing and provides an interesting insight into the lives of some totally random strangers elsewhere in the world.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Good Will
I watched "Good Will Hunting" for the first time today, it's been on my list for a while. It was actually different to what I expected; more effective at delivering its message and, as far as I was concerned, incredibly convincing. A little too close to the bone, actually. Maybe every teenage guy is Will... sure, I'm not a genius (just smart enough to know I'm not that smart) but we all have the same ability/pride/purpose conflict thing. I think. But two encouraging things I took from that were a) the affirmation that the education system isn't everything, and it's worth doing something meaningful with your life, and b) I can't remember but I'm sure it was important. Okay, there was a lot of good stuff, I liked it. But it also got me thinking about my Uni choices again, and here's a fill-in on the progress: three no's, two maybe's and one unheard. I like that, in a way, it means I don't get an easy route to carry on slipping through the system. But it's also a little scary that at least 50% of my University choices (and believe me, they ain't exactly Oxbridge) don't want me...
PIL
PIL new acoustic version now available to listen to (comeplete with "khant's") on my MySpace page. It's still a fairly rough vocal but it's nice enough for now...
Review #15
Danny Isn't Here, Mrs. Torrance - dan
http://iamcooper.blogspot.com/
I came across Daniel Peters' blog after reading a comment on Reasonably Jovial Scripts, posted by a mutual friend of Mr Schmidt and 'forementioned Mr Peters. I scanned the comment-guy's blog, but he didn't write much. However, the guy he shared the blog with kept another blog which he wrote in all the time, and wrote funny stuff too. That's how I came across Daniel Peters.
A couple of times I commented on the blog, but those Canadians don't seem to be such a friendly bunch as I was bluntly ignored both times. Maybe it's because there's so darn many of them - Peters gets about 10 or 12 comments within a day of posting. And I thought I had it bad...
Well, onto the weblog then! He's just updated to a nice new template, which is very swish and also neat and co-ordinated. I like good templates (and am equally frustrated with bad ones). The sidebar is, unfortunately, linked to about a billion other bloggers from various places around the world, which is always a bad idea. Never ever reference anyone else on your own blog, that's what I always say. So, hypocrisy aside...
Peters writes about a whole range of stuff, mostly anecdotal and primarily humorous. He likes phases (as do I) and has done a "Ten Unattractive Features In A Woman" phase, a "Music Video I'm Watching" phase and a "My Holiday To England Day #" phase to name a few. These random, day-to-day bizarre features are nevertheless presented amusingly and coherently, and while the posts often take up a lot of space, this is due to pictures, videos, random links and to be honest, even if it was all writing there's not an element of slow-pacedness or drag (no cross-dressing either, don't worry).
This isn't a particularly ponderous or political blog, which for many of you will be a truly wonderful thing. A little bit slapdash/diary, a little bit humour, it's certainly worth a browse. But only if you have time to read my blog first.
http://iamcooper.blogspot.com/
I came across Daniel Peters' blog after reading a comment on Reasonably Jovial Scripts, posted by a mutual friend of Mr Schmidt and 'forementioned Mr Peters. I scanned the comment-guy's blog, but he didn't write much. However, the guy he shared the blog with kept another blog which he wrote in all the time, and wrote funny stuff too. That's how I came across Daniel Peters.
A couple of times I commented on the blog, but those Canadians don't seem to be such a friendly bunch as I was bluntly ignored both times. Maybe it's because there's so darn many of them - Peters gets about 10 or 12 comments within a day of posting. And I thought I had it bad...
Well, onto the weblog then! He's just updated to a nice new template, which is very swish and also neat and co-ordinated. I like good templates (and am equally frustrated with bad ones). The sidebar is, unfortunately, linked to about a billion other bloggers from various places around the world, which is always a bad idea. Never ever reference anyone else on your own blog, that's what I always say. So, hypocrisy aside...
Peters writes about a whole range of stuff, mostly anecdotal and primarily humorous. He likes phases (as do I) and has done a "Ten Unattractive Features In A Woman" phase, a "Music Video I'm Watching" phase and a "My Holiday To England Day #" phase to name a few. These random, day-to-day bizarre features are nevertheless presented amusingly and coherently, and while the posts often take up a lot of space, this is due to pictures, videos, random links and to be honest, even if it was all writing there's not an element of slow-pacedness or drag (no cross-dressing either, don't worry).
This isn't a particularly ponderous or political blog, which for many of you will be a truly wonderful thing. A little bit slapdash/diary, a little bit humour, it's certainly worth a browse. But only if you have time to read my blog first.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Victory!
As well as the usual action-movie violence one encounters, in my intensified research into the Six Day War I have uncovered many real-life situations of war and violence. The thing I've been puzzling over is the celebration thing - people celebrating when they, for example, blow up an enemy helicopter or shoot down a sniper or hit a target succesfully with a bomb. I mean, on one level I think it's sick and wrong and genuinely disgusting that one can celebrate an action leading to the death of another human being, but then on another level... I totally get it. You've succeeded in doing that which you were trying to do. You've scored the winning goal. You've hit the bull's eye.
That makes me feel queasy about myself now. Maybe I oughta stop thinking for a while...
That makes me feel queasy about myself now. Maybe I oughta stop thinking for a while...
Jokes
I think every joke sort of has imbedded in it a sort of severity and a seriousness. A joke is just concealing the seriousness of the issue.
- Sufjan Stevens, 2005
Does anyone else totally do that?
- Sufjan Stevens, 2005
Does anyone else totally do that?
Thanks
I'm feeling much better now, guys
Thanks for the sympathy. You know, I would have preferred hate to apathetic silence...
Thanks for the sympathy. You know, I would have preferred hate to apathetic silence...
the monsters under my bed #9
badass: ...and that was how i was concieved
child: [bursts into tears]
badass: success!
jacques: 'aam not sure 'ee eez scared... more distressed, oui?
badass: a nod's as good as a wink as far as i'm concerned there, my froggy-frenchy-friend
bobby: bit racist
jacques: ach! i care not. better a frog than an ass, hmm?
badass: well! [strolls off in a huff]
bobby: the night is young and we have many to scare, let's not beat around the bush
badass: i say, was that shakespeare?
bobby: no
jacques: right...
child: [bursts into tears]
badass: success!
jacques: 'aam not sure 'ee eez scared... more distressed, oui?
badass: a nod's as good as a wink as far as i'm concerned there, my froggy-frenchy-friend
bobby: bit racist
jacques: ach! i care not. better a frog than an ass, hmm?
badass: well! [strolls off in a huff]
bobby: the night is young and we have many to scare, let's not beat around the bush
badass: i say, was that shakespeare?
bobby: no
jacques: right...
Review #14
Wideboyracer Motorcycle Adventures: NZ 06/07 - Dan Maurice
http://wideboyracer.co.uk/new-zealand-adventure/
Dan Maurice, sometime entrepreneur, motorbike enthusiast and church-going Welshman, is nearing the end of a tour of New Zealand on his beloved Carbon Emitting Machine Of Death. Actually, I don't care in the slightest, but some of the more environmentally-minded might not be so keen on the idea. Dan went, he says, "to explore, to write, to research some business ideas and to deepen my journey of faith." I'd say that these are all good reasons to go, as well as the obvious "fun" factor, and judging by Dan's blog he's managed to do all these things fairly succesfully. I doubt he considers himself unchanged by the experiences he has had.
Perhaps more notable than these goals, however, is the quote that Dan has put in the footer section of the blog: "...ask what makes you come alive, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. -- " I have no idea what the dashes at the end are for - perhaps it's morse code? - but as I understand it, this "coming alive" business is a realisation of the above goals, and something more on top of it. The quote speaks very deeply to me.
Dan writes in a captivating style, conversational but eloquent and without rambling. His inclusion of photographs from his travels doesn't hinder, but rather adds to his narrative, bringing to life the people and the places (the photographs, by the way, are stunning). Dan writes humorously and thoughtfully, being able to laugh at himself and at those strange Kiwi folks, and being able to percieve much about human nature. He also includes some great action stories, fighting cows, wading rivers, slaying dragons and the like.
As the title claims, this is essentially an adventure story - both of body and spirit, and it's real. And very exciting.
http://wideboyracer.co.uk/new-zealand-adventure/
Dan Maurice, sometime entrepreneur, motorbike enthusiast and church-going Welshman, is nearing the end of a tour of New Zealand on his beloved Carbon Emitting Machine Of Death. Actually, I don't care in the slightest, but some of the more environmentally-minded might not be so keen on the idea. Dan went, he says, "to explore, to write, to research some business ideas and to deepen my journey of faith." I'd say that these are all good reasons to go, as well as the obvious "fun" factor, and judging by Dan's blog he's managed to do all these things fairly succesfully. I doubt he considers himself unchanged by the experiences he has had.
Perhaps more notable than these goals, however, is the quote that Dan has put in the footer section of the blog: "...ask what makes you come alive, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. -- " I have no idea what the dashes at the end are for - perhaps it's morse code? - but as I understand it, this "coming alive" business is a realisation of the above goals, and something more on top of it. The quote speaks very deeply to me.
