Thursday 19 August 2010

Whats in your bag Angelos?

It's been sometime since I last did one of these, well months to be exact. I guess I fell out of the swing of doing it, or perhaps it was the lack of something to say.
Life has been up and down in the meantime, nothing major. There are people far worse out there than myself. So I won't even contemplate attempting to group myself in with people like that.
I've said this before, but things need to change, and I think mentally I'm prepared to make things change. Which in itself is somewhat of a break through, breaking past the comfort zone and stepping beyond into the unknown. I think this is something we can all relate to, the uncomfortable nature of the unknown.
I think in a way I'm to lazy and if I wasn't I could of been a much better person than I am, but thats for another time.

In the gap since my last blog rant lets try to think of some of the things that I've enjoyed in the mean time.

Sherlock: Utterly brilliant all three episodes were some of the best TV I've seen. An if you didn't see it, why not? Thou it does leave me wishing I had half his skill an interlect.

Dexter: I'm a bit of a late starter here. I've heard people for ages speaking about how good it is. I've just never had the time to even look into it, and finally had a gap of nothing to watch. So thought I'd give it a go. I simply fell in love with it from the first episode, why? Well simply because I can actually understand an relate to Dexter. In that we share similar views on things, no I don't go around killing people don't worry....thou there was that time I did want to kill....no, I'm joking.
Perhaps its not just myself, which is where the shows popularity comes from. Its the narration from the show, the disclosure of Dexters most inner thoughts, an his analysing and rationalising what it is he does that makes him so appealing.

Shooting Stars: I've utterly enjoyed the latest series. So much so its been one of my high lights of the week. Not a single episode that didn't have me laughing hard. Was sad to see no George Dawes but utterly love Angelos. Not sure what it is that cracks me up, his interesting clothes, his disjointed hand movements, his strange way of talking. Either way it all adds up to be a hilarious character that defo deserves its place on the show. (Sure as hell beats the fat unfunny man this is Johnny Vegas)

Anyway thats enough for a minute, I'm sure I'll think of something else. In the meantime I have a little project that I'm working on in the meantime. So keep your eyes peeled here for the future updates.

Monday 28 June 2010

World cup exit

So England crash out of the World Cup, it wasn't exactly a surprise. I had been saying to everyone that I thought it was going to be a Germany win, and sometimes it pains to be right.

Now I'm no football expert by any means but two things were annoying. Firstly the disallowed goal, I can't see why video technology isn't allowed in Football. When its so present in many other forms of sports, Tennis, Rugby, Motorsport. An is used fairly to establish clear cut results. So why football one of, if not the biggest sport in the world is so behind in not using it.
The excuse is money....utter rubbish. If matches are filmed for telly the technology is already there, an so someone sitting behind a screen in contact with the on pitch referee surely can't be any more difficult. It just reeks of blind madness in this day an age.

As for England we were shocking from the first game. What gets me is that we play players based on their club reputation when time and time again at international level they don't work. We need to ignore club reputation and forge a team of people who are gifted but have the ability to work solidly as a team.

Just look at some of the lesser national teams in the world cup who has performed well. Someone like New Zealand didn't have world class top players, but what they had definitely over England is a sense of discipline, control and above all else a team bond to each other. To work as a unit, a game of football isn't played by one person, its a group who need to bond.

So if it was me, I'd begin to forge a team that works as a "Team" many of our currently crop of players are going to be to old to make it to the next world cup, so for some its the perfect time to forge this new breed. Or else I'll continue feeling that England will never win a world cup again in my life time.

Monday 31 May 2010

I'm going to find a happy....I'm going to find a happy place

I'm finding myself fascinated by ancient Greece, more so by the myths and legends of the Greek gods. I think its come from playing the brilliant "God of war" game trilogy which I have played all 3 back to back of. I've found myself in love with this game, simple for the story. I love playing it just to further the story.
An the character of Kratos is a brilliant play on the Greek myths, and I like fictional stories that fill in blanks and unknown elements of history.

I'm now adding it to my list of things I want to learn more on. If I could have any superpower I think I would now choose the ability to stop time. Just so I could stop and use the frozen time to read books an such, a way to catch up on things. There is so much I don't know an want to learn that I simply don't have the time to do it. Still its not possible but if it were that be my choice.

