Mmmm, so here we are, another month, another blog post. I promised I'd get better, or at least more regular at posting, I lied it seems. I've been spending a lot of time pondering recently, which is odd, because that would suggest that I actually have time to spare in which to ponder. Life is pretty busy these days, so much so that for the first time, I have had to back out of a relatively long term project I'd been comitted to. This severely annoys me, but if this college thing is ever going to go away then I'll have to study.
Theatre is taking up more and more of my life these days, and you know what, I am fucking glad. I love working at stuff like that, it just feels right. If I can somehow make money from working in a theatre or in some form of performance art, even if it is just in a techie role, then I'll be a happy man for years to come. Hopefully my sort of uncertain application to be the director of next years musical will come good and I can throw myself into bossing people around.
Super Secret Project will be getting underway soon enough, once the end of college gives me enough time to look at things that don't relate to the real world. It isn't actually super secret anymore, I've been telling a few close friends about it, and have gotten positive reactions to the premise. Get a rough draft of that bad boy drawn up, and see where I can take it from there, hopefully to somewhere fun.
I've been watching a lot of MovieBob's Game Overthinker videos on youtube recently. On major problem I have with these is that there aren't more. The guy, while not exactly the voice of a generation by a longshot, and some of his views and vehement defending of the army aren't exactly my thing, he is seriously doing videogames a massive service by opening the floor to debate on adult things, such as violence in videogames, the depiction of women, the change in videogames, and how the videogames market needs to expand its audience rather than adapt to the "hardcore" gamers. Games are an artform, and I will defend that point until I am blue in the face if I have to. I really wish there were things I could say that wouldn't just be repeating or extrapolating on what MovieBob himself has said, so I urge you, if you ever think you may need to defend videogaming as a whole, or just wish to become more informed on the topics in general, to check out The Game Overthinker. Videogames aren't just about pwning n00bs you know, ask anyone who's played Half-Life 2, or BioShock. If those two, among many other titles I could name, don't give videogames artistic merit, I don't know what does. (Also, if you'd like a kind of intelligent "everyman" type of review of good films that don't really get publicity on this side of the pond, you could do worse than to check out MovieBob's film reviews on The Escapist. I've mentioned this site before in my blog, for you hardcore readers, and have become even more infatuated with its overall love of all things pixelated and polygonal. If you haven't done so, check it out.)
I think that's all for now folks, and unless I decide to post something about my exams, it will be all for at least two weeks if not a month. I know I said I would get better, but my sort of vague rule about not posting about other people means my blog depends entirely on me being interesting, and that just won't happen I'm afraid. See you next time!
24 March 2010
16 February 2010
Reviews of Things That Have Been Out For Ages, Just 'Cos I Like To...
So, I haven't been writing in a while, and I think that's mostly because I don't feel like writing about the things that have been happening in my life (obviously enough, I know), but I've decided to pierce the blogosphere once again with a few reviews of things that i found interesting lately. Enjoy, or alternatively, memorise it and recite it aloud in front of a group of people and call it art. I won't judge how you amuse yourself.
FTWebsites: Stuff I've found on this here internet...
Somewhere that usually cheers me up when I get tired of the same old stuff on Facebook is a nice little parody site of it called Lamebook. In a similar vein to TFLN (another stalwart mirth-giver in times of boredom), it chronicles the various mishaps that one could imagine transpiring on such a vast social networking site as that of Facebook. A personal favourite section of mine is the "FTW" section. Watching random people you don't know get their asses digitally handed to them is a fun way to waste a few minutes.
FTWatch This: Films...
Office Space, one of the greatest cult classics to come out of the 1990s. It stands up there beside Big Nothing and Dogma as one of the greatest films to be either underrated or unknown on this side of the Atlantic. Office Space is the story of Peter Gibbons, a white collar worker who does the bare minimum to keep his job. He then experiences a re-awakening, and decides to live life, and not care about work as well as hatching a plan to embezzle money from the company he does so little work for. The resultant hour and a half of film is one of the most re-watchable, entertaining, and charming pieces of film I've ever seen, word of warning though, if dry humour and awkward moments aren't your thing it's probably best to give this one a miss. Sample quote:
Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.