Dan writes in a captivating style, conversational but eloquent and without rambling. His inclusion of photographs from his travels doesn't hinder, but rather adds to his narrative, bringing to life the people and the places (the photographs, by the way, are stunning). Dan writes humorously and thoughtfully, being able to laugh at himself and at those strange Kiwi folks, and being able to percieve much about human nature. He also includes some great action stories, fighting cows, wading rivers, slaying dragons and the like.
As the title claims, this is essentially an adventure story - both of body and spirit, and it's real. And very exciting.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Pronunciation: The Great Debate
I've been recording some rough - and very coldy - vocals for a new acoustic version of "PIL" (the song Ben Altwasser was so positive about in his review of The Good Enough? EP nearly a year ago). A lot's changed since then - the recording and performance quality is about a hundred times better - but I've kept the song pretty much the same. Apart from one thing: the word "can't." Do I sing "kant" (ant) or "kahnt" (aunt)? The inconsistency bugs me - half the time it's one, half the time it's t'other. I mean, I say "can not" (a) but I also say "can't" (au)... I think the former is the one most singers use (think Tim Hughes) so I'm tempted to do the latter but I tell you, it's not easy!
I'm Not Well! / Portsmouth Submission
I feel rubbish! As a consequence I'm just sitting back listening to Calexico. But I won't write anything interesting or sensible, so why not read the story I submitted to Portsmouth University instead?
A Short Story of 421 Words by Robin Mitchell containing (at least twice and in different contexts) the words: Shell, Flicker, Knit, Coin, Compose, Lark, Stream, Root.
Once upon a time there was a handsome young lark called Robin who lived in a small, shiny shell beside a stream. After struggling over many years for a sense of purpose or direction in life, he was offered a coin by an anonymous organisation if he would compose a piece of creative writing, using language imaginatively and creatively, and limited if possible to between four-hundred and five-hundred words.
“What a lark!” Robin chuckled bemusedly, but he knit his brow and began to think with determined enthusiasm. A stream of possible tales to tell ran through his head but none took root until, with a sudden flicker of inspiration (and perhaps a touch of narcissism), he decided to commit his own peculiar yet somehow fascinating situation to paper.
To achieve this most effectively, he decided that he would shell out on some high-tech writing gear: the likes of a desktop PC and word-processing software. Unfortunately, it was not long since had he made his purchase when he discovered to his dismay that the equipment malfunctioned whenever he tried to use it: it would flicker on and off menacingly as if intended to induce epilepsy. He decided to return the equipment immediately, for the sake of himself and of all others into whose presence he could potentially meander. Alas, this left him in back at square one, without the means to effectively record a literary work of any description.
“Compose yourself!” said the shopkeeper firmly as Robin wept a stream of tears at the gravity of his predicament, desperate and overwhelmed. Robin tried to control himself, but his despair got the better of him and he sobbed afresh.
“I’ll root around for something else,” the kindly shopkeeper continued, and soon he found a battered old typewriter which he gave to Robin for free.
Robin was overjoyed, and returned home with much dancing and merriment. He put his typewriter to good use, pouring out a thousand times more words than was needed or indeed wanted. Bewildered at his own productivity, he decided that the most effective course of action would be to knit together his best ideas and coin a masterpiece of epic proportions and powerfully moving character interactions. He then realised that this would be almost impossible to complete to any degree of success within a limit of less than five-hundred words, and so he proceeded with his original nonsense-story, waiting until the very end to observe that as a lark, Robin would find it very hard to write anything at all.
A Short Story of 421 Words by Robin Mitchell containing (at least twice and in different contexts) the words: Shell, Flicker, Knit, Coin, Compose, Lark, Stream, Root.
Once upon a time there was a handsome young lark called Robin who lived in a small, shiny shell beside a stream. After struggling over many years for a sense of purpose or direction in life, he was offered a coin by an anonymous organisation if he would compose a piece of creative writing, using language imaginatively and creatively, and limited if possible to between four-hundred and five-hundred words.
“What a lark!” Robin chuckled bemusedly, but he knit his brow and began to think with determined enthusiasm. A stream of possible tales to tell ran through his head but none took root until, with a sudden flicker of inspiration (and perhaps a touch of narcissism), he decided to commit his own peculiar yet somehow fascinating situation to paper.
To achieve this most effectively, he decided that he would shell out on some high-tech writing gear: the likes of a desktop PC and word-processing software. Unfortunately, it was not long since had he made his purchase when he discovered to his dismay that the equipment malfunctioned whenever he tried to use it: it would flicker on and off menacingly as if intended to induce epilepsy. He decided to return the equipment immediately, for the sake of himself and of all others into whose presence he could potentially meander. Alas, this left him in back at square one, without the means to effectively record a literary work of any description.
“Compose yourself!” said the shopkeeper firmly as Robin wept a stream of tears at the gravity of his predicament, desperate and overwhelmed. Robin tried to control himself, but his despair got the better of him and he sobbed afresh.
“I’ll root around for something else,” the kindly shopkeeper continued, and soon he found a battered old typewriter which he gave to Robin for free.
Robin was overjoyed, and returned home with much dancing and merriment. He put his typewriter to good use, pouring out a thousand times more words than was needed or indeed wanted. Bewildered at his own productivity, he decided that the most effective course of action would be to knit together his best ideas and coin a masterpiece of epic proportions and powerfully moving character interactions. He then realised that this would be almost impossible to complete to any degree of success within a limit of less than five-hundred words, and so he proceeded with his original nonsense-story, waiting until the very end to observe that as a lark, Robin would find it very hard to write anything at all.
As If We Needed Proof
Read. Noel Gallagher proves his oustanding intelligence again there.
"No matter how much you sit there twiddling, going, 'We're all doomed,' at the end of the day people will always want to hear you play 'Creep'. Get over it." If you're a professional musician and that is your attitude towards music, that depresses me. It really, really does. And let me tell you that at least one person wants to hear something new and original every once in a while... perhaps Oasis haven't done a U2 or a Beatles because instead of trying to advance their sound, they just write songs in the style of their big hit Wonderwall. And who in the world ever wants to hear that song again?
"No matter how much you sit there twiddling, going, 'We're all doomed,' at the end of the day people will always want to hear you play 'Creep'. Get over it." If you're a professional musician and that is your attitude towards music, that depresses me. It really, really does. And let me tell you that at least one person wants to hear something new and original every once in a while... perhaps Oasis haven't done a U2 or a Beatles because instead of trying to advance their sound, they just write songs in the style of their big hit Wonderwall. And who in the world ever wants to hear that song again?
Review #13
All Of Them, The Poems And The Ocean - Jack Alexander
http://thepoemsandtheocean.blogspot.com/
I have no idea how I came across this blog - perhaps it was listed as one of my referrers? - but it caught my eye and I check back to it every so often.
Our writer has a strong sense of voice and imagery, and uses a variety of styles and methods to convey his poems. Many of them are two-line stanzas, titled with "***" - I have no idea what that means. Perhaps he is some kind of mystic weirdo.
The poems seem to be predominantly about a relationship between and man and a woman and often the poet makes statements directly related to his poems; these suggest that he is writing real-life stuff, a jumble of thoughts and feelings: something a bit like a diary. This would explain the juxtaposition feel of his work.
Clearly a talented writer, and perhaps a little bit mental, Jack Alexander provides contemporary poetry in a diverse and intersting format - if you have time for a bit of this and that then read and enjoy!
http://thepoemsandtheocean.blogspot.com/
I have no idea how I came across this blog - perhaps it was listed as one of my referrers? - but it caught my eye and I check back to it every so often.
Our writer has a strong sense of voice and imagery, and uses a variety of styles and methods to convey his poems. Many of them are two-line stanzas, titled with "***" - I have no idea what that means. Perhaps he is some kind of mystic weirdo.
The poems seem to be predominantly about a relationship between and man and a woman and often the poet makes statements directly related to his poems; these suggest that he is writing real-life stuff, a jumble of thoughts and feelings: something a bit like a diary. This would explain the juxtaposition feel of his work.
Clearly a talented writer, and perhaps a little bit mental, Jack Alexander provides contemporary poetry in a diverse and intersting format - if you have time for a bit of this and that then read and enjoy!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Gigging Time!
At last! Another gig!
After having to cancel about 5 due to timing issues, illness, holidays, etc. etc., we are finally able to play our first gig of 2007. It's at Joe Public's, formerly Pam-Pams (or whatever) next to Habbitat, so it's very local and also a very smart venue from what I'm told. The gig is this Sunday (25th), we're opening the night and will be on at eightish and I think we'll put on a good show. It's only £3, so why not come and see us? Huh?
After having to cancel about 5 due to timing issues, illness, holidays, etc. etc., we are finally able to play our first gig of 2007. It's at Joe Public's, formerly Pam-Pams (or whatever) next to Habbitat, so it's very local and also a very smart venue from what I'm told. The gig is this Sunday (25th), we're opening the night and will be on at eightish and I think we'll put on a good show. It's only £3, so why not come and see us? Huh?
