The World of Ramification

Finally , a new blog post :)

2006-10-15T07:05:00.000+01:00

Oh I've been off here for some time now. There's a few reasons for this, I've been spending a lot of my time on youtube and myspace like seemingly everyone else around me on the web. I now know how to fold shirts properly and have watched countless old music videos that I haven't seen in years. Youtube, love it and hate it at the same time, what a great waste of time it can be.

Life has been good and manic and horrible and great all at the same time. I have never been so busy in a really long time. There's my day job which is going through some major changes and a bit of financial trouble, lots of sleepless nights worrying about cash flows forecasts have resulted in baggy eyes. Add on top of that the club door job once a month and my new incarnation as one of the Darling Bears and bang, there goes all my free time. But I am loving it. I haven't enjoyed my job this much in ages, and its because we are working on resolving a problem and acheiving something better that I am again inspired. Doing the DBs has been great also, its weird having people always staring and I was scared shitless when we performed last week but so far I've gotten positive feedback.

I haven't slept well over the past week or so, and I think thats a good thing in a weird way. My mind is again being stimulated and I always get a bit restless during times like these, but I enjoy that. I've also slowed down on my partying ways and maybe my sleep patterns wil be a bit messed up for the next little while.

Thats it thats all, i might just go back to bed x

August Music Chart

2006-08-30T11:07:00.000+01:00

Time for my monthly music chart listing. Enjoy.

1. Martijn Ten Velden - Wish U Would

This has been my song of choice for the month, I keep playing it all the time, its just so addictive.

2. The Age of Steam - Disco Mafia

Yet to be released and set to be massive, this has to be one of my favorite electro tracks in a really long time. And they're my friends, so props! Check the link.

3. This Is Rhythm - Please Don't Call Me

Another unreleased track, this one being championed by SSRadio's House Your Body Show and is a fantastic soulful house track. The opening hypnotic vocal will grab a hold of you and not let you go. Check their myspace page.

4. Tom De Neef - Adobe

I've only recently discovered Tom De Neef thanks to his fantastic mix of Lost by Roger Sanchez. Adobe is a great electronic house number, best mix comes from Bush II Bush.

5. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancing

The Sisters pick up right where they left off with the first single from the new album. Best mixes come from Paper Faces and Erol Alkan.

6. Se:Sa - That High (Syke N'Sugerstarr Dub)

A nice follow-up to last year's Sun Rising Up.

7. Rocco Mondo and Uno - Je T'Aime (Jerome Isma Remix)

Deep house with a sexy french spoken vocal laid on top. In a word its Magnifique.

8. Outwork - Electro (Cube Guys Remix)

I can see myself getting sick of this very quickly, but for now its fun to dance to and it sure packs them in on the dancefloors.

9. Soul Avengerz Feat Javine - Don't Let The Morning Come

Straight up vocal funky house track, with remixes from Raul Rincon and Kurd Maverick.

10. Tom Novy - Uexpected (Paul Harris Mix)

Not sure if this will get a release in the UK but its Tom Novy's best track to date. Paul Harris almost charted this month with his own track Find Yourself A Friend.

Summer of 2004 - Lola's Theme Revisited

2006-08-17T15:04:00.000+01:00

So I am having a fairly dull day at work, account for this and balance that while listening to my trusty itunes player on shuffle. What should pop on there but Lola's Theme by The Shapeshifters (or Shape UK if you will) and I get transported back to the summer of 2004. My very own summer of love if you will, and this song was EVERYWHERE. You would hear it first at A:M on Friday night through XXL/Crash-Afterhours/Beyond/RVT and end the Sunday night on it at La3.

It was discussed at length, arguments would erupt over which was the better version, the full vocal or the original dub. Anyone who liked the full vocal was a pretender (even though I sort of did), someone who only got the song AFTER the video was released, not a true blue clubber.

I remember the weekend when Lola's Theme hit number one in the UK charts, we just finished a fairly regular sunday afternoon at the RVT when someone suggested driving up to LA3 to finish off the night. Everyone agreed it was a bad idea, but we all managed to end up there anyway. My friend Nick who championed the song from its early days was getting texts about it hitting number one. We played it in the car twice, and this after we heard it at least twice earlier that day. Then the dj played it at la3, at least twice also. Yet no one got sick of it yet. I am not sure I every really got sick of it.

My point, its amazing how one song, one note of a song even, can bring such memories flooding back. It took me back to what was arguably the best summer of my life, one that I will probably re-visit on here from time to time.

The Joy of Makeup

2006-08-14T10:34:00.000+01:00

I have been crap at blogging lately, and as a friend pointed out to me recently, putting up photos and music lists has been rather lazy on my part. So a real post, hmmm, what to talk about. Yes the joys of putting on eye makeup which ended up happening as part of a Pirates-themed party at my friends Mike and Steve who always know how to put on a great party. They live in west london and after the party Nick and I ended up in a cab travelling across town to Hoxton for Anti-social which was an amazingly fun night. The rest of the night is a bit of haze, I do remember one bartender telling me that the rule to make-up is that less is more (I think he was being sarcastic) and I do remember being in Crash and Area as well but the exact details of the night are a bit lost on me. I did manage to sleep all of Sunday so feeling popping fresh this morning.

Monthly Music Chart Returns - July!

2006-07-28T14:44:00.000+01:00

I've been on a real music kick lately, I guess most of the stuff does get released around summer time or does it only feel like it. My top 5 for the month:

1. Beyonce - Deja Vu

She landed at #1 for my year end chart for 2003, will she repeat the feat this year ? She has a very good shot at it, her best track and video since Crazy In Love.

2. Deux - Xpand

Deep house goodness to follow up to the massive 'Sun Rising Up'. If a dance record would ever be described as glamorous, this would be it.

3. Paris Hilton - Stars Are Blind (Scumfrog's Extreme Makeover)

Believe it or not this works, fantastic dirty house remix the elevates our favorite blonde heiress bimbo's mediocre single from the ashes and onto the dancefloors.

4. Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back

Has our favorite N'Syncer been hanging out at The Cock lately(no, not Lance!) ? It sure sounds like it. Justin's new single is an amazingly non-commercial sounding electro-fuelled number, who knew he had this in him.

5. Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man

Its feeling a bit like 2003 all over again, with Beyonce, Justin and Christina dominating this month. Xtina's track is definitely a grower, not her best effort but it works.

Places I've Been To in Europe

2006-07-25T15:01:00.000+01:00

create your personalized map of europe

Oh, Jessica!

2006-07-25T09:27:00.000+01:00

In what has to be the strangest marketing idea in music this year, Jessica Simpson is offering a personalized mp3 download of her new single with your name sung in the song. Amazingly neither Rami, Ramification or even Romesha are available as choices, The Swines!

Natural History Museum

2006-07-15T19:35:00.000+01:00

Cher Bear = Genuis

2006-07-14T10:00:00.000+01:00

In The House

2006-07-13T09:36:00.000+01:00

I haven't done a music post in some time, but there are some great new house tracks out right now that I am absolutely loving. My current top 5:

1. Chris Lake vs Kings of Tommorow - Finally Changes

My favorite mash-up of the moment of two great house records. The beautiful soulful vocal from the Kings of Tommorow record laid on top of the gorgeous piano riff from Chris Lake.

2. Fireflies feat Alexandra Prince - I Can't Get Enough

Alexandra Prince did the lead vocal duties on Gadjo's 'So Many Times' and she sounds great as ever on this disco house number. Very summery.

3. Fedde Le Grande - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit

This record has got one of the chunkiest electro beats I've heard in a long time, will be massive on dancefloors.

4. Ian Carey Presents The Good Guys - Lose Control

This has Ian Carey's signature sound all over it and it is fantastic.

5. Tune Brothers - I Like It

Another great piano riff, with the best remixes coming from Wawa and Ian Carey.

My London - Day 12

2006-07-07T11:08:00.000+01:00

Date: 06/07/2006

Time: 10:30 pm

Location: Lexington Street, Soho, W1

Description: A cool night shot while walking around Soho ....

My London - Days 10 and 11

2006-07-06T09:48:00.000+01:00

Date: 03/07/2006

Time: 7:25 pm

Location: Brick Lane Street

Description: A shot from 3 nights ago, I had my camera phone in a weird mode and all the pics from the past two days came out funny!

My London - Day 9 (of 12 if you're wondering)

2006-07-04T09:11:00.000+01:00

Date 03/07/2006

Time 8:53 pm

Location St John's Bread & Wine Bar in Spitalfields

Description Had dinner with co-workers there last night, the menu includes Foie Gras toast and Ox Heart among other interesting choices. I stuck with the Veal Chop which was just heavenly.

My London - Day 8

2006-07-03T15:29:00.000+01:00

Date 02/07/2006

Time 9:50 pm

Location Horsemeat Disco @ South Central, Vauxhall

Description The lovely Mark outside in the garden.

My London - Day 7

2006-07-03T15:25:00.000+01:00

Date: 01/07/2006

Time : 11:11 pm

Location: Albert Ebankment, Vauxhall

Description: View outside of Crash (for some reason I didn't manage to take any other photos on Saturday)

My London - Day 6

2006-07-01T20:23:00.000+01:00

Date 30/06/2006

Time 11:55 pm

Location Barcode in Vauxhall

Description Paul giving a very goofy look on the dancefloor!

My London - Day 5

2006-06-30T09:22:00.000+01:00

Date 29/06/2006

Time 9:42 pm

Location Coca Cola Office, Hammersmith Station

Description Ummm, its a big Coke sign ....

My London - Day 4

2006-06-29T09:54:00.000+01:00

Date 28/06/2006

Time 8:30 pm (ish)

Location Old Compton Street Soho

Description Having a pint outside with David at Comptons Bar (thats not David in the picture just a random punter)

My London - Day 3

2006-06-28T09:30:00.000+01:00

Date 27/06/06

Time 17:45

Location Shepherd's Bush Road

Description Just a shot outside my flat testing out my new camera phone , I didn't do much yesterday.

My London - Day 2

2006-06-27T09:30:00.000+01:00

Date 26/06/2006
Time 10:24 pm
Where The platform of Boston Manor tube station
Description My very large umbrella and my Waterstones bag (contents: Empire Magazine, The Economist and a bottle of water)

My London - A Picture A Day

2006-06-26T13:51:00.000+01:00

Date: 25/06/06
Time: 8:48 pm
Location: High Street Kensington taken from the #27 Bus

Pop The Q!

