I have been very busy.

Monday, so a change of desktop.

I was idly flicking through music channels on Sunday night, most of which were playing Christmas songs, when a classic Christmas song came on.

Ah... No choice in the matter. This weeks desktop had to be...



Ricky Tomlinson, actor, singer and co-composer of that fine festive offering "Christmas, My Arse". I love it.

No time for anything else. Sorry. I am getting boring. I know.

Nighty, night.

Hi kids!

I'm back baby!

Er... Gotta go again, but a few things first.

We survived the crisis with the DVD player self destructing at the weekend and will be purchasing a Blu Ray machine next weekend.

(Credit crunch? What credit crunch?)

So, re. this weeks desktop, I got to thinking of what my first Blu Ray purchase might be? Ah... Maybe a film all about this guy.



I loved "Iron Man". One 0f my favourite films of the year.

I once saw a Blu Ray player being demoed in an electronics shop in town and the disk they were using for the test was "Iron Man". It looked just fab.

It was a busy weekend. On Saturday night we went to see Leonard Cohen at the LG Arena and on Sunday I went to see the movie "Choke". I enjoyed both immensely and will write about them next time.

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno".



7.9/10 on IMDB's user rating? Are you kidding? I think you must be.

It makes me very sad to say this, because I have generally been a big Kevin Smith fan, but I thought that "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" was a bit disappointing.

Definitely not as good as "Clerks", "Chasing Amy" or "Dogma". In fact, scratch that. "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" is not as good as any previous Kevin Smith film. The script is not as funny, the performances are not as assured and I did not warm to the characters as much. Kevin Smith by numbers, I'm afraid. "Star Wars" gags? Check. Sex talk? Check. Pop culture references? Check. Jay and Silent Bob? Er... OK. Fair enough. No Jay and Silent Bob (it would have been a better film if they had been in it), but I kept thinking to myself that maybe it is time for Kevin Smith to change the record.

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" is not totally terrible. It is funny, and it does have some great moments, just not enough of them. Elizabeth Banks is sweet. Jason Mewes is funny. So is porn star Katie Morgan. Justin Long and Brandon Routh are really funny in their little cameo. Seth Rogan is... Seth Rogan. If you like him, you will like him in "Zack and Miri Make A Porno", if you don't like him, you won't. Traci Lords seems to have come to terms with her porn past. Interesting, that.

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" just made me want to shrug my shoulders. Yeah, whatever. Was that it?

Kevin Smith's worst film, but it is OK.

**

This weeks desktop.



Reg Varney, of course. He died yesterday at the age of 92.

I would never claim that "On The Buses" was a great British sitcom, because it certainly wasn't, but it ran for seven series, was incredibly popular and, along with other terrible sitcoms like "Love Thy Neighbour", "Bless This House" and "Man About The House", was typical of the politically incorrect humour that made us Brits laugh in the 1970's. Well... Some of us.

Interesting fact. The "On The Buses" movies were the most successful that Hammer Film Productions ever made, grossing more than myriad "Dracula", "Frankenstein" and "Mummy" movies. I'm bet you are glad you learnt that, aren't you?

Cold, dark and miserable. That was just me. Don't even get me started on the weather!

Last night I left work and was at the bus stop at 18:10. I waited an hour and 20 minutes for a bus that was supposed to run every half an hour. Being a great guy, I try never to abuse bus drivers when buses are late. It is hardly ever their fault and they will get enough nasty comments from other passengers without me adding to it. But, last night, I was spitting feathers when the bus finally did arrive.

I was polite to the driver, though.

'What happened to the two buses in front of you?'

'One of them broke down and one of the drivers did not turn up. Sorry.'

Ah... See. Not his fault, and at least he had the good grace to say 'Sorry'.

I was home at 20:05. All of my plans to spend the evening in front of the computer writing were ruined. To my shame, I gave up. I ordered way too much Chinese takeaway and found that I couldn't eat even half of it. I glowered at the television for an hour. I extended the heating, had a wank and went to bed.

Total bollocks. I refuse to let myself slip into a depression, born of Jennifer not being here (she is somewhere on the South Coast with her folks) and myself being incredibly pissed off about it. Tonight I reject giving up. Enough of that.

Let's get back to some kind of business as usual, shall we?

So... This weeks Desktop.

