July 2007 Archives

[Moozik: Clan of Xymox - No Human Can Drown]

As I'm approaching my car in a shop car park, a bloke on an expensive bike with a rather nice looking backpack rides up to me.

Him: Hey man, I need you to do me a favour.
Me: Er, ok.
Him: You gotta give me $4.25 man. I've got to fucking get out of here. I'm sick of this shit, I gotta go man. I need that fucking bus ticket.
Me: Mate, I don't have to give you...
Him: (interrupting me) And I don't want to hear any of your fucking stories ok, I've heard them all. I just want $4.25 without the fucking stories. I'm so sick of this shit. (proceeds to give me creepy sideways stare - presumably some kind of attempt to intimidate me, but I almost laugh in his face)
Me: (trying to stifle a giggle) That approach work often for you mate? Run along now.

He looked surprised and kept looking back at me as he rode off. Of course I gave him a rather sarcastic wave as I got in my car.

[Moozik: Front Line Assembly - Conflict]

So, the New Order split is getting a bit ugly. Bernard & Stephen announce the New Order name will continue. But Hooky thinks otherwise.

"SECOND: never assume anything! This group has SPLIT UP! You are no more New Order than I am! You may have two-thirds, but don't assume you have the rights to do anything NEW Ordery, 'cos you don't. I've still got a third! But am open to negotiation."

Hook's MySpace outburst appears to be a direct response to an interview Sumner and Morris gave to Xfm where they said: "Whatever happens musically or otherwise, New Order have NOT split up; they continue to exist."

A spokesperson for the band was unavailable for comment, but whatever the outcome of the latest twist in the New Order saga, it seems internal relations within one of Britain's most loved bands have turned distinctly sour.

[Moozik: The Cure - Just Like Heaven (Chuck Remix)]

I would count myself as a Christian Bale fan and liked him in Batman Begins, The Machinist, and The Prestige. Upon channel surfing last night I made the cardinal mistake of assuming everything an actor touches, turns to gold. For evidence of this I give you Reign of Fire. Which, to be honest, is an amazingly bad movie. Sally bailed on it, I watched it to the end for some reason that was not immediately obvious. Oh my god did it suck.

At least there was a bright side to the day's movie goings on. We did manage to finally go see Order of the Phoenix. For a movie that has been out for a while the cinema was still quite crowded which was surprising. Also surprising was my patience with the two people sitting in the row in front of us. Not only did they insist on answering their phones, but they had a good five minute conversation. Anyway, the movie was really good and if you're one of the four people on the planet who haven't seen it yet, go watch it.

[Moozik: Joy Division - She's Lost Control]

While I was in the middle of writing a quick note on this year's Tour De France, I read Adam's post and realized he said it far more eloquently than I was about to. So go read his entry instead.

[Moozik: The Cure - Young Americans]

J.K Rowling on the level of criticism her books receive from Christians in Britain vs those from the United States.

I had one letter from a vicar in England -- this is the difference -- saying would I please not put Christmas trees at Hogwarts as it was clearly a pagan society. Meanwhile, I'm having death threats when I'm on tour in America.

[Moozik: U2 - Running To Stand Still]

Every once in a while, the sarcastic grammar police on slashdot amuse me.

> they can get ton's of free publicity

Now, is that "ton is of free publicity", or does Mr. Ton have a lot of "of free publicity" that he could potentially give to you?

[Moozik: Interpol - Narc]

Yes it's that time of year again when you only see your neighbours before 9:00am or after 8:00pm. So every Saturday morning, we all go outside and quickly get as much work done before the heat makes it impossible. This Saturday was no exception and luckily I managed to trim the bushes, trees, and mow the lawn in record time.

My neighbour Dan was also out and I was chatting to him for a bit. He was all rather chuffed as he's going to the Bahamas.

Me: You lucky bugger, going to the beach to escape this heat.
Dan: Only in Arizona can you say you're going to the Bahamas to escape the heat.

He had a good point ;-)

[Moozik: Adam & The Ants - Press Darlings]

A couple of months back I mentioned that I was, for once, impressed by surprisingly good customer service when I replaced my dead phone. I can now add another company to the impressive customer service list. Dell.

I've heard some horror stories of people having bad experiences with Dell customer service so I prepared myself for the worst last week. You see, one of my monitors had decided that it doesn't really want to be turned off thank you very much. Or, doesn't want to be turned on if already off. Oh yes, the ol' sticky power button that sometimes works yet most often does not.

So late Wednesday night, I called Dell. Was routed to the appropriate person very quickly and to my surprise, they were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. After less than 10 mins I was told to expect a new monitor no later than Friday. And sure enough, Friday morning I had a new monitor.

