Thought I'd give a few words more on the current "Big Brother". As everyone but the remaining housemates know, tonight's 'evictee' will in fact move to a secret secondary house next door, joining 5 fresh housemates, and eventually return (when 'the walls come down' I presume). With this also being just about the halfway point I'm updating/adding my impressions of the present characters. In no particular order:
Imogen: gone down in my estimations having submitted to the usual "Lord of the Flies" pressures that have built up. Her bedtime trysts with Mikey are as tedious as she's turned out to be, though good on her for so successfully being a task saboteur this week.
Richard: no sign of sexual terrorism, but I still like him on balance. He's playing the game. One of the housemates who could do with some male company to really flirt/spark with - he appears bored. He's the one I'd most have liked to move houses.
Lea: not a good week for Lea as she let her neuroses climb the walls. Her advances on Pete and (latterly) Glyn are slightly unsavoury and she seems to know it. Plus they also triggered her conspiracy theories. But can be very sweet at times - if it's a good day.
Aisleyne: one of the 3 'extras' already placed in the house. Seems pretty screwed on rather than screwed up, but doesn't do herself favours in the appearance/behaviour stakes sometimes. Her attacks on already freaked-out Lea went a bit far, though this may be down to reaction to her 'impending eviction'.
Mikey: another bore and unintelligible too much of the time (when he does speak). Quite pleasing to look at but not unmissable. But generally gets on with everyone.
Susie: the controversial Golden Ticket winner, but again completely forgettable otherwise. Sympathetic to her during Grace's obnoxious hate campaign, but that was more down to Grace.
Gives Richard someone to chat to. Will probably be the one to move house tonight.
Pete: has been the odds-on favourite sibce the start, and certainly a positive influence on the house, able to muck in without complaint on many occassions. Possibly being a bit too passive for his own good and does appear be be showing cracks this week. Not those sort.
Nikki: has become one of the stars of this series with her surreal tirades in the diary room ("Who IS she ... Who IS she?") and sudden unreasonable demands. Unusually I've gone from being terrifically annoyed to mildly entertained, but suspect there may be "method in her madness" - she's now second or third favourite.
Glyn: the dark horse. I'm beginning to think he may win. He effortlessly goes from being geeky to cute to horned up (over Lea) to wacky - his monologue on black puddings last night was a classic. Also he genuinely seems more concerned with getting on with things than winning, but that could be just another very good act.
Probably back at the weekend to give a view on tonights hi-jinks and newbies.
Friday, 30 June 2006
Doctor Who - speculation on the 2006 series climax (includes vague spoilers)
This morning I made the mistake of reading the Wikipedia entry on the last two episodes (don't go if you don't want spoiled). However, the spoilers have been garnered merely by paying detailed/freeze-framed attention to the "Radio Times", the preview from last week and the full-fat trailer running on BBCTV and the website. I've linked to a screencap site in the title if you wish to do your own spotting
Basically, the tagline could be "the gang's all here" - including, apparently, the 9th Doctor in flashback - and I'm not sure they can pull everything off, even in 90 minutes. And, alongside the fate of Rose and family, the big 'hook' is something I really thought best not even attempted. This also has to be the pay-off for all those laboured "Torchwood" references, setting up the eponymous spin-off AND wedge in 'sleb cameos from Barbara Windsor and the like. I'm also not convinced we've heard the last of "Bad Wolf" or that we've correctly interpreted the Beast's apparently simple prophecy some weeks back.
I'll know by late on the 8th of July whether I feel the production team have succeded - just now I feel it will be really good or really bad, and either way awkward to follow, especially in the form of a Christmas special.
Basically, the tagline could be "the gang's all here" - including, apparently, the 9th Doctor in flashback - and I'm not sure they can pull everything off, even in 90 minutes. And, alongside the fate of Rose and family, the big 'hook' is something I really thought best not even attempted. This also has to be the pay-off for all those laboured "Torchwood" references, setting up the eponymous spin-off AND wedge in 'sleb cameos from Barbara Windsor and the like. I'm also not convinced we've heard the last of "Bad Wolf" or that we've correctly interpreted the Beast's apparently simple prophecy some weeks back.
I'll know by late on the 8th of July whether I feel the production team have succeded - just now I feel it will be really good or really bad, and either way awkward to follow, especially in the form of a Christmas special.
Thursday, 29 June 2006
Scottish Talent/Totty
These 2 comely gents have been brought to my attention:
Firstly basketball rising star Kieron Achera - the latest slam-dunking transatlantic transfer - who is 22 and from Stirling but is tipped for NBA level, injuries permitting (that's how he missed out on the Commonwealth Games). At 6'9" there are obvious advantages to choosing basketball, but he was originally into playing lawn bowls!