I bought a ticket at the weekend to see the Prodigy. The gig is next April at the Birmingham NIA. I like the Prodigy a great deal. Always have done. I have seen the Prodigy live on just the one occasion and enjoyed it tremendously. Not least because of the mental, absolutely bonkers audience, including a girl who attended the gig only wearing furry boots and a bikini in the colours of the American flag. Unusual, that. The gig was in the middle of December. Brummie girls have a strong constitution, methinks.

So, there could be no other desktop but...




Keith Flint. The Firestarter himself. Perhaps it is not the reaction he hopes to get, but I think he is hilarious.

I visited Sister 1 on Sunday to fiddle around on her computer. As is the way, I often pull up videos on You Tube to show to Niece 1 and she tells me what she thinks of them. I showed her "Firestarter" and "Breathe" by the Prodigy.

Niece 1's considered opinion was that videos/songs were 'Crap' and 'Something that my Mom would listen to'. Niece 1 is 11 years old.

Oh dear. I suddenly feel really old.

I was going to make a start on some film reviews, but that can wait for another day.

For one day only, this weeks desktop.

This gentleman.



One day only because I will only be at work for the one day this week. Today, in fact. I am off for the rest of the week. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I will be painting the fence. Then, during the evening, Jennifer and I will be going to see "Quantum Of Solace" at The Electric. The rest of the week, who knows? Films, chores, whatever. I have a lot of stuff on the V+ box to watch.

Why Elton for this weeks desktop? No apologies, I liked 70's and some 80's Elton. Also, there is a particular Elton song, that has been a major ear worm for me in recent times, I intend to make the centerpiece of my entry in this years world famous Swiss Toni Shuffleathon. Or if not a centerpiece you might want to call it the 'end of side 1 track', if you are an old fogey still thinking in terms of vinyl.

Get involved. Read all about the Shuffeathon here. I am sure that Swiss will be glad to hear from you. He is one of the good guys.

**

The Stranglers at the Carling Academy, Birmingham. A couple of weeks ago.



Old punks never die. They just go on tour. Forever.

Actually, those punks are just the guys in the band. The other punks, the paying punters in the audience, just get old. They squeeze their pot bellies into tight jeans. They shave their heads to disguise their bald spots, or maybe indulge in a bit of a Bobby Charlton comb-over. (I went for the former.) They stick on T-shirt with a groovy logo. (Mine was a cybernetic skull T-shirt from Boxfresh. I looked 'ard.) They indulge in some low level pogoing. Much easier on tired legs and arthritic joints.

My people...

Jerry, you really must stop being such a cynic. You know how much you enjoyed The Stranglers.

Sure did.

Jet Black looks as old as the Himalayas, and is faintly mountain like, but is still the straightforward, down-the-line drummer he ever was. Dave Greenfield has the air of a bonkers chemistry teacher and can play a keyboard solo while downing a pint. Jean-Jacques Burnel is much fatter than the last time I saw him, but he still has a bass sound that could shake out your fillings. (Also, to these heterosexual eyes, he is still astoundingly sexy. If I had a daughter I wouldn't leave her anywhere near him.) As for Hugh Cornwall? Nowhere to be seen. He left long ago, around the time that The Stranglers stopped seriously troubling the charts. (Not that Hugh has exactly been a chart mainstay himself in the subsequent period since leaving The Stranglers.) Instead we had big, shaven headed Geordie Baz Warne, who is a really good guitarist and gave a good approximation of the Hugh Cornwell sneer.

I did enjoy the gig. It was billed as a greatest hits tour and greatest hits is what we got. All the way from the early New Wave classics like "Peaches", "Hanging Around" and "No More Heroes", to the later, more poppy, psychedelic songs like "Golden Brown", "Strange Little Girl" and "Always The Sun".

Well worth the effort of going to see them.

A word or two about the support act. Starbase 109.



They were the best Kraftwerk piss take I have ever seen. Maybe the only Kraftwerk piss take I have ever seen. As far away from what you would expect a support band at a punk gig to sound like as it is possible to get. I am just surprised they were not bottled off. Or shot. There were some rough people at that gig.

