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'My Corduroyed Life' - Mark A's Journal
The seventh in a never ending series of these (who groaned?!)…
I’m experimenting with a slightly new format which is basically using categories/ titles. If anyone thinks a category is glaringly missing, post a reply and I’ll try to include it next month.
WORK
As I’ve mentioned, I now work for The School of Languages at the University of Salford. I’ve been here for exactly a month now, and have loads to say – so much to say, in fact, that I’ve decided to do a separate blog about it (coming soon).
MONEY
I’m still not doing very well with the finances thing as I appear to have had a lot of outgoings this month (when I say outgoings, what I really mean is social events).
LOVE LIFE
My love life is, well, interesting. I split with Steve. Okay, evil bastard me dumped Steve for questionable reasons. I still had feelings for Steve, but they weren’t enough to keep us together through difficulties. One thing I didn’t do (this time) was keep him hanging on (so at least I didn’t prolong his agony).
I’ve slept around since. A lot. I’ve never had this much sex. This was all wonderfully simple, sluttish and meaningless, but this is me we’re talking about, right? Turns out that one guy I pulled was/ is actually worth seeing again, and I’ve met someone that I really like, which was completely unexpected (possibly even unwanted)! I’m not sure what I want yet (nor what he wants) and it’s very much early days, but I am very keen on him and am enjoying spending time with him, and I certainly will not be doing anything to hurt him. Incidentally, he reads this blog, and yeah I know what I’m doing writing this… I think.
NINJA
The one class per week thing is showing: I don’t feel like I’m practicing Ninja enough to improve. One thing that is good is that, as it’s Summer, Rich is toughening up the warm-ups, and they’re giving me a good workout. One particular lesson was spent doing an hour of chain sparring – I was utterly, utterly shattered, but it was great! Of course, I still haven’t been arsed to find a Capoeira or a Yoga class.
BOOKS
Reading Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure inspired much googlewhack revival, and it was a really enjoyable and fun book. Seemingly disillusioned currently with novels, I moved from Dave Gorman’s silly book to the equally silly Talking Cock by Richard Herring, then the delightfully stuck up Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynn Truss. Talking Cock was fun, interesting, tongue in cheek, and full of nob gags, but was also remarkably sensitive and diplomatic about the less silly side of talking about penises. Eats, Shoots & Leaves is a vicious attack on the lack of usage of correct grammar in English writings. Being a bit of a pedantic grammar stickler myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I’m guessing that for people who hate that kind of thing, it would be like having your fingernails removed one by one. I even learned something new, and was horrified to discover I’ve been misusing semi-colons!
MUSICA
The only music I’ve bought this month is the Naked Lounge CD that I reviewed earlier this month. However, I discovered that Prodigy are definitely releasing Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned next month. Wheeeeeeeee! Lalalalalalalalala! I’ve only been waiting 7 years for a new album by my favourite band! I’ve already got it pre-ordered from CD-Wow (I use CD-Wow, because I get a work discount).
FILM
I do love my subscription to Screenselect and my precious Cornerhouse. After last month’s film fest, I have excelled myself again and seen even more! Shockingly, I’ve dished out five stars to TWO films this month – I next to never give out five stars!
At the cinema I’ve seen Shrek 2, Fahrenheit 9/11, Confidantes Trop Intimes, The Black Pirate, Spiderman 2, Before Sunset, Dark Water, Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress, and Around The World In 80 Days.
On DVD I’ve seen: Rush Hour, Octopus, Mutant, The Vampire Project, Mulholland Drive, and Trilogy; plus telly series Sex and the City - Season 5, and Spooks -Series 1.
Ratings:
* = Shocking
** = Passable
*** = Worth Seeing
**** = Superb
***** = Truly Classic – a real rarity.
Shrek 2:
Hilarious and a thoroughly enjoyable film. More for the adults than the kids, I reckon, but that’s a good thing.
****
Fahrenheit 9/11:
Nothing I can say in a sentence will do this masterpiece justice. An emotional rollercoaster, and quite simply one of the very best films I’ve ever seen. Michael Moore is my hero.
*****
Confidantes Trop Intimes:
Very intelligent, very French, very pretentious, very good, and very much my kind of thing.
****
The Black Pirate:
This was a silent film with live accompaniment! It was the first one I’d ever been to, and the experience was wonderful. The film itself was camp, silly, and funny; the accompaniment lively, professional and enjoyable.
****
Spiderman 2:
Mildly disappointed, but I expect because I’m a fan of the comics and thought the whole thing a little contrived and rushed. Also, some of the CGI was decidedly ropey. However, there was some good action, so all was not lost.
***
Before Sunset:
I’m not going to say anything about this film other than go and see it! The first one (Before Sunrise) was magnificent, but I think this the most touching film I have ever seen, and it has immediately become my favourite film of all time!
*****
Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress:
A fun and enjoyable romantic (?) Chinese film, but I can’t help thinking that it’s blasé depiction of the re-education period in China’s history weakens it.
***
Around The World In 80 Days:
Fun, but just that little bit too kiddie flick for me… and Jackie Chan is great.
***
Rush Hour:
A good actioner that’s worth seeing… and Jackie Chan is great.
***
Octopus:
A delightfully amusing schlock with the worst CGI octopus you can possibly imagine! Fantastic heckleworthy fun!
***
Mutant:
Another fun, schlocky hecklefest!
***
The Vampire Project:
Schlocky cheesiness aplenty, but just not that much fun for some reason.
**
Mulholland Drive:
David Lynch is a hero: I have no idea what this film is about! Surreal, thought-provoking, and mind-boggling, this film is not for the casual viewer or the drunk!
****
Trilogy:
A really cool concept whereby three films with their own specific genres and plots are intertwined within each other, and only by watching all three do you get the whole story of all of them. The first two were great: worthy and highbrow entertainment… It’s just a shame that the third one was really dull.
***
BLOGGING & T’INTERNET
If anyone noticed, I changed the piccy of me on my blurty profile. I blogged loads at the start of the month and then wilted. In my opinion, I think I’ve been rather hit and miss. I’m really pleased with some of the stuff I’ve written this month (In His Arms, Uncle Bert, Fantasy Football Team), but there’s also been a remarkable amount of self-indulgent dross. I guess that’s the nature of the blogging beast. I’ve also procrastinated on some longer length blogs, particularly one on Michael Moore, but I’ll get there.
On t’internet, I’ve basically just been visiting my favourite sites like Rubbish Gays, Michael Moore, and WWE. However, the delightful Automatic Flatterer is worth a quick visit to cheer oneself up.
BLOG COURTESY
Blurty Friends: Jadash and Ajax
Bowch
fishmonger malarky
Fluff
mcphee
Mojo (currently inactive)
Pixie
Prince Gaz
Shooting Parrots
ANYTHING ELSE INTERESTING?
Other significant stuff I’ve done this month includes a delightful trip to Leeds for my mate Ben’s karaoke birthday party in Japanic (a lovely Japanese restaurant with the fittest barman in the world): much alcoholic merriment and atrocious singing was indulged in (I did Achy Breaky Heart, Sealed With A Kiss, and All The Girls I’ve Loved Before). There was also a fab visit to Tenth Muse in Todmorden, which is possibly the nicest gay bar (gay bar, gay bar) in the world. Mum and Dad also came to visit, and I took them all around Manchester to see the cows: Mum loved it; Dad was in Hell. And finally, I visited the lovely Rawtenstall once again on a fine sunny Sunday and caught up with friends (which is always good).
THE WHOLE MONTH IN A FEW WORDS
Busy, busy, busy; but happy, happy, happy… And I’m still riding that wave of change!
Have fun,
M
Current mood:
happy.Current music: The Kenya Song: http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/29/.