Anyway so I'm after a book or several that tell all the Greek story myths. Its interesting thou where did they call come from in the first place? an then when did they stop believing in these stories? Was it like Christianity and other religions that came along and made them just think "This is silly" and swap? I don't get it, anyone know what happened to these believes?

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After a 2/3 year wait the new Katie Melua album is out Woo! However upon first few listens, I only thinks its ok. I'm hoping its going to grow on me the more I listen an learn the tracks. Its not grabbed me as much as the last album did. I think its because there are a lot of slower tempo songs, but the faster songs are brilliant. I still believe "The flood" is one of the best tracks she's ever done which got me excited for the album. So far been a little under whelmed.
A first listen is always the most exciting but I have to be happy with this now for the next 3 years. I'm just glad I've got new stuff to listen to, and then at the end of the year I'll be seeing her live. Can't bloody wait, in the meantime I hope it grows on me and I end up loving the album

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Its been a week or so now, and I've needed time to absorb and mourn the ending of Ashes to Ashes. I was happy with the final ever episode, it answered enough questions for me. I'm just utterly heart broken its the end and no more Gene Hunt. I wasn't as utterly shocked by the last episode, I think its because I'd worked elements out for myself an a few things that just sunk into place for me. Also looking back the trail for the episode didn't help as I think it did spoil a few elements, but guess didn't know it was going to. People that make such trails should be a little more careful with what they show thou, I'm sure its a fine balance.
Still it was a sad ending an I'm sad to see the end of it. I'll just have to make do with the boxsets and watching them forever now.

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(Maybe spoilers ahead)

I'm finding myself a little at odds with Doctor Who. I mean I like it, and I'm enjoying the show. I'm just not finding myself utterly excited about it ever week like I used to. I like the Doctor, and I like Amy. However that is where the problem lies, I "Like" them and not "Love" them. I mean I utterly loved the 10th Doctor, his assistants and many of the episodes.
I cried when Rose was lost to the other dimension, I was heart broken at what happened to Donna. I cried floods of tears when 10 died, it was a super sad emotional finale episode. I'm just not feeling the same level of love for the new doctor.
Like this week "Rory" died (did he?, really thou?) I felt nothing for his death. One I felt it was coming for a few episodes now, and secondly the way in which he died was pointlessly crap.
He pushed the doctor out of the way to save him, getting shot in the process. Right great, however he seemed to push the doctor out the way, before the shot was even fired, an then he got shot. So she couldn't of just I dunno re-targetted the doctor before firing? Pointless.

I'm not sure what it is, I think its basically the new doctor who series feels different and doesn't have the same level of emotional depth like the old ones did. Not sure if I can put my finger on it yet....did I feel this way with the first season of 10? I can't seriously remember, so perhaps its something I have to relearn to love again.

I mean even confidential has become less interesting an boring. This week, them on the who tour, right brilliant. Not that fussed, I'd rather they talked more about the episode to be honest.

Friday 21 May 2010

An end to all things...

It seems its a time of endings in TV. Many shows are beginning to come to an end, some by means of there time has come to a close and others have been forced into it. Either way 2010 is a year of endings.

Some of the shows I'm talking about ending are of course 24, Lost, Heroes and Ashes to Ashes. All good shows in there own right and some really sad to see end. An the one I'm most sad to see end is...Ashes to Ashes.

Its a British show we should be proud of, a cop show that's wrapped in such complex thought provoking mysteries and ideas. Its been an utter joy to watch, and the last ever series which draws to a close this Friday. Is the show that's had me nervously counting down to the end of. My thoughts have been very much stuck on this show as I await the ending. An I have been let down by endings in the past when I have been this excited an nervous for them. I so hope this isn't the case. The ending of Life on Mars was one of television genius an was such a fitting ending. I hope this doesn't disappoint.

I shall be sad to see the back of one of televisions greatest ever characters as well in Gene Hunt. The nature of the character, his brilliant one liners all so wonderfully played by Philip Glenister. The American version and especially Gene wasn't even in the same league as the original.
With that being said, part of the fun of the show is trying to work out the meaning behind it all. Of course like everyone I have my theories an I hope the eventual truth will leave me happy and content. Friday will tell....