They were a band out of an 80's nightmare (or would that be 80's heaven? I suppose it is all down to who you are and what you groove to). Two guys on synthesizers, backed by a drum machine. Songs about vacuum cleaners, the Manchester metro, finding spiders in the bathroom (accompanied by one of the band waving a giant spider on a stick over the audience; the spider being totally destroyed by an audience member who got his hands on it) and androids.

They were brilliant. They were terrible. They were genius. They were bonkers. Maddest thing I have seen in ages. I would like to see them again.

This weeks desktop.



Thunderbird 2 and Virgil Tracy.

I once read a feature in a magazine listing the coolest television characters of all time. Virgil Tracy was in the top 50. Accompanying his entry was this very picture.

It is an interesting picture. Look carefully. See the expression of confidence on Virgil's face? The narrowed eyes. The slight cruelty in the lips, somehow tempered with humour. A macho man. A man's man. A seducer, totally at ease with himself and his sexuality. Note the left hand casually positioned on his hip. It is an almost effeminate stance, but Virgil pulls it off. Note the legs, slightly akimbo. What is he thinking? Look at my big ship, probably. I bet he had a big cock as well.

In my dreams I am as cool as Virgil Tracy.

(Forget watching the movie, except for Sophia Myles as Lady Penelope it is a piece of shit, but the television series is still genius.)

Two desktops that I have failed to mention.

Anna Faris.



A week or so ago I left the house intending to see "The House Bunny". The bus did not turn up, so I saw the first film about to start when I arrived at the cinema. "Gommora". Not exactly a fluffy comedy. Far from it.

I will probably not now see "The House Bunny" until it turns up on my television set. In light of this tragedy I decided to immortalise Anna Faris as my desktop for the week.

My next desktop was Amy Adams.



I love Amy Adams. One day she will be mine.

My next desktop will not be a pretty girl.

**

At work, as expected since the asset strippers took control, there have been redundancies. Jennifer and I are OK, but we know at least 9 people who are on notice. One of those guys is a programmer who has been with The Company since Margaret Thatcher came to power. When he came out of his meeting he looked shell shocked. Jennifer was told to let him go home and to ask him to come back next week.

During the afternoon an email arrived from the CEO expressing sadness and regret, blah, blah, blah, and inviting applications for voluntary redundancy, pointing out that 'not all requests for voluntary redundancy will be accepted'. So, more redundancies are on the way?

It is all very sad, but that is the way of the world.

I am off to see the Stranglers tomorrow night, so the next post will probably not be here until Sunday. I last saw the Stranglers at the Birmingham Odeon in 1988. Time passes.

I am conscious of all the things I have not written about. I will try to do better in the future.

This weeks desktop.

Britney.



Hmm... Britney.

**

One more gripe about the Van Morrison gig.

They banned the sale of alcohol. The bar at the Symphony Hall was open for soft drinks only.

I hope that I do not have to get pissed to enjoy myself at a gig, certainly Jennifer doesn't have to, but to take away the choice of having a pint or two at the venue, before entering the auditorium? Bollocks to that! Too much like being at school. Too much like being treated like a naughty child.

Miserable, Christian sonafabitch. I hope his bread was stale, his water stagnant and that his hair shirt itched like hell.

Before the gig Jennifer and myself had a meal at the Mash House. Pie and mash. Food of the Gods. We also had a bottle of red. Nice.

This weeks desktop.



Mr. Rod Serling. Producer, writer and actor.

You must have heard of his television series' "The Twilight Zone" and "Night Gallery". If you haven't, then you can just go and bugger off, because obviously we have nothing to talk about. Rod Serling wrote many screenplays, including those for two stone classic movies: "Planet Of The Apes" and "Seven Days In May".

Actor? As the Narrator/Host of both "The Twilight Zone" and "Night Gallery" he was always an immaculately attired, urbane figure, with a cigarette in hand, distinctive voice and a slightly sinister, mocking air about him. It was a performance. It was a great performance.

Rod Serling died in 1975 during open heart surgery. He was only 50 years old. I was shocked when I read that. Such a waste. All those stories never told.

Rod Serling. Still a legend.

**

It took two plumbers to sort out the problem with the radiator.

Plumber #1 was sent by Homeserve, a company with whom we have a contract for limited internal plumbing support. Plumber #1 arrived in a car with a loud horn, that collapsed in the street as soon as he pulled up. He had a big red nose and wore large shoes. On his lapel he had a flower that squirted water.

