Hey,
That previous blog turned out to be quite serious, didn't it? Sorry about that. No, seriously I am. Can I make it up to you? Slag off Glee you say? Oh, just for you then..
To be fair, I haven't slagged off "Glee" in a good while. It just slipped off my iPlayer schedule of programs I watch on a regular basis. It's been so long since I had watched Glee that on the Channel 4 website it was nearly not available anymore.
I didn't expect anything different. It has not changed one bit, it's still a massive sing-a-long with awkward relationships forming everywhere you look amongst the cast. The neat freak one with the Glee teacher guy? Her fiancée with the Glee teacher guy? Sue? I should really pay more attention to the names, but they don't matter really. They aren't real people, they are characters. So their feelings won't get hurt. Easy.
Yet - and here is a shock - I actually found myself laughing at parts in Glee, albeit slightly. There's a scene in which the jock guy (names again) is trying it on with annoying girl (Rachel? Is her name Rachel? She looks like a Rachel) and says something along the lines of "I'm a Jew, you're a Jew" to work his ways on her. Classy. Will I get to the end of Glee? Or will Glee get to the end of me? I really don't know.
In other news, has anyone seen my first year at University? I don't know where it has gone.
DC x
Friday, 19 March 2010
It's just not fucking funny.
Hey,
Much has been said about BBC Three. It's apparent immunity from the major cuts happening at the moment, seemingly at the expense of others such as BBC 6Music has made it as an easy victim to throw abuse at. "Snog, Marry, Avoid?"? Oh, we the intellects are far superior to that nonsense. "Hotter than my Daughter"? I'd rather watch a Glee mash-up.
Us "BBC Four" types find it too easy to criticise the decisions of the powers that be to continue the funding of this TV station, and it's - at times - mind-numbing content. Put on "Newswipe" or a program featuring Marcus Brigstocke and we are can feel better. We can experience intellectual snobbery.
I was actually going to spend today defending the BBC's backing of BBC Three which, truth be told, would not of been as difficult as you would think. BBC Three, for it's many faults, has produced some excellent comedy amongst the awful. For every "HTMD" there is backing of "The Mighty Boosh" from radio to television so successfully. Same could be said of "Little Britain". Some of my favourite comedies from the USA are shown on BBC Three, also.
Yet yesterday changed my mind. Whilst browsing the delights of iPlayer (in my opinion, the BBC's best asset) I came across the program titled "Tourettes: I Swear Can't Help It". It's a show which follows two sufferers of the illness, documenting their daily struggle.
Although the program is done on the most part quite tastefully, it does contain scenes that some would snigger at, but this program was commissioned for BBC Three, the channel's station for comedy and light-hearted program. My concern is that the show was commissioned not to raise awareness of the disease (which has 300,000 sufferers in the UK) but for a cheap laugh at someone else's expense. And that is just not right. The young boy who has a form of tourettes which means he constantly screams is just not funny at all. Nor should it be.
DC x
Much has been said about BBC Three. It's apparent immunity from the major cuts happening at the moment, seemingly at the expense of others such as BBC 6Music has made it as an easy victim to throw abuse at. "Snog, Marry, Avoid?"? Oh, we the intellects are far superior to that nonsense. "Hotter than my Daughter"? I'd rather watch a Glee mash-up.
Us "BBC Four" types find it too easy to criticise the decisions of the powers that be to continue the funding of this TV station, and it's - at times - mind-numbing content. Put on "Newswipe" or a program featuring Marcus Brigstocke and we are can feel better. We can experience intellectual snobbery.
I was actually going to spend today defending the BBC's backing of BBC Three which, truth be told, would not of been as difficult as you would think. BBC Three, for it's many faults, has produced some excellent comedy amongst the awful. For every "HTMD" there is backing of "The Mighty Boosh" from radio to television so successfully. Same could be said of "Little Britain". Some of my favourite comedies from the USA are shown on BBC Three, also.
Yet yesterday changed my mind. Whilst browsing the delights of iPlayer (in my opinion, the BBC's best asset) I came across the program titled "Tourettes: I Swear Can't Help It". It's a show which follows two sufferers of the illness, documenting their daily struggle.
