Monday 30 August 2010
Being Single.
These days, it is sometimes perceived there is something wrong with you if you are single.
Especially if you are as "old" as being in your 40s, like I am. There can even be sorrow in some cases.
I would much rather be single than in an unhappy relationship.
Many people have a partner for convenience sake or are too insecure within themselves to face being single, rather than be with someone for genuine love.
Until I meet my ideal partner, I am happy to be single. I don't have a disability.
Especially if you are as "old" as being in your 40s, like I am. There can even be sorrow in some cases.
I would much rather be single than in an unhappy relationship.
Many people have a partner for convenience sake or are too insecure within themselves to face being single, rather than be with someone for genuine love.
Until I meet my ideal partner, I am happy to be single. I don't have a disability.
Bewildering Age Gaps.
What is the attraction of wide age gaps between couples in film and drama? Do viewers really enjoy watching middle-aged men chase after women young enough to be their daughter or granddaughter? Do the producers think there is a demand for it? Why? I don't get it.
There is a remake of Bouquet of Barbed Wire soon to be broadcast. Hermoine Norris plays the wife of a man who is sexually attracted to his daughter. She says of it, "When the 1976 version was made, it was a really taboo subject - the story of a man's obsession with his daughter, an incestuous relationship." Is she implying incest is no longer taboo? Are there many fathers having sexual relationships with their daughters? I had no idea. In the programme, I think the father also has a relationship with another woman young enough to be his granddaughter. Lovely.
In the American comedy Modern Family, a beautiful young women played by Sofia Vergara is married to a portly middle-aged man old enough to be her father. Why is she attracted to him? Why is it the basis of a comedy? Is this what the viewers want to see? I don't understand it.
There is a film starring Michael Douglas called Solitary Man in which his character chases after a teenage girl. Whether he has sex with her, I don't know, and I don't want to know. There is a 45 year age difference. Good grief. Is this what the viewers want to see? I really don't understand the appeal. Funnily enough, the teenage girl in question is the same person who plays the incestous daughter in Bouquet of Barbed Wire. I think she really needs to start acting alongside love interests nearer her own age!
One of my favourite actresses is Catherine Zeta Jones. Yes, she who is married to the aforementioned Michael Douglas, who is 25 years older than her. Some guys have all the luck, in personal life and at work! Back in the nineties, Catherine appeared in a film called Entrapment alongside Sean Connery, who is 40 years her senior. You know what's coming next. After the script had been written, Connery insisted the script be re-written to include a passionate love scene with Catherine. The dirty old man! He made it obvious to everyone that he was sexually attracted to Catherine and wanted his bit of fun with her, and wasn't ashamed in doing so. I wonder what his wife's feelings were about it?
Despite being a big fan of Catherine's, I can't watch this film. Having a love scene and relationship with a man old enough to be her grandfather would leave a sour taste in my mouth. There is no need for it. Once again I have to ask, is this what the viewers want to see? I very much doubt it.
So it's 2010, and incest isn't taboo anymore. Men having relationships with women young enough to be their daughter or granddaughter definitely isn't taboo. Will there come a time when paedophilia isn't taboo anymore? It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
There is a remake of Bouquet of Barbed Wire soon to be broadcast. Hermoine Norris plays the wife of a man who is sexually attracted to his daughter. She says of it, "When the 1976 version was made, it was a really taboo subject - the story of a man's obsession with his daughter, an incestuous relationship." Is she implying incest is no longer taboo? Are there many fathers having sexual relationships with their daughters? I had no idea. In the programme, I think the father also has a relationship with another woman young enough to be his granddaughter. Lovely.
In the American comedy Modern Family, a beautiful young women played by Sofia Vergara is married to a portly middle-aged man old enough to be her father. Why is she attracted to him? Why is it the basis of a comedy? Is this what the viewers want to see? I don't understand it.
