Saturday, November 30, 2002

This is all well and good, but did it ever occur to the author that working as a supermarket cashier (or working in a supermarket, period) isn't all that stimulating and/or rewarding an experience? Maybe he should ask the question "would I want to work here?"; that might enlighten him somewhat.

Have pity on the sales assistants. Unless, of course, they swear at you or hit you or something.

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Friday, November 29, 2002

np: Earth 'Teeth Of Lions Rule The Divine'

Had a bad morning, and a strange bout with something earlier this evening, but I feel okay now.

I've been thinking of redesigning the website again. I like the font and the colour scheme, and the site map, but I'd much rather my code was less complicated, and I'd like to utilise CSS for the layout entirely. Basically, I'd like things to look even more simple and clean as they are, and to make the whole site more user-friendly.

I'd also like to finally get myself a domain and a proper web host. I'm looking at Cornerhost specifically, since they have a pretty sweet deal with scripting potential (for comments) and capacity for multiple sites and domains for $100 a year (which is basically €100 a year). Registering the domain name I want will set me back €64 for two years. (I've picked one already, I won't repeat it here lest it be stolen.)

The only barrier at the time being is my lack of fundage. I will have to do a rigorous audit when January comes around. But hopefully there shouldn't be any problem, and I can relaunch the site in style. Not as soon as I would have hoped mind you, but better late than never, eh?

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It's strange where the internet will lead you: I hopped onto Google News to browse the stories, found one about alleged fakery re: The Osbournes, which lead me to Dannii Minogue having a problem with Asians, and from there ended up at an obituary for the philosopher John Rawls, who passed away just a couple of days ago.

I read some Rawls in second year, or whenever we did Political Phil. with Dr. O'Connor. (It's midnight, my brain is fuzzy, forgive me.)

Back then, I read purely on a need-to-know basis. But now, I'm quite tempted to read him properly, for my own intellectual stimulation and improvement.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2002

I met Dave on the bus on the way into town, which was convenient since we were supposed to meet in town anyways, and we went to see Bowling For Columbine. Powerfull stuff indeed. Entertaining, yet very thought provoking. Of course there are bits that critics are gonna poke huge holes in: the bit about nobody locking their doors in Toronto, it must be a localised thing because we always locked the door to the Manhole when I stayed there; and that bit at the end, cutting between Michael Moore holding a printout photo of a young girl shot dead at school and a frail-looking Charlton Heston walking away, head bowed, not even glancing back, well that seemed a bit too contrived (and most likely concocted in post-production). There was also a distinct lack of a real focus. Moore didn't seem to have a single agenda, at least on the surface.

But there's the rub, surely. It's not meant to be taken at face value, at least I felt that way as I watched it and became engrossed in it. As the film progressed, it seemed as if Moore himself was searching, through complicated means, for a way to answer the question as to why such tragedies as what happened in Littleton, Colorado keep happening today. If the film could have one single question to answer, for me it seemed to be this one: what makes America so different from everywhere else in the world? For one example from the film: everyone in Windsor, Ontario seems to own a gun of some fashion, but apparently the only recorded murder there in the three years preceeding filming was committed by a native of Detroit, just arcoss the river, with a gun from Minnesota. That's part of an important contrast for Moore, that between the US and Canada, Canada being like a socio-political utopia compared to the tyranny of fear in America.

Fear, ingrained into the American social consciousness, seems to be the only explanation that Moore can give us. Is it really as simple as that? Scarily enough, it might just be.

I'm gonna think a lot more about what I've seen. I've been mulling it over all day, so much so that I kinda forgot to do some of the other stuff I was supposed to do, like pay my credit card bill. Don't call what I've just written above a review as such. One would really have to watch it for oneself to glean from it even the fraction that I've discussed here.

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Tuesday, November 26, 2002

np: Sunn O))) '3: Flight Of The Behemoth'

So yeah, it's been nearly a week since I last posted. There isn't that much to report.

Work is... well, I did promise I wouldn't talk about work here anymore, so I won't go there. Let's just say my last day will be the 28th 21st of December and leave it at that, shall we?

I went to see J Mascis at Whelans on Sunday evening with Al. I have to say, I was pretty disappointed. He had a gazillion pedals but only seemed to have two distinct sounds: acoustic strum, and electric RAWK. They didn't juxtapose too well. It sounded like he threw a number of clams. Also, he played seated, and since the stage is low we didn't really see anything. It didn't help that it seemed to be Asshole Night on the floor: for some reason there was a constant stream of movement of people through the crowd, and I happened to be standing in their path. Can't people stay still for a measly hour? Jeez. Oh, and there was the heavy stink of dope in the air. Hey, I've got nothing against the mota, but please, can you puff it out somewhere AWAY FROM MY FACE please?? I thought I was gonna get stopped by the police on the way home, it was that permeating. I was quite distracted, and got quite bored after half an hour.