Also, as a closing note to the film section, I'd like to add that I got my hands on a copy of the film of "Atlantis" by Disney, to show someone what I meant by the phrase "Steampunk". While I didn't find anything that really resembled steampunk (I remembered after it was actually "Treasure Planet" I was thinking of, but that's another story), what I did find was a Disney classic that is oft overlooked, possibly because it doesn't have any musical numbers. The whole movie was superbly animated, moved at a steady pace, was genuinely funny and left me wanting more at the end. If you get the time, I'd strongly recommend it.
FTWritings: Literary section, 'coz i iz awl ejukaytid innit?
Okay, so as most of you know, I am obsessed by this little book called "The Yesman", by a certain fellow whom we shall address as one Daniel Frederick Wallace Esquire. Danny has written a few books, each as humorous as the last, and all of them well worth a look if the mood for a side split inducing read should strike, but The Yesman strikes a particular chord with me. It may have been the place I was in when reading it first, but it really made me look at my life, take stock and realise that I needed to do more. And what I needed to do was to say Yes. But back to the book: Danny finds himself in a position wherein he is saying no to everything his friends suggest, be it gigs, parties or just a night down the pub, greatly disquiets our positive hero as he reviews his diary to find it lacking in any days of noteworthy quality (save for one riveting read about a trip to PC World, but I'll let you read about that one yourselves). He then by chance meets a stranger on a bus who tells him simply to "Say Yes More". This becomes Danny's mantra for the next several months and through the course of the book. While the film of the same name was a fun romp into the various mishaps one would doubtless meet over the course of saying yes to absolutely everything, it missed out on the true soul of the book for me, which is that saying no can only lead to nights alone, and wondering what could have been, whereas yes, if it doesn't lead to something good, at least leads to a story to tell and a more interesting life. My all time favourite book, so it goes without saying that I would wish that anyone who reads this read it, and if they get even a fraction of the enjoyment out of it that I did, then I'll be happy I recommended it.
FTWhatever, I'm sick of this now: Music, and sounds that please the ears...
Yes she's been around for ages, and yes we all know she's wonderful, but Adele... what can I say about this girl that hasn't already been said? Her music is just so awe inspiring and soothing that I could listen to it forever. I don't think I can say much more about her, but I will leave you with the song that got me (and possibly the majority of people) listening to her in the first place.
FTWebsites: Stuff I've found on this here internet...
Somewhere that usually cheers me up when I get tired of the same old stuff on Facebook is a nice little parody site of it called Lamebook. In a similar vein to TFLN (another stalwart mirth-giver in times of boredom), it chronicles the various mishaps that one could imagine transpiring on such a vast social networking site as that of Facebook. A personal favourite section of mine is the "FTW" section. Watching random people you don't know get their asses digitally handed to them is a fun way to waste a few minutes.
FTWatch This: Films...
Office Space, one of the greatest cult classics to come out of the 1990s. It stands up there beside Big Nothing and Dogma as one of the greatest films to be either underrated or unknown on this side of the Atlantic. Office Space is the story of Peter Gibbons, a white collar worker who does the bare minimum to keep his job. He then experiences a re-awakening, and decides to live life, and not care about work as well as hatching a plan to embezzle money from the company he does so little work for. The resultant hour and a half of film is one of the most re-watchable, entertaining, and charming pieces of film I've ever seen, word of warning though, if dry humour and awkward moments aren't your thing it's probably best to give this one a miss. Sample quote:
Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.
Also, as a closing note to the film section, I'd like to add that I got my hands on a copy of the film of "Atlantis" by Disney, to show someone what I meant by the phrase "Steampunk". While I didn't find anything that really resembled steampunk (I remembered after it was actually "Treasure Planet" I was thinking of, but that's another story), what I did find was a Disney classic that is oft overlooked, possibly because it doesn't have any musical numbers. The whole movie was superbly animated, moved at a steady pace, was genuinely funny and left me wanting more at the end. If you get the time, I'd strongly recommend it.