There is a film starring Michael Douglas called Solitary Man in which his character chases after a teenage girl. Whether he has sex with her, I don't know, and I don't want to know. There is a 45 year age difference. Good grief. Is this what the viewers want to see? I really don't understand the appeal. Funnily enough, the teenage girl in question is the same person who plays the incestous daughter in Bouquet of Barbed Wire. I think she really needs to start acting alongside love interests nearer her own age!
One of my favourite actresses is Catherine Zeta Jones. Yes, she who is married to the aforementioned Michael Douglas, who is 25 years older than her. Some guys have all the luck, in personal life and at work! Back in the nineties, Catherine appeared in a film called Entrapment alongside Sean Connery, who is 40 years her senior. You know what's coming next. After the script had been written, Connery insisted the script be re-written to include a passionate love scene with Catherine. The dirty old man! He made it obvious to everyone that he was sexually attracted to Catherine and wanted his bit of fun with her, and wasn't ashamed in doing so. I wonder what his wife's feelings were about it?
Despite being a big fan of Catherine's, I can't watch this film. Having a love scene and relationship with a man old enough to be her grandfather would leave a sour taste in my mouth. There is no need for it. Once again I have to ask, is this what the viewers want to see? I very much doubt it.
So it's 2010, and incest isn't taboo anymore. Men having relationships with women young enough to be their daughter or granddaughter definitely isn't taboo. Will there come a time when paedophilia isn't taboo anymore? It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
Sunday 29 August 2010
21st Century Laziness.
It never ceases to amaze me how lazy our culture has become over the past few years. Take the advert for the Brennan JB7 cd player -
"The problem with cds is that it's quicker to make a cup of coffee than dip into a cd. Try timing how long it takes to pick a cd, load it into a cd player, play a snippet from a track or two, eject it and put it back where it came from."
Oh my goodness, the hardship! What an unbelievable amount of time wasted, don't you think? Not! And why would you want to play a snippet or two? Just play the damn thing. It doesn't take long to pull a cd out of the case and slide into the cd player. There, job done. Sit back, relax, and listen to it.
I remember the time when cds replaced vinyl, they were saying, "No more having to get up halfway though an album and flip it over for side 2. We can now listen to a whole album without getting up off our arses." Well, they didn't put it in those exact words, but I'm sure you get my drift.
The point of the advert is the Brennan JB7 cd player stores up to 5,000 cds and you don't have to worry about putting cds on anymore. What a load of nonsense. How long will it take you to trace the songs or an album you want to play in this cd player? Oh my goodness, valuable seconds. No shorter time than what it takes to put on a good old cd.
It is sheer utter laziness. Everything these days can be done for us with the convenient pressing of buttons -
1. We don't get up to answer the telephone anymore - it's right there on out laps or in our pockets.
2. We don't get up to change channels on television anymore - our trusty remote controls do the work.
3. We don't have to go to the bank anymore - your account is right there on the internet.
4. We don't have to go to the shop anymore - order what you want on the internet and wait for it to be delivered.
5. We don't have to go to the supermarket anymore - order what you want on the internet and wait for it to be delivered.
When I buy and listen to music, I like the disc, case, and album information in my hands. Not a cd player with thousands of songs stored in it already. That's why I have never downloaded a song from the internet. I prefer the physical product in my hands.
Yes, call me old fashioned if you like. Is it old fashioned not to be lazy? Fair enough. I will continue to go to the trouble if finding the cd I want to play and sliding it into the cd player. Oh, the bother.
"The problem with cds is that it's quicker to make a cup of coffee than dip into a cd. Try timing how long it takes to pick a cd, load it into a cd player, play a snippet from a track or two, eject it and put it back where it came from."
Oh my goodness, the hardship! What an unbelievable amount of time wasted, don't you think? Not! And why would you want to play a snippet or two? Just play the damn thing. It doesn't take long to pull a cd out of the case and slide into the cd player. There, job done. Sit back, relax, and listen to it.
