Heh, I've just realised that I've written nearly as many posts this month than I have in the rest of the year put together! Good stuff. Just back from a hefty run, went round the hospital three times. I only hope that's the only use I'll have for the place! The FEELGOOD PLAYLIST doesn't quite work for running, since I keep wanting to stop and sing, so I like some stuff that's a bit more fast/heavy, to keep me going. Something that works, that isn't quite either, is this:
This is the first track from The Black Keys' new album, Brothers. While they're still no Arcade Fire, they are a fantastic band. Since Strange Times was in Grand Theft Auto IV, I've been a fan, and this song's just the reason why.
Also, in bloody annoying and poossibly rage-worthy news, Daniel Craig has signed on to play Mikael Blomkvist in David Fincher's Dragon Tattoo remake. Now that's not what annoys me, I think he's probably one of the best people that could do the part. What does piss me off, on the other hand, is the fact that it's to be filmed in Sweden, and he's going to be putting on a Swedish accent. Not cool.
If I was remaking it, which I'd never even dream of doing in the first place, the original's that bloody good, I'd set it somewhere else, maybe even in Scotland or something. The whole thing's based on a remote island, why not just go to Orkney, or the Outer Hebrides? It'd be better than James Bond turning Swedish. There's still no Lisbeth Salander yet, but to be honest, I don't care. I'm not going to see the film, because I have no interest in it. I'll just stick to the fantastically written, directed and performed Swedish original, thank you very much.
And back to the RUNNING playlist. Basically, just pick stuff that's fast. I'm not going to list mine, because you'll all hate it...
Darren out, saying Annie Hall leaves New York in the end, press rewind and Woody gets her back again...
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Now playing: Blur - Look Inside America
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday 27 July 2010
Monday 26 July 2010
I Know A Place Where No Planes Go...
In America, this will show at 10pm in New York, meaning it will be on here at 3am. I will be watching it. Tired as hell, yes, it'll take at least a full can of Relentless to keep awake, therefore momentarily undoing all the work of my 10PP in the process, but I'll be watching. This is the extent to which I love Arcade Fire. In that I will temporarily halt my quest for fitness to watch this.
The album comes out on Monday, and I'm not even going to play it in the car, which I usually do. I'm absolutely loving the prospect of opening the CD and putting it into the record player (it has a CD bit, too. I should make that clear.) just so I can properly savour one of the best singles in living memory, from the best band of the last ten years. I'm even getting jitters just deciding what one of the eight covers I'm going to choose from. I really cannot wait for this album to come out. It's actually all I've been thinking about for the last hour and a half. Also, I'm entering every competition going to try and win tickets to the Leeds Festival, so I can see them. Also, LCD Soundsystem are on at the same time as GNR. Anyone who knows me at all would know who I'd rather see. Course, I'd still see Gogol Bordello, one of the world's weirdest, yet fantastic live bands, Biffy Clyro and Queens of the Stone Age.
I know I shouldn't get my hopes up, but like I said earlier, that's how much I love this band. Damn it, they'd better tour next year!
Also, I just found out Vampire Weekend, also very high in my list of all-time favourites, are playing in Edinburgh in November! I really want to go to this, although not by myself, obviously, so if anyone else is interested, (the tickets are not badly priced at £22.50, by the way) let me know!
Darren out, saying I have seen the same, and know the shame in your defeat...
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Now playing: Mumford & Sons - The Cave
via FoxyTunes
Park Shenanigans, The Monster Crew, The Fuselage and Late-Night Writing
Before we start, for getting me back into Mumford & Sons, Paul, I salute you.
TUNE.
So aye, we went to King's Park last night and had a rare old time! Sadly, the diggers aren't there anymore, but I'd totally forgotten about the Slamball trampoline!
If there was another one, and there were two nets at each, this could happen:
I'd love that.
So a lot's changed the last time I was there, but it's still not too shabby. Still miffed about the diggers though...
It was also great to just go for a drive again, without anywhere in particular to go. We only got as far as Alloa, mind you, but it was still a refreshing change from just going to Asda and back every other day.
Also, sitting in the car outside Tesco in Falkirk, we discovered that Paul makes for a lame wingman, but a rather good fuselage! It also became abundantly clear that Monster has more of an effect on some people than others.
And once I dropped everyone else off, I went back home, put on the FEELGOOD PLAYLIST (with some added Mumford & Sons, Blur and Supergrass), and wrote some more Henry Sugar until 4 in the morning!
It sucks, however, being phoned in your bed at 11am and being asked to come into work and do a 2-10 shift. My running plans are fecked for today! So I should probably get ready to go!
Darren out, saying the circus is in town!
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Now playing: Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
via FoxyTunes
TUNE.
So aye, we went to King's Park last night and had a rare old time! Sadly, the diggers aren't there anymore, but I'd totally forgotten about the Slamball trampoline!
If there was another one, and there were two nets at each, this could happen:
I'd love that.
So a lot's changed the last time I was there, but it's still not too shabby. Still miffed about the diggers though...
It was also great to just go for a drive again, without anywhere in particular to go. We only got as far as Alloa, mind you, but it was still a refreshing change from just going to Asda and back every other day.
Also, sitting in the car outside Tesco in Falkirk, we discovered that Paul makes for a lame wingman, but a rather good fuselage! It also became abundantly clear that Monster has more of an effect on some people than others.
And once I dropped everyone else off, I went back home, put on the FEELGOOD PLAYLIST (with some added Mumford & Sons, Blur and Supergrass), and wrote some more Henry Sugar until 4 in the morning!
