Casting aspersions

So what do you do in the modern age when you want to be creative but are too inept (and possibly too old) to start a band, paint a masterpiece, write a novel or compose a sonnet?.....Well, try your hand at a comedy podcast of course.

It's exciting to be doing this kind of thing, especially when it's with a mate. Gareth, being a life-long learner with a shiny new PhD to his name, suggested we base our podcast around the concept of some form of self-learning, in this case, philosophy.

I've always been interested in philosophy so it seems like a good idea. We create a weekly podcast that's basically about us reading and trying to understand the concepts and it acts as a basis for some comedy (think Ricky Gervais in Animals/Politics/Fame). We're not only being creative (and hopefully funny) but maybe we learn a little about something interesting on the way.

I'm aware of the incredible self indulgence in this, and to be honest, that does make it a little hard for me. Ultimately, we're doing it for our own self righteous reasons, in our own little two man coterie and I do wonder whether it makes us a) arrogant b) pompous and c) pretentious wankers.

However, I'm game for the lark as they say, and as long as I keep these, lets call them danger areas, in mind I think it should be a good laugh and actually quite rewarding. After all we're self confessed 'dummies' on the subject so not exactly trying to prove anything to anyone.

Besides, if people let this kind of self wrangling get to them, they'd never achieve anything and ultimately, whatever the outcome/perception, there is something incredibly satisfying about being creative, even if only for creativity's sake.

Top 5 - Podcasts

Russell Brand BBC Radio 2 Podcast
Baddiel & Skinner's World Cup Podcasts
The Ricky Gervais Podcast
Guardian Football Weekly Podcast
Thinking Allowed BBC Radio 4 Podcast

Richey Edwards

I hadn't realised until today that he's now officially been 'presumed dead' as opposed to 'missing'. There's a few obituaries in the papers and on the following websites. A sad moment really.

Guardian obituary
Telegraph obituary
BBC news piece
NME photographic tribute

His parents decided to declare him presumed dead on the 23rd November 2008.

Film Review - Juno

****
A tale of a kooky 16 year old girl called Juno, living with her father and step-mum, who falls pregnant, is unable to go through with an abortion and decides to give the child up for adoption - I can hear the groans already. I know it sounds wearisome but out of this tired concept comes a really quite charming and insightful movie.

I couldn't help but think of the endless Judd Apatow films (Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin etc. etc.), rolled off the production line in recent times, adept at showing mindless audiences young inadequates getting themselves into all sorts of 'hilariously' awkward social scrapes. There are similarities, but crucially Juno, whilst still presenting a similar goofy humour (check the scene where she narrates on a passing gaggle of adolescent male athletes in shorts), manages to convey something extra.

Witty rather than just plain dumb, intellectually active rather than simply 'knocked up', she's a pretty guttsy young lady. In fact, a number of her peers display a certain fortitude and integrity. Chief among them is the unexpecting father, Bleeker, who is more gentlemanly than you would ever expect, or Juno's best friend who is incredibly supportive, a valuable ally in the cut throat world of the high school corridor.

In contrast, the adults come across as somehow more childish, the husband of the adoptive couple deciding to leave his wife in order to live out his unfulfilled childhood fantasy of becoming a rock star. Even Juno, who unwittingly awakens this desire in him, is mortified by his irresponsibility, her vision of the perfect parents shattered by the revelation. Yet she is strong, posting a hastily scribbled note through the wife's letterbox, "If you're still in, I'm still in."

In the end, Juno realises her naivety in disregarding any feelings she might have for her baby, but despite the heartache, she stays true to her word. Loyal Bleeker is there to comfort her when she realises her true feelings towards her unborn child and towards him.

This might sound like a biased vision but, in fact, it's simply an accurate reflection of a difficult time for young adults. To champion the film as an insight into the true morals of young people is to be as patronising as any naysayer. However, there's probably a great deal more Juno's out there than people care to realise.

Wishful thinking

It's that time of year again. Relatives, like cold callers on heat (if that's not an oxymoron), confront you when you least expect it with these 6 words: "What would you like for Christmas?"

I never have a wish list to hand! I don't mean to sound like an ungrateful little blighter, but it does strike fear into my heart.

"Erm...ah...well...vouchers? Maybe? I really don't mind." Normally, this is followed by a distinct expression of disappointment down the other end of the line. An "Oh okay", perhaps or an, "Are sure you don't want something more exciting?"

Am I being flippant in response to these generous requests? I don't mean to be. The problem is, if I did say what I really wanted, I'd get a slightly different reply, but an ultimately similar result.

-"Yes, now, what I'd really like is a pair of skinny jeans, faded, but not too much, no rips. Just the right side of distressed. Or a boxset of Reggie Perrin? - Of course you can't get that in HMV but it's on Amazon marketplace. Just be careful not to get the wrong region or it won't play. Or how about the lost episodes of Hancock's Half Hour? There's a box set out now."
-"Oh.... okay.....erm, shall I just get you some vouchers?"

No, it's no good. I do feel like an ungrateful little blighter - and now a pretencious so and so to boot. I'm going to have to come up with something and fast!!!....Where's that Argos catalogue?

Seasons Greetings

This, believe it or not, is a Christmas card. The first I've received this year. A definite candidate for worst greeting card ever! Yes I know it's a corporate card, sent from one of the companies we do business with, that's not the point.

Just look at it! I say it's a Christmas card but there's no mention of Christmas, nor sight of any other element that might risk the merest knat's cock of a chance for controversy!! A blander piece of turd you'll never see!!!!

I'm a hypocrit of course. I could hardly call myself religious and yet I celebrate the birth of Christ every year. Still, with this kind of thing landing on my doorstep, I'll be starting to wonder if my atheism's well placed!!

If this is the kind of bitter fruit borne from from trying to please everybody, I think it might be time to start deliberately pissing people off.

Up yours!! The lot of yer!

Leonard Rossiter