2006-06-13T11:43:00.000+01:00

Pop The Q! is a show on music channel TMF that has become my latest tv fascination. Its basically a call-in show where the callers are given a hidden list of 10 answers with each answer worth a sum of money, if they guess correctly they win the cash. There really is no rhyme or reason as to why the 10 answers on the list are placed in that order, its totally random with a fairly vague topic like 'Female Pop Stars' or 'Classic American TV Shows.' The show is on late at night and I have found myself on more than one occasion just laying there watching, trying to see if my guess lands on the list, I have been tempted to call in on more than one occasion but I am sure the 'extra charges from your phone operator' tacked on to the '60p per call' on the 0900 number are way too high. I think what fascinates me the most is the hostess, who looks slightly bored by it all and is dressed for a night of clubbing just after the whole thing is over. Her attempts to maintain her enthusiasm while waiting for the callers to come in are admirable to say the least. I was very tired last night but managed to stay up just to see if anyone would guess Falcon Crest as an answer to Classic American Shows as I was convinced it was there for some reason (someone did guess it and it wasn't!). You may think I'm crazy but at least this is slightly less embarassing than admitting liking Deal or No Deal, which I don't, no honestly you guys..... GUYS???????!!!!!

Summer Daze

2006-06-11T13:25:00.000+01:00

Its been a really nice week in terms of weather here in London. Very hot and not a cloud in sight. We finally had the first taste of summer last Saturday, which was the day of my friends Rob and Phil's civil partnership. It was a really special day, I don't see or speak to Rob nearly as much as I should, I've known him for as long as I've lived in London, so it was really beautiful to share in his day. It was a small ceremony, probably around 40 guests and the atmosphere was fantastic, full of joy and love. It irks me that during the same week George Bush was trying to amend the US Constitution to disallow this, our American counter-parts deserve better than this.

Other than the wedding, it has not been a very eventful week, a barbeque and drinks on a terrace yesterday were nice, even if I did drink a bit too much wine. I left my bag in South Central last night along with my glasses, I am hoping it will be found, or I am gonna need new specs!

American Idol No More

2006-06-02T16:05:00.000+01:00

I was told over dinner last night that my blog has way too much American Idol in it, and looking at the main page I will only have to agree. I've given up on AI anyway, after the shambles that is this years winner (for me he's like Lord Voldemort, I won't dare even speak his name anymore) there is no point in watching any longer. No point.

A Blog-ia-tus

2006-06-01T12:38:00.000+01:00

I have taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging lately, I am not really sure why this has happened, I get through periods where I just don't feel like writing. I think my brain cells are being slowly destroyed from watching too much Big Brother on Channel 4. Honestly, every summer I vow not to get sucked in and every summer I end up forming way too strong of an attachement to the show. For the record, Nikki is my favorite housemate to watch, Grace is my favorite housemate that I love to hate. Just in case you're keeping track.

Da Vinci'd Out !

2006-05-16T14:37:00.000+01:00

This is really just a quick ranty post - I am tired of the DaVinci Code being all up in my face. There's the soundtrack, the book, the film, the countless Tom Hanks interviews, the cleric hunger striking in Mumbai, protests from the Catholic Church, the eurostar ads, the constant DaVinci-related shows on Channel 4 and its sister channels, the Dan Brown lawsuit coverage. I don't even have the energy to link to all these things, thats how sick I am of the whole topic. Everyone getting all in a huff about a fictional film directed by Ron Howard, I mean c'mon its Richie Cunningham people. Get some prespective please.

Random Morning Thoughts

2006-05-14T07:07:00.000+01:00

I woke up at 4:30 this morning, my brain is on overload .... i decided to watch Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind , is there anyone I want to erase my memory of ? I am 30 years old and don't think I've experienced so much passion and yet so much pain to want that, am I missing out on something ? Are we bound to people that we will always end up having them in our lives because we are supposed to ? Its a good film but what a mind-bender it is, all these questions whirling in my head and all before my morning coffee. I was gonna pop in Donnie Darko but one mind-fuck film is enough for the day I think.

Now I am watching the music channels and there is some strange new Nelly Furtado video and I think she's sampling Maneater by Hall and Oates , what the fuck ? She's in some underground garage dancing around like she's Pat Benatar ... why is Nelly Furtado so very 80s all of a sudden. Nelly, remember 'I'm Like A Bird', remember how f'ing good that song was, that album was ? Missy Elliott was collabarting with you ... you were that good ... what happened, this song is the pits!

Speaking of great Candian singer songwriters that I used to LOVE but who have not produced anything great recently, I am going to see Alanis Morrissette in a play, The Exonerated at Riverside Studios on the 23rd. Free tickets thanks to David.

Time for my morning coffee ....

Things That I Am Reading

2006-05-11T08:51:00.000+01:00

Ok, I have been a bad blogger lately, but sometimes you go through a week where you are not creatively inspired. I have also been reading a lot lately, more than usual.

Affinity by Sarah Waters
I mentioned before that I'm reading this for my Tales Of London course and I think thats the reason I am not enjoying this book so far. It feels like homework and I've never been good with homework, but it will get better shortly I hope, I just haven't gotten properly into this book yet.

London: A Biography by Peter Ackroyd
I am reading this as part of my course as well but its not required material, and therefore I am enjoying it much more. Ackroyd treats the city as a living being and its an extremely interesting read. The book is so long I think it will take me over 6 months to finish reading it.

The Guerilla Guide to the Music Business
I might be getting involved in helping with a record label this summer as a part-time interest and I wanted to aquaint myself with the terminology and business aspects involved. The writers have broken sections down in a very easy to digest manner, and the book is full of interviews with people from the music industry that offer practical advice.

Thursday Totti

2006-05-04T15:53:00.000+01:00

In keeping with my American Idol mania this week (I promise not to mention the show til Finals week, ok?), I thought I'd pick this week's hottie from my favorite season so far, season 3. That person is of course Matt Rogers. If anyone wants to know what a bear looks like, look no further than Matt.

American Idol Top 5 - Elliott Yamin

2006-05-04T09:17:00.000+01:00

(c) Fox

#1. Elliott Yamin

Musical Style
Elliott has this wonderful jazzy soulful voice, the closest thing I can compare him to is as a male-Nora Jones.

Image
Elliott has got this goofy, friendly guy image going for him. I don't think Simon Cowell and Co. think they'll be able to market him, but I think he can do that on his voice alone.

The Good
With the exception of perhaps Paris, Elliott is the only singer left who has not given a single bad performance vocally. He has his very own unique singing style and if he were to release a record today I'd go out and buy it. His initial nervousness on the show is now gone and he has evolved into an excellent performer. For me Elliott comes in at #1 because out of all the singers remaining he does not remind me of anyone else, he has a very distinct sound that is very much his own. I do want to buy his album, and I haven't felt this way about an Idol contestant since the days of Fantasia. Chris is a good singer, but he will always be Ed Kowalczyk Version 2.0 to me. Kat is fantastic, but when she sings a big Whitney song, it makes me wish that Whitney will get sober and release a new album. I will probably buy a Paris album, in ten years time! The less said about Taylor the better.

The Bad
As much as I love Elliott, his song choices can be really really dull at times, and no matter how well he sings them they will not excite anyone!

The Ugly
Ummm, I don't know, his ever-changing facial hair irritates me ? His nervousness gets to me too, Elliott when you're nervous on stage, I am nervous for you on the couch at home!

Favorite Performance
Without a shadow of a doubt, his strong soulful take on Donny Hathaway's 'A Song For You' in week 11 turned him into a real contender.

American Idol Top 5: Paris

2006-05-03T17:03:00.000+01:00

(c)Fox

#2. Paris Bennett

Musical Style
Barry Manilow said it best when he compared Paris to Ella Fitzgerald. She is definitely an old soul, with a beautiful husky bluesy sound. And she’s only 17.

Image
Oh, where do I begin with Paris? I love the girl, but its like she’s on her very own Reinvention Tour each week. She gives us a varying look every week with weaves coming and going. She’s a little girl playing dress-up but her constant changing looks have been confusing.

The Good
That fantastic voice, this girl can truly sing and as Randy once put it ‘you can sing anything.’ There is such control there, such command of her instrument that you know this girl could make it on Broadway tomorrow if she wanted to. Also, as much as I like to criticize her fashion sense, it seems Paris is the only one trying to liven things up by switching up and playing around with her image week in, week out (unlike say Chris, whose only radical look was wearing eyeliner during Queen week!).

The Bad
Not much I can say to criticize Paris, she sometimes picks the worst songs for her age (‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’? C’mon, Paris) and her lack of life experience sometimes fails her when she tries to connect with the audience, but these are only minor quibbles.

The Ugly
Her phrasing on some of the songs can be a tad hard to decipher. Those outfits can be atrocious at times, she’s been compared to Rudy Huxtable on TelevisionWithoutPity more than once, ouch.

Favorite Perfomance

Again we have to go back to week 10 when Paris sang ‘These Foolish Things’ in such a way that I could picture her doing that performance 50 years ago on the Ed Sullivan show. I also loved her take on Beyonce’s ‘Work It Out’ showing us that she is able to tackle a current song.

American Idol Top 5 - Kat McPhee

2006-05-03T15:14:00.000+01:00

(c) Fox

#3.Katharine McPhee

Musical Style
Big voiced soul-diva, with a pop sensibility, she comes off as a more polished version of season 1 winner (and now superstar) Kelly Clarkson.

Image
By far she is the easiest on the eyes of any of this year’s Idol finalists (sorry Ayla, you didn’t make the finals), she’s tall, gorgeous and has that ‘fun girl next door’ thing going for her.

The Good
The girl can really belt out those ballads and she does it with a big smile and immense stage presence. She has charisma oozing out of her and she is very marketable. She has been very consistent all season long and if there is anyone who can fit the ‘perfect idol’ mode its her.

The Bad
I think with Katharine, the comparison to Kelly Clarkson can only hurt her. She comes off as too polished a performer and at times too precocious for her own good, unlike Clarkson at the time who turned into a star right before our eyes. Hey Kat, when you start breaking into impromptu duets with the guest coaches (Rod Stewart week; Andrea Bocelli week) you’re not making us root for you, you can hang with these big boys already, why do you need us to vote for you?

The Ugly
Kat has the tendency to sometimes pick songs that are way too big for her and she can hit some sharp notes on the way. This was most evident during her take on Christina Aguilera’s ‘The Voice Within.’ Oh, and the producers need to stop cutting to a shot Pappa McPhee tearing up every single week during her performances. Producers, please, cut that shit out.

Favorite Performance
In what was the best week for most of the top 5, her rendition of ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ in week 10 was her shining moment on the show and arguably the best performance by any singer this season.

American Idol Top 5 - Chris Daughtry

2006-05-03T09:19:00.000+01:00

4. Chris Daughtry

Musical Style
Alt-rock music; Creed meets Live by way of Three Doors Down, which is great if you are into that type of thing.

Image
Shaved headed muscley rocker dude, but with a sensitive side (he's like a loving husband and father of two, you guys!)

The Good
I love Chris's voice, it is so clean and with such a nice tone to it and he hardly ever hits a bum note. He has evolved as a performer throughout the competition and can command the stage, and in his case unique is a good thing. He is best when he goes soft and doesn't sing inaccessible rock tracks (even on Queen night he managed to sing an obscure single). He managed to soften up in the in the past two weeks so there is potential that he will go all the way.

