Friday 27 February 2009

Day Ninety Six: Skins

So, I might have mentioned before that I wasn't really that into the new Skins. The first couple of episodes didn't grab me and I just stopped watching after that. This will be important later, I swear.

Right, last night I was over at the neighbours, getting dinner made for me and all sorts. I'm honestly not sure why this happened, given that I am a terrible person and generally fearful of human contact, but nonetheless, free meal, so I'm there. Anyway, we finish up food, and we're flicking through the evenings telly. We watched a frankly terrifying documentary on the worlds fattest pets, another fine piece of investigative journalism by Channel Four, and it pretty much just illustrated the basic telly talking points in a very effective fashion.

-Americans are loud, insane, and a bit fat. Also, they stalk people with massive dogs. Also Also, you just need to own a giant dog and apparently you can get onto Leno. Which is insane.

-The British are unflinchingly polite, nice people, even when they are actually complete bastards. Furthermore, if two old men live together by themselves and refer to each other as brothers, then there is no way in hell that they are related. Those dudes are totally gay.

-Finally, Germany is a frightening country where the everyday language is like being yelled at aggressively.

Anyway, it's after this that Skins comes on, and my protestations are cut short by, well, the very nice people who gave me food for the night, so I'm not inclined to disagree with them too much. But still, it wasn't really working for me until they hit that magic area of quality TV programming, something that automatically makes a crap show good, and makes a good show great.

They gave us lesbians. And man, it was pretty sweet. So, I'll be checking out Skins next week, with the firm expectation of even more pretty girls making out. THIS I SWEAR.

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Now playing: Bruce Springsteen / Born To Run

Thursday 26 February 2009

Day Ninety Five: Let's abandon continuity!

(Geeky post up ahead. Seriously. Go outside and play football or something.)

One of the major problems with comics seems to be this massive amount of history hanging over all of the characters. If you look at something like DC, which has near 70+ years of back story to it, and has actually rebooted their own history more than a couple of times, then there's just a little bit to the characters there.

This is horrifying and intimidating for a newcomer to comics. It's like watching a soap with no idea who any of the characters are. Worse, it's tuning in half way through, and all the characters carry on as normal, and the audience has no fucking clue what's going on. This is terrible. And, yeah, with the rebooting of continuity thing. As I understand it, Crisis on Infinite Earths was an attempt to slim down the massive back story of DC in order to draw in new readers, as well as getting all the old guard excited with a big crossover event that would affect everyone in the DC multiverse. But, duh, it didn't work. Because it was such a massive event, it informed everything that happened after it. Continuity wasn't wiped clean, it just changed, and all manner of new shit began informing narratives. They've tried to clean it up again, with other Crisis events, but it doesn't work, because all it does is make the backstory for these characters even more convoluted and weird.

This is why there's such a fucking nightmare about adapting a Superman movie, by the way. There's so much legacy to draw on that any film simply gets overwhelmed with it.

So, let's abandon continuity. Throw it out completely. Obviously keep it for standard runs of comic books, the twelve or fourteen issue runs that happen, but get rid of this massive, archaic crap. Because it is scary, and not friendly.

Also, I'll be honest, because I just finished reading the out-of-continuity All-Star Superman and it absolutely rocked my socks, because it takes what everyone already knows about Big Blue and just distils it into the most awesome qualities of Superman punching people in the face.

And know I find out that it was written by the same dude who wrote Final Crisis. Huh.

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Now playing: The Rolling Stones / Wild Horses

Wednesday 25 February 2009

Day Ninety Four: Talkin' Comics.

Transmetropolitan is maybe one of the more awesome comics that I've ever read.

Now, a matter of perspective here. I'm a huge dork, but up until recently I'd kept it confined to movies, TV, books, the internet...okay, what I'm actually saying is that I do most of the regular nerdy stuff apart from read comic books. Or tabletop gaming. Or, especially, LARPing. Because holy fuck those guys are weird.

The problem is that there doesn't seem to be as much of a massive comic book scene here in the UK as there is in the States. Comic book stores are strange and bizarre artefacts here in Britain, to be examined as curios of a weird and otherworldly culture, whereas in America they've got these things in every town. And that's a true and real shame, because comics are really awesome (and dorky) and it seems to be where Hollywood is getting all its ideas from as well, so that's probably got to count for something to.