Although the program is done on the most part quite tastefully, it does contain scenes that some would snigger at, but this program was commissioned for BBC Three, the channel's station for comedy and light-hearted program. My concern is that the show was commissioned not to raise awareness of the disease (which has 300,000 sufferers in the UK) but for a cheap laugh at someone else's expense. And that is just not right. The young boy who has a form of tourettes which means he constantly screams is just not funny at all. Nor should it be.
DC x
Monday, 15 March 2010
Academic Years End Too Soon.
Hey,
Sorry I haven't blogged much recently. I really am. I could easily put it down to watching "Threads" (see previous blog - possibly the most depressing thing I have ever seen. Ever.) Truth be told though I have been a bit lazy in my approach to writing this blog. Why this new attitude has overcome me I am not so sure; this blog, no matter how hopeless, can still be used as a portfolio. It's not as if I haven't got stuff to write about either, because I do. I don't know, I just haven't got round to it.
The most worrying thing is that in a matter of weeks this blog will revert back to it's original state of ultra-depression. Though summer still seems like a long-shot, it is not. University - exams aside - finishes next Wednesday and after my hockey trip to Rimini at the beginning of April it is essentially Morrisons. Again. Summer number four. Oh lord.
But we will not think of such events just yet! Let's be enthusiastic! Last night, I went to my first gig in what feels like an age; You Me At Six at the o2 Academy (or Carling Academy for those who crave nostalgia but lack the sense to see the irony in it's changing of merely a sponsorship deal). The evening was splendid, I thought. You Me At Six were on fine form, and it's probably the best I have seen them live, far better than the Paramore gig.
The night was funny in other aspects, not related to the music itself. For one, watching the exponential rise of the band, in literally a matter of months, has been staggering. When I saw them at Avalanche in September it was a big-ish crowd. But last night, the o2 was sold out, like properly sold out. One of my friends started queuing at 2pm. The doors opened at seven. The night was too big for some girls, who having fell out over some issue regarding tickets/I.D./being emo started scrapping infront of everyone waiting outside. It was fine que viewing. The gig also highlighted the influence bands (and celebrity culture in general) can have on young impressionable people. Josh Franceschi, the lead singer, effectively stopped the purchasing of counterfeit merchandise last night by telling the crowd not to. It makes you wonder what he could get away with saying. For example, he could easily say "don't buy Dairy Lea, it makes my skin go all weird" and I'm sure some kids would stop eating it just for a mention on Twitter. His skills are limited, however, when he told everyone to get out of their seats, which the people on the balcony could not do. Despite the power of words, the power cannot overcome health and safety, it seems.
As I mentioned earlier, "Threads" scared the living daylights out of me. Essentially, it's what would happen if a nuclear bomb hit Sheffield. Words cannot describe how unnerving a program this is. All I can is what I said previously; watch it yourself.
I experienced the exact opposite of emotions watching "Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man". Watching a man effectively run all over Britain whilst at the same time open up to his childhood pain of bereavement, creating peace in Northern Ireland is truly inspiring, especially when you consider the blisters he has on his feet (I doubt Dr. Paisley would treat him?). The only down said to being inspired by Eddie Izzard is that you get lost in translation. Grant thought I wanted to become a transvestite. And that is not true. At all. OK? Good.
Currently on the campaign trail this week, this time for Leo Howes for GUSA (Glasgow University Sports Association) President. It's kind of a big deal, so if you are studying at Glasgow Uni and have a gym membership, please drop by the Stevenson tomorrow and vote, for David's sake? If you wish to learn more, his manifesto is available at www.tinyurl.com/leo4pres. Thanks!
DC x
p.s. I know it was a while ago but I have proof that my article on the Superbowl was in the Glasgow University Guardian! If you follow the link below you will see it in all it's glory/tiredness.
http://bit.ly/dk8RQ0
Sorry I haven't blogged much recently. I really am. I could easily put it down to watching "Threads" (see previous blog - possibly the most depressing thing I have ever seen. Ever.) Truth be told though I have been a bit lazy in my approach to writing this blog. Why this new attitude has overcome me I am not so sure; this blog, no matter how hopeless, can still be used as a portfolio. It's not as if I haven't got stuff to write about either, because I do. I don't know, I just haven't got round to it.