The Bad
Chris has a tendency to be 'very indulgent' as Simon has mentioned before, and you feel like his CD collection doesn't have anything that won't be played on alt-radio, circa 2001. He is a bit one-dimensional and most of his mid-season performances meshed into one.

The Ugly
There is a definite sense that the producers are pushing for Chris to win, and its part of the reason why I don't want him to anymore. He may be a worthy winner, but no other contestant has gotten a (perceived) better treatment from the producers of the show, smoke machines and guitar players (twice) when he is on stage just reek of favoritism.

Favorite Performance

His rendition of What A Wonderful Word two weeks ago finally got me back on the pro-Chris side after weeks of getting annoyed with his one-dimensional performances, but its not enough to land him in my personal top 3.

American Idol Top 5 - Taylor Hicks

2006-05-02T11:47:00.000+01:00

Now that we are coming to the home-stretch of the new season of American Idol, it is looking like they have what many have dubbed the strongest top five in the history of the show. The American public have got it right the past three weeks by voting out Bucky, Ace and Kellie (finally!) at just the right time. I think this is a very strong top five, and I think I would be happy if any of them won, with the exception of Taylor (why did Mandisa turn out to be such a preachy Bible-thumping diva!). An run-down of the final five ranked based on personal preference:

5. Taylor Hicks

Musical Style
Joe Cocker meets Bob Seger (which is exactly as exciting as it sounds, zzzzzzzzz)

Image
Jay Leno without the enormous chin dressed like a drunken uncle at the family picnic.

The Good
The reason why Taylor has made it this far (and been the only contestant left not to have been in the bottom 3) is because of his 'uniqueness' value. It's Bo Bice syndrome all over again, he's not your typical Idol contestant so the public keep voting him in because of his originality. I grant him that he is unique and different.

The Bad
Unique isn't always a good thing and Taylor's style is very boring. He sounds dated, his song choices have been bland and he just seems to give the same performance week after week and he seems to be bored himself by the whole thing.

The Ugly
That awful dancing and all those body-hugging ticks. I know its supposed to make him endearing but its very affected and fake and makes me dislike his showboaty ass even more. Stop clapping for yourself, Taylor! Thankfully they managed to yank his harmonica away from him.

Favorite Performance
His semi-final performance of 'Taking It To The Streets' was full of energy and life and he still seemed fresh and unique at the time.

The BBC - Part I (Doctor Who)

2006-05-02T09:42:00.000+01:00

Ok, so when I first moved over to London there was a lot of things I had to adjust to, and not only because I was living on my own without the safety net of my parents for the first time. I also had to adjust to these odd UK only things, like 'Stand On The Right' on tube escelators and (at the time) last call at 11 pm down at the pubs.

The oddest thing however is the TV License, which is basically a tax for having a tv in your home that from what I understand many people avoid paying. The money from paying this tax goes to fund the commercial-free BBC channels (something else to get used to, no commercials during shows, so no bathroom breaks). There has been a lot of talk about scrapping the TV License lately, which is understandable during the digital age. Why pay for a public service channel when most people are already paying for digital/ satellite services?

I for one am happy to pay for my license, because I think the nature of the programmes on the BBC are enhanced by this. When profits and ratings do not become the sole way to measure the success of a show it gives it much more freedom to be creative and innovative. Of course, ratings are still a major factor for BBC programmes but it is not the only one and I think that's the key. There are some missteps and not everything on the Beeb is worth tuning into, but for the most part it works. Can you imagine a show like The Office being green-lit by any other channel at the time that it aired, I can't imagine it myself. This week I will be looking at some recent shows aired on the BBC. First of all is the grand-daddy of science fiction shows.

- Doctor Who (BBC1) : I remember seeing some Doctor Who episodes on tv in Canada, but to be honest I was never really into it. I just thought it looked really cheesy and cheap. The show made a triumphant return last year with a bigger budget and a much more polished look, written by Russell T. Davies (Queer As Folk) with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as his assistant Rose and I soon became a big fan. The finale of the last series was some of the best written television that I have seen in a very long time. Sadly, Eccleston is gone and has been replaced by David Tennant, and I guess its true that you do get attached to your first Doctor as I have yet to completely warm to Tennant. His Doctor is a bit too manic for my taste, and he seems to go through extreme emotions very quickly, losing much of the subtlety that Eccleston gave his Doctor. The true star of the show has emerged in the form of Billie Piper, whose Rose provides the heart and soul that anchors the entire show. If rumors of Piper's departure at the end of this series then I am not sure how I will handle it.

(I wrote this before seeing this week's episode School Reunion which redeemed Tennant somewhat in my eyes. His line of 'I used to have so much mercy' indicates a very dark side to the Doctor).

Quick Links

2006-05-01T13:35:00.000+01:00

Happy May Day everyone, the reason we have a bank holiday today in the UK (even though I am actually at work today, but nevermind that). A couple of quick blog links:

1. I have decided to start posting the more 'personal diary' type blog entries on the myspace blog that I have and free this one up for the more entertainment type entries. So for example, my pasta bolognese entry would show up on the myspace blog and not here. And so forth. I am only experimenting with this, so I might integrate the two blogs at some point in the future.

2. Please check out my friend Sue's blog page lightness-and-weight. Sue is one of my closest friends and I can say without reservation that she is the SMARTEST PERSON I KNOW.

Ok thats it for now, I promise a more exciting entry soon.

April Tracks - Part 1

2006-04-29T12:06:00.000+01:00

April has been a pretty good month for new music, we are finally creeping out of the winter lull with some genuinely exciting new tracks. The majority of the tracks this month are a mix of House and R&B. The top two are massive R&B tracks that also happen to have some great house remixes (by Jason Nevins in both cases).

Here comes #6 to 10:

10. Denis the Menace & Jerry Ropero- I Get What I Want

Not much to say about this, its just funky, funky funky. Listen to the sample.

9. Christina Milian - Say I

Christina was in my top 3 of 2004 with the song 'Dip It Low', the case back then (as it is now) was that a fairly good song became a great one due to the remix by Full Intention. Here, the Hani and Maurice mixes serve a similar purpose, elevating a decent R&B track to a stomping dancefloor hit. A great comeback single for Milian.

8. Noir - My MTV

Samples the Dire Straits 80s hit 'Money For Nothing' by turning it on its head. The talky vocal about how evil MTV is very well obesrved, with mixes from Ian Carey and D. Ramirez giving it the chunky house sound it deserves.

7. Shakira Feat. Wyclef - Hips Don't Lie

Ok, I have to admit I have a weird fascination with Shakira. On one level I think her lyrics are just plain bizarre and she shouldn't get away with them (let's face it, she's not Bjork). On a more basic level though I always find her music very poppy and enjoyable, and I catch myself singing one of her songs in the shower, not something I should readily admit to but there you go. She teams up Wyclef Jean for a danceable catchy latin hip shaking number. Good junk food music.

6. Keyshia Cole - LOVE

Standard MOR/ R&B ballad stuff, but Cole has such a gorgeous souful voice and she sings to her lover with such urgency that you can't help but let the song take you over.

Tales of London

2006-04-28T13:09:00.000+01:00

I started on my evening course last night, entitled Tales of London, which looks at the city of London as it is used in fictional narrative. The course seems to be very interesting, and from the intros done last night it seems that everyone there has this real enthusiasim for this city which is great. We have to read one of three novels, Brick Lane by Monica Ali, Affinity by Sarah Waters or Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens. I read Brick Lane last year and thoroughly enjoyed it as the narrative is told from the perspective of a migrant to London. I think I will tackle Affinity as I am not sure I can handle a huge Dickens novel at the moment.

Last night we looked at the River Thames and the various ways it is used in film narrative, some of the examples looked at included The Filth and The Fury; Hitchcock's Frenzy and the David Lean version of Great Expectations. The river is used as part of the narrative in all of the films: in Frenzy the opening sequence is a speech about the cleaning up of the river just a dead body is found floating in or in Great Expectations as a means of escape for Pip and Abel. The shot of Tower Bridge was present in many of the clips and it is an iconic image that firmly places you in the city of London. Next week we look at public and private spaces in the city.

Thursday On A Friday (AGAIN) Totti : Michelle Pfeiffer

2006-04-28T11:22:00.000+01:00

No one said that this segment will always be a male, and in honour of The Film Experience's Pfeiffer Blog-A-Thon I thought I'd put in the ultimate Catwoman as my hottie of the week. Enjoy.

Previous Totti: Chris Meloni; Gael Garcia Bernal

Kick Pickler (or the I Am Not Ashamed To Be Obsessed With American Idol Post)

2006-04-25T16:31:00.000+01:00

If you are as annoyed as I am by Kellie Pickler and her very fake 'I'm only a dumb blonde hick' act on Ameircan Idol then you should check out the KickPickler site. From the looks of it, Kellie is a much more seasoned performer (and beauty paegent contestant if you can believe it) than she has led on. I am truly annoyed by her and the fact that she escapes being voted out mainly because of her 'entertainment' value is quiet shocking. Could we be looking at the Jasmine Trias of this year, a relatively less talented singer who will keep pushing through to the later stages of the contest based on personality alone ? For what its worth, I am fast becoming a Paris Bennett fan after her amazing performance on last week's show and I think she may pull a Diana Degarmo and surprise everyone by sticking around to the finals.

That should be Pick Paris then.

Attack of the Killer Brows

2006-04-23T17:25:00.000+01:00

George Michael was being interviewed on Parkinson last night, I wasn't able to pay any real attention to the interview (which was basically a big PR job to justify his driving habits lately) because I kept getting worried that his eyebrows will jump off the screen and attack me. What happened George, you used to look so hot during those Father Figure days.

The Joy of Cooking

2006-04-22T16:30:00.000+01:00

I have been living off ready-meals for far too long now. Not to mention fast food junk and Tesco-sandwiches, and so I've made a conscious decision to actually start cooking things from scratch. I haven;t done too badly, on Thursday night I baked some trout with olive oil, lemon, dill and garlic with some fried okra on the side. Today I made a nice pasta bolegnese with mince beef that I bought from (wait for it) the butchers, and the bolognese sauce made from scratch (it could have used a few more tomatoes or tomato sauce but it tasted nice). This may sound like run of the mill stuff for some people reading this, but believe it or not today was the first time I bought meat from a butcher, and I bought the vegetables from a market stall and not from Tescos (again another first). I also went to the pound store and bought some new pots and pans (but they didn't cost a pound!). If anyone has a good recipe they want to share or if you know of any good websites for food please leave me a comment.

Thursday On A Friday Totti : Gael Garcia Bernal

2006-04-21T17:16:00.000+01:00

I saw Bad Education last night, and not only is he absolutely gorgeos, but Gael Garcia Bernal is a fantastic actor. Enjoy.