This is where downloading comes into play once more, because, like so many pieces of pop culture that I consume on a daily basis, I download my comics. I tell you, the day when everything goes digital and free from DRM, I will start buying shit again. It's the best way to do, hell, everything, because it means I can spend far much more time in my pants, away from the public eye. And I think that's something that everyone can consider a good thing, because I should not go outside too much. Least of all in nothing but my pants.

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Now playing: Count Basie Orchestra / One O'Clock Jump

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Day Ninety Three: Distractions

So yeah, rough couple of nights with not much sleep, drinking too much and just generally feeling like hell. But, at the end of all of that, I find myself sitting here, only two pieces of work before the end of university (One essay and an exam! Holy shit!) and nothing much to do for a few weeks until I enter my various panicky states regarding those particular things.

This now means I'm finding things to occupy my time, because unlike Kate, I can actually enjoy my free time spent doing nothing. (I'm not kidding, the woman has a whole day off for the first time in ages and by the time the afternoon rolled around she was moaning that she was bored. Honestly. You're doing nothing. Enjoy it.) I've started with the Empire: Total War Demo, which actually worried me for a bit until I read this thread on the total war community forums, which went a tremendous way to relieving me. That, and fiddling with the game files to reduce the loading times of around half an hour to a more reasonable 30 seconds. Which was nice.

Obviously, I've still been kicking various kinds of ass around on Left 4 Dead, and it's still one of the best online gaming experiences I've had, like, ever. Had an awesome moment yesterday when I was on a team that was absolutely dominating the other on versus. The other guys all decided to quit just before the finale, leaving this poor guy by himself against all four of us. So, after swearing profusely, he teamkilled all his computer friends, typed "FUCK THOSE FAGS IM DOING IT MYSELF" and charged straight for the roof to take on all of us. And, credit where credit's due, the man killed two hunters singlehandedly. Unfortunaly, I was the third, and my tackle was so placed that it actually sent both of us over the edge of the roof, crashing all the way to the bottom of the tower. It was fucking badass.

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Now playing: Peter Gabriel - Down To Earth

Monday 23 February 2009

Day Ninety Two: Oscaaaaaaaaaaaars

So, firstly, I had a fucking awesome time in Sheffield. I'll heartily recommend their union to anyone (Seriously it is called the Octogon, OMGEE that is the coolest thing EVAR), and Carols flatmates and friends were all very lovely to me and Mike while we were up there. Plus Caroline made us epic Bacon sandwiches in the morning, and it was fucking glorious.

Secondly, yeah, I got my essay done. It hurt a bit, but I got it done. And that's all I want to say about that.

Finally, Oscars. Now, I'm only going to be doing the Oscars that people actually care about, because while its very nice and awesome to recognise the sound designers and cinematographers, no-one besides me and all the other film dorks around the world have any idea who they are (even then, it's a bit of a struggle. I actually probably can't name any cinematographers of the top of my head. BUT AT LEAST I KNOW WHAT THEY DO DAMMIT.) So, the awards that people know about then.

BEST ACTOR
This one went to Sean Penn, who was the only likely one besides Mickey Rourke. And while Rourke had that ol' comeback edge, given that he's cleaned his shit up and started making movies again, he still looks like he could beat up most of the academy. And I think the voters are afraid of that. Plus, he still got a nod from Penn. In fact, Penn's speech was kinda awesome, given that he used the phrase "You Commie, homo-loving, sons a guns".
Also, that in a very polite and classy way, he called out everyone who voted 'yes' on Prop 8, because they voted bad and should feel bad for it.

BEST ACTRESS
Kate Winslet finally got he fucking statue, after being nominated approximately eleven billion times, and she really does deserve it. Probably not for The Reader though, which is mostly just Kate having sex for the first forty minutes and then wanders off into "Hey, the Holocaust actually kinda sucked, didn't it?" I mean, honestly, it could have just been the first part and I'd still be happy enough with the choice. Winslet naked on camera is always good.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

In maybe the least surprising move ever, this went to Heath Ledger, which was very nice of the Academy to do after they passed him over for best actor back in the 2006 Oscars. Plus, it turns out Ledger's sister is pretty hot. (Wait, is that bad? Do you think it might be inappropriate to comment on someones hotness when they're recieving an Oscar for their dead brother? Hmm.)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
This one went to Penelope Cruz, who I honestly don't think made much of an impact. Although I may just be saying this because I find Amy Adams absolutely adorable and kind of want to marry her. So, obviously she should win on those merits alone.

