Good luck Meike

Good luck, on your first day

Happy St Andrews day

Legend says that tonight the undead come out of the graves to haunt the living ones, and that tonight one should shield the windows with garlic, so that no mean spirit can penetrate the house in romanian legends, of course Sage advice from my friend the Grand Dutchess Alexia

Dollhouse Season 1

I always preferred Faith to Buffy.

 Don't tell Regina but I always liked brunettes more. 

This is Joss Whedon second female led series and  his return to TV after the failure of Firefly. 

The show's premise  is the Dollhouse- A building which offers a service. They can get you anyone you want downloaded into a selection of bodies So our heroines may one day be a midwife, another a mistress.
 We get to see Eliza as a Dominatrix.   Eliza is not the greatest actress in the world.  See the Buffy the Vampire episode ``This Years Girl'' In which Eliza is insipid playing Buffy. Not that Buffy is much to play with, but... 

 I see the influence of Alias here. A handler. An older African American man paired with a younger woman. The femme lead with a double life.

 While Buffy had its shifting alliances. Spike and Buffy. Giles and Angel going over her head. I felt the influence of Alias here. There is a lot of eye candy Eliza, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eliza_Dushku_2009.jpg ( I have ``bring it on'' on DVD)

 Dichen_Lachman  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dichen_Lachman_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg

 There is a great episode where she is playing the head of the Brisbane Amy Acker Fan Club

 (Amy is an  alum from the final season of Alias, as well as Fred from Angel)

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amy_Acker_Santa_Barbara_signing.jpg

 November http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:10.17.09MiracleLaurieByLuigiNovi.jpg

 A great piece of casting, Miracle Laurie is the beautiful girl next door type.

 Alas she is taken You can see Joss's handiwork. When you see Victor. You can often hear ``Angel'' Indeed in  his early episodes he is wearing a leather jacket like the LA vampire
  Its nice to see some Battlestar Galatica alumni  Agathon, /Tahmoh_Penikett and his Celtic co star. Mark Sheppard cast as FBI agents. One of Tah's costars is clearly the black female senior cop/agent stock character . We have seen from The Shield/Without a Trace/The Wire/Homicide/NYPD Blue.

 Doll House season one even guest stars Boone from Earth Final Conflict. 

Oh and a sneering Reed Diamond late of Homicide Life on the Street.
Reed Diamond has a small part in Angel  (He played Cordelia's co star in a production of Ibsen's the Doll House, so kudos there on the metajoke)
  There is a streak of loneliness running through Wheedon's work. Like Buffy-The beautiful teen who must stand apart. Like Angel, the Vampire with the soul who can never find happiness. Here we have an obsessive FBI agent. A super programmer. The show has the head of the Doll House talk about how she can't mention her work to anyone. Indeed She and Tofler the programmer both dip their pens in the company ink- No that is a euphemism. They are both rapists . The series ends with an interesting change of  tone and pace. A cliff hanger, but one that . We are transported into the future to a post apocalyptic world. There are hints that the technology used in the Dollhouse, will be exploited for nefarious ends. The moral problems of this technology are going to be bigger then kidnapping coeds.

 There is a crack a Simon Cowell in one episode. It is a fun series.

2021- Edit but it is also like Dexter, based on a morally vacuous premiuse 

Harry Brown

Its miserable its damn good, but this will bring you down

 It could be the life Michael Mickelwaite never lived. A widower. Ex services. Wearing a tie everyday. As his wife slips away. Harry plays chess in an estate pub. Whilst the world goes to the dogs.

 The opening scene had a you tube gang initiation and then a single mother being shot at by a dug crazed youth on a motorbike. His friend and neighbour is victimized by a gang of youths. Is eventually murdered after cracking up and waving a bayonet at his tormentors. As he tried to walk through an underpass to cross the street The youths lurking and the dangers they possess point to a plot point in the film Which is why I am a law and order conservative. 

The underpass scene is Its a sad life. Harrys friend dies a lonely death. He is mourned only by Harry. Two widowers. Harry had lost a daughter. The colloquy between Harry, and the two drug dealers/ armorers. One Mancunian. One somewhat Essex. Is nightmarish. Harry walks through an indoor pot farm. The druggies have a plasma TV. Which plays one of them having sex with a stoned or comatose possibly underage girl. 