Previous Totty: Chris Meloni

Exciting Geek News

2006-04-21T15:03:00.000+01:00

Some really interesting news that JJ Abrams is going to direct a new STAR TREK film that will revolve around Kirk and Spock when they met at Starfleet Academy. Also looks like the same team that wrote the upcoming Mission Impossible film with Abrams are also on board.

This is perhaps the most awesome Star Trek news I've heard since they decided to cancel Enterprise (and put me out of my misery). There is only two people I can think of who are such amazing writer / directors to trust with reseructing this franchise, Abrams is one, Joss Whedon is the other.

#1 - Brokeback Mountain

2006-04-20T15:13:00.000+01:00

No prizes for guessing this to be the film to top the list, there has been so much written about this film that I don't think I can do it any justice by reviewing it. I love the way Ang Lee gives the story room to breath and lets it play out. I love the sense of specific time and place that this film invokes and yet themes and conflicts addressed are universal. I love the great acting in this film from everyone involved, especially Heath Ledger. I love that it became a pop culture moment. I think we will look back on it in 30-40 years time as a true landmark film.

Smaller

2006-04-19T10:49:00.000+01:00

I went to see Smaller last night at the Lyric Theatre, starring Dawn French, Alison Moyet and June Watson. This was an excellent play, even if it was a bit uneven at times. French and Moyet play two sisters with an infirm mother, French's character has looked after her for over 25 years while Moyet is a singer who is hardly home and has decided to live her life away from home. The three actresses are all great in their roles, especially French who is able to inject her great comedic timing to give relief from the difficult subject matter at hand. Moyet has a more difficult task of gaining the audience sympathy, but she manages to be redemptive in the final scenes of the play, and its a real treat to hear Moyet singing a few songs on stage with her wonderful bluesy voice.

I went to the play with Ben and James, it was James' last night in London and he is flying back to Toronto today. The poor boy had to cough his way through the entire show as his partying over the past week has finally caught up with him. I will miss having him around, but will look forward to having nights in and vegging out in front of the tv once again.

A Big Weekend

2006-04-17T15:58:00.000+01:00

I will get back to my top 5 film listing soon and reveal the #1. It has been a very hectic week over here, my friend James has been visiting from Canada and I've been busy taking him out and trying to show him a good time in London. The boy likes to party, and who am I to get in the way of that. Its been really nice having another Canadian around, and we have gotten along really well, I think he was a bit overwhelmed by how many people I know on the scene. On the cab back home last night he said 'everyone knows who you are, not one person I spoke to didn't know who I was talking about when I said I was staying with you.' I guess that's nice, although there is something to be said about being a bit more fresh-faced and anonymous, like James was this week.

Anyway, I think I have done enough partying to last me a solid month, just waiting for the inevitable comedown to kick in this week, that is not going to be fun.

#2: My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

2006-04-13T15:15:00.000+01:00

Perhaps the most overtly political film in my top 5, Stephen Frears directs a social commentary on the immigrant experience during the height of Thatcher's England in the 1980s. It is very much a film of its time but somehow it does not seem very dated. Daniel Day Lewis is perhaps the greatest actor of his generation and he demonstrates here a gentle warmth as the outsider English teenager who helps out his asian friend Omar in renovating his uncle's Laundrette and turning it into a profitable business, and in the process they fall in love. A warmly told story populated with some great performances this still remains as one of my favorite films of all time.

#3 - Trick (1999)

2006-04-13T10:00:00.000+01:00

In Trick, Christian Campbell (Neve's brother) stars as Gabriel, a young likeable songwriter who cruises and picks up a dancer called Mark (John Paul Pitoc) and the both of them spend the night trying to find a place to be alone so that they can have their one-night stand with obstacles always getting in their way. I really loved this film when it came out, not least of which because I've always been a closet Donna Martin, errr I mean Tori Spelling fan and she gives a really funny manic performance as Gabriel's very annoying best friend. The real reason I loved the film is because of the love story that develops as these two young guys wander around New York City in the middle of the night until the dawn break as they are forced to get to know each other because of circumstances out of their control. Jim Falls shoots the scenes on the streets and in the clubs with a degree of familiarity and captures perfectly what it is like in those late hours in the big city for young gay men, its a real treat.

#4 - Hedwig and The Angry Inch (2001)

2006-04-12T16:18:00.000+01:00

I don't know how to begin describing Hedwig and The Angry Inch, its one of a slew of films released in 2000/2001 that I really connected to. The music in the film is very memorable, the performace from writer/director John Cameron Mitchell is exceptional, he owns the screen, grabs a hold of your attention and never lets it go.'The Origin of Love' and 'Wig In A Box' are two of my favorite songs ever, from any film, from anywhere. Its one of those rare films that is extremely sad and funny at the same time. Originally a Broadway; the theatricity of the whole thing works extremely well on film. Just go out and rent it.

Favorite Gay Films - #5 Drôle de Félix (2000)

2006-04-11T16:17:00.000+01:00

Brokeback Mountain is coming out on DVD in 2 weeks time, so I figured I would look back on some of my favorite gay-themed films . I remember a time when watching a gay movie was a very liberating thing to do; here I was watching characters that were going through experiences I was going through or wanted to go through, it was and still is a huge influence on my ongoing coming out process.

This French film follows young care-free Felix, who discovers letters from his long-lost father after the death of his mother. Felix sets out to find his father and travels from the north to the south of France, and what follows is a distinctly warm beautifully shot road-trip film. The story is divided into various segments, each one starts with a title such as 'My cousin' or 'My sister' and in each one we meet the person being referred to (clearly these are metaphorical relationships). What I really enjoyed about this movie is that it speaks directly about the nature of family and how strangers can be put into situations where they act and respond to each other in a familial way. I also really enjoyed the fact that although the main character is gay and in a loving relationship (we see his partner at the beginning of the film), his sexuality is almost incidental to the plot but is never hidden. This is not a perfect movie, and there is one segment (My Sister) that brings the film's gentle pace to a grounding halt, but the overall impact of the story and the warmth of Felix (played beautifully by Sami Bouajila) carry it through to the end.

The 'Oh' Factor

2006-04-06T15:55:00.000+01:00

With Grey's Anatomy finally making it onto terrestrial screens here in the UK tonight, a quick nod must go to one of my favorite Canadian actresses: Sandra Oh. Sandra rose to fame in Canada in her Genie-award performance in Double Happiness in 1994 and again won the award in the apocalyptic Last Night in 1998. She has a natural talent and charisma that has helped her elevate thankless characters into very watchable ones (see Arli$$; Under The Tuscan Sun ) and holding her own in prestige films (Sideways). I cannot wait to see what she does on Grey's Anatomy in a role that has already won her a Golden Globe and a SAG as well as an Emmy nomination.

Thursday Totti - Chris Meloni

2006-04-06T13:52:00.000+01:00

Inspired by the Film Experience Blog's 'Hump Day Hottie' series, I present my first annual Thursday Totti , this week in the shape of Oz and Law & Order:SVU actor Chris Meloni. I thought of Chris after noticing he was fugged this week (and it is a hideous hoodie photo he's got going on). He was so nasty and creepy on Oz that I felt a teeny bit guilty for my ever-growing attraction to him, and now that he plays a 'good guy' cop on SVU I feel safe in my attraction toward him.

Laundry List

2006-04-05T17:06:00.000+01:00

I get the feeling I won't get around to doing all these tasks this weekend :

1. Buy new toilet seat
2. Buy new curtain
3. Remember to buy floss
4. Buy playing cards
5. Install curtain / toilet seat
6. Eat something non-fried for dinner
7. Call parents!
8. Get passport photo taken
9. Fill out passport renewal form
10. Finish reading Memoirs Of A Geisha which you started about 3 months ago and now its getting embarassing!

The Unlucky Parade

2006-04-04T16:42:00.000+01:00

Ok, I haven't really complained about my crappy love life or being single in about 3 months so I think I am due a good old fashioned winging session. This is the deal people, I'll complain about it 4 times a year, get it out of my system and we will resume our regulary scheduled programming. My confidence has reached a new low when trying to meet guys, and I think this is because of a chain of events that have made me question my approach. Please don't tell me to get over it, I need to write this in order for me to get over it (see how that works!).

I've decided to make a list of all the guys I've involved myself with since the new year, brace yourselves this isn't going to be pretty.

- New Years' Day Guy: Nice, funny, smart, good job, we had that one great weekend on New Years' Day and then, boom, nothing. No calls, no texts, just stopped communicating. Oh well, it was a nice weekend.

- The Mistake : Ok, so I've posted about this as well, basically this is the one person that I've met recently that really made me feel wanted, but of course he was starting to date a friend of mine and I almost got in the way of that. I am truly glad that I didn't ruin the relationship for my friend who is still seeing this guy despite what happened and so I am not feeling as guilty as I could have felt. Still, I think this was the point where I started losing my mojo, because I felt like whats the point, even the ones I really like who like me back are never available, and I've been at this for years now and its always been the same. There comes a point where you just have to resign yourself to that.

- thief guy: ok, I've done a couple of posts on this, so no need to recap. Check the link and the link. Thanks. Needless to say this was the final nail in the coffin in terms of destroying my confidence.

- Mr. Nice Guy: Its really pathetic, I moan all the time about nice guys finishing last, but at the end of the day I am just as guilty of doing it to other people. Mr Nice Guy is an acquaintance I've known for about a year, he's made it very clear that he has a crush on me for some time. There is nothing wrong with him, he is smart and attractive, but I just can't bring myself to be with him. We ended up going home one drunken evening and it just felt like, I don't know, it just wasn't working, I think he likes me too much and I can't handle it. Of course, he did say he will call me after that and never did and then accused me of not calling him the next time I saw him out. So passive aggressive isn't really my cup of tea, and that's that.

- Endless Marvellous Guys: This has been a pattern lately so I might as well just lump all these guys into one composite person. Ok, ready ? MG's are guys that I meet at (you guessed it) Marvellous on Sunday nights, and they all have the same criteria: they are fairly cute, they are very pissed, they come on to me (sometimes for genuine reasons, other times just because they think they can score drugs off me which I don't have!) and they always chose to go home with someone else. The MGs really bug me, maybe because its the end of the weekend and I reek more of desperation with each passing week but its getting ridiculous. I don't expect to meet someone every weekend but when someone I fancy starts flirting with me I return it. When they do it but then they go and flirt with someone else and go home with that person on a consistent basis (this has happened to me at least 5 times in the past 2 months), well I can't help but feel a little rejected.

Ok, that's the end of my rant, I do feel a lot better. Phew.

Not on the list!

