Friday 30 January 2009

Super Bowl Sunday



Of all the US Sports that have invaded our shores over the years, the one I truly have time for is American Football. (I won't be drawn into any discussions over the use of the term 'soccer' or the common grievance we British have with the fact that the 'foot' is hardly used at all - Rugby, which I also enjoy as it happens, is often called 'Rugby Football', yet many of this games fans overlook the fact when grumbling about the American use of the term.)

As a child of the 80's I grew up at a time when American Football was in the midst of its greatest period of popularity here in Blighty. There was even a spin off league, the inappropriately named 'World League' (latterly 'NFL Europe') which catered for an English team, admittedly still construed of American, NFL rejects. They were called the 'London Monarchs' - a more cringeworthy name would be hard to find - but I didn't care, they were my team.

I would regularly go to their games at the old Wembley and I remember vividly the day they won the inaugural World Bowl in 1991. To this day I still haven't seen a football match at the famous stadium, old or new.

Normally I'm adverse to the over Americanisation of our culture, following the Libertines mantra of there being, "few more distressing sights than that/Of an Englishman in a baseball cap." With American Football though, I have to make an exception.

To those who don't have time for it, it's a nonsense - "All those pads, the stopping and starting, I can't understand it." I've heard it many a time, but when you look closer you begin to see the incredible tactical and strategic nature of the game. Each play is designed with sophistication, every player has their role, their movement intended to create space or cause confusion - it's wonderful!!

Then of course there's the aesthetic. It's thrilling to watch a long pass down field, ball spiralling tightly into the arms of a diving receiver, or a running back ducking and weaving behind his blockers, paving the way for him to sprint up field. Yes it's stop start but each play is a short sharp burst of action, different but no less strenuous on the players than a 90min slog.

***

On Sunday night we see the culmination of the current NFL season as the Arizona Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. It's watched by some 100million people around the world, most probably drawn to the glitz, glamour and sense of occasion, maybe even just the half-time show (practically a stadium gig in its own right).

I just hope though that people can see past all the showmanship because if you're patient and know where to look, you'll find an intriguing chess match is unravelling. A chess match with the odd bit of adrenaline filled action here and there too.

Tuesday 27 January 2009

I Want To Ride My Bicycle


Actually, the title of this post's a little misleading and the image for that matter. I don't want to ride my bicycle, I don't care how many fat-bottomed ladies are coming my way, plus this doesn't have much to do with Oregon. Still you'll get the point.

I've got a bit of a bone to pick with cyclists (well at least the ones who ride around Central London anyway). Their oh so 'holier than thou' approach to navigating the streets of the city is, quite frankly, getting on my tit ends!!!

They grumble about the treatment they get from road traffic and yes, I sympathise. It must be difficult in a city that's choc-a-bloc with vehicles, veering to and fro as if in a desperate attempt to prove chaos theory once and for all.

The trouble is, they undermine any sympathetic impulse by treating pedestrians like the scum at the bottom of the garden pond, the lowest dregs of life, propping up the transportation ecosystem with their tired little legs, too unevolved to contemplate anything as 'fantastical' as a bike.

This morning, as I and my many nameless commuter counterparts exited Cannon Street Station and attempted to cross the road, a female cyclist came speeding along (quite literally I think - she must have been doing over 30mph!) ringing her bell incessantly and shouting, "Get the fuck out the road!"

Now call me forgetful, but I don't remember that kind of behaviour being allowed in the cycling proficiency test! In fact, my mates and I were constantly being chastised for the merest hint of a skid - the signature of teenagers on their BMX's in my day. The examiner would have hit the roof had he heard that kind of language.

Anyway, the point is that I've often seen cyclists behaving just as badly if not worse than their supposed predators on 4 wheels.

I'm sure many adhere diligently to the appropriate etiquette but quite frankly you people are being let down. Any more of this nonsense and expect a pole through your spokes.

Monday 26 January 2009

The Curse of 'The Office'


As anyone who's read my 'Watching' pane on this page page will know, I've been indulging in 'The Office Boxset' over the last week or two. It's been ages since I've watched the series and this weekend I managed to polish off the last couple of episodes.

Its genius goes without saying, not just comedically but dramatically, and the final Christmas Episodes are really quite moving. The only problem is.... I work in an office, well of sorts.

Now every time I pass somebody I hear myself asking them about their weekends and telling them, "Yeah, had a busy one myself this weekend. Two birthday nights out!". I'm one step away from Gareth's "Just the eight pints for me last night then."

Every conversation seems to be like a clip from the show.

-Been in a meeting this morning?
-Yep.
-Good was it?
-Yeah, well, y'know.
Pause
-Right, see you later.
-See you.