Someone I've not actually heard yet (current fave singles include The Kooks and Lily Allen) is Paolo Nutini - he opened Radio One's Big Weekend in Dundee and will play two sets at T in the Park next month. See if he really gets to emulate his hero Iggy Pop and gets his cock out on stage and slaps it on the speaker (hence the quote in green) He's slso abandoned his first career path in acting, where he missed out on parts in "Chewin' the Fat" (the wanking teenager) and "Still Game" (as a resident ned). The 19 year old's debut single is out on Monday (entitled"Last Request) with an album following on 17 July.
Firstly basketball rising star Kieron Achera - the latest slam-dunking transatlantic transfer - who is 22 and from Stirling but is tipped for NBA level, injuries permitting (that's how he missed out on the Commonwealth Games). At 6'9" there are obvious advantages to choosing basketball, but he was originally into playing lawn bowls!
Someone I've not actually heard yet (current fave singles include The Kooks and Lily Allen) is Paolo Nutini - he opened Radio One's Big Weekend in Dundee and will play two sets at T in the Park next month. See if he really gets to emulate his hero Iggy Pop and gets his cock out on stage and slaps it on the speaker (hence the quote in green) He's slso abandoned his first career path in acting, where he missed out on parts in "Chewin' the Fat" (the wanking teenager) and "Still Game" (as a resident ned). The 19 year old's debut single is out on Monday (entitled"Last Request) with an album following on 17 July.
Sugar Baby Love
Sugar Baby Love
Video sent by Baboo75
Tuesday, 27 June 2006
Porn Star Peek 10
Doctor Who - "Army of Ghosts" gallery & RT cover
Beaten Up - update
Not surprisingly, I was a little abrupt in my reporting on Saturday. Subsequent to the post my brother-in-law and younger nephew revisited the scene to see if we could find the culprits and/or to tip off Tesco's security staff (I was first confonted in their car park, though the beating was in a nearby housing estate). Ironically my older nephew was working at Tesco that night (the first time I'd seen him there) but his ideas of who did it were well off course. My brother-in-law also pointed out how easily my glasses could be mended, so they're now whole again (but severely needing replaced).
I also reported the attack to the police on Sunday - causing a very hunky policeman in tight uniform to visit me that evening (every cloud etc). They appear to be taking it seriously and will check the CCTV at Tesco. I had been a little nervous of reporting it as the startpoint had been me handing one of my scout cards to a 15 year old last month.
He took it very badly, calling me a paedophile - we were waiting at the same bus-stop and he insisted I didn't get on the bus AND that he'd tell the bus driver. The fact that the card implicitly states an age limit of 18 was lost on him. I ignored his pleas and got on the bus while he 'forgot' to tell the bus driver. I thought no more about it until our paths crossed again in Tesco's car park - again at first he was more bark than bite and a girl in his group held him back. Even then I didn't quite remember where we'd met originally. Alas he caught up with me a few minutes later. He was again completely limited to verbal abuse, but then his thick-set mate turned up. It was this one that was ready with the fists, hitting me twice on the face and spitting at me. I'm sure it didn't last very long and they scarpered after drawing blood. A car pulled up to me as I was searching for my glasses - they asked "if I was looking for my glasses" proving they'd seen everything and had kept a distance. Anyway they drove me the rest of the way home and I thanked them for their consideration.
I turned up at work yesterday morning, hoping to put it behind me, but it was obviously too early and I still felt very dizzy. My boss insisted I go back home (arranging a car to take me) and get a medical check. I went to the local casualty and got my left hand x-rayed (I fell on it and it's swollen), a handout on head injuries, and a tetanus jab. I'm feeling very sleepy still (a symptom according to the handout) and have taken today off work too.
Not terribly confident the culprits will be caught but I'll update as and when.
I also reported the attack to the police on Sunday - causing a very hunky policeman in tight uniform to visit me that evening (every cloud etc). They appear to be taking it seriously and will check the CCTV at Tesco. I had been a little nervous of reporting it as the startpoint had been me handing one of my scout cards to a 15 year old last month.
