31
Oct
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by Darren
First up is the theme I’m using here. I’ll probably be changing it in the very near future. I’m in the process of defining the whole ‘why’ of this blog. As a consequence of this, things may well look a little different in the next few weeks.
Second, is the fact that my son has just whited out his face and added a black star to go to a fancy dress party as a memebr of Kiss. About *cough* *cough* years ago, I did a similar thing but had a lightning bolt to make me look like David Bowie on the cover of Aladin Sane. Those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it? Or perhaps those who have a digital camera won’t be destined to repeat history?
Third is the element of irony I am having at this moment. Many fundamentalist and evangelical Christians will be condemning the practice of Halloween at this time, as is their right. At the same time the next month will see me writing a manuscript that may be published by a Christian publisher in a series tentatively described as ‘Bible Horror’. It will be very good though, so I hope the option to publish is taken up.
That is about it, apart from the things to be thankful for that I have been pondering:
- ywriter – excellent novel writing software
- Local market green grocers
- Ideas
- ASBO Jesus
- Spotify – yep still there
- NaNoWriMo
- Robinson Crusoe Theme Tune – from the old TV series that was often on during school holidays
This post is in: Uncategorized
20
Oct
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by Darren
I spent last Friday evening enjoying an evening of nostalgia. BBC Four showed a program called Synth Britannia. This was all about the UK music industry and how the arrival of affordable synths and post punk gloom got together to make a new sound.
This was what I grew up with. It was a joy to watch Gary Numan, John Foxx and Daniel Miller share their memories. And I’m sure a joy for all those involved to sit amongst all those ageing analogue synths.
At times I did feel old, but at other times I enjoyed laughing along with my daughter at Midge Ure’s excuse for a moustache. I still can’t quite decide what Andy McCluskey’s worst crime is, Atomic Kitten or his dancing. That said, it was great to hear from all of them and my thanks for all their music – well perhaps not Tesla Girls.
I also wondered whether I have reached the age that I want to complain to the BBC.
Was I upset that Japan only got a brief image toward the end of the show? Was I annoyed that John Foxx’s Metamatic was mentioned before Gary Numan’s (for the pedants, Tubeway Army’s) Are ‘Friends’ Electric?
No, my main gripe was that a clip of Kieron Prenderville waxing on about the Fairlight Sampling Computer, was followed by Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys talking about the Emulator. This gave the impression that it was the same machine, it wasn’t, not by a long shot. I’m either getting old or the geek in me is finally breaking free.
Still, as I list my things to be thankful for, you’ll see the program was thoroughly appreciated:
- Synth Britannia
- Numan / Foxx et al
- BBC Four
- Flash Forward (so far, don’t think I’ve forgiven Brannon Braga for Dr Phlox yet)
- DirectLine Insurance (fixed a leak for me)
- Life – BBC not mine
- Life – mine, I’m still breathing
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13
Oct
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by Darren
One person can only take so much.
One person can only do so much.
Jesus was only one person.
Thank God.
I don’t think I’ve been coping too well with everything that has come my way recently. If I was a little younger I’m sure I’d be an emo or goth bemoaning the state of my sordid existence, but then if I lived in Palestine or Rowanda I may have a little more perspective than my comfortable western lifestyle allows.
So perhaps the eyeliner and back combed hair will go on the back burner – no comments please.
I’m still trying to find the ultimate solution to organisation, from David Allen’s GTD to Stephen Covey’s 7 habits, I can’t seem to pull it all together. Actually I think the problem is that I am looking to technology for a solution. And unless I code one myself, I’m not going to find it. The answer, I feel may lie in index cards.
Anyway, enough of this idle banter, what do I have to be thankful for, in no order?
- Keith Floyd – he’s gone but he was my inspiration for using chilli, galangal and approximate amounts
- Spotify – the best, by far, online music service
- First Cape Rose wine
- Getting up with you – The Yeah Yous
- CS4 – still thankful for this
- tags
- Keith Floyd – this guy is probably in my top five influential people in my life, so he deserves to be here again. I will eternally miss ‘a loving close up’ . If you don’t mind some pretty harsh language then this is a great interview.
This post is in: Personal
and tagged: floyd, spotify, yeah yous
06
Oct
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by Darren
I have just finished reading the latest in the illustrious line of Sci-fi books by Iain M Banks. This one was called Matter and saw a return to the universe inhabited, and pretty much run, by the Culture, a primarily human amalgamation, amongst a universe of exotic aliens.
I had read somewhere that Mr Banks had feared, and perhaps still does, that he may have to stop writing Sci-fi. His reason being that as he gets older he won’t be able to come up with the creative ideas to keep fans of the genre happy.
On the evidence of Matter, I don’t think he has any fear for the next several aeons. Matter is packed, from beginning to end, with ideas on a grand scale. The ideas weave throughout the story, creating a perfect symbiosis.
So if you think that age dims the mind and you become less creative, think again. You’ll find no evidence in this latest release.
This weeks sever things to be thankful for:
- Iain M Banks
- Chinese cookery books
- Cold tablets
- Stephen Covey
- Frost / Nixon
- Thunderbird (the mail app, not a fictional vehicle)
- Microsoft and Adobe product activation
This post is in: Read
and tagged: books, Read
