The Process of Thought...

Wooah!

2012-01-02T10:15:00.001Z

This is a little underused! Blogging is so 2010. ;-)

For the time being, a lot of my current thoughts are mainly film reviews which can be found here:

http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/author/dan-bullock

The Muppet Christmas Carol

2011-12-24T10:15:00.000Z

We have a bit of a countdown on TheHollywoodNews, our finale was The Muppet Christmas Carol and there's my little write-up:

So here it is! The finale, the big unveiling, the ultimate Christmas film and right here on the Eve, the…well, you’ve probably seen their splendid famous Muppet faces on the poster by now but it has been a whimsical and wonderful journey across December to THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL.
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL captures the life, love and spirit of Christmas. It is, of course, adapted from the timeless Charles Dickens novel and was originally intended to be directed by the genius of Jim Henson. However, Brian Henson – his son – took charge soon after the untimely death of his father and what a distinctive, timeless movie he created.

What makes this particular version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ extra special is how it appeals to children and adults alike. Keeping that Dickensian core of the importance of character and narrative, it’s told by Gonzo as Charles Dickens and proud, wise-cracking assistant Rizzo the Rat.
We are first introduced to Scrooge, a miserable and callous man, played impressively and imposingly by Michael Caine in true Muppet style by the medium of song. Scrooge is a gloomy soul who won’t even stretch to another shovel of coal for his frozen rat workers…cue the witty line “This is our island…in the sun!” and the visual treat of rats in Hawaiian gear as they don’t want to be fired.

Of course, this is very much the beginning of his journey. Over the course of the night he’ll be visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and here’s where Henson’s talents come further into play. First up is the animated and eerie, ghost-like child showing Scrooge his past. What follows is a jolly and literally giant creation that shows him all the edges of good things at present but then his night is ended by the deathly, cloaked and extremely unnerving ghost of Christmas future, the latter really hitting home what Scrooge needs to change before his life is over.
All the Muppets involved are perfectly cast. The well-known theatre dwelling Statler and Wardorf are his ex-business partners Marley & Marley who literally scare him with the chains of regret. We’ve got singing vegetables, charming families of mice begging for more cheese, the annual Penguin Christmas skating party and the fantastic moment when Gonzo accidentally lights Rizzo instead of his lamp which leads to “Light the lamp, not the rat, light the lamp, not the rat!!” before he’s shoved off into a frozen bucket of ice. Don’t forget, very importantly, Kermit as Bob Cratchit married to Miss Piggy with all their –possibly bizarre- frog/pig offspring and the consequential good fortune that will eventually come their way for Scrooge changing his ways.
There’s also those additional, special Muppet touches like Sam the Eagle saying ‘It’s the American way…’ and getting a nudge to change it to “It’s the British way” plus Rizzo kissing Gonzo on the nose to apologise after he jumps off the top of the gate, when he could have walked through it on the ground.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL is the epitome of a perfect family film that transcends that adult and child boundary in storytelling and film making. It also reminds us of the true meaning of this holiday season, which is about giving, charity, family and hope for coming year ahead. If you don’t love THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL and everything it has to offer then Bah Humbug!
Just before you go…It must be noted that every film we’ve covered here on The Hollywood News in our advent countdown holds a special place in this holiday season. From opening with Bruce Willis as John McClane in the classic DIE HARD to Dan Ackroyd losing sanity in TRADING PLACES. We saw more actors dressed as Santa than we can count, rejoiced over the still relevant MIRACLE ON 34^TH STREET and didn’t stumble on our praise for the inventiveness and slapstick of HOME ALONE. We squeezed into the Christmas sock every genre including horror, animation plus the madness of CHRISTMAS VACATION and SCROOGED right up to the emotive humanity of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

We all hope you enjoyed the celebration of film as much as we have and here’s to even more in the future.

Religulous

2011-09-25T17:24:00.001+01:00

After recently tracking down Religulous, I figured it was time for some views and relfections. It's a Bill Maher-led mission, primarily questioning mass organised religion, its mind-set and extremists in many forms. Although it definitely spurns from a comedy angle with a Michael Moore style editing process, it still comes across directly and doesn't let up. Maher asking those questions that people don't ask enough. When, we as human beings, we have every right to ask.

Bill Maher fundamentally believes that organised religion is a neurological disorder which prevents people from thinking rationally. His journey in this documentary is to explore his view of life and the 'I Don't Know' that many of us believe in.

It also encourages us to speak out and go...You know what, I don't believe and for many rational, historic, scientific reasons and to be proud of saying that. What was particularly scary was seeing the documented rise in the USA and the gathering pace of 'believers'.

America is shown as the country that has taken to Christianity with a mass consumerism and capitalism approach. What's bizarre is that in history, America didn't have these same beliefs earlier in the 20^th century. The likes of Thomas Jefferson had even condemned it as being irrational.

As an example: People voted for George Bush because he believed in God. Not because of his policy or what he might stand for but simply because he believed something that is on the edge of psychological eccentricity, for me anyway.

I sometimes believe that Christianity is one of the most worrying forms of religion, even if we temporarily take a side step to the vast alarming growth of extremist Muslims and the obvious connotations of saying anything in that vein. Remember, ‘extreme’ is word I use very purposefully. I don’t believe every Muslim or anyone who believes in anything beyond Science is, or will be, a problem for society. Extremism is another sect of its own, a very troubled one at that.

Christianity stole gods, dates and added extra stories with some seemingly random drug-induced writing sessions. The scary part in this modern era of this thing we have named ‘belief’ is the adamant denial of such things, the absolute stoic front and the inability to question.

What I find interesting is that I really support faith and belief, I absolutely do. I just think that if you take out the angry placards of confused religion and concentrate on human spirit itself, I am positive that people would work out right and wrong for themselves. If people are so happy in their beliefs, why do they feel the utter urge to change other people or to kill other humans? Surely they should be content in their lives, knowing that when they die, they will live in that somewhat fictional 'better place.'

There appears to just be more and more people going around saying 'I'm Right, this is all about Science’ and that's all there is to it. If you ask a religious soul 'What if you're wrong and I'm right?', they can be bewildered by it, like they've been brainwashed and let go of every opinionated thought beyond what they’ve learned or read over the years.

I think Carl Jung pointed out that we're so scared of God because we're scared of the darkness that we cannot fathom. Jung continued with the belief that darkness is creativity, possibility and that this unknown is a positive thing. Underneath that cloak of darkness is a side of our minds or our existence that can actually inspire us and create something completely unexpected and that this discovery is a good thing, something that should be harnessed further and expanded upon.