BEST PICTURE

Slumdog Millionaire was probably the most deserving one here, given that neither Iron Man nor The Dark Knight were nominated. (My contest would have been close, but ultimately we swing in favour of Iron Man given that Robert Downey Jr. is just a bit more awesome than Christian Bale.)

BEST DIRECTOR
And this went to Danny Boyle, who again really deserves the nod, given that the man can direct absolutely anything he wants to. The only other possibility was Fincher, given that David Fucking Fincher is extremely Fucking awesome, but Benjamin Button probably should take the nod for Cinematography instead, because the direction really wasn't all that. (OH YEAH THATS RIGHT)

Thursday 19 February 2009

Day Ninety One: Right.

There probably won't be an update tomorrow, as I'm going to Sheffield tomorrow morning, and I've got an assessed discussion at 9am that morning too. And I'm going to the silent disco tonight, which will be most pleasant and awesome, but I'm concerned that a bit too much drinking might take place. So, I'll obviously be bringing to bear my considerable willpower to avoid drinking.

Oooh, I'll also be Rock Banding it up as well, displaying my awesome skills on the bass while Katie drums, Chris takes the other guitar, and Sarah takes on the vocals. Good lord, it should be impressive.

Yeah, so this weekend will involve a massive train ride to Sheffield, meeting up with Mike en route at Nottingham for some excessive drinking and partying with Carol for just one night, then I get the hell outta there Saturday morning to come back to Norwich and write 2000 words about issues surrounding Elizabeth 1's gender. I predict that it will be one of the best essays I've ever written. The problem is that when I get back in, presumable hungover and knackered, I'll be straight online, looking for the latest episode of Battestar Galactica. So there might be a problem there.

You might ask: "Andrew, why the hell didn't you plan ahead, get this essay done in advance and make sure that you don't go out tonight. And seriously, more like Battlestar GAY-lactica dude."

To which I'd calmly and rationally respond: "HEY FUCK YOU PAL"

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Now playing: Jet / Are You Gonna Be My Girl?

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Day Ninety: INCREDIBAD, PT2

So, continuing on from yesterdays review of Incredibad, the début album from the Lonely Island dudes, here is the second half of the album.

Like a Boss

This is a fucking great song. The same escalation as Boombox, but taken even further. Samberg absolutely tears this up, and it rocks.

We Like Sportz

A sequel to Just 2 Guyz? Man, I was sold already, but this track warrants it by it's sheer rock and roll power. Also, "Like that CUNT HOLE Steve" is actual poetry.

Dreamgirl (feat. Norah Jones)

This is a song about true love and Chex Mix. If you aren't down with that, then you have no soul/ And Norah Jones is pretty awesome on this as well. Getting her to sing that Chex Mix has 60% less fat than potato chips is exactly the reason why I'm so happy that these dudes have broken through.

Ras Trent

I love this track simply because it brought back two phrases that I hadn't heard in ages, and it made me laugh and laugh. ('Batty-Boy' and 'Boomboclat', if you were wondering)

Dick in a Box (feat. Justin Timberlake)

The fact that Timberlake not only did this song, but actually went all the way out with the video as well means that I've got enormous respect for the dude. (Man, seriously, they censor the word 'dick', but not 'bastard' in America. What the fuck is that about?) And man, this is one of the most romantic songs I've ever heard.

The Old Saloon (Interlude)

This manages to hit almost every Wild West cliché ever, and Jorma screaming "DJ Uhgnghgn!" is maybe one of the best things ever.

Punch You in the Jeans

Just a straight up awesome rap from the dudes, and I've started using "I'm gonna punch you in the jeans" far too much in everyday conversation.

