the new york lord of the rings sky

I'd have loved to have been in New York this week and seen this storm brewing.  The above are real photographs that have not been photo shopped, and they are all by Ryan Brenizier.  They are available to buy from his site here (without the writing on).  Very cool indeed, although l bet some people were thinking it was 'the end of days' or something..

Some other random photographs from the storm are below.

toodle pip

hot air balloon

Something l don't normally see on the way home.  This appeared this evening from nowhere and put the willies up our idiot rabbit.  The cats too deaf and half blind, so didn't even notice.

toodle pip

the piss taking rich and the long suffering poor

One of the many things that annoy me about the present government, is how they are targeting the poor and disabled, more or less calling them a bunch of scroungers who are on the fiddle, unless they themselves can prove otherwise, because 'we are in a recession' and the government are  'trying to rectify Labour's mistakes and rash spending'.   Then they reduce the tax for the rich.  Non of this surprises me, as this new report about the rich avoiding taxes and using off shore tax havens also fails to do.  Apparently, avoiding taxes to the tune of 13 trillion pounds.

Want to know what a trillion looks like?  Check out this diagram, because although it is dollars, it is still astonishing.

Bunch of bastards, all of them.

I've said it before, and l'll say it again, it's time for a revolution brothers and sisters.

toodle pip

wayne rooney loot it poster

A great subversion of the England Wayne Rooney advert by Bill Posters.  Just loot it indeed.

toodle pip

the amazing spider-man (2012) - marc webb

So, myself and the FPO finally got around to seeing The Amazing Spider-Man in 3D at Teeside Park (as it had stopped showing in Richmond).  I was never that keen on the last lot of films, as l didn't like Toby Maguire or Kirsten Dunst in their roles as Spidey and Mary Jane Watson, so l was looking forward to checking out Andrew Garfield as the new re-incarnation of the franchise.  The word in advance of the film, was that they were going to stick to the story in the comic books, which l have wanted them to do from the start, being a big nerdy fan of the originals (up to 400).  I don't expect every little thing to be included in the film, but l did expect the story to be the same.  Unfortunately for me, it drove me mad watching some of the scenes, as l was tempted to shout out crazy stuff like "Peter Parker doesn't tell Gwen Stacy that he is Spider-man", and Gwen's dad (Captain George Stacy, the chief of police) dies when Spidey is fighting Dr Octopus, not The Lizard.  There is no mention of the next door neighbours 'The Watsons' (and girlfriend to be Mary Jane Watson), which could have been mentioned in a throwaway kind of 'you should meet Mary Jane from next door' way, as that is how it is done in the comics, until Peter finally sees her properly, and she tells him he has hit the jackpot (issue #42 for fellow nerds out there).  I've no problem with it being updated, and the use of mobile phones, skateboards etc, but the storyline in the comics is what made it such a success in the first place, so why keep pratting about and changing it, or presenting things in the wrong order?   As for the film overall, the 3D effects were good in places (and fantastic at the end), Garfield was better as Peter, Rhys Ifans was good as The Lizard, and  Emma Stone was fine as Gwen, but it still left me with an empty and annoyed feeling, especially when Spidey kept taking his mask off, and even Aunt May seemed to suspect he was Spider-man, which also bugged me.   Maybe l should give these kind of films a miss, and lie down in a darkened room instead.  No wonder my heart keeps stopping.

toodle pip

the clash doing tom egan

I was watching a French documentary about photographers (especially Pennie Smith), and it featured some footage of The Clash.  What song was it?  According to the documentary, it was 'Tom Egan'.   As far as myself, The Clash, and the rest of the right thinking (and English speaking) world is concerned, it will always be known as 'Tommy Gun', as that is what it's called (from the LP 'Give 'Em Enough Rope'.


toodle pip

morrissey with a cat on his head

Here's something you don't see everyday. Morrissey with a cat on his head (for PETA).

toodle pip

behind the scenes at batman 1966

Behind the scenes shots from the original Batman series in 1966.

toodle pip

update on the old ticker - operation coming up!