The most worrying thing is that in a matter of weeks this blog will revert back to it's original state of ultra-depression. Though summer still seems like a long-shot, it is not. University - exams aside - finishes next Wednesday and after my hockey trip to Rimini at the beginning of April it is essentially Morrisons. Again. Summer number four. Oh lord.
But we will not think of such events just yet! Let's be enthusiastic! Last night, I went to my first gig in what feels like an age; You Me At Six at the o2 Academy (or Carling Academy for those who crave nostalgia but lack the sense to see the irony in it's changing of merely a sponsorship deal). The evening was splendid, I thought. You Me At Six were on fine form, and it's probably the best I have seen them live, far better than the Paramore gig.
The night was funny in other aspects, not related to the music itself. For one, watching the exponential rise of the band, in literally a matter of months, has been staggering. When I saw them at Avalanche in September it was a big-ish crowd. But last night, the o2 was sold out, like properly sold out. One of my friends started queuing at 2pm. The doors opened at seven. The night was too big for some girls, who having fell out over some issue regarding tickets/I.D./being emo started scrapping infront of everyone waiting outside. It was fine que viewing. The gig also highlighted the influence bands (and celebrity culture in general) can have on young impressionable people. Josh Franceschi, the lead singer, effectively stopped the purchasing of counterfeit merchandise last night by telling the crowd not to. It makes you wonder what he could get away with saying. For example, he could easily say "don't buy Dairy Lea, it makes my skin go all weird" and I'm sure some kids would stop eating it just for a mention on Twitter. His skills are limited, however, when he told everyone to get out of their seats, which the people on the balcony could not do. Despite the power of words, the power cannot overcome health and safety, it seems.
As I mentioned earlier, "Threads" scared the living daylights out of me. Essentially, it's what would happen if a nuclear bomb hit Sheffield. Words cannot describe how unnerving a program this is. All I can is what I said previously; watch it yourself.
I experienced the exact opposite of emotions watching "Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man". Watching a man effectively run all over Britain whilst at the same time open up to his childhood pain of bereavement, creating peace in Northern Ireland is truly inspiring, especially when you consider the blisters he has on his feet (I doubt Dr. Paisley would treat him?). The only down said to being inspired by Eddie Izzard is that you get lost in translation. Grant thought I wanted to become a transvestite. And that is not true. At all. OK? Good.
Currently on the campaign trail this week, this time for Leo Howes for GUSA (Glasgow University Sports Association) President. It's kind of a big deal, so if you are studying at Glasgow Uni and have a gym membership, please drop by the Stevenson tomorrow and vote, for David's sake? If you wish to learn more, his manifesto is available at www.tinyurl.com/leo4pres. Thanks!
DC x
p.s. I know it was a while ago but I have proof that my article on the Superbowl was in the Glasgow University Guardian! If you follow the link below you will see it in all it's glory/tiredness.
http://bit.ly/dk8RQ0
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Threads
Hey,
I just watched "Threads", the film from 1984. It's on Google Video. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2023790698427111488#)
That's all I'm saying. I can't really say much about it. Watch it yourself.
DC x
I just watched "Threads", the film from 1984. It's on Google Video. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2023790698427111488#)
That's all I'm saying. I can't really say much about it. Watch it yourself.
DC x
Monday, 8 March 2010
Luck.
Hey,
Sorry I haven't really been here in the last week. I've been really busy with essays to write and hockey to play. Also add the visit of Stevie to Glasgow this weekend, adding to the eventfulness of it all. I showed him Glasgow and my hockey acquaintances and a good time was had by all I reckon. Banter is always good. Hockey has been a bit of a nuisance though. I have a match tonight, which will be my third in three days and my fourth since Wednesday. I'm pretty numb from the knees downwards, and it hurts. What also hurts is that we have lost all these games (well, the game yesterday we lost on penalties, so we technically drew), even though we have played quite well in all the games. When luck is not on your side, it is not on your side.
Luck is the main topic of today's blog. Last weekend I did the manly thing and put an accumulator on the football scores, which is something I do not normally do. It was nothing minor, just £1 on six teams to win. To cut a long story short if Bournemouth had won last week I would have won £57.
But I didn't.