In the mean time there are other big shows ending, Lost being the next big one. All those mysteries coming to an end. Its sad because its one of those shows that rarely come along, when will the next show like it be? Who knows but as I said 2010 is a sad year for the ending of TV shows.

Tuesday 6 April 2010

"Sometimes you can't help which way you fall"

So its Easter, time of chocolate an what not. Also time for me to go rambling on about this an that.I guess the main things would be the return of Doctor Who and Ashes to Ashes. An after round one the winner is....Ashes to Ashes. Well it may be pointless comparing the shows and judging them against each other but on the simple fact of which I enjoyed more and left me with a sense of satisfaction then it was Ashes to Ashes. However the real winner was the viewer.
That being said, A2A came out firing on all cylinders with a blinder of first episode. As always there was some brilliant laugh out loud moments of brilliance. While the last 10 minutes left me feeling nervous and heavily curious of what lies ahead.

*small spoiler* The new character of Keats was a brilliant turn. Turning from bumbling friendly investigator to a nasty creepy bastard in seconds. Brilliant writing to make me instantly hate the guy, though his future plans make things look bleak for all concerned.
Some interesting questions and mysteries seem yet to be answer. What is the importance of the world, and what really happened to Sam Tyler? An who's the disfigured man? who ever it is, it most definitely isn't Sam Tyler due to the fact it looks nothing like John Simm.

"You can't stand there" "Yes I can, I just have to stay here with my feet slightly apart." Gene quote of the episode.

As for the return of the doctor. The opener was a strong an interesting episode. Of course after the epic two parter finale of the 10th Doctor things weren't ever going to be on the same scale, nor should they be. What we got was a fairly simple story weaved with some interesting character elements. Most importantly we had a new Doctor to get to know, Matt Smith seems comfortable and a pretty good choice for the new Doctor. Filling the role with humour, charm and a quirky nature. An his look fits the new doctors personality, even if it doesn't look anywhere near as cool as Tennants.
What we most importantly got from the episode is the solid foundations of things to come. The show feels differently and on the path to a new feel to the doctor. I don't think its one I've settled into and feel comfortable with yet but I trust in what Moffets vision of the show is.
That being said some new elements was the interesting "Doctors vision" which is an interesting way to show what the doctor has said before.
"Every waking second, I can see: what is, what was, what could be, what must not. That's the burden of a Time Lord" So it was a nice way to try and show it in a visual sense. I wonder if we will see it later on in the series.

I also like the character of Amy Pond, feisty, cheeky an a little bit sexy. An the fact the two character met in a unique way helps but also interesting that the Doctor has also shaped her to be how she is. Clearly there is some more mysteries behind little Amy, and look forward to seeing more.

Glad also to see Murray Gold is continuing on with scoring the series. His work has been just as important to making the show as anyone else's involvement. With that being said however, new titles look brilliant, nice new logo but the new theme...awful. I'm sorry its lost its impact, after the first tease the old one kicked in with a loud opener so you knew where you were straight off. Now its a more subtle weird start which has no impact. Also the lack of bass Dum-de-dums is really sadly lacking, so feel rather disheartened by the whole thing. An there isn't enough there for it to grow on me sadly.With that being said, I really like the new Doctors "Adventure theme" as I shall call it till it has a proper name. It's really cool and I love the string elements near the start. Its almost as good as "All the strange, strange creatures" which was very much 10's adventure theme. An even if its half as good as that, that's high praise indeed.

I shall leave it there for now, an can't really make a full judgement on how much I like the new Doctor until we are a few more episodes in. One episode is not enough to get a good impression on, we have had no real struggle, or any real emotional depth/danger. An it was the emotional side of the doctor that Tennant portrayed oh so wonderfully. So I shall watch with eager anticipation for what lies ahead for the doctor.

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Mania highlights.

* Money in the bank: Did it really have to be of all people Jack bloody Swagger to win? Looks like he is now borrowing some of Kurt Angles old attire. Ok he can wrestle, but listening to him talk is painful so why of all people did he have to win? I guess Christian was to obvious a pick. Other than the winner not a bad money in the back, thou I don't think 10 people in it worked so well, to many in there with little time to shine. Shelton Benjamin anyone? where was he during that match! Only true highlights came from Matt Hardy and Christian moments.