The FPO had a check up at Northallerton Friarage hospital yesterday, and as l was going along with her, l thought l'd ask how to record off my loop recorder, as l had forgotten.  They decided to rig and wire me up for a quick check up, and discovered a new record. My heart has been stopping for 20 - 24 seconds, (when my previous best was 18), and had also stopped 77 times since September last year.  I asked if the gaps were a long time, and was informed that 10 seconds is usually the most without it having any affect, so they were impressed with me, as l hadn't noticed anything.  The consultant was summoned, and he told me that he was going to get me in straight away, and would be going up to Middlesbrough that afternoon to arrange a slot, so l will probably be operated on within a week or so.  I do have to stay in hospital at least overnight, and that is the bit l am cursing, as l don't want to be sharing any kind of ward with a bunch of old bastards who have pacemakers (although the FPO wasted no time in informing me that l am one of them).  I can be sedated if l want, as the consultant reckoned it would hurt more that getting the loop recorder fitted, although l will also have pain killers.  I'm curious enough to want to be awake during the operation, but l am also a cowardly individual who doesn't like to be in pain, so it's 50/50 at the moment. If l do get sedated, l expect a recreation of the scene above when l come round.  I can't drive until l am incident free afterwards, but l should be off work for a couple of weeks resting.  I won't be able to lift my left arm up or use it much for a while, so it's a good job l am right handed.  Bring it on - I'm indestructible!!!!

Oh, by the way - the FPO was fine.

toodle pip

tommy tucker the squirrel in life magazine

Back in the day (the 1940's), a young squirrel was taken in and cared for by Mrs Mark Bullis of Washington DC.  She named it Tommy Tucker and dressed it in miniature clothing (the crazy old bat).  Life magazine did a feature on it, and there are more photographs at their site here.  I know you shouldn't treat animals like that, but you have to admit he looks pretty cute asleep on his little chair.  I want to get one now.

toodle pip

richmond in 1927 and today

I live on the outskirts of Richmond, North Yorkshire, and came across these two photographs of the castle and town centre from 1927.  The place is still pretty much the same, apart from some old buildings that were knocked down (that were in front of the obelisk in the town centre).  You get used to the quaintness of it when you live nearby, so take the old buildings, cobbled streets, River Swale, abbey and castle (and castle walks) for granted, but it's always full of tourists in the summer time, and it must be amazing for them if they are seeing it for the first time.  Sadly my first viewing was rather sullied by the fact l crashed my bike heading into the place, so l arrived cursing and sore.  I also lived there for a while, and myself and the FPO nearly bought  a home there, but decided on our current location instead (Sunny Catterick). Good job as well, or l would have been out and about all day playing pool.

toodle pip

the batman film shootings

After the shooting (and subsequent news coverage) at 'The Dark Night Rises' (the new Batman film) in Aurora, Colorado, l was reminded of this.  Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe about the shooting in Germany a few years ago.  Rather sadly, nothing has changed in the meantime.  It's pretty obvious that individuals shouldn't be able to go out and buy assault rifles, guns and loads of ammunition, but some of the defenders of this gun loving and right to bear arms situation state that if the people in the cinema were armed as well, they would have shot him.  In a crowded cinema?  With people screaming and running around?  With the film also providing noise and (possibly) gunshots?  That's right, they would calmly identify the shooter, take aim, and take him out.  I don't think so.  What if others in the cinema had guns?  Surely they would be confused and panicky, and start shooting at the (now two) shooters.  This could soon escalate into lots of people shooting at each other by mistake, and even more carnage. Change the constitution and ban the guns, unless they are properly itemised, regulated, handed back in or locked up, and with proper limitations and checks. Or ban them outright.  Either way, this will not be happening in the near future, or at anytime in the distant future l can envisage.   Therefore, these sort of massacres will continue, so don't be too surprised when they do (and don't blame the comics, films, music, TV or games).

toodle pip

wake wood (david keating - 2011) and the woman in black (james whatkins - 2012)

HAMMER TIME!!
I don't usually watch that much horror, although l used to be a big fan when l was a nipper, buying Monster magazine, making models of Dracula etc and trying to catch all the Hammer House of Horror movies (with varying results).  The old films were great, lots of over the top and sometimes camp acting, and with copious amounts of blood and gore (plus bare boobs).  These two films are both recent Hammer efforts, and both of them had their moments, but to me at least, The Woman In Black was much superior (even without the boobs).