 The Imagery in my mind when seeing this film was of Northern Ireland in the 1970s' and 1980. Its confirmed later when Harry describes watching a comrade bleed out after being shot in the chest. Its all there. The land rovers. The post war housing estates. Even having Irish Nurse and a bar man. The drug dealers despite their patois are Lilly white. The Mr Big is a skin. An Essex boy. A Football hooligan from central casting. The Writers/directors dodge a point when they have the youths rip off someone's car. The owner is clearly a black man Most of the victims of the hoodies are the poor, and in real life the darker skinned and the illegal The hoodies whine about the police not protecting them, but prey on others. They record their actions on mobile phones. The ``Kingpins'' of the peace, all seem to be linked by homosexuality. 

I am not sure where the writer/director is going here. Is it to contrast with Harry. Harry as a widower. A Knight errant protecting maidens. Another sign of the collapse of the old order. Or Jailhouse rules applied to the outside world. The meanest prisoners prey on the weaker ones anyway they can. Harry and his friends, are trapped The murder is filmed on a mobile phone. Emily Mortimer plays the DI investigating the drugs and murders on the Estate. She tries to bring some civility, telling off a Det Srgt for referring to a notice of death as a death o gram. She is a product of the fast track graduate school of the Met. She is something of a white knight. She volunteered for the position. Turning down a nice job in Fraud. When Emily breaks the news to Harry/Caine she almost seems to be crying. 

 There is sad sense of inevitability. The D-S notes that Noel's father was a C__T Noel is a C__T he will have C__Ty kids. The hoodies blow a drug deal because they the harass and then scare off a couple. The full horror of the lumpenproletariat. The film does not revel in violence. Harry falls, in pursuit of his quarry. It takes a long time to get to the action. Harry after killing a junkie-mugger cleans and dumps his clothes. A frightened old man in his dressing ground The film is a bit confused. We are supposed to feel some pity for the hoodies. It sneers at the police, but they come in deus ex machina. The villains hide behind the coppers. Don't expect them to have radios or phones.

 I suspect a happy ending was tacked on A great performance by Caine. He can still play the everyman

The fans, the cheerleaders




Sunset over Kenan Stadium





Fireworks! A Carolina Touchdown!


UNC football memories

A brief video of the Carolina panthers game

A happy thanksgiving to you all.

Dollar Stimulus. Oh I am so political today. I do actually have that review of going rogue to finish today.

The ground on which we stand.

Further to my post `` The tides of life'' Further to my diaries. Further to my e-mails and postings. 

 Today I found out by accident. The girl I had a brief relationship, is in a relationship with another co worker. It is over then. Its time for closure. As I will never say this to you I am sure I made mistakes. I do not think, I would have done what you did. When I am with someone that person becomes my whole life. I think you insensitive, in your choices. I wonder now whether you were testing me I tried to be friendly with you afterwards but you ignored me. You seemed to make no effort I didn't think it would last for ever, but I thought you would always be in my life. 

That is hurtful Whatever you say, I listened to you. That said it is done now. I wish to forget it. You made your choice. I do want to thank you. If it wasn't for you. I would not have returned to NC. I ran. I ran as far away as I could IT was torture being where I was. While I was in NC. I met up with my friends. I met with my Valya later. I was safe. I remembered something. I was with people who remember me. When I was frustrated nerd/Borderline case. When I was howling at the moon. Talking trash, and throwing bottles at cars. When I was burning myself with cigarettes when I was drunk. When I stank of cum, and nicotine. When I cussing out my family on the phone. When I knew nothing about nothing. When I was too lazy to go to class. Let alone do a decent days work. When I was drunk and angry playing asshole. The drinking game. 

When I ran out of money in Canada, and cried like a child . Along with other unforgettable hits. 

