the killing (forbrydelsen) - series 2

Because l have been off work, there has been time to catch up on some of the Christmas time TV series, so, after ploughing through a couple of episodes a night, this has just been ticked off.
Once again Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabol) is back to investigate a killing, and then it all gets a bit complicated. The first series of  The Killing was up there as of the best things l have ever seen on TV, and this series can also be placed on such a high pedestal.
Afghanistan, punishment killings, false leads, racism, corrupt (and idealistic) politicians, romance, back stabbing and power games, madness........It's all there, and every episode manages to end on a cliffhanger.
Apart from the odd moment of shouting at the TV because leads weren't followed, or Sarah taking too many risks by herself (again), this was brilliant throughout. However, it's certainly not good for my dodgy ticker, as some of it was edge of the seat stuff (and squeaky bum time).
Brilliant - and Morse and the like can bugger off, there is no comparison at all to this kind of quality.
Time for a lie down, before series three comes out.

toodle pip

policeman chases himself for 20 minutes

An undercover policeman in Sussex chased himself for 20 minutes, before it was realised that the man he was after was himself.
How?
You may well ask, as it does sound unbelievable, but he was being directed by a CCTV operator who thought he had spotted somebody dodgy. The operator then described where the person was, and  the officer kept thinking he was just behind him, until the mistake was noticed (amid much laughter, thigh slapping and piss taking).
Coppers!
Just as gormless as the one l know above (and yes, they are getting younger).

toodle pip

fabio walks and 'arry is innocent

Who would have believed it?

toodle pip

antony sher - primo (2005) - richard wilson

 Victims in the concentration camps

 Antony Sher

Primo Levi

It's all joy and happiness around this house while l have been off work, as l am not back into work now until the 14th Feb. Hurrah!
On the other hand, after all the Auschwitz stuff in Maus and Metamaus l have just read, l have also re-watched Antony Sher in 'Primo', which is film of his one man play about Primo Levi's time in Aucshwitz, based on Primo's book 'If this is a man'.
One of the main things l like about Levi, is that he went into the camp as an unbeliever, and stayed true to his beliefs, although it must have been tempting to wish for some kind of consolation in faith. To stay true to yourself in such abysmal circumstances, must take fortitude and inner strength of the highest kind, as he says himself of Lorenzo Perrone, who shared some of his rations and gave Levi some clothes, thus saving Levi's life, and remaining as a man, while the Germans tried to dehumanise them all.
Sheer is fantastic in the role, and is totally believable on stage, even though he only uses minimal props (a chair) plus some lighting and music, to get the story across. He certainly gives a master class in how to act, and makes you despair at the idea that you could ever do the same, as the gravitas he projects, albeit in a controlled and calculated way, is unbelievable. Git.
There's also a possibility myself and the FPO may visit Auschwitz later this year, as we are thinking about going to Poland for a short break. More fun and laughter on the horizon to look forward to.

toodle pip

mia at the super bowl (rebel rebel)

There has been a lot of (overblown and exaggerated) fuss about M.I.A  giving the bird finger while she was performing with Madonna during the break in the Super Bowl this year (instead of singing 'shit').
Yawn.
It's just what M.I.A and more importantly, the sponsers would have wanted really, loads of publicity all around the world, even if they may protest (in an unbelievable fashion) about how offended they are.
As for M.I.A, she also won't do badly out of the episode, and she would have entered the general public's consciousness a lot faster than she would have done by the usual route of album/tour/publicity.
A clever move by her really, but, much as l enjoy her music (Arular and Kala are great), the rebel/outsider pose is pretty crap as far as l am concerned. She wants fame and money (ker-ching ker-ching) like most other stars. That is why she agreed to perform, with Madonna, at The Super Bowl, in front of  a world wide audience. Taking the moolah when she can, and good luck to her. She is also married to Benjamin Bronfman, who's father is #261 of the worlds richest people.
Jammy bastard - yes.
Rebel - no.

toodle pip

raising arizona (1987) - the coen brothers

I hadn't seen Raising Arizona for years, and l must admit, l had forgotten how good it was. I like the Coen brothers films anyway, but for some crazy unfathomable reason, when remembering this one, l didn't think it was up to much (Duh!). Probably watched it under the influence or something, as there was plenty for me to enjoy.
Herbert 'Hi' McDunnough (Nicholas Cage), falls for  a cop (Holly Hunter) while getting arrested all the time, and they eventually set up home together. Because she can't have a baby, they decide to steal one from a rich business man who's wife has just given birth to five, but things don't go according to plan (what a surprise). Two convict buddies (the Snoats brothers) escape and come to stay with them, and they are also being hunted down by a bounty hunter, Leonard Smalls 'The lone biker of the apocalypse'. Superb stuff.