Good customer service twice in the same year? I can hardly believe it myself. Well, I suppose I've just jinxed it now.

[Moozik: The Cure - Breathe]

Retro Fest. If you grew up in the Eighties, I'm pretty sure the rules state that you are required to have a beer or two and see these bands live. Oh yes, childhood eighties nostalgia.

The Saturday lineup.

The Human League
Bananarama
ABC
Tony Hadley
Howard Jones
Imagination
Go West
The Blockheads
Kajagoogoo

Belinda Carlisle
Hue and Cry
Kim Wilde
Curiosity Killed The Cat
Nick Heyward
Hazel O'Connor
Kid Creole & the Coconuts
The Silencers
The Beat
Cutting Crew
Four Good Men (ex-Simple Minds/H20)

[Moozik: Rosetta Stone - Nothing]

So with Ben Hammersley posting a non spoiler yesterday I can imagine the actual spoiler floodgates will be opening this weekend. It makes me wonder if I will make it through to next Monday without accidentally reading what happens on at least 3 blogs. Here's hoping that blog authors are at least kind enough to mention that they are posting a spoiler. Could happen.

[Moozik: Sultans of Ping F.C - Indeed You Are]

So, with the news that South Africa has decided it needs a Haka, I got to wondering what traditional dance the English Rugby team could try for their Haka.

A little sad that the only thing I could up with is Morris Dancing. Not entirely sure that's going to put the fear in the opposing team though.

[Moozik: The Cure - The Big Hand]

Just recently I've noticed George Bush making a point of ensuring we know all the Generals involved with policy in Iraq. It's a nice way of setting them up to take the brunt of the blame for any potential failure in Iraq. "It wasn't me, it was those pesky Generals". I can already hear it now. I was pleasantly surprised to read that I'm not the only one who noticed this.

Thomas E. Ricks writes in Sunday's Washington Post: "Almost every time President Bush has defended his new strategy in Iraq this year, he has invoked the name of the top commander, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus.

"Speaking in Cleveland on Tuesday, Bush called Petraeus his 'main man' -- a 'smart, capable man who gives me his candid advice.' And on Thursday, as the president sought to stave off a revolt among congressional Republicans, he said he wanted 'to wait to see what David has to say. I trust David Petraeus, his judgment.'"

Yet Ricks continues: "Some of Petraeus's military comrades worry that the general is being set up by the Bush administration as a scapegoat if conditions in Iraq fail to improve," he writes. "'The danger is that Petraeus will now be painted as failing to live up to expectations and become the fall guy for the administration,' one retired four-star officer said. . . .

"When Bush and his aides shift military strategy, they seem to turn on the generals on whom they once relied publicly, said Lawrence Korb, a former Pentagon official. During the run-up to the war, when Gen. Eric Shinseki, the former Army chief of staff, told Congress that more troops were needed to secure Iraq, he was publicly rebuked by then-Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz.

"More recently, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Petraeus's predecessor, was blamed for not doing more to improve security for Iraqi civilians, and Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was effectively fired last month by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.

"'This is an administration that wants to blame the generals,' Korb said."

[Moozik: Clan of Xymox - Stranger]

I see the new Birthday Massacre album is coming out in September. Can't wait. Violet is still one of my fave albums of all time, two tracks from which appear in my top 3 most listened to tracks.

With their newest album, “Walking With Strangers” Toronto-Based The Birthday Massacre once again exceed the expectations of their ever-growing and devoted fan base. Produced by the legendary Dave "Rave" Ogilvie, TBM remain true to the sound that gained them the praise of fans and music critics alike, while further refining and expanding upon their signature sound. Guitarists M. Falcore and Rainbow (who also handle the electronics programming) effortlessly transition between the aggressive breakdowns on “Red Stars” to the dance-rock influenced “Science”. Vocalist Chibi shows more range and maturity with her stunningly beautiful vocals, from the delicate “Remember Me”, the powerful “Goodnight”, to the haunting and atmospheric “Movie”. Rainbow’s synth programming adds an unmistakable atmosphere to the entire album, and standout rhythm hooks make this album instantly addictive. Once again The Birthday Massacre manage to blend gothic, rock and electronic music into a sound that is all their own, and brilliantly original.

[Moozik: Sultans Of Ping FC - Back In A Tracksuit]

I'm the only person in this industry who famously has never made any money. I used to say some people make money and some make history, which is very funny until you find you can't afford to keep yourself alive.

Mr Wilson said he was now buying the drug privately, with the bill being paid by friends and a fund set up by members of the Happy Mondays and other bands he has supported over the years.