He took it very badly, calling me a paedophile - we were waiting at the same bus-stop and he insisted I didn't get on the bus AND that he'd tell the bus driver. The fact that the card implicitly states an age limit of 18 was lost on him. I ignored his pleas and got on the bus while he 'forgot' to tell the bus driver. I thought no more about it until our paths crossed again in Tesco's car park - again at first he was more bark than bite and a girl in his group held him back. Even then I didn't quite remember where we'd met originally. Alas he caught up with me a few minutes later. He was again completely limited to verbal abuse, but then his thick-set mate turned up. It was this one that was ready with the fists, hitting me twice on the face and spitting at me. I'm sure it didn't last very long and they scarpered after drawing blood. A car pulled up to me as I was searching for my glasses - they asked "if I was looking for my glasses" proving they'd seen everything and had kept a distance. Anyway they drove me the rest of the way home and I thanked them for their consideration.
I turned up at work yesterday morning, hoping to put it behind me, but it was obviously too early and I still felt very dizzy. My boss insisted I go back home (arranging a car to take me) and get a medical check. I went to the local casualty and got my left hand x-rayed (I fell on it and it's swollen), a handout on head injuries, and a tetanus jab. I'm feeling very sleepy still (a symptom according to the handout) and have taken today off work too.
Not terribly confident the culprits will be caught but I'll update as and when.
Monday, 26 June 2006
Porn Star Peek 9
Here are 2 prolific favourites to brighten your day ...
Ben @
http://bear.freegayspace.com/ben_dodge/set01/_gal20_05.html
Jeremiah @ http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1801-012-000671
and ...
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1821-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1822-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1823-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1824-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1853-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1857-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1858-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1869-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1870-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1871-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1872-012-000671
Ben @
http://bear.freegayspace.com/ben_dodge/set01/_gal20_05.html
Jeremiah @ http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1801-012-000671
and ...
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1821-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1822-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1823-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1824-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1853-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1857-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1858-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1869-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1870-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1871-012-000671
http://galleries.blueloot.com/index.php?id=1872-012-000671
Saturday, 24 June 2006
Beaten Up
Doctor Who - "Fear Her" 3/10
I didn't think I could rate something so badly but here it is,
Just plain lazy, Matthew (everyone else did their best). BTW Your "Life on Mars" is also fairly wobbly.
The "Shayne Ward : Greatest Hits" gag is so going to bomb.
This was shite. The worst of both the new series by quite a way. I won't watch this again.
Music video - Divine "Shoot Your Shot"
Spoilsports Veoh have dropped all their adult content just as I discovered them ! However I can still shoot my shot with the legend that is Divine ...
How the broadcasters thought this was "70s" I'll never know as it screams 1983 at me.
Little known fact: Divine played Dunfermline (Johnsons) in 1985.
(Amended - Veoh lost theirs so I'm using YouTube's)
How the broadcasters thought this was "70s" I'll never know as it screams 1983 at me.
Little known fact: Divine played Dunfermline (Johnsons) in 1985.
(Amended - Veoh lost theirs so I'm using YouTube's)
Friday, 23 June 2006
A couple of pretty pictures I took
Tuesday, 20 June 2006
Goodbye "Top of the Pops"
Farewell to a British institution - a programme like "Doctor Who" or "Blue Peter" that we grew up with.
The axe should have fell on Andi Peters (if there was any justice) but I guess this has been coming for a while.
Hope they go out with a bang on 30 July.
Wallow in TOTP nostalgia at TV Cream
Doctor Who - "Fear Her" gallery up
Monday, 19 June 2006
Sunday, 18 June 2006
Music video - "Soccer Practice"
Yes, I've been surfing Veoh all afternoon I admit it.
Anyways here's a promo which manages to be camp and horny at the same time. Hope you like.
Anyways here's a promo which manages to be camp and horny at the same time. Hope you like.
Tasty Italian Strip
My Italian is not too hot so I don't know quite what leads to this tasty clip, but I wish we had a UK version of the show ... a flash of willy is included, so don't say I didn't warn you.
Doctor Who - "Love & Monsters" 7/10
Hmmm - I rather enjoyed bits of this episode so why the lowest score of the series so far?
It comes down to three things:
1) What was the point of the episode? I couldn't discern one as the focus kept shifting. Was it explaining Elton's obsessions? Was it (like "Greatest Show in the Galaxy") another pop at "Doctor Who " fans? Was it that love can conquer all? Or was it again a study in those 'left behind' ? Even the episode of 'Confidential' that followed, nominally about new technology, was all over the place.
2) Important things were again left barely or completely unexplained. The pivotal despatch of Elton's mum was relatively skipped over with some sentence about a 'living shadow' and the Doctor getting there 'too late'. The backstory was absent. Equally with Victor Kennedy/the Abzorbaloff - we're just forced to accept that he likes (possibly not 'needs') to absorb people, but why these people and why at the random slow cull. And if he needs these people to find the Doctor, why get rid of them? And why HIS obsession with the Doctor - why would he taste much better (the Wire's reasons were clearer)?
