bookmark_borderBees in Utopia

I’m not a big watcher of TV, the usual stuff leaves me cold, hence my request last week for some suggested watching. Needless to say that I only tried one new show last week (Jake 2.0 which was.. well not very stimulating). Being off work and having the TV completely to myself has it’s bonuses though, the documentary channels get hit quite hard, and I’ve been catching up on 24, and kicked off a few downloads of Angels in America (something I’d meant to watch but, once again, didn’t).

However tonight, on BBC at 7.30pm, I’ll try and remember to watch “Bee in your Bonnet”. Maybe. I dunno, the ideal behind it is good, but I get the feeling this will become yet another ‘reality-ish’ show, where ‘real’ people get a helping hand from an ‘expert and we see the before and after shot before heading down to B&Q to buy the paint and … crap, see what I mean, I’m confused already.

From the write up on the BBC News Magazine site, it starts off in a territory I’m familiar with (and one I’ll discuss here) before heading off into “Changing in the Jungle with a Celebrity” hell.

The interesting bit, for me, would be an exploration of the DKDC Party (Don’t Know, Don’t Care) which I have one foot in, and if I’m honest I’m completely part of. I just happen to be staring out the window to see what’s going on..

The political climate in the UK is full of apathy, and I doubt many people would be able to defend the view that a lot of politicians have no earthly idea what ‘everyday’ life is… although I’m sure some Scottish MPs would claim that they do (Rosie Kane is living proof that Scots will vote for ‘the wee lassie ta gie her a shot’). I could give you a first hand example of an incredibly smart guy I went to school with, was fairly friendly with and has recently become a Scottish MP or the Green party but I don’t want to name drop. I digress.

I vote. I’ve spoiled more papers than I care to remember, and have actually voted only a handful of times. Like most people around the country, I am only really concerned with the issues that concern me, that affect my neighbourhood, my commute to work, my bank balance. We are a very selfish society on the whole, and I see no signs of that changing any time soon, surely that should be a key issue for the politicians? Build a country again, not just a place that people inhabit. Some civic pride would help on so many fronts, but I guess that’s too hard, so lets just up the car tax, penalise those law abiding citizens who pay their bills and contribute to society…. aahhh spot the flaw in the argument.

Maybe WE need to build the society WE want.

Sheesh, it’s no wonder social networking is so popular. Utopia anyone?

(This post was brought to you by Douwe Egberts, and the letters C, A, F, E, I, and N)

bookmark_borderAARGH!

BBC Anything But Impartial (via Vaughan)

I should really muster more energy from the rage this has given raise to, but I simply don’t want to waste it on something that is soooo far beneath us all.

“I watched the BBC’s output during the war … posing questions that revealed an anti-war and anti-American agenda, not to mention the huge issue of chasing Tony Blair around for the crime of being so friendly to the Americans.”

*sighs*

Anti-war = anti-American?

“the BBC displayed the biases of Britain’s chattering classes — that Bush was a moron, that the war was illegal and immoral, that the American people were too stupid to elect a man who ends up running the world, and that somebody smart enough — like the Brits — should take over that all-important job.”

“Bush was a moron” – ahem.. “WAS”?
“the war was illegal and immoral” – it was.
“American people were too stupid” – Eh? I think you’ll find that it was a clever designed voting system that ‘elected’ George W.

I read a comment somewhere (sorry can’t recall where) that the whole ‘Janet/nipple’ debacle has prompted a federal investigation, this is despite the fact that a war that is STILL claiming lives has taken a year to get to that stage and doesn’t seem to be getting much further.

No, I’m not saying any more.

Mind you, I’ve got a full crate of ‘pent-up rage’ energy here… any offers?

bookmark_borderWoman's prerogative *

OK, I DO care, especially when a good argument is put forward, namely:

“The BBC … by its very existence … serves to protect us from a level of commercial saturation that would destroy much of what we currently take for granted.”

So when you put it like that…

Click here to find out why

* No, I’m not a woman but a “Man’s prerogative ” doesn’t sound right.

bookmark_borderShush

Radio 3 to air ‘silent symphony’:
“Cage’s reasoning for composing 4’33’ was to demonstrate that ‘wherever we are what we hear mostly is noise’. “

I’m sure you are all aware of this ‘seminal’ moment, however this morning’s BBC Breakfast also featured footage of the rehearsal. Which was nice.

*blinks*

[UPDATE: It seems I’m going out tonight, don’t suppose anyone could record it for me ….]

bookmark_borderReally?

I mean, really?

Norton wins Gervais’ comedy crown – the cynic in me would suggest that this may have something to do with his new BBC contract.

I kind of went off Graham Norton when he started his 5 nights a week stint. It was just too much, and wasn’t really funny after that, just repetitive. It’s the same kind of humour you can get by surfing the internet, and at least I can choose that myself rather than being forced fed (with a side helping of ‘celebrities’).

The real comedy news is sadder: Frasier is on it’s last legs. Easily my favourite comedy of the past few years, I’m enjoying the re-runs on Paramount which are nicely timed to fit in with our dinner-time.

bookmark_borderThis, that and the other

1. Nephew number one was back in hospital yesterday for a minor op (he’s had several larger operations, all cosmetic and this is the last of the ones he needs*, he can choose other’s others in the future (thanks for the correction Lyle)). In and out the same day. Sounded OK on the phone last night, and has 10 days off school so is probably quite happy.

2. No internet access at home (re-formatting my PC at the moment) so won’t be ‘around’ during the evening until the weekend (hopefully sooner if I don’t screw it up … again).

3. 2003 recap – BBC News ask: So what were you reading?

4. Green Fairy answers the questions posed by Ms Lauren and prompts me to consider doing the same… maybe…

5. Basketball tonight – first exercise since I broke my foot. I’m a tad nervous about it to be honest, but I’ve got to start sometime.

* He has a form of palsy which means he has no muscle on the right-side of his chest, and left-side of his face. The cosmetic surgery has given him a cheek muscle, connected nerves to the other side of his face so he can smile, inserted a strip of gold in his eye lid so it will close, and all sorts of other clever things. He’s a trooper and takes it all in his stride.