Three Things

Reading Helen Zaltzman's blog (if you don't listen to her Answer Me This podcast you really really should, I was reminded of Isy Suttie's great Edinburgh show this year, in which her mum tells her she should write down three things that made her happy that day.
It's a lovely idea, and one I'm going to start doing. But as I haven't done it before, today's Three Things will be about the last week. I'm also going to set myself the rule that the Things can't already be blog posts.

1. Winning the pub quiz - the first time at our local pub quiz, and we romped to victory by half a point. This was in no way because the music round was about musicals. which brings me on to

2. Hungover Sunday - having had enough red wine the night before that I felt justified in lying around in my pyjamas, but not enough that I was lying with my head in the toilet. Watched West Side Story and Strictly ballroom. West Side Story is a little schmaltzy even for me, but perfect hangover cheese.


3. Fireworks in Blackheath. Not as impressive as usual, but I get ridiculously excited with fireworks. Especially when you're so close up it feels like they're aimed right at you. Less fun was standing next to two men, who were both recording on two devices each. Pah, these young 'uns. I did take my phone out for two minutes however, just to snap the below.

Lovely Sounds - Fortuna Pop!

Every now and then there seems to be a gig line-up made expressly for you. Tonight was one of those nights. Celebrating Fortunata Pop!'s 15th birthday, Tender Trap, Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern and Allo Darlin' are pretty much among my top 5 bands of the last couple of years. That's not killing with faint praise, but if you're of the indie twee persuasion the last couple of years have been good to you.
Tender Trap, I must be honest did not live up to my memories of them at the last Twee as Fuck all-dayer. But then, neither does the last album.
Darren Hayman. Aah, Darren Hayman. The most attractive unattractive man. Happiest whilst singing the saddest songs. It's one of those voices. If you don't like it, there's no persuading you it's good. But if you like it you love his songs. With the Secondary Modern behind him it's a more joyful, full sound. Other than playing NONE if my favourite songs I couldn't have asked for more.
Allo Darlin' are the most adorable, heartfelt songs I've heard in a long time. Parts melancholy, parts brilliant dancing, they create such a warmth it's impossible not to get swept up. New stuff sounds great.
Lovely lovely loveliness.

Georgette Heyer

I am utterly unashamed about my love for Georgette Heyer's regency romances. My grandmother has many of them as first editions (no dust covers left, alas), and I must have read each of them many many times over my teenage years.

So imagine my delight when I found that The Book People are currently selling 10 of her Thriller's for £9.99. Written between the 30s and 50s, they are undoubtedly dated, with the odd shocking use of the 'n' word. But so wonderfully and utterly of their time, when the local vicar's wife was really rather a drag, and no murder can get in the way of a spot of tennis. And the covers! Oh the covers.

Oh my dears, such utter bliss.

Desert Island Discs

I listened to Morrissey on Desert Island Discs on Sunday. I very rarely listen to live radio (iPlayer all the way), but I felt that it was important to listen to it at the same time as everyone else. Plus I was painting my kitchen.

It was wonderful. Morrissey was amusing and warm, and Kirsty Young utterly starstruck. You should listen on iPlayer. Really you should.

Inevitably, it brought up the question of what my seven tracks would be. Marc and I were in a lovely tapas bar in Honor Oak (Tapastry) and spent a few minutes looking like losers, tapping our respective lists onto our iPhones.

This is the list I gave. I don't think it's the right one, but I'm going to have fun going back to it every now and then, to see what stays, and what doesn't.

In no particular order;


The White Stripes - Hotel Yorba





Le Tigre - Deceptacon





Pulp - Mis-Shapes





Prokofiev - Romeo & Juliet (Dance of the Knights)





Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else but You





Patrick Wolf - Magic Position





The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More





So yes. I'd like to point out that I've always loved the Prokofiev, even before the awesomeness of The Apprentice. But I suspect it's appearance in this list is just to make myself appear to be slightly cultured.

And yes - I've always loved Moldy Peaches. Neither to I make any apologies for The Carpenters.

What is most surprising is how few of my favourite bands appear on this. I'm pretty sure I should have a Smiths song on there - but which one? That's more the problem.