2006-04-04T09:56:00.000+01:00

My first night working the guest list at Megawoof went really well, I was really anxious about it the whole of saturday. The entire day consisted of me checking my email and texts for more people to add on, instructions from the promoters on what to do and what not to do. Since it was the clubs 3rd birthday party (I remember the first one and it feels like it was ages ago) the qeues got really big really quickly. I had to manage both sides, making sure the right people lined up on the right side, making sure people couldn't blag their way in (although 3 different guys claimed to be the same person through the course of the night) and making sure I was friendly and corteous to everyone walking through the door. Of course there was the odd snooty person or two who gave me a lot of attitude which I didn't appreciate, one person stormed off because he wanted to let in 4 people for free and one girl tried to blag her way in even though it was a men-only night. All in all, I was pleased with how it went, I was tired and exhausted by the end but I am already looking forward to the May edition.

Arch nemesis Pt II

2006-04-03T16:52:00.000+01:00

So, of all the posts that I have made on this blog, the one that always comes up in conversation is the post about my Arch nemesis. Everyone who knows me and reads this blog is always curious about him, have we seen each other lately? What's the latest bitchy thing we've done to each other, etc etc. Who is he is a question I have been asked on several occasions. To many people's disappointment, I haven't really seen much of him and the few times we've run into each other we exchanged quick hellos and moved on. Thankfully, we have gone past the point where we feel the need to make polite conversation where a quick nod will do fine, thank you very much. That said, I have a new developing rivalry brewing, so stay tuned.

Curvy

2006-03-29T19:03:00.000+01:00

This is interesting, the city I grew up in (Mississauga) is getting a very 'sexy' new tower built, the Absolute Tower. Its a very interesting design, thats all I have to say about it for now.

March Tracks - Time to Rediscover House!

2006-03-28T18:02:00.000+01:00

This month has been much better for music following a truly dreary February. A lot of good records out and the monthly track listing is expanded from a top 5 to a top 10 as a result.

10. Corrine Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On

I cannot think of a sweeter sounding, more summery track; Corrine is set to be the female equivalent of James Blunt this year, a genuine break out artist. A classic in the making.

9. Crazy P - Sun Sceince

Their follow up to the ever so funky Lady T, this soul house track is one of the first of many dance records charting this month.

8. Orson - No Tommorow

I had the tv on a music channel in the background the other day, and to my surprise I found myself knowing all the lyrics to this track. Not sure how this happened, but it may have to do with the fact that its one of the catchiest rock songs I've heard since the hey days (umm, like last year) of Franz Ferdinand.

7. Ashlee Simpson feat Missy Elliott - L.O.V.E. (Jared Jones Mix)

Ok, I admit it, I am a closet Ashlee Simpson fan. I can't stand the Newlyweds, but give me a tub of ice cream and some chocolate and sit me down for a marathon viewing of The Ashlee Simpson Show and I can be very content. She's not the greatest singer but this song is really catchy, and the remix makes works incredibly well, with one of the best faux-lazy raps from Missy Elliott in quiet some time.

6. Sara Jorge- Beautiful World (M Factor Mix)

One of those dance tracks with a sweet sounding female singing something uplifting and pretty. It will be frogetful in about 3 months time, but this follows the Angel City blueprint to great effect.

5. MYNC Project feat Abigal Bailey - Something On Your Mind

This was #2 on my February charts but it has remained on heavy rotation on my itunes all month long. Watch for MYNC Project's Strobelight (with Danny Rampling) to make an appearance on next months listing.

4. Shapeshifters - Incredible

Another hold-over from last month, the Shapeshifters second follow up to the massive 'Lola's Theme' cements their status as the real deal on the dance scene. I thought this track was a bit dull on first listen, but the MK & MTV and Denis Menace and Ropero mixes more than save it from itself.

3. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

Set to be massive when released in the UK next week, this song has a hybrid dance/soul/blues sound that is very unique and memorable. Fantastic.

2. Bob Sinclar feat Steve Edwards - World Hold On

This follow-up single to Love Generation treads the same waters but to much greater effect. Wheras Love Generation was sickly sweet, this is sweet but with an edge; a much deeper sound and an edgier vocal from the fantastic Steve Edwards following up on his great turn on Axwell's 'Watch The Sunrise'

1. Sex Machine feat Shena - Friday Night

Ok, this song is very much a cross between a Freemasons track and Michael Grey's 'The Weekend' but thats not necessarily a bad thing. With massive support from Pete Tong and a chorus that you can't shake out of your head this is set has the potential to be overplayed to death by summertime, so I am going to enjoy it for the time being.

No Rest Indeed

2006-03-28T16:41:00.000+01:00

TimeOut has chimed in on how Sunday is the new Saturday; something we in queer land have known for a long time now. Thanks to Bart and scene-out for the photos of the Vogue Ball. The photo above is of my dear friend Nick as one half of the Darling Bears who helped out with the show. I was on stand-by to be a Darling Bear (the other half was in danger of being a no-show) last night if needed but alas I still remain an understudy!

Luke Howard channels Grace Jones .....

The fabulous Neil as 'Tina Comedown'

The Chatterley Affair

2006-03-24T13:33:00.000Z

If you missed it this week, I urge you to catch The Chatterley Affair which being re-aired tonight on BBC4. From the BBC4 website :

Is it a book that you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?" In 1960, prosecutor Mervyn Griffith-Jones tried to persuade an Old Bailey jury to ban DH Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover.
All the details of the trial are on record. Except for what the jury said, thought... And did.
Andrew Davies' new drama offers a fictional account of the jurors' experience. It is seen through the eyes of Keith (Rafe Spall) and Helena (Louise Delamere), two of the jurors who fall in love under the influence of Lawrence's prose.

There is some interesting arguments being made, and the film captures the struggle people had over sexual morality during that period. The scenes in the jury room are played out nicely and in a realistic fashion. One of the jurors just refuses to accept any of the testimonies about the legitimacy of the novel as a great piece of literature, simply choosing to dismiss it as a 'dirty book'.

Just as compelling is the affair that emerges between Keith and Helena. Keith is married and smart if not very well-educated; a 'bit of rough' as he describes himself at one point. Helena is very bright, independent and the more sexually experienced of the two. Their affair starts to mirror that of the book and juxtaposes quite nicely with courtroom drama that is unfolding. Helena finds love and companionship that she has longed for, while Keith is sexually awakened from both the novel and the affair itself. Spall and Delamere are note perfect in their performances. Also new Doctor Who David Tennant appears briefly as an expert witness in the trial.

This film is engrossing and very well paced. The only thing that was a bit jarring was clips of interviews with the real Keith and Helena in the present. It is nice to see who they really are and the interviews themeselves are interesting; but I would have liked to imagine what happened to them after the trial was over rather than be told it. A bit of mystery would have made the conclusion much more powerful. Still its only a quibble.

Trust Issues Pt II

2006-03-24T12:50:00.000Z

Ok, so the other night I run into an acquaintance who is friends with the guy who stole from me last weekend. This acquaintance (lets call him Sucker for now) just became friends with TheifBoy for less than a month and it is clear that he is very infatuated with him. This is how the conversation goes:

Sucker: Hey how are you ?

Me: Good thanks, how have you been ?

S: Good thanks, (TheifBoy) is on his way down soon

M: Oh, I don't speak to him

S: Yeah I know

M: Well, its because he stole from me

Its at this point that Sucker rolled his eyes and excused himself to go to the toilets. Who knows what the guy who stole my money has been saying about me behind my back, but I get the sense that its not very nice AT ALL. In the end he didn't show up at the pub, he was probably warned of my presence. Oh well, I hope that Sucker is careful with his wallet, he seems like a nice guy.

A few links

2006-03-23T22:31:00.000Z

This is the scariest picture I've ever seen in my life, I mean honestly what has happened to Sharon Stone, and why all the hair. I saw her on Parkinson the other week and not only was she completely dull but she kept interrupting the very witty Stephen Fry with some inane stories and observations. I loved that after a while Fry just started speaking over her like she wasn't even sitting next to him. Well done.

Some great dvds have hit the shops, and I can imagine just buying them and not leaving my flat for a month. This Life is absolutely one of my favorite shows of all time, and I credit it for making me fascinated with British culture. I remember staying up late at night (it came on at like midnight in Toronto) just to watch it. I am really glad its finally getting the dvd release it deserves. Also, there is a great dvd boxset of five Pedro Almovodar films and a box set of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colours trilogy.

Finally a very interesting article in discodamaged about some gay clubs starting to employ 'gay only' or 'gay majority' policies at the door. I can totally understand that this is discriminatory, and its why I sometimes prefer going to men-only clubs because you just wanna be around other guys and not have some well-meaning straight girl hanging about. Anyway, I thought it was interesting.

Funny!

2006-03-22T15:33:00.001Z

I found this link on another blog and found it funny, best 100 por*n* titles of 2005 ( i don't want to get all those Google hits, hence me typing in por*n*) ...

Door Whore

2006-03-20T17:46:00.000Z

I have just been asked to be the new guest list doorwhore at MegaWoof, starting from April. The club is on once a month and its good to make a bit of extra cash doing something I would normall be doing anyway that night (i.e. hang out at MegaWoof). With this and my loan being approved, my financial situation is finally looking up. Hopefully it won't be too manic, and I've already decided I can't be too nice to guys trying to blag their way in for free, unless they are supercute of course.

Oh Dear !

2006-03-20T13:20:00.000Z

This was such a fun quiz, my score is probably higher than it should because of the weekend.

You Are 48% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side.
Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

What The F*&!$ ?

2006-03-20T12:32:00.000Z

Ok, what the hell has happened to the O.C., I used to love this show so much, but last night's episode just showed me how awful this thing has become. The main plot point centered around charity bar-mitzvah for Ryan in order to raise cash for Johnny's (aka, cheapo Ryan) surgery. Huh ? Ok, the scenes of Seth's own barmitzvah were appropriately hilarious but come on. So far this season we've had so many dumb plotlines and stories that fail to make any sense. Sadly, this show has become something of a car crash, the worse it gets the more I'm compelled to watch.

Trust Issues

2006-03-20T12:19:00.000Z

Ok, I had a pretty terrible thing happen to me over the weekend, some guy I went on a date with ened up stealing some money from my wallett, not a lot but still it felt horrible. I am not going to go into all the details but needless to say I wasn't feeling that great on Sunday after it happened. Its thrown me for a loop and dented my confidence in people and my hope that one day I will meet someone who wants me for me. I say dented not shattered because I will get over this and soon. Some people are just scum, plain and simple, I have come to accept that.

Thursday Already

2006-03-16T18:43:00.000Z

Have you had one of those weeks where you wake up and realize 'Oh shit, its already Thursday' , this has been one of those weeks. I have been really busy lately but I feel like I've got nothing to show for it, even though thats not really true. Its just part of my genetic make-up, I am always surprised whenever I acheive something. For example, I have gotten about 4 reports out this week alone for various reasons and created a new template that will cut down my workload significantly at month end, but it just doesn't feel like I've done enough, oh well. Time to go hit the pub, the day is OVER.

