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| Monday, January 29, 2007 |
| And the News Is.... |
After continual problems with the server (it went down!!), after 15 years of waiting, after previous heartache, after years of dedication, after boring everyone stupid with my sheer love and admiration for the greatest band on the planet..............
I'VE GOT TICKETS TO SEE PEARL JAM!!!!!!!!!!
And I ain't letting anything rain on this parade!! Better still, the gig is four days before my birthday!!! You hear me Eddie??? It's my friggin' birthday!!! I love you guys!!!
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posted by korova @ 9:22 pm  |
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| Friday, January 26, 2007 |
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Could it be? Is it really true??? Could I finally get to see the Greatest Band That Ever ExistedTM? It looks likely!! There I was, minding my own business, opening my mailbox and reading all the usual stuff I get, various activism notices and emails from lonely badgers, when something caught my eye.
PEARL JAM TO TOUR EUROPE!!
Yes, that's right, they are coming back. They have planned to do a one-off show at Wembley Arena in June (around my birthday - COOL!!). Even better, the website says:
At Wembley Arena in London, early entry will not be allowed. Therefore, we have reserved the entire floor for fan club only!!! Any tickets not sold during the fan club pre-sale will have to be released for public sale...So buy buy buy!!!
And I'm a fan club member! Surely the chances of the entire floor selling out to members is pretty small (does anyone know the capacity???).
Perhaps I shouldn't get too excited. I have been disappointed before. This time, however, I may finally get to see the band I love, admire and respect. In short, I might just have to change my pants. BRING IT ON!!!!!!!Labels: Pearl Jam |
| posted by korova @ 12:48 pm |
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| Monday, January 22, 2007 |
| Some Success....... |
| Well, have had a pretty successful couple of days over at Mask. Firstly, I successfully managed to pressurise one right-wing commentator to change an article on their website (result!!). Then yesterday, I managed to force a right-wing politician to admit he had made a mistake (double trouble!!). Since revealing the latter, I have received over 110 unique visitors (quite possibly a record!). Ok, so it is not in the thousands that one would hope for, but it feels pretty satisfying to know that I have put one over on two well known righties in just a couple of days. At least something has gone right........... |
| posted by korova @ 8:51 pm |
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| Friday, January 19, 2007 |
| That Jade Goody Thing...... |
Heard the best ever comments about Jade Goody's racism on Mock the Week last night. It came from comedian Frankie Boyle:
'At the end of the day, we are all at fault for putting her where she is. I mean, if you took a monkey and trained it to be a butler, you shouldn't be surprised if when you get home the monkey hasn't done your ironing for you, but has thrown shit all over your walls. It's a fucking monkey.'
Couldn't have put it better myself!! |
| posted by korova @ 12:49 pm |
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| Wednesday, January 17, 2007 |
| The Passage Of Time........ |
Isn't it weird how some things make you aware of the passing of time?? Which, when you are in your 30s, is not a good thing!! Allow me to explain.
Last night I was talking to a guy I know who just so happens to know someone from my past. Many, many years ago, I was friends with a girl (CW) at nursery school. She was my first proper friend and I guess, on a certain level, we were like boyfriend and girlfriend. We went off to different primary schools and I didn't see her again for several years. One day, in my second year of secondary school, some girl came up to me in the playground and asked me to confirm my name. Being 12 I was really rather scared of talking to girls, so I just confirmed my name and walked off red faced. Of course, later on I realised who she was and so the first love of my life was confirmed.
CW was without doubt the most beautiful girl in my school (and we had a large school of 1,500 pupils). For the next five years I couldn't think of anyone else, and yet I was too shy to say anything. It was so weird because, even though we weren't an item, our names were linked forever in the minds of people at school. You couldn't say her name without mentioning mine. Anyway, I saw her have a succession of boyfriends and each time wished that I was in their shoes. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be.
Towards the end of my school days, we did actually re-develop our friendship at the end of year prom. One of my friends told her that I was just a bit shy and I wished I was still friends with her (I really was a dork at 18). She felt the same and, later that night, we shared a dance. It seems so silly now, but that dance meant everything to me. Here I was dancing with the most beautiful girl in the school, how cool!! We kept in touch when I was at university, writing regularly and every now and then she would send me little presents in the post. Things were cool and I was glad that I had the friendship back with a person I had known longer than anyone else.