3) It's going to be a cliche for this one but "it didn't feel like "Doctor Who"". It was more like some BBC3 comedy-drama that was crossing over. It would be a BBC3 comedy drama that I'd watch and enjoy, but that's not the point.
So what did I enjoy? Peter Kay was brilliant in the dual part - especially the contrast in character and accent between the two forms. I think this is the first monster we've had with a Lancashire accent, whereas Victor was much more effete and 'received pronunciation'. I also liked the cane - though it's actual purpose was rather clumsily thrown in without any preamble.
This was also one of Jackie's finest 45 minutes - Camille Coduri was the most prominent 'regular' here and got to show every facet of Rose's mum in one episode. This was most obvious in the sequence where she attempts to seduce Elton , purposely spilling red wine on him (so that he'll have to get his shirt off) only to get a mobile call from Rose which completely diverts her mood and later still scolds Elton for deceiving her. It also made me wonder how she'll deal with the events of "Doomsday" (in which she is also key, apparently) and realise we'll soon be saying goodbye to her character too.
Murray Gold had a light workload here, as much of the musical duties were handled by the ELO which made a nice twist. A pity that none of my real faves were there, though fans of "Mr Blue Sky". "Don't Bring Me Down", and "Turn to Stone" will have been chuffed. And Il Divo fans also got nod, thanks to Jackie's dubious taste.
Also a big thank-you to prosthetics maestro Neil Gorton who massively improved upon the initial Abzorbaloff design and threw in a tremendous (un-named) bonus monster too.
Anyway, I'll be watching the repeat tonight but I feel a 7 is apt.
Friday, 16 June 2006
Porn Star Peek 6
Thursday, 15 June 2006
More World Cup brain failure
After my rant the other day I thought I might have managed to vent my spleen enough for the duration. Alas not. I forgot about this type of lunacy. It's the 'everybody's watching it and you better let them or else' attitude. Again here displayed in varying amounts by both sides represented.
It's analogous to fag breaks for me (very much so being neither a smoker or a sports fan). Oh yes put a big screen in the workplace so 'everyone' can go and watch ... and those who don't want to? Can they just go for a 90 minute break too or, more likely, will be left to man the phones. And if the there are tellies already in the workplace, all switched to the match at full volume? Well this person would be 'throwing a sickie' in that case. So much for selfish claims of 'team building'.
It's analogous to fag breaks for me (very much so being neither a smoker or a sports fan). Oh yes put a big screen in the workplace so 'everyone' can go and watch ... and those who don't want to? Can they just go for a 90 minute break too or, more likely, will be left to man the phones. And if the there are tellies already in the workplace, all switched to the match at full volume? Well this person would be 'throwing a sickie' in that case. So much for selfish claims of 'team building'.
Tuesday, 13 June 2006
Porn Star Peek 5
Doctor Who - "Love & Monsters" gallery up
Nationalism v Pluralism
It's a while since I made a post that wasn't groin induced or "Doctor Who" related so forgive the culture-shock ... normal service will be restored later.
Anyway this is an intellectual itch I have to scratch as it will only get worse in the coming weeks. I nearly posted on Doctor Vee's blog on a related subject last week (my firewall disallowed me then). But it's not just the World Cup related shite/hype- it began with Gordon Brown's absurd 'Britishness' speech at the beginning of the year, and I say that as a reluctant unionist (I do wish there was another word for that). Also hovering in the same vague orbit have been the issues over choosing a national anthem for Scotland, the recent crass HMS Illustrious stunt and warnings from Scottish tourism chiefs that anti-English feelings are losing us cross-border trade. You'll have to bear in mind I am not a tribal sort and even when I am it's so laidback it's almost flat-out so all the rest of my post is in that context. I'm a live and let live, agree to differ type. There seems to be a festering quest for national identity, attached to empty symbolism, surely only pointing up some communal insecurity. The issue with the anthem is a good starting point here - why this repeated aching for one ? So that one more thing can be obliged of us, whichever one of the diverse options wins out. I for one would sit in stone-faced defiance if "Flower of Scotland" got the nod (if asked my vote is for "A Man's a Man for A That"). And that's just it - tribalism demands totems with which to beat people, and yet civil society is ever more diverse and pluralistic. We won't all conform by default any more, and equally that's why ludicrous ideas like 'Britishness' are doomed to fail - who's the more 'British' - a Muslim in Shetland, a drag queen in Swansea, a Salford scally or a Marxist in Derry? Would even these four people agree on a definition. I doubt it. Even Scottishness is dubious given my example - Shetland is so very far removed in spirit from say Fife, whatever your religion. And I live in Fife (though born in Perth) so am I a Fifer? A 'central Scot'? Who can say? Again though, tribalism demands labels and conformity. It's not something I'm comfy with, even the 'gay' label doesn't really say much about me (as my earlier post on a BBC3 documentary proved). The fact I post links to gay porn here would actually tell you more without me even using the word. But that's semantics really.