See, gambling is just a long list of maybes and could ofs (someone check my grammar there, I know it is not right). It is the stupid tax. I don't think anyone truly wins from gambling, apart from the bookmakers themselves. Sure, there will be those who say "I won £X on the horses" and suchlike, but in the long run chances are you will lose more than you win. It's probabilities, innit.
It cannot be a coincidence there is at least five bookmakers in Maryhill, it just can't. Big bookmakers benefit from the desperation of people, especially the poor. The temptation to try and win easy money is just too strong for some people. The National Lottery has millions of contestants, but the odds of winning the £3million are so long you are probably more likely to be harassed by Tiger Woods. As I say, it's probabilities, innit.
I had made these conclusions last week, before I watched "Louis Theroux on Las Vegas", which is on BBC iPlayer currently. In the show he highlights the way big casinos treat their "loyal" customers is a touch shocking. One client, for instance, gets the biggest suite in North America (supposedly) for when he goes to Vegas. The hint that it makes fiscal sense to sweeten these people up just shows how much money these casinos can suck out of people. It just all seems so wrong.
Anyways, enough of the gambling rant. Luck also played a feature this week as I campaigned for two of my friends in student elections. Unfortunately, both of them lost. Can this be put down to luck? I'm not sure. But when you've lost the election despite winning the most votes (the list system / proportional representation) it feels like luck is against you, sometimes.
For now I shall leave you to get on with your lives, which are very busy I am sure. Hopefully, we will win tonight in this hockey match, we are bound to win eventually.
It's probabilities, innit.
DC x
Sorry I haven't really been here in the last week. I've been really busy with essays to write and hockey to play. Also add the visit of Stevie to Glasgow this weekend, adding to the eventfulness of it all. I showed him Glasgow and my hockey acquaintances and a good time was had by all I reckon. Banter is always good. Hockey has been a bit of a nuisance though. I have a match tonight, which will be my third in three days and my fourth since Wednesday. I'm pretty numb from the knees downwards, and it hurts. What also hurts is that we have lost all these games (well, the game yesterday we lost on penalties, so we technically drew), even though we have played quite well in all the games. When luck is not on your side, it is not on your side.
Luck is the main topic of today's blog. Last weekend I did the manly thing and put an accumulator on the football scores, which is something I do not normally do. It was nothing minor, just £1 on six teams to win. To cut a long story short if Bournemouth had won last week I would have won £57.
But I didn't.
See, gambling is just a long list of maybes and could ofs (someone check my grammar there, I know it is not right). It is the stupid tax. I don't think anyone truly wins from gambling, apart from the bookmakers themselves. Sure, there will be those who say "I won £X on the horses" and suchlike, but in the long run chances are you will lose more than you win. It's probabilities, innit.
It cannot be a coincidence there is at least five bookmakers in Maryhill, it just can't. Big bookmakers benefit from the desperation of people, especially the poor. The temptation to try and win easy money is just too strong for some people. The National Lottery has millions of contestants, but the odds of winning the £3million are so long you are probably more likely to be harassed by Tiger Woods. As I say, it's probabilities, innit.
I had made these conclusions last week, before I watched "Louis Theroux on Las Vegas", which is on BBC iPlayer currently. In the show he highlights the way big casinos treat their "loyal" customers is a touch shocking. One client, for instance, gets the biggest suite in North America (supposedly) for when he goes to Vegas. The hint that it makes fiscal sense to sweeten these people up just shows how much money these casinos can suck out of people. It just all seems so wrong.
Anyways, enough of the gambling rant. Luck also played a feature this week as I campaigned for two of my friends in student elections. Unfortunately, both of them lost. Can this be put down to luck? I'm not sure. But when you've lost the election despite winning the most votes (the list system / proportional representation) it feels like luck is against you, sometimes.
For now I shall leave you to get on with your lives, which are very busy I am sure. Hopefully, we will win tonight in this hockey match, we are bound to win eventually.
It's probabilities, innit.
DC x
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Gordon "The Italian Stallion" Brown
Hey,
So, as I promised in yesterday's (lack of an) entry, here I am. Are you happy? Excellent.
So, according to the latest poll in the Sunday Times, Gordon Brown is now only 2% points behind David Cameron. Which, as a bit of a Labour man myself, is simply terrific news. For the first time yesterday I genuinely started to feel that Labour might just bloody pull this off! They may actually win the bloody thing! The Great Escape, Rocky, Freaky Friday, whatever film you want to relate this to. It doesn't matter. Considering the gap was 26% points just under two years ago, the only way is up. Hopefully.