It sucks, however, being phoned in your bed at 11am and being asked to come into work and do a 2-10 shift. My running plans are fecked for today! So I should probably get ready to go!
Darren out, saying the circus is in town!
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Now playing: Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
via FoxyTunes
Sunday 25 July 2010
A Good Mood, Continued.
Ignore the video, just listen to the song. It's the best quality one I could find.
iTunes shuffle can do some wonderful things, like form the beginning of my FEELGOOD PLAYLIST, listed below:
The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You
The Turtles - Elenore
U2 - I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running/The Suburbs
The Smiths - Cemetery Gates/This Charming Man
Pixies - Where Is My Mind?
Phantom Planet - California (I hate The OC, just a really good song)
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody/You're My Best Friend
Pearl Jam - Just Breathe/Betterman
Pavement - Gold Soundz
The Beatles - Lady Madonna/Octopus' Garden/Golden Slumbers-The End/Hello Goodbye
Biffy Clyro - The Captain
Blur - Tender
Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone
Coldplay - Yellow/Strawberry Swing
Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
David Bowie - Starman
Doves - There Goes The Fear
Wolfmother - Vagabond
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Vampire Weekend - Cousins/A-Punk
Van Halen - Panama
So yeah, it's a long playlist. With 100% less Justin Bieber!
It's not an understatement in the slightest to say that music pretty much keeps me going, and always will. It's a good indicator of my mindset as well. I haven't listened to Metallica or Lamb of God in over a week, so even though they're both fantastic, I'm just wanting to listen to happier songs to fit the mood I'm in. Then again, I always have a place for Joy Division. You can't leave them out. My facebook post that caused a 30+ comment discussion and near full-blown argument started out of the fact that I hadn't listened to the Fab Four in two weeks. Those were not a good two weeks, what with the situation at home, etc.
Today, I also started to put the 10-point plan into action. I went out for a run with Paul, which turned into more of a speed-walk with some bursts of jogging, but I feel good.
But it gets better, for tonight, I'm going to King's Park to indulge my inner child! With the FEELGOOD PLAYLIST and some good friends, you can't go wrong!
Darren out, saying Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start, just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart!
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Now playing: Wolfmother - Vagabond
via FoxyTunes
Saturday 24 July 2010
...And Nothing's Gonna Bring Me Down!
I love this video, and I love this song! It's such a good mood song, it's unreal! For the first time in ages, I've not got something to complain about. My ten-point plan's taking shape, there's not a single bad thing going on at the minute (I'm finally over the whole mum and dad situation), the gang's all going to be back together properly for the first time in months, I'm listening to The Beatles again, I STARTED HENRY SUGAR AGAIN TONIGHT, which is huge for me, Kirst gets back on Tuesday night, Scott Pilgrim's out next month, King's Park on Sunday and Callander-themed epicness next month, I finished season 4 of 30 Rock (it's epic, watch it!), and I'm reading again! Sure, it's a book about The Beatles as zombies, with Ringo and Yoko as ninjas, and Mick Jagger as a zombie hunter, but it's a start!
I don't know if it's whether I have something to look forward to in the next few weeks (CALLANDER), enjoying looking back at good times (NORTH BERWICK), reconnecting with my best friends (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! :D), bringing myself back to the real me, which is happening already (10 POINT PLAN OF AWESOMENESS), I'm writing again (HENRY SUGAR), I'm hearing about great new music from different people or things... (RACHAEL/ME BEING ADVENTUROUS/FILMS/ADVERTS), Arcade Fire are making my world go round at the minute (CANADA!) Anyway, I'm losing the point here. Either one or all of these things are contributing to my fantastic state of mind, and luck/fate/divine being/weather/bank, please me nice to me forever? Please?
Darren out, saying best of all, I've got my baby!
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Now playing: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
via FoxyTunes
Thursday 22 July 2010
Can I Break The Spell... Of The Typical?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XVWR-5fiG0
Those nasty people at Warner Bros. Music won't let me embed the top quality version, so copy and paste away, but here's a decent version of the same video!
I love this song. It's just so easy to listen to, the video is very well done (lip-synching an entire song would be a nightmare in one take), and I love the lyrics. It also appeals to me personally, since I feel like I'm getting stuck in a bit of a rut here.
I haven't written a line of Henry Sugar since May. (I also think I've lost the pages. stupid me ripping them out, they're most likely in the bin.) I've just checked. They're gone. Awesome. I had also started to jot down ideas for a short story called Maple Terrace, about diamond thieves using an underground system to escape the police, although I just wasn't motivated to do it. I actually have some really good ideas for both, but I just can't be bothered to write them down.
Although as of tomorrow, all is changing. I'm going straight and choosing life. Seriously though, I'm making some big changes.
First off, I can do the Truffle Shuffle. Something has to be done about that.
Second, I love music but can't play any myself, which is why I'm buying a bass guitar as soon as money permits. Just playing Beatles Rock Band at Paul's really isn't enough.
Third, I'm going to make more of an effort when it comes to going out. Money shouldn't be a reason not to do something, there are always other things to do.
Fourth, I want to see more of my friends while during term time. Stirling, Dundee and Glasgow really aren't that far away. We haven't made a huge effort before, but that's hopefully going to change. No excuses!
Fifth, Sort out my DVD collection. The fact they're not in order, as crazy as it sounds, is killing me. My live DVDs and TV boxsets are sorted, so it's just the films. But there's a fair few I don't have, because other people have them, so that can wait a while.