Some churchy types have lately tried to use the word relativism in a perjorative way (much as the American right use 'Liberal' as a slur) as the shrinking world - in communications terms - continues to underline that no one faith, philosophy or sneaky means of propogating them is going to be 'win out' any more. It's a shame the nationalists haven't quite realised the parallel yet - notably the boorish nationalists in the blunt ends of our press. The media should be in a position to defuse, but so often further inflame or trample our sensibilities. "The Sun" is a textbook example, not just for obvious reasons but for the fact it slyly produces different print editions but is stuck with just one website (it's the one with the flag of St George plastered on it). Hence us clever Scots can witness the unlovely spectacle of the two-headed hack beast as the Scottish print edition rails at the very English jingo-ism so carefully egged on by the website.
So where am I on this? Which team am I supporting? I'm not. If I have the misfortune to be have to watch a whole 90 minutes of this World Cup tedium (highly unlikely short of hospitalisation) I'll support the team with the best looking players, which is only logical and appropriate for me if rather too relative for most people (I do think they should play in just jockstraps, socks and boots - it would widen the appeal greatly and I'd tape every match).
But I have another view on the bigger arguement ie asking 'what team are you supporting' in the first place. That's the actual problem, not what anyone answers. No-one should be obliged to answer, judged on the 'right or wrong' answer, or blame the respondant for any resulting controversy - it's the questioner's responsibility for asking. Politicians would be the exception to that rule of course. My favourite response so far was from author Ian Rankin when asked by the Sunday Times Scotland as one of a panel of 'sleb Scots: “I have no views on the World Cup. I’ll be watching Big Brother instead.” And good on the paper for printing it rather than ignoring what is actually a valid and widely held view both sides of the suddenly iron border. My stance comes from 3 layers of niggle, which covers my deep disdain for both 'nationalist camps'. Firstly it's assumed by advertisers and the media that I'm interested in the first place (I'm not). Then the general UK thrust is that I'm supporting England (I'm not), followed by the general Scottish thrust which is because I'm Scottish even if I'm not interested I'm supporting anybody but England (I'm not). Of course it's also generally assumed that the last of these is directly caused by the combo of the first two. Having lived in England myself (admittedly in cosmopolitan London) and having noted the behaviours of other ex-pats like Ken Bruce and Carole Kirkwood the lazy tendency to think everything is the way it is in your own locale is the failing ie weather spells, school terms. Note 'locale' not country - it may only be a radius of 30 miles. Maybe it's a form of 'going native', but it's incompetent rather than malicious and happens equally in Glasgow or Edinburgh with things like slang or bank holidays. Basically they know not what they do - everyone around them hasn't picked them up on it either. Plus there is probably an over-prevalance of partial football fans in postions of power in the media, so they get all fired up with their peers and the failing goes to ludicrous extremes. Witness BBC News 24 covering the England team merely arriving at the airport for their flight out with all the minutae and reverance of a state occassion. Again this happens in Scotland most of the time, rather than for special tournaments - note the ring-fenced 'sports' (read football) bulletin on 'Reporting Scotland' even when there's nothing actually happening . The Scots certainly are over-sensitive - no-one would have a problem with Saltire-flying in the Home Counties even now - the same cannot be contemplated in the reverse situation and that shows us up. Both should be able to fly their own flag if they want to (though I think it's generally exhibitionist and juvenile). I can't understand why you'd fly another flag than your own or have to be privately patriotic in another country. Not everyone in Scotland is Scottish just as not everyone in England is English. Deal with it. Thankfully we're not yet quite as silly as the Americans are about our flags.