He's back

2006-03-16T12:45:00.000Z

After a fairly lengthy hiatus, my best friend Ben Addict's blog is back online, he is the one who inspired me to start my own. In my opinion he is a far superior writer, but I am the pretty one, so it balances out.

Vogue Ball

2006-03-15T17:45:00.000Z

Oh, I am getting really excited about this, here is a shameless plug for what is bound to be the craziest, wildest, funnest night of the year, Horsemeat Disco's Vogue Ball on 26 March. The last one held in November was the maddest night of the year; some pics here.

Press Release from HMD Newsletter:

VAUXHALL IS GURNING II

After the run away success of last December’s vogue ball extravaganza set tongues wagging across the disco spectrum Horse Meat Disco is proud to announce the second coming! Vauxhall is Gurning returns for another evening of high gloss drag and dressing up shenanigans. So to all you future legends we’re asking you to put your thinking bonnets on once again and come down and WORK!!!

HMD

2006-03-15T10:08:00.000Z

Just testing out the picture function ....
Goldfrapp

The Why? Factor

2006-03-15T09:18:00.000Z

I like to think of myself as an environmentally concious person. I turn off the tap when I'm brushing my teeth; I turn off lights when I leave a room, I used to recycle but Hammersmith Council still haven't sent me my recycling bags even though I've called them about a hundred times. I also take public transportation even though at the moment I have access to a company car. I like taking the train, I really do, all the stress associated with driving is gone and if I'm feeling particulary self-congratulatory I will think to myself 'well at least I'm helping with the environment.' I feel at ease when I walk into a train station, especially one that I use day in and day out.

Over the past two weeks however, my tube riding jolly adventures have been disrupted by an anamoly that has truly made my evening trips out a nightmare, The X-Factor Live Tour concerts were in town playing in London. Now I am used to concerts letting out of the Hammersmith Apollo, but its usually punky /rocky stoners and their big titted girlfriends that clutter up the station, but they're cool, and they are usually in small units of 3-4 people who are more or less self-contained. The demographic for the X-Factor tour is markedly different, as its all about family units that cause nothing but disruption to my journey within the station. They usually consist of a hard looking dad, lots of tattoos, shaved head (which, hello, is like hot so I usually wouldn't mind); a mom with big hair, big boobs, too much makeup, cigarette stained fingers (you know the type) and about three or four very bratty children who will more or less grew up to be like either dad or mum, sometimes a charming loud uncle will be thrown in the mix, all of them holding onto their X-Factor posters for dear life. They will be walking and then all of a sudden stop right in front of you, making me have to manouver around them and bump into a fellow disgruntled traveller. They will take forever discussing their ticket needs with each other while at the actual ticket counter. They will stand right in front of the turn-styles completely oblivious to the fact that people need to use them, all the while yabbering away at how 'Brenda was wicked, I loooooooved Journey South', SHUT UP! SHUT UP AND MOVE OUT OF MY WAY (and get some taste in music while you're at it).

Thankfully, last night was the last X-Factor concert, so the madness will end. On the upside, there have been large waits at the station McDonalds so I've avoided eating that junk, so you know, bright side and all.

Weekend Plans

2006-03-10T13:09:00.000Z

This is from an email I got from a good friend of mine:

'(Boyfriend) and I are going shopping for cushions and coasters on Saturday and then going to his nieces birthday on Sunday in Kent, and scarily i'm quite looking forward to it - shoot me now'

Ok, this may sound really dull to some people, but sadly I've realised its the sort of weekend I'd get excited about if I had a boyfriend. Its the type of weekend that makes me want a boyfriend. Sounds like a very couply thing to do, and I imagine after a long week at work it sounds like pure bliss. What do I have to look forward to this weekend, a birthday party that will lead to lots of alcohol and pill popping and staying out til the early hours of the morning dancing with a bunch of half naked guys ....... umm what was the point I was trying to make ?

Don't Be Hatin'

2006-03-10T10:26:00.000Z

Honestly, these people need to get a life, how could you boycott a film that has not yet been finished based on how you think an actor will pull off the part. Poor Daniel Craig, he's too damned cute to be treated this way.

Bits and Bytes

2006-03-09T14:09:00.000Z

Things have been very hectic in ramification land so blogging duties have been severly lacking. A few bits and peices from around :

- To conclude my Oscar-related posts, I would like to point out that on Monday morning I woke up to the shocking news that Crash beat Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture. Nathaniel from the Film Experience wrote a fantastic article about how this unprecedented upset reeks of homophobia (before it even happened). I am not one to look for conspiracy theories, and as much as I enjoyed Crash, it was a good yet flawed film, on the other hand Brokeback Mountain fired on all cylinders from beginning to end without a single false note, a classic film that deserved much better than 3 awards on Sunday night.

- Reality TV: I have been a bit of a home body lately, and two shows that have clutched me with their claws are The Apprentice (UK edition) and Project Catwalk (UK version of Project Runway). Last night I was so irritated about crazy Jo not getting fired I was screaming at my TV; clearly she is being kept on because she makes a good tv personality and not because there is a chance in hell that she will win the contest. The same goes for Matthew on Project Catwalk. As much as I like him, I would guess he would have been kicked off long ago had he not been so cute and so inexperienced that you are compelled to see if he can pull through, although if I were to pick a winner it would be Kirsty or Chris.

- Work - grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... thats all I can say about it.

- Love life: ...................................thats all I can say about it.

Odds and Ends , and Yes More Oscar Talk

2006-03-02T09:36:00.000Z

How dull is it to type in that life is going ok and nothing seems to be bothering me much these days. Ok, work is a bit stressful and my monetary situation can be a bit better, but all in all, life is cool so no need to complain. Actually if I have one gripe its that the Oscars are being telecast on Sky Movies this year and I don't have Sky and its too late to subscribe. My efforts to find a bar somewhere in town that is doing an Oscar party have so far been futile. They used to show it on BBC1 and last year they switched over to Sky (I did see them because I was at a friends house, but I dont really go over to his place anymore). If I do manage to miss it, it will be the first ceremony that I haven't seen from beginning to end since 1988 (The year The Last Emperor won big).

Anyway, here are my predictions:

Best Picture : Brokeback Mountain
Best Director: Ang Lee
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon
Best Supp Actor: George Clooney
Best Supp Actress: Michelle Williams
Best Original Screenplay: Crash
Best Adapted Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain

There is a lot of talk about a Brokeback backlash, but I personally can't see it. If any big upsets will come they will be in the acting categories. Something tells me that Keira Knightley might surprise us all or maybe Catherine Keener will pull a shocker, but I am going to be safe with my predictions.

February Tracks

2006-02-21T16:55:00.000Z

Every year I do a best songs of the year list. The problem with the list is always the same, I can never seem to remember what my favorite songs were in the winter months. Solution: do a monthly list and refer back to it when it comes time time for the year-end list. Here are the February tracks :

1. Madonna - Sorry
A likely song of the year candidate

2. MYNC Project feat Abigail Bailey - Something On Your Mind

3. Sugababes - Red Dress

4. Mary J. Blige - Be Without You (Moto Blanco Remix)

5. Pussycat Dolls - Beep

5.1 Shapeshifters - Incredible (Denis Menace and Ropero Mix)

Stepmom

2006-02-21T16:02:00.000Z

3 Reasons to stay up until 12:30 am on a weeknight and watch the gazillionth repeat of the Julia Roberts / Susan Sarandon weep-fest Stepmom (you know, instead of going to sleep) :

1. Julia sporting the worst hair in a film, EVER. You know its a 'serious' role because of the weird bangs, and oh wow look, its not red but light brown.

2. If you buy into it, you can cry, cry and cry some more to your heart's content. There is about 6 emotional 'speeches' in the film, and about 3 montages designed to make you weep. This film is relentless. All it needed was Bette Midler singing 'Wind Beneath My Wings' tacked at the end. No really.

3. Trying to figure out who the bratty daughter is played by, only to realize at the end credits that its Jena Malone.

Forbidden Fruit

2006-02-20T11:16:00.000Z

So last night I met someone that I truly liked, and not in a lustful I will like him this week and next week I'll bitch to my friends about how in the world I ever fancied him in the first place. It may sound corny but we connected on many levels and held a really long conversation and basically didn't care about anyone else around us. There was also a definite attraction there, right from the beginning. That almost never happens to me anymore as I am jaded and cynical and just 'over it' in general (not just the attraction, but the combination of attraction and chemistry).

The problem is, he is dating someone but for now they are 'being casual' whatever that means. The other problem is, it is clear that as much as he was into me, he really wants to be with this other guy as well. I can tell just by the way he talks about him, his eyes light up and he gives a h half-smile. And the guy he is dating is someone I know and really like as a person, so there is added guilt should I do something to break that up (which I may now have done)

Maybe thats why I let my guard down last night, because he wasn't really available to me. I am a bit racked with guilt about the entire situation. I think what scares me is that I got to this really selfish place on sunday night, where I was the only one that mattered, where the attention and attraction made me feel so great that it was the only thing that mattered,and I don't like myself for it one bit. In fact, I feel like I've been very selfish lately with many aspects of my life, even if thats not apparent to people around me. No use to harp though, just chalk it up as a lesson learned and move on, thats all I can do right now.

ScarJo and Keira and Tom - Oh My

2006-02-08T17:00:00.000Z

A few posts back I spoke about my obsession with Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley. And lo and behold they are now the new cover girls in the next issue of Vanity Fair alongside the most gorgeous designer to ever live, Tom Ford. Thanks to Just Jared for the pic.

Honestly

2006-02-08T10:12:00.000Z

Thanks to Nathaniel's great Film Experience Site .... I am also Truman Capote (the gayest Best Actor Nominee character there is!)

TRUMAN CAPOTE from "Capote"
With your wit and lively flashy personality, you

probably used to being the life of the party.

Your creativity is a blessing. But watch out

for those inner demons and be more sensitive

to the needs of others.

Which Best Actor Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I Heart Everything

2006-02-07T14:30:00.000Z

Well I have to admit it, Valentine's Day has just crept up on me like an unexpected guest at a house party this year. You know, the type of person who you are always nice to when you see them and give them a big smile hello because well you are not a rude person (and OMG why were they invited, I thought they hated each other). Meanwhile he or she is chattering away about their life for what seems like ages, totally oblivious to your eye-rolling and without asking you about how you are; oh and look isn't that my friend over there who I see and speak to everyday but I will pretend that I have to tell them something really important RIGHT NOW, and so sorry but I'll catch up with you in a bit!

Well that to me is Valentine's Day, the unwelcome guest that you can't run away from as every shop in my neighbourhood seems to be decked out in red. Wasn't it just New Years like yesterday, when did this happen. Was I sleeping or something ?

This is my least favorite of 'holidays' (if you can call it that), and not just because I am single and the only remotely interesting single men I meet seem to live halfway around the world (ok, that is the reason, but let's not go there). I just find it just really contrived and another way to remind single people that in the end their life is without merit if they stay that way. Give me a break.