Back Online (We Hope)
I wrote a fascinating journal in the six hours since my last post, sure to captivate.
Excerpts from "A Morning In The Life Of A Sick Robin Mitchell"
Some hellish hour: Awoke in agony, read Dostoyevsky. Felt relatively well.
0905: Record-timing 30-second shower before boiler died and freezing downpour ensued
0950: Wandered around searching for internet
1015: Breakfast
1020: Made repulsive and possibly dangerous lemon and honey cocktail, thankfully tastebuds are fried so I barely noticed
1030: Decided to keep a journal until I can resume blogging. Hi
1031: Not that I need the internet or anything
1031: After all, it's only been a day
1035: Fretted
1040: Decided to do some work
1600: Decided keeping a diary was a silly idea. Will never do it again
Excerpts from "A Morning In The Life Of A Sick Robin Mitchell"
Some hellish hour: Awoke in agony, read Dostoyevsky. Felt relatively well.
0905: Record-timing 30-second shower before boiler died and freezing downpour ensued
0950: Wandered around searching for internet
1015: Breakfast
1020: Made repulsive and possibly dangerous lemon and honey cocktail, thankfully tastebuds are fried so I barely noticed
1030: Decided to keep a journal until I can resume blogging. Hi
1031: Not that I need the internet or anything
1031: After all, it's only been a day
1035: Fretted
1040: Decided to do some work
1600: Decided keeping a diary was a silly idea. Will never do it again
Where'd He Go?
No daily reviews, no nonsenese, no 5-updates-a-day... no nothin'
Internets have gone away. Hopefully they'll be back soon but I'm doubtful...
Also I have nasty cold/flu illness. Please post sympathetic comments below
*waits for tirade of hate*
Internets have gone away. Hopefully they'll be back soon but I'm doubtful...
Also I have nasty cold/flu illness. Please post sympathetic comments below
*waits for tirade of hate*
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Pink Hat
Who says only gay guys wear pink? I wore this PINK HAT all day and it was good. Got some dirty looks, but that happens anyway
Headrush Demo 1
Allow me to present this amazing, high-tech video, recorded just before lunch.
I should add, to my own credit, that although it's quite a smooth performance it was entirely improvised on the spot.
I should add, to my own credit, that although it's quite a smooth performance it was entirely improvised on the spot.
Review #12
The Atheist - The Atheist
http://atheistcrusade.blogspot.com/
This is a silly blog by a silly man. He also keeps a sparse but highly amusing blog about cricket but I'm not going to review that because it speaks for itself really and, anyway, it's not listed in my sidebar.
So, The Atheist. If you can't tell by the title, and the fact that the word "atheist" appears absolutely everywhere, this blog is by a devout but surprisingly intelligent Atheist. His real name is Johnny, and that's amusing but irrelevant.
This blog is written with style and wit, fusing thoughtful discussions into readable and entertaining paragraphs. The offical aim of the blog is to "disprove God," although I'm not sure that this is actually true. Our writer is one of those people who talks about God as if he is real, and seems incredibly open to the idea of God, and yet also claims wholeheartedly that God is impossible and does not exist - a paradox, indeed. This makes the blog all the more interesting to read, as it is not a thundering tirade of anti-Christian sentiment, but in fact a semi-thoughtful/semi-amusing reflection on how rubbish life is.
Well-presented, interesting and very readable, but this blog is unfortunately very short and not worth checking more than once or twice a year.
http://atheistcrusade.blogspot.com/
This is a silly blog by a silly man. He also keeps a sparse but highly amusing blog about cricket but I'm not going to review that because it speaks for itself really and, anyway, it's not listed in my sidebar.
So, The Atheist. If you can't tell by the title, and the fact that the word "atheist" appears absolutely everywhere, this blog is by a devout but surprisingly intelligent Atheist. His real name is Johnny, and that's amusing but irrelevant.
This blog is written with style and wit, fusing thoughtful discussions into readable and entertaining paragraphs. The offical aim of the blog is to "disprove God," although I'm not sure that this is actually true. Our writer is one of those people who talks about God as if he is real, and seems incredibly open to the idea of God, and yet also claims wholeheartedly that God is impossible and does not exist - a paradox, indeed. This makes the blog all the more interesting to read, as it is not a thundering tirade of anti-Christian sentiment, but in fact a semi-thoughtful/semi-amusing reflection on how rubbish life is.
Well-presented, interesting and very readable, but this blog is unfortunately very short and not worth checking more than once or twice a year.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Reasons For Me To Be Happy...
Well, I'm young, single, mildly intelligent, on holiday...
and my pedals just came through. Hallelujah! Yes They Did!
(Jack, it was worth the wait)
and my pedals just came through. Hallelujah! Yes They Did!
(Jack, it was worth the wait)
Review #11
Sylph - Hannah
http://fantastical-sylph.blogspot.com/
Unfortunately, Hannah appears to have stopped blogging (unsurprisingly, as she is a busy gal and her wedding isn't far off). But her blog is still worth a read, filled with interesting stories about crazy things that happen in the world of an ambulance technician/open university student/Christian. This blog appears to be a place for her to give her mind some peace by writing things out, and to inform her family and friends about what's going on. Hannah writes in a bold, bright fashion although at times she has some very dark or sad things to talk about. She is clear and direct and likes to put a thoughtful perspective on things. Let's hope she finds time to write again someday...
http://fantastical-sylph.blogspot.com/
Unfortunately, Hannah appears to have stopped blogging (unsurprisingly, as she is a busy gal and her wedding isn't far off). But her blog is still worth a read, filled with interesting stories about crazy things that happen in the world of an ambulance technician/open university student/Christian. This blog appears to be a place for her to give her mind some peace by writing things out, and to inform her family and friends about what's going on. Hannah writes in a bold, bright fashion although at times she has some very dark or sad things to talk about. She is clear and direct and likes to put a thoughtful perspective on things. Let's hope she finds time to write again someday...
Destroyed!
Well! You post a simple, mindless rant or make a few throwaway generalisations, and suddenly everyone wants a shot!
I have been torn to shreds and no longer have legs to stand on. I think that from now on, if I want to make a strong point I'll just throw myself off a skyscraper rather than trying to word it appropriately...
teeheheehee
I have been torn to shreds and no longer have legs to stand on. I think that from now on, if I want to make a strong point I'll just throw myself off a skyscraper rather than trying to word it appropriately...
teeheheehee
Thursday, February 15, 2007
OMG! Fanz!
My daily average of unique visitors is 28, and recently it's been sitting around 30 a day. So why-oh-why, on Valentine's Day, did I suddenly get a total of 60 unique readers? Why wasn't everyone out dating their mates or moaning about being single? Why was everyone (in the world, ever) online reading my blog on February 14th?
There is only one explanation: I have fanz.
♥
There is only one explanation: I have fanz.
♥
Review #10
Reasonably Jovial Scripts - rjs
http://rjschmidt.blogspot.com/
I can't say enough about this blog. Apart from Schmidt's "dry spell" for the few months before Christmas (which has since ended) this is the perfect read. Semi-regular, short-story length updates written to inform and to captivate. This guy turns blogging into an art: he tells real-life stories (admittedly his life is a little wacky) in an honest, unexaggerated fashion but makes them immensely beautiful just by the way he phrases a sentence or something. Honestly. Maybe it's because the stories really are beautiful (read about his engagement) and maybe it's because his perspective is so genuine. Or maybe I just empathise with the guy. I dunno.
I've never met Ryan J. Schmidt, and was referred to his blog through a friend (the intrepid Sally Coates, an ex-colleague of his). At first I was disappointed - "Ryan never updates," I thought - but looking back through the archives you see how much this guy has said, seen and done. Don't be put off by the length of the posts either - you just get sucked into the story after a few sentences and that's it!
Seriously, I can't say enough about this blog. Witty (at the right moments), honest, refreshing (always), poetic, wise and thoughtful... This guy should go pro. Except that if he did, his blog wouldn't be nearly as good.
http://rjschmidt.blogspot.com/
I can't say enough about this blog. Apart from Schmidt's "dry spell" for the few months before Christmas (which has since ended) this is the perfect read. Semi-regular, short-story length updates written to inform and to captivate. This guy turns blogging into an art: he tells real-life stories (admittedly his life is a little wacky) in an honest, unexaggerated fashion but makes them immensely beautiful just by the way he phrases a sentence or something. Honestly. Maybe it's because the stories really are beautiful (read about his engagement) and maybe it's because his perspective is so genuine. Or maybe I just empathise with the guy. I dunno.
I've never met Ryan J. Schmidt, and was referred to his blog through a friend (the intrepid Sally Coates, an ex-colleague of his). At first I was disappointed - "Ryan never updates," I thought - but looking back through the archives you see how much this guy has said, seen and done. Don't be put off by the length of the posts either - you just get sucked into the story after a few sentences and that's it!