toolde  pip

it was 37 years ago today - oxford v manchester united

Christ on a bike, time really is flying by. After thinking it had flown by since Edna's funeral, it is rather disheartening to realise that it was 37 years ago when l was at this match.
I was living in-between Oxford and Reading at the time (at RAF Benson), and although l supported Manchester United, l was going to all the Oxford United home games l could get to (when they still played at the sadly missed Manor Ground), and followed them as my second team (still do).
This is because l was still at school at the time, so choices where limited.
As this was the season Manchester United were playing in the old Second Division, I got to see both of them together at the same time, for the first time. I have seen other games between them since then, but this one was special.
As usual, l went with Jonathan Knapp, a school friend who's father ran a TV shop in Oxford. The usual routine was l would cycle to Jonathan's house in Chalgrove, we would watch Football Focus, and we would then get a lift through to Oxford (Headington actually) with his dad. Reverse process on the way home afterwards (but without the Football Focus).
There was a lot of excitement that Manchester United were coming to town, there were issues with the travelling away support, as there had been various hooligan escapades at other games, and Match Of The Day showed highlights that evening! Get On!
To top it all, Oxford United kept up their fine home record and won 1-0, and Manchester United walked away with  the Second Division trophy later that year.
Happy days all round (for me at least).

toodle pip

polacio goal - genoa v lazio - fantastico!

What a backheel by Polacio in Genoa's 3-2 win over Lazio.
As they say in Italy - fantastico gol di Polacio!

toodle pip

khulekani "mgqumeni" khumalo returns from the dead

Sod The Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays reunions, this one is the real deal.
South African folk star Khulekani "Mgqumeni" Khumalo has returned, after being 'kidnapped by zombies' and presumed dead in 2009.
More info here.
Now that's what a call a comeback.

toodle pip

technology problems

My kindle is playing up, the website hit counter seems to have stopped working, and the washing machine has conked out, maybe even taking the hoover with it.

The kindle is soon to be returned and swapped, l can't get into my old email account to rectify the counter, l can't undo a screw to get inside the washing machine, but the hoover is cooling down and might be repairable.

Bloody space age my arse.

toodle pip

mean girls (2004) - mark waters

Lindsay Lohan stars as the new kid, but with a twist! - she's been home schooled and lived in Africa, so she has no experience of fitting in at school before (pity she never appeared at my school, as l'd have shown her what to do - phnaar).
Because this screenplay was by Tina Fey, l thought l would give it a go, despite my reservations about it being just another in a long line of American high school 'comedies' where someone tries to fit in, gets into 'capers', falls in love, and it all ends up fine in the end, after interaction with the jocks, the cool kids and the geeks.
I admit was wrong, as Mean Girls has 'a message' for the kids. Hey brothers and sisters, stop picking on each other (especially you girls), and try to be nicer, instead of just being judgemental and mean (hence the title).
Apart from that, it was just as l expected - crap.
Why do l punish myself watching this kind of rubbish? I'm usually pretty pessimistic about the outcome beforehand, my instincts are usually correct, and it's not like l'm getting any younger.
I've forgotten who's quote it was, (and l certainly can't be bothered looking it up), but it's 'the definition of a madman is someone who repeats the same process, but expects the results to be different' (or something like that).
I guess that's me - l am just waaaaaaaaaaay to stupid (or just a madman).

toodle pip

metamaus - art spiegelman

One of my Christmas presents that l have just got around to reading (Cheers Robbo!), Metamaus is superb, and had a lot more information than l could ever have imagined.
It's about Art Spiegelman, and his earlier creation, 'Maus', featuring interviews, transcripts, early sketches and even a DVD with 'Maus' plus extra information.
I was enlightened about other comic artists and Art's ideas behind his work, and came away from the book wanting to know (and buy) more, which is always a good thing.
Sets an outrageously high standard for any other projects of this kind, and l'll certainly read it again in the future.

toodle pip

the battle of wounded knee (1890) and the busby babes

White Lance, Joseph Horn Cloud, and Dewey Beard (Iron Tail) all survived (and are brothers)