We lost touch after a while, but then got back in touch through Friends Reunited. We exchanged emails for a while and then lost touch again. I always describe our relationship as a little like Forrest Gump and Jenny. Our paths would forever cross but, for some reason, destiny deemed that we were not to be together. I always thought it would be really romantic if eventually we did get together - the perfect romance with my childhood sweetheart (if that is possible at that age!!).
Anyway, the reason for this ramble is because this guy went to her 30th birthday and told me she is now married and pregnant. It's weird. Even though I am married and happy, it feels like a chapter has closed. To me she will always be that beautiful girl that I had a very special friendship with. I never visualised her reaching 30 and being pregnant. I guess that sounds odd. Does this make any sense?? All those days spent lusting after her seem so long ago now. Like I said at the top, isn't it weird how certain things make you aware of the passage of time? |
| posted by korova @ 6:48 pm |
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| Sunday, January 07, 2007 |
| If You Want Something Done...... |
 Especially for Neath. Let this image taunt you for all your days!! |
| posted by korova @ 11:05 am |
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| Saturday, January 06, 2007 |
| Oh, The Guilt |
 Now, you guys who know me from my more political site will know that I have no time for advertising. However, sometimes there comes a time where you have to say that something needs bigging up.
Some time ago, after many arguments with the wife, we started to swap our household cleaning to Ecover. Although it meant slightly more expense, it was an environmental decision. They produce natural cleaning products that are fully recyclable and are kind to the environment. So far, we have changed to their washing-up liquid, floor soap and washing tablets. It kinda eases the guilt of the destruction of the environment.
Anyway the only reason I mention this is due to this post I read at another website. At first I was slightly concerned as I felt that they were going to be exposed as yet another corporate lie. Luckily, it turned out not to be the case. It turns out there there was some misleading information on one of their products. Not only did they promise to change the labeling, they also sent the complainant an email with the new label design! I was so impressed that they responded in such a way. Most corporations would fob the complainant off with some bullshit, but no, they actually went out of their way to solve the problem. Cue relief on my part.
I guess I am acting as some kind of PR for Ecover but, in a world of corporations who couldn't give a shit, I think they deserve a mention. Also, as far as I can tell, their efforts at PR are pretty poor. They are not exactly a renowned brand as yet (perhaps unsurprising given the dominance of certain players in the industry). As far as I am concerned, if you are worried about the environment, you should start switching to Ecover as soon as possible. If you really do care, ditch Fairy Liquid and buy Ecover. If not, continue to screw the environment by buying products riddled with harmful chemicals. |
| posted by korova @ 11:15 pm |
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| Friday, January 05, 2007 |
| How can something so right be so wrong? |
Yes, while Neath continues to fantasise about Willow, I have memories of another obsession. Yes, I confess, I had a crush on Kimber from the Jem cartoon series. Only now do I feel I can come clean. This dirty secret has been hidden for too long. I just couldn't take it anymore. Now my secret is out, I feel I can continue with my life and put this chapter behind me once and for all. |
| posted by korova @ 11:12 pm |
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| Thursday, January 04, 2007 |
| More Photos From Seville...... |
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| posted by korova @ 7:33 pm |
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| Wednesday, January 03, 2007 |
| La Plaza Nueva |
 A random mythical head in the Plaza Nueva. (More photos to come on my return!!) |
| posted by korova @ 8:38 pm |
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| Tuesday, January 02, 2007 |
| So Goodbye 2006, Hello 2007! |
I stole the following from Wes, hope he doesn't mind!!
1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before? Dressed up as various characters and went to Northern Europe.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? No I didn't and no I won't.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin a month or so back.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? This year I visited Denmark and, very briefly, Sweden. Highly recommended, if you have pots of cash!
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? A better understanding of Spanish.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 22nd June, for personal reasons (sorry, too personal to share).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Two things I guess. Being accepted for an MSc Econ and having a couple of extracts from 'the other blog' printed in The Guardian.
9. What was your biggest failure? Another year passes by and still no great novel lurks in the dark recesses of my mind.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My new mobile that sends photos direct to my blog, and plays music, and plays videos - cool.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? Hugo Chavez, for that speech at the UN.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Anthony Charles Lynton Blair.