Sixth (This is a 10-point plan), I don't know anyone at all from my uni course. Just turning up to lectures and going home again is daft. Not having Graeme in most of my classes next year means I actually need to start talking to people, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Seventh, I'm just going to get fitter in general. Stirling Uni has a pretty cheap gym, and since I'm planning to be there more often anyway, I may as well make of the most of the stuff that's there!
Eighth, I'm going to finally decide what I want to do after I finish my course, and start looking into how I go about doing it.
Ninth, I'm going to go to the cinema more often. I usually wait till films come out on DVD or just watch them online, but it's really not the same as seeing them on the big screen. Scott Pilgrim vs The World won't watch itself.
And finally, Tenth. I'm going to leave this one blank. Because I never know when there's going to be something I need to do.
And in order to start to fulfil point 4, I'm in the process of arranging the five of us to go camping in Callander. I had planned to do it for my birthday, but we were never all available at the same time. So now that we are, I'm not hesitating in getting the ball rolling and actually doing something about it!
In other (way overdue) music news, Muse's cover of Where The Streets Have No Name, with The Edge guesting on guitar, is probably one the best covers I've ever heard. Muse have had a great history of covers for me, since they recorded The Smiths' Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, and The Animals' House of the Rising Sun. This just adds to my list of favourite covers.
Also, on lookalike business, doesn't STV News' John Mackay look like the poor man's Alec Baldwin?
Darren out, saying I know there's got to be another level!
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Now playing: MuteMath - Typical
via FoxyTunes
Those nasty people at Warner Bros. Music won't let me embed the top quality version, so copy and paste away, but here's a decent version of the same video!
I love this song. It's just so easy to listen to, the video is very well done (lip-synching an entire song would be a nightmare in one take), and I love the lyrics. It also appeals to me personally, since I feel like I'm getting stuck in a bit of a rut here.
I haven't written a line of Henry Sugar since May. (I also think I've lost the pages. stupid me ripping them out, they're most likely in the bin.) I've just checked. They're gone. Awesome. I had also started to jot down ideas for a short story called Maple Terrace, about diamond thieves using an underground system to escape the police, although I just wasn't motivated to do it. I actually have some really good ideas for both, but I just can't be bothered to write them down.
Although as of tomorrow, all is changing. I'm going straight and choosing life. Seriously though, I'm making some big changes.
First off, I can do the Truffle Shuffle. Something has to be done about that.
Second, I love music but can't play any myself, which is why I'm buying a bass guitar as soon as money permits. Just playing Beatles Rock Band at Paul's really isn't enough.
Third, I'm going to make more of an effort when it comes to going out. Money shouldn't be a reason not to do something, there are always other things to do.
Fourth, I want to see more of my friends while during term time. Stirling, Dundee and Glasgow really aren't that far away. We haven't made a huge effort before, but that's hopefully going to change. No excuses!
Fifth, Sort out my DVD collection. The fact they're not in order, as crazy as it sounds, is killing me. My live DVDs and TV boxsets are sorted, so it's just the films. But there's a fair few I don't have, because other people have them, so that can wait a while.
Sixth (This is a 10-point plan), I don't know anyone at all from my uni course. Just turning up to lectures and going home again is daft. Not having Graeme in most of my classes next year means I actually need to start talking to people, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Seventh, I'm just going to get fitter in general. Stirling Uni has a pretty cheap gym, and since I'm planning to be there more often anyway, I may as well make of the most of the stuff that's there!
Eighth, I'm going to finally decide what I want to do after I finish my course, and start looking into how I go about doing it.
Ninth, I'm going to go to the cinema more often. I usually wait till films come out on DVD or just watch them online, but it's really not the same as seeing them on the big screen. Scott Pilgrim vs The World won't watch itself.
And finally, Tenth. I'm going to leave this one blank. Because I never know when there's going to be something I need to do.
And in order to start to fulfil point 4, I'm in the process of arranging the five of us to go camping in Callander. I had planned to do it for my birthday, but we were never all available at the same time. So now that we are, I'm not hesitating in getting the ball rolling and actually doing something about it!
In other (way overdue) music news, Muse's cover of Where The Streets Have No Name, with The Edge guesting on guitar, is probably one the best covers I've ever heard. Muse have had a great history of covers for me, since they recorded The Smiths' Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, and The Animals' House of the Rising Sun. This just adds to my list of favourite covers.
Also, on lookalike business, doesn't STV News' John Mackay look like the poor man's Alec Baldwin?
Darren out, saying I know there's got to be another level!
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Now playing: MuteMath - Typical
via FoxyTunes
Men Who Hate Women...
...is the original Swedish title for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the best thing to come from Sweden since IKEA. After reading the books, I had wanted to go and see the adaptation, and because I had just missed it, had to wait until the BD came out yesterday And having finished it this morning, it's safe to say it's among the best book to film adaptations I've seen, and I have seen a fair few. Aye, sure, an entire subplot or two gets cut, but they're not vital and would probably do more harm than good, were they actually in the film. It's over two and a half hours, so to be honest, I reckon it'd add a fair bit to an already very long film.