Somehow, however, through a growing modern era of (government?) religious-based fear – and maybe even the last century and the explosion of mass media- it has become part of the human psyche.

The world might well possibly end, not because of angry Gods or second comings but for the simple, frightening thought that we created it through our own process of thought. I guess the only way to try and stop this from happening is to speak up and say 'You know what, I don't believe and here the irrefutable facts why.'

However, I fear this time has already passed and not because we didn't see it coming but because of some of the biggest world powers in the world have the leading brand in their baskets and they are looking to use that product to their advertising advantage.

Hot Dub Bikini Party - The Fever - Album Review

2011-06-12T14:15:00.000+01:00

Exeter-based Hot Dub Bikini Party’s debut album evokes the optimism of a summer waiting to happen. They take us effortlessly through an exploration of dub Reggae and some beautiful echelons of indie-rock.

The album kicks off with the smooth rhythm of ‘When The Sun Comes Up’, stretching and contemplating before energetically jumping into the musical ocean. It is safe to say that there are echoes of Vampire Weekend in tracks such as ‘Crazy Days’ where the melodies from Phill Kirk’s talented fingers float into the ether.

The west coast of North America has filtered through to the South-West of England and Hot Dub will unquestionably inspire you to drift off with their sunbeam sounds. ‘Lose Your Crown’ slips you into slow, soft reggae beats and before you know it the pace has changed and you’ll be dancing wherever you are.

‘Fever’ is the album title and is an exciting example of how a great song can grow in four and a half minutes. The rock element screams out before you know what has hit you, Mark Lee’s RHCP-like bass line and Ben Camp’s exciting drumming are a major part of the expansion of the song as the whole band imposingly explores every musical avenue. Lead-singer Harry Birch effortlessly catches that gap between dub reggae and rock and the band explodes vivaciously as Fever expands and takes over.

‘Julia’ slows down proceedings for a short time, a seemingly Madness-inspired track when they were at their contemplative best, this song is a memory wrapped in positivity and hopefulness.

The big finale is ‘All You Can Be’ with the harmonising, smooth voice of Stephanie Ould filtering through the palm trees and onto the track. It is another worthy example of their all-rounded sound when they really get stuck into the music.

Hot Dub Bikini Party are a rare breed because of their assured ability to connect varied genres. This debut is passionate, energy-fuelled and inventive. With a devoted fan base that is growing fast, they are certainly a band to watch and discover this summer and even if it’s raining, they’ll definitely bring the sunshine…and the funk!

Buy the album here!!

Normal thoughts on Normal moments! Paul, Elbow and Sucker Punch

2011-04-03T11:24:00.000+01:00

Press Screen of 'Paul'

Loved this! Free pizza, beer and wine and we even saw Mr Mark Kermode just behind us at the first screening in the UK of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's first foray away from Edgar Wright and a usual UK base.

Set in and around the Comic Con in San Diego, they stumble upon an Alien - with the voice of Seth Rogen - and everything that ensues around it. It's not stacked in originality but it is a homage to many, many sci-fi movies but done very well. Those two do have a particular gift and where it could falter, I found it very entertaining!

Elbow - Tuesday 29th April, 2011 - O2 Arena

WOW. I'm happy to report that the O2 arena is no-way as large as I thought. Having done various arenas around the country including Manchester, Belfast, Dublin and Birmingham...I was worried. BUT, it's actually quite small! The sound is impressive but I'd recommend either standing or the two section either side of the stage.

Elbow were fantastic! Guy Garvey is a top class front man, sing-alongs, chats and perfect renditions of their back-catalogue but not just a copy across from the records. They took those and made them even bigger and more special. I had a lot of shivery moments, that's what Elbow do and that's what makes them so special.

Tweet: Ooh, the Setlist from Elbow at the #O2 last night: http://ow.ly/4pp3h #geeky #elbow

There's some photos due up on FB veeery soon! =)

IMAX Screening of Sucker Punch with Zack Snyder, Waterloo, Thursday 31st March, 2011.

Right. Sucker Punch. Yeah. Firstly, the director of Sucker Punch, Watchmen and 300 did a little talk before it started. My god, that man can ramble. Jen summed it up well by saying that he's very Californian/LA. I think the ability to ramble on...but not exactly excitingly...makes him what he is but by god man, get on with it!

Anyway, he's a nice chap really and signed lots of things at work and also took the shop lot out for a pint, so I hear!

The film? Yeesh. I think visually that Snyder does do something very special but he can't write a script to save his 'awesome' film. He also went on about how he makes 'genre films' an awful lot or that people say he does. I'm not sure he knows what genre means or that it means something particular OR maybe that was the point, it's everything in one.

Sucker Punch is too much, disarray, random plot lines and generally everything in his head on a MASSIVE screen. It made me angry during it but only because it's a big load of bollocks. I didn't hate it but essentially it's nothing, there's nothing there that makes me want to praise it beyond the visuals of girls in cool costumes fighting random scenarios. Effectively it's about 6-7 music videos. Which is where he began he career.

Anyway....

The Kings Speech. Black Swan. Paul. Never Let Me Go. Short, snappy movie reviews!

2011-02-06T11:25:00.001Z

Quick, to the point thoughts on recent movies. All recommended:

The Kings Speech. Rather brilliant. Amusing and also the whole ensemble are quite fantastic. Have gone rather posh, what ho! Firth deserves his plaudits and him and Rush are a brilliant pair, playing off each other in character and factually.

Black Swan. Intensity defined. Obsession. Passion. Astonishing. Portman mind-fuck-trip and Aronofsky continuing his themes of obsession and the levels of reality/of the mind.

Paul. What makes Paul different is its depth of Britishness. Not glossy but it doesn't need to be. It's very funny, genuine and different. It has those edges of the big American/Apatow movies but there are certain charm that Pegg and Frost bring to the screen. I think they miss Edgar Wright a little though, as his direction is special to this pair.

Never Let Me Go. Poignant, encased yet somehow accessible, interesting and not to be overlooked. An astute adaptation. Carey Mulligan is a unique talent, somehow bordering the line between innocence and adult awareness, she's a special talent. Knightley and Garfield offer an encapsulating supporting cast, displaying impressively their triangle of life through three decades.

The Kings Speech and Black Swan out now, Paul and Never Let Me Go are released in the UK on the 14th February and 11th respectively.

Doth! They protest too much....

2010-12-11T14:32:00.002Z

I've been thinking a lot about what's been going on in central London the past couple of weeks. The student 'protests' and all that jazz.

