From This Angle

There's been times over the past fortnight when I've thought about this journal. I've thought about updates I 'd like to make, blogs I'd like to write, news I'd like to give. I clearly have not followed through with any of them. This is my 3rd livejournal but by far the most coherent and yet over the years I don't think that it ever really realised its own purpose or the initial vision I set out with. I think my sporadic approach to the blog is also attributable to this. Although I always approach such activities on an 'as-I-can-be-arsed-and-am-still-enjoying-it' basis.

I think it's probably time I closed this journal and put it under the bed in a box. A new one will follow as time permits and I'll add everyone as you're all great. It should be pretty easy to determine that it is me and not some Nigerian prince or Russian playgirl adding you (I can put you in touch with any of the two if you are interested).

I'll also be getting to work on my letter writing project soon, after a self-imposed hiatus. I haven't forgotten about anyone who wanted to be a part of it but the wait is all part of the idea.


Yours Aye!

I gave my opinion of the post of Poet Laureate back in January, with reference to Wendy Cope's comments. Maybe Gordon Brown or the Culture Secretary Andy Burnham have been reading my blog or the direction to go was plainly obvious, but those bright sparks have appointed a new Poet Laureate and a woman in the post at that. So my premonition partly comes true but interestingly it's not Cope who has been appointed but Carol Ann Duffy.

I've posted a few of her poems before and having read her collections and her opinions on the post, it's a fantastic choice for the position in my opinion. I think that it's a bit sad that gender is an issue though because Carol Ann Duffy qualifies on merit; her poetry is easy on the eye, thoughtful and witty (sometimes all at the same time). I think she'll bring the qualities that I described back in January.

Another recommendation from me.

I could write a lot about this film but I'm always conscious of spoilers so I'll keep it short. Like Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this one too) it is a thoughtful story about the building of a relationship between unlikely characters, in this case between a Korean War veteran and an Asian family who move in next door on the day of his wife's funeral. To be fair the acting in the supporting roles isn't up to much but I've read that Eastwood was trying to give it a more authentic feel by casting only Hmong people. It's all about the story and there are some good laughs as Eastwood banters with the kids next door, his barber and a construction manager along the way. Importantly though, there is a man trying to do good for those around him, despite his own prejudices. It all builds up to a great ending that left me thinking a bit about what it told me about myself. I won't say more than that but if you watch it or have watched it, I'd like to hear what you thought.

Despite having my own horrid experiences in the Army, I'm still proud of our forces. It's taken me a few months to be able to say that. The recent announcement from the Home Office regarding the Gurkhas reminded me of some good times at Sandhurst getting to know some of the men from Gurkha Company Sitang (the demonstration company) based there. It's truly awful that veterans are not afforded the right to live in the UK unless they meet criteria that is designed to exclude the majority. See below my letter to my MP, David Cairns. It's a bit late for any of you to contact your own MP regarding the vote tomorrow but I would urge you to write to your own MP to support the Gurkha Justice Campaign. You can join the campaign yourself at http://gurkhajustice.org.uk/.

( My Letter To David Cairns )

Placebo have put the new single on their website for free download. I was one of the sad-o people that listened in to the Zane Lowe show on Tuesday for its debut play. Suring the first part of the song I thought it was going to be a ballad-type Placebo song, which is no bad thing but I wouldn't think of it as a Placebo single. Fortunately it just took off and I was blown away. It feels like the start of something new and if it had not been for the Brian's distinctive vocals I wouldn't have placed this as a Placebo song (well, maybe I lie). I really enjoyed it though and looking forward to the album. Hopefully get to see them again (5th time cringe).

My sister told me a couple of weeks ago that I should go and see Slumdog Millionaire but I didn't think it would live up to the hype; I often get this and end up not seeing some really good films for a fear of being let down. sherbet_head asked me this morning if I fancied a trip at short notice so I decided to get out of my bed and do something with my Sunday rather than my usual staying in bed for ages. It's a feel good film without being cheesy or repeating the type of thing we have seen a hundred times before. I saw it won a couple of BAFTA's tonight as well and it was mentioned that a lot of risks were taken on the screenplay. sherbet_head and I discussed that as we left the cinema. This film could have become quite disjointed but the way it was cut managed to keep you interested and entertained throughout the 2 horus. Go see it if you haven't!

Wendy Cope has called for the abolition of the poet laureate post

This morning I had a quick scan of my bookshelf and saw that I had put a book on the case with the front cover holding a place in the book. I don't normally do that because it ruins the book cover and spine so I pulled it out to put it to rights. It was my copy of Wendy Cope's 'Serious Concerns'. It was strange to find it as I had only an hour earlier read the story quoted above on the BBC website. Cope makes a fair point that the public and media pressure to produce is counter-productive to the quality of what is produced. That is echoed by current Poet Laureate Andrew Motion who suffered writer's block in his 'thankless' role of writing on demand for the Royal Family. My view is that the position of Poet Laureate is outdated and needs to be given a new lease of life and new direction. Cope would be the first woman to take up the post if she was offered and took the job when Motion retires and I think of there was to be a death to the position I'd like to see her take a stab at it first. She's well known for wit and humour and the ability to make something magical from an everyday event. If anything, it would be good to see her tease the Royal's a little in the way that only she can.

