Journalism(ish) I usually skip over the columnists in 'The Guardian' -- I prefer my fellow amateurs, but something in Simon Hoggart's piece today caught my eye -- genuine announcements on the London Underground: "Ladies and gentlemen, upon departing the train may I remind you to take your rubbish with you. Despite the fact that you are in something that is metal, fairly round, filthy and smells, this is a tube train and not a bin on wheels."
Umm... Huh, huh ... see if you can spot the deliberate mistake in the presentation of this somewhat previous but affectionate interview with Douglas Adams ... how dare they ...
Gallery space First there was an exhibition which consisted of only empty walls and floors. Now there's a whole museum and I'd forgotten about it until now. You'll see why when you see the date it was opened: "In an unprecedented happening, more than 300,000 visitors went to see a totally empty museum. During the 18 months between completion of the structure and its official opening, the edifice itself became an attraction in a city bursting with building fever. The new Jewish Museum in Berlin, a striking deconstructivist structure by architect Daniel Libeskind, is clad chiefly with titanium-covered zinc — a durable, stable, and malleable metal that reflects the light. The museum rises from a base whose line is frequently broken and unwinds in zigzag fashion."
Theatre Shakespeare didn't write any of his plays as we see them now. This isn't as controversial a statement as it might at first seem. When we go to the theatre now to see 'Romeo & Juliet' or 'Hamlet' are 'edited' versions of the plays, cobbled together by contemporary editors from a number of sources which we know are mostly acurate. Mostly. I was amazed when I read about all this while studying for my A-Levels. There are many versions of the plays and roughly fall into two camps, the Quartos and the Folios. Now at the time, bootlegging was rife and so these printings were often from not entirely trustworthy sources -- we have the editing together of the recollection of actors; a written copy of the script sold afterwards by a minor actor looking for some fast cash to supplement their pitiful actors earnings (the issue with this being that this not be Shakespeares final version of the play); a stage hand's version full of directions; a non-contemporary version of the play which has appeared a hundred years after Shakespeare's death. Different camps will argue endlessly about which can stake the greater claim for accuracy. This article tracks the history of the First Folio, one of the original collected works, now considered to well -- not too good really, and how a cult has developed around it's inception.
Blog! It's about time for another blogging superstar so today we'll pay homage to Jason Kottke. He's the most linked to blogger at Bloxdex and it's not hard to see why. As soon as that page downloads there is feeling we are in the presence of quality, with it's simple functional design. Frequently linked to from the front page of Mefi, with Jason it's isn't so much the subject matter as they way it's expressed, as this entry from the 5th November demonstrates. I too pine for an Apple Mac, every time my Microsoft PC crashes at start-up.
Geography When younger I was always resolute in wanting to visit Milton Keynes and Transylvania, mostly because I liked the sound of the names. Eventually my curiosity about Milton Keynes subsided when I saw photographs, but I never quite got over my Transylvania pangs. Like most people I had in my imagination lots of hills, many castles and streams of villages with torches wanting to batter down the doorways of the many castles. But the contemporary reality of this small part of Romania is very different, especially in the post-Ceausescu era. Robert R. Thompson of Pop Matters visited recently and describes how the former dictator is now thought of in gothic horror terms.
Age I found myself in a discussion with my fellow co-workers today about the relative merrits of todays top pop acts. The crux of the matter was whether Nelly Furtado or Natalie Imbruglia were the greater artist. Since I'm something of an admirer of both I kept much to the side lines, offering support for Ms. Imbruglia wherever possible. Then things turned to Kylie Minogue. Now, Minogue was my first pop idol crush until I moved onward to Debbie Gibson. The gentleman voiced the opinion that 'Kylie's better than both of them.' And I mentioned that I was a fan of Kylie the first time around in 1987 but now she seems somewhat manufactured (or perhaps more manufactured than in the past). I thought for a moment and asked him when he was born.
'1983.' He said.
He was four when Scott and Charlene tied the knot. I suddenly felt very, very old....
'1983.' He said.
He was four when Scott and Charlene tied the knot. I suddenly felt very, very old....
Nature The City of York is facing a rat epidemic, and not even the Pied Piper can save them. People are used seeing foxes and grey squirrels in the street but this is something different. As one resident describes: "I've seen a rat in the city centre before, but not more than one at once and not this close to people - several people had just left the pub and the rats were within feet of them. I could hear a woman shrieking at them. I don't imagine it's going to help our tourism problems if this is what visitors to the city are seeing on their nights out." I don't know -- the city has always wanted to go for that authentic heritage feel...
Liverpool Life The 51st State, a new movie set in Liverpool is released. Local website grabs interview with 'Hollywood Heavyweight.' Surely he's been working out in the gym a lot what with being a Jedi and all.