Seriously, I can't say enough about this blog. Witty (at the right moments), honest, refreshing (always), poetic, wise and thoughtful... This guy should go pro. Except that if he did, his blog wouldn't be nearly as good.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Happy Valentine's, Part II (The Official Bit)
I wrote this lyric today in rememberance of Romeo and Juliet, and in honour of St. Valentine's Day. Just think about it, if you have the time (sorry to go a bit overkill with the posts today). And have yourself a wonderful day, be you single, married, lonely or ecstatically happy or somewhere inbetween. Love to you all x
happy suicide day
i love you darling,
do you taste it? sweet wine
like the poison we put
to our lips when we dine
the colour of lifeblood
that spills from my breast,
as you follow me you pass
our love's final test
taste my love, darling
i'll force-feed you grief
a living emotion,
a passionate belief,
don't leave for the shadows
i need you to hold on
if we're to make it through
the other side of the storm
your spirit walks the dark ways
as you breathe your last breath
and the sun fades from your face
to the depths of cold death
i see your eyes blur
- have you left me alone? -
but i feel my heart slowing
as i follow you home
i love you darling,
do you feel it? sweet pain
that falls from the heavens
like blood and spring rain
i won your heart, took your heart
with romance's lie
and we led each other here
to the place where we die,
in the name of love
happy suicide day
i love you darling,
do you taste it? sweet wine
like the poison we put
to our lips when we dine
the colour of lifeblood
that spills from my breast,
as you follow me you pass
our love's final test
taste my love, darling
i'll force-feed you grief
a living emotion,
a passionate belief,
don't leave for the shadows
i need you to hold on
if we're to make it through
the other side of the storm
your spirit walks the dark ways
as you breathe your last breath
and the sun fades from your face
to the depths of cold death
i see your eyes blur
- have you left me alone? -
but i feel my heart slowing
as i follow you home
i love you darling,
do you feel it? sweet pain
that falls from the heavens
like blood and spring rain
i won your heart, took your heart
with romance's lie
and we led each other here
to the place where we die,
in the name of love
Let Up
Digital Village did not fail me. GAK later sent me an email saying that my order could not be processed due to some security number error. I gave up on the internet, tripped down to DV in Clifton where they ordered the items for me, knocked off shipping charges and said I could expect the items by Friday. Score!
Let Down
Digital Village, my number one choice of online music store, let me down today.
I spent literally hours trying to pay by card - using three different cards, no less! - to no avail. I have about twelve emails saying "payment method rejected" etc. etc... I was not happy.
Thankfully GAK can get me the same gear for only £3 more - I actually saved £1 on GAK but their delivery is more expensive and less efficient.
I have had such an unbelievable frustrating week shopping. I'd bet as much as I've just spent that something goes wrong with this delivery, or I regret my buy as soon as it arrives...
I spent literally hours trying to pay by card - using three different cards, no less! - to no avail. I have about twelve emails saying "payment method rejected" etc. etc... I was not happy.
Thankfully GAK can get me the same gear for only £3 more - I actually saved £1 on GAK but their delivery is more expensive and less efficient.
I have had such an unbelievable frustrating week shopping. I'd bet as much as I've just spent that something goes wrong with this delivery, or I regret my buy as soon as it arrives...
Criticism
Inspired by some conversations I've been having recently. I'm sure you know who you are...
Unconstructive/unfounded criticism really bugs me. It's like Dawkins and his foundationless anti-religion campaigns... it's just in-your-face noise.
It also bugs me when I'm talking about music. If I don't like a song, I'll say "She has a shrill, whiney voice" or "that melody is incredibly repetetive" or "the drumming is clearly out of time." These are all statements of fact. When people say "that song is rubbish" it actually vexes me immensely. I mean, sure, provide a good argument and we can debtate it out. I can say "actually, you can see the melodic variation here," or "well, this chord change brings a new edge to the melody when it harmonises" or "that drumming is meant to be out of time, it adds to the disjointed feel of the song." But if you just say "It's rubbish" or "I hate it" you leave no room for debate and you're clearly just throwing out an opinion, which any idiot can do. Because everyone has opinions, and obviously everyone thinks their opinion is right (otherwise they'd get a new one). But to construct a decent argument... that takes some thought.
So please, next time you confront me on anything (I don't just mean music), bring evidence not brash statements. Because your opinion sucks.
Unconstructive/unfounded criticism really bugs me. It's like Dawkins and his foundationless anti-religion campaigns... it's just in-your-face noise.
It also bugs me when I'm talking about music. If I don't like a song, I'll say "She has a shrill, whiney voice" or "that melody is incredibly repetetive" or "the drumming is clearly out of time." These are all statements of fact. When people say "that song is rubbish" it actually vexes me immensely. I mean, sure, provide a good argument and we can debtate it out. I can say "actually, you can see the melodic variation here," or "well, this chord change brings a new edge to the melody when it harmonises" or "that drumming is meant to be out of time, it adds to the disjointed feel of the song." But if you just say "It's rubbish" or "I hate it" you leave no room for debate and you're clearly just throwing out an opinion, which any idiot can do. Because everyone has opinions, and obviously everyone thinks their opinion is right (otherwise they'd get a new one). But to construct a decent argument... that takes some thought.
So please, next time you confront me on anything (I don't just mean music), bring evidence not brash statements. Because your opinion sucks.
Review #9
The World According To Colse - Colse Leung
http://www.colseworld.co.uk/
When I first started reading Colse's blog I was convinced that he was actually a little man that Apple had made as a publicity stunt. However, I later realised that Apple would probably have made a vegetarian, whereas Colse's only source of sustenance seems to be Meat. If you know Colse, you will know this to be true... he is a carnivore.
Colse's profile implies that he is a bit of an all-rounder - graphic design, music, web stuff - and his blog reinforces this. With fascinating photos, interesting finds, thoughtful/amusing observations about life and promotions of various musical events, Colse's blog is like a corkboard of different themes and ideas, lacking intensity and detail but presented neatly and colourfully - a bit like a tourist summary leaflet for Colse's life.
A few things to watch out for on Colse's blog:
- Apple. Colse is particularly obsessed with the iPhone, but anything white, plastic and shiny that pretends it can perform useful functions or intelligent processes will probably get a mention. Colse claims that he isn't being paid large amounts of money to promote Apple products, but I'm not convinced.
- Joel. Colse appears to be stalking Joel, because every other post contains pictures of this poor man sleeping. To be fair, he does fall asleep in some bizarre places...
- Weird faces. Colse loves making himself look scary, either through photoshop or just by pulling weird faces for the camera. Some of these can be particularly terrifying, especially on a large monitor - avoid scrolling through images if there are old people present, or run the risk of heart attacks.
Colse's blog is bright, interesting and stylish. And finally, we have a man who doesn't spend half of his life ranting political nonsense to the emptiness of virtual webspace. Definitely check this blog out, especially the post about me.
http://www.colseworld.co.uk/
When I first started reading Colse's blog I was convinced that he was actually a little man that Apple had made as a publicity stunt. However, I later realised that Apple would probably have made a vegetarian, whereas Colse's only source of sustenance seems to be Meat. If you know Colse, you will know this to be true... he is a carnivore.
Colse's profile implies that he is a bit of an all-rounder - graphic design, music, web stuff - and his blog reinforces this. With fascinating photos, interesting finds, thoughtful/amusing observations about life and promotions of various musical events, Colse's blog is like a corkboard of different themes and ideas, lacking intensity and detail but presented neatly and colourfully - a bit like a tourist summary leaflet for Colse's life.
A few things to watch out for on Colse's blog:
- Apple. Colse is particularly obsessed with the iPhone, but anything white, plastic and shiny that pretends it can perform useful functions or intelligent processes will probably get a mention. Colse claims that he isn't being paid large amounts of money to promote Apple products, but I'm not convinced.
- Joel. Colse appears to be stalking Joel, because every other post contains pictures of this poor man sleeping. To be fair, he does fall asleep in some bizarre places...
- Weird faces. Colse loves making himself look scary, either through photoshop or just by pulling weird faces for the camera. Some of these can be particularly terrifying, especially on a large monitor - avoid scrolling through images if there are old people present, or run the risk of heart attacks.
Colse's blog is bright, interesting and stylish. And finally, we have a man who doesn't spend half of his life ranting political nonsense to the emptiness of virtual webspace. Definitely check this blog out, especially the post about me.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Review Me!
Want to find your review? If it's not on the page below, try using the review label - or even clicking here.
If you're listed in the sidebar and haven't seen your blog get ripped apart in the public eye, fear not... your time will come. You will be lamed.
If you're listed in the sidebar and haven't seen your blog get ripped apart in the public eye, fear not... your time will come. You will be lamed.
From Me, To You
In advance, just for you guys...
Message reads: Dear Reader, Happy Valentine's, Love Robin x x x
Message reads: Dear Reader, Happy Valentine's, Love Robin x x x
Re: re: shopping
damnit!
took back footswitch. got replacement. failed. took back replacement.
now i have to go back this afternoon...
took back footswitch. got replacement. failed. took back replacement.
now i have to go back this afternoon...
