Month: April 2004

Well Peter and Lyle have already answered (correctly) my question – I guess I should’ve banned certain people from answering…

So why the Gilbert and Sullivan quote? Well for some reason I got that song into my head yesterday, as all I seemed to be doing was adding, deleting, editing and creating lists. I’m sure I’ve read something somewhere about people like me who love the planning stages of things but loathe the actually ‘doing’ of things (admittedly it does depend on the topic, the sexual power that can be transmitted in a text msg is quite startling at times. I digress.)

The song – They’ll be none of ’em be missed – is about the first victim of the new Lord High Executioner… although I’m not sure why I’m telling you this as it’s not what I was going to talk about.

Hang on, time to change the music.

Ahh that’s better, John Coltrane – Blue Train.

Right, what I WAS going to mention was the memories that most Gilbert and Sullivan songs dredge up. My Dad was very active in the local operatic groups (he’s a tenor, I’m a bass) and usually ended up in various lead roles, including the one for which he shaved off his beard of some 15 years, you can guess which one. My memories of being dragged along to these shows as a young teenager are surprisingly welcome, almost fond. But then I already know I’m turning into my Dad so why fight it?

It’s almost a comfort zone I think. Presuming you are happy that you inherit some of your parents traits, which I am (some of them!) then it’s all to easy to fall back into them as a reminder of childhood, into an almost blanket-like comfort. If I really don’t know what type of music to put on, I find myself reaching for Paul Simon, Billy Joel and the like (I have no Neil Sedaka in my collection I’ve just realised, must remedy that). The familiarity of the songs and the times they represent are unique to me.

This is turning into a ‘the power of music’ waffle. So I’ll pause here and move on to another topic – briefly though.

I have a gay friend. He’s been my friend for years, even before he realised* he was gay. I’m thinking he’ll be my friend for many more years to come. I don’t particularly bleat on about the fact, although obviously accompanying him to a known ‘gay bar’ (great, that damn songs in my head now – fight back Mr. Coltrane!!) does raise the fact when people ask what you did at the weekend.

One thing that DOES annoy me is the ‘points scoring’ that some people seem to.. I dunno.. enjoy? Counting how many ‘gay/black/muslim/other ‘minority’ group’ they are friends with. Obviously too insecure in themselves. Bugs the crap out of me. That is all.

* OK, BAD choice of word but you get what I mean… “before he came to accept” may be more accurate but I’ve never discussed it in great detail with him.

“As some day it may happen that a victim must be found, I’ve got a little list–I’ve got a little list” – ????

Answers in the comment box (WITHOUT Googling!) for the source of the quote..

Now, as I’m on holiday I thought it might be fun to jot down some of the things I’m hoping to get done. Then I can re-visit the list come Monday evening and see how much of it I managed. So, without furtherado (as any more ‘ado-ing’ would only serve to further highlight that I’m kinda struggling to fill this post..)

1. Add album art to all the album I have in iTunes.
2. Add DVDs to collectorz software.
3. Finish adding books to collectorz software.
4. Fix the sidebar issue here.
5. Finish and launch Scottish Blogs.
6. Chase up FTP access for the HRL website.
7. Cut the grass.
8. Dig out new bed in front lawn, prepare for conifers and heathers (source some rocks as well).
9. Clear out garage (will include several trips to skip!).
10. Catch up on ‘recorded’ TV viewing.
11. Buy something for sister’s birthday.
12. Buy something for sister-in-law’s birthday.
13. Visit Stu and give him his birthday present from three weeks ago!
14. Start thinking about Louise’s birthday.
15. Re-design the photo gallery, and add more photos – maybe that will make you take some more.
16. Ponder this site – can I be bothered? Is it needed?

Phew.

That’ll do for the moment I think. Remember, I want answers as to whom I should be attributing the opening quote – I do know the answer, just want to see how many of you do… I’ll explain why later.

Last night, our ‘celebration’ trip to the cinema was to see The Butterfly Effect (starring Mr Demi Moore I think….). It was…. yeah, it was.. it was a movie. He was awful, the plot was sketchy, the script was ropey. Shame really as the main premise of the movie was OK. Mind you after someone saying they had walked out because of it’s “sadistic sickness” I guess I should’ve know better. Anyway, Louise was keen and I’ve not gotten through 7 years of marriage without learning the value of compromise.