I'm still unconvinced by the impending remake in 2012 though, even if it's going to be directed by David Fincher. The guy's fantastic, see Zodiac and Fight Club for prime examples, but I've always been against remakes, and it's very rarely that they work out. It's just an easy way for studios to make money by building on an already successful film and just squeeze out as much money as possible from it. Michael Haneke directed a film called Funny Games a few years ago, and last year, made an almost shot-for-shot remake in English. Sure, he'll have his own artistic reason behind it, but is watching a film with subtitles really so bloody hard? I do it anyway, even if the film's in English (force of habit), but I love watching foreign films. Oldboy, The Lives of Others, Goodbye Lenin, A Prophet, The Baader Meinhof Complex and JCVD are all in other languages, and having to read from subtitles doesn't detract from the film at all. If anything, it makes you pay more attention to it. Plus, watching a film that's been dubbed into English annoys me, mainly because it's just weird to see.
And away from rantsville and on to happier reports that I'm right back into Arcade Fire again. Since I usually listen certain types of music at one point and pretty much ignore everything else on my iPod, it's only been a week or so since Arcade Fire held that position, and they're back again. Quite rightly too, since they're... aye, I'll say it. The best band of the last 10 years. The new album's out a week on Monday, so I recommend you get it. From the songs I've heard, with The Suburbs being my favourite, it's going to be just as good as the first two albums, which is a very tall order!
Also, I've been listening to my records again after a few weeks away. I don't know why exactly, but I just feel better listening to the crackle, when I put the needle onto the vinyl. Maybe it's because I know what's coming after. Spending nearly £20 on Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures was totally worth it...
Darren out, saying I've been looking for a guide to come and take me by the hand...
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Now playing: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
via FoxyTunes
I'm still unconvinced by the impending remake in 2012 though, even if it's going to be directed by David Fincher. The guy's fantastic, see Zodiac and Fight Club for prime examples, but I've always been against remakes, and it's very rarely that they work out. It's just an easy way for studios to make money by building on an already successful film and just squeeze out as much money as possible from it. Michael Haneke directed a film called Funny Games a few years ago, and last year, made an almost shot-for-shot remake in English. Sure, he'll have his own artistic reason behind it, but is watching a film with subtitles really so bloody hard? I do it anyway, even if the film's in English (force of habit), but I love watching foreign films. Oldboy, The Lives of Others, Goodbye Lenin, A Prophet, The Baader Meinhof Complex and JCVD are all in other languages, and having to read from subtitles doesn't detract from the film at all. If anything, it makes you pay more attention to it. Plus, watching a film that's been dubbed into English annoys me, mainly because it's just weird to see.
And away from rantsville and on to happier reports that I'm right back into Arcade Fire again. Since I usually listen certain types of music at one point and pretty much ignore everything else on my iPod, it's only been a week or so since Arcade Fire held that position, and they're back again. Quite rightly too, since they're... aye, I'll say it. The best band of the last 10 years. The new album's out a week on Monday, so I recommend you get it. From the songs I've heard, with The Suburbs being my favourite, it's going to be just as good as the first two albums, which is a very tall order!
Also, I've been listening to my records again after a few weeks away. I don't know why exactly, but I just feel better listening to the crackle, when I put the needle onto the vinyl. Maybe it's because I know what's coming after. Spending nearly £20 on Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures was totally worth it...
Darren out, saying I've been looking for a guide to come and take me by the hand...
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Now playing: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday 20 July 2010
This Blog Is Dedicated To The Thousands Of Air Traffic Controllers Who Keep Our Planes Landing Safely Every Day.
Firstly, let me explain the title. Last night, Paul, Calum and I watched Ground Control, a (pardon my French here) fucking horrible film, in which Kiefer Sutherland has to guide a plane on to a runway, and the suspense of the film is created because it's a bit windy and the airport is going through budget cuts. Seriously. Even though he's only in it for five minutes, The Fonz is the highlight of the film, and also saves the day, because he pulls a giant bird out of a satellite dish. That's all it took to help the plane land. Pulling a bird off a dish. Also, the film's writers obviously couldn't decide whether Jack Bauer was going to pump the new air traffic controller woman or not, because the dialogue between two altered between patronisation, damsel in distress-ness, cheeky flirting, air traffic control facts and (not strictly dialogue, but worth a mention) Bauer doing his sad face, which looks like someone who's been told Santa, The Tooth Fairy, The Easter Bunny and Jesus don't exist at the same time, all while taking a massive dump.The writers must have been off their tits on horse tranquilisers or something to think this would be a successful film. I looked it up. It wasn't.
Sadly, I knew a lot of the cast from other things, Jack Bauer obviously playing as himself in 24, his mentor-slash-friend was in Collateral and Timecop, and the obligatory prickish air traffic controller who becomes nice at the end after Jack Bauer faces his fears and doesn't let another plane crash (oh aye, he got sacked after he couldn't stop a plane crashing before, but comes back because the airport can't afford anyone else) plays someone called Wilson in House. I haven't seen it, but I do recognise the guy. Also, the guy who did the voice of Roger Rabbit goes mental with a golf club.
Anyway, don't ever watch this film. It's so bad, you can't even take the piss, because it's just so poorly written, the one (can't tell if it's deliberately) funny part involves the Fonz's dumbass assistant, flicking switches like he's gone into a huff at not being allowed to watch Spongebob Squarepants.
So onto other things, and I'd like to take the time out to urge you all to watch 30 Rock, sad thing is I'm only aware of one person I know that watches it! I'm currently on Season 3, and trying to catch up before Season 5 starts in September, along with The Office, still among the best shows of all time.
Either way, I've also pretty much given up of that whole Collaboration thing, was quite clearly a massive fail, so I might just take it down soon, unless I get any last minute points.
Here's your checklist for the week:
Listen to In Case of Fire and Vampire Weekend (last-minute addition - 'cause they're beastin)
Watch 30 Rock (preferably from the start)
Don't watch Ground Control. EVER.