Review #8
The Days Are Just Packed - Rich
http://richardbowdler.blogspot.com/
I have never met Richard Bowdler, and have only seen him in passing amongst the heaving masses of people at Woodlands Church. His profile, perhaps a little out of date, says:
"I am tall. With rapidly varying length of fuzz topside. Son of two kinda odd people, and brother to an amazing sister (called Jennie)! Currently studying Civil Engineering at Bristol Uni."
There's not a lot we can deduce about his personality from this, but his favourite books ("The Bible, Calvin & Hobbes") show that he is definitely a Good Guy.
Unfortunately, Rich doesn't seem to have much time to update his blog; this is a shame, as he always provides something thoughtful or amusing for the reader to muse over. He is eloquent, relatively brief (by that I mean that he doesn't rabbit on for ages about nothing at all), and always comes across as being both wise and humble. This is a genuine read, open and honest, and while the writer finds time for humour he doesn't make it his priority or requirement. It seems to me that this blog could just as easily be titled "Making Sense Of Me"... But I prefer the Calvin and Hobbes reference too.
http://richardbowdler.blogspot.com/
I have never met Richard Bowdler, and have only seen him in passing amongst the heaving masses of people at Woodlands Church. His profile, perhaps a little out of date, says:
"I am tall. With rapidly varying length of fuzz topside. Son of two kinda odd people, and brother to an amazing sister (called Jennie)! Currently studying Civil Engineering at Bristol Uni."
There's not a lot we can deduce about his personality from this, but his favourite books ("The Bible, Calvin & Hobbes") show that he is definitely a Good Guy.
Unfortunately, Rich doesn't seem to have much time to update his blog; this is a shame, as he always provides something thoughtful or amusing for the reader to muse over. He is eloquent, relatively brief (by that I mean that he doesn't rabbit on for ages about nothing at all), and always comes across as being both wise and humble. This is a genuine read, open and honest, and while the writer finds time for humour he doesn't make it his priority or requirement. It seems to me that this blog could just as easily be titled "Making Sense Of Me"... But I prefer the Calvin and Hobbes reference too.
Monday, February 12, 2007
RE: Shopping
I really do suck. I went to get a simple footswitch and I bought the wrong one! And I didn't even get a reciept!
I think I have shopophobia. I rush and I buy the wrong thing and I always end up losing money and wasting time and stuff... it's one thing that really annoys me about myself.
I think I have shopophobia. I rush and I buy the wrong thing and I always end up losing money and wasting time and stuff... it's one thing that really annoys me about myself.
Shopping
I went out to buy a knob today.
That's right, I had to ask a guy in the shop for one but he only had a few in the workshop out the back and they were all the wrong size.
I took one anyway, as a souvenir.
Yes, for a guitar amp you silly person.
That's right, I had to ask a guy in the shop for one but he only had a few in the workshop out the back and they were all the wrong size.
I took one anyway, as a souvenir.
Yes, for a guitar amp you silly person.
Valentine's
Best single piece of advice ever given in a church, provided yesterday by "Old Man" Dave Mitchell:
Date your friends
Remember last year when I wrote about the difference between romance and love? It's funny because I think I was at the peak of a relationship then, which afterwards went downhill fairly quickly. Shows how much I know...
Anyway, Dave's comment was enough to cause quite a stir, and certainly get everyone's attention for the rest of the evening, but what he meant was that we shouldn't be looking for the "spark of romance," but for the lasting commitment of friendship in a relationship. Because the spark inevitably fades - or at least, it comes and goes - and ends in disappointment, but friendship lasts and is stable.
He's definitely right. But there's such an appeal with excitement though, isn't there? Something unknown and shortlived...
Anyway, I'll happily date any friend of mine (Dave since confirmed that he meant friends of the opposite sex but you know, beggars can't be choosers) so just drop me a line, yeah?
Date your friends
Remember last year when I wrote about the difference between romance and love? It's funny because I think I was at the peak of a relationship then, which afterwards went downhill fairly quickly. Shows how much I know...
Anyway, Dave's comment was enough to cause quite a stir, and certainly get everyone's attention for the rest of the evening, but what he meant was that we shouldn't be looking for the "spark of romance," but for the lasting commitment of friendship in a relationship. Because the spark inevitably fades - or at least, it comes and goes - and ends in disappointment, but friendship lasts and is stable.
He's definitely right. But there's such an appeal with excitement though, isn't there? Something unknown and shortlived...
Anyway, I'll happily date any friend of mine (Dave since confirmed that he meant friends of the opposite sex but you know, beggars can't be choosers) so just drop me a line, yeah?
Review #7
Splutter Mutter - Old Man Dave
http://splutter-mutter.blogspot.com/
This blog doesn't actually exist. It's just a page with one post, saying absolutely nothing. How pointless. How futile.
Why is this still in my link section? Don't bother visiting, you'll only leave feeling empty.
http://splutter-mutter.blogspot.com/
This blog doesn't actually exist. It's just a page with one post, saying absolutely nothing. How pointless. How futile.
Why is this still in my link section? Don't bother visiting, you'll only leave feeling empty.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Music
I love how music can change your moods and emotions, or indeed how it can be used to amplify these things.
I spent the weeks around Arvon listening to Damien Rice, Cafe Del Mar and Calexico... mellow, melancholy stuff. This week I got hold of the new albums by My Chemical Romance and Brand New (harcore/emo rock stuff) and it's fantastic. It's raw, powerful, interesting rock music. Forget the image surrounding those genres and listen to the music for what it is - intelligent lyrics, powerful melodies, brilliant arrangements... I've just been blasting the stuff really loud and immersing myself in it.
I don't get how people can *not like* a certain style or band. There's so much amazing stuff out there...
I spent the weeks around Arvon listening to Damien Rice, Cafe Del Mar and Calexico... mellow, melancholy stuff. This week I got hold of the new albums by My Chemical Romance and Brand New (harcore/emo rock stuff) and it's fantastic. It's raw, powerful, interesting rock music. Forget the image surrounding those genres and listen to the music for what it is - intelligent lyrics, powerful melodies, brilliant arrangements... I've just been blasting the stuff really loud and immersing myself in it.
I don't get how people can *not like* a certain style or band. There's so much amazing stuff out there...
Review #6
Matt Crossman - MattCrossman
http://mattcrossman.blogspot.com
Matthew Crossman is our subject for today, "tall, dark and lippy" by his own account, and addicted to the hard stuff. That's coffee to you lot, and I don't mean decaf' neither. Unfortunately (for him), he is also an avid supporter of Manchester City Football Club, which must be highly embarassing.
Despite his addictions and shameful connections he carries himself with pride - some would say a touch of narcissism, judging by the amount of times his own name appears on the blog. I mean that: everywhere you look it's mattcrossman this, MattCrossman that... he even writes about himself in the third person. That said, there are so many Matts in the world these days it's definitely worth distinguishing.
As far as content goes, I'm afraid to say that Matt is both intelligent and thoughtful, introducing political, spiritual and comical elements to his writing to provide the viewer with a broad, interesting and relevant read. That said, he can be a little bit too wordy, and risks isolating the common man with his use of polysyllabic jargon.
Evidence of Matt's biting wit (see earlier post) is not necessarily proof that he is a nice man, or even that he is real. Until we can uncover more about this Northern Soul I suggest showing extreme caution at all times. Read his blog, but don't believe everything you see...
http://mattcrossman.blogspot.com
Matthew Crossman is our subject for today, "tall, dark and lippy" by his own account, and addicted to the hard stuff. That's coffee to you lot, and I don't mean decaf' neither. Unfortunately (for him), he is also an avid supporter of Manchester City Football Club, which must be highly embarassing.
Despite his addictions and shameful connections he carries himself with pride - some would say a touch of narcissism, judging by the amount of times his own name appears on the blog. I mean that: everywhere you look it's mattcrossman this, MattCrossman that... he even writes about himself in the third person. That said, there are so many Matts in the world these days it's definitely worth distinguishing.
As far as content goes, I'm afraid to say that Matt is both intelligent and thoughtful, introducing political, spiritual and comical elements to his writing to provide the viewer with a broad, interesting and relevant read. That said, he can be a little bit too wordy, and risks isolating the common man with his use of polysyllabic jargon.
Evidence of Matt's biting wit (see earlier post) is not necessarily proof that he is a nice man, or even that he is real. Until we can uncover more about this Northern Soul I suggest showing extreme caution at all times. Read his blog, but don't believe everything you see...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Review #5
Oh Really? mostviertler_rhys
http://blog.co.uk/greengiraffe
Rhys Evans's profile introduces him straight away as a lively and vibrant character - he is a committed Christian, he loves music and kids' work and cycling and trumpets and flying aeroplanes and speaking about twelve-billion different languages and whelk-juggling and so the list goes on. Rhys's blogs are actually rather hard to keep track of, as he keeps different ones in different countries in different languages and even switches them around from time to time as part of some kind of crafty trick. Nevertheless, "Oh Really?" is consistently updated (apart from the large gaps of time where it isn't) and always makes for an interesting read.