Both the monomania being broadcast from England and the schadenfruede so ingrained in Scotland piss me off. And actually the latter pisses me off more, partly because it makes me ashamed to be Scottish and partly because it is premeditated and malicious in many cases. Sure it's not racist not to positively support England, but to randomly back whatever opponent going is borderline. A particular instance that incensed me in so many ways happened during Euro 2000. Our local 10 screen cinema megaplex had just opened in Dunfermline. On their opening weekend, England were playing their 'Auld Enemy', Germany, in the tournament. Pandering to tabloid sensibilities, he cinema bosses decided they'd give free entry (or half-price or similar) to anyone turning up on the day wearing a German strip. Remember this was a CINEMA on it's OPENING WEEKEND. It was as daft as it was offensive - the cinema was the most likely sanctuary for non-football fans and some of them may well have been English - not the best move for customer relations. Unusually, I was luminous with rage and had I had the money and retail knowledge I was going to turn up in an England strip and see what happened then. Fortunately I was not the only complainant and by the actual day they lamely decided to extend the offer to anyone wearing any football strip - still completely irrelevant to their core business but a climbdown all the same. They've never tried any such 'cunning stunt' again. The recent warnings from the tourist industry chime with this experience. Football-phobic people in England may be desperately looking for a sanctuary too.
On the other hand, had I been part of the HMS Illustrious crew obliged to take part in the 'England Expects' stunt I would have been equally mutinous. That was outrageous and irrelevant, more so from an employer striving to celebrate diversity. That went against all principles of respecting diversity for the sake of a cheap tabloid photo-oppportunity.
But these noxious phenomena are hopefully on the wane. Recently inept campaigns such as Mars have also found to their cost that you can't push all our consumer buttons at once because we're not all the same and you better remember that. I'm boycotting all World Cup related brands for the duration of their sponsor campaigns for that reason. Not because I'm anti-English, but because I'm anti-football.
It's not just that I'm being ignored as a Scot, it's because I'm being ignored as being 'not effing bothered' as well as upset with being branded somehow unpatriotic by always hoping Scotland never gets anywhere near a World Cup. You would guess correctly that 1994 was my favourite World Cup where no British team qualified - oh bliss! That way there's less sport on TV and less of the tartan hype that surrounds it here. Again this is a completely logical line to take for me. Oh and maybe we shouldn't have national teams so that politicians can't wrap themselves in the 'right' flag as has happened this year, and can only end in tears. They can split them internationally by zodiac sign perhaps - that way no-one's going to risk assuming allegiances.
Lastly I think I've found a pub in Dunfermline without a TV so anyone like-minded nearby can feel free to ask me for the whereabouts.
Anyway this is an intellectual itch I have to scratch as it will only get worse in the coming weeks. I nearly posted on Doctor Vee's blog on a related subject last week (my firewall disallowed me then). But it's not just the World Cup related shite/hype- it began with Gordon Brown's absurd 'Britishness' speech at the beginning of the year, and I say that as a reluctant unionist (I do wish there was another word for that). Also hovering in the same vague orbit have been the issues over choosing a national anthem for Scotland, the recent crass HMS Illustrious stunt and warnings from Scottish tourism chiefs that anti-English feelings are losing us cross-border trade. You'll have to bear in mind I am not a tribal sort and even when I am it's so laidback it's almost flat-out so all the rest of my post is in that context. I'm a live and let live, agree to differ type. There seems to be a festering quest for national identity, attached to empty symbolism, surely only pointing up some communal insecurity. The issue with the anthem is a good starting point here - why this repeated aching for one ? So that one more thing can be obliged of us, whichever one of the diverse options wins out. I for one would sit in stone-faced defiance if "Flower of Scotland" got the nod (if asked my vote is for "A Man's a Man for A That"). And that's just it - tribalism demands totems with which to beat people, and yet civil society is ever more diverse and pluralistic. We won't all conform by default any more, and equally that's why ludicrous ideas like 'Britishness' are doomed to fail - who's the more 'British' - a Muslim in Shetland, a drag queen in Swansea, a Salford scally or a Marxist in Derry? Would even these four people agree on a definition. I doubt it. Even Scottishness is dubious given my example - Shetland is so very far removed in spirit from say Fife, whatever your religion. And I live in Fife (though born in Perth) so am I a Fifer? A 'central Scot'? Who can say? Again though, tribalism demands labels and conformity. It's not something I'm comfy with, even the 'gay' label doesn't really say much about me (as my earlier post on a BBC3 documentary proved). The fact I post links to gay porn here would actually tell you more without me even using the word. But that's semantics really.