FTWritings: Literary section, 'coz i iz awl ejukaytid innit?
Okay, so as most of you know, I am obsessed by this little book called "The Yesman", by a certain fellow whom we shall address as one Daniel Frederick Wallace Esquire. Danny has written a few books, each as humorous as the last, and all of them well worth a look if the mood for a side split inducing read should strike, but The Yesman strikes a particular chord with me. It may have been the place I was in when reading it first, but it really made me look at my life, take stock and realise that I needed to do more. And what I needed to do was to say Yes. But back to the book: Danny finds himself in a position wherein he is saying no to everything his friends suggest, be it gigs, parties or just a night down the pub, greatly disquiets our positive hero as he reviews his diary to find it lacking in any days of noteworthy quality (save for one riveting read about a trip to PC World, but I'll let you read about that one yourselves). He then by chance meets a stranger on a bus who tells him simply to "Say Yes More". This becomes Danny's mantra for the next several months and through the course of the book. While the film of the same name was a fun romp into the various mishaps one would doubtless meet over the course of saying yes to absolutely everything, it missed out on the true soul of the book for me, which is that saying no can only lead to nights alone, and wondering what could have been, whereas yes, if it doesn't lead to something good, at least leads to a story to tell and a more interesting life. My all time favourite book, so it goes without saying that I would wish that anyone who reads this read it, and if they get even a fraction of the enjoyment out of it that I did, then I'll be happy I recommended it.
FTWhatever, I'm sick of this now: Music, and sounds that please the ears...
Yes she's been around for ages, and yes we all know she's wonderful, but Adele... what can I say about this girl that hasn't already been said? Her music is just so awe inspiring and soothing that I could listen to it forever. I don't think I can say much more about her, but I will leave you with the song that got me (and possibly the majority of people) listening to her in the first place.
06 January 2010
Hair Of The Blog That Bit You
First post of Twenty-Ten. That is right folks, it is officially the future! And the future is looking bright if I do say so myself. The Players run of "In The Sawtooths" starts in just over a week and a half, and with a little bit of luck, everything will go smoothly, and then hopefully with enough money, luck and pixie farts we can make it to the Endinburgh Festival, which would be nothing short of awesome if it happens.
On a lighter, whiter note, Dublin has come to a standstill thanks to a little bit of snow. It looks incredible, but though aesthetically pleasing, the local government does not see it as so, and prefers to shut down all transport services in the area. Oh well, the walks are more interesting in the snow, which makes the walks that little bit easier. It seems that even snow clouds have silver linings.
Don't really have a lot more to say, what with Sawtooths consuming time like nobody's business. I'll try to keep up my resolution of blog more, and blog better. See you next time, same Blog-time, same Blog-channel.
So long Bloghounds!
On a lighter, whiter note, Dublin has come to a standstill thanks to a little bit of snow. It looks incredible, but though aesthetically pleasing, the local government does not see it as so, and prefers to shut down all transport services in the area. Oh well, the walks are more interesting in the snow, which makes the walks that little bit easier. It seems that even snow clouds have silver linings.
Don't really have a lot more to say, what with Sawtooths consuming time like nobody's business. I'll try to keep up my resolution of blog more, and blog better. See you next time, same Blog-time, same Blog-channel.
So long Bloghounds!
26 December 2009
Blog Blog Blog Blogging on Heaven's Door
So, Christmas has passed, and now we have the New Year to look forward to. This Christmas holiday is going to be a strange one for me, in that I'll be spending a lot of it alone. Heading back to Dublin soon for rehearsals, which means until the start of the next semester I'll have my flat, and most of the surrounding accommodations more than likely, to myself. So, fun times! I will have lines to learn, songs to master, and a whole new instrument to distract my attentions for some time, but the fact of the matter is, that I will probably be spending the most time with myself than I have for quite a while now, which, I'll be honest, scares me a little bit.
