Category Archives: Personal

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.

Personal, Writing

Motivational diarising

Due in no small part to the busy-ness of my calendar, work and social-wise, I’ve felt it necessary lately to give myself ‘appointments’ in my calendar; computerised reminders that I should be achieving things on my weekends. This is more helpful at some points than at others…

…today, for example, due to an unexpectedly late Saturday night, I woke up after my first three ‘appointments’ (breakfast, cycle, storyboard — for those of you who are curious) — and was then too low on motivation to do much of any of those. Did manage to do some writing in the afternoon, which the diary note did help me with, but it was a generally poor showing…

Whilst the practise is useful, I’m not bothered about today’s ineffectiveness. Sometimes you just need to switch off, and the bits of writing I’ve done have covered my need to be effective. Going to blog a bit more this evening and then see about plotting a few more elements to the novel, and maybe kicking off the opening chapter. Or a chapter in the middle. Or something, we’ll see…

Personal

I’m lazy like a Sunday morning…

Having a blissfully lazy Sunday after a hectic few weeks and a very hectic Saturday night. Damn I love the Arts Club, and while DJ Derek was unusually eccentric, his choice of tunes was great.

Also had awesome curry at Malabar. Duck curry and cheese naan – what a combination! Recommended to all.

As you may have gathered, my brain isn’t fully working just yet. Don’t expect that to change any time soon…

Music, Personal, Technology

Psychic iPod

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Ok, ok, so maybe I’m just still a little excited about the iPod. After all, it is all sleek, glossy lines, a drop of shiny black heaven with a light (so bright) that brings warmth to even the darkest soul; it’s filled with glorious, glorious music and, well, the interface works so well. (I know, that last bit didn’t fit with the tone of the rest of my description, but hey, I’ve always valued form and function).

But the music its been playing for me — it’s like its sensed my mood and picked, from 12,000 songs currently on it, exactly what I needed to hear.

Today that was 80s rock ballads — including the ever emotional ‘The Touch’, by Stan Bush, made famous by the Transformers movie. Ah, Optimus: you were too young to die.

’tis funny how the music you need to hear has a way of finding you. I’ve found that. That is to say, I’ve found that music has a way of finding me. Even when I’m not looking.

I’m in a very weird, purposeless mood.

Personal

You gotta be cruel to be kind

I’ve had shin issues ([[compartment syndrome]], apparently) for a while now – ironically caused by too much running/impact sport back from my heyday of squash/gymming a couple of years ago. Today I had the first treatment session – medical massage to loosen the tissue.

Damn, it hurt. And it’s going to cane tomorrow.

Slightly optimistic about the results, though — but was slightly surprised when Bernie (for such is the name of the miracle-working masseuse) pronounced that he was done three quarters of the way through the session and asked if I had any other injuries. I mean, confidence in your abilities is one thing, but ‘curing’ a chronic condition in 40 minutes?

I hope so! My physiotherapist was less convinced, but we’ll see. I have about a month of slow, tedious stretches to do before I can start thinking about any kind of impact activity, but hoping to make it out on the ol’ bike before the weather recedes too far.

Personal

Ongoing silence

Things have been ludicrously busy for me lately. Lots of interesting evenings out but have missed the boat on writing about them (blogs are such transient things…) and not sure there’s much left to write about at this stage, other than the fact that I’m quite tired and looking forward to trying to make some quiet time – but may not for a little while yet.

Maybe I should just admit that I’m not going to get too much writing done this summer and get some one from here to sit in for me for a little while. Areas of blogspertise: technology, PR, trivia, comic books. Actually, probably will get some offers… But no, never surrender!

People just seemed to have gone nuts this summer with parties, etc. My sister thinks I’m having a quarter life crisis, which may be true. I’ve only bought an iPod: but maybe that’s what you get for this one, and the sports car only comes with the mid-life crisis….

Personal

Wedding season

The happy couple, Roy & Cristina, cut the cake My closest school friend, Roy, gets married this week, in a three stage ceremony, part two of which I had the privilege to attend at his family’s place in the country yesterday. Was a very moving affair — Roy’s sweeping passion for his Transylvanian bride, Cristina, and his moving speech — and the best man, Roy’s brother Nicholas, delivered a very funny, obviously passionate tribute. His parents were also clearly proud and the whole afternoon was extremely pleasant.

The Stoics Also hilarious to catch up with Will, another old school friend, and to meet his lovely American wife for the first time. Also had the privilege to catch up with Peter Farquhar, our legendary english teacher from days gone by. All were on excellent, ebullient form – Will cracking jokes about vampires, garlic etc., and Peter engaging and reflecting with everyone with the genuine interest and sincerity that has helped him maintain close friendships with so many of his former students.

Slightly worrying that quite so many of my friends are tying the knot at this stage; but I’m adopting a ‘que sera, sera’ attitude to that aspect of my life…!

Personal

Too hot to blog

I’m sorry, the temperatures in London have been absurd – it’s 33 degrees in the office today and not having air conditioning – either here or at home – has reduced the amount of time I’m physically able to be writing… anything.

Normal service will resume as soon as I work out a cure for this global warming thing that lasts slightly longer than the ice lollies our bosses have very kindly provided the last couple of days…