Darren out, saying me and my cousins and you and your cousins, it's a line that's always running...
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Now playing: Vampire Weekend - Cousins
via FoxyTunes
Sadly, I knew a lot of the cast from other things, Jack Bauer obviously playing as himself in 24, his mentor-slash-friend was in Collateral and Timecop, and the obligatory prickish air traffic controller who becomes nice at the end after Jack Bauer faces his fears and doesn't let another plane crash (oh aye, he got sacked after he couldn't stop a plane crashing before, but comes back because the airport can't afford anyone else) plays someone called Wilson in House. I haven't seen it, but I do recognise the guy. Also, the guy who did the voice of Roger Rabbit goes mental with a golf club.
Anyway, don't ever watch this film. It's so bad, you can't even take the piss, because it's just so poorly written, the one (can't tell if it's deliberately) funny part involves the Fonz's dumbass assistant, flicking switches like he's gone into a huff at not being allowed to watch Spongebob Squarepants.
So onto other things, and I'd like to take the time out to urge you all to watch 30 Rock, sad thing is I'm only aware of one person I know that watches it! I'm currently on Season 3, and trying to catch up before Season 5 starts in September, along with The Office, still among the best shows of all time.
Either way, I've also pretty much given up of that whole Collaboration thing, was quite clearly a massive fail, so I might just take it down soon, unless I get any last minute points.
Here's your checklist for the week:
Listen to In Case of Fire and Vampire Weekend (last-minute addition - 'cause they're beastin)
Watch 30 Rock (preferably from the start)
Don't watch Ground Control. EVER.
Darren out, saying me and my cousins and you and your cousins, it's a line that's always running...
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Now playing: Vampire Weekend - Cousins
via FoxyTunes
Monday 19 July 2010
Football Manager: A Tale of Highs, Lows and Curses (With Some Other Stuff Too)
Today, I felt like writing a gaming post, which I've not done in a long while.
For the last couple of months, my life has been consumed by Sports Interactive's finest, Football Manager. As the time I've spent playing it's nearing ever closer to 8 days, I think it's time to reflect on my four seasons so far as manager of Werder Bremen, which has been a mixed bag, to say the least...
2008-09 (I'm playing FM 2009)
League - 1st
German Cup - Knocked out (3rd Round - Dortmund)
Europa League - Winner (At. Madrid)
Top Scorer - Vagner Love - 41
2009-10
League - 1st
German Cup - Knocked out (Qtr Final - Leverkusen)
Champions League - Runner up (Man. Utd)
Top Scorer - Vagner Love - 47
2010-11
League - 1st
German Cup - Knocked out (Qtr final - Leverkusen)
Champions League - Runner up (Arsenal)
Top Scorer - Gennediy Shumanskiy - 34
2011-12
League - 1st
German Cup - Winner (Stuttgart)
Champions League - Runner up (Real Madrid)
Top Scorer - Vagner Love - 38
So league-wise, aye, I'm beastin', but it's like I'm cursed in Europe. I only one the Europa League because of a disallowed goal, and I've lost in 3 consecutive Champions League finals. Also, after only winning the German Cup for the first time last season, I had lost the the eventual winner each time before...
For recommending players to sign, I'm just going to say players Graeme Kelly (THANK YOU) told me to sign along with ones I've found myself:
Vagner Love, Miralem Pjanic, Darijo Srna, Juan Manuel Vargas, Ivan Marcano, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, Rene Adler (Never signed but a bloody good keeper), Giuseppe Rossi and countless youth players that don't actually exist who I've managed to sell off at a tidy profit.
So I'm on my second week of game time with my fifth season at Bremen, and hopefully I might actually win the damn Champions League!
And in other really exciting news, I arranged all my CDs in alphabetical order, all 80 or so, which may not be as many as I'd like, but it still took bloody ages to sort! You know you really have too much time on your hands when you're debating whether to sort them by the name of the band, the name of the album, or the year it was recorded. (I went with the band order, for those interested, who I hope will be none of you...) Next challenge: 30-odd PS3 games and Blurays, then onto the 150-ish DVDs. Good thing I'm not working till Friday...
I'm also having a massive Queen-gasm today, after I found my dad's CD downstairs (I bought him it, so tough, I'm keeping it). Absolute Greatest indeed. How I didn't have this before, I'll never know. I mean, I've always loved Queen, I just looked to hear new things before buying any Queen albums, I suppose!
Also, I was looking through old posts (look at the "Supergroups" post to find a horrible aspect of my musical past which I was sure I had erased all mention of...) and I came across a band I had seen live once. Their name is In Case of Fire, they're from Northern Ireland, and think of them as a cross between Muse (but less dramatic), Queens of the Stone Age and Biffy Clyro. I found their album on Spotify today, and it reminded me how good they were at T last year.
Anyway, I'm off for a night of giving blood, watching questionable movies and Baileys on the rocks with Mr Kelly and Mr MacInnes!
Darren out, saying open your eyes, look up to the skies and see...
----------------
Now playing: In Case Of Fire - This Time We Stand
via FoxyTunes
For the last couple of months, my life has been consumed by Sports Interactive's finest, Football Manager. As the time I've spent playing it's nearing ever closer to 8 days, I think it's time to reflect on my four seasons so far as manager of Werder Bremen, which has been a mixed bag, to say the least...
