Archive for August, 2004

Freedom

It’s really difficult to explain quite how liberated I feel, having submitted my thesis last week. While there hasn’t been the big party I expected to have upon finishing it as yet (Saturday night notwithstanding), I nonetheless have felt the finality of it all (I hope). The simple fact is that I can once again engage with my day-to-day existence without the weight of unfinished business hanging on a chain around my neck, like some kind of toasted, ornamental albatross. Suck on that metaphor.

My other projects can resume, now: my writing, The Line (should Damian let me get involved), my job (substantially reduced in stress, hopefully), and, or course, getting back to the gym. I can’t wait.

This weekend was genuinely relaxing. As well as booking the hostel for my holiday in Tallinn this coming weekend (woo! although technicall, Matt did the booking…), I watched the entertaining Kissing Jessica Stein on video on Friday, and had dinner at the really outstanding Malabar in Notting Hill on Saturday. The duck curry was particularly impressive, and was washed down nicely with a very affordable house red — the occassion, which spawned out of a kind of spontaneous apathy on the behalf of a number of my friends (it was more complicated than that, but not more interesting) resulted in a last minute booking having to be made by myself - for 16 people.

It was a really great night - and we popped over to the Notting Hill Arts Club to finish the evening off in appropriate style. That was a great venue, even if it was a little loud for the conversations I ended up having (didn’t really feel the dancing vibe). Was huge fun, if I spent a little more money than I should have.

Sunday saw the revival, for me, of Boggle (I’m really out of practice!), I narrowly defeated Damian at chess when we both lost interest in waiting for each other to move, and Damo, Marionus, Turnermator and I popped down to my local Screen to watch The Bourne Supremacy, which, despite my absolute loathing of Matt Damon, proved very entertaining, even if Franka Potente was less attractive than she seemed to me in Run Lola Run.

In part due to the recommendation of Michael and Alex, the very capable painters who’ve been in this weekend fixing all the damage Arvind has inflicted on his room over the years, I popped down to the Notting Hill Carnival today. It was an interesting experience; although categorically, I think, not my scene: I was a little disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more. Turns out I am that cynical and cloistered, after all. Don’t know who I was trying to kid with that, really.

Still, a great weekend. I’ve discovered that Blogger keeps profiles, so if you’re curious as to how much I’ve blogged since this site went live in September, check this out. Sayonara for now; expect more regular posts now, hopefully with some interesting and original content of a nature that isn’t excessively philosophical…

[Listening to: Who Got The Hooch - Everything - Going Somewhere (04:05)]

This is what Altruism looks like…

Honest. I worked it out. Work out the axes for yourself. It’s fun!

[Listening to: Never Saw It Coming (Bonus Track) -

The Line!

Some friends of mine, as I’ve mentioned, have been working on a new newspaper for London, including Tom and Chris, and probably mainly Damian (who doesn’t have a website).

The pilot is out! And the online section too - check it out. Comments etc., to the relevant places, or here, or by email.

[Listening to: You Could Be Mine - Guns Nroses - Greatest Hits (05:44)]

Nuts!

My Aunty Sushi stopped by the flat last week on her way home from Malaysia, and she brought me a really nice gift: some of my favourite peanuts from Malaysia. They really are unparalleled for flavour. I do, however, take issue with the marketing manager of Pagoda peanuts choice of words to promote the quality of peanuts (and this is completely for real, un-photoshopped scan of a peanut packet):

Nuts!

Seriousla! Did the wrong, criminally wrong, interpretation of that never occur to anyone?

[Listening to: Town Called Malice - Jam (The) - Original Soundtrack - High Fidelity [UK] (02:54)]

It’s amazing…

…some of the rubbish you can write when the mood takes you. Like that earlier post, about Morpheus. I mean, yeah, Sandman is great, but re-reading it, it is like I’m on drugs.

Man.

Finding a similar thing re-writing bits of my thesis which I wrote a year ago, when I was evidently more self-obssessed and, well, verbose. Crikey, I can’t stop myself. I just keep writing ridiculoulsy wordy sentences.

