Hello Again

I'm back from the abyss.  The abyss of procrastination.  I haven't blogged in.... a year and a half.  Flip!  I am however going to 'endeavour' to be a (relatively) regular contributor, as much for myself as anything else, if only to focus thoughts and share the shiz I find inspiring.  When I logged back on again I was pretty astounded at how many people have visited this little cog within the great machine that is the internet, even in my absence.  Does anybody actually read anything or just merely stumble across it when looking for something more interesting?  Who knows. Probably. But hey ho, welcome all the same wayfaring stranger x

Borgen

On the surface, a Danish political drama about a prime minister's rise to power, and how that power changes, doesn't sound like the most enthralling TV viewing, however,  "Borgen" is most definitely one of the best TV dramas (and best acted) that I've watched in quite some time (apart from 'Friday Night Lights', but I'll save that for another time).   The title "Borgen" seems to be a play on the nickname for 'Christiansborg', the home of the Danish parliament and prime minister's office.
Yes, there's subtitles, (unless you speak Danish already, then you're flying) but it doesn't detract from it at all. (If you still need convincing it's by the same people who made "The Killing").
For those in the UK, BBC iplayer (as of now) are streaming the full season 1 - here . Definitely worth checking out. 

Dreamboats No Petticoats

All because I love boys with tattoos, especially these ones (now to wonder who they are...)  (As much as I wish I'd taken these photos, I didn't.)

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover...

...well, maybe just a little.  
I thought it was time I did a blog post on a great idea Penguin Books came up with - selling classic novels with blank covers.  The official tag line is: "Books by the Greats, Covers by You".   The blank covers are 'art-quality' paper which hold ink, paint and pencil amongst others.  They also come shrink-wrapped so the paper is nice and clean on arrival. The price isn't bad either for £5 (GBP) with free p&p in the UK, but they do ship worldwide (Here's the link to the online store) 

I really do love giving presents with a personal touch, something that says 'I actually thought about this'.  I was looking for a little gift for my friend 'J' and eventually settled on "The Waves" by Virginia Woolf.  I didn't have much time but managed to rustle up a quick cover using letraset promarkers and ink (you can have a gander at the result below).   

There's also an online gallery on the Penguin website, where people can display pictures of their gallant efforts.  Some of them are truly amazing, but I think my personal favourite has to be the one below for Bram Stoker's "Dracula".  The cover was created by: Stuart and Pania Fleming.  Simple and brilliant.  I especially love that 2 people are credited for it!  A splatter each perhaps?

'The Waves', Virginia Woolf                                   'Dracula', Bram Stoker

'Walk Off The Earth' Gotye Cover

How cool is this.  Over 21 million hits on youtube, in just over one week, says it all. Yes, 21 million.  In a week!  This Canada based 5 piece are the definition of 'going viral'...




You can check out their facebook page here

2012 We Meet At Last

So 2012 is here at last. It wasn't so long ago the thought of the year 2012 seemed incredibly space-aged and now we're here. Eek. I started 2011 with a massive 'to do' and resolution list.  Did I do any of them?  Did I bugger.  This year my New Year's resolution is not to make any resolutions.  I seem to inadvertently make it my personal mission to break as many as possible in as short a time as possible.   'Dear Diary, this year I resolve to go on a diet and exercise. Lots. [written whilst semi-comatosed on the sofa with a kitkat in one hand and a mouth stuffed full of crisps]'  So no, this year, no resolutions. 

I love a new year though, it feel's new.  It brings the promise of new beginnings. I read somewhere that:' Life is like a roll of toilet paper - the closer it gets to the end the faster it goes'.  I was going to add: then you're left in the shit. Literally. But, I won't...  Although, it did get me thinking about how quickly it all whizzes by and how we deserve to live a life we truly love for the short time we're here and while still able.  How easy it is to stagnate.  So many people have opinions on how the lives of others should be and alas if we don't shape our own lives, no-one else will. Continuing to beat the drum of what's gone wrong, only plays the sound of past regrets. Someone once said: " You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" So maybe I'll make a resolution after all - that this year, I'll lose sight of the shore.


Wishes for all to have a joyful and healthy 2012 x

December Playlist (With a Slice of Christmas)

Hello December, nice to see you again, it's been quite a year.

Metronomy - "Everything Goes My Way"
Otis Redding - "White Christmas"
Lianne La Havas - "Age"
Ingrid Michaelson - "You and I"
Marit Larsen - "Under the surface"
Tomi Swick - "Let It Snow"
Warpaint - "Elephants"
The Shins - "New Slang"
Richard Hawley - "There´s A Storm A Comin"
VersaEmerge - "Santa Baby"
Mindy Gledhill - "Anchor"
The Beatles - "Norwegian Wood"
Andrew Bird - "Oh No"
Hellogoodbye - "When We First Met"
Michael Bublé - "Silent Night"

Links open to youtube video of song x