Back to work. I've loved listening to all these songs this afternoon. Go on YouTube and find the proper Pulp video (it wouldn't let me embed) - it's ace.

Friday afternoon is made for blogging

I had a lovely chat in the office today, about the evolution on book covers.

It was inspired by this book;

A copy of which was brought into the office by Matt. I've blogged elsewhere about my obsession with buying Agatha Christie novels for their covers, but this prompted a different discussion, mainly about the evolution of book covers over the years.

This is particularly relevant as we have just published new editions of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series. I had never before seen these covers

(apologies for the quality)

shown in the Front Cover book, and published by Pan in 1987. A quick Google search shows a raft of different covers. Of course, this can largely be explained by different countries publishing with entirely different covers, but it is fascinating to see that the first Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book was published with this cover;

And is now this;

An all singing, all dancing sticker edition, where you get to make your own (my favourite so far, on the Sci-Fi now Flickr stream is this little beauty

- Do Panic!

That this evolution has happened via this;

and this

I think is pretty amusing.

Well that's an image heavy/low content post!

Well this is terribly exciting. I can now blog from my phone. Still unlikely to say anything interesting... Far more likely that they will just be extended Twitter posts.


-- Post From My iPhone

How strange it is to read words wot you have written, and not remember them at all.

I should start again. Twitter gives me endless pieces of useless information on which to muse.

The Music Room

This is a little bit of a shameless plug for the day job, but I'm shoving this up here in the vain hope that someone will chance across it, take a chance, and buy The Music Room, by Will Fiennes. The story of his childhood in the family's moated castle, and the impact of his brother's epilepsy on the family life, it's rather slight, sensitive, and most wonderfully written.

I'm providing an easy link here, so all you have to do is click buy here, and then 'buy' on the website, and then sit back and wait for this really lovely book to arrive, improving the standard of your like immeasurably.

Honestly, it really is that good. Don't take my word for it though, listen to those lovely people at The Guardian Review, who made it their book of the week last week.

Sunday Express plumbs new depths

Occasionally you come across something that turns you into one of those doom-mongers who wail that society is broken and there's nothing we can do about it. Today's story in the Sunday Express has had that effect on me.

Am I naive? Of course I don't expect a high standard of reporting from the Express. There aren't many that read it for an incisive view of current affairs (actually, I'm not sure there are many that read it at all), but I was absolutely shocked that the chain of command at the Express decided that this;

story about the survivors of the Dunblane massacre was a good idea, and no

t the disgustingly offensive piece of vitriol it seems to me. How DARE they? I had intended to write a rather longer piece about how this is not only a massively unpleasant invasion of privacy, but the sort of misplced holier-than-thou preaching which has become the norm in certain parts of the British press, which exist apparently only to keep us all in a heightened state of outrage. But just thinking about it has made me tired, and it should really be patently obvious to anyone who reads it quite how abhorrent this piece is. The rest is below;

I came across the story on Twitter, via @Glinner, which creates an interesting topic, perhaps best left for another time. The second image is thanks to @OneInchMan.

Shocking news...

I'm alive.

The blog hasn't been updated because I was busy, and didn't really have anything interesting to say.

I still don't have anything particularly interesting to say, but due to personal circumstances, am back having a bit more time.

Long, rambling, rather pointless musings to follow.

Book Review - Engleby

Engleby - Sebastian Faulks

A substantial departure, Engleby is the first of Faulks' books that one imagines has some tinge of autobiography about it, the protagonist being of the same age and education as himself.

An engaging, but not attractive persona, Engleby is a pedantic and supercilious commentator of all that goes on around him, yet singularly unaware of his effect on others. The majority of the novel is an interesting meander, but it is not until the final third, in which Engleby's part in the preceding events is revealed, and his subsequent mental breakdown, that there is any emotional impetus. Touching on many different themes including class, education and politics, it is when the novel is looking at psychosis that the story really has something to say, as Engleby thinks about his own awareness and self-medication of mental illness.

As ever, Faulks has a beautiful style of writing. Sparing, yet lush in the atmosphere it creates, the phrasing is simple but draws the reader on, further into Engleby's experiences and mental processes.
Faulks' biggest success is in making one feel for a character that is massively unprepossessing. A distinct change from his previous novels, Faulks would do well to maintain this level of quality.