Maybe I'm just paranoid or maybe it goes to show how perfectly Gervais and Merchant hit the nail on the head. Either way, I'm thinking of donning my brown leather jacket in to work to make sure people know I'm really, actually quite cool.

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Hope


An historic day it was in Washington yesterday.

Certainly in my lifetime, I don't think there has ever been such devotion towards a western political leader as that we are witnessing to Barack Obama. I'm sure even Nelson Mandela's release wasn't met with such widespread interest.

As Obama's sworn in as American President, the excitement is tangible and, as if to prove a point, he's already shown signs of action on Guantanamo, placing a halt on all trials there. Here's the BBC coverage and Obama's inaugural address.

Put simply, a message of hope.

Tuesday 20 January 2009

The Master

As Ronnie O'Sullivan claims another Masters title here's a clip of a fresh faced Ronnie claiming a 147 maximum break at the World Championships a few years back. The fastest ever recorded.

Watching this you can't fail to appreciate his genius.

Monday 19 January 2009

Film Review - Slumdog Millionaire


****
A fairytale or fable it may be, but 'Slumdog Millionaire' bubbles over with cold, harsh reality belying it's "Feel Good Film of the Decade" tag line.

Jamal Malik finds himself a single correct answer away from the ultimate prize in the now internationally recognised quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" (It's bizarre to see this staple of Saturday night TV utilised as the basis for a feature film - I wonder what Chris Tarrant makes of its Indian incarnation?)

At the crucial moment, the horn blows to signal the end of the show and Jamal, a chai waller born from the slums of Mumbai, is carted of to be interrogated and tortured under suspicion of fraud.

As he explains how the experiences of his youth have led to his unexpected knowledge, we are treated to a sometimes uncomfortable insight into the poverty and corruption rife in the urban shanty towns and ghettos of inner city Mumbai. Children are exploited, the mob rule and young innocents such as Jamal's brother Salim are corrupted by their unforgiving environment.

Ultimately, despite the love interest (throughout Jamal attempts to rescue his beloved Latika from the clutches of various low-life's including his brother) and the rags to riches storyline, this film is predominantly fascinating for its unprecedented insight into Indian culture, it's social poverty and the seedy underbelly masked by the country's new found economic prowess - You can imagine Midge Ure seeing this movie and practically having an apoplexy.

Kudos therefore to Danny Boyle, who has made a film about a foreign land which appeals to its native audience whilst still shedding light on that nations numerous inequities.

It's not a patch on 'Trainspotting' and I'm not sure that Dev Patel's performance warrants the praise it's receiving but unequivocally, this is a film to be praised. Perhaps just for different reasons to those currently proclaimed.

Thursday 15 January 2009

Gaga for Kaka

Kaka, 2007 World Player of the Year, to Man City? The world's gone mad!

Although it seems implausible, the Brazilian joining Manchester's 'other' club may be a possibility after all. Milan would be open to the idea - who could refuse £100m when looking to re-build an ageing team - but surely not the man himself? Surely?

Well, maybe. "He doesn't need the money" we may say, but even the rich find it hard to turn down ever more affluence. One thing's for sure, we now know exactly how far City's backers are willing to go to bring in the finest players. Suddenly Abramovich looks like a lost Russian orphan playing with old coppers found in the street.

Whether it happens or not, it certainly signals the dawn of a new era in the Premier League. Quite what it all means I don't know but if the deal does go through it will certainly undermine one of my recent prophecies. "No transfers of any real significance ever take place in the transfer window", I've heard myself saying on numerous ocassions. Worse still, I also may have made the statement, "If Kaka goes to Man City, I'll eat my bollocks!"

Perhaps I better get out the condiments!

Wednesday 14 January 2009

Is it Bill Bailey?


I've been a fan of Bill Bailey for some time. I was introduced to his work through my mate Ian back when we were still at school. I think it was late nights on BBC2 that his first show - 'Is it Bill Bailey?', a mix of sketches and stand up - brought his musical/comedic riffing to my attention.

I also saw him perform live at The Wimbledon Theatre a couple of years later and have seen recordings of both his 'Part Troll' and 'Tinsleworm' shows (the latter I own on DVD) which are excellent.

Nowadays of course, this kind of comedy is ten a penny with Tenacious D, The Mighty Boosh and Flight of the Concords all mastering the art. But it was before they all came to the fore that those first, half hour Bill Bailey shows were devoured. Captured on VHS, we'd play them back to ourselves, recite lines and sing aloud Bill's comedy take on Chris De Burgh or cockney versions of popular songs.

Maybe it's just because it was a shared memory that I have this rose-tinted perspective but one of my favourite Bill Bailey ditties has always been this tribute to Billy Bragg called 'Unisex Chip Shop'. It's not particularly clever but it always brings a smile to my face.