Space Olympics

This starts off slow, but builds and builds into something incredible. Just the right kind of soaring epic thing that you'd expect from something that involves "Space Luge". Also, whenever the album properly touches down back home, I've gotta check out the video for this, as apparently I need to be in America to see the awesome.

Natalie's Rap (feat. Natalie Portman & Chris Parnell)

As with Timberlake, this gives me enormous respect for Portman for taking this concept and just completely running with it. Samberg is the only one of the dudes who really features on the track, which I think is fair enough, given that, well, Portman is fucking awesome here. Although, it wouldn't complte without the great line: "my dick is scared of you, girl"

Incredibad

An awesome track to close the album on, with aliens, sex, and video games. The lyrics are so detailed here too, I'm still picking out little in-jokes and references that are buried in there. Plus, we finally learn the true story of how The Dudes came to be, and it's fantastic.


So, while I might be slightly biased here, and at the risk of sounding slightly hyperbolic, I think that this might be mankind's highest achievement in the history of time. You should buy it, and then buy three copies to spread around too.

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Now playing: The Lonely Island / Incredibad

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Day Eighty Nine: INCREDIBAD, PT1

So, the debut album from The Lonely Island dudes came out a couple days ago, and I've been listening it to it near continuously since then. I mean, I've mentioned before about how cool it is to see these dudes make it big, especially after seeing them start out from something like this. Anyway, now I've listened the absolute crap out of this album, I thought I'd go through and review that shit. So, here we go:

Who Said We're Wack

Great opening track, and it's actually getting better each time I listen to it. An awesome opener, and if you like it, you'll love the rest of the album.

Santana DVX (feat. E-40)

First mention of the Santana DVX, and also the first guest contributor on the album. My favourite bit is when the dudes introduced it to someone, and the massive distorted OOHHH SHIIIIIT

Jizz in My Pants

Fantastic bit of comedy, which I've had for a while before the album came out, and it's pure quality. Also, I just thought I'd mention that flicking through the music channels last night, this actually came on and completely weirded out the two people I was with, while I giggled like an insane bastard.

I'm on a Boat (feat. T-Pain)

Massive props to T-Pain for being so willing to take the piss out of his own music. And man, everything about this track just speaks to this. Second mention of the Santana as well. Kiv absolutley fucking rocks on this song as well. Also, "FUCK TREES I CLIMB BUOYS MOTHERFUCKER" is beautiful.

Sax Man (feat. Jack Black)

This is pretty much just a Tenacious D track in the middle of the album, and that's no bad thing. Musically, I think it's pretty awesome. Just gotta love that Bass. Also, the quiet way that Black says "what the fuck are you doing?" is great.

Lazy Sunday (feat. Chris Parnell)

When this first did it's massive rounds all over the net the first time it was out I didn't really care for it that much. I mean, I thought it was pretty good, but nothing particuarly amazing. But man, it's grown on me so much. "GONNA GET TAKEN TO A DREAMWORLD OF MAGIC"

Normal Guy (Interlude)

This is one of those little random sketches that the dudes used to do back in the day, and it's pretty great. Third mention of Santana here as well, which made me giggle endlessly. Jorma is great in this.

Boombox (feat. Julian Casablancas)

Maybe my favourite track on the album at the moment, although that might change. Just the contant escalation of the track, and the repeated mentions of 'BOILED GOOOOOSE' make it fantastic. Plus, it's got the lead singer from The Strokes. And I fucking love The Strokes.

Shrooms (Interlude)

Another sketch one on here, and it's only 30 seconds long, but it's a great little piece of absolutely random techno.

And, well, this post is getting too long, so I'm going to continue this tomorrow.

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Now playing: The Lonely Island / Shrooms (Interlude)

Monday 16 February 2009

Day Eighty Eight: OMGZZ THE FILM WUZ BETR THAN THE MOVIEE

My only comment on Valentine's Day: Steak is great, and beer is great. Steak fried in beer though? That right there is fucking awesome.

Okay, so remember the other day when I was talking about movie trilogies and the fact that the third one always seems to suck? Well, I'm pretty sure that Lord of the Rings is the exception. This might have something to do with the production process, which is always something that's staggered me. I'll quote from The Editing Room, which I believe illustrates this perfectly:

PETER JACKSON is meeting with various NEW LINE EXECUTIVES.