Ho hum.

Ohh and for the record, Louise and I have been together for ten years, engaged for three, married for seven. We met when we were 15 (first love… awwww…). The ducklings (see yesterday’s post) were very young. Not sure how you age a duckling to be honest. Suffice to say there were at the fluffy cute stage.

There is a chirping sound coming from the other end of the office. No, it’s not a mobile phone (despite the fact someone has just taken delivery of a new one, prompting some gadget envy on my part – must check when mine is due up for renewal) it’s two motherless ducklings found wandering around near Central Station.

I’ve now realised that I don’t have my camera attachment for my mobile, so I can’t take pictures of them to show the missus (she likes her little fuzzy ducks) so I’ll be better off if I don’t tell her!

After seven years* of marriage you get to know these things.

*Yes I convoluted this entire post just to answer that question – although it IS true, there are duckings in the office. Poor little mites. Wish they’d shut up…

An article in the Metro this morning covered the statement by the British Phonographic Institute (BPI) that they would consider prosecuting people sharing music files. They will be targetting the ‘heavy’ user of course, so people like you and I should be OK (I don’t think I’m actually sharing ANY music files at present… and obviously I’m not sharing anything like TV episodes or anything…). They are insisting that the downward trend in sales of albums and singles is wholly down to illegal file sharing.

I think not.

There is a very good reason I don’t buy chart music anymore. It’s crap. Yes I’m generalising but the few singles I do like are typically from an artist whose album I already own or consistitute what I would term “transient pop” – I quite enjoy it’s catchy melody or chorus whilst it’s on the airwaves (weeks before it actually charts of course) but have no real urge to own a permanent copy of it, especially not for £3.99.

Mind you, I have to admit that I’m slightly bemused as to why album sales are down as I’m buying more than ever, particularly since we started our ‘music club’ at work – bi-weekly one of us brings in an album for us all to listen to, and we discuss/berate/laugh at it. It’s certainly increased the diversity of my CD collection at home, much to the bemusement of my wife (let’s just say that she’s stuck in the 80s and leave it at that). I also recalling reading a news article late last year that stated that album sales were UP on last year’s figures, so which is it? Up or down?

I’m thinking that albums sales will always be prone to fluctuation, and it may be possible that more people are buying CDs ‘cheaper’ rather than ‘less’.

Single sales can be blamed on the approach that the music industry has taken. Remember how it used to be..

[cue wavy ‘dream’ effect, everything shimmers and turns to cloud, then clears to reveal “how it used to be”]

The first time you heard a song was maybe a week in advance of release, and even then it was rare that a single went straight in at Number One. Songs used to climb the chart. Remember that? Do you remember sitting with a tape, recording the chart show, trying to pause at the right moment so you’d end up with a music only tape of the latest singles. It was almost like a competition – Who has the best chart tape this week? – and great pride was taken on a Sunday evening. Hell I even remember once recording it on TWO tapes at the same time. Not sure why, but I’m sure it was a good idea at the time.

To be honest I’m taking an almost perverse pleasure at watching the music industry bleat and moan about losing money. For years it’s been know that we are being overcharged for our CDs. My message to members of the BPI is this: “Suck it up”. I’m sure your marble floored, 10 bedroom house (with ‘collection’ of Ferraris) will compensate.

Suprisingly little content can be gleaned from the last week and a bit. It consisted mainly of work. Of course if I was more happy to blog about work then I would have screeds of content available, although, ultimately, it would be more depressing than the current (lack of) content. Suffice to say that on Friday night, seven people sat in the office at 10pm, giggling our heads off and not one of us can remember what we were laughing at… Hilarity? Delirium? Tis but a fine line…

Then there was the weekend that wasn’t. Although we didn’t venture out far enough to buy some heathers and a conifer for this weekend’s gardening project.

Ehhh, think that’s about it. Even the late night train journeys provided little in the way of entertainment except for one very very very drunk man, who thought it might be fun to sprawl across the seat I was currently sitting on. All comic value was lost when I growled at him to move or I’d eject him not only from my lap but from the moving train via one of the windows.