 Chris and Rebecca are still my friends. They invited me into their beautiful home. I saw the life they had built and how happy they were. They counselled me... I spent time, with their family. It was good. I was happy. Its not a word I normally use here... Then there is my Valya. She came into my life by accident. I was on ICQ one day, and she added me. She became my closest friend. She is the only non family member I have on phone. I just used to hit on her online. One day, I got really sick, when I was talking to her. Since then she has helped me She stood with me, and we had dinner. I drank too much. I whined about the noise. She is still my friend I have my faults. I am not perfect. I took a risk, with you. I think you treated me casually. I had the deepest of feelings. Hell I was in Love with you. I think you got bored. So I ended it first. I really didn't want it to go that way. I still want to thank you. I went home. I remembered where I am from. I have never been handsome, tall. I was never ever able to pick up a woman at a bar, and I can't now. I am often not likeable

. I do have issues. I am also Valya's friend. I am also Chris and Rebecca's friend. Nessa, and Charlotte, and too infrequently these days Magga, are my friends because I have good days too. I made my choices. I stand by them. I often stand physically alone with them . I stand by them. Whilst sometimes I may be weeping the ground on which I stand is firm. I remember that now. I remember who I was, and that I have grown. 

 I will get on with my life now....

2021 - Gods 

2022 I am friends with pretty much no one mentioned here 

Conngratulations Meike

Good luck on your new position, with a new company

Cool a dinosaur!

It was my favourite birthday card

Happy Birthday Freyah

Happy Birthday

A message from the middle of the sea. From above the clouds

I am hungover terribly today. I went out last night. I found beer in my room this morning. Someone had defecated on the pub toilet seat. I was talking rubbish.

Oh and sorry Lexie


I wish I still in the US. My pale good looks, and accent. Would have gone down a storm with the Twlight crowd

Door's open boys

DC 2009

After my birthday, which I celebrated with a visit to my favourite restaurant chain. Hooters.

 Where I was served by a beautiful Japanese American lady. A mere slip of a thing at 20 years old. 

Yet older then the last woman I dated. If I had more time in NC, I would have gone to Whiskey River. Which is where the College ladies hang out. I contented myself with a few beers in Connolly's. Connollys Where the lads put on the Ireland France game for me. After drinking up, I had two last beers at the hotel bar. Made a reservation for a wake up call and went to bed. 4am, and I struggled up and out. Past the Soldiers who were checking out too. 

A taxi to Charlotte airport and I was waiting behind a team from Hickory NC. I asked the nice united Airlines lady. Phyllis if I could alter my plans. After a lot of tooing and froing on the phone. I scowled and muttered to myself as the skilled customer services operative got me my transfer. Then a smooth flight to DC and after watching someone argue over a transfer to JFK. My layover in DC was arranged. I called Valya telling her I was coming to see her I found a nice hotel room. Best Western Dulles Airport. I paid in cash, helped myself to the complimentary breakfast, leered at Robin Mead.

 Then I showered. The hotel staff directed me to the airport shuttle, where I could catch the 5A into DC. Otherwise I would have spent a lot of money on Taxis. About 60 dollars each way. Dulles is miles from DC. They really should build a Train route in and out, at least connecting to the far end of the metro. Once in DC. I made my way to the World bank. I was disappointed about not being able to take a can in. As I could have bragged about taking charge, fixing the economy la la la. The Bus journey was not unpleasant. I found the WBank, after a nice lady directed me. It was at that point I realised I had left my passport in the hotel. (Actually I had packed it away in a bag)
I thus got into the World Bank, on the day of the visit of John Kerry. Former Democratic presidential candidate with nothing more then a buss pass. A supermarket loyalty card. A debit card. A postick note with my computer login and my Metro card.





I then rang down for Valya She is so beautiful in person. She looks like an Angel. Like a young Brigit Nielsen. Rather as you would imagine a typical Swede or Norwegian Gal to look like. She is a bit taller then I am. I'd long suspected this. We went to the lunch hall. Deciding not to listen to Kerry's thoughts on the world economy. I had turkey rolls and Mr Pibb. ( I was glad to get Mr Pibb, if you look at the video of Valya and I. You can see my teeth are yellow. BTW see the American dad episode for more information about Mr Pibb) I was scolded for not working on book. I'd let it slide for a while. We traded stories and news. I made her laugh. ( I am writing this midway across the Atlantic. There is a very pretty woman. Looks like Jen from the IT Guys waiting to go to the bathroom. Sorry I am easily distracted) I told Valya to look out for a postcard from me. Which in practice I could have hand delivered and saved myself the price of a stamp. We took pictures. We chatted more. Then Valya had to go back to work. I went into the world bank bookshop. Where I was amused to hear them talking about having acquired a rare book. Oh yes, how rare. Then I walked down the Mall. Looking at joggers bums, and waiting for the crossing lights to turn to walk, rather then don't walk I made my way to the Smithsonian. I walked about. I tried my luck a simulator. I was too tired to take in the instructions properly and I was never good at computer games anyway. I lost my glasses during a barrel roll. It was kind of terrifying but interesting too. I kept thinking about Battlestar Galatica and Starwars. Exhilarated, I perused the gift store. Taking in a model of ...