* Sheamus Vs Triple H: Shame Triple H won, I think Sheamus could of done with the win more, Triple H didn't need the win. Least Sheamus had a good showing and I guess that was the idea.

*Jericho Vs Edge: I wasn't to fussed with the result here, the pair had a great match. Happy to have seen either champ, but a little extra happy Jericho retain. With the ending however I think they are already setting up for the next PPV rematch. Edge is bound to win it then.

*HBK Vs Undertaker: This was the match we all wanted to see, and it didn't disappoint. Not sure if it topped last years, only because it was so special last year and we had something to live upto this year so it wasn't as "new". Either way it was a cracking match, the way HBK lost and indeed ended his career was how I'd want to go, fighting till the bitter end. Was a special moment that and the crowd gave him such a superb send off. Sad to think thats the last HBK match, thanks for the memories if it was.

There was some other highlights, such as Bret getting his revenge, even Vicki Guerrero paying a little homage to her late great husband Eddie. Anyone else I'd of been annoyed by but I can't fault her for because she is the widow of Eddie. Was it better than last year? Not so sure, but was good none the less. There is nothing in the year that matches Wrestlemania an that's the truth.

Saturday 27 March 2010

"There's one thing you never put in a trap..."

The last thoughts that I wrote about previously have left me thinking long and hard about things. I'm starting to feel the winds of change brewing in my life. Something that has slowly started to develop, mostly with regards to work, but also I guess with myself an my thinking on things. There is a sense of sour bitterness approaching.
I felt this once before an I elected to jump before I was pushed. Though it was hard, an a period of roughness came which I didn't enjoy. It also came with a certain degree of readjusting and often things you take for granted become obvious in there absence.
However in the long run I think it was something that was wise to do. If for my own happiness and nothing else.

So with regards to my ever present future, I'm feeling that a new jump is required. Where I fall exactly and just how well is yet to be seen, but during the free fall of it, wish me luck.

As of right now nothing is for certain (if it ever is) So over the next coming months I shall write about my experience and if indeed any progress has happened. You may be sitting there reading wondering what I'm so cryptically waffling on about, or what I have in mind. If any of you reading truly know me, I guess you may have some idea of what it is I'm trying to do. So wish me luck and as of Monday I will kick the first stage of my plan into action (like I really have a plan) so wish me luck on that.

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It's an exciting week of telly as two of my favourite shows are set to return to the box an I can't wait.
"Ashes to Ashes" and "Doctor who".
Where do I start with why I'm excited about the return of these two ingenious shows. Ashes to Ashes comes with a sense of sad excitement. Sad excitement? Yeah, well good that its back yet sad that its coming to an end. The sense that a few prolonged unanswered mysteries promise to be reveal. I just hope they aren't a let down. An I'm looking forward to hearing some new Gene Hunt words of wisdom.

As for the return of the Doctor. We have a whole new one to welcome and help guide us into the new who era. We had no series last year and I felt Saturday night telly lacked because of it, nothing filled the void. The amount of reality telly talent shows, or shows about falling over members of the public didn't come close. They were easy often cheaper mindless shows for the simple masses. They don't fill you with wonder, excitement while raising the back of your hairs in nervous anticipation. Maybe that's just me, but that's something that the return of who brings with it for me. That excitement and eager wanting of the next episode. To be taken on the joyous ride, nothings grips like the build up to the show an each that follows.
From the small clips I've seen, the approach seems familiar yet fresh at the same time. So over the next few weeks I shall be gripped to my telly lapping up all the telly goodness that is on its way, enjoying the emotional ride that awaits, only wish it could last.

Oh and on a personal note, finally my 10th Doctor replica coat is on the way. I can't wait to try it on and feel the weight and whoosh of it all. It's proven to be a bit of a battle to get hold of, with regards to supplier problems an what not. Taken about 6 months to get here, I just hope it has been worth the wait.
Photos I'm sure are to follow for those people who have displayed an interest just to see what its like in all of its magnificence.

Anyway I shall leave you here while I climb into bed early because the damn summer time is stealing an hour of my sleep, damn you BST!! *Shakes fist*