I think what frustrates me the most is, once again, a lot of facts have been completely ignored. Not EVERY University is going to charge £9,000 a year, it's all very dependent on the types they are, what they offer and if they want to be more exclusive.

There appears to be this belief that University is a given right, it's a compulsory way to succeed in life and to make your career...or whatever...when the truth is, all it really does is delay growing up, taking responsibility for some, not for all and I've been there but we live in a world where people stay at home into their mid 20s and expect a lot of things to come running when they call.

There's a bizarre expectation from the younger generation, where they appear to believe that they 'deserve' something without ever having to work for it.

I went back to Uni at 25 because I wanted to, because I worked two jobs for it and studied full-time, because I wanted to achieve something to make myself more proud of what I'd done. I felt LUCKY for having done it, I felt like something came along and I was lucky to have got through it, have the opportunity and the chance to succeed.

The riots in London were a disgrace, don't even get me started attacking on the Cenotaph, the war memorial to people who died for us in order to give us the lives we live today. To top it all off, it's been revealed that it was Dave Gilmore's son who's studying History at Cambridge and didn't know what the f*** it stood for. Disgusting, damn right stupidity and almost the equivalent of graffiti with no passion, sense or meaning.

An absolute mirror of how out of touch this whole 'protest' was.

If you want some facts and truth about the whole scenario, this BBC page sums it all up pretty perfectly, with the joy of facts and reality:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11483638

Opinion, temporarily, over.

The Social Network - A Review

2010-10-12T12:20:00.003+01:00

The Social Network

An engaging and intelligent piece, adapted from the book The Accidental Billionaires by screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, West Wing) who weaves in emotional undertones for Jesse Eisenberg's intoxicating version of Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. Fast-paced and sharp, it also helps if you have an understanding of the internet and how Facebook revolutionised modern social networking.

Sorkin's screenplay skips between three timelines, looking at how Facebook became what it is today and the two court cases Zuckerberg is absorbed by.

Whether Zuckerberg stole the idea initially from fellow Harvard student or not, for me, is defunct. What's interesting is how he got there by taking the idea and expanding it quickly, effectively and intelligently, there's no doubting his talent and Eisenberg is incredibly impressive in bringing that to the big screen. The Social Network focuses on the complicated relationships of friendship, money, rebellion and temptation.

Eduardo Saverin, astutely portrayed by Andrew Garfield, is Zuckerberg's roommate and financial backing from the beginning of Facebook. His struggle is the concern over doing it legitimately and keeping control of everything once Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) arrives on the scene. Parker founded Napster and can see the potential in taking it to a world wide stage, Saverin feels Parker is losing touch with reality and begins to try and drag Zuckerberg with him.

Throughout there is a plethora of information being thrown at you, it feels like the movie for the geek generation, a celebration of rebellion, of technical prowess and taking an idea beyond the limit of what is achievable if you want it enough.

A sharp, edgy piece of work and a change of direction for David Fincher, the only similarity maybe being a Tyler Durden-type relationship between Parker and Zuckerberg, threatening the edges of reality. Throw in a Trent Reznor soundtrack and you've got the industrial foundation for a body of work that will satisfyingly impress you, more than you would expect for something that could have delved into self-glorification and pop culture. The Social Network is a lot more cleverer than that, much like the genius of Zuckerberg.

Sharing Six Songs

2010-08-10T15:24:00.000+01:00

I've been planning a music share post because I haven't done one for ages, hopefully all the tracks will be linkable and they're old and new. NB: In no particular order but hopefully some of you will find something new!

Laura Marling - Ghosts
I have no idea how I kept missing Marling out of my collection, I had heard of her plenty of times but maybe I'd heard a track I didn't like or something I thought was her, I'm not sure. All I know is this track and the absolutely beautiful 'Failure' never fail to capture my music-heart. I always end up listening to some Joni Mitchell after this, she's so young and she's surely going to get better and better.

Beerjacket - Screaming Hallelujah
I believe this was originally shared by my friend Emma and she always has great suggestions and music choices, a serious favourite on my iPod playlists. I dare any of you to try and not nod your head or sway with the wonderful melodies.

Biffy Clyro - God & Satan
I just like this for it's variations on the usual themes and also questioning your every day place between all kinds of worlds. It somehow keeps the gap between humour and the truth of it all. Great stuff.

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Big fan of The National for a long time and they haven't disappointed with their new album 'High Violet' . This was the lead single from a career that has spread over 11 years and only recently have their discovered recognition. That's a good sign of a band being a proper band and keeping on and eventually the talent coming through. Great lead single and something wonderfully epic about Matt Burninger's voice.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
Every now and then a tune just turns up on the iPod shuffle that I somehow didn't know and it causes a wonderful shiver. This is one of them, a wonderful band with some glorious tunes. Happily not commercially known but definitely known on the Alternative scene. For me this song just felt like moving on and even though it was initially by myself, I know it's going to get better and I've got someone lovely to join me...Jen..;) I think historically, lyrically it's not about that exactly but the unknown can be something good.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream
Another personal favourite and random discovery at the start of the year was Edward Sharpe. I shared a track called 'Home' back then and Jen & I have basically commandeered that for ourselves because it's all about wherever you are, you're with someone you love. :)
Anyway, this track opens their debut and I think more people should hear it, it's bloody awesome. The band are a little mental and lyrically they probably...ah hem...smoke a lot...BUT doesn't detract from how good this track is.

The Last Minutes - ;;-) - Debut Album

2010-03-30T21:15:00.005+01:00

You would expect any rock band with a lead singer called Wolfy Weir to be packing a punch when it comes to raw talent and we're in luck with The Last Minutes. They eponymous first album doesn't hold back; Christian Jackson, Allan Buchanan, Tom Ellis and Wolfy deliver big-hearted tales from the city entwined with the kind of debauchery you have to be involved with.

Opening track 'Army of One' insists on setting the flames alight, the motif in the intro seemingly merging T-Rex with Marvin Gaye whilst vocally setting the scene with Weir's distinct tone. The feisty groove continues into 'Electric City', charged up and powered by life and energy, why slow down when you can rock out, right?

There are two stand-out tracks of a very strong début, 'Blue Sun' instantly sounding like a classic, initially taking the reigns of an modern electronic slant but then bringing us back into the The Last Minutes already intriguing sound. A deep bass line reverberating beneath and highlighting how tight the band is. Subtly featuring their individual roles and easily drifting into tales that become a microcosm of wonderment, the levels of their talent can be equally places on different platforms and deserve more recognition.

The other track that has *single* written all over it is the melodic and rock-out of 'Potato Farm'. It finishes with a guitar-solo-love-in but it doesn't falter into annoyance, instead there's a rawness and charm about this offering and these tracks particularly alert the masses to what they can achieve.