I then went to a pub. To see if I could catch the Ireland France Game. I couldn't. Oh I walked past the Capitol building. Where there was a demonstration by a pro-life group. The steps to the Capitol building are now closed off.

 After the pub. I walked about Union station. I bought some souvenirs. I looked through a copy of Going Rogue. I bought it at the airport review sometime soon. I made it back to the World bank. I was looking for a restroom. The plumbing in the neighbourhood, had broken down. I had to wade into a Subway mens room, to be told it was non operational. I orried what I would smell like Then I met up with my great friend She took me, to Elephant and Castle. A nice restaurant/pub she frequents. I looked for steak and kidney pie but they did not have it. Alas not Irn Bru either. I settled for a delicious steak and chips. Valya had shrimp. I enjoyed a pint of Smethwick's. The bar was kind of noisy. This is uncomfortable for me. I was with my friend, so I tried to make the best of it. The dinner was very nice. We then moved to the bar, and we watched sports bloopers. My great friend, then kindly agreed to go onto another pub with me. Which I knew better. Which was also quieter. We took the metro there. Genius that I am. I tried to tell Valya which station to get off at. The wrong one! Shows what I know! Valya has a different effect on me than other women. I don't worry about her so much. IF I am walking with Becca my buddies wife. I worry that I may say the wrong thing. Or that I am standing to close. So when I was with someone like Missy, or Ice. Where I feel a duty to look after them too. Its even harder. Around most women, I spend a life of quiet desperation. With my friend Valya, I can relax. We went onto the Irish pub. The second one. I pointed out who people in the pictures were. Bobby Sands, Michael Collins, and King Billy. (Yeah that's weird) I explained the names of Whiskey Bottles. Glenliviet. My friend listened patiently to me. Asked me questions, about the Nash pictures on the wall. Then we walked back to the station. I was very happy to see my friend. She has been my rock, these past few years. With her friendship I have felt secure and appreciated. My old life and my new life meshed. I was very happy to stand by her. As she has always stood by me

Congratulations Bagira

On her engagement

Edward Woodward

The equaliser (1930-2009) Father-Actor-Husband

At the Tarheels game!

Charlotte Video blog

Off on my travels

pre trip post

Dreams of a madman

I was an Irish diplomat in Berlin. I heard the Nazi’s where going to shoot 10 people for some reason. Not that Nazi’s needed reasons for this. I had been sent to object and reason with them.

 

I barged my way in the door. I told Hitler, who was entertaining Otto Skorzney actually it was not him, it was Nash the baddie in from Russia with Love. I told Hitler if he killed those people. We would kill 10 Germans. Simple

At some point I made a crack about the Times is read by people who speak like the queen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Shaw_(actor)

Robert Shaw:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Skorzeny

Otto Skorzney. Who oddly would end up in Ireland

 

Then I made my escape from  Skornzey, in Berlin Zoo. Where I was rescued by the Jewish underground, summoning them on my computer.

As I took the train home. The lovely Lilly cole told me I’d done a good job.

http://www.lalaberlin.com/gallery/kollektion_3/celebrities_13/17-03-08_22-55-59_Lily_Cole.jpg

Then an older woman, who looked like Linda Belligham groped me, and I was chatting to Johnny Lee Miller,.

The view from my Window

Facing South East

My mad neighbour lives here

 

The railway wakes guests. I am used to it. The foxes screech and its horrible. Its like a dying child. That said I am determined to film one running down the track one day

 

 

 

View facing South. This is my neighbours flat. The last set used to have barbeques. They didn’t clean up. So for a while there was an infestation of crows. In the summer, if people are on the balcony and even whispering its like their in my room.