Wake Wood has a young girl being attacked by a dog and dying from her injuries. The parents move to a small village, and then discover a way to bring her back from the dead for three days only, so they can 'say their goodbyes', as long as she hasn't been dead for longer than a year.  Go on - you know what's going to happen don't you?  Of course they lie because her death occured just over a year before, so there are naturally consequences because of this.  It had homages to 'Death in Venice', and some decent moments, but it wasn't scary in the least.

However......

The Woman In Black featured Harry Potter himself (Daniel Radcliffe) as Arthur Kipps, heading to another small village in search of documents regarding an old estate and will.  He is made to feel not welcome, but carries on with his job, heading to the remote house on a deserted island.  Children have been dying in mysterious circumstances, and he starts to hear (and investigate) strange noises, sightings, and general disturbances in and out of the home.  There are some good jumpy moments, and although the film had many classic horror moments, meaning you (OK, me) could forecast some of the shocks and plot developments, it was still done in a good way and, especially when contrasted with Wake Wood, was one of the better recent horror movies l have seen.  Screenplay was by Jane Goldman (Jonathan Ross' wife), and much as l am against nepotism and jobs for boys (or girls) due to fame and connections (a pop column at 16 for example), she must be praised for doing a sterling job.  As for Radcliffe, he was mostly silent and looking scared (yet brave), and it was difficult to tell what kind of performance l was witness to, but overall, l would say adequate, but nothing special.

toodle pip

led zep and james brown mash up

What's not to like? James Brown mashed up with Led Zeppelin?  Class.

toodle pip

the doors photographed by yale joel 1968

Some brilliant pictures of The Doors, taken by Yale Joel for Life Magazine in 1968.  The black and white ones are atmospheric, but l prefer the colour one at the top with the light show behind Jim Morrison (or Jimbo as l call him).  It's also astounding to see the lack of security present at the concert (The Fillmore East).  Bloody hippies.

toodle pip

richmond racecourse and grandstand

Top of the world ma!

Well, not really, but after finishing work this afternoon, l was harassed straight out of the house by the FPO to go and visit her family at the caravan park outside Richmond.  After putting in my shift there, we drove to the top of Richmond, and had a walk up to see the old Richmond racecourse and grandstand, as, although l have lived in the area since 1975, l had never been up there.  I was told last week that the views were spectacular, which is the reason l wanted to go, but l was also curious about what shape the old grandstand was in (very poor).  I did have a quick go at climbing on top of it, but l only had shorts on and there were stinging nettles everywhere, so after the first few stings, l gave up to fight another day. It must have been pretty impressive when it was up and running (so to speak), and it's funny to think that it was still going about the time Everton football club was formed (amongst others).  The only trouble with the place is that on the way back to the car, my eyes started itching like mad, and l started sneezing, as it really bought on my hay fever, which l haven't really had for ages.  Maybe it's  because l was also tired after work (I had hardly any sleep the night before), was still getting over my flu, and more importantly, l am a big girls blouse.  I even had to put a cold flannel over my (really red and itching) eyes when we got back, and have a lie down for half an hour.  You know who l blame?  A mixture of God (for creating the hay fever) and my parents (for giving me the genetic malfunction that makes me suffer from it).  Good job l'm pretty much indestructible, as this would have killed off a lesser man.  Long trousers and dark glasses will be essential for my next visit, maybe topped off with a peg on my nose (if l bring the FPO again).


toodle pip