All of that being said, his singing voice was a lot stronger than I was expecting. Apparently it's supposed to be his weakness, especially in a solo setting such as that, but to me his singing was better than his playing on the night.

So what else have I been up to? Umm, nothing actually. Nothing significant anyways.

I need to buy more Christmas presents, and I have to pay my credit card bill tomorrow afternoon.

I'm going to see Bowling For Columbine with Dave tomorrow morning, which is a good thing. Apparently I get paid this weekend too, so there's another good thing.

I got the new Botch record last week, and it's excellent. It's been selling well too, which is a big surprise since We Are the Romans sat there for weeks before I bought it. It's weird how it seems like bands have to break up before they get popular.

Oh, and I found this post by accident a few days ago. That's something I can identify with.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2002

np: Orthrelm '2nd 18/04 Norildivoth Crallos-Lomrixth Urthiln'

Need I say more?

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Sunday, November 17, 2002

My eyes hurt so this is gonna be quick.

The New Bomb Turks were excellent last night. Even though I couldn't stay for the whole show - had to hike the mile or so from Whelans to Abbey Street for the last bus - the 35 minutes or so that I bore witness to were more than worth the admission fee. They are the dirtiest, sleaziest band I've seen yet, and they rock hard. I was well impressed. I could go on about their stage moves (the singer, he's got 'em all) and crowd-molesting antics (note to self: if one wears a baseball cap to a New Bomb Turks show, it may well end up down the front of the singer's pants), but - if you will pardon the cliche - words just don't do them justice.

Watching them made me think about how America produces such great bands, such great music. It just doesn't seem authentic coming from anywhere else for some reason. That's not to put a downer on bands like Female Hercules (local boys, opened the show last night, I caught the end of their set, can't believe I've never even heard them before despite knowing about them for a few years), but that's just how it feels to me. I don't know why.

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Thursday, November 14, 2002

np: Blonde Redhead 'Hated Because Of Great Qualities'

Today was weird. It's been raining continuously since some time last night. Meanwhile, most of the city's motorists have forgotten how to operate their vehicles properly, meaning I was a) late for work this morning (for the first time in the six months since I started back) and b) stuck sitting on a bus on Abbey Street for FORTY fucking minutes, during which time the bus moved about 100 yards or so. (Luckily the driver decided to change the route home a bit after that so we avoided any more delays.) I mean, what is it with Irish drivers? One splash of rain and you forget everything you had to learn for your driving test? Fucking hell. You'd think they'd be used to the fucking weather by now.

The weather, by the way, was pretty artrocious today. It seemed like the sun set at 2pm, the clouds were so black and thick and full of evil water. I blame America and their polluting heavy industries for this..... well, okay, them and the Brits.

Work went by pretty quickly, mainly due to the setting-up for Tom Dunne's radio show this evening, and because the rain kept people out of the store. Unfortunately for Laura, it didn't keep away some stupid old bag looking for an argument. Uuugh. I hate people like that. Why can't you be nice to us? We'll be nice to you in return, we promise. We are sales assistants after all, not animals in the zoo. At least it's Laura's last day tomorrow so she won't have to take any such shit for a while. Can't wait 'til I break out.

In other news, I went to Road Records on the way home from work to get the new Q And Not U record (which they didn't have, unfortunately) and my New Bomb Turks ticket (which they did - hooray for me). They are so nice in there, them Road Records folk. Not like Freebird. Freebird is like High Fidelity with a humour by-pass. You know what I'm talkin' about, fellow Dubliners, don't deny it.

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Sunday, November 10, 2002

I met Stevo from the Mike Watt list this afternoon, totally by chance. Although I guess it was only a matter of time. He's a cool guy.

He was looking for the new High On Fire album. We were out - I model stocked one about a week ago and we sold it (I think, unless I'n getting it confused with the new Spiritual Beggars album, in which case we haven't had the High On Fire one in ages; must order that tomorrow) - so he got the new Mastodon record instead. I hope he likes it. I think I might get it myself. Actually I'm definitely getting it. If Stevo doesn't like it, I'll buy his.

Today was also Westlife PA day. Dear God, teenage girls don't half scream their lungs out. Someone even fainted. I just cannot understand that mentality. I mean, I can easily identify with someone being excited in the presence of an idol, but I can't see myself screaming and crying if, say, Mike Watt pointed and winked at me or something.

I bought some CDs today too, only because I'm returning a couple tomorrow: the new Origin album (totally fast and brutal, even more so than the last one, but not as groovy); the new Nada Surf record (which is pretty sweet); the first Old Man Gloom album and the new Isis one (neither of which I've heard yet, so I have an exciting evening ahead of me).