I remember the time when cds replaced vinyl, they were saying, "No more having to get up halfway though an album and flip it over for side 2. We can now listen to a whole album without getting up off our arses." Well, they didn't put it in those exact words, but I'm sure you get my drift.
The point of the advert is the Brennan JB7 cd player stores up to 5,000 cds and you don't have to worry about putting cds on anymore. What a load of nonsense. How long will it take you to trace the songs or an album you want to play in this cd player? Oh my goodness, valuable seconds. No shorter time than what it takes to put on a good old cd.
It is sheer utter laziness. Everything these days can be done for us with the convenient pressing of buttons -
1. We don't get up to answer the telephone anymore - it's right there on out laps or in our pockets.
2. We don't get up to change channels on television anymore - our trusty remote controls do the work.
3. We don't have to go to the bank anymore - your account is right there on the internet.
4. We don't have to go to the shop anymore - order what you want on the internet and wait for it to be delivered.
5. We don't have to go to the supermarket anymore - order what you want on the internet and wait for it to be delivered.
When I buy and listen to music, I like the disc, case, and album information in my hands. Not a cd player with thousands of songs stored in it already. That's why I have never downloaded a song from the internet. I prefer the physical product in my hands.
Yes, call me old fashioned if you like. Is it old fashioned not to be lazy? Fair enough. I will continue to go to the trouble if finding the cd I want to play and sliding it into the cd player. Oh, the bother.
Thursday 26 August 2010
Friday 20 August 2010
The Decline Of Social Interaction.
Social habits have radically changed over recent years. Addiction to modern gadgets in preference to social interaction. Society has been like this for a while now, but observations by two celebrities today have underlined this point.
"Pouring with rain - 8 people sitting with laptops, ipads and blackberries round the table. Weird sign of times. Wish I had a jigsaw."
Changing rooms should be buzzing with anticipation and energy before a game.
But more and more I see players slumped around in their own world, generally looking miserable.
Music can be a great motivational tool, but it works far better if everyone listens to the same thing and talks to each other.
I like to think music should be used to get you up for a game of football - not for relaxing you. Football is not relaxing."
This is society 2010. That's just the way it is. Like it or not.
Observation 1 - Elizabeth Hurley posted this comment in her Twitter feed today -
"Pouring with rain - 8 people sitting with laptops, ipads and blackberries round the table. Weird sign of times. Wish I had a jigsaw."
Observation 2 - Stoke City footballer Dave Kitson said today -
"iPods are one of the most anti-social things to have come into the changing room.
Changing rooms should be buzzing with anticipation and energy before a game.
But more and more I see players slumped around in their own world, generally looking miserable.
Music can be a great motivational tool, but it works far better if everyone listens to the same thing and talks to each other.
I like to think music should be used to get you up for a game of football - not for relaxing you. Football is not relaxing."
Do you see what these two observations have in common? Both highlight how the likes of laptops, mobile phones, ipads, and ipods have helped bring a decline in social interaction with other people, as well as sitting and watching what is happening around us.
- Why would you want to have an interesting conversation with someone when you can be on your laptop or ipad?
- Why would you want to have a laugh and joke with your colleague when you can be listening to music on your ipod?
- Why would you want to watch what your young child is doing when you can be busy having a text conversation on your mobile phone?
This is society 2010. That's just the way it is. Like it or not.
Going Out.
Going out for drinks on a Saturday night has changed over the past few years. Changed for the worse. I much preferred it when I would meet up with a few mates at a designated pub, and chat about whatever was the talk of the day. In an environment where the background music wasn't too loud, and more often than not, where we could sit at a table.
It's not like that anymore. The designated pub is now the same one every time I go out. No more "where shall we meet tonight?" It's the same pub all of the time because that's where the karaoke is. Yes, that evil word, karaoke. The Devil's work. The peace and tranquility of many pubs all over the country was shattered by the monster called karaoke. It's not so much the singing that annoys me, it's the bloody volume! Turn it down, for goodness sake! We are not deaf!