Lyrically and vocally sometimes the ghosts of Jarvis Cocker lurk– in a delivery sense - but they hit the mark on a heavier rock sound continually. 'A Million $ in a Paper Bag' could benefit from some AC/DC-style bagpipes to push that energy through. I'm not sure how you'd get that much money in a paper bag but if we're talking literal translation into passion, then we've got a bag full of it, bursting to explode. 'Fill Yer Boots' a chaotic, alcohol-energised crowd pleaser, a plethora of madness that's a definite excuse for extreme dancing and celebration, sweating your night away with a heart of Frightened Rabbit and the punch of Queens of the Stone Age.

The penultimate track 'Wizards of the Modern Age' and closer 'White Leather' could effortlessly be merged, stealing riff's from the back pocket of Josh Homme but never questioning their integrity of their own sound.

The Last Minutes want to take you on a journey, a rock ride to the end of time and in those final moments they want to be the Last Minutes of your life and you know what? They have the musical potential to be one hell of a chaotic, passion-fuelled party.

http://www.myspace.com/thelastminutesmusic

Do you believe that a higher power controls our fate or that we choose our own destiny?

2010-03-28T13:56:00.001+01:00

This question came up on 'Writer's Block' on another journal, I thought I'd cross post as I find it quite interesting:

Interestingly phrased question. I've recently called myself an Atheist - And been allowed to, thank you Dawkins! - because of the continual lack of proof, the way religion is used as a frame for political debates and how it's become the forefront of problems between society.

I don't see how something that's supposed to be so great for human existence can cause so much hate and distrust. I know Christians who are kind people and live happy lives, I also know of the ones who preach, judge and lead a more questionable life than someone who doesn't have any religious beliefs. I truly believe that there's enough life every second of every moment around you to enjoy, to live, to breathe and whether a Godcontrols it or not is irrelevant, logically: How could one person simultaneously do such a thing? I don't want to say it's small minded because some religion enters a level of consciousness that I've never encountered and therefore it wouldn't be fair to pass judgement without bias.

Interestingly though, I'm not saying I don't believe in everything around us, the ether, the ground and everything that's become. We're a powerful species and if anything we underestimate our own brilliance of what we've created in the world to live, breathe and reproduce.

Of course there are so many things we can't explain, love, attraction, how our brains work, how chemically different everyone is and yet we still all function in the same way - unless you marry a cousin - and I for one find it astonishing. I believe the only way to live is to experience it all, in all its up and downsides.

Humans seem intent on drowning in seas of sensationalism and reaction. I wonder if this is a 'natural' reaction to being an animal underneath, one of the many unknown parts of our brains that act and search for survival. If the voyeurism of modern society is, in fact, a chemical reaction to instinct of watching other weaker animals dying. If we can comment and watch from behind a bush another animal being killed, surely this creates a sensation of celebration for survival of the fittest.

We throw these celebrity lives out into the bear pits, we cheer them on, buy their Christmas fitness DVDs and then rip them to shreds as the blood lust of life lingers in the air, clinging onto the flesh and in unison shaking our spears and howling for victory.

Of course, I digress...I believe in fate, karma and hard work. The rest is chemical and uncontrollable. We just like to think we know what's going on, when in reality we get what we're given and the majority of us fight to the end and hope with every heartbeat that we're doing it right.

Long, live, life!

Naná Rizinni - Bacon Eggs EP

2010-03-01T12:16:00.004Z

Drummer and singer Naná Rizinni hails from Brazil and has topped the MTV Overdrive charts in South America for the last 6 months. Although she champions a Wannadies style of bizarre-translated-lyrics on an impressively surreal level, her style emulates Nelly Furtado with less sanity mixed with lightning strikes of energy and this lack of normality is completely to her benefit.

There's something addictive about this Brazilian rock-cum-dance starlet and her image goes to show she's not afraid of making an impact. The energy levels here are very evident in this four-track EP and the upbeat 'Bacon Eggs', 'Ardidas' and 'Danger Zone' is the music genre she should focus on. The title track of the EP, 'Bacon Eggs' bursts in with a rock-funk feel, again recalling some of of Furtado's Folklore stage lyrically, when Furtado was exploring her roots further, and then suddenly kicks in a heavier Nine Inch Nails style, similar to NIN's With Teeth moments.

'Ardidas' - meaning Burnt in Portguese or Tricks in Spanish - has a wonderful catchy guitar-motif capturing the listener and offering examples of varied languages from her palette but is still a worthy listen. Third track 'Danger Zone' isn't related to fighter jets or Tom Cruise but instead takes the popular Red Hot Chili Peppers design that switches between a melodic chorus and a heavier verse and works very effectively. Last track Busy in the Day is an acoustic affair with day-to-day events taking on a rhyme-dictionary approach flirting with domestic violence and general confusion, Naná doesn't need this intrusion on her rock/funk/pop persona.

Don't let the final track put you off from her fighting spirit though, past the strange lyrics and imagery, there is something very different here and there's nothing wrong with that. Rizinni definitely has enough attitude and passion here for something bigger worldwide, I hope she breaks out of South America because I'm positive she would master as an impressive stage presence and someone to keep an eye on and not in a worried sense, in an admirable and exciting way.

Damien Rice

2010-02-11T22:29:00.001Z

Damien Rice
Originally uploaded by dan_bullock

A shot from the front of the stage when Damien Rice played Plymouth a few years ago.

It was a particularly amazing photograph because he invited the crowd - at a seated gig - to come up to the stage and only about 100 of us did.

Fantastic gig and fueled by passion and life. =)

7 Bands & Musicians for 2010

2010-01-12T16:24:00.003Z

Some of these musicians have already had recognition and some haven't...which are which? I really can't give you a definite answer because all I've done is searched on and offline for some new sounds that hadn't caught my attention yet. So I figured that instead of keeping them to myself , it was only fair that others got a chance to hear some truly exquisite sounds and see what you think, as well. After all, music without its audience, well, literally falls on NO ears and we can't have that now, can we?

At the end I've even thrown in a few afterthoughts that are worth another moment of your time and best of all I have even linked into their sites if you CLICK on the Download/Listen part...aren't I thoughtful? So here you go:

Bad Rabbits on a first glance, look like the next formation of an Outkast-type band but these guys have melt more into the heart and soul. The latter description being a definite cut of their sound, mixing in pop mastery and occasionally feeling like a bastard child of Prince, which is a honourable nod, definitely. Their influences include Michael Jackson, Motown and Foo Fighters. Hailing from Boston and taking it by storm with high level performances, never letting the energy drop.