Counting Sheep ...

2006-02-07T09:59:00.000Z

I am not sure whats going on with my sleep patterns but they're all messed up at the moment. Maybe its my 'change in lifestyle' these days, I am not going out as much so I am getting more 'restful' sleep and I don't need as much of it. Fair enough, but I still feel really tired in the mornings. My diet has been fairly ok lately too, lots of fruit and vegetables, good carbs (wholewheat pasta) and protien. Ok, so I have the odd bar of chocolate and yesterday I did hunker down on a Bacon Quarter Pounder from McDonald's but those are exceptions and not the rule. There must be something unresolved that I have yet to figure out, or on some level I know what it is but I am not ready to admit to it (bingo!) ...

Let's Have Naked Girls!

2006-02-06T13:02:00.000Z

Apparently I'm Mrs Henderson, well I am plucky!

MRS. HENDERSON of "Mrs. Henderson

Presents"
Whether you're getting on in years or merely an old

soul, you've still got irrepressible spirit,

and mad skills at spinning any situation.

Only those closest to you will know the

sadness under the twinkling smile.

Which Best Actress Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

SHHHHHH ....

2006-02-02T14:48:00.000Z

Just a quick note about my oscar predix, I didn't do too badly. I predicted 15 out of 20 correctly, so a pat on the back for me. My downfall was underestimating Capote and Munich's best pic chances as well as overestimating the popularity of The Constant Gardener. I am disappointed that the great David Cronenborg failed to get a best director nomination for A History of Violence, as well as the two leads from the film who deserve to be in there, but other than that there were no real big surprises. Amazingly I got all 5 nominees correct in the Best Supporting Actress category, so yay me :)

Oscar Predix

2006-01-31T09:55:00.000Z

Going to take a break from the usual blogging (which I have neglected to the hilt lately), and chime in with my own oscar nomination predictions. The announcement is going to happen in a few hours time so I figured I'll weigh in with my own thoughts on the 4 major categories (I never get excited about best director for some reason). I am listing them in order of likelihood. Enjoy.

Best Picture

Brokeback Mountain
Crash
Good Night and Good Luck
Walk The Line
The Constant Gardener

Alternates: Capote; Munich; A History Of Violence

No Chance In Hell but would love to see nominated: Jarhead

Anyone who has followed all the pre-cursors and hype will have to know that Brokeback, Crash and GNGL are locks in this category. Which leaves spots #4 and #5 up for grabs. A lot of people think that Capote will do it, but they will honour Philip Seymour Hoffman for lead actor (he is the Jamie Foxx of this year) and I get the feeling that if they are going to go with a bio-pic it will be Walk The Line which has grossed over $100Mil in the box office, carries with it two likely contenders in the lead acting categories, and has won three Golden Globes. The fifth spot to me is a toss-up, and as much as they love Speilberg they don't always nominate his pics for 'important' films (remember Amistad ?). So its down to two small films that were released back in October and generated early buzz, I think the Constant Gardener's nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTA nominations give it the edge over AHOV. Its a romance, a mystery and stars Ralph Fiennes, how could they not pick it.

Best Actor

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
Heath Ledger - Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Pheonix - Walk The Line
Ralph Fiennes - The Constant Gardener
Terrence Howard - Hustle and Flow

Alternates - Russell Crowe (Cinderella Man), David Straitharn (Good Night and Good Luck)

No Chance But Would Like to See - Viggo Mortenson (A History of Violence)

This is a category that has 3 locks in it who have been the frontrunners for a long time. PSH has come out in front due to his Golden Globe and SAG wins, but Ledger is in the Best Pic frontrunner and Pheonix also won a Golden Globe, so those three will get nominated no problem. The other two spots are tricky, most people seem to be predicting Crowe and Straitharn but I get the feeling that Fiennes will creep in if there is big love for The Constant Gardener and Howard will get it because it is his 'break-out' year and he has been everywhere promoting himself.

Best Actress

Reese Witherspoon - Walk The Line
Felicity Huffman - Transamerica
Judi Dench - Mrs Henderson Presents
Ziyi Zhang - Memoirs of A Geisha
Keira Knightley - Pride and Prejudice

Alternates - Charlize Theron (North Country); Joan Allen (The Upside of Anger); Naomi Watts (King Kong)

No Chance But Would Like To See : Jodie Foster (Flightplan)

A tough category to predict and there is always a surprise out of left-field nomination that creeps in here. I can't bring myself to predict Theron based solely on the adverts for the film, haven't they already honoured her for de-glaming once ? Again the top 3 seem to be locks although a part of me gets the feeling that Dench might get the snub this year, not sure why. A lot of people are saying that Zhang's performance isn't her best, but sometimes they like to nominate the person regardless of performance (probably why Theron WILL get nominated). Knightley will slip in here, she's 20, she's British, very pretty and she surprised most people with that film. Again anything could happen in this category, especially with the 4th and 5th slots.

Supporting Actor

Paul Giamatti - Cinderella Man
George Clooney - Syriana
Jake Gyllenhal - Brokeback Mountain
Matt Dillon - Crash
Don Cheadle - Crash

Alternates - William Hurt (A History Of Violence); Terrence Howard (Crash)

No Chance But Would Like to See: Peter Sarsgaard (Jarhead or Flightplan)

I am going for a surprise nomination for Cheadle if there is a big love-in for Crash, all three (Dillon, Howard and Cheadle) could make it in this category. Gyllenhal has been losing momentum but he'll slip in, Giamatti and Clooney are locks at this point.

Supporting Actress

Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams - Brokeback Mountain
Amy Adams - Junebug
Catherine Keener - Capote
Frances McDormand - North Country

Alternates - Maria Bello (A History of Violence); Thandie Newton (Crash); Shirley McClaine (In Her Shoes)

No Chance But Woud Like to See: Sandra Bullock (Crash); Anne Hathaway (Brokeback Mountain)

A really hard one to predict, with only Weisz and Williams as shoe-ins. Amy Adams is the critical darling and although the film is too small her SAG nomination helps and I think she'll make it. Keener has the effect of appearing with the likely best actor winner and a potential best picture nominee, and she has a great year with both Capote and The 40 Year Old Virgin on her resume. I would love to see Bello make it in but there is confusion over whether its a supporting or lead role and that usually doesn't help, so I am going with McDormand who Oscar loves and by all accounts is the best thing in the film.

ScarJo - The Obsession Continues

2006-01-19T11:34:00.000Z

Coming out of blogger hibernation (not much happens in January) to comment on my favorite actress Scarlett Johansson and her Golden Globes outfit. Ok, I love ScarJo, and even though I didn't see it I have already forgiven her for making The Island. I am also glad that she has decided to let her hair down a bit, for as much as I loved her glam 40's Hollywood starlet looks on the red carpet they were beginning to bore me. And I love her cleavage in the red dress, which lands just on the right side of slutty. She is looking her age, and having fun. Now, what she needs to do is have a little talk with Keira Knightley (my other ingeune obsession) about how to dress for awards shows and I will be happy. I mean honestly Keira, tassles ?

Dry

2006-01-05T10:16:00.000Z

I have been reading Dry by Augusten Burroughs, this is one of my favorite paragraphs:

'I stand by the door looking at the other guys who are themselves looking for other guys. The whole thing suddenly strikes me as beyond sad. All of this exposed loneliness. These raw nerves firing into the dark. I imagine the guy leaning against the pool table hooking up with the guy poking at the jukebox. They're both good-looking and aloof. Maybe later they'll speak to each other. Then fuck. Then- and this is the part that interests me- fall asleep together. Naked, snoring men. Strangers with their arms around each other or their backs pressed together. The thought revolts and fascinates me. It reminds me of two puppies that just met, curling up together and sleeping, then drinking out of the same water bowl.'

How Do You Know

2005-12-28T14:47:00.000Z

How do you know when you've met the right person for you. Is it a look, something in their eye that tells you that they, you know, 'get you'. Is it an instant familiarity, like you've come across someone that you could have known all your life. Maybe its a common sense of humour, or a shared social class. Or is it just random, you meet, you have good sex, you have a few things in common and both of you are just ready for a relationship at the time, and before you know it you end up buying matching his and his towels on your first anniversary because neither of you wants to be alone.

I don't know, but I find it really difficult to judge how people hook up and make it last longer than a couple of weeks, maybe because I haven't been able to make it last with anyone past the second date in I don't know how long. There is always an excuse, he doesn't get my jokes, or he's not serious enough. He makes more money than me or he cannot keep up with my lifestyle. He's too tall or too short. He drinks too much or he doesn't like to go out enough. He acts too camp, or acts too macho. I can go on, but I am starting to think that maybe I'm the one who is putting excuses in front of me and not going for it. Maybe I am the problem, looking for things to pre-empt anything that can become serious. Or maybe I just haven't met the right person yet. Who knows.

XMAS CHEER

2005-12-22T15:13:00.000Z

Man, I am not enjoying this Xmas season at all so far. Work is very busy, too busy, and well, I don't know its really getting to me. Sometimes I like my job, and others I just want to up and leave, disappear for a week and switch my mobile phone off and not tell anyone where I am. Go on a drinking bender, take the train to Paris or somewhere and just be by myself without any distraction. Then I remember I have 'responsibilities'. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

I feel like I should say something about gay civil unions coming into effect here in the UK yesterday. Its a great thing, and I am happy for all those couples who can now enjoy the same rights as straight couples do. It is significant and historic. Look at all those cute couples in the paper with matching tuxedos looking ever so dapper. Why is it that with all these couples, one of them has a shaved head and really cool looking designer glasses (maybe a trimmed beard), and the other one is blonde, hair a bit longer, maybe spiked a bit. They all look the same. The bitter / cynical part of me wants to take these couples, corner them somewhere and shout at them: I DONT HAVE YOUR LEGITIMACY BECAUSE I DONT HAVE THE LIBERAL WHITE MIDDLE CLASS UPBRINGING THAT YOU DID AND MY PARENTS WILL NEVER LOOK AT ELTON JOHN AND THINK 'OH WELL, IF ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ELTON JOHN, THEN OUR LITTLE BOY BEING QUEER IS FINE BY US.' I am just jealous I know because I don't think I will ever get to have my civil ceremony and have it accepted by any of my family. Ok, I will stop moaning now, life is good. All is good.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm ....

2005-12-18T17:30:00.000Z

I was having a conversation with a friend and he pointed out that I am a 'List' person, which I am. That is why I love this time of year, its a good excuse to make lists, as evidence by my recent Top Songs of 2005 entry. I love making lists so much that I can probably do a list of Reasons Why I Love Lists, but that might be a bit OTT. Anyway, here are the top 5 things that baffled me in 2005:

5. Sienna Miller

I am likely the type of person who should adore Sienna. She's really pretty and she has that 'IT' girl factor about her. The problem is that she is way more famous than she should be, she has only been in two films of note (Layer Cake and Alfie) and neither of them were major Box Office hits. Not sure why women want to emulate her style either, as she looks really frumpy all the time. This woman is famous more than anything because of her relationship to Jude Law, and the fact that he cheated on her has elevated her rather too quickly into the 'jilted lover' role that Nicole Kidman used to great effect a few years ago. I am officially BORED.