As a result, the quiet chats no longer take place. My mates are too busy participating in karaoke. Any conversation that takes place is shouted over the loudness of karaoke. No proper conversations about topical subjects like the old days. You can't really have those when you are shouting at the top of your voice. Sad days indeed. It's not how it used to be.
It's not like that anymore. The designated pub is now the same one every time I go out. No more "where shall we meet tonight?" It's the same pub all of the time because that's where the karaoke is. Yes, that evil word, karaoke. The Devil's work. The peace and tranquility of many pubs all over the country was shattered by the monster called karaoke. It's not so much the singing that annoys me, it's the bloody volume! Turn it down, for goodness sake! We are not deaf!
As a result, the quiet chats no longer take place. My mates are too busy participating in karaoke. Any conversation that takes place is shouted over the loudness of karaoke. No proper conversations about topical subjects like the old days. You can't really have those when you are shouting at the top of your voice. Sad days indeed. It's not how it used to be.
Saturday 14 August 2010
Dervla Kirwan.
Being a fan of Dervla Kirwan, I was disappointed to read comments made by her in a recent edition of Irish Tatler. Talking about sleazebag Colin Farrell, she says, "He's a really sweet man, he has had a terrible time in the press, but I don't know any young man who, given the degree of success and excess that was placed before him, would jave gone a different way. I think he's amazing to come out as together as he has. I really admire him."
Urrrgghhh! Admiration for a guy who beds almost every woman he comes into contact with, deserts the woman who was expecting his child, and his much publicised drink and drugs habits. How can you admire that? And the other young men Dervla knows must all live desperate hedonistic lifestyles as well if she thinks they would all fall into the same trap, if the same temptations were put in front of them. Or does she mean young men in general? Please don't think we all are as depraved as Farrell. Some of us do have stronger willpower. I don't mean so much his love of bedding anything in a skirt, but his overall wild behaviour. Not all men are as weak as Farrell, even though Dervla apparently thinks they are. I'm not an angel, but excesses being thrown in front of myself doesn't necessarily mean I would have behaved the same way as Farrell.
Perhaps Dervla's attitude about young men in general has something to do with her comment, "I had a lot of bad relationships when I was in my twenties..." Were they all Colin Farrell type characters - all out for themselves and not caring a fuck about anyone else? Surely she can't be blaming the male for all of these bad relationships - she must have been at fault in some instances. That would be like Patsy Kensit blaming all of her husbands for her failed marriages. In denial, and not taking responsibilty for their own share of failure in relationships. And here was me thinking Dervla was a quiet girl in her youth.
I'm very much attracted to Dervla, going back to the days when she appeared in Hearts and Bones many years ago. It would be great if she was offered the part of assistant to Lewis, the Inspector Morse offshoot. Lewis as a programme would work much better if he had a female assitant, as opposed to the boring male he has right now. If the producer of Lewis is reading this, please take note!
I do think Dervla's comments about Farrell were idiotic and ignorant. Perhaps it IS better to act as the bad guy, though. Then, nice guys like myself may end up with more women. If that's what they prefer.
Urrrgghhh! Admiration for a guy who beds almost every woman he comes into contact with, deserts the woman who was expecting his child, and his much publicised drink and drugs habits. How can you admire that? And the other young men Dervla knows must all live desperate hedonistic lifestyles as well if she thinks they would all fall into the same trap, if the same temptations were put in front of them. Or does she mean young men in general? Please don't think we all are as depraved as Farrell. Some of us do have stronger willpower. I don't mean so much his love of bedding anything in a skirt, but his overall wild behaviour. Not all men are as weak as Farrell, even though Dervla apparently thinks they are. I'm not an angel, but excesses being thrown in front of myself doesn't necessarily mean I would have behaved the same way as Farrell.