2008-09 (I'm playing FM 2009)
League - 1st
German Cup - Knocked out (3rd Round - Dortmund)
Europa League - Winner (At. Madrid)
Top Scorer - Vagner Love - 41
2009-10
League - 1st
German Cup - Knocked out (Qtr Final - Leverkusen)
Champions League - Runner up (Man. Utd)
Top Scorer - Vagner Love - 47
2010-11
League - 1st
German Cup - Knocked out (Qtr final - Leverkusen)
Champions League - Runner up (Arsenal)
Top Scorer - Gennediy Shumanskiy - 34
2011-12
League - 1st
German Cup - Winner (Stuttgart)
Champions League - Runner up (Real Madrid)
Top Scorer - Vagner Love - 38
So league-wise, aye, I'm beastin', but it's like I'm cursed in Europe. I only one the Europa League because of a disallowed goal, and I've lost in 3 consecutive Champions League finals. Also, after only winning the German Cup for the first time last season, I had lost the the eventual winner each time before...
For recommending players to sign, I'm just going to say players Graeme Kelly (THANK YOU) told me to sign along with ones I've found myself:
Vagner Love, Miralem Pjanic, Darijo Srna, Juan Manuel Vargas, Ivan Marcano, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, Rene Adler (Never signed but a bloody good keeper), Giuseppe Rossi and countless youth players that don't actually exist who I've managed to sell off at a tidy profit.
So I'm on my second week of game time with my fifth season at Bremen, and hopefully I might actually win the damn Champions League!
And in other really exciting news, I arranged all my CDs in alphabetical order, all 80 or so, which may not be as many as I'd like, but it still took bloody ages to sort! You know you really have too much time on your hands when you're debating whether to sort them by the name of the band, the name of the album, or the year it was recorded. (I went with the band order, for those interested, who I hope will be none of you...) Next challenge: 30-odd PS3 games and Blurays, then onto the 150-ish DVDs. Good thing I'm not working till Friday...
I'm also having a massive Queen-gasm today, after I found my dad's CD downstairs (I bought him it, so tough, I'm keeping it). Absolute Greatest indeed. How I didn't have this before, I'll never know. I mean, I've always loved Queen, I just looked to hear new things before buying any Queen albums, I suppose!
Also, I was looking through old posts (look at the "Supergroups" post to find a horrible aspect of my musical past which I was sure I had erased all mention of...) and I came across a band I had seen live once. Their name is In Case of Fire, they're from Northern Ireland, and think of them as a cross between Muse (but less dramatic), Queens of the Stone Age and Biffy Clyro. I found their album on Spotify today, and it reminded me how good they were at T last year.
Anyway, I'm off for a night of giving blood, watching questionable movies and Baileys on the rocks with Mr Kelly and Mr MacInnes!
Darren out, saying open your eyes, look up to the skies and see...
----------------
Now playing: In Case Of Fire - This Time We Stand
via FoxyTunes
Sunday 18 July 2010
The Post Where I Recommend Stuff (Without Imposing At All)
Like the title says, this is the one where I recommend stuff to you all, because these things deserved to be read, seen and listened to.
I'll put it into categories, so it's better organised, like eh? Ken?
Comics
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life - Bryan Lee O'Malley
And not just because the film's out next month. The first (in a series of 6) is among the best things I've ever read, and I'm making a strong statement here - it's a better book than The Dark Knight Returns, which is still goddamn epic!
Scott Pilgrim vs The World - Bryan Lee O'Malley
This book, the second, is just as good as the first. Just so you know, the film's based on all 6 books
Batman: Year One - Frank Miller
A Frank Miller-written origin story, part of this was the basis for Batman Begins, and it shows. Fantastic art, well-written and a great read.
Kick-Ass - Mark Millar
Epic. 'Nuff said, really!
Civil War - Mark Millar
It's not the greatest-written comic series I've read, but that fact that it has near enough all of the great Marvel characters in it, the art is fantastic, and the fact that a very fecking MAJOR character dies in the series is a lure enough!
Books
The Millenium Trilogy:
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
Hands down, the best series of books I have ever read. Mikael Blomkvist works wonders as a likeable bastard, whereas Lisbeth Salander is among the best characters I've had the pleasure of reading about. The books have recently been adapted, and although I've only seen the first, the performances completely do the books justice.
The Sicilian - Mario Puzo
This, a semi-sequel to The Godfather, sees Michael Corleone during his time in Sicily, after he went there to hide after killing Captain McCluskey. Despite this, it's also based on Turi Giuliano, an Robin Hood-style bandit in Sicily. Fantastic book, even better than the first. Shame the adaptation (a TV film, I think,) sucked!
Films
There are so many of these, I'm not going to describe them. Take them all to be awesome. In no particular order...
Control - Anton Corbijn
The Damned United - Tom Hooper
The Big Lebowski - The Coen Brothers
Back To The Future - Robert Zemeckis
Terminator 2 - James Cameron
Hellboy - Guillermo Del Toro
Training Day - Antoine Fuqua
X-Men 2 - Bryan Singer
Goodfellas - Martin Scorsese
The Departed - Martin Scorsese
Star Trek - The Wrath of Khan - Nicholas Meyer
(500) Days of Summer - Marc Webb
In Bruges - Martin McDonagh
Layer Cake - Matthew Vaughn
Kick-Ass - Matthew Vaughn
The Princess Bride - Rob Reiner
This Is Spinal Tap - Rob Reiner
Mean Girls - Tina Fey - Not joking, I actually love this film!