I thought I'd share what I had kept the book open at too whilst I was on the subject of Wendy Cope.

( Exchange of Letters )

John Martyn died today.

It's extremely sad to lose a talent like John as it is to lose anyone from this earth. He's given me hours of entertainment and a soundtrack to introspection. I never got the chance to see him live and he is definitely an artist I would love to have seen in the flesh. There's a nice comment from a busker who played John's songs in the streets of London claiming to have played "May You Never" more times than the man himself in the 'Your Memories' page on the bbc website, it speaks of a time when John himself popped a couple of quid in the buskers case.

I said to my mum that he had died and predictably she responded with "who?" He isn't all that well known, despite the OBE and lifetime achievement award, so here is my favourite 5 songs for anyone who isn't familiar with his music or who just fancies a bit of a listen to the legend that is John Martyn.

Solid Air (This one is a tribute to Nick Drake, another favourite of mine)
Hurt In Your Heart
The Man In The Station
Don't Want To Know
May You Never

Empire Magazine has revealed its list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows ever:

1. Bold the shows you watch/used to watch.
2. Italic the shows you've seen at least one episode of.
3. Post your answers.


50. Quantum Leap
49. Prison Break
48. Veronica Mars
47. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
46. Sex & The City
45. Farscape
44. Cracker
43. Star Trek
42. Only Fools and Horses
41. Band of Brothers
40. Life on Mars
39. Monty Python's Flying Circus
38. Curb Your Enthusiasm
37. Star Trek: The Next Generation
36. Father Ted
35. Alias
34. Frasier
33. CSI: Las Vegas
32. Babylon 5
31. Deadwood
30. Dexter
29. ER
28. Fawlty Towers
27. Six Feet Under
26. Red Dwarf
25. Futurama
24. Twin Peaks
23. The Office
22. The Shield
21. Angel
20. Blackadder
19. Scrubs
18. Arrested Development   (I haven't even heard of this?!)
17. South Park
16. Doctor Who
15. Heroes
14. Firefly
13. Battlestar Galactica
12. Family Guy
11. Seinfeld
10. Spaced
09. The X-Files
08. The Wire
07. Friends
06. 24
05. Lost
04. The West Wing
03. The Sopranos
02. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
01. The Simpsons

Ae Fond Kiss

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae farewell, and then forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.

Who shall say that Fortune grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves him?
Me, nae cheerfu' twinkle lights me,
Dark despair around benights me.

I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy:
Naething could resist my Nancy!
But to see her was to love her,
Love but her, and love for ever.

Had we never lov'd sae kindly,
Had we never lov'd sae blindly,
Never met - or never parted --
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.

Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae farewell, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.


I heard this song sung tonight and it was beautiful. The Eddi Reader version is special too.

Yours Aye,

Andrew

I just said to my sister that Woolworths is being sold off for a pound.

She said "Do you think we should buy it?"

It made me laugh, a lot, I don't know why.

There's something fantastic in this poems simplicity..

At lunchtime I bought a huge orange -
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave -
They got quarters and I had a half.

And that Orange it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
The is peace and contentment. It's new.

The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I'm glad I exist.

by Wendy Cope

Don't rush your words
so much
you're out of breath
Stay in spotlight
a little longer

Don't stop and stoop
so shy
you're selling short
Stay in my gaze
a moment more

I wanted to kiss you
all night that time
I didn't want you to leave
at all that time
Then after we parted
so fast that time
I wanted you back
we were out of time

If men are like buses
wait an age
then two arrive
in actu

Then women are taxis
take a drunken ride
get your ear chewed
fight about the cost
then end up paying double
just to save the trouble
of losing your other ear

Lucknow Platoon are going to be raising funds for the charity Help For Heroes. Check out our Just Giving website at http://www.justgiving.com/racetoindia for full details and give generously :)

He painted an ogre
but a butterfly's growing
underneath it all.

In keeping with my theme of messages to my mobile, I got two picture messages today. This one came with the text - "I saw this and thought of you! x x x".

"Youl never undersnat how hard it is 2 b the 1 2 get out of the car and walk away from you but i know i hav 2. Were jus lucky were friends."


I wanted to kiss you all night and then I didn't want to go home. Eventually I had to leave because I knew you wouldn't kiss me even though I could see in your eyes that you wanted to and you could see that I wanted you to. We'll never be able to be 'just' friends.


Actually - I understand exactly how hard that is.

I don't honestly remember the last time that I done one of these, but I'm on leave so I thought I might as well. I think i've done more silly stuff than my good friend mekare_enra but I haven't ever made my own cookies.. I should really do that one day.