Perhaps Dervla's attitude about young men in general has something to do with her comment, "I had a lot of bad relationships when I was in my twenties..." Were they all Colin Farrell type characters - all out for themselves and not caring a fuck about anyone else? Surely she can't be blaming the male for all of these bad relationships - she must have been at fault in some instances. That would be like Patsy Kensit blaming all of her husbands for her failed marriages. In denial, and not taking responsibilty for their own share of failure in relationships. And here was me thinking Dervla was a quiet girl in her youth.
I'm very much attracted to Dervla, going back to the days when she appeared in Hearts and Bones many years ago. It would be great if she was offered the part of assistant to Lewis, the Inspector Morse offshoot. Lewis as a programme would work much better if he had a female assitant, as opposed to the boring male he has right now. If the producer of Lewis is reading this, please take note!
I do think Dervla's comments about Farrell were idiotic and ignorant. Perhaps it IS better to act as the bad guy, though. Then, nice guys like myself may end up with more women. If that's what they prefer.
Thursday 12 August 2010
David Beckham.
I think Fabio Capello's treatment of David Beckham is a disgrace. To not tell him in advance he has no intention of playing him again in competitive matches defies belief. Where is the respect? The respect for a loyal servant for his country for 14 years. Many players retire from international football when it suits them (Paul Scholes, Alan Shearer, Paul Robinson, and Wes Brown to name a few) and it's admirable to see a player like Beckham continue to say over the years that he will be happy to play for his country when called upon. The easy option would have been for Beckham to retire from international football like those aforementioned.
Beckham's international career looked finished when he made the big mistake of moving to the USA, but through hard work and determination, he fought himself back into the team. It looks unlikely as if he can achieve this again and it's a sad end to an international career that deserved a better end. Of course, Beckham would have played in the World Cup if he hadn't been injured, but given the team's dreadful performance, perhaps he was glad he didn't play any part in it.
If it was up to me, I would sack Capello for the following reasons -
1. His tactics, formation, and wrong player selection was a major reason why the England team flopped in South Africa.
2. The atmosphere in the England camp is not harmonious due to Capello's strict ways.
3. His English still isn't up to standard and it must affect communication with the players.
4. His distinct lack of enthusiasm when Steven Gerrard scored those two fantastic goals against Humgary.
5. His lack of respect for David Beckham by ending his international career without letting him know privately.
It isn't Beckham that should be retiring - it should be Capello. Show him the exit door now.
Beckham's international career looked finished when he made the big mistake of moving to the USA, but through hard work and determination, he fought himself back into the team. It looks unlikely as if he can achieve this again and it's a sad end to an international career that deserved a better end. Of course, Beckham would have played in the World Cup if he hadn't been injured, but given the team's dreadful performance, perhaps he was glad he didn't play any part in it.
If it was up to me, I would sack Capello for the following reasons -
1. His tactics, formation, and wrong player selection was a major reason why the England team flopped in South Africa.
2. The atmosphere in the England camp is not harmonious due to Capello's strict ways.
3. His English still isn't up to standard and it must affect communication with the players.
4. His distinct lack of enthusiasm when Steven Gerrard scored those two fantastic goals against Humgary.
5. His lack of respect for David Beckham by ending his international career without letting him know privately.
It isn't Beckham that should be retiring - it should be Capello. Show him the exit door now.
Saturday 7 August 2010
Fantasy Football.
Playing Fantasy Football "online" is rather fun to do, so I'll be enjoying my second season doing that. I don't expect to win the whole thing, but I might win one of my mini-leagues. It's all about picking the right players and formation, just like the real thing. Be competitive, but don't take it too seriously, as they say.
New Football Season.
The new football season is upon us, but the big boys don't start until next Saturday. Liverpool go into the season not expecting to make the big 4, but more hoping to. The new manager will need time to settle in and start to build his own team. Joe Cole is a great signing, but we need a couple of more big names.
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