PETER JACKSON: ..and that’s my proposal. What do you say?

EXECUTIVE #1: Wait, so, you want three hundred million dollars to create nine total hours of film for an adaptation of the Lord of the Rings trilogy?

PETER JACKSON: Nearly twelve hours for the full editions.

EXECUTIVE #2: And you want us to greenlight this based on your previous work of…
(consulting a memo)
A movie about rat monkeys and flesh eating zombies and an unfunny comedy ghost movie starring Michael J. Fox?

PETER JACKSON: Right. And I want all the money up front, because I demand that I be able to make all three films at the same time.

The executives stare at JACKSON as if he just took a shit on their rug and autographed it. Miraculously, he is allowed to adapt the trilogy and ACTUALLY FUCKING PULLS IT OFF.

I mean, it's just unbelievable. An absolute nobody from New Zealand who's directed nothing of significance and has never made a big film in his life is given a shitload of money and almost complete creative control? This almost never happens in Hollywood, and what's more amazing is the fact that it actually worked. The amount of money generated by the franchise is unbelievable.

This is exactly the sort of example you point to when people say that producers do nothing. Producers are the people who approve this sort of deal, and it's their asses that it falls on if the film isn't a success. After all, that money has got to come from somewhere.

Although, four fucking hours for the third film? That might be just a little bit indulgent, given that the last hour is made up entirely of endings.


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Now playing: The Lonely Island / Incredibad

Friday 13 February 2009

Day Eighty Seven: Yeah, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow.

I mean, really, is there a worse holiday? It's miserable for single people. It's expensive for couples. It's absolutely sickening for everyone involved, and it's abominable that it exists. However, it has provided me with a great excuse to get terrifyingly and completely steamingly drunk tomorrow. I'm meeting up with James and Chris at about three, and we're going to start drinking and never stop. At around 10.30/11 we're going to head to the LCR to take part in the standard single guys Valentine's Day ritual. Basically, we hit on depressed and lonely girls who are out that night as well, or we throw up on them. Either way, we have a system. It works.

Also, The Office feels really weird at the moment. I think it's because since they resolved the Dwight / Angela / Andy plot line they haven't really had, well, anything as the main plotline. There needs to be something major happening soon, otherwise I may stop getting up really early to download the episodes. Instead, I'll be switching to the routine that I currently employ for Heroes, which is download it at whenever the hell o' clock, and watch it begrudgingly, almost out of routine.

It's lucky that Battlestar Galactica is still currently throwing out awesome episodes week after week, otherwise we'd be in real trouble. And I guess it's good that Scrubs has hit a new stride as well, and is actually genuinly good agiain. And of course, 30 Rock continues to surprise me every day with it's continued fantasticness. So, guess we're okay at the moment. I just wish The Office would start being brilliant again.

(Warning, the above post may be completely incomprehensible to those of you who don't download the vast majority of your TV.)

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Now playing: The Lonely Island / Sax Man (feat. Jack Black)

Thursday 12 February 2009

Day Eighty Six: In defense of Back to the Future: Part III

Firstly, if you're one of those soulless people who doesn't enjoy, nay, love the Back to the Future movies, then it's probably best that you stop reading now. Honestly, we're going to get deeply nerdy about all three of the films, and if you're not a fan, then you'd best move on. There's nothing for you here.

So, the third film in the trilogy. It always gets a lot of stick, which I think is sort of endemic of these big film trilogies. There's always a solid opening film, an awesome second film, and then the third just tends to be a bit shit. It's true for the Godfather trilogy, it's true for Jurrassic Park, and it's certainly true for Star Wars.

(THERE WERE ONLY EVER THREE STAR WARS FILMS YOU SHUT YOUR FILTHY WHORE MOUTH)

But yeah. We look at the Back to the Future trilogy, and obviously the first one kicks ass, and the second improves on it in every single possible way. It's pretty much a textbook example of how to do an awesome sequel, in that it actually relives moments from the original film, and makes them funnier. That's pretty hard to do, given that the original rocks the house, but it manages it so, so well. And that, I think, is why the third gets a lot of stick. It simply can't be as awesome as the film that preceded it, which, I think, is actually impossible.