Yes. He was a clown.

He could not isolate the radiator. He could not shut off the flow of the water to the radiator. He could not do anything. He suggested certain things, which would have cost additional money and involved shutting off the water to the whole house and leaving us without any heating. I said "No", sent him on his way and complained to the nice lady on the Homeserve help desk. We will not be renewing the contract.

I found Plumber #2 in the Yellow Pages. It was a random selection. A company that looked like they had a few certifications awarded to them. Difficult to know if they mean anything.

Plumber #2 arrived. He isolated the radiator. He took the radiator off the wall and drained it. We discussed getting a new radiator installed on a different wall and he gave me a quote. We had a cup of tea and discussed the prospects for the Villa and the Blues this season. I paid him. We shook hands. He left. He was in the house for about an hour.

Plumber #2 was a star. We will definitely use him again.

I arrived at work in the middle of a crisis. The details of the crisis are not important. Let's just say that the crisis was with regard to a number of customers being unable to access particular business critical information due to a (unspecified) server problem.

Before I even took my coat off Jennifer said to me, 'If anybody rings up you are not to say, I repeat NOT to say, that it is a known issue and that other customers are experiencing the same problem.'

Eh?

Sorry, but it's disgusting, it's immoral and it's indecent. It's everything that I hate about The Company. Managers that are so busy running ridiculous protocols and certain words cannot be used. There are no such things as problems. There are only incidents.

What is wrong with honesty? What is wrong with being straightforward. Why can't we just say to a customer, 'Yes, we know there is a problem and we are trying to fix it'?

I think it is pathetic and I do not like it. I was vocal about my unhappiness. I was told to shut up.

(Rant over. Jerry straightens the halo on his head and continues.)

I changed my desktop on Monday. This guy.



Jack Bristow from the TV series "Alias", portrayed by Victor Garber.

Bit of a bland looking guy, isn't he? He could be a chief waiter? Or a bank manager? Or maybe even the anonymous CEO of one of those financial institutions that went bust last week?

He isn't. Jack Bristow is Sydney Bristow's father. He is a spy. He is humourless. He is deadly. If you do not give him the information that he wants he will most likely hurt you and then kill you.

But, he is a good guy. (At least I think so. We haven't quite finished watching the series yet.) He sometimes has to do nasty things. In the episode of "Alias" series 5 that we watched last week, Jack Bristow cut off somebodys ear! It was OK. He had good reasons.

Jack Bristow. Father of Sydney Bristow. My hero. I love him.

It's Monday. Time for the desktop to change.

This picture.



The lovely Daniel Craig and the even lovelier Gemma Arterton. A still from the forthcoming James Bond movie "Quantum Of Solace".

**

I have seen a lot of movies at the cinema, recently. I have not written a word about them. About time I changed that.

First film, "Eden Lake".



"Eden Lake" is the second film I have seen at the cinema in as many weeks, about an attractive young couple, in a remote location, tormented and pursued by malevolent forces. The first film was "The Strangers".

"The Strangers" and "Eden Lake" are movies that follow a formula. Nothing wrong with that. The success of "Eden Lake" or "The Strangers", or any other generic couple-in-peril movie you might care to mention, stands or falls on the execution of it's central idea. I do admit that I liked "The Strangers" a great deal, but I think that I preferred "Eden Lake".

"Eden Lake" is a brilliant horror movie. Really horrible, extremely nasty, gory and violent, with a memorable ending that will play itself over and over in your head long after you have left the cinema. More than just a straight horror movie, "Eden Lake" touches on themes ripped straight out of nice, right wing, tabloid headlines: Urban collapse. Youth, ignored, damaged by the indifference of parents, teachers and society. How will they can threaten the middle classes? How will they threaten YOU!

"Eden Lake" boasts quality naturalistic performances. As the 'Scream Queen', Kelly Reilly is fantastic, throwing herself into the role and into all kinds of filth. But, for the most memorable villain in recent years, watch Jack O'Connell as a character called Brett. Brett is a cold eyed, arrogant, borderline psychopath. Brett is one of the scariest people I have seen in a cinema in a very long time.

My Brother lives in inner city Birmingham. He normally laughs long and loud when he watches horror movies. He did not laugh once during "Eden Lake". In fact, he was particularly thoughtful when we were leaving the cinema. Later, with regard to "Eden Lake", my Brother said to me, 'That film wasn't funny. I know assholes like that. I live in a place like that'.