The Lives of Others - Florian Henkel von Donnersmark
Zombieland - Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese
Goodbye! Lenin - Wolfgang Becker
Adventureland - Greg Mottola
The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Chris Weitz (I am, of course, kidding!)
RocknRolla - Guy Ritchie
Seven Samurai - Akira Kurosawa, and finally...
EVERY FILM PIXAR HAS EVER MADE
Also, some Music: (NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
The Beatles
U2
LCD Soundsystem
Daft Punk
Arcade Fire
Queen
Lamb of God
Metallica
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Joy Division
The Smiths
The Gaslight Anthem
Pearl Jam
Led Zeppelin
Fleetwood Mac
Nirvana
Paramore (ALSO JOKING)
The Stone Roses
The Doors
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
David Bowie
Queens of the Stone Age
Nine Inch Nails
Justice
Vampire Weekend
The Strokes
Elbow
Mumford and Sons
Coldplay and
Alice In Chains
This probably won't be them all, but it's a fair bit.
So guys, listen, read, watch and enjoy! Ask me to borrow something if need be, not a problem...
Darren out, saying my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!
I'll put it into categories, so it's better organised, like eh? Ken?
Comics
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life - Bryan Lee O'Malley
And not just because the film's out next month. The first (in a series of 6) is among the best things I've ever read, and I'm making a strong statement here - it's a better book than The Dark Knight Returns, which is still goddamn epic!
Scott Pilgrim vs The World - Bryan Lee O'Malley
This book, the second, is just as good as the first. Just so you know, the film's based on all 6 books
Batman: Year One - Frank Miller
A Frank Miller-written origin story, part of this was the basis for Batman Begins, and it shows. Fantastic art, well-written and a great read.
Kick-Ass - Mark Millar
Epic. 'Nuff said, really!
Civil War - Mark Millar
It's not the greatest-written comic series I've read, but that fact that it has near enough all of the great Marvel characters in it, the art is fantastic, and the fact that a very fecking MAJOR character dies in the series is a lure enough!
Books
The Millenium Trilogy:
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
Hands down, the best series of books I have ever read. Mikael Blomkvist works wonders as a likeable bastard, whereas Lisbeth Salander is among the best characters I've had the pleasure of reading about. The books have recently been adapted, and although I've only seen the first, the performances completely do the books justice.
The Sicilian - Mario Puzo
This, a semi-sequel to The Godfather, sees Michael Corleone during his time in Sicily, after he went there to hide after killing Captain McCluskey. Despite this, it's also based on Turi Giuliano, an Robin Hood-style bandit in Sicily. Fantastic book, even better than the first. Shame the adaptation (a TV film, I think,) sucked!
Films
There are so many of these, I'm not going to describe them. Take them all to be awesome. In no particular order...
Control - Anton Corbijn
The Damned United - Tom Hooper
The Big Lebowski - The Coen Brothers
Back To The Future - Robert Zemeckis
Terminator 2 - James Cameron
Hellboy - Guillermo Del Toro
Training Day - Antoine Fuqua
X-Men 2 - Bryan Singer
Goodfellas - Martin Scorsese
The Departed - Martin Scorsese
Star Trek - The Wrath of Khan - Nicholas Meyer
(500) Days of Summer - Marc Webb
In Bruges - Martin McDonagh
Layer Cake - Matthew Vaughn
Kick-Ass - Matthew Vaughn
The Princess Bride - Rob Reiner
This Is Spinal Tap - Rob Reiner
Mean Girls - Tina Fey - Not joking, I actually love this film!
The Lives of Others - Florian Henkel von Donnersmark
Zombieland - Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese
Goodbye! Lenin - Wolfgang Becker
Adventureland - Greg Mottola
The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Chris Weitz (I am, of course, kidding!)
RocknRolla - Guy Ritchie
Seven Samurai - Akira Kurosawa, and finally...
EVERY FILM PIXAR HAS EVER MADE
Also, some Music: (NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
The Beatles
U2
LCD Soundsystem
Daft Punk
Arcade Fire
Queen
Lamb of God
Metallica
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Joy Division
The Smiths
The Gaslight Anthem
Pearl Jam
Led Zeppelin
Fleetwood Mac
Nirvana
Paramore (ALSO JOKING)
The Stone Roses
The Doors
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
David Bowie
Queens of the Stone Age
Nine Inch Nails
Justice
Vampire Weekend
The Strokes
Elbow
Mumford and Sons
Coldplay and
Alice In Chains
This probably won't be them all, but it's a fair bit.
So guys, listen, read, watch and enjoy! Ask me to borrow something if need be, not a problem...
Darren out, saying my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!
Friday 2 July 2010
A Nation of Collaboration
For a while, I've wanted to try something out, but never really had the chance/ couldn't be bothered at the time. But now I may as well...
You see the wee text box at the left there? If you so wish, write something, anything you like in there. In an ideal world, discussions would run free, I'd get blog critiques/ idea suggestions, and other random things people might want to say. In an ideal world, of course. If nothing comes of it, fair enough, all aboard the fail boat for this experiment of mine, but it's worth a go at least.
If you feel like writing something, go ahead. I've started this, the rest is up to you...
Darren out, saying sometimes I can't believe it, I'm moving past the feeling...
----------------
Now playing: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
via FoxyTunes
You see the wee text box at the left there? If you so wish, write something, anything you like in there. In an ideal world, discussions would run free, I'd get blog critiques/ idea suggestions, and other random things people might want to say. In an ideal world, of course. If nothing comes of it, fair enough, all aboard the fail boat for this experiment of mine, but it's worth a go at least.