4. Desperate Housewives

Ok, I agree that its a reasonably good tv show, and there are some funny lines in it and it does have the Sex And The City of empowered women element to it. Watch the repeats however and you'll realise that this show is mainly fluff and not that greatly acted. And God help us, not only has it revived Nicolette Sheridan's career but it also inflicted us with Eva Langoria and countless interviews about her sex life. This must stop.

3. George W. Bush

From his nomination of Harriet Mier, to his mishandling of the Iraq War and its political fallout to his adminstrations clearly 'vague' rules about torture, I am amazed with Bush's ability to just push through his right wing agenda with no regard for the consequences. I cannot beleive we still have a few more years left with this guy in charge of the most powerful country in the world.

2. Crazy Frog

The Crazy Frog had one of the biggest selling singles of 2005, who bought this shit ?

1. Kate Moss

Ok, I can sort of understand how the papers love using the term 'Cocaine Kate' and now they are all happy that they will be able to do so from now until the end of eternity. And I can sort of get how her relationship to Pete Doherty can cause a bit of interest. What amazes is me is the hypocrisy of the whole situation, I am a 30 year old man (around the same age as Kate) living in London with a fairly reasonable income coming in. I can guarantee that even without knowing them that the people who condemned Kate are people who have taken charlie at least once in their life. Its everywhere in London and taking coke is as readily acceptable as downing a shot of sambuca on a Friday night at the pub. Its truly baffling how big this story became, and I am glad that it has died out.

Panic Flightroom ?!

2005-12-18T12:04:00.000Z

I went to a matinee of the Jodie Foster film Flightplan yesterday, a thriller about a mother who 'loses' her daughter mid-flight. You know, this film could have been very thrilling and enjoyable, had it not been for the fact that I knew pretty much every single plot twist in the film's first 90 minutes thanks to the films adverts. I don't understand why film studios feel the need to give away the entire story during the trailer, how much more business would they have got had they just ended the trailer with Jodie not finding her daughter on the plane and letting us use our imagination as to what is going to happen in the film. Still the film did have some strong performances, although I would advise Jodie Foster to now stop doing thrillers where she plays a strong single mother protecting her daughter from harm, she it too good an actress to get typecast like this. Peter Sarsgaard was also great in this film and he was also wonderful in Jarhead which I also saw this week. I am loving Peter Sarsgaard.

Best Song 2005 - The Top 5

2005-12-16T02:33:00.000Z

Here comes the top 5:

5. Chanel - My Life (Haji & Emmanuel Mix)

Probably the best song to be remixed by the Haji / Emmanuel team in 2005. An uplifting and infectious house track, this was a great one to dance to at the club.

4. Freemasons - Love On My Mind

Likely the biggest disco-influenced house song of the year, this samples from Jackie Moore's 'This Time Baby' and Tina Turner's 'When The Heartache Is Over'. Dancefloors went bezerk for this all summer long, and so did I.

3. Mariah Carey - We Belong Together

Mariah back on form, even if this song is a tad generic, its sung with such wonderful emotion that Ms. Carey makes it truly special.

2. Missy Elliott feat. Ciara and Fatman Scoop - Lose Control

Missy Elliott never really went away in the past few years, but even her most die-hard fans must admit that her form has slipped of late. Thankfully she came back with this monster of a track enlisting the help of hot R&B siren of the day Ciara and (God help us) Fatman Scoop. The Jaques Lu Cont mix and the mash up with M.A.N.D.Y's 'Body' are a great fusions of house music with rap.

1. Madonna - Hung Up

There was never any doubt that this would land in the number 1 spot, and by a huge margin. Gone is the self-indulgent reflection of Madge's last album American Life, replaced by a truly fierce disco sound provided by the one and only Stuart Price. Best heard in the middle of the dance floor on a Saturday night at 1 am surrounded by hundreds of queens raising their hands in the air at the first hint of the ABBA riff. This is Madonna's best single in a very long time.

Best Songs of 2005 - Part III

2005-12-14T16:54:00.000Z

6 to 10 , here they come :

10. Girls Aloud - Biology

This song kicks off with a bluesy piano riff and then switches gear twice, and as one critic pointed, it does sound like 3 songs blended into one. A track that I hated at first due to its strange structure but now can't get enough of. Also features the campest line of the year: 'So I got my cappucino to go, and I'm heading for the hills again.' How can you NOT love Cheryl Tweedy.

9. The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha

You really couldn't ecape this single at all this summer, and it got a tad boring after so many plays. This is how great girl-band R&B should sound like, even if its only one girl in the group that can actually sing.

8. Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl

This Sh** is Bananas - B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Need I say more ?

7. Kelly Clarkson - Behind These Hazel Eyes

Ok, so I loved this Kelly Clarkson this year, she could do no wrong, and here she continues her pissed off streak with guys who have hurt her, but don't worry because she doesn't cry on the outside anymore! Maybe she needs to lighten up a bit on her next album, but I am not complaining.

6. James Blunt - You're Beautiful

Another song that suffered from over-play this summer, but I can't help but still loving this song about falling in love with a stranger on a train. I think the beauty of this song is that its really personal but everyone can relate to it.

Best Songs of 2005 - Part II

2005-12-14T11:24:00.000Z

Here comes entries 11 to 15 :

15. Mariah Carey - Its Like That

The first of two entries for Ms Carey, this was her big comeback single from the massive Emancipation of Mimi album. Mariah at her vocal best, with excellent prodcution value from Jermaine Dupris, this could have been a strong song of the year contender for me. However, the presence of the shrill Fatman Scoop at the end of the track costs this song dearly. Fatman is a great producer no doubt, but can he please shut up!

14. Lee Ryan- Army of Lovers

First Kelly Osbourne, and now an ex-Blue member, but I can't help loving this song. Its two and half minutes of pure ballad genius with a soaring vocal from Lee. Fantastic.

13. Fallen Angels - City Life (Ian Carey Remix)

Ian Carey provides a great electro-rock beat to this dance track, all about how great big city life is, no matter where you are from. A very under-appreciated track.

12. Max Linen - Back To Mine

Linen was reponsible for last years infectious 'Flashback', and he uses a similar male voice-over on this follow-up, to tell a story about meeting a wild girl at a club and taking her back to her place. The story has a very funny twist in the end, and a sublime bassline to boot.

11. Destiny's Child - Soldier

The DC girls go crunk, and they are looking for some tough thugs, and it works for the most part. The rapping on this track is a bit dull, but is made up for by a seductive minimalist beat and an assured vocal performance from Beyonce and Co. One of the few highlights on the disappointing Destiny Fullfilled album.

Best Songs of 2005 - Part I

2005-12-13T15:24:00.000Z

Last year I did a post on the top 10 singles of 2004, and in it I mentioned how 2004 was the year I truly discovered and fell in love with house music. Well, 2005 was not a great year for dance music, a decent one, but not great. The year was mainly saved by a late fall entry that would land its place as my single of the year, and what a single, but more on that later. I've expanded my list to 20 this year. Here comes numbers 16 to 20 :

20. Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone

This was arguably the breakthrough year for Ms Clarkson, especially here in the UK. TheAmerican Idol label was quickly forgotten with this track, a song that sounds like it could have been by recorded by Heart in the 80s, if Heart was fronted by Pink that is. A great empowering track to rock out to, especially after a messy break-up.

19. Kelly Osbourne - One Word (Chris Cox Remix)

Not in a million years did I expect to place Ms. Osbourne on this list, but she managed to come up with a greatl electro track to dance to. Ok, so I have no idea what the hell she's on about in the song but it doesn't matter. Although a great song in its own right, its the Chris Cox remix that elevates this single to one of the best of the year.

18. Faith Evans - Mesmerized (Freemasons Remix)

The Freemasons take over from the Shapeshifters as the hot dance producers of the year, and their genius is evident on this re-working of this very funky minimalist Faith Evans track, turning it into a dance floor stomper.

17. Shapeshifters - Back to Basics

Speaking of Shapeshifters, the act that had last years best single in the shape of Lola's Theme, come back with that oh so difficult follow-up single. They partly succeeded with this track, with a full orchestra backing, the same lead singer and a similar structure, Back to Basics suffered from sounding too much like its predecessor, but without as good a chorus. Still, without the Lola comparison, this song stands on its own as a very good dance song. Best remix is the Beginnerz mix, which takes the fairly fluffy sounding song and gives it a chunky bassline and a much tougher sound. The Shapeshifters didn't quiet manage to strike lightning twice in a row, but they deserve an A for effort.

16. Juliet - Avalon

The other big producer of the year has to be Jaques Lu Cont (aka Stuart Price) who produced this gem of a single. Juliet has a beautiful voice thats a cross between Dido and Sheryl Crow(honestly). She has given us an electro-influenced, haunting and beautifully melodic track that will stay in your head for hours on end.

Little Things That Bring Me Joy

2005-12-07T15:46:00.000Z

Its amazing how sometimes the smallest thing will bring joy to my face. Case in point, today I had to go to my doctors office to get my flu jab. I didn't realise that in the UK you have to be over 65 or have some other medical condition to get it on the NHS, so I actually didn't get the jab and now I have to find a private clinic to administer it. And being that I am lazy, I doubt that that will happen. If I get the flu this winter then I will have to consign myself to the fact that I 'tried' to get the jab and the stupid doctor wouldn't let me.

So I leave my doctors, and because I have to go to the high street to do some banking I take an unusual route that I've never taken before. And lo and behold, I find a Starbucks tucked into the corner of the street, an EMPTY Starbucks. I usually have to fight my way through the busy Starbucks thats located by the train station, and its always a stressful experience when all I want is my Tall Non-Fat Latte, No Foam, thank you very much. On Sunday there was a woman, who used her baby's pram to take over the entire 'milk/sugar' area and would not move it although there was 3 disgruntled people waiting behind her. Needless to say, the latte wasn't worth the stress. So now, not only is this Starbucks emptier, its even closer to where I live, and although I am in principal against this big corporate entity taking over every neighbourhood in London, I am glad that I have one in my neighbourhood.

Back to Livejournal

2005-12-07T15:11:00.000Z

I am trying out going back to Livejournal for a while, I am going to update the same posts on both blogs. I like the community idea on livejournal that I am not getting with blogger at the moment. Its an experiment, we shall see how it goes.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ramification69

My Life Rating

2005-12-07T12:40:00.000Z

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	5.2
Mind:	6.5
Body:	5.9
Spirit:	5.4
Friends/Family:	4
Love:	2.9
Finance:	5
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

You know I am bored when I start doing stuff like this online. My Love rating is alarmingly low.