Whenever l think about the wild west and the various battles with the Indians, l always imagine then fighting when it is warm. Obviously this is not correct, as the photographs above, taken after The Battle / Massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 can testify. They had it hard in those days, especially the Indians, who were kicked off their land, and then put into reservations. I know they were no angels, but wouldn't you defend your land against a foreign invader, exploiter, and double crossing land grabber?
There was a mix up with some ghost dancing at Wounded Knee, and the U.S 7th Cavalry massacred a load of mainly unarmed Lakota. It is also thought that amongst the injuries the cavarly suffered, a lot was by 'friendly fire'.
There's a great book called 'Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee' (by Dee Brown) that deals with all of this stuff, and it is highly recommended if you have even the slightest interest in what atrocities occurred.
Another thing is...Dewey Beard (AKA Iron Tail) lived until 1955. I will say that again - 1955. When The Busby Babes were starting to rule, and not long before l was born.
Even though l am an old git, that is just staggering.

toodle pip

it was 3 years ago today - edna's funeral

Time certainly is flying by. It was three years ago today that l was down in Walsall with the FPO and her family for the funeral of her grandmother on her mothers side, Edna (Collins).
It certainly wasn't a solemn occasion, and we had a good time down there, but it was made better by the fact Edna had not been scared of death, as she was very religious, and she looked forward to meeting up with her husband again (who was already dead).
I don't believe in the afterlife myself, but if it gave her comfort, and supported her during her illness, that's certainly fine by me.

toodle pip

julius shulman's photograph of the stahl's house (case study house #22)

This photograph is by Julius Shulman, and it is the home of the Stahl's, overlooking Sunset Boulevard from the Hollywood Hills, taken in 1960, and his most well known picture, known as Case Study House #22.
There is no way in Gods green earth that the FPO would ever live in a place like that, as she would be constantly cacking herself (no change there then), thinking it was going to collapse.
I must admit, l would be a bit dubious about it myself.

toodle pip

cherry tree lane (2010) - paul williams

This started off so well, but ultimately, Cherry Tree Lane is just waaaaay too stereotyped and predictable.
A couple are at home, obviously growing apart from each other and hardly talking, when some lads burst in looking for their son, who has 'grassed up' one of their cousins. They then wait for the son to return home so they can get their revenge.
All well and good.
However....other things come into play that reduce it to an absolute cliché.
Of course the boys from the hood talk about their rough backgrounds and  they sometimes show empathy with the victims. They invite round a couple of girls and a young lad (as you do in these circumstances), and they display their ignorance of anything cultural (while smoking the weed).
They also seem amazed that the TV has so many channels, and can't work out the remote.
One of them even goes to the local shop to get money out of the hostage man's account (£1,500!!!), but they don't bother seeing if the woman has any bank cards as well.
The mother is sexually assaulted by the leader, which the other one left in the house at the time, thinks 'is out of order',  and the father eventually escapes and takes some revenge.
l felt like taking some revenge on the stinking idiot rabbit after sitting through this.
Unbelievable tosh.

toodle pip

william blake negro hanging picture

I have read a few slave diaries, seen documentaries etc and thought l knew a bit about what happened to them, but until l saw this picture by William Blake, l didn't realise that they would sometimes be hung from a gallows by the waist and then left.
They certainly had a tough time in those days, poor sods.

toodle pip

ali and elvis get ready to rumble

I know that Elvis Presley did karate, and fancied himself a lot, but if this encounter had ever happened seriously in real life, l know who my money would have been on, even if Muhammad Ali appears to be wearing a spangled dressing gown.
Two pretty boys at their peak (arguably).

toodle pip

louis wain and his cats

The brains a funny old thing.
I have been reading about (and looking at pictures by) Louis Wain, a prolific artist from Clerkenwell, who developed a fondness for cats when his wife fell ill (and later died). He then slowly deteriorated mentally after his mother died, until he was placed into a Mental Hospital in Tooting in 1924 by his sisters.
From there, he was eventually moved to a hospital in Napsbury, thanks to the intervention of prominent figures of the time.
There are arguments about whether he had Schizophrenia or Asperger syndrome, but what is not disputed, is how his cat illustrations became pretty wild and colourful.
They certainly appeal to me (and he taught Peter, his cat, to wear spectacles).
Brilliant.

toodle pip