When all is said and done, "Eden Lake" is only a horror film, but it is a great horror film. I cannot recommend "Eden Lake" enough.

**

That took a long time to write. Too long. Probably time for bed. Another review tomorrow.

The new desktop. I have changed the day that the desktop gets replaced. From now on it will be a Monday.



"Steptoe and Son".

An extremely fine British sitcom of the sixties and seventies. It starred Harry H. Corbett and Wilfred Brambell. In real life those two guys really hated each other. It's true. I have seen documentaries about them.

**

I had plans this evening. Things to write about. All come to nowt.

Jennifer needed my assistance doing something on the net. I wouldn't normally mind helping her, and we did get everything done that she wanted getting done, but when it all ends in an argument, I don't know why I even fucking bothered. What am I getting out of it?

I will try the blog again tomorrow. Unless there is something good on the TV, of course.

First things first. The latest desktop. I changed it last Thursday.

Some fool at work, watching "The X-Factor", featuring new judge Cheryl Cole who is one of the singers in Girls Aloud, expressed the opinion that Girls Aloud are the best British girl band of recent years.

Bollocks.

The best British girl band of recent years are these ladies.



The Sugababes.

They are the best British girl band of recent years not only because Heidi (the blonde Goddess) waved at me when I saw them in concert last year (nobody believes me, but she did), but because they make consistently brilliant records. ("Freak Like Me", "About You Now", "Stronger", "Hole In The Head", "Overload", "Run For Cover", "Round Round". I could go on and on.) Girls Aloud have made one brilliant record ("Love Machine") and lots of just-OK and shit records.

Argument proven. Thank you.

This week's desktop was the above picture. No other candidate, really.

**

The day of my birthday was relatively quiet, but it was still a really nice day.

I rose from my bed quite early. The morning was an orgy of idleness as we watched lots of TV that we had taped onto the V+ box, and after that a chunk of season 5 of "Alias". (I love "Alias".)

Midday we were at Buffet Island with the whole of my family, with two exceptions: Niece 2, who was excused because she was 12 days old and busy, and my Aunt, who was babysitting Niece 2. My Aunt probably wouldn't have come anyway, even if Sister 3 had found a different babysitter. My Mom is feuding with my Aunt (God knows about what) and my Mom had made it clear that she would not sit at the same table as my Aunt. I had to choose. Obviously I had to choose my Mom, but I did ring my Aunt to tell her we would go out for a meal sometime.

Buffet Island was great. As much as you can eat for less than a tenner. I was restrained. Some of my family were not. (Hi Sister 2!) Great fun. We were at the restaurant for hours.

Afterwards Jennifer headed into town and I went back to my house with my Nephew. I had taped a film for him called "War" starring Jet Li and Jason Statham. (As boring a film as I can remember watching in recent times, but with quite a nifty last minute twist that neither of us saw coming.) We watched that and then I took him home.

During the evening Jennifer and I watched one of her recent DVD purchases. "27 Dresses" starring Kathering Heigl. I like romantic films. I have never stopped Jennifer watching "The Lake House" or "Just Like Heaven", the hundred times she has put them on, but I thought that "27 Dresses" was absolutely awful. Dreadful. Unfunny. Painfully predictable. Take 20 or so romantic comedy cliches, mix them in a pot, take them out one by one and ta-da! you have a movie.

Ah... Shite.

Later that evening Jennifer joined me in bed, unbidden. Yup. Surprised me as well, but it was nice and sexy and erotic. No penetration because Jennifer still doesn't want that, but there were other things going on. Above all else Sunday night was starting point and a way forward. Maybe it is crass to write about such things, but it matters to me, and I have tried to be nothing but honest on this blog.

Sex is not everything, but it is something. At least it is to me. Maybe I am an aberration. Maybe everybody else can switch off that desire. Maybe I should do a David Duchovny and seek help, even though I have never cheated on Jennifer. Never even come close. (BTW my Brother tells me that I should, but he is an ass.)

**

This is my week off. I have done little that is constructive, although I kept Monday aside for 'chores'.