Download/Listen: Stick Up Kids

The Romany Rye. California. Folk Rock harmonies mingled with a classic vibe, slight inklings of Ryan Adams and apparently their name is taken from a George Borrow novel and it follows the journey of a learned young man thrown in with Gypsies. It is a philosophical adventure story of sorts and thanks to Wikipedia for that...otherwise I'd have even less info to share! Oh, I believe Kings of Leon are also fans.

Download/Listen: Brother

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Already going strong over in the US and if you like your music somewhat bohemian and experimental here and there, these are your guys. They also have done a lot of good work for The Voice Project in Uganda, great to see bands using their status for positive things. I think it's safe to say they are spiritually grounded and their range of music holds no bounds.

Download/Listen: Home, Kisses Over Babylon

Gabby Young & Other Animals are my definite for 2010. They deserve more exposure and lead singer Gabby is phenomenal. An 8-piece band merging genres effortlessly through some jazz, pop, swing, rock and folk hybrid, together they've made something quite special. Miss Young even had thyroid cancer at 22 but overcame it and her vocal range can take on any level plus every head and ear to boot. Positively and passionately...GO GET IT!

Download/Listen: We're All In This Together, One That Got Away

You Can Be A Wesley. There's something in the water of Indie Pop Rock in Boston again this year, a plethora of music swarming out like music bees...yet these charm and delight, happily avoiding any possibility of pain. East Coast surf and sand culture drifts through wonderfully through their tunes. Someone described them as 'hip neo-folk' and although I have definite idea what that means, they are truly rather radiant. Surf rock girl-pop.

Download/Listen: Creatures, Feed The Moon Starve The Sun

Little Comets. These alternative Newcastle lads offer a Maximo Park style selection but once again with a sprinkling of an 80s vibe. Almost like a higher-pitched happy Robert Smith of The Cure vocally and lyrically the band take on adultery amongst other things. Somehow though, they feel a touch above a lot of similar indie bands that have drowned the scene in 2009 because they've got a more interesting edge, these comets are cleverer than your average shooting stars...

Download/Listen: Friday Don't Need It, Adultery

Heather Woods Broderick offers haunting vocals entwined with an organic soul, richly drifting over the grass blades of a summer field as the sun sets in the distance. She might not affect the mainstream of music but as with many of the best singers and bands, this isn't necessarily negative. Having grown up the Maine countryside her influences play into the heart of ambient and atmospheric, yet she retains beautiful melodic fervour throughout. Filled with an ensemble of instruments, her sound floating between resonant and relaxation...it can be strangely unnerving and yet you yearn for more.

Download/Listen: Wounded Bird, From The Ground

Afterthoughts that can all be found on MySpace:

Chapel Club – A little 90s Gene tied together by the knee caps with The Smiths but could be intriguing.

Bok Bok – A dance/dub selection of fun, frolics and experimentation...I know it's not perfect alliteration but go with it.

Magic Magic – A track called Bat People took me into the rawness of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and they've got some different stuff, just think they need to refine their sound to take it on further.

Kingdom – For all those hardcore punk/metal fans amongst us, these guys keeping the spirit of punk and saying what you mean as alive as it can be in a forest of many. However, they have a more vicious bite.

And So I Watch You Are Afar

and

General Fiasco – There's still a mass of great music in Northern Ireland and thankfully it's starting to seep across the channel even more, both bands definitely worth keeping an eye on.

2009: My Year...

2009-12-23T20:21:00.002Z

2009: Dan's Year

Well, it's safe to say it's been eventful year! In January I was living just outside Belfast and working for Expedia.co.uk and Play.com, I was planning a trip to Paris, writing for AU Magazine (www.iheartau.com) and I guess...looking to possibility. Oh how quickly life flips you around and pushes you down an unexpected, rather bumpy grass bank...mud flies around and you hit your head on a small rock and when you wake up? You're living five minutes away from where you left 18 years before...and they say that life doesn't have a sense of irony,oh it does but thankfully I'm laughing with it now instead of cowering in the headlights like some startled deer.

Now some highlights, points and possibly occasional thoughts.

January

Working full-time but desperately searching for something that didn't destroy my soul on a regular basis.
Dreamt on January 10th that arual was working in a Vet's and this CAME TRUE!
Believing that Matt Smith might be all right at the new Doctor, we'll see I guess!
Started work on my Great-Grandad's World War 1 War Diaries (This will resume in the New Year)
I quote myself: “Please don't take for granted the simple little things. They are worth more than anything else. “
Saw Rodney Crowell live at the Black Box in Belfast, changed my music listening scene towards country and folk even more, astonishing.

February

My Nan passed away on February 2nd, thankfully I flew over just in time and saw her before she died. It felt like she hung on to see us because she knew we were all going together up to see her. It was the first time in a long time we were all free and all three brothers (Andy, Jay and myself) and my Dad got to hold her hand and remember all the good times and say goodbye. Rest In Peace, Nan Bullock.
Booked Paris trip, hotel right next to the Notre Dame with a very impressive work-used discount for the hotel. Result.
Learnt two chords on the guitar. Heh. - I can do about 6-7 now and even occasionally together...haha!
Travelled frequently between England & Ireland via ye olde plane...thank you EasyJet and Flybe...
February 26th: Applied for One and Other!!
Went to Paris!

March

Went through my first experience of Security/Bomb Alerts in Belfast
Signed up properly for Twitter

Severe Tooth Pain began...
...had codeine related nightmares, this led to concussion -TWICE – and the eventual removal of back tooth. After that happened I went home, had a shower – BAD IDEA – and passed out again. Narrowly smashing a glass not far from my wrist as I keeled over trying to get water.
Relaunched my Dublin Book and sold more than previously.
Started writing for Shazam.com and I still am!

April

Saw premiere of film I put money into and Jenny composed the music for have a showing at Queens Uni, Belfast Film Society. It was brilliant!
Do an obsessive amount of research on 9/11
Worked with a very impressive illustrator for my kids book
Recorded a radio news/weather demo
Jenny and I break-up
I quote myself: “I did one of the saddest things though ever in my whole life, I bought a one way plane ticket home. I never want to do that again, it's heartbreaking. “
Started twitching for a move anywhere in the world, initially to thoughts of USA or Canada.