If you feel like writing something, go ahead. I've started this, the rest is up to you...
Darren out, saying sometimes I can't believe it, I'm moving past the feeling...
----------------
Now playing: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
via FoxyTunes
Thursday 1 July 2010
The Month Of June: Highs, Lows, Tunks, A Turntable And A 67p Profit
First off, after 2 months of not writing a word, apologies for not stuffing the Internet full of crap earlier... Well I'm back now, and before I head off to an Internet-free flat in Dundee for 2 weeks, I'll go over some shizz while I can!
If you weren't aware already, I was in London twice last month, seeing two of the greatest bands around today - Rage Against The Machine (Sunday 6th) and Pearl Jam (Friday 25th). My God, Rage was awesome. The crowd were fantastic, if not especially cramped together: trying to escape the crush earned myself an elbow in the face, so you win some, you lose some. Even the support was rather nifty, Gogol Bordello, the self-styled "gypsy punks" put on almost as good a show as Rage, and even Roots Manuva, fair play to him, was one of the very few acceptable rappers. The DJs in between Roots and Gogol though, horrific. Bottled off stage. Good riddance.
Rage covered The Clash, which was impressive, if not surprising, and their set was packed with the favourites and a couple of unexpected songs, Township Rebellion being one. At least his speech about those naughty characters in Israel was pretty short and sweet - more time for the moshin'! (Sorry, I couldn't resist. I wouldn't actually seriously say that...)
Rage Against the Machine Concert Setlist at Finsbury Park, London on June 6, 2010 | setlist.fm
In between both trips, Asda came to occupy most of my time, while having to lug boxes on my days off. The reward was entirely worth it, mind you...
Pearl Jam was probably the second best gig I've ever seen in my life - nothing will ever top Springsteen - but they came damn close. They didn't cover The Beatles, but Pink Floyd will do!
Pearl Jam Concert Setlist at Hard Rock Calling, London on June 25, 2010 | setlist.fm
Oh yeah, I also went to Abbey Road, got to walk on the crossing. Beastin'. (That I DID mean to say)
For the trip, and everything else, hefty grateful. Ta, K.
What did suck though, is that the week before London/Birthday, my mum and dad split up. Wasn't easy to deal with, and it was tough at first, but I'll over it now, and I'll live, always do.
And now to happier points - My 19th! Kirstie, Rachael, Paul, Calum, Caz, Sarah, Kev, Graham and Claire, cheers for an awesome night of drinks, questionable music and minor gambling - I won 67p! Upon my return back home, I got DJ Hero from my mum and dad. So much fun, by the way, if you can live with looking like an utter dick for 5 minutes at a time.
Also, I bought the Kick-Ass comic book while I was in Fundee, and I urge you all to read it, and also start to use the word "TUNK." It's the male equivalent of the C-word. Slip it in conversation, spread the word...
So that's June out of the way, and I leave you with the promise of more frequent writing.
Darren out, saying anybody can be cool, but awesome takes practice...
----------------
Now playing: Radiohead - Just
via FoxyTunes
If you weren't aware already, I was in London twice last month, seeing two of the greatest bands around today - Rage Against The Machine (Sunday 6th) and Pearl Jam (Friday 25th). My God, Rage was awesome. The crowd were fantastic, if not especially cramped together: trying to escape the crush earned myself an elbow in the face, so you win some, you lose some. Even the support was rather nifty, Gogol Bordello, the self-styled "gypsy punks" put on almost as good a show as Rage, and even Roots Manuva, fair play to him, was one of the very few acceptable rappers. The DJs in between Roots and Gogol though, horrific. Bottled off stage. Good riddance.
Rage covered The Clash, which was impressive, if not surprising, and their set was packed with the favourites and a couple of unexpected songs, Township Rebellion being one. At least his speech about those naughty characters in Israel was pretty short and sweet - more time for the moshin'! (Sorry, I couldn't resist. I wouldn't actually seriously say that...)
Rage Against the Machine Concert Setlist at Finsbury Park, London on June 6, 2010 | setlist.fm
In between both trips, Asda came to occupy most of my time, while having to lug boxes on my days off. The reward was entirely worth it, mind you...
Pearl Jam was probably the second best gig I've ever seen in my life - nothing will ever top Springsteen - but they came damn close. They didn't cover The Beatles, but Pink Floyd will do!
Pearl Jam Concert Setlist at Hard Rock Calling, London on June 25, 2010 | setlist.fm
Oh yeah, I also went to Abbey Road, got to walk on the crossing. Beastin'. (That I DID mean to say)
For the trip, and everything else, hefty grateful. Ta, K.
What did suck though, is that the week before London/Birthday, my mum and dad split up. Wasn't easy to deal with, and it was tough at first, but I'll over it now, and I'll live, always do.
And now to happier points - My 19th! Kirstie, Rachael, Paul, Calum, Caz, Sarah, Kev, Graham and Claire, cheers for an awesome night of drinks, questionable music and minor gambling - I won 67p! Upon my return back home, I got DJ Hero from my mum and dad. So much fun, by the way, if you can live with looking like an utter dick for 5 minutes at a time.
Also, I bought the Kick-Ass comic book while I was in Fundee, and I urge you all to read it, and also start to use the word "TUNK." It's the male equivalent of the C-word. Slip it in conversation, spread the word...
So that's June out of the way, and I leave you with the promise of more frequent writing.
Darren out, saying anybody can be cool, but awesome takes practice...
----------------
Now playing: Radiohead - Just
via FoxyTunes
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