On Monday I cleaned the house from top to bottom. I stood in the garden. When it started to rain, I went back into the house again. I rang my pension company to increase my contributions. I have calculated the potential financial effect of Gas/Electricity price increases and made adjustments to some standing orders. I picked up the iPod box and put it down again. Coward. The rest of the time I have spent at the cinema or at the theatre.

"Babylon A.D.".


I like Vin Diesel. Even if he is not flavour of the month anymore, if he ever was, I make no apologies for that statement. I have a story I would like to share.

In 2002, after the release of "Pitch Black" and "xXx", and even though I was possibly too old to indulge in such childishness, I wrote Vin a fan letter. I expressed my admiration for his work and politely requested an autograph on a magazine, featuring Vin on the cover, that I had enclosed with a stamped addressed envelope. A month later the magazine arrived back and it had been autographed.

I have no idea if the autograph is genuine. It may well have been signed by Vin Diesel, or maybe it was just signed by somebody in Vin Diesel's office. I will never know. Do you know what? I don't care. Somebody went to the effort to send that autograph to me for that I think that Vin is sound, is cool and I give him much respect.

I just wish that Vin appeared in better movies.

This brings us to "Babylon A.D.".

Good things. The presentation of the near future world in "Babylon A.D." is beautifully done. Compare and contrast the difference between the collapsing, grunge-like, shabby Eastern Bloc, with the hi-tech, neon lit New York. Very well put together. "Babylon A.D." also has a really intriguing cast (Charlotte Rampling, Mark Strong, Michelle Yeoh, Gérard Depardieu), some good action sequences and an interesting, if derivative, plot.

Bad things. "Babylon A.D." is a mess. There is evidence of extensive tampering with and shortening of the movie in the editing suite. (I read one rumour that 70 minutes had been cut from the movie, although the Director claims that this was more like 15 minutes.) The ending is absolutely awful and apparently not the one that the Director intended.

Director Mathieu Kassovitz has mostly disowned "Babylon A.D.", calling it a movie of 'pure violence and stupidity'. There is nothing wrong with cinematic 'pure violence and stupidity' as such, but I for one would like to have seen Mathieu Kassovitz's original vision. It could have been great.

Such a shame. I have always felt that Vin Diesel could have been the new Stallone, but bad choices have turned him into new Van Damme.

Still, "Babylon A.D." is currently the #2 film at the US Box Office, so what do I know?

**

"Cabaret" at the Birmingham Rep.

(Not many good pictures on the web to steal, so on this occasion I will not bother. Please click on the links. Lots of good pictures on the website.)

I thought this production was brilliant. Strange and very dark. Very emotional and very sexual. Male and female nudity to upset the prudes, God bless them, but always in context. A very different animal to the film version, which I also love. "Cabaret" is sometimes very funny and sometimes very serious. Faultlessly cast, but Samantha Barks and Wayne Sleep give standout performances.

I had some initial doubts about "I'd Do Anything" contestant Samantha Barks. I thought that at 17 she was too young to play Sally Bowles and I said as much when I first read about her being cast. Oh, Jerry. You are such a twat! Samantha Barks was excellent. A decent enough actress and dancer, but a terrific singer. As good as she was on "I'd Do Anything". Outstanding.

The surprise for me was Wayne Sleep as the Emcee. To me he was always that peculiar looking, slightly camp and creepy figure from TV. Always popping up on morning TV or chat shows when his latest show was about to start. Still creepy and peculiar, which is exactly what the character of the Emcee is. Slightly sneering, devious, sexually ambivalent and malevolent. (I do like that word.) Wayne Sleep was wonderful. I have been converted. I am a fan.

No spoilers here, but there is some shocking imagery of Nazism in "Cabaret". None is more shocking than the final image in the production. It clearly illustrates what the rise of Fascism meant for many boys and girls, men and women, homosexuals, libertines, gypsies and communists of Germany in the 1930's.

Jennifer said to me that "Cabaret" was the best theatre production she had seen in Birmingham for many years. It touring the UK at the moment. I urge anybody with even the slightest interest in grown up musical theatre to go to see it.

**

"The Strangers".



I rather enjoyed "The Strangers".

The whole young-couple-terrorised-by-malevolent-forces has been done to death, but "The Strangers" is a very good old fashioned horror movie. Director Bryan Bertino is a man who knows the power of out-of-context music. He knows the power of the sudden noise in the silence. He knows the power of the glimpse of something just outside of your field of vision.