Easter Treats

A couple of youtube choices for your Thursday night viewing pleasure.

The Simon's Cat animations are small pieces of joy, with beautiful comic timing

http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat

and this song is really really wonderful. It's almost a shame it hasn't been released a couple of months later, as it is the perfect summer song, and I'm worried I'll be sick of it my then. Ho hum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz-FoGp3p0s

And a picture of cute chicks chucked in as well.

Happy Easter!

Normal Service Will Resume

How has the blogosphere survived without me?


A mixture of no internet at home, lack of inspiration and sheer laziness has meant I've not posted for over a month.

I'll try and start again, it was a good habit to get into.

What Do You Mean I Don't Know Anything?

As this seems to be the day for all media commentators to be predicting who’s going to win the Oscars, here’s my judgements, as someone who has seen one of the films nominated for the big prizes (Juno). But I read enough reviews and interviews and other people’s opinions that I reckon I’m more than qualified to judge.

Best Picture

Will Win: No Country For Old Men
Why: Quick, the Coen brothers have started making good/serious films again, let’s encourage them by giving them the big Oscar. Besides, it’s making important points about masculinity and violence, but it’s still cool and full of fights.

Should Win: The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
Why: It’s real life! It’s sad! It’s based on a true story! It’s amazing he did it! It’s real life! It was hard for the actor! It’s based on a true story! Etc etc.

Best Director

Will Win: Coen Brothers
Why: See above

Should Win: Sarah Polley
Why: A woman has fooled the money men in to letting her direct a film. It’s not going to happen again for ten years, so we should give it to a woman while there’s one in contention.

Best Actor

Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Why: No-one’s seen There Will Be Blood, but we’ve seen the posters with Day-Lewis looking scary and anyway, he’s a method actor, he really suffers for it you know. And he shouts. Loads. Which anyone knows is a sign of a great performance.

Should Win: Dunno…has anyone else even been nominated? Johnny Depp
Why: He’s pretty innit.

Best Actress

Will Win: Julie Christie
Why: Oh my god! Look! There’s an old woman in a film! Am I dreaming? She’s still there! You mean it isn’t just a two-minute role? She’s still kinda attractive…for an old woman. Let’s give her a prize.

Should Win: Ellen Page
Why: She was in the only film I’ve seen of the nominations. And she was good. It would be nice for one of the performance prizes to go to a less serious piece.

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win: Javier Bardem
Why: We haven’t really heard of him properly before, he has funny hair (see Nicole Kidman and the funny nose) and giving it to Philip Seymour Hoffman is a bit like prize day at school, and the prize going to the same swot Every. Single. Year. Not that I’m bitter or anything.

Should Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Why: He’s bloody brilliant in everything he does.

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Tilda Swinton
Why: She’s a bit scary looking, and has an aura of ‘artiness’, despite paying the bills by appearing in children’s films.

Should Win: Absolutely no-one
Why: As a protest about the ridiculously few good roles for women this year. Just because we’re going back to a 70’s aesthetic in film-making, doesn’t mean we have to return to the misogyny.

Publisher steps blinking into the light

As someone who spends a considerable amount of the day on the Project Gutenberg site, I’m quite excited that HarperCollins (US) is launching a test “Full Access” Program whereby whole books by leading authors can be viewed free for a month online (but not downloadable).

The idea is that just as readers in a bookshop will reader some of a book before buying it, online shoppers will be able to read as much of the book as they want, before following a link to buy it (the online copy will have the print option disabled).

There are some big literary names included (Paul Coelho pictured, and Neil Gaiman) and follows on from a HarperCollins initiative called The “Sneak Peek” program, which, you’ve guessed it, allows a ‘sneak peek’ at excerpts from some books two weeks before publication.
Of course, the company freely admit that they don’t expect many people to read the full book online, and will be monitoring how this program affects the sales of these books, but it is nice to see a publisher who is actively engaging with the internet, instead of seeing it as a behemoth come to bring the destruction of the publishing industry.