Rhys's colourful personality and variety of interests are expressed through his blog, which contains posts on many different topics from splashing people with foam, to being disturbed by Borat the Movie. Although the blog is quite diary-esque, Rhys transforms everday incidents into interesting narratives or discussions (depending on the event) and always manages to captivate with his lively, chatty but eloquent style.
Unfortunately, Rhys has a tendancy for oddity: his latest post is a reflection on the joys of peeling your own skin, and looking back over time we can read about obsessions with the number eight, vegetable-famer conspiracies, dish-washer karma and other obsucre imaginings. Also, Rhys has been known to humiliate members of the public by taking odd photos of them and then persuading his readers to write offensive comments underneath. Or maybe that's not quite what he intended...
If you can cope with a bit of crazy (and let's face it, if you're alive today then you probably can) you should have no problems following Rhys's thoughtful and amusing journey through life. He could update a bit more regularly though...
http://blog.co.uk/greengiraffe
Rhys Evans's profile introduces him straight away as a lively and vibrant character - he is a committed Christian, he loves music and kids' work and cycling and trumpets and flying aeroplanes and speaking about twelve-billion different languages and whelk-juggling and so the list goes on. Rhys's blogs are actually rather hard to keep track of, as he keeps different ones in different countries in different languages and even switches them around from time to time as part of some kind of crafty trick. Nevertheless, "Oh Really?" is consistently updated (apart from the large gaps of time where it isn't) and always makes for an interesting read.
Rhys's colourful personality and variety of interests are expressed through his blog, which contains posts on many different topics from splashing people with foam, to being disturbed by Borat the Movie. Although the blog is quite diary-esque, Rhys transforms everday incidents into interesting narratives or discussions (depending on the event) and always manages to captivate with his lively, chatty but eloquent style.
Unfortunately, Rhys has a tendancy for oddity: his latest post is a reflection on the joys of peeling your own skin, and looking back over time we can read about obsessions with the number eight, vegetable-famer conspiracies, dish-washer karma and other obsucre imaginings. Also, Rhys has been known to humiliate members of the public by taking odd photos of them and then persuading his readers to write offensive comments underneath. Or maybe that's not quite what he intended...
If you can cope with a bit of crazy (and let's face it, if you're alive today then you probably can) you should have no problems following Rhys's thoughtful and amusing journey through life. He could update a bit more regularly though...
the monsters under my bed #8
franklin: and with me now is the talented robin mitchell, and we're talking about criticism now... robin, how do you cope with criticism?
robin: well, i think generally the best thing to do is to listen to it, you know? i mean, well, i've got a new ep due out soon and people were saying "your stuff's too arty," and "it's not accessible to the common man" and "it needs more of a beat" so this new stuff is essentially rapped over a beat. it's called "the bitches shot the ho's in the driveby..."
badass: [turns off radio] a'ight, wagwan?
bobby: what did he say?
badass: i was just "talking gangster" - using colloquial commonly associated with the street/hip-hop movement
bobby: well, you are pretty badass
badass: yeah, i was even thinking about getting my arms grafted to my shoulders
jacques: ees been done already
badass: like you'd know
jacques: ay! in france, vee ave zee best eep-oop in zee world [beatboxes]
bobby: [is visibly embarrassed] please stop
badass: i have to say, though, if i was a small child about to go to sleep and i heard that, i'd be terrified
franklin: next time: the monster who scares kids with beatboxing! peace out, y'all
robin: well, i think generally the best thing to do is to listen to it, you know? i mean, well, i've got a new ep due out soon and people were saying "your stuff's too arty," and "it's not accessible to the common man" and "it needs more of a beat" so this new stuff is essentially rapped over a beat. it's called "the bitches shot the ho's in the driveby..."
badass: [turns off radio] a'ight, wagwan?
bobby: what did he say?
badass: i was just "talking gangster" - using colloquial commonly associated with the street/hip-hop movement
bobby: well, you are pretty badass
badass: yeah, i was even thinking about getting my arms grafted to my shoulders
jacques: ees been done already
badass: like you'd know
jacques: ay! in france, vee ave zee best eep-oop in zee world [beatboxes]
bobby: [is visibly embarrassed] please stop
badass: i have to say, though, if i was a small child about to go to sleep and i heard that, i'd be terrified
franklin: next time: the monster who scares kids with beatboxing! peace out, y'all
Friday, February 09, 2007
What Goes Around Comes Around
The first of what may transpire to be many pre-emptive (or retaliatory) strikes against my review campaign.
"Roberto has taken it upon himself to begin the cursory judgement of all his locally linked and related 'bloggers. He aspires for this to be a tongue in cheek venture, yet the guilt has got the better of him in the form of guilt-absolution disclaimer posts about how it's all a joke. It appears he cannot and will not stick to his guns."
Sadly true
"Roberto has taken it upon himself to begin the cursory judgement of all his locally linked and related 'bloggers. He aspires for this to be a tongue in cheek venture, yet the guilt has got the better of him in the form of guilt-absolution disclaimer posts about how it's all a joke. It appears he cannot and will not stick to his guns."
Sadly true
Review #4
Ponderings - Jammin
http://www.altwasser.org/ben/ponderings/
Ben Altwasser is "male, student" and interested in "Everything, Church, Energy, Music, Sustainability, Peak Oil, Benny Hinn." That is all that his evasive blogger profile has to tell us, and if we were reduced to determining the rest from his scarcely-updated weblog then it would be hard to get a grasp of who this man really is.
Thankfully, his website (where his blog is actually hosted, by the by) tells us everything we needed to know and more from "Growing Up" to "Employment" and even how to contact this mysterious man who, apparently, resembles a bald stick figure with massive hands.
"Ponderings" is neat and thoughtful. Ben is clearly a bit techy, as his blog is smart and presentable with nice, tidy links and good attention to detail. His posts are also neatly written, eloquent and for the most part incredibly appropriate. Perhaps Ben feels that every word will cost him, so he chooses carefully when he writes. Still, the blog is by no means restricted and Ben has been known to write all those fascinating topics from Global Warming to the negative effects of Greenhouse Gasses. And engineering.
So Ben is passionate about the environment, but he does actually find time to post about music, poetry and other interests of his as well as some profound insights about living as a Christian, mostly stolen straight from "The Internet Monk."
In conclusion, then, Ben clearly has many better things to do with his time, but when he does post he always manages to provide an interesting perspective on some otherwise immensely boring subject, like Environmental Stewardship.
http://www.altwasser.org/ben/ponderings/
Ben Altwasser is "male, student" and interested in "Everything, Church, Energy, Music, Sustainability, Peak Oil, Benny Hinn." That is all that his evasive blogger profile has to tell us, and if we were reduced to determining the rest from his scarcely-updated weblog then it would be hard to get a grasp of who this man really is.
Thankfully, his website (where his blog is actually hosted, by the by) tells us everything we needed to know and more from "Growing Up" to "Employment" and even how to contact this mysterious man who, apparently, resembles a bald stick figure with massive hands.
"Ponderings" is neat and thoughtful. Ben is clearly a bit techy, as his blog is smart and presentable with nice, tidy links and good attention to detail. His posts are also neatly written, eloquent and for the most part incredibly appropriate. Perhaps Ben feels that every word will cost him, so he chooses carefully when he writes. Still, the blog is by no means restricted and Ben has been known to write all those fascinating topics from Global Warming to the negative effects of Greenhouse Gasses. And engineering.
So Ben is passionate about the environment, but he does actually find time to post about music, poetry and other interests of his as well as some profound insights about living as a Christian, mostly stolen straight from "The Internet Monk."
In conclusion, then, Ben clearly has many better things to do with his time, but when he does post he always manages to provide an interesting perspective on some otherwise immensely boring subject, like Environmental Stewardship.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
About Reviews
I want you to know that there is a definite streak of exaggerated cruelty in all of these reviews - those thus far and those to come (yes, none will escape my reach of death). First, it's all tongue-in-cheek as I've mentioned before. Second, the fact that I bother to read your blog at all must mean it's fairly good, so the cruel review you're getting is actually a compliment. Ahaha, yes. Please believe that...
It Never Snows But It Rains...
Which is why I think it's pointless getting excited about it.
Sorry, but it's the truth: we live in the warm, wet south-west and that's all there is to it.
Sorry, but it's the truth: we live in the warm, wet south-west and that's all there is to it.
Review #3
Ro's Ramblings - Ro
http://ro-ramblings.blogspot.com
Rowena's profile tells us almost nothing about her whatsoever, but thankfully her blog is something of a diary and it is easy to get an insight as to the character of our writer. Rowena's interests seem to be predominantly music, her Christian faith, and day-to-day life as a student and later church-worker in Bristol.
This blog is chatty and informal, as a diary written for outsiders, and contains excerpts of her life and thoughts in a readable and cheerful manner. There are no identifiable themes, but mostly the patterns of day-to-day life. This blog is not written primarily to raise discussion, or to grab the attention with controversy, but to inform in a rather relaxed manner. And with lots of exclamation marks (!). The voice of the reader is definitely audible through these punctuations, scattered througout her posts like leaves on an autumn day, and also through the cheerful "smilies" that crop up: :-) :-p and their happy friends.