May

Got my publishing assistant job in Richmond for the marvellous Crimson.
Went to London and met lots of wonderful people including Dan, Sarah and their cat Merlin who I shared with for a short while, special mention to the Red Cow pub and their quiz!
I quote myself: “I'm in London then, West I believe. I'm nervous. I'm winging it. “
LOVED my work and job!
Got to know the truly brilliant and clever lovelyscarlet
Was told and I still remember “Never marry a girl you can't talk to.”
Generally explored London
Fell in love with Richmond Hill

June

Continued to explore London whenever I could...and by foot!
Went to Camden for the the night for the hell of it and had the funniest tube ride home ever...then got stuck at Waterloo, forgot about the night bus and got a taxi that cost me £40!!
Launched my Website!! With massive thanks and help to Alex Sullivan
Applied to work in Japan...but didn't get it.

July

Internship ended, so back in Devon
WON my One and Other place!!//Got my own O&O website!
Looked after my brother's house whilst he was away...awoke July 6th with house full of smoke, walls were hot to touch and was baffled to what was going on. Flat below was on FIRE. Luckily the smoke woke me because I was 3 floors up with no-alternative way out, unless I wanted broken legs. Flat below completely gutted and only recent re-installed firewalls in-between my floorboards and their ceiling stopped our floor collapsing...
Invented a new word: limbalistically (NEW WORD: In Limbo; Awaiting next challenge)
Watched Breakfast at Tiffany's, read End of the Affair and wanted (well, wants) Audrey Hepburn, Zooey Dechanel and Rachel McAdams in a sandwich.

August

Started counselling....not for me but for many, many friends and pretty simultaneously, it was rather bizarre at the time!
August 6th 2009 at 5am: I stood on the Fourth Plinth for one hour as part of Antony Gormley's One & Other project. It was one of the best things I've ever done in my entire life, it was astonishingly amazing on every human level. Photos
Via this met the wonderfully talented and lovely Hannah : ieatorigami, everyone should have one ;-p
My laptop died.....but I FIXED IT!!

September

Met up with old Uni friends for their engagement party, it was lovely!
Had a massive family reunion on my Mother's side, I swear there is about 30 or 40 of us now, my Mum is one of ELEVEN.
Adviced everyone in the WORLD to NEVER go to Paignton in Devon, it's nasty.
Made a video entry about the rain....you can still find it here.
Asked you lot if you'd marry me....got 8 response! W00t...teehee!!
Got a lot more in Classical music, Debussy and classical soundtracks such as Dario Marinelli's Atonement.

October

Jenny's parents bought the last of my things back from Northern Ireland. They are two of the kindest, coolest people I've ever known in my whole life. I'm eternally grateful to everything the whole McCaffrey family did for me and never afraid to say so.
Feel in love with Fringe and Anna Torv...and Arkham Asylum on the PS3
Went on some proper photo shoots on Dartmoor and Dawlish
Renewed an old friendship with my mate Chris who was one of my best friends at school, he's a film maker and I'm a writer but we spend a lot of time deliberating over things we might not do....haha!
Got my renewed 16-25 railcard....I mention this because I'm 29.
Reviewed Editors 'In This Light and On This Evening' and David Gray's 'Draw The Line' and got a mention and retweet from DavidGray.com on the latter. Result!!

November

Had one of the funniest Halloween parties....ever!
Finished compiling and published The Catalyst – A selection of my writing and many others who wrote during my hour on the Plinth. I know Antony Gormley had his own copy and was very pleased with it, great news!
Kept talking about Fringe.
Kicked on with my Bristol escape plan, applied to numerous publishers and similar.
Probably got general job rejection letters into the 30 and 40s....I stopped counting.
Woke up with someone lovely
Started getting busy again...random travels to any city I could get my claws into.
My Dublin Book came 124 out of 3397 in an online competition, pretty happy with that one.

December

Bristol/Devon/Bristol/Devon and so on...
Bought tickets for my favourite new band of the year for London next March.....Mumford & Sons!!
Relaxed the pressure on myself as I was getting excessively angry about nothing...consequently got a job interview – first in FOUR MONTHS – and although I didn't get the job, I had positive feedback and was generally happy with the whole thing.
Getting ready for the BEST Christmas Market night in Totnes tonight and an exciting gathering of friends on Christmas Eve.

Hello

2009-11-29T22:40:00.002Z

I need to write in this journal more, I've got another one...elsewhere in another blog world but it's different. I feel in this one I'm always more focused, which is rather bizarre to be honest because the honesty of the other one is all the more personal.

Blogging. Hmm.

Anyway, there's a secret to share. Something I'm pondering. I have this big red book that I've had since I was 16. I have been writing in it roughly once a year since then. It's like a slice of moments, it isn't many words but it is complete and utter truth.

I'm considering 'presenting' it somehow.

I'd like thoughts on this...if you'd all be so kind.

Is The Internet Killing Storytelling?

2009-11-14T13:16:00.008Z

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/ben_macintyre/article6903537.ece

The Times man appears to think...

I do wonder if he is considering all the positive things the internet does for narrative. The possibilities of viral campaigns, the collaborations, the wealth of readership and expansion of something new and intriguing. I also find the article a little self-involved and cliché ridden (Electronic canapé...oh dear!), just for the sake of it before he gets around to the actual points.

Talking of points, is he missing the big obvious one here? The change in language, how it evolves, changes and adapts with time and changing societies. How narrative 100 years ago is still embedded in similar themes of love, loss and possibilities. Like real life and through time and history, we change but we work it all out, if anything it should be exciting!

I understand the context of the article but I wonder if it's because he feels slightly out of touch more than anything. The human mind is evolving to a different level and not all of us are drowned in reality and celebrity TV shows nor do we necessarily rely on them. Older generations are, indeed, baffled by how quickly everything is changing but then there is always a counterbalance of people of those ages who are completely embracing the unknown, the new and the future.

I, for one, can Twitter and use Facebook quite easily between reading good-old-fashioned books and work PLUS still write this, quite coherently and without distraction. See? Easy!

Narrative isn't dead nor will it disappear, it cannot because it is always part of everything we are and all the things we do each day.

Fringe & Thoughts on Existence

2009-11-02T16:03:00.001Z

Just finished watching one of the best TV series that I've watched for a long time. I loved Lost and Heroes recently but Fringe takes that interest to another level. Not only is addictive but also informative, interesting and funny!

Fringe delves into fringe science and the boundaries of scientific reality and fiction but twists the two into possibility because of the science behind it all. I don't like putting certain descriptions on things but it has that X-Files feel for challenging what it does but it's definitely and completely on its own grounds for something original.

It focuses around an FBI team based in Boston and they use unorthodox methods to investigate a growing series of unexplained, seemingly baffling events. This occurrences are growing in their bizarreness and off-the-wall possibilities of explanation come into play.