Some churchy types have lately tried to use the word relativism in a perjorative way (much as the American right use 'Liberal' as a slur) as the shrinking world - in communications terms - continues to underline that no one faith, philosophy or sneaky means of propogating them is going to be 'win out' any more. It's a shame the nationalists haven't quite realised the parallel yet - notably the boorish nationalists in the blunt ends of our press. The media should be in a position to defuse, but so often further inflame or trample our sensibilities. "The Sun" is a textbook example, not just for obvious reasons but for the fact it slyly produces different print editions but is stuck with just one website (it's the one with the flag of St George plastered on it). Hence us clever Scots can witness the unlovely spectacle of the two-headed hack beast as the Scottish print edition rails at the very English jingo-ism so carefully egged on by the website.
So where am I on this? Which team am I supporting? I'm not. If I have the misfortune to be have to watch a whole 90 minutes of this World Cup tedium (highly unlikely short of hospitalisation) I'll support the team with the best looking players, which is only logical and appropriate for me if rather too relative for most people (I do think they should play in just jockstraps, socks and boots - it would widen the appeal greatly and I'd tape every match).
But I have another view on the bigger arguement ie asking 'what team are you supporting' in the first place. That's the actual problem, not what anyone answers. No-one should be obliged to answer, judged on the 'right or wrong' answer, or blame the respondant for any resulting controversy - it's the questioner's responsibility for asking. Politicians would be the exception to that rule of course. My favourite response so far was from author Ian Rankin when asked by the Sunday Times Scotland as one of a panel of 'sleb Scots: “I have no views on the World Cup. I’ll be watching Big Brother instead.” And good on the paper for printing it rather than ignoring what is actually a valid and widely held view both sides of the suddenly iron border. My stance comes from 3 layers of niggle, which covers my deep disdain for both 'nationalist camps'. Firstly it's assumed by advertisers and the media that I'm interested in the first place (I'm not). Then the general UK thrust is that I'm supporting England (I'm not), followed by the general Scottish thrust which is because I'm Scottish even if I'm not interested I'm supporting anybody but England (I'm not). Of course it's also generally assumed that the last of these is directly caused by the combo of the first two. Having lived in England myself (admittedly in cosmopolitan London) and having noted the behaviours of other ex-pats like Ken Bruce and Carole Kirkwood the lazy tendency to think everything is the way it is in your own locale is the failing ie weather spells, school terms. Note 'locale' not country - it may only be a radius of 30 miles. Maybe it's a form of 'going native', but it's incompetent rather than malicious and happens equally in Glasgow or Edinburgh with things like slang or bank holidays. Basically they know not what they do - everyone around them hasn't picked them up on it either. Plus there is probably an over-prevalance of partial football fans in postions of power in the media, so they get all fired up with their peers and the failing goes to ludicrous extremes. Witness BBC News 24 covering the England team merely arriving at the airport for their flight out with all the minutae and reverance of a state occassion. Again this happens in Scotland most of the time, rather than for special tournaments - note the ring-fenced 'sports' (read football) bulletin on 'Reporting Scotland' even when there's nothing actually happening . The Scots certainly are over-sensitive - no-one would have a problem with Saltire-flying in the Home Counties even now - the same cannot be contemplated in the reverse situation and that shows us up. Both should be able to fly their own flag if they want to (though I think it's generally exhibitionist and juvenile). I can't understand why you'd fly another flag than your own or have to be privately patriotic in another country. Not everyone in Scotland is Scottish just as not everyone in England is English. Deal with it. Thankfully we're not yet quite as silly as the Americans are about our flags.
Both the monomania being broadcast from England and the schadenfruede so ingrained in Scotland piss me off. And actually the latter pisses me off more, partly because it makes me ashamed to be Scottish and partly because it is premeditated and malicious in many cases. Sure it's not racist not to positively support England, but to randomly back whatever opponent going is borderline. A particular instance that incensed me in so many ways happened during Euro 2000. Our local 10 screen cinema megaplex had just opened in Dunfermline. On their opening weekend, England were playing their 'Auld Enemy', Germany, in the tournament. Pandering to tabloid sensibilities, he cinema bosses decided they'd give free entry (or half-price or similar) to anyone turning up on the day wearing a German strip. Remember this was a CINEMA on it's OPENING WEEKEND. It was as daft as it was offensive - the cinema was the most likely sanctuary for non-football fans and some of them may well have been English - not the best move for customer relations. Unusually, I was luminous with rage and had I had the money and retail knowledge I was going to turn up in an England strip and see what happened then. Fortunately I was not the only complainant and by the actual day they lamely decided to extend the offer to anyone wearing any football strip - still completely irrelevant to their core business but a climbdown all the same. They've never tried any such 'cunning stunt' again. The recent warnings from the tourist industry chime with this experience. Football-phobic people in England may be desperately looking for a sanctuary too.