It contrasts with a new Random House project being tested, which will see small sections of books offered for a fee. As far as I can see, this approach is doomed to failure. The struggle and failure of newspaper websites that charged for content shows that there is an unwillingness to pay for online content, when we would be happy to pay for the same content in print.

Ultimately, the book publishing industry is going to have to evolve (just as it always has), to deal with changes in society. Despite the image of the stuffy traditional industry, publishers are now huge multinational companies, well able to make a contribution to changing media. Let us hope that there are more initiatives like this, as otherwise the doom and gloom will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When I Were A Lad...

Gawd bless Wikipedia. Without it, when reading an article such as this, I would get to a reference such as ‘Savonarola’, realised I had no idea what it meant, assume the piece was too high-brow for me, and move on. Now, I can find out within two minutes that Girolamo Savonarola was a Dominican priest, known for religious reform.In moving on from that article I would have missed out on an interesting opinion piece. In it Simon Jenkins (former Editor of The Times), argues that the current pining for the ‘Golden Age’ of journalism is harking back to a period that never was, and that the corporate ownership of newspapers that we currently have is not the awful thing some have claimed it to be.

He contends that in fact, investigative journalism is in far healthier spirits than before and is “probably better and certainly bolder” than we have ever experienced, providing examples such as The Sunday Times exposés of cash for honours, and The Guardian’s research into Saudi arms deals, as well as less one-sided coverage of war. Moreover, when you look at the newspaper industry compared to internationally, it has a great more diversity that elsewhere.

What, however, the piece skates over is the dichotomy of standards we now have, where the broadsheets are doing all he claims they are, but the tabloids are descending further and further into celebrity tattle and muck. He does accept that newspapers are “often sloppy, inaccurate and short on dignity”, but makes no comment on the intrusiveness of the gutter press, and they way in which they have now become a major part of, and often the creator of, the stories they are covering. Tabloids in the past have had a crusading role in supporting the working classes who made up their readership, yet now look down, belittle and condemn these same people. Perhaps because they aren’t buying papers anymore.

I would agree that newspapers provide a great regulatory role on our government and other organisations, but just as he argues the lack of a golden age in the 1950s and 60s, so I would disagree massively with a Golden Age attributed to a period in which a footballer cheating on his wife is front page news for a week.

Music Wot I Like

Emmy the Great is a singer-songwriter in the vain of what some like to call 'anti folk'. Which for us normal people means a bit like Regina Spektor and The Moldy Peaches. Could there be a more perfect combination?

An angelic voice, an interesting style of phrasing and the odd crudity (not to mention a dash of tweeness) make for some amazing songs, and there's an honest emotional punch to many of her best songs that hangs around with you all day. In particular Easter Parade, Gabriel and M.I.A really work for me.

I predict that after having been on the breakthrough predictions list for the last couple of years, this is the year it will finally happen. She provides backing vocals for the fantastic Lightspeed Champion album, and is about to tour with Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly.

Essentially, she's amazing and I love her.

Henry Conway

I wonder where he gets his hair done?

A particular amount of comfort

Oh goodness gracious me. All my high hopes for the next Bond movie have been dashed, with the announcement of the name. Quantum of Solace.

Now really. Being a little bit of a Bond geek, I have read the short story of the same name. There is NO action whatsoever. It's not even like The Spy Who Loved Me, where Bond is just a secondary (although significant) character. That story is full of action. Read the story summary on Wikipedia here, and tell me whether that sounds like a good story to base a film on. No actually, because it might make a nice indie film. Does it sound like a story that will make a good Bond movie?

And then there are the secondary considerations. Who on earth is going to want to sing the theme tune? Are you really going to be able to say in 10 years time "oh no, my favourite Bond film is Quantum of Solace" without everybody looking at you with pity?

Of course, as my favourite James Bond is Timothy Dalton, there will be those who will revoke my right to comment, but I will anyway...this title sucks.

Heath Ledger

There's nothing to say that hasn't been said by other people, but I'm very shocked and saddened with the news of Heath Ledger's death.
I loved Ten Things I Hate About You, he was one of the few I actually had posters of in my room. In the last couple of years he'd started to show real potential, and it's just so sad that this will never be fulfilled. I can't help feeling the new Batman is going to make or break how he is seen in years to come.