Films and things…

Written by neil on January 27, 2008 at 10:04 am in Uncategorized

…Been quite a busy week film wise, went to see No Country for Old men, the new Cohn brothers film in the week, and really enjoyed it. It has the spirit of Fargo, but not quite as funny (although Kermode says it gets funnier on the second and third viewings!). A strange ambigious end that was not satisfying, but again on a second watching it may make more sense. Despite that I really like it.

Have been watching a fair bit of Japanese Anime recently, and this week it was My Neigbour Totoro, which is really sweet (although Ivonne was not so sure about it) but Spirited Away and Kikis Delivery Service are still my favourite so far.

Last night we watched Master and Commander with Dennis and Lucia, so Dennis can finally stop saying that I must watch it (I did enjoy it actually!)

Finally here are so pictures from Monday, when I went out on the Estuary with my Dad and a boat full of bird watchers. We saw Avocets, a Great Northern Diver (rare in these parts), Curlew and lots of other things that have slipped my mind at the moment! A great day out though, and the weather was much better than when we went last year!

Exe Estaury RSPB 2008

Exe Estaury RSPB 2008

Exe Estaury RSPB 2008

Exe Estaury RSPB 2008

It is not every day…

Written by neil on January 26, 2008 at 4:09 pm in Uncategorized

…that you see a man in the High street eating Cheerios dry from the box.

but today was my day.

Wales…

Written by neil on January 23, 2008 at 3:24 pm in Uncategorized

…So it was off to Wales at the weekend for Daves party, had a really good time and Brian Houston was just amazing, I dare not think how much it costs to book him, but it was worth every penny! Also great to meet up with old friends and sample an afternoon of Welsh life!

Brian Houston Daves Party
Brian, and his shadow.

Tom Tom rain Wales
Tom, guiding us through the rain.

Severn bridge M4
The second Severn crossing, in the mist.

Another week…

Written by neil on January 19, 2008 at 10:39 am in Uncategorized

…My updating of this blog is getting sporadic, and for that I am sorry! This week has been fairly busy, have been buried in a mound of newspapers because I have been buying one every day to get the free Greek Myth booklets Not quite had enough time to read all the papers though, but cannot bear to throw papers out until I have at least flicked through them…

Had 2 pub meals this week, watched various Eddie Izzard DVDs, and went to friends for German style supper. Today we are off to Wales for a belated Birthday “Concert”… in fact there may well be a few wibloggers there, so see you tonight!

The Kite Runner…

Written by neil on January 13, 2008 at 3:31 pm in Uncategorized

…I went to see The Kite Runner in the week. The story revolves around two schoolboy friends in Afganastan, and deals with many political and social issues in the region. It is a small stry with big themes, and although I mostly liked it for some reason (blame Dreamworks I guess) there was an odd use of CGI at the very start and in the middle of the film that did not fit the tone of the film. Trimming this out would have made the film just the right length and imporoved the flow of the story greatly – despite that it is still worth seeing!

Early day motion…

Written by neil on January 10, 2008 at 10:17 pm in Uncategorized

666

Funny names…

Written by neil on January 9, 2008 at 5:53 pm in Uncategorized

Some names are just funny, take these names from yesterdays letters page in The Guardian.

Richard Aldwinckle (Yes, that’s “Dick” to his friends)

Professor Muffy Calder

and finally Philip Broklehurst, which is not all that funny, but he lives in Yellowwedge Cheese, Twickenham.

Year to date…

Written by neil on January 6, 2008 at 11:28 am in Uncategorized

Nearly a week into the new year and it has felt busy already. Work has been manic with people opening new accounts, a combination of good rates, people anticipating a drop in interest rates, and good intentions of saving in the new year.

New years eve was a great affair at Dennis’ house, some photos can be found here, many glasses of wine were drunk, and we were all asked to bring a piece of music, a film clip and a reading. Selections were as eclectic as Elton John, Ogden Nash, Betjeman, Kill Bill, The Rutles and Dr Seuss.

We have also played poker in the pub, bought large amounts of cheese at Aldi, taken down the decorations, watched all the many things we taped over Christmas and been playing with my new MP3 player.

Worst films watched in 2007…

Written by neil on January 2, 2008 at 7:49 pm in Uncategorized

…Here are the worst films I watched on DVD in 2007..

10. Syriana Confusingly confusing
9. Lemming Trying to be hip and indie but just fails to entertain
8. Flirting with Disaster A real disaster of a movie
7. The Weatherman So dull I can barely remember it
6. Confederate States of America Satire without the funny bits
5. Punch Drunk Love Quirky to the exclusion of quality or plot
4. Dazed and Confused Dumb kids doing dumb things, not clever or funny
3. The Lake House Drivel in the purest sense of the word
2. Lady in the Water A fantasy tale, the fantasy being that we care less about this fantasy world
1. Borat Everyone laughed other than me, surely this type of humour ceases being funny when you become 13?

2007 into 2008…

Written by neil on January 1, 2008 at 6:10 pm in Uncategorized

…so in 2007 I …

Moved House
Changed Job
Saw my first Proms concert
Went to 3 weddings
Got a new laptop
Got a new TV
Read 7 Books (pitiful, I know!)
Bought 6 albums (yes, thats all)
Discovered Pandora Radio on the net
Listened to countless podcasts
Watched 33 Films in the cinema
Watched 57 films on DVD
Presented 6 hours of local radio
Rediscovered Cider
Subcribed to Classic FM magazine
Resigned twice
Ran a half marathon…

in 2008 I hope to…

Read more
Visit Germany
Save some money
Become a morning person
Think more
See more local bands/musicians