The Men who stare at goats

Its an anti war road movie.
Ewan Macgregor loses his American accent in one scene in the desert with Clooney
Its quite amusing. The story is based on a pentagon black project. Using new age techniques. Remote viewing and such. There supposed to be based on the Jedi. Which is amusing as for a moment you get an idea how the Jedi would work in practice alongside a professional military
Not well…
There is a man with a prosthetic arm. There was one in Jennifer’s Body too. Is this a new trend?
There is a fair bit of anti war satire. There is a speech by Robert Patrick about how they are making Iraq open for MacDonald's and Halliburton.
The band Boston get name checked. They help Clooney with his remote viewing. Oh and Clooney’s character name is Lyn
Angela Lansbury is name checked too. She was big in the 1980s. As was Manuel Noriega
There is a scene which recent events have made somewhat eerie.
A naked soldier under the influence of LSD on the rampage at the parade ground.
There is a lot of funny set pieces: Army guys dancing against hippy murals. The predator, a metal tool Clooney uses to torture the Ewan with.
There are some real pieces of information in the film. The Marshal study :
`` General SLA Marshall first observed this during his work as the Official US Historian of the European Theatre of Operations in World War II. Based on his post-combat interviews, Marshall concluded in his book,(Men Against Fire, 1946, 1978), that only 15 to 20 percent of the individual riflemen in World War II fired their weapons at an exposed enemy soldier. Key weapons, such as a flame thrower, usually fired. Crew served weapons, such as a machine gun, almost always fired. And firing would increase greatly if a nearby leader demanded that the soldier fire. But, when left to their own devices, the great majority of individual combatants throughout history appear to have been unable or unwilling to kill.’’
The results of this study are in dispute.
There is a flashback to Vietnam. Where they are fighting a Viet Cong woman.
MK Ultra where LSD was used was a military tool is mentioned. As indeed is Timothy Leary.
Spoiler
Spoiler Beware
Spoiler don’t look here…
Okay
Its the last scene of Blackadder goes Forth. The only sane people in a mad world are the madmen.
It was a fun film. The cast seemed to enjoy themselves. Its not as clever as it thinks it is. Kevin spacey playing the villain is clearly having a lot of fun. Its a pantomime villain here

An apology

To the young lad. I hit in the face, with my basket at the supermarket. I am not sure I was paying attention. I am very sorry. Please forgive me

Jennifer’s body

Its better then some of the reviews would have it. Its not as much fun as Juno.
Megan fox came off as more sympathetic. When she is trying to flirt with the Indie band. I thought she was good pleading for her life.
Its a love story. Needy and Jennifer have been friends from Childhood. Jennifer is a cheerleader. The beautiful one. Needy is her plainer friend. Needy is in love with Jennifer. They go to a bar one night to see a band. Things go wrong from there..
Jennifer starts eating boys..
It subverts the horror film with having males rather then females. The Gothic lad. Murdered in an empty street
There is some kissing but the film stays PG really
There are the 9-11 shooters served in the bars.
Needy reminds me of my Icelandic ex. They have the same beautiful big eyes. The film is set in Minnesota so could be the same genes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Seyfried
Moveon.com is referenced
There is a dig at drummers. Which pleases me. I am a vocalist.
F__K. I missed it was lance Hendrickson. Who was the driver. Arrggh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._K._Simmons
stars as the chemistry teacher, with a hook!
The beautiful Asian American who stars in Juno, mentions that it must be true as its on Wikipedia
Its alright. A pretty decent movie. Fox may be the week link. I am not sure who else could have played the roll. Maybe a 10 years younger Alicia Silverstone.
Oh well…

A week to go

I am on holiday

The wonderful world of work

I was preparing some broken shelves for collection. I can hear my boss and one of the other supervisors speaking. They are discussing the candidates for a supervisors position. They discuss two women I work with, and then dismiss them as candidates. For taking long lunch breaks and leaving early.

They may have said I was useless earlier. I didn’t hear it.  I guess its another reason to keep looking for any other work. Maybe look over my notes.

Anyway they talk about other people.  They discuss the 10 AM shift.  Positively

Then my boss says. I should make A- a supervisor. As he can work, if I ask him. …

IF I ask him… The other supervisor was surprised

A, was surfing the net while this conversation was going on. A.

Now he will probably do no work, till Christmas

A. Does no work. He has been transferred to our department. Simply because he did no work.  I also get the feeling he is a nark

I think he just got a pay rise and a promotion because our boss is indiscrete.  At least his contract is out soon

I was upset, for a moment. Now I just think. I am wasting my life