New Year: What will it hold in store for me? Speaking honestly, New Year is one of my favourite times of the year. Everyone is still on a high from the Christmas celebrations, the year that's coming hasn't been spoiled by realities, and still lives in the realm of possibility and it's a great excuse to purge anything you don't like by way of New Year's Resolutions. I've never been one to make NYR's though, believing instead that change can come at any time, think I might try and do it this year though.
NYR #1 Blog More
More to come, in fact, I may dedicate an entire post to a list of my NYR's. I also think I should make more lists.
NYR #2 Make More Lists
That is all for now faithful followers. Talk to you before the new year, if not, then stay safe, stay classy and stay tuned for the next thrilling instalment of my life in writing.
P.S. For those of you who are fans of musical excellence, comedy and superpowered sagas, check out Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, the first episode of which I leave below, as an offering to you. Enjoy!
New Year: What will it hold in store for me? Speaking honestly, New Year is one of my favourite times of the year. Everyone is still on a high from the Christmas celebrations, the year that's coming hasn't been spoiled by realities, and still lives in the realm of possibility and it's a great excuse to purge anything you don't like by way of New Year's Resolutions. I've never been one to make NYR's though, believing instead that change can come at any time, think I might try and do it this year though.
NYR #1 Blog More
More to come, in fact, I may dedicate an entire post to a list of my NYR's. I also think I should make more lists.
NYR #2 Make More Lists
That is all for now faithful followers. Talk to you before the new year, if not, then stay safe, stay classy and stay tuned for the next thrilling instalment of my life in writing.
P.S. For those of you who are fans of musical excellence, comedy and superpowered sagas, check out Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, the first episode of which I leave below, as an offering to you. Enjoy!
17 December 2009
All Blogged Up
Semester one of college is now behind me, and, apart from physics, has been what I would call a success. In fact, i'm looking forward to the second term in some ways. But yeah, college, after all my fretting and initial doubts has been a blast. Truly coming to learn the true meaning of college. Finished a presentation with about two hours to go, showed up ferociously hungover, after approximately two and a half hours of admittedly fitful and alcohol induced sleep, managed to, not to blow my own horn or anything, knocked that sucker out of the park with a stream of bullshit that would make a politician proud. Ten percent of Professional Engineering module, you didn't stand a chance.
Speaking of drunken/hungover triumphs, unfortunately for those of you out there who know what a great drinking buddy I can be when I'm not lost, passed out or befriending homeless people, will be saddened to learn that as of today I am curbing my drinking in the interests of my throat. Getting up in front of about 200 people and making an arse of myself for three nights in a row just for the sake of a few bottles doesn't seem like a good idea to me... I also know that I will be eating these words and washing them down with a pint of something or other in not too long a time, but still, it's good to have ideals isn't it?
Well, it seems I have run out of verbal tripe to cram into your cranial cavities so it is time I depart. Farewell, and good tidings. (Or something a little less gay than that, I'm sure you can come up with something.)
Speaking of drunken/hungover triumphs, unfortunately for those of you out there who know what a great drinking buddy I can be when I'm not lost, passed out or befriending homeless people, will be saddened to learn that as of today I am curbing my drinking in the interests of my throat. Getting up in front of about 200 people and making an arse of myself for three nights in a row just for the sake of a few bottles doesn't seem like a good idea to me... I also know that I will be eating these words and washing them down with a pint of something or other in not too long a time, but still, it's good to have ideals isn't it?
Well, it seems I have run out of verbal tripe to cram into your cranial cavities so it is time I depart. Farewell, and good tidings. (Or something a little less gay than that, I'm sure you can come up with something.)
14 December 2009
Book My Face
So there's this thing called Facebook, you may have heard of it, all the kids are talking about it these days, well, anyway, turns out a while ago I was not so skilled at it. Of late though, I have blossomed into a regular facebook user, even going so far as to take a Facebook quiz today. Turns out I have 100% common sense. Who knew such things could be judged by a series of retarded riddles? If only everything in life were this easy...
Glee!