[Moozik: Lloyd Cole - Perfect Skin]

...and they pick up accents. Bumping into English ex-pats is somewhat of a hit and miss affair here in Phoenix. On Sunday I bumped into two in one day which is almost unheard of. As you do, I pay attention to see how much of an American accent my fellow ex-pats have picked up.

Pete from Leicester had an oh so subtle license plate of ENGL4ND. He was quite the lightweight because he had a strong American accent after only six years. After a bit of chit chatting his accent completely changed and he was back to full on English accent.

Then later in the day I met a lady (and I forget her name) who said she was born in Plymouth and left England after Sixth Form. I'm crap at guessing ages but I *think* she was a little older than me. She had totally lost her accent and was completely indistinguishable from Americans around her. I was somewhat skeptical of her claim of growing up in England though.

her: I was born in Plymouth and lived there until I finished Sixth Form.
me: I'm from Cambridge [0] and I left England when I was 21.
her: Oh, I know Cambridge, that's up North right?
me: (sigh) Well, not exactly.

[0] Because it's only 17 miles away, I say Cambridge as that's the nearest City that most people have actually heard of.

[Moozik: Cornershop - Brimful of Asha]

Yesterday's final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was perhaps the best Wimbledon final I think I've ever seen. Certainly one of the best Tennis matches I think I've seen from any tournament. Rain delays aside, I really enjoyed this year's tournament and 2007 marked somewhat of a change for Wimbledon in general. The addition of Hawkeye line calling and equal pay for the men and women.

I'm not a big fan of Hawkeye or Shotspot or any other name they have for the computerized line calling. In his commentary yesterday, John McEnroe said that Hawkeye is 90% accurate and then made me laugh by saying "of course that means that 10% of the time it isn't accurate". In the Federer/Nadal match there was a ball that was clearly out yet Hawkeye called it in. Roger Federer has probably the best eyes in Tennis and certainly didn't agree with the call. He wasn't amused and I can't say that I blame him. I understand that Hawkeye was introduced because of human error in line calling. I've always felt that tournaments should use TV cameras and have instant replay just as they do in other sports. Yesterday's performance by Hawkeye has not changed that opinion at all.

This year marks the first year that Wimbledon will offer equal prize money for the men and women. In general, I'm certainly a big fan of equal pay for men and women. Well, let me clarify that. I'm a fan of equal pay for equal work. In Tennis though, the amount of work performed by the men and women is not equal. The men have to win three sets out of a possible five. The women have to win two sets out of a possible three. If a match goes to five sets, the men can be on court for up to five hours. Only if the women's game is extended to five sets can it really be considered equal. Then equal pay would be a no brainer really. As it stands right now it's all rather odd. Equal yet not equal.

[Moozik: Hot Chip - And I Was A Boy From School]

After letting the dust settle somewhat on the PS3 and Nintendo Wii launch, we now have our new next gen console. The XBox 360 ;-) Hopefully I made a good Birthday choice for Sally. She's always been as much of a gamer as I have and if her expression as she unwrapped it is any guide, I *think* I chose well.

So why no PS3? Well, considering the lack of games that actually spark any form of enthusiasm, the PS3 is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. That's not to say that a PS3 won't eventually find its way into our console collection at some point. If history is any guide (we've owned a PS1 and a PS2), I'm sure once Sony drops the price and some decent games appear, a PS3 purchase will certainly follow.

So why no Wii? Ridiculous name aside, I actually don't want to be any more active in my gaming than sitting on my couch with a standard controller. I don't really want to look like a wanker waving my arms around trying to get my character to slay a baddie. This marks the first time in living memory that a new Nintendo console hasn't found a home. Sally had a NES. We both had a SNES followed by a N64 and a Gamecube. Sad to say that a Wii might be overlooked in the current console generation.

So, XBox 360 it is. With games that are actually worth playing and a mature online environment, we have our temporary winner. Geometry Wars and Jeff Minter's Space Giraffe are the first online must haves ;-)

[Moozik Curve - Superblaster]

Today's BBQ was all rather delicious. Mmmmm, ribs and Sam Adams. And for good measure we were outside. Good thing it wasn't hot.

Oh wait.

[Moozik: The Bravery - Tyrant]

Everyone I've spoken to about this today is pissed off. I'm pissed off. The "this" I'm referring to is yesterday's announcement of Bush commuting Libby's prison sentence. I am, as always, utterly perplexed that anyone could still call themselves a Bush apologist supporter at this point. Tony Hendra is also pissed off and wrote a rather scathing commentary yesterday.

With all the blood that George Bush has on his hands, all the lies he's told, and now with this message that as long as you're a part of the Bush inner circle you are above the law, how is it that this bloke is still in office? They impeached Clinton for a blow job in the White House. The old bumper sticker slogan of "No one died when Clinton lied" is still very apt.