My 100th Post

This marks my 100th post. I'm sorry if this feels like a long time in coming; I have, it has been noted, reluctantly overseen my blog from time to time. I started almost exactly four months ago, and it has been a very interesting experiment. The key to a successful blog is frequent updates, as exemplified by the workaholics, Amanda and Bryan. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey into the blogosphere, enough so to make me continue in the new year, perhaps donning a new look and possibly a pretentious wikipedia page too. From here until the end of 2007, I wish you all the best, for I must leave you now as I have arrangements to undertake and relationships to nurture, particularly that of my neglected girlfriend. And so, I hope you have enjoyed my forays with music, film, literature, and the quasi-intellectual, politically redundant rants that, if I may say so myself, have defined this blog. Perhaps I will branch out and let others hold the all-important password to update this site, who knows what the new year will bring. Thank you.

More on music...

More relevant music news for us to devour. Led Zep have done the Othello thing and decided to play a stupidly small venue for one night only. That does remind me of a certain band...a band which, coincidentally, were cleverly interviewed by the Observer/fans about their latest, In Rainbows; I'm sure you remember my repeated dedications.

Declan de Barra

You heard it here first, Declan de Barra is the new Damien Rice. This may sound like a fawning testament of sequestrial awe, but, as my friends and family would testify, I do not say this lightly. Dealing with issues like relationships, travel, long-distance love, immigration, unwanted pregnancy, and general discontent, he's playing right into my hands. What's more, this isn't off-the-cuff lyricism, this is poetry. Supported by a harmonic voice and simple melodies this guy will go places. If you needed proof, this video speaks for itself.

BBC in Deep Holy Water

The BBC have found themselves once again at the centre of controversy. This time, however it's not for misleading the masses, but rather, for supposedly impressing upon the masses. Firstly, they've been cleared for airing Jerry Springer The Opera on television, and secondly, they've been forced to apologise for 'insulting Islam' on the radio. this is all very interesting because it highlights a point that needs contention. One wonders what would have happened had the Jerry Springer Opera centered around Mohammed rather than Jesus, and the radio broadcaster called a dog Jesus rather than Mohammed. Is this showing respect for religion or is it showing fear of Islam? Islamophobia? Ask yourself that question.

The Atrocity Ends

It appears the Gillian Gibbons case has come to a somewhat successful conclusion; we've been reminded of the religious recidivation of Islam and the infuriatingly passive stance of our laissez-faire, 'respectful' government. At least reason, logic, sense, and discussion prevailed over atavism. As I initially noted, it did become an 'us against them' scenario where the turmoils of a dilapidated country were seen in the true light of day behind a thinning veil of oppressive superstition. Unsurprisingly, Gordon Brown had little to say on the matter, whilst my arch-nemesis, David Milliband, seems to have come up trumps. Funnily enough, Bryan has grown ever vocal over Gordon Brown's reign and made it very clear that he doesn't like the man; "the more he does", he says, "the worse he gets". This may be the first time that I've covered a news story that has grown to dominate our news agenda (it even featured on the US news networks for a brief period of time), but don't worry, I'll revert back to the insignificant cusps of intrigue in no time.

I'm Back

My tiny excursion to Austin, Texas has come to an end, and I'm pleased to report that my endeavors went well and I'm all too glad to expand my American experience; Austin is equivocal to towns like Loughborough or Bath, centered around a university campus where the only ulterior high-rise buildings mainly crop up as hotels. I was pleased to note that Texas isn't necessarily the detached quasi-nation that other Americans have come to view it as. Granted, the architecture is decades old and visibly stagnant, but the culture is far from regressive. I was disappointed not to have more opportunity to explore and search, but such is the life of a student.