And what am I returning, I (don't) hear you ask? The Gang Of Four box set (too much filler to warrant such expense), and the last one by From Autumn To Ashes (not bad, but I'd rather have something else, something better).

I'm also thinking of returning the new Cave In EP, if I can find the receipt. I mean, I like Cave In - I like the old metalcore stuff and the prog sound they exhibited on the excellent Jupiter and the subsequent Lost In The Air single - but the new EP just sounds and feels so weak in comparison to everything else they've done. I'm not sure if I'm going to like the new album.

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Friday, November 08, 2002

This is by far one of the most preposterous things I've read about in some time. How it's even gotten to this stage boggles my mind. I mean, what's the point of competition if you can't handle not coming first?

If I were the judge in this case, I'd tell the plaintiffs where to stick their lawsuit. And also give them an award for 'Biggest Sulky Sore Loser Ass Clowns Ever'. Then take the fuckers out and shoot them. Repeatedly.

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Friday Five #35:

1. Did you vote in your last elections?

Yes I did. Since I've been eligible to vote I've only missed one, a referendum, and I was out of the country at the time.

2. Do you know who your elected representatives are?

No, I don't. But believe me, if I needed to know, I would.

3. Have you ever contacted an elected representative? If so, what was it about?

I haven't had the need to yet. Not that I could see it achieving much in the current climate.

4. Have you ever participated in a demonstration?

Nope. I have my reasons.

5. Have you ever volunteered in an election? What was the result?

No I haven't volunteered. I'm not politically active in this respect. I'm not aligned or affiliated with any party. Though if you must know, I lean to the left.

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Thursday, November 07, 2002

I feel strange.

I got a box in the post from Amazon.com today. In it, besides the complete first and second series of Mr. Show, was my brand new VHS cassette of Donnie Darko. I just finished watching it a while ago.

It's wonderful.

Best film I've seen in some time. Definitely the first one that's really left a mark since Ring, or Kikujiro before that. See it if you can. Be prepared for some weirdness, but definitely see it.

I got some really good news from a friend of mine a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, legalities prevent me from saying exactly what this news is just yet, but trust me, it's good, and I'm really happy for him.

I just heard on the telly behind me - from Sky News - that the Greek plane spotters have finally been acquitted. It seems that the balance of the world is writing itself somewhat. I'm still gonna boycott the Olympics though.

I feel strange.

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Tuesday, November 05, 2002

np: Rotten Sound 'Murderworks'

Not much happening in my world at the moment. I'm counting the weeks 'til my quitting day (must be about seven or less now; when you see it like that it doesn't seem so far away). I've already got my quitting excuses worked out, and I'm gonna print off some official government documentation from the web so that the m*****r doesn't even try to bamboozle me. It looks like I'll be leaving the same weekend as Emily.

I got the new Dave Eggers book in the post yesterday. It's lovely. I'm gonna save it for the week after Christmas. Something to look forward to. Thank you to Powell's of Portland, Oregon - I'll be shopping with ye again.

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Friday, November 01, 2002

Wow.

My weblog is officially one year old today.

I didn't think I'd keep it up this long, but blogging is definitely habit forming. I'm here for the long haul. You won't get any 'I have to get away from the net to sort out my life because I'm so messed up blah blah blah' bullshit posts from me, nosiree.

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Friday Five #34:

1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith?

I was raised a Catholic, ostensibly. Religion was never a major thing in my home, it just was, if you know what I mean.

2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not?

I don't. Some people might label me as a lapsed Catholic, but that still implies a tie of sorts to that faith, which honestly I have no connection with now. I don't need religion. I may need spirituality at times, but I'll never need organised religion. I don't refute the existence of a higher power or supreme being or whatever, but I can't honestly have faith in something I'm not sure is there, can I? That would be lying to myself, and where's the benefit in that? I could go on for ages about this, and related topics (for instance, I think that being a good person does not at all necessitate being religious, or even spiritual), but I am quite hung over right now.

3. What do you think happens after death?

I don't know. None of us really knows, we just presume. I don't think about it too much, because it scares me. I've got a whole life to live yet.

4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)?

I don't have one. At least none that I can think of right now. I am hung over after all.

5. Do you believe people are basically good?

I think that most people have good in them, but this doesn't mean that they're basically good. One afternoon in Dublin will convince you that most people are basically self-centred and totally selfish. Only looking out for number one. There's no sense of community here, or respect for other people. I dunno what it's like in other countries. Of the few foreign towns and cities I've visited, I've experienced a totally different atmosphere to that of here. Especially in Toronto. People there are just nicer. Maybe I only met the nice ones, I dunno, but I felt really welcome and at home there.

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random linkage:

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