Sign of the times.

Is it a sign of the times when we have a random stranger show generousity towards us and straight away assume there's a little of dodginess about it? It's the first thought that frequently comes to mind right? Of course you're probably saying to yourself  "it all depends on the situation"

Well, here's mine.

One of my customers at work today bought a couple of high priced items. One of which wasn't for her. (normally if a girl buys a laptop or tv or something for a guy you would assume they're an item right? I know I would and I understand the idea of making assumptions!) There's a bit of lighthearted banter between the customers and myself and a few colleagues. This then leads to the customer giving my colleague £20. Then another to another colleague. And then another £20 to myself.

I would think understandably 2 of us were confused at this.

1: I don't like being given money. I have to feel I've earned it or won it in some way. Done something to deserve this money.

2: My first thought was what have they done, where did they get this. Is it a bank job or fraud job. You know, something like that.

Driving home it just really struck me how crazy it is that the first thing you think about someone who randomly offers you money or some other kindness is "what did they do to get this in the first place?"

10:38 AM - 6 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Indy 4 now with added spoilerage

The key word here is "aliens!"

And it's better if you say it in a high pitched silly voice.

Don't ask why, just trust me.

Right... 12.05am thursday morning. I've just seen Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull. It was... different. Everyone knows how it works with the indy movies. Evil baddies want an artefact and Indy has to get to it first. This is no different for that part. And that's a good thing. If it isn't broke don't go to fixing right? 

Here's the rundown of the movie so don't look if you want to watch it fresh without spoilerisms!!! You have been warned.

Indy 4 takes place in 1957... a few years after one particular event that may or may not have really happened in New Mexico. Insert the key word here for potential hilarity.

Anyway, Indy gets chased by KGB this time, goes to the amazon and finds El dorado and learns that the mayans owed quite a lot to a bunch of aliens very similar to the one in roswell. And this is where it all just started to feel wrong to me. El dorado etc I can happily deal with. It's an Indiana Jones thing. But throwing aliens into it seems... well.. more like the X-files than Indy. Hints that extra-terrestials were the creators oor whatever would have been ok. Hell, it's been done so many other places so it wouldn't seem that out of place. This was just a little too in your face about it.

Oh and suddenly I find myself thinking Cate Blanchett isn't too bad at all. It's the black bob. It does it everytime.

Basically.. I liked it but was disappointed with the concept etc.

6:54 PM - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

I am Iron man

I'm not. But it'd be cool if I was.

I went to see it last night. And it kicked ass. My knowledge on Mr Tony Stark and his metal suit shinanigans aren't completely up to scratch but I do believe the original story line was followed well enough. Always a plus in any comic book movie. Mostly cos then I don't have to hear the fanboys whining about this and that. The funnier moment was during the credits my mate Darron said something along the lines of how he would have expected to see Nick Fury in a corner somewhere as soon as they mentioned S.H.I.E.L.D. Then right after the credits there's a neat little scene with Tony Stark going into his house to hear someone talk to him. And that someone turns out to be Nick Fury. Played by Samuel L. Jackson. It was almost like the makers of the movie had been listening to Darron make those remarks and thought "Dammit! Someone noticed! Tack a scene on the end there. Come on! We still have Mr Jackson here loitering after his Virgin commercial."

I'd like to think that part happened anyway.

And today was the final day in my 7 days of hell stint. Hurrah for that. Tomorrow I can lay in. Well, I can't really. Cos now I have to go and find a new rear bumper and tail light box after someone decided to reverse into me at work today. For those of you keeping score... 4 cars... 3 rear end smackjobs. Fortunately this one is nowhere near as bad as Lightning or Weebl. Mr susan shall survive another day.

But still.... typical. Only plus side is, she was cute. And according to the lovely Jodie I should ask her out since I have the perfect icebreaker.

Or "carbreaker" as I think would be the better term.

It's not likely to happen really.

3:53 PM - 9 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

writings of a mental

Today was Altfiction day. Hurrah!

It involved a drive that was nearly 2 hours to Derby blasting 80s metal out of the car stereo. It could only have been cooler if my car was a mustang or a charger or camero. But it was cool enough nonetheless.

Anyway after going to Games workshop to attempt to buy the Harry the hammer minature only available this weekend cos it's the 25th anniversary of Warhammer the game, and after Darron losing his ticket for Altfiction, we headed in and promptly sat in the bar. Good times. Should you ever be looking for me in a convention you can guarantee to find me in the bar for at least a large portion of it. True story.

I managed 2 whole workshops at this one though. It's been hard enough to drag myself into 1 before now. In fact, the only few I've gone into have been because I know someone on the panel or running them and it's a show of solidarity or something like that. So today I made it into Kim's one about Dark Fantasy. And during the big exercise she went through I came up with the beginnings of a new story idea. I'll even put the opener I wrote in my head (cos im thick and didn't take a pen. Or paper) in here soon.