If you need a positive outlook on life to cheer you up, read this blog!
http://ro-ramblings.blogspot.com
Rowena's profile tells us almost nothing about her whatsoever, but thankfully her blog is something of a diary and it is easy to get an insight as to the character of our writer. Rowena's interests seem to be predominantly music, her Christian faith, and day-to-day life as a student and later church-worker in Bristol.
This blog is chatty and informal, as a diary written for outsiders, and contains excerpts of her life and thoughts in a readable and cheerful manner. There are no identifiable themes, but mostly the patterns of day-to-day life. This blog is not written primarily to raise discussion, or to grab the attention with controversy, but to inform in a rather relaxed manner. And with lots of exclamation marks (!). The voice of the reader is definitely audible through these punctuations, scattered througout her posts like leaves on an autumn day, and also through the cheerful "smilies" that crop up: :-) :-p and their happy friends.
If you need a positive outlook on life to cheer you up, read this blog!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
moment #2
stefan says:
ive gotta say, im pretty impressed at the amount of times u update ure blog daily
that is all
ive gotta say, im pretty impressed at the amount of times u update ure blog daily
that is all
moment of idiocy
20:00 robin says:
i tell you who's good angry music
my chemical romance
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
i typed all those has
it took bloody ages
i tell you who's good angry music
my chemical romance
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
i typed all those has
it took bloody ages
MySpace
Just so you know (I think traditionally I "do" this) I've put a new song online - "Just Can't Let You Go."
MySpace entry said:
JCLYG (that's unpronouncable so don't try) is now online, the first song from the acoustic, loungey "Proceed Alone." By acoustic I don't mean just vocals and guitar - rather, it is arranged for strings, a couple of acoustic guitars, bass, nice ambient sounds etc. as opposed to the original which is electric guitars and drums and LOUD.
MySpace entry said:
JCLYG (that's unpronouncable so don't try) is now online, the first song from the acoustic, loungey "Proceed Alone." By acoustic I don't mean just vocals and guitar - rather, it is arranged for strings, a couple of acoustic guitars, bass, nice ambient sounds etc. as opposed to the original which is electric guitars and drums and LOUD.
Review #2
wagwan - $$perran mitc££
http://pezwasere.blogspot.com
The first thing Perran Mitchell states is "im cool," and that sets the trend for his blog and his profile. His favourite music is "RAP!! brap brap," which clearly proves his point.
Perran's brief and disjointed blog obsesses with football, particularly Liverpool FC, and is in that sense especially dull as it fails to provide amusing or exciting anecdotes, merely stating "liverpool lost :(" or some similar brainless fact.
Complete with slang, shorthand and more bizarre character-combinations than is healthy, linguists could have a field-day with this blog. Sadly, however, everyone else will be bored by it. Occasional smart remarks reveal that our author has a sense of humour, but he conceals it behind pointless statements of the bland and blatantly obvious. Up the irons!
http://pezwasere.blogspot.com
The first thing Perran Mitchell states is "im cool," and that sets the trend for his blog and his profile. His favourite music is "RAP!! brap brap," which clearly proves his point.
Perran's brief and disjointed blog obsesses with football, particularly Liverpool FC, and is in that sense especially dull as it fails to provide amusing or exciting anecdotes, merely stating "liverpool lost :(" or some similar brainless fact.
Complete with slang, shorthand and more bizarre character-combinations than is healthy, linguists could have a field-day with this blog. Sadly, however, everyone else will be bored by it. Occasional smart remarks reveal that our author has a sense of humour, but he conceals it behind pointless statements of the bland and blatantly obvious. Up the irons!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
the monsters under my bed #7
badass: talk to me, robert
bobby: i've lost the plot!
jacques: don't be a fool, man. vere are you?
bobby: i think i'm in star wars
badass: nonsense! we're in beijing, snap out of it
bobby: oh god! ewoks!
jacques: stay viz me, bobert, we aff some leetle chinese children to terrify today
franklin: no need to be racist
badass: pray tell us, frankie, how that harmless remark could be interpreted as inciting racial hatred or otherwise implying racial prejudice?
franklin: well, there's no need to distinguish that these "leetle" children are chinese, is there? as we're in beijing one would assume that they are, but anyway the fact that they are chinese should be irrelevant to how you treat them
badass: by the hairs on your head i banish thee! we have children to scare, now sod off
franklin: [leaves]
jacques: anyvay, all chinese people are leetle
franklin: [shouts] i heard that!
jacques: othervise they wouldn't fit zem all in one country!
badass: hey! do you want to go too?
jacques: [shameful] sorry
bobby: are we gonna destroy this death star or what?
badass: children, robert, we're here to scare children
bobby: same difference. destroy these children, let's do it [charges into a wall]
badass: er...
[story ends abruptly on an awkward note]
bobby: i've lost the plot!
jacques: don't be a fool, man. vere are you?
bobby: i think i'm in star wars
badass: nonsense! we're in beijing, snap out of it
bobby: oh god! ewoks!
jacques: stay viz me, bobert, we aff some leetle chinese children to terrify today
franklin: no need to be racist
badass: pray tell us, frankie, how that harmless remark could be interpreted as inciting racial hatred or otherwise implying racial prejudice?
franklin: well, there's no need to distinguish that these "leetle" children are chinese, is there? as we're in beijing one would assume that they are, but anyway the fact that they are chinese should be irrelevant to how you treat them
badass: by the hairs on your head i banish thee! we have children to scare, now sod off
franklin: [leaves]
jacques: anyvay, all chinese people are leetle
franklin: [shouts] i heard that!
jacques: othervise they wouldn't fit zem all in one country!
badass: hey! do you want to go too?
jacques: [shameful] sorry
bobby: are we gonna destroy this death star or what?
badass: children, robert, we're here to scare children
bobby: same difference. destroy these children, let's do it [charges into a wall]
badass: er...
[story ends abruptly on an awkward note]
RE: review
i must stress again that all reviews are first and foremost tongue-in-cheek and, although genuine to an extent, should not be taken too seriously or - more importantly - too personally. if you don't want me to review your blog you should leave a comment here, which i will tactfully ignore.
ROBIN MITCHELL: TACTFULLY IGNORING YOU SINCE APRIL '89
ROBIN MITCHELL: TACTFULLY IGNORING YOU SINCE APRIL '89
Review #1
I Blog Therefore I Am - bowserboy
http://i-blog-therefore-i-am.blogspot.com
Before we look at this weblog let's find out more about Tim Stacey, our writer of the day.
His blogger profile tells us that he is 250 years old (a lie), his Zodiac year is the Rat (appropriate), and he says "I blog what I think about stuff and if that isn't intresting to you then I don't care." Interests include Nintendo and the Internet (he is a self-professed fanboy) and his favourite music is "Metal, FEEDER, feeder, Feeder."
An interesting specimen, some would say. Certainly the content of Tim's blog is not confined to a particular style or subject matter. Featuring everything from music to politics to Nintendo games and weird sadistic fantasies, Tim's blog reads perhaps as one would expect as that of a dyslexic, dyspraxic 17-year-old fanboy.
Intelligent, disjointed, with some horrible mispellings and graphic amounts of expletives, the blog is at times hard to read - or at least to understand - but at other times is incredibly explicit and direct.
While content can be incredibly interesting or incredibly boring, depending on the interests of the reader, Tim's blog is consistent in that it is almost always wishing death upon someone (most likely Jack Thompson), and it is almost always both slightly thoughtful and slightly peculiar.
Although Tim has (according to his "labels") posted more about his Nintendo Wii than about anything else (and this boy has been keeping this blog since Feb. '05), the blog is not as dull as one might imagine. In fact, Tim's unintentionally comical way of getting irritated at life's little hiccups is highly amusing, and his occasional indulgences into sick violence are fascinatingly controversial if not enjoyable. Read and enjoy, friends.
http://i-blog-therefore-i-am.blogspot.com
Before we look at this weblog let's find out more about Tim Stacey, our writer of the day.
His blogger profile tells us that he is 250 years old (a lie), his Zodiac year is the Rat (appropriate), and he says "I blog what I think about stuff and if that isn't intresting to you then I don't care." Interests include Nintendo and the Internet (he is a self-professed fanboy) and his favourite music is "Metal, FEEDER, feeder, Feeder."
An interesting specimen, some would say. Certainly the content of Tim's blog is not confined to a particular style or subject matter. Featuring everything from music to politics to Nintendo games and weird sadistic fantasies, Tim's blog reads perhaps as one would expect as that of a dyslexic, dyspraxic 17-year-old fanboy.
Intelligent, disjointed, with some horrible mispellings and graphic amounts of expletives, the blog is at times hard to read - or at least to understand - but at other times is incredibly explicit and direct.
While content can be incredibly interesting or incredibly boring, depending on the interests of the reader, Tim's blog is consistent in that it is almost always wishing death upon someone (most likely Jack Thompson), and it is almost always both slightly thoughtful and slightly peculiar.
