I'm Departing, Momentarily

For all of my millions of fans, this is a short note to say that there won't be any new posts appearing in this space for a while, as I head off to the coast with family for a week or two...although I do have to come back into town every now and again for the occasional party.

My posting frequency has been rather low recently anyway; having a social life is just so exhausting! I've been partying, been introduced to "Arrested Development" and am hooked again on "Coupling" (holidays and DVDs are a wicked combination.) Tonight means another 18th; my liver squirms at the thought.

Song for the day: Paper Planes, by M.I.A. M.I.A. is a British female hip-hopper of Sri Lankan heritage, which is strange enough already. This is a dreamy, summery tune about...well, I'm not really sure. In fact, for most of the song, the lyrics are incomprehensible, although I did make out the words "weed" and "bongs" on an occasion. (Wink wink, nudge nudge...) Anyway, whether M.I.A. is Amy Winehouse's drug pal or not, she's got a kicking tune here that has just been added to my soundtrack to summer.

Anyway, pray for me as I wait for my university offers on Monday night/Tuesday morning (not that I'm too worried...I'm well above the clearly in score so I'm good.) It's the university college scholarship that I'm actually praying for.

;) peace

me

The Renaissance of Daft Punk

Why are Daft Punk so cool again?

Daft Punk, if you're unaware, are a notoriously reclusive French dance/electronica/house duo who have provided us with some of the most recognisable club hits ever. They were huge in the early 2000s, but then suddenly faded into obscurity.

Now, with their live tour and accompanying album, everybody loves Daft Punk. But aren't these guys old news? Why are they so popular right now?

Well, one reason has to be Kanye West's stomping mega hit Stronger, which borrows (or rather, steals) samples from Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger as the track's hook. Then, of course, there's the new album Alive 2007, recorded at Bercy in Paris during their immensely popular recent tour. And while this might actually sound like a rehash of old stuff, their remix of Around the World and Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger has to be heard to be believed. Now that is some seriously wicked dance music.

But I guess their enduring popularity lies in the fact that they sure know how to make a kicking dance tune. One More Time remains euphorically inspiring, Around The World is still catchy...and Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger? Well, it beats the crap out of Kanye. For me, it's the best of the lot.

Anyway, other than my little Daft Punk rant, nothing much else is happening. I'm partying all weekend. The weather has died down from its boiling swelteryness a few days ago. India are getting thrashed in the cricket...again. Work is boring. You get the picture.

I leave you with a video: "Daft Hands". It's had over eleven million youtube views, so you've probably seen it by now, but it still looks awesome every time I see it. Plus, the music rocks.

;) peace

me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cYWfq--Nw

Musings...2008

Happy New Year, to the very few of you (if any) who are reading this marvellous webpage. I saw in 2008 at a friends place with a bunch of others. Plenty of drinking, a jumping castle and bass-driven tunes made for a fun, yet exhausting celebration. Bed was at 4am, and although some decided an hour's sleep would suffice, I managed to muster a valuable four hours.

Anyway, what I'd really love to write about in this post (for I won't bore you with excitable tales of Tequila slammers and what not) is the cinema, which is where I went on Sunday night. Literary Mother was desperate to see Atonement, and despite my reluctance and my sister's evident desire to stay at home, we went (for the first time in years) to the cinema as a family.

Atonement it was and I am happy to report that it was one of the, if not the most fantastic cinematic experience I have ever had. Having never read Ian McEwan's novel (although now I have quite a want to), I went into the film almost completely blind to what I was going to see...only with the knowledge that it contained Keira Knightley, and had something to do with World War II. The story, in any case, is not worth spoiling here; in layman's terms, it has to do with a pair of budding lovers, and a younger sister who, essentially, ruins the relationship. It sounds tacky, but it's done in brilliant style. The costuming, score and settings are fittingly beautiful. Combine that with Keira Knightley, and you've got yourselves some serious eye candy.

The film is worth viewing just for one single sequence alone, where a camera follows a group of three soldiers along a beach at Dunkirk, not breaking shot for about five minutes, maybe longer. They wander past various other bands of soldiers, horses, the wounded, the inspired. The cinematography in this particular scene is utterly breathtaking. When the camera went past the group of choiristers in the rotunda above the beach, and they sang some uplifting wartime tune, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Anyway...enough swooning. In short, it's fantastic, if you haven't seen it, go, and if you have, share your thoughts in the comments below.

And what are my New Years Resolutions, you ask? Well, perhaps, if I can be bothered, I'll write a post on this tomorrow.

;) love and peace to all

moi