On the other hand, had I been part of the HMS Illustrious crew obliged to take part in the 'England Expects' stunt I would have been equally mutinous. That was outrageous and irrelevant, more so from an employer striving to celebrate diversity. That went against all principles of respecting diversity for the sake of a cheap tabloid photo-oppportunity.
But these noxious phenomena are hopefully on the wane. Recently inept campaigns such as Mars have also found to their cost that you can't push all our consumer buttons at once because we're not all the same and you better remember that. I'm boycotting all World Cup related brands for the duration of their sponsor campaigns for that reason. Not because I'm anti-English, but because I'm anti-football.
It's not just that I'm being ignored as a Scot, it's because I'm being ignored as being 'not effing bothered' as well as upset with being branded somehow unpatriotic by always hoping Scotland never gets anywhere near a World Cup. You would guess correctly that 1994 was my favourite World Cup where no British team qualified - oh bliss! That way there's less sport on TV and less of the tartan hype that surrounds it here. Again this is a completely logical line to take for me. Oh and maybe we shouldn't have national teams so that politicians can't wrap themselves in the 'right' flag as has happened this year, and can only end in tears. They can split them internationally by zodiac sign perhaps - that way no-one's going to risk assuming allegiances.
Lastly I think I've found a pub in Dunfermline without a TV so anyone like-minded nearby can feel free to ask me for the whereabouts.
Attitude - Danny Dyer scans
Here are the pics I promised - they were a bit of a bugger to scan and a not to much variety of shots to chose from. Frankly I think AXM won the battle this month as the Dyer interview is the best thing in it (an example of why reported here) and when your other 'star names' are Alan Carr and Dannii Minogue I'm reaching for the sick bucket.
Scans fron AXM to follow.
Sunday, 11 June 2006
Doctor Who - The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit 9/10
Hmmm - not quite the 10 I was hoping to give. The second episode of the 2-parter veered off somewhat in another direction, and was a little baffling at times. Both parts had more than the normal quota of psychology going on - which worked on some occassions but went over my head at other times (maybe I need that second watch tonight). Certainly it was much darker than the rest of the new series, and there were few quips on offer. My main gripe having seen the whole story was that many things were not developed or explained fully, but this is a failing of the new series generally. I would have liked more on the Ood - perhaps they can be brought back at some point. They made an entrance as a faux terror thanks to a communication failure, but once possessed by the beast they were only there to run from or despatch. I'm sure I was not the only one to feel a twinge of regret when the Doctor informed what was left of the Sanctuary base crew that the Ood had all died on the planet.
What made the lack of background more stark was the teasing lines the Beast used to describe all the characters - how did Toby manage to remain a virgin and just what did Jefferson do to his wife? I also felt there was scope for a secret or two about the Doctor himself. Satan was the star of the show, whether embodied by Will Thorp as the doomed Toby or by the giant CGI horned beast - this was mainly down to the voice of Gabriel Woolf, whose tones scare the crap out of me every time. Probably the creepiest two scenes were in "The Impossible Planet' - first where the Beast initially makes himself known to Toby, then later when a possessed Toby kills Scooti. These were probably some of the scariest moments in the whole canon in fact. Less scary as such but equally memorable was Rose's radical despatch of Toby on the rocket (ironically much the same way as Scooti, sucked into space after Rose blasts the windows and undoes his seat-belt). Rose again showed herself here to be resourceful and heroic, with or without the Doctor. The Doctor meanwhile spends much of the time in an orange spacesuit, which must be difficult to emote in. But the way he so casually bumps into the previously lost TARDIS in the pit was a bit too convenient, as was it's traction properties.
The pace of the story was incredibly fast, always having you on the edge of your seat and packing in lots of action and dialogue. Murray Gold's score matched wonderfully too. So, because of the gripes, only a 9 - but it's a flawed classic all the same.
Thursday, 8 June 2006
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
Doctor Who - Satan
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
Saturday, 3 June 2006
Doctor Who - The Impossible Planet
Oh my god! (in joke)
It's another two parter (second of three this series) so I'm with-holding my full review again but I'm very positive so far. It got me right back to some of the studio bound Hinchcliffe era especially "Planet of Evil" and "Robots of Death" and we even have the voice of Sutekh as the voice of a very similar 'beast'. If anything this added the sophistication of "Alien' to the mix as well. And I already think the Ood are one of the most gloriosly un-lovely creations since the Zygons, plus Will Thorp is a horny devil ... so to speak.
Attitude v AXM, June 2006
Friday, 2 June 2006
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