Speaking of referring this comeback to a film, I personally prefer comparing it to Rocky. There seems to be similarities between Brown and Balboa; both have dodgy, slurred speech and both underdogs never seem to have a chance. It's like David "Airbrush" Cameron is Ivan Drago, but on a bike.
But if Brown and Labour win in May, like the Rocky movies, it just won't make sense. I may be oblivious - because the presence of the Tories in Scotland would require David Acorah - but it feels like this upsurge has just came out of nowhere. In the last week Brown has discussed how many pints he had as a student on a night out - six, if you are interested - on an interview with Piers Morgan which at times was borderline cringe. Also, he has been accused of being a bully at Downing Street; the head of a Bullying Hotline breaking the code of confidentially (naughty) about certain revelations. Yet support for Brown is on a surge.
It may be because Brown, despite recent allegations (for that is all they are) and the perception his critics will describe may not be true. In the interview with Piers Morgan at times it made your face squint up so tightly you thought you were watching the TV through a letterbox, but it made him look human. A real person.
He is also quite charismatic in Parliament. As the political geek that I am I listen to Prime Ministers Questions on a podcast (I recommend, by the way) and he is actually decent at the comebacks. Last Wednesday he referred to the Conservatives as a party "lead by the airbrush and funded by the off-doms" or something along those lines. It was a soundbite Blair (or even Cameron) would be proud of.
Labour might not win in May, they are still trailing in the opinion polls. But this is looking like 1992 all over again. And I can't wait.
DC x
So, as I promised in yesterday's (lack of an) entry, here I am. Are you happy? Excellent.
So, according to the latest poll in the Sunday Times, Gordon Brown is now only 2% points behind David Cameron. Which, as a bit of a Labour man myself, is simply terrific news. For the first time yesterday I genuinely started to feel that Labour might just bloody pull this off! They may actually win the bloody thing! The Great Escape, Rocky, Freaky Friday, whatever film you want to relate this to. It doesn't matter. Considering the gap was 26% points just under two years ago, the only way is up. Hopefully.
Speaking of referring this comeback to a film, I personally prefer comparing it to Rocky. There seems to be similarities between Brown and Balboa; both have dodgy, slurred speech and both underdogs never seem to have a chance. It's like David "Airbrush" Cameron is Ivan Drago, but on a bike.
But if Brown and Labour win in May, like the Rocky movies, it just won't make sense. I may be oblivious - because the presence of the Tories in Scotland would require David Acorah - but it feels like this upsurge has just came out of nowhere. In the last week Brown has discussed how many pints he had as a student on a night out - six, if you are interested - on an interview with Piers Morgan which at times was borderline cringe. Also, he has been accused of being a bully at Downing Street; the head of a Bullying Hotline breaking the code of confidentially (naughty) about certain revelations. Yet support for Brown is on a surge.
It may be because Brown, despite recent allegations (for that is all they are) and the perception his critics will describe may not be true. In the interview with Piers Morgan at times it made your face squint up so tightly you thought you were watching the TV through a letterbox, but it made him look human. A real person.
He is also quite charismatic in Parliament. As the political geek that I am I listen to Prime Ministers Questions on a podcast (I recommend, by the way) and he is actually decent at the comebacks. Last Wednesday he referred to the Conservatives as a party "lead by the airbrush and funded by the off-doms" or something along those lines. It was a soundbite Blair (or even Cameron) would be proud of.
Labour might not win in May, they are still trailing in the opinion polls. But this is looking like 1992 all over again. And I can't wait.
DC x
Monday, 1 March 2010
Looking after my averages.
Hey,
This is barely a blog today, just a quick mention to say that I am still alive. Like you care. Which I doubt.
Anyways, if you are online tomorrow I will treat you with my thoughts, on things such as the likeliness of a Conservative government and gambling. Occasionally the lines overlap.
DC x
This is barely a blog today, just a quick mention to say that I am still alive. Like you care. Which I doubt.
Anyways, if you are online tomorrow I will treat you with my thoughts, on things such as the likeliness of a Conservative government and gambling. Occasionally the lines overlap.
DC x
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