14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage, beer, food, DVDs & CDs. In that order.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The release of the new Pearl Jam album - well worth the wait.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Probably Map of the Problematique by Muse. No particular reason.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? Happier b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, sadly c) richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Writing poems or working on a novel. Something I haven't done for sometime now.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Perhaps slightly less blogging. Sometimes I think I do too much.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? At home with the wife.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Errr, unless you count still being in love with my wife!
22. How many one-night stands? None.
23. What was your favorite TV program? The State Within, Have I Got News For You, The Mighty Boosh, That Mitchell and Webb Look and the totally superb Time Trumpet.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Still hate the same people I have always hated.
25. What was the best book you read? Noam Chomsky's Failed States, as advertised by Hugo Chavez.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? A toss up between Massive Attack and Millionaire.
27. What did you want and get? A portable DVD player.
28. What did you want and not get? The moon on a stick.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Hidden, Primer, Börat
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? It was my 30th and I went out with a few friends to a Morrocan restaurant.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Getting to see Pearl Jam
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Disinterested.
33. What kept you sane? The blog I guess, although on reading it I guess it is hard to tell.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? My beloved Jennifer Aniston, much to my wife's annoyance!
35. What political issue stirred you the most? The Israeli war against Lebanon made me realise that I had to change my blog. Otherwise, almost every political event of 2006 made me angry, apart from the victories of Ortega and Chavez.
36. Who did you miss? No-one.
37. Who was the best new person you met? In reality - no-one really. In the alternative reality of the internet - several people.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: Let people make their own mistakes.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: 'Life's a match in a gas tank/Don't ever mourn the ebbing tide/Just dance on fire and enjoy the ride' From Pendulous Thread by Incubus. |
| posted by korova @ 5:10 pm |
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| Monday, January 01, 2007 |
| ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! |
Man these Spaniards are crazy!!! We arrived in Spain yesterday morning, welcomed by warm, bright sunshine (in stark contrast to cold, wet England). Normally, we just spend New Year with the in-laws, but this year was going to be different, we were going out to party as well. That sounds like fun, but then spending a night with people I can barely understand and who, when hearing my attempts at Spanish, just laugh in my face is not exactly my idea of 'fun'.
Anyway, the festivities began at around 9pm. I say festivities, it was a good four hours of solid eating!! Spain is definitely the place to see in the New Year with chronic indigestion!! And to make matters worse, at 12am, as each bell tolls for the New Year, you have to speed eat twelve grapes!! Then you have the indignity of having to wish a happy new year, whilst with a mouth full of grapes. It doesn't go down well when you accidently spit a half-chewed grape onto your mother-in-laws face (although, in some households, it might be welcomed!).
After the eating marathon, it started to dawn on me, weren't we going out tonight as well?? Yes, we were, at 1.30am. The time when most English people are staggering home. Yes, when most English people will be finding an appealing looking bush to piss in, I will be going out stone, cold sober!! And we did. We arrived at some random person's house and proceeded to 'party'. Or rather, I decided to stand in the corner and pretend to look interested as the Spaniards gabbled away in a volume that could best be described as 'ear splitting'. If you have never experienced a room full of Spaniards, try to avoid it, it is very, very loud!! The shocking thing about this party was that, despite the fact it was a party, there was no beer!! Particularly tragic given that normally I have to drive everywhere and now, when I can be totally irresponsible, I was being taunted by a bottle of coke. There were spirits everywhere (not ghosts, the drinks!), but the only spirit I can stomach is Uncle Jack's finest. This was to be a long night!!
Luckily, I got talking to my wife's best friend's boyfriend (who I had thought was deeply dull) who actually proved to be rather entertaining. It was rather weird listening to this Spanish man, who dresses very conservatively with v-neck sweaters etc, start peppering his English with a plethora of swear words! Suddenly, everything has changed! I then discovered he was a big Audioslave fan, as well as most of the other bands I liked - salvation at last. In fact, most of the room nodded with approval when they discovered I was a big Radiohead fan. Aaaahhh, the warm glow of acceptance.
Sadly, I didn't get to practice my Spanish much. By the time we got home, it was around 5.30am and I had been awake for 25 hours!!! Can you imagine anyone being bothered to speak another language when their brain is screaming at them to go to sleep?? Well, I couldn't! That's for today, after I have recovered from my severe bout of New Year indigestion!!
So, what's the point of this post? I guess there is no point, but I feel better for sharing it, so boo sucks to you!! I guess all that is left for me to say is:
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Hope you all have a great 2007!! |
| posted by korova @ 1:13 pm |
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