So, I managed to get my hands on some episode of the "smash hit" new US comedy, Glee. Turns out that it is as good as the hype makes it out to be. It could just be that the subject matter is quite close to my heart, homosexual though it may be, but the cast works so well, and the jokes are delivered with a punchy wryness that leaves me just wanting more. I'll keep you updated the more I see, but until then, keep an eye out for it, and catch it if you can.
On a similar topic, even though people keep complaining about the downturn in entertainment, and how the golden ages of comedy died when Friends jumped the shark, so much so that every comedy that has come since with even a hint of genius or originality has been compared to unfavourably. But with Glee, How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock and although I haven't yet seen it, Modern Family sounds like a gem aswell. With all these, and the host of others that I forgot, the talk of comedic entertainment dying, or even turning stale, is absolute crap. Long live comedy, long live originality, long live the sitcom.
As a great man once said, "mmmmm, sooomething".
Goodnight fellow bloghounds, and good blogging.
Glee!
So, I managed to get my hands on some episode of the "smash hit" new US comedy, Glee. Turns out that it is as good as the hype makes it out to be. It could just be that the subject matter is quite close to my heart, homosexual though it may be, but the cast works so well, and the jokes are delivered with a punchy wryness that leaves me just wanting more. I'll keep you updated the more I see, but until then, keep an eye out for it, and catch it if you can.
On a similar topic, even though people keep complaining about the downturn in entertainment, and how the golden ages of comedy died when Friends jumped the shark, so much so that every comedy that has come since with even a hint of genius or originality has been compared to unfavourably. But with Glee, How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock and although I haven't yet seen it, Modern Family sounds like a gem aswell. With all these, and the host of others that I forgot, the talk of comedic entertainment dying, or even turning stale, is absolute crap. Long live comedy, long live originality, long live the sitcom.
As a great man once said, "mmmmm, sooomething".
Goodnight fellow bloghounds, and good blogging.
13 December 2009
Blogfessions
Bless me Blogger, for I have sinned. It has been aeons since my last post.
Apologies loyal readers, I've been a bit lazy in my updates of late, but this is due to a sudden upturn in events and a sudden downturn in interest of writing about these events. I promise though, that now I will make a pledge to keep you, faithful follower of this diary of diatribes, to update this blog more faithfully than ever... possibly...
Anywho, the deal of late is that I am no longer the mild-mannered engineering college student you once knew. It seems that at my core I am in fact a guy with a leather jacket, greased back hair, an inferiority complex, and no concept of how to treat a woman right, but still manages to get the girl anyway. Yes, Matthew, tonight I'm going to be James Bond! Wait, no, Danny Zuko in Grease... Anywho, goes on stage 8th, 9th and 10th of March in the Sports Hall of Trinity Halls, all are welcome =)
Before I leave, I will drop this golden egg laid from the goose in Kurt Kuenne's head straight into your lap. This is the short film "Validation". It's a terribly charming tale of true love, loss, and parking. A winning combination I'm sure you'll agree. Enjoy!
Apologies loyal readers, I've been a bit lazy in my updates of late, but this is due to a sudden upturn in events and a sudden downturn in interest of writing about these events. I promise though, that now I will make a pledge to keep you, faithful follower of this diary of diatribes, to update this blog more faithfully than ever... possibly...
Anywho, the deal of late is that I am no longer the mild-mannered engineering college student you once knew. It seems that at my core I am in fact a guy with a leather jacket, greased back hair, an inferiority complex, and no concept of how to treat a woman right, but still manages to get the girl anyway. Yes, Matthew, tonight I'm going to be James Bond! Wait, no, Danny Zuko in Grease... Anywho, goes on stage 8th, 9th and 10th of March in the Sports Hall of Trinity Halls, all are welcome =)
Before I leave, I will drop this golden egg laid from the goose in Kurt Kuenne's head straight into your lap. This is the short film "Validation". It's a terribly charming tale of true love, loss, and parking. A winning combination I'm sure you'll agree. Enjoy!
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