In normal circumstances you could dismiss this type of television but a lot of what is questioned and raised in each show has actually happened or been tried through fringe science...or at least...in theory for the bigger events. I'm not trying to convince everyone that everything you see is real but it's just done very smartly and for that, I applaud it very highly indeed!

A great cast, strong writing, a story arc that builds surreptitiously and a beautiful twist in the final episode that - for once - I just didn't see coming.

DNA genome experiments, transmutation, xenotransplantation....oh and so much more, such fun! Oh and did you know that earlier on in the 2000s, scientists have merged spider silk genes into goats protein and therefore when they milked they can mass produce spider silk? It enables biodegradable fishing lines, lighter but stronger body armour and it has even been used to help with artificial tendons.

I know this is playing with the way things exist and questionable to our own humanity and possibly ethics but sometimes I feel we don't concentrate on the positives of possibility and instead only think negatively. I'm just intrigued by it all! I loved Science at school and I think I need to brush up on everything that I've forgotten.

My brother and I have constant conversations over reality, what's real and our human perception to our existence and how we see - or believe we see - everything around us day-to-day. I think it's naive to believe that we only have one plain of reality purely based on one of the first facts of current scientific possibility....the fact we are still working out how our brains work and differing levels of consciousness. There was an interesting programme on BBC2 (Horizon, I believe) concentrating on the difference between our conscious mind and our brain and basically what controls what. As a writer I love all this stuff, imagination can take you anywhere and positive places as well.

Impossible is nothing. ;)

Some tie-ins:
Massive Dynamic
Imagine The Possibilities

Now to find Season 2 which I know is underway!

David Gray - Draw The Line - Review

2009-10-20T13:37:00.001+01:00

Draw The Line is David Gray's eighth studio album and finds him taking a leap forward from his previous incarnations, this album portrays Gray at the forefront and still a stand-out silhouette of the singer/songwriter generation, nearly ten years since his breakthrough White Ladder melted into the hearts of millions.

The lead single 'Fugitive' pounds in on a resonant drum beat and asks curiously '...is the answer none of the above?' simultaneously highlighting not only choice for the listener but also injecting a dose of what might be achievable. Change and possibility are themes recreated throughout the album but he never fails to keep the balance of reality, questioning mortality 'carnivals of silverfish waiting to dance upon our bones' in the musing title track and a relationship spiralling out of control in the pensive 'Harder'.

The track raising questions in their scenario, pondering over the intensity of those lingering doubts we all have had at some point. Also, penultimate song 'Breathe' graciously builds as the song focuses on the confusion of losing your mind and wanting to jump from the ledge. It proposes that its audience takes a moment, steps back and takes its sentiment quite literally. Final track, the potent 'Full Steam', a duet with Annie Lennox is a rousing close to the album. It positions awareness and naivety on the same plate and points out that 'we all saw it coming but we still bought it', an anthemic track and narrative, stitched with feelings akin to our current western world worries and qualms.

The interesting thing about Draw The Line is that despite its robust and rugged nature, it doesn't feel like it dwells on struggle. We find highlights of life and love here and how we work through it by accepting that we all doubt ourselves sometimes. If you consider his rise to fame in such a short space of time, Gray is still intensely grounded, this eighth studio album is embedded with organic roots that have more stability than other similar artists that are often mentioned in the same vein. Draw The Line is lyrically tempestuous and abundant with soul and spirit. It may be an escape route for Gray but he also created a passionate, stormy new path to tread and follow in these fast changing times.

Editors - In This Light on On This Evening - Review

2009-10-19T15:49:00.001+01:00

New Editors album 'In This Light and On This Evening' is their third album and has dived further in the murky depths of industrial-esque darkness. On my initial encounter of lead single 'Papillon', I have to admit I really wasn't convinced at all. Tom Smith's voice appeared to have merged and changed into something different, his sound is so unique they you are not sure whether it needed any re-shaping but that track and the album has slowly altered my perception of what to expect but in such a positive way.

His voice is the catalyst of their inimitable sound, and musically Editors are an impending ominous creation of sounds, they feel like the sparks of indiginant men welding metal together at the top of a skyscraper in an electrical storm. Yet, while we're intoxicated by the visual sound they concoct, there still has to be stability and I think this third effort takes them back home to where they started with The Back Room.

Their second album An End Has A Start pushed them towards commercial success and I felt I liked that album faster, possibly too easily and enough to let it drift over before you were really able to dig your claws into it. I always found myself going back to the start and falling in love again with such songs as Colours or the epic eruption of Elbow-produced Let Your Good Heart Lead You Home.

In This Light and On This Evening is a much more complicated effort on a first listen, Smith declaring his love for London in the opening title track but let it be known that love but this album instantly has more of a reflection of raw emotion than throw-away greeting card sentiment. There's no doubting that a new synthetic feel of their music overwhelms the vocals to begin with, yet something is creeping around the corner in something akin to looking around the sewers in the movie The Host.

Interestingly, lyrically it's so inherently positive and as Smith declares "I swear to God,I heard the Earth inhale. Moments before it spat its rain down on me....London's become the most beautiful thing I've seen." For me, on my recent escape to London and the freedom and possibility it can offer if you want it enough, those words sum it up in a fantastic notion.

Editors are generally easily compared to Joy Division or Echo & The Bunnymen. For me, they still have the same veins of Interpol - who are great in their own right - but Editors take it to the next level. Developing their own sound and this is in clear view with the likes of Bricks & Mortar, Papillon and the stunningly anthemic Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool...a secret love child of Thom Yorke's 'The Eraser', Depeche Mode heart of darkness Dave Gahan's pulsating tones and NIN's 'Only' but with all the swagger and charm of Editors earlier sound with new added passion and defiance.

Without wanting to sound too cliched, The Boxer is a prime example of their gift of a perfect soundscape. A track that starts so simple and builds and builds to a wonder climax, feeling like your walking around the streets of Dark City, trying to escape and then finding a door out to the bright lights of reality. It's another tale of a city exemplified by the lyrics "I'm attracted to the light, I'm attracted to the heat, it's a violent night...there are boxers in the street." Feeling the final punch in the final round, spinning to the ground with blood drowning your vision, dazed by the flashing of camera bulbs and hitting the canvas torso first.

The Big Exit is their only downfall for me, a weaker track delving into latter stage Depeche Mode again, lacking the full kick that they are very capable of. And then Walk The Fleet Road, a track that steals a touch from Leftfield and the beauty of an electronic wave, rushing into the shore with a Scottish twist all of its own.

