Sighing of the waves of a retreating sea...

Fads come and go. There is a whole field of psychology devoted to the study of fads and popular movements. They spring up for the oddest reasons and burn bright (but not always clear) across the peoples consciousness.
But this is good news (LINK) I have never liked these stores for the simple reason that good coffee is plentiful and can be served with courtesy and charm, not plastic service and bored teenagers.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

New Batman Movie

Have to say it, didn't think it was that great.
Batman really looked like a total tool running about with his cape and 'put on' gravelly voice. Sure the Joker was well played by Heath. Personally I just thank goodness this will be the role he is remembered for, an evil clown with a make up fetish and not for touching another cowboys bottom.
The movie just seems to go on and on. If you've seen Heat and Dog Day Afternoon (and Lethal Weapon (any of them)), do yourself a big fat favour and spend your money on chocolate (seriously, the really good stuff). It'll be just as sugary and afterward you'll regret having eaten so much, but the good news - within 30 hours not a trace will be left and you'll be clean again.

Its not that the new Batman film wasn't 'competent' its just... well frankly I just didn't care about a single person in the film. Jim Gordon looked harrased and put upon the whole 3 hours (note to Greater Union, please play better trailers next time). The Harvey Dent charater, well he's like Two Face for 3 minutes, so whatever...
The others did not make an impression on me, except the reporter. At first I thought he was the kid from Silver Spoons, turns out he's the kid from 'Weird Science' - Awesome!! Also liked the bank manager, he does creepy guys REALLY well (ie the weird cop from GO!).

The movie did nothing for me and once again I feel jipped by a Hollywood blockbuster. Perhaps Quantum of Solace will restore my faith in overblown, unimaginative studio grind.

Batman: The Dark Knight
Rating - One Ninja Star and One question mark: *?

It has taken me a while

You must all go now to 'Funny or Die' (LINK) immediately.
I've been very remiss in posting a link to this site.

If you don't like it, well then sorry my friend I don't believe we can hang out anymore. as a test of our friendship watch this video and laugh, unless you hate kittens.

See more Will Ferrell videos at Funny or Die

Another Great Song

This is the last 'official' single from the Smashing Pumpkins. While they were undoubtedly an incredibly pretentious group, they did have a certain zeitergiest sound that captured the mid nineties very well.
I like this 'final/fairwell' single for the blend of acoustic and electric guitars along with the high whining solo at the end. There is also a wonderful sensation of leaving captured by this track. Have a listen and let me know what you think.

An interesting Interview

Found this short interview with Chuck Palahnuik (link).
What I found interesting (and why I am sharing it) is the description of the creative process. Chuck works with a writers group, reads aloud his works in progress and claims to spend time in hospital waiting rooms to work.

I would have to say a hospital waiting room does not leap out at me as the most obvious choice for inspiration. But I do agree that certain locations are more conducive to the writing process. For me, its airports. Doesn't seem to matter which airport, but I always make a point of traveling with a note pad, scribbling down thoughts and ideas. Perhaps it the because my phone is off and traveling for me (I'm usually on business and going solo) is a shuttle between office, hotel and airport. Usually the airport departure lounge is my only space where I'm not distracted, I don't have to be anywhere else and for a few minutes I'm 'off the grid' as the saying goes.
I can collect my thoughts and ideas.

So my question for the Bubba's out there, literary or otherwise, do you have a creative zone? Is a mind state or building or a time of year?

Props from radio land

Did the drive show yesterday, theres always a lot going on during this slot. 2 competitions, lots of phoning in etc etc.
There are things I like about the show and things that bug me, but I won't get distracted just yet.
The purpose of the Drive show is to guide people into the weekend, so as I do with my Friday World Vibe show my aim is to uplift spirits. To do this I aim for 'happy' or lighter pieces for the audience. As a rule I don't play a lot of 'classical' tracks, there's is enough of that genre on the airwaves (dedicated Classic FM on the ABC franchise, for example). Though some Rossini et al does make it through on occasion.

I focus on jazz (by which I mean good jazz), folk (ibid) funk, soul and a heavy serve of World Music. The result, well yesterday I got phone calls from first time listeners saying they loved the music and would become members of the station because of what they heard!!!
Thats why I love doing what I do and thats why stations that have the tag 'greater variety' really bug me for the lying snow job artists they are.

Global Funk

I tell you whut Bubbas, sometimes after a great radio show you feel... well you feel pretty bloody great!
Tonite I filled in for the World Vibe presenter (MIA with lurgie). It was all last minute, some accuse me of being unable to say NO to the station. But truth be told I just love being able to get behind the mic and spin the tunes I want. So its rarely an imposition.
Well it was all a bit last minute for tonites show, but I found a whole bunch of tracks I've been searching for ages for (Angelique Kidjo, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats). The whole show just came together and an hour just seemed hardly enough time.
Perhaps I was enjoying myself too much :)

Sore legs

I've restarted my cardio exercise routines. This wintery weather has begun to make me a little doughy, must be the cooler temperatures. So my plan is to keep up the bike riding in the evenings and try and make it to as many of my 3 weekend soccer games as I can.

My start this week has been good, so far I've been riding about 15kms regularly and played yesterday and today (no goals so far!!).
Not feeling too sore so far...

Soulsville USA

'You'll never get what you want if you don't ask for it.'

I had the chance to see a free concert on Sunday. Deano rang me and told me about the Stax Music Academy (part of the Soulsville Foundation). A wonderful bunch of kids who are mentored by the venerable Stax Records people. The sound at the concert wasn't the best it could be, but the energy of the kids was fantastic!!

So the concert finishes and Deano and I are heading out to the car park. And I get this thought, why don't I go back stage and ask for an interview? Its one of thoughts that come with a 'you'll regret it if you don't' feeling.
So I went backstage, introduced myself to the CEO of the academy and got an interview!!

I'll post some of the interview in a later blog, but let me say it was a wonderful experience to talk with the CEO and some of the kids. I even got a free t-shirt for my efforts!!
But it reminded me that its not possible to get what you want out of life if you don't ask for it.