Still, I think the third one rocks, because, well, COWBOYS. And also resolving the plotline, giving the Doc a romantic companion, and of course blowing a freaking train up and then making another train into a flying timeship. There are many reasons why it rocks, but mainly it's because without it we wouldn't have these. And man, that's totally worth it.

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Now playing: The Lonely Island / Punch You in the Jeans

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Day Eighty Five: Movies

Right, I don't know what happened, but somehow I managed to miss Crank. I only just finished watching it, and my holy lord it is like totally the best film ever.

Well, no, that's not true. It's not a thinking movie. It's not going to challenge your perceptions, or alter your mind. But holy shit, this film kicks ass in a very, very special way. We're talking Shoot 'Em Up levels of kick-assery. This is a film that opens with Jason Statham being injected with some kind of crazy Chinese poison that means he needs a constant flow of adrenaline, or his heart will stop, and he'll die. It's pure Macguffin crap, but it lends itself very well to Statham fighting the hell out of absolutely everyone, and causing horrifying property damage. This film is just non-stop fighting and explosions, and it's awesome. Watch it as soon as you possibly can. It fucking rocks.

Also, as a completely unrelated note, I'd just like to make it clear that the album "Incredibad" by The Lonely Island is officially the best fucking album in the whole wide world. Honestly, it's so good that it's the second album that I've actually bought using actual money. And that must surely count for something.

Uh oh, Callum has just walked in, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get drunk with him. I'd love to stay and chat but....oh no, he's dragging me away.

No, I want to stay and blog!

Noooooooooooooodfiosdhfososrhlenwq;ln r!%$%$"^*((((*

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Now playing: The Lonely Island / I'm on a Boat (feat. T-Pain)

Friday 6 February 2009

Day Eighty Four: In which I apologise for my lapse in updates.

So, yeah, the last time I updated was Wednesday the 4th. Not exactly great for my weekly updating thing. Anyway, I'm sorry and all that. I got into kind of a funk over Thursday and Friday, but had my spirits lifted by a most excellent weekend. I don't want to go into too many details, but lets just say that both Beer and Back to the Future figured heavily in it. It was good.

So, Saturday was already panning out to be pretty awesome, with a sixties themed retro night on at the LCR. But then, me and James went up to Chris' place to do a bit of Rock Band 2 and heavy drinking beforehand, and the night got just a little bit more special. We finally got to the LCR after I'd done some serious vocal rocking (Fuck yeah, I sang Duran Duran and it was beautiful) and James had played the drums to his normal level of competence as he does with every other Guitar Hero or Rock Band related game, and man, it was pretty darn awesome. The sixties music was in full swing, and man, I had some serious moves that night. It was a very good evening.

Sunday rolls round, and I'm reminded by Lauren that we're doing our Back to the Future marathon that evening, something that I think we first talked about waaay back in the first year when we met in the launderette at 4am. Yes, it's taken us that long to get round to it. We are organised people.

And yeah, Back to the Future still continues to rock my socks every time I watch it, but Part II will probably always be the best, and it remains a textbook example of how to properly do a sequel, along with Empire Strikes Back and Aliens. With Part III, yes, there is a slight drop in quality, but it's still a better third film than, let's say, Return of the Jedi thanks to the magical powers of COWBOYS. Because, well, fuck yeah cowboys. Also, exploding trains.

Oh shit, I nearly forgot, despite Heroes sucking, well, really hard this season, I'm okay with it. Because Battlestar Galactica is absolutely rocking my world at the moment, and totally makes up for it. Just as a completely random example, here's a sample of last weeks episode.

If you see that, and don't think it's the best, then fair enough. But if you see that in context and don't think it's the greatest thing ever, then you are, indeed, dead to me.

Also, just when I thought Doctor McNinja couldn't get any more awesome, turns out they hired Nedroid as their new colourist. In other awesome related news, The Lonely Island's debut album comes out today. Let me assure you, it is ball-flatteningly fantastic.

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Now playing: Weezer / Pork and Beans

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Day Eighty Three: Linky Linklater.