History Guardian Interview by Stephen Moss with veterans of what was supposed to be the 'war to end all wars': "A colleague said it must be humbling to meet these men, and so it was. Not just because in their late teens they experienced trench warfare, engaged in acts of casual heroism, were strengthened by the barbarities they saw, but because of the lives they went on to lead. They have reached a kind of hyper-age, where they have outlived wives and second wives, outlived children too, yet still display an inner strength and thirst for life, an unwillingness to give best, that is truly remarkable." We never learn, do we?
History Guardian Interview by Stephen Moss with veterans of what was supposed to be the 'war to end all wars': "A colleague said it must be humbling to meet these men, and so it was. Not just because in their late teens they experienced trench warfare, engaged in acts of casual heroism, were strengthened by the barbarities they saw, but because of the lives they went on to lead. They have reached a kind of hyper-age, where they have outlived wives and second wives, outlived children too, yet still display an inner strength and thirst for life, an unwillingness to give best, that is truly remarkable." We never learn, do we?
Archeaology The BBC's Treasure Hunt for missing and 'lost' material has published its findings. A few bits and pieces to coo at, like another clip of some Daleks, odd episodes of Z Cars and the first episode of 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'. The question is, how long will it be before we can get to see (or hear) them?
Rings You've seen the trailer. Now hear the entire Lord of the Rings soundtrack on-line. As real world magician David Blane might say, 'This is not a trick...' [requires Quicktime]
Space I'm not completely breathing a sigh of relief, but the odds of the human race being wiped out by an asteroid hitting the Earth have been reduced after careful study. New Scientist Will Knight: "The new estimate results from the most detailed survey of the Solar System's asteroids so far. Lead researcher Zeljko Ivezic of Princeton University acknowledges that the survey cannot guarantee safety, but adds: "It is clear that we should feel somewhat safer than we did before we had the survey data." " Yet another example of 'um-err don't know really' science, then.
Blog! I'm including this for having the wordiest title for a weblog I think any of us has seen. It's full title is Obeying the Inscrutible Exhortations of my Soul. Also with added blog definition: "This is my homepage, where I aim to amuse myself and, potentially, others. You'll find that I use this space to discuss topics of interest to me (and, potentially, others), share bits of information and hilarity, and experiment with various concepts, ideas, and languages. Generally, I am here to waste more time than I can afford. I'm absolutely delighted that you've chosen to waste time with me." We are too ...
I too have taken the Temptation Island quiz and apparently "You came, you saw, you danced! You are in fact human, and being human is being fallible. You like taking risks but you also think about how those risks effect those around you. As far as that long term relationship? You definitely have it in you, but it's not time to settle just yet. With a solid head on your soldiers, you're going places!" What? Like Siberia?
I too have taken the Temptation Island quiz and apparently "You came, you saw, you danced! You are in fact human, and being human is being fallible. You like taking risks but you also think about how those risks effect those around you. As far as that long term relationship? You definitely have it in you, but it's not time to settle just yet. With a solid head on your soldiers, you're going places!" What? Like Siberia?
What? The Belarus News website hasn't been updated since 11 September -- a bit far from New York isn't it?
Charity China Daily reports a benefit concert to aid the work of the Theatre of the Silence: "The theatre encourages participation by people who have impaired hearing and those that have full hearing, as the company believes that whether people can hear or not everyone has the right to enjoy and partake in arts activities. People who live in a silent environment should have the opportunity to enjoy arts such as theatre. The company's work embodies an alternative aesthetic based on the members' superb body movements, thus creating theatre pieces not only for the silent, but for all." An excellent cause, except the headline is somewhat politically incorrect: "Musical extravaganza falls on deaf ears" Excuse me, what?
Starstruck Two days. Four celebrities? You decide... Yesterday morning saw Geoffrey McGivern (Ford Prefect in the radio version of The Hitch-hiker's Guide To The Galaxy) carrying a large sports bag up towards Manchester Oxford Road Station. Yesterday lunch time Sarah White (Bev from Brookside) and Claire Rushbrook (Brenda Blethyn's daughter in Secrets and Lies, Roxanne Purley) killing themselves laughing outside a clothes shop near Albert Square in Manchester. Tonight, saw the snooker player John Parrot freezing to death as he walked up towards Lime Street Station in Liverpool.
Title image is of course Jewel, whose new album has just been released in the US. Spent much of last night listening to 'Pieces of You' whilst waiting for the firework displays to start.
Rings New Zealand appoints minister for Tolkien affairs: "The first ''Minister of Lord of the Rings'' -- as the Kiwi press has dubbed him -- is Pete Hodgson, 51, who also serves as minister of energy and of science, research, and technology. ''This film will really put us on the map,'' says Hodgson, who boasts his own wizardly white beard. ''Not many people knew that 'Star Wars' was in Morocco, but everyone will know that Middle Earth is in New Zealand.''
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