By modern standards "The Strangers" is a short movie (85 minutes), but Bryan Bertino wisely takes his time and allows us to get to know young couple Liv Tyler (a really great performance from her) and Scott Speedman, their fears and their problems. When the horror begins, it is even more effective, because we care about the participants.

"The Strangers" is a great film. Right down to the 'Whoah!" ending.

And please, Hollywood. No sequels. Totally unnecessary.

**

There you are. I have caught up.

This evening I am going back to the small theatre at the Birmingham Rep (The Door) to see a play called "Pornography". The play has nothing to do with sex. "Pornography" is about the lead up to, and aftermath of, the London 7/7 bombings. It has recently been produced, to much acclaim, at the Edinburgh festival. I am really looking forward to it. Jennifer will be at home. I don't think she was interested in seeing anything called "Pornography".

I suppose I should now do some ironing. Good idea.

Desktop change day! (Actually yesterday, but I was too tired last night to turn on the computer to report Thursday's momentous decision.)

What was it to be this time? A pop group? An attractive lady? A stunning piece of architecture? A bacon sandwich?

No. A cartoon character.

Muttley.


Cohort of the evil Dick Dastardly. Driver, pilot and collector of medals. Sneaky and untrustworthy. Possibly asthmatic. An all round thoroughly bad egg.

Muttley was portrayed by... er... Muttley in two classic series: "Wacky Races" and "Dastardly And Muttley In Their Flying Machines" . Still worth a look.

There has been a change at work. I will write about that tomorrow.

Nearly forgot. The latest desktop. This lady.



Malin Akkerman as Laurie Juspeczyk/Silk Spectre II from the upcoming "Watchmen". So looking forward to that film.

It's Thursday! Time for a change of desktop.

The Fabs, I think. This picture.



This is one of my favourite photos of the Beatles. It was taken during the preparations for the "Our World" broadcast of 25th June 1967, that was the first, live, television show to be transmitted around the world by satellite. The Beatles contributed a new song that John Lennon sang live to a pre-recorded backing track. There has been some disagreement as to whether the song was specifically written for the broadcast. Ringo and George Martin said that it was, but George Harrison and Macca were unsure. I seem to remember that in the "Anthology" documentary, Macca said that it was an unfinished song that John had 'knocking around during that period' and that it was just 'tweaked for the occasion'.

Whatever. Doesn't matter. It is still a great song. Simple and direct. A real, evocative classic. Elvis Costello certainly thought so. He sang it at "Live Aid".



**

The pay reviews have finally come through. I got 4.4%, Jennifer got 3.2%. Add those to the 1.5% we both got in January, as the initial increase pending synchronisation of the merged company pay reviews in July/August, and there is really very little for me to complain about. Jennifer tells me that I got the highest percentage increase out of everybody in the team.

I'm great I am!

A few weeks ago, the Company decided to relax the rules regarding Desktop wallpaper on work PC's. Instead of having to having to put up with the Company motto ("Rise to the level of your incompetence") burning it's way into the retina, staff were allowed to choose anything for their backdrop, within reason. Obviously no porn, Nazi atrocities or Jade Goody.

I have thus far been changing my backdrop, every Thursday, to the first thing that crossed my mind that morning. So far I have had

A mad duck.

Robert Vaughan and David McCallum from "The Man From Uncle".

A dogs arse.

The Small Faces.

This morning I chose this picture.



Julianne Moore.

Might keep that one for a little bit...

***

It is July 31st 2008. Jerry wins!

At the beginning of this month I decided that I would test myself and try to post something to the blog every day. I have done it. I am A-number 1. I am the big cheese. The big kahuna. Big Daddy. Top Dog. President of the state of Cornelius.

It has been an interesting exercise, but as these things go, it is a pathetic kind of challenge to myself. It means nothing in the grand scale of things, but I am still pleased with myself.

I set rules. I did not want any posts along the lines of, "I can't think of anything to write/I am really tired/I never get any sex/I'm really bored", etc. I think I kept mostly to that. Everything else was fair game. There have been lots of posts about movies and television. A fair few posts about work. Some random thoughts. Pictures of ladies and some blokes.

Er...

Yeah.

I may have a day off tomorrow. I will be back on Saturday, before I go out with my Brother.