Although Tim has (according to his "labels") posted more about his Nintendo Wii than about anything else (and this boy has been keeping this blog since Feb. '05), the blog is not as dull as one might imagine. In fact, Tim's unintentionally comical way of getting irritated at life's little hiccups is highly amusing, and his occasional indulgences into sick violence are fascinatingly controversial if not enjoyable. Read and enjoy, friends.
Monday, February 05, 2007
secret poem
the "final activity" of the arvon trip was to write a secret poem. people would have to guess whose was whose. this is mine, and though i've posted it on HoD i thought i'd put it here too because it's quirky and i like it.
it's called
My Secret Poem
i'll always be the one to lie to you
if you ask me for even a drop of the truth
close your eyes, child, let life pass you by
it's easier to live if you're living a lie
a dream is precious and not to be wasted
and paradise sweet, yet sweetness untasted
so open your heart to the webs that i weave
it's easy to believe when you know you're decieved
let me take you to places you wished you could be
follow my words and your mind's eye will see
as you lie in a daze we will travel the skies
you can relax your soul in the arms of my lies
it's an empty escape but it's worth more than gold
so reach out, and let go of the freedom you sold
you're mine now
it's called
My Secret Poem
i'll always be the one to lie to you
if you ask me for even a drop of the truth
close your eyes, child, let life pass you by
it's easier to live if you're living a lie
a dream is precious and not to be wasted
and paradise sweet, yet sweetness untasted
so open your heart to the webs that i weave
it's easy to believe when you know you're decieved
let me take you to places you wished you could be
follow my words and your mind's eye will see
as you lie in a daze we will travel the skies
you can relax your soul in the arms of my lies
it's an empty escape but it's worth more than gold
so reach out, and let go of the freedom you sold
you're mine now
Review
A new initiative I will be taking up is this: reviewing YOUR blog, for free.
That's right, all the blogs listed in my favourites will be exposed, one by one. None will stand against the wrath of the world's most ferocious blogger.
That said, I was thinking about how much of a girl I am at times today. I'm still scared of going outside, for crying out loud...
That's right, all the blogs listed in my favourites will be exposed, one by one. None will stand against the wrath of the world's most ferocious blogger.
That said, I was thinking about how much of a girl I am at times today. I'm still scared of going outside, for crying out loud...
Windows VS Mac
Does anyone else find those videos incredibly annoying? Not only are Windows and Mac impossible to compare - they're on totally different levels - making cheapshot poor-quality advertising isn't doing Mac any favours.
Plus, that Webb guy is a complete prat in the adverts. By a typewriter.
TYPEWRITER!
Plus, that Webb guy is a complete prat in the adverts. By a typewriter.
TYPEWRITER!
RE: crash
you know, if arthur didn't exist i would never have smashed that light.
i think arthur is the cause of all my problems - i may have to destroy him
i think arthur is the cause of all my problems - i may have to destroy him
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Valentines
Posted on MySpace. So I abuse my power, so what?
Now then, people: Valentine's day is just around the corner (that's ten days time to you lot) and a lot of people out there are sitting thinking, "I wish Robin Mitchell would send me a Valentine's card." Never fear: I've decided to be economical this year, and if YOU want to recieve a Valentine's card from ME, all you have to do is bring me one for me to sign. It'll be amazing - a Robin Mitchell autograph, plus a Valentine's, all included in the card of *your choice*. So get shopping, bring me a card (and a pen, I'm not made of them you know) and you'll be sure to get at least one Valentine's this year ;)
Now then, people: Valentine's day is just around the corner (that's ten days time to you lot) and a lot of people out there are sitting thinking, "I wish Robin Mitchell would send me a Valentine's card." Never fear: I've decided to be economical this year, and if YOU want to recieve a Valentine's card from ME, all you have to do is bring me one for me to sign. It'll be amazing - a Robin Mitchell autograph, plus a Valentine's, all included in the card of *your choice*. So get shopping, bring me a card (and a pen, I'm not made of them you know) and you'll be sure to get at least one Valentine's this year ;)
Crash!
I had my first car crash today.
Okay, it wasn't a proper crash... more of a parking mistake that ended in destruction. I think I'm actually losing to Esther on the crash/break-down front (though clearly I beat her at navigation).
So anyway, I'm pulling in to park and I decide to leave the open spaces for other drivers, which leads me with a choice of parking in front of the van, or Arthur (Dad's campervan). The van is regularly used whereas Arthur is falling to pieces, so naturally I chose to park behind him. And as I pulled in I felt a sudden urge to smash Arthur into pieces, so I put my foot down and slammed into the back on the campervan, sending glass and metal flying.
That's not entirely true - I made a split-decision about which way to go and grazed the corner of Arthur but unfortunately I smashed an indicator as I scraped by. Damn!
Okay, it wasn't a proper crash... more of a parking mistake that ended in destruction. I think I'm actually losing to Esther on the crash/break-down front (though clearly I beat her at navigation).
So anyway, I'm pulling in to park and I decide to leave the open spaces for other drivers, which leads me with a choice of parking in front of the van, or Arthur (Dad's campervan). The van is regularly used whereas Arthur is falling to pieces, so naturally I chose to park behind him. And as I pulled in I felt a sudden urge to smash Arthur into pieces, so I put my foot down and slammed into the back on the campervan, sending glass and metal flying.
That's not entirely true - I made a split-decision about which way to go and grazed the corner of Arthur but unfortunately I smashed an indicator as I scraped by. Damn!
...To Normal
So I've written enough about Arvon for one year.
I went to bed early last night to catch up some, and awoke twice (that's twice!) to the sound of people talking on the street, once at 2am and once at 4am. Bizarre! You don't get that in the countryside...
Also, I lost my voice today so I can't talk proper and certainly can't sing. Which sucks, because, let's face it, I have a lovely voice.
I put my woes down to peanut butter. Richard Spink left some peanut butter on toast on the side in the kitchen, and I thought I'd have them for breakfast (I was in a rush). I forgot how peanut butter tries to choke you to death.
Doesn't it feel like summer out? There's a stunningly beautiful, burning blue sky. It's a little crisp, granted, but that just adds to the excitement. There's magic in the air... Shame that everywhere I've gone/am going today, I take the car...
I went to bed early last night to catch up some, and awoke twice (that's twice!) to the sound of people talking on the street, once at 2am and once at 4am. Bizarre! You don't get that in the countryside...
Also, I lost my voice today so I can't talk proper and certainly can't sing. Which sucks, because, let's face it, I have a lovely voice.
I put my woes down to peanut butter. Richard Spink left some peanut butter on toast on the side in the kitchen, and I thought I'd have them for breakfast (I was in a rush). I forgot how peanut butter tries to choke you to death.
Doesn't it feel like summer out? There's a stunningly beautiful, burning blue sky. It's a little crisp, granted, but that just adds to the excitement. There's magic in the air... Shame that everywhere I've gone/am going today, I take the car...
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Arvon
A couple more things I want to say: the writers we worked with are called Ann Sansom and Christopher Wakling, Ann being the Poet and Chris being the Novelist. Chris is online (google him) and his books, by the looks of website previews, are brilliant.
Also, Arvon is such a great experience (the fact that I've mentioned this three times in as many posts is proof enough of that) and I recommend anyone who loves to write to do it sometime. It really works.
Finally, I should add that I'm very tired so all content written today can be discounted as "rambling" if you see fit...
I have begun Arvon posts.
Also, Arvon is such a great experience (the fact that I've mentioned this three times in as many posts is proof enough of that) and I recommend anyone who loves to write to do it sometime. It really works.
Finally, I should add that I'm very tired so all content written today can be discounted as "rambling" if you see fit...
I have begun Arvon posts.
RE: back
the problem with such a great week as arvon - and ignoring all sentimental cliches etc. it really was a very special week to me - is the return feeling that is like coming down from a high. like today, i'm not doing much because i'm shattered. but what about monday? is life just gonna resume its normal, mundane course?
Back
Joey and Simon put a "bet" on how long it would be after my return until I posted my first blog entry.
Actually, I don't miss computers or blogging or technology at all when I don't use them - they're just means for me to fill the endless hours - so I decided to hold off for a bit, just to prove them wrong. And I've done that, right, haven't I, right? So...
It's always hard to summarise these things, and it's probably not even worth doing to be honest. I had a great time away, everything about the course from the people that went on it to the location, the actual workshops and the writing... it was all brilliant. It was a very unique and special time.
And I have lots of things to post elsewhere when i get time...
Actually, I don't miss computers or blogging or technology at all when I don't use them - they're just means for me to fill the endless hours - so I decided to hold off for a bit, just to prove them wrong. And I've done that, right, haven't I, right? So...
It's always hard to summarise these things, and it's probably not even worth doing to be honest. I had a great time away, everything about the course from the people that went on it to the location, the actual workshops and the writing... it was all brilliant. It was a very unique and special time.
And I have lots of things to post elsewhere when i get time...
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