I think what makes this album is the visual insight that is evident throughout the album. Basically, Editors have the bollocks to change their direction a touch and know that it's the right thing to do. You can feel it and you know what, you can even taste it a little. The good, the bad and the beautiful of their elegant, shadowy world.

4th Plinth Withdrawal Symptoms

2009-10-17T12:09:00.003+01:00

Haha, there appears to be some who can't live without their live feeds! I even wanted to go to the site a minute ago, purely to see what's happening - generally -

But I've also noticed on the Twitter #oneandother that some of our friends have discovered the live feed of Tower Bridge and have been using that to help their desires.

As I laughed over this slight madness, I went to the link myself...and now want to wait for the next bridge lift....this ISN'T RIGHT.

For anyone wondering...next one is 12:45 and they are listed on the site...*coughs and hides*

Some Final Words on the 4th Plinth

2009-10-15T12:02:00.003+01:00

Firstly, I'd like to direct everyone to Matt's final blog on the Oneandother.co.uk site, a fantastic write-up!

I wrote some quick words from my moments up there as well, they were whatever came into my head a few words from the actual hour on the Plinth as well, such a brilliant project and will stay with me forever. :)

Dan Bullock (@dan_bullock) appeared on the plinth in August and held a creative writing workshop in Trafalgar Square. He wrote a stream of consciousness on his impression of the plinth:

Dear Plinth, Darkness, excitement, coffee, shadows, click clack ding. She kicked my writing around like a football. The light peers in and the traffic speeds in like a river from a hill after a storm. I sit, lie and stand. Pinstripe. Typewriter. Writer? Destiny evolved. Pick up your pen and scribble over me. Put me the wrong way in the printer. (Mostly) yours, Mr Dan Bullock.

One more day...

2009-10-12T13:33:00.001+01:00

...Until I have interweb back again at home, I can be a 'normal' blogger! Is there such a thing? ;)

Also, only two days-ish left of One & Other, how sad it will be to see it go but it was immense!!

Update

2009-10-07T14:51:00.002+01:00

So, it's been a strange year. At the start of this year I was halfway into starting my writing career, contributing regularly to a Northern Irish music magazine under the name of AU.

Then a random break-up with my girlfriend, moved back to Devon, then two months in Richmond in May and June working as an Editorial Assistant AND THEN....on the fourth Plinth on the 6th of August. Which was/is still one of the best things I've ever done.

I've now been full-time job hunting for something like 9 weeks, in honesty I've lost track. Granted I've been looking for publishing related work initially and there has been no comeback of positivity at all.

However, I'm still alive and still going on. Despite all the ups and downs, I'm sharing a house with my brother and gradually starting everything again.

I don't really get excessively down, I don't believe in it.

I'm just keeping on, keeping on!!

Video & Newspapers

2009-09-03T23:44:00.001+01:00

Well, with my sanity slightly returning. I think. Fantastic bad editorial work yesterday from the Daily Express, you have to check out this LINK.

There's also a video entry from me, right HERE.

Also in capitals, nice eh?

And here we go...

2009-08-27T03:43:00.003+01:00

This entry tonight that's mainly going to be a quick ramble about my job hunt and now refusing to sign on as moved me from Plinth to Poverty in very quick time. Surely someone out there wants to - at least - offer me an interview? For anything? ABOUT anything! Even about socks, I'll do it. I like socks. Well, I'm a fan.

5 weeks ago, I thought this would be a lot easier. That if I applied for an excessive amount of jobs, one of them would at least be a 'maybe'. I might add that I've been looking at jobs everywhere...from London to Bristol to Birmingham to Exeter and so far....naff all!

I've changed my CV - Nothing

I've done different types of covering letters - Nada

I've followed up - Can't give feedback because there are too many applicants.

So, all along I learn nothing about why I've gone wrong or what I should do next time. How can you have a learning curve when you don't know what to change?! So...#2...I guess the best thing to do is to keep on swimming and hope that this bleeding stubborn persistence eventually leads me to temptation...er...I mean, work!

The 'concern' has led me to doubt, worry and all those other mites that fester in the background. I have, however, got one thing on my side. Great support from family & friends, aforementioned bloody-stubbornness and the occasion Guinness that drifts me towards sanity of some description. It's 03:50am. I really should sleep now. Up at 9am and back on with this seemingly eternal hunt!

Hmmm

2009-08-13T13:13:00.003+01:00

So, just as I get this going. My wonderful laptop Adele (A Dell...yes, I'm probably not the first or last person to call my laptop exactly what it is. Call a spade, a spade or in this case call my Dell laptop A Dell, have I gone off topic ALREADY?) died last night.

The Vista Bastard flew into System Restore Hell before I could stop it and now it won't let me do anything. I've tried completely going back to start with various ways but because it's Vista Bastard, everytime I do that...it shuts it down as it is about to do something useful.

Luckily because I don't trust computers like some do and despite my current online addiction to social networking and blogging absolute rubbish, I backed up some of my work. Which is good because 4 years of photographs, music, writing all being drowned in a puddle of despair, might have thrown me over the metaphorical edge.

So, just as I was in the throws of job hunting, work sharing and book making - of sorts - I will literally have to use my old typewriter.

Do you think companies will mind if they receive my CV written on a typewriter? I'll use Tip-Ex if there's a mistake, maybe even sign it or better still.....seal the letter with wax, live in the back streets of London and tip my hat and stop to talk a while. (Never smile at a Crocodile...)

Onwards!!!!

Uri Gellar

2009-08-12T14:34:00.002+01:00

That man has everything in the world, he can bend spoons with his Mind. You'd think though, with such a power that surely he could do something else as well? Maybe twist a knife into a fork or make a rather interesting coat rack.

I also believe that when he followed Exeter City for a while, that he believed they would not get relegated. But they did.

Seriously, how can you make a career out of spoon bending? I can do it! In the dark! I bet I could bend more spoons than him in the dark...

A New Start, A New Blog!

2009-08-12T14:05:00.000+01:00

As I move into the realms of the public blog, I must firstly admit that I have no idea what's going to happen here. These spaces will change daily, the thoughts could be filtered but are very unlikely to be. I decided I needed somewhere to properly rant and have comment pieces.

For any newcomers, I also have a website and that is here: www.danbullock.co.uk

That little thing contains all my writing work so far, it's already in need of an update but you can find reviews, interviews, photography and the basis of the odd story. Most of those appear to be collaborative and I fully welcome new ideas, new people and comments and thoughts from everyone and anyone.

But anyway, back to the here and now. Give me a few days to get used to you being here and if you wish, I've left a few links dotted around so people can spy...er...I mean see what I'm up to generally. We're going interactive mad. You Love It.