The other workshop was on an agent's work. And very insightful it was too. It seemed to be another of those times though when it turned out I knew a lot more than I thought I did on the subject. Hurrah for that. I actually stepped up to the plate today as well and talked to someone outside of my circle about the book.

That's the day really. There was one person I would have liked to have been there but we can't have everything I guess. Maybe next time.

12:50 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

funny as hell.

I posted this in a bulletin but I have to post it here now just for prosterity...

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/lax/182862349.html

Laugh? I thought my pants would never dry.

2:31 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Cloverfield goodness... may be a bit spoilerish so BEWARE!!!!

Right, I've just gotten home from witnessing the spectacle that is Cloverfield. It's something along the lines of 6 months ago when Meagan first sent me the link to the teaser that was shown before the Transformers premier in the US. And ever since I've been wanting to see it. And I have to say I was impressed.

The shaky camcorder work was cool enough, it made it hard to see the monster clearly for long periods. This was good. I also liked that being shot from the POV of the camcorder it means that we don't get any beardy science types coming in with "And it was grown in flowerpots in a south pacific island. We like to call it Geraldine." One of the characters has a bit of a moment when he's coming up with ideas as for where it came from, but otherwise it's just "let's run the hell away from it!"

I like the fact that the main character goes into the city to help his friend who's the love interest. I like to think that in that situation I'd do the same. There is definitely one person I'd do it for. There was a bit of a discussion earlier. If it was a friend of mine going for those reasons, I'd probably tag along. Maybe using lines such as "Why not? Got nothing better to do. Being rescued sounds just boring."

The ending was done in a good way too. I'd spent the last 10 minutes of the movie trying to work out how they were going to end it. But when seeing it seems so logical.

And I'd love to know what make of camcorder that was. Bloody thing was damn near indestructible. And the battery lasted forever, considering it was used to power a light and night vision as well as the constant filming.

The main monster was a bit more original in appearance too. I was half expecting some godzilla rip off but it's nothing like a lizard. Although the first glimpse I got of it made me think it was going to be some kind of blob or octopus thing. For the warhammer players out there, it looks like a giant skinnier Krootox. With more of a predator style mouth. And there were the little ones that just sort of fell off of the big one. Think Kroot hounds with more legs and eyes.

I would like to know what causes the explosion at the beginning though. We tihnk it could be the tanker that apparently capsizes but then Darron thinks the monster wasn't big enough to throw it, lift it, generally do something with it that causes a bit of an explosion.

8:53 PM - 11 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Torchwood

Finally caught the first episode in the new season of Torchwood. Capt John is really just Spike. And it works better.

Is James Marsters destined to be Spike forever? It's not a bad character though.

1:06 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

fanatics.

So yesterday evening we get the somewhat shocking news that actor Heath Ledger is found dead at age 28. I'm not going to go on and on about it because frankly, everything is merely speculation. I'll wait to hear any autopsy or toxicology reports before I make any conclusions. As an actor though he wasn't too bad at all. He first came to my attention when an ex made me watch "A knights tale" and I was actually surprised to find he had talent. Later on this year we'll see him as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Now I hear via the wonderful web and its news that the wacko church (I'm not even going to dignify them by using their name) are picketing his funeral because he was in Brokeback mountain. These are the same fanatics who picket the funerals of soldiers who've died in the middle east etc.

I'd say it's a case of freedom of expression being taken too far.

10:43 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

a bad case of stuff.

I saw Russell Howard in standup on saturday night. And he was funny. Probably a good thing really since he's a comedian. There's not much else I can say really other than it was the funniest show I've seen this year. And 2nd funniest of all time I'd say. Even the support was funny as hell. And quite offensive but in a funny way.

For those interested in Uthan's 2nd outing... you'll have to wait a short while longer than I anticipated. Currently it's being a bit of a struggle to write it. However, I'm kicking back and doing nothing. I'm working on another project while it's still fresh and original enough. Not really going to mention much about it here apart from I'll be blending magic and mechanics (sort of science I guess). I'm not even going to give you a sneak preview of the plot either. All I will say is, this is traditional fantasy without it being traditional at all.

Oh and while I remember... NTBS is making it's return. In January, we're planning on recording the first new podcast show. Stay tuned for details. This is going to be bigger than Macdonalds.

3:11 PM - 7 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

new and interesting project

A few of my friends have come up with a new project which involves fetishes. They want to know what the wierdest fetish you know of is.

The website is coming very soon, watch this space! In the meantime have a think on it. They want the wierdest but genuine fetishes.
 

1:05 PM - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment