All posts by Armand

Culture

The intimacy of blog interaction

I’ve found lately that I pay more attention to comments, technorati leads or trackbacks than I do to normal email. I guess the implication of a comment or trackback etc. is that someone has actually read what I’ve written about something and chosen to give an opinion. As such, it’s therefore about me and in a typically egocentric way I care more.

It’s a pretty intimate interaction; I like it a lot.

So those of you have been reading and giving your views – I thank you. And if you think I’ve not been commenting on your blog enough, tell me and I’ll get involved. I’m quite good about reading my RSS feeds, so you’re not going unread, don’t worry. Unlike these guys…

Internet, Observational

Procrastination

I’m going to go right ahead and define procrastination as searching for things on eBay you don’t really need and only sllightly want. The funny thing is, as I’ve remarked before, I hate shopping. I just like having… stuff. I might have to tell Firefox somewhere not to let me access the ebay.co.uk domain…

Ah, self-discipline through needless technical jiggery pokery. Or is that just another form of procrastination, and I should just find some willpower. Who knows?

Miscellany, Observational

London is awesome

I’ve felt this for years, but last night, after a few drinks, on a friend’s balcony overlooking the entirety of London — well, it was breathtaking. I wish I’d had my camera, or that my phone camera could cope with low-light conditions. Even the Wheel looked awesome.

So if I’ve left you a message saying something about the wheel, or the view… that was the inspiration. Share and enjoy, that’s my motto…

Comics, Internet, Technology

Marvel comics advocate Netscape?

4 Comments

You remember Netscape, right? They were around before Microsoft destroyed them with Internet Explorer and their pioneering ‘Navigator’ and ‘Communicator’ internet browser software bloated itself to death. ‘Bloat’ here being the technical term for what happens when you include tonnes of features in an application that no-one needs, reducing its performance, increasing its complexity and killing its appeal.

Well, in one of the more recent issues of ‘The Amazing Spider Man’ – (I think it’s issue 533 – ‘Civil War’) – loads of people go out and Google something (yes, Google – the page is illustrated with almost complete accuracy) – using a Netscape browser.

Bizarre. You’d think those geeks would be loving Firefox or something, but apparently not… Marvel, you’re a strange bunch!

Culture

Neapolitan drinking songs

4 Comments

Was out tonight celebrating Sheila’s birthday, at a lovely Italian restaraunt in Ladbroke Grove. Was brave and had some slightly flattened relative of spaghetti (sciatelli?) with king prawns – utterly delicious and the experience of having an entire clan of Neapolitans serve us the delicious food really put the raspberry on the panacotta (also delicious). It was a general smorgasboard of deliciousness.

Sister seemed to have a good time, which was generally pleasing. My abuse of my ‘presence’ information today on Google Talk and MSN Messenger resulted in a number of random birthday greetings for Sheila directed at me. Though oddly, none came in via this blog – are you people really paying attention? ;)

Tonight, I talked to Wu-Tang, amongst others of Sheila’s friends. Wu-tang has an awesome blog title, and a number of good anecdotes, many of which are Italian in nature.

The one thing I learned, however, was the lyrics to a particularly charming Neapolitan drinking song. Well, apparently it can be sung without drinking, but anyway, the lyrics go (please excuse spelling):

Funiculee, funicular, funiculee, funiculaaaaaaar…….
Yamba yamba yamba ya funiculee funicular

I think it’s about a funicular railway. Geor-.. I mean, Wu-Tang will no doubt drop by and correct me if I’m wrong.

Personal

It’s Sheila’s birthday!

You better believe it! My favourite sister turns [age omitted in case she’s started to be sensitive about it] today and we’re celebrating later on with a small group and a nice restaurant – the two things you need.

Sheila’s been hyping it for weeks. I’m glad its finally here ;)

Happy birthday Sister — don’t let it go to your head!

Email your wishes to sheila [at] thisdomainname.co.uk (actual address hidden for spambot protection), or leave them in the comments.

Personal

American dreams

Last night’s dream: I was in NYC, riding uptown on the bonnet of a yellow cab. Of course, first Arvind and I had had to stop the cab by using our ethnic Indianness – the taxi driver didn’t speak English and was inclined to take us on as a consequence. Of course, we don’t speak Hindi either so used the one phrase I had (which in my dream I thought meant something like ‘how are you doing’, but in the real world means ‘thank you’) and then somehow ended up on the bonnet flying up 5th Avenue at speed.

Which was, needless to say, weird.

Personal

Quiet house

1 Comment

Cousin David’s returned to the South, leaving the flat very quiet. Sheila and I were sat around yesterday, and nobody once told us to “chillax,” which was very sad indeed.

David’s been a great presence in the month he’s been here; boundless in his enthusiasm to acquire a career in film-making, and creative in his use of the English language. We’ll miss him, though no doubt see him quite soon…

If I use the phrases “chillax,” “big-time,” and “that’s what I’m talking about,” more than might seem strictly speaking necessary in the next few weeks, it’s both because I think they’re good and amusing phrases, and they serve as a tribute to my Cousin.

That’s what I’m talking about.

Current affairs, Personal

That terror stuff – my two cents

I’ve had enough of this terror crap. My reaction was one of instant contempt for people planning as unpleasant as what’s been reported. Although, like Ze, I agree that ‘unimaginable’ horror might have been an overstatement. It’s a great piece – if you haven’t watched it; do.

Unlike a lot of people (Doctor Vee has good links), however, my reaction hasn’t been one of immediate mistrust or anger at the government. I find that an unsustainable [sic] view: even though we have been misled in the past (the 40 minute claim, the Menezes shooting etc), we’re always going to be reliant on an institution to suport us in this kind of situation. If there’s a problem with the specific institution – MI5 etc – then those need reform.

As to the bigger question? The civil liberties issue is a complex one; but I think I maintain my Millsian perspective on this — the needs of the many… Appreciate that’s a massive oversimplification and it’s still an ‘alleged’ plot, but still. That said, that the government might use the atmosphere of fear to generate support for more, liberty restricting, ‘terrorism acts’ — whilst inevitable — is annoying.

For me, even if the threat on Thursday was massively overstated, I’d rather be inconvenienced than accept even a slim risk of lost lives and don’t think many would disagree. And we’re not speaking NewSpeak just yet… (although many of the politicians are, as you will see if you watch Ze’s show on the Israel/Lebanon situation).

Update: Chris has just written some great stuff about this too, highlighting the doubts he (and many others) are having. His last paragraph hits it on the head:

I’m not sure which situation I would prefer – to find out that the we’re in denial and we came perilously close to mass murder conducted by a sophisticated conspiracy, or that our government and security services don’t have a clue about whether such threats exist, let alone who or where they are.