Intense weekend of re-writing going on here. It’s actually a lot more interesting than I expected, if still not particularly enticing or fun in any way.

[Listening to: Tu Mira (Edit) - Lole Y Manuel - Kill Bill Volume 2 (04:01)]

The snare of Morpheus

I was trapped, this morning, in my dreams. I battled it out with the Dream-king, but his grip was strong, and as I emerged from sleep, the first time, I found myself in a motel room unlike any I’d ever seen, with two 14″ TVs on either side of the room, an undrawable curtain, and myself, stark naked, fully aware of the battle that was going on and adamant that I would not lose.

In my dream, I sought return to sleep, but in Morpheus’ domain, we play by his rules. For a fleeting moment, I was arguing with my brother, having a shower, preparing for work, and then trapped between warm pillows and sheets once again.

Three, four times this happened. Once I even saw his face; pasty white, dark, spiked hair, as Gaiman might have envisioned him. It was a face no conscious mind has ever witness, nor ever will.

But it was Morpheus who won. My hope of early rising was destroying; by 11.30 I was waking for the fourth and final time. The disturbing yet oddly comfortable fantasy of the Dreaming was gone, and reality was monochrome, dry-mouthed, and in need of the bathoom.

**

If you’re saying to yourself, “no more drugs for that man”, go read all Neil Gaiman’s brilliant “Sandman” series. You may reach the same conclusion, but at least you’ll understand where I’m coming from, and it’ll make your Dreaming more interesting.

[Listening to: She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane (04:20)]

I know, I know…

Blogs are generally damned for being too self-centric, but seriously, this is the BEST EVER search string (presumably via Google) to result in someone finding my website:

“optimus prime jewish evidence”

No, really. Check this out if you don’t believe me.

[Listening to: Scooby Snacks [Schmoove Version] - Fun Lovin’ Criminals - Mimosa (03:21)]

West Wing

The new series of “The West Wing” has just started showing, and is missing Aaron Sorkin. Arvind thinks its lost all its pace, and I think I’m getting to the point of agreeing with him. There are still some great stories, deeply emotive, and good character development, but all of the punch that characterized the interplay between the characters in the earlier series is completely gone. Even Joshua Malina’s character, who was so promising, seems to have lost the ability to bounce off Toby.

Nuts.

Still, the show is well researched. Leard the meaning of the Korean word “Han” today. I feel that.

[Listening to: Closet Full of Fear - Hootie & the Blowfish - Musical Chairs (03:18)]

QC

Today’s Questionable Content cites Neal Stepehnson! Wick!

[Listening to: The Hell Song - Sum 41 - American Wedding (03:21)]

Summer heat

It’s been damn hot the last few days. It might seems pitiful that someone who gew up within spitting distance of the equator swelters and whinges about a mild hot spell in London, and in truth, I’m not complaining - the hot weather was great over the weekend. Lazing around in the sunshine in Regent’s Park, reading through my thesis (grrr - if I ever see a professional philosopher again, I don’t know what I’ll do!) was really quite wonderful.

I’m not looking forward to having to spend most of the day cooped up in a hot office building though - that’s less than 100% Colombian fun. Don’t get me wrong - I love my job - but I think they should call siestas for the summer months.

But, coming to the point of this post (insofar as it has one): all is well with me; I’ve watched a lot of movies of late (The Punisher, Brazil, Brain Dead, 13 going on 30, High Fidelity and Grosse Point Blank (again!) and more), read a little (finished Timoleon Vieta come Home - brilliant - and about to start Fortress of Solitute, once I get this thesis dealt with), and been working a lot. New client started at work last week - Cisco Systems - which is great, but obviously its been a bit busy at work dealing with the additional load.

Not much else is on. Results of the MRI come in tomorrow (woo), I’ve taken to saying “woo” a lot (woo!), and think people should stop singing “Armand David” to the tune of “Craig David” when I call them. All else is good in Armo’s world.

Off to Cambridge next weekend if I get enough work done this week. Wish me luck.

[Listening to: Am I the Only One? - Barenaked Ladies - Maybe You Should Drive (04:50)]

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