Firstly, an apology for James' incomprehensible gibbering yesterday. I don't even know what the hell that was, but it does offer a chilling reminder as to why I should never leave James unsupervised with my computer. Not only did he leave a collection of even more aimless ramblings than I normally do, but he also decided to download gay pornography onto my computer. Because he's a lovely human being.

Secondly, fuck all headlines like this. Everyone pissing and moaning about the snow just serves to remind me that here in Norwich we got the slightest dusting of snow which then melted overnight, whereas back home in Essex, Matt is playing in half a foot of the stuff. Although, I must admit, watching some of the BBC's responses to the bad weather is pretty amusing.

Also, I recently got sent this link which shows that 55 remakes of Hollywood movies are in the works at the moment. I mean, I don't really mind remakes just on principle, but Jesus. Every single film on this just makes my brain ache with rage. Obviously, movies only really exist just to make a profit, let's have no illusions on that count. But damn, do they really have to be so fucking blatant? It's bad.

And finally, the hype machine is starting to warm up for Watchmen. We've got wicked cool trailers, and some fucking fantastic little videos on the Youtube as well. But man, the thing I'm geeking out about most of all is The New Frontiersman's website. All of this alternate history is right there, and the article on Woodward and Bernstein's murder causes me to get impressively erect. I'm very, very excited for this.

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Now playing: Smashing Pumpkins / The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Day Eighty Two: Guest Post by Sheepy Tree

This is courtesy of James' Blog. I am..well, grateful isn't exactly the right word for it...

So then, I'm pretty drunk right now, but not drunk enough to not kill zombies. Man I love Left 4 Dead, simple, unchallenging zombie killing at its finest.

I do need to walk home though, gay.

So apparently I need to pad out this post, I think its literary genius quite frankly, But apparently its not. So what to say............................................................................................

This isn't getting any longer, its like a bad essay. Hmm,

"Acid rain" is a popular term referring to the deposition of wet (rain, snow, sleet, fog and cloud water, dew) and dry (acidifying particles and gases) acidic components. A more accurate term is “acid deposition”. Distilled water, which contains no carbon dioxide, has a neutral pH of 7. Liquids with a pH less than 7 are acidic, and those with a pH greater than 7 are basic. “

The breast is the upper ventral region of an animal’s torso, particularly that of mammals, including human beings. The breasts of a female primate’s body contain the mammary glands, which secrete milk used to feed infants.

God, the LCR was jolly good fun tonight, much dancing and considering I wasn't going to drink, I think Andrew did quite well at lubricating me.

We also went to a talk by Sean Cagen (i think) who was held hostage for 4 months by the Taliban, bad times for him, but I got to ask him a question for my dissertation, so extra marks for me!!!!

Best go now, Drew's being a massive loser and wants to sleep. He has sold out this year, he used to be cool.

Later

XOXO

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Now playing: The Kinks / He's Evil

Monday 2 February 2009

Day Eighty One: NEEEEEEERD!

Okay, so I might be moving even further past the dork horizon. I mean, I'm already pretty far gone, in that when people ask me if I've seen the latest ubuntu release, I don't respond that "I'm not that into Pokemon"

After all, I built my own computer! (Well, stood around and made knowing comments while Matt wired together my motherboard) That aside, I know what the hell I'm doing in there now. I can replace most major components in a PC without technical assistance, and I'm mostly competent in terms of software as well, or at least the software that 85% of people use. I can find my way around windows with the best of them. Having to start with Windows ME was probably a big help in that respect.

But man, I think I'm starting to cross the geek line into full-blown nerd.


-I had a five minute, completely un-ironic conversation about the flash memory into RAM function on Windows, and how it was totally awesome.

-I also ordered a headset. It's a full-blown nerd purchase, done only so I can better yell at Polish dudes who I'm playing Left 4 Dead with. It's extremely fucking dorky.

-Finally, I found this collection of videos, which is mainly edited together clips of The Next Generation, and it is, of course, hilarious, as only repeated footage of Data being headbutted by a Klingon can be, but the worrying thing is that I could identify which episodes the clips were from.

It's just too much. I'm going to need to go watch some football, or something like that. Just, damn.

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Now playing: Glen Campbell / Wichita Lineman