Obama's first big challenge?

I couldn't help but be intrigued by the current news coming out of Washington regarding the proposed closure of Guantanamo Bay's detention camp.

Barack Obama has already conceded he won't be able to do so within the first 100 days of his Presidency and many campaigners are concerned. Is this the first sign of the US leader-to-be reneging on his election campaign promise to close the infamous camp? A camp notorious for its appalling treatment of detainees and disregard for human rights.

Of course, it's naive to think that it's a simple matter of chucking out the prisoners and locking the gates one final time but it could be an early indicator as to how far Obama will be prepared to go in cutting through the red-tape to achieve his goals.

After all, even the Bush administration said they would have liked to close the camp. The current president-elect will need to find a way of actually doing so.

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Whistle while you work

Second week back after the winter break and I'm still trying to maintain my new, 2009 relaxed outlook on things. It's tough. I swore I'd be more laid back, wouldn't dwell on stresses at work and would generally stick to that old adage of 'work hard, play hard'.

Ironically though, it's the 'play hard' bit that's gone ary. Last Wednesday night's 5-a-side football ended with us on the wrong end of a 10-2 thrashing and then, to top it off, Chelsea got handed a humbling by the auld enemy in Red at the weekend.

Having got back home from what was generally a pretty good day at work yesterday, I was met by the surprise revelation that our insurance company wanted to charge us double the amount for insuring our car this year - we hadn't even made any claims!!

So, strangely enough, the worries I had about returning to work have dissipated, for the time being at least, only to be replaced by issues on the home front (well, I say the home front, really I mean the sporting front and yes, that is just as important). It's always the things you least expect isn't it?

Next I'll be hearing Mickey Rourke's made a comeback!

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Comedy in Motion

The beauty of the BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey is that, unlike most recent sitcoms, it's actually quite an old fashioned family oriented show, perhaps more akin to the likes of 'Only Fools and Horses' than anything that's hit the public consciousness in recent times.

Most importantly, the characters are allowed to breath and we come to really empathise with them, even when they're involved in fairly mundane, everyday activities.

I admit I'm a latecomer to the show, missing most of its first series on BBC3 but still it's a bonafide little gem. Sitcoms can try to be too clever sometimes. This just pitches itself perfectly.

An LP plea

There's something marvellous about sinking into a new album, especially one recorded by an artist new to eager ears. Listening to fresh music always brings a sense of anticipation but the real joy comes from the repeated listens, the moment when a particular melody suddenly imbeds itself unapologetically in the conscience or the recognition of a witty lyric previously unnoticed brings a wry smile.

Gradually, the listener unravels all the delicate nuances of an album initially too numerous to comprehend. It's this period of "getting to know" the music, before overfamiliarity confines it to the virtual shelves of the itunes library, that is the real wonder of the album format.

The best albums, I tend to find, are those that have an overiding theme, not concept albums necessarily but a collection of songs that work in conjunction with each other, their juxtapositon leading the listener on, conveying a message, emotion or condition and eliciting a reaction as all good art should.

***

In the post Christmas voucher spend I've picked up a number albums I've had my eye on for some time. To use a cliche, I'm like a child in a sweetshop, desperately trying to eek out the best value from my weekly pocket money allowance. When listening to a number of new albums at the same time, it's interesting to see which grab your attention first. Inevitably some will over others, but of course this doesn't mean they'll be the ones you're still turning to come February.

In the past, I've been given itunes vouchers as Christmas presents. Whilst grateful, I'm always a little reluctant to spend them knowing I'll miss holding the tangible CD, its artwork, lyric sheet and song listing. I hope the rise of downloads doesn't kill off the album or, even worse, put an end to the physical format altogether, perhaps the more likely. Either would be a great loss.

Tuesday 6 January 2009

Top 5 - Significant Moments of 2008

Barack Obama elected President of the USA.
Lewis Hamilton wins World Championship with pass on the last corner.
The run on Northern Rock - UK's first sign of impending "credit crunch".
Usain Bolt's World Record run in the Olympic 100m Final.
Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross phone Andrew Sachs.

Top 5 - TV Shows of 2008

Gavin & Stacey
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Strictly Come Dancing
The Inbetweeners
QI

Monday 5 January 2009

Top 5 - Films of 2008

WALL-E
Juno
No Country For Old Men
Quantum of Solace
Mamma Mia! (I know, I know, but I'm with Kermode on this one)

Top 5 - Albums of 2008

The Age of the Understatement - The Last Shadow Puppets
Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Oracular Spectacular - MGMT
Glasvegas - Glasvegas