Keep it quiet but I happen to know that yesterday it was a certain parasitologist's birthday.
Happy birthday Darwin, from all the team here at London, Lanka and drums, aka me.
Jackal Jackpot
10 months ago
Showing posts with label darwin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label darwin. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Lately In The Lankanosphere....
There are times when I read the Lankan blogs and think that there's a desperate need for a "lately" purely because of a huge volume of posts that I find highly stimulating or interesting.
Frankly this isn't one of those times. All of you see me after class. There has however, been some good sparkly stuff floating around, bits and pieces from the expected bloggers and quirky stuff from the less expected, perhaps the ones that I usually don't read. Here are some of the best bits.
Darwin, who has become a bit of a Godmother of the Lankanosphere, by hovering away in the background, not posting that often and then writing gems when she does, has given us this thought provoker. The best words are those used by Darwin. They go like this
"Seriously. This is the cheesiest, creepiest, weirdest engagement announcement I have ever come across."
And she's right. Check it out. I commented, saying that there was something cute about it. The more I think about it the less cute it feels. I feel sorry for the husband to be, but perhaps they deserve each other.
Blogaversary wishes have been winging their way across to the land of the rising Sun for JapSach, who's celebrating a year of writing his blog. I remember the days when he was young and unknown. My how he's grooown! I left a comment on one of his posts, to say that I'm a bit envious of his adventures in Japan and he thought I was being sarcastic. I wasn't. I really enjoy reading his blog and of his discoveries and adventures, thundering typhoons included.
There's been a tag doing the rounds, one about five friends bloggers have made through their blogs. I was tagged by TMS in her post about it, for which I'm rather grateful. I thought about writing my own post and naming my five friends but I haven't. Why RD, but why? I hear you shouting. Well it's because I've made many friends and writing about a mere five would cause fights and bad feeling among the people left out. DD wouldn't be in the top five, that's the only certain thing! I reserve the right to write one of these posts at some time in the future though.
Lady Divine's post about the subject should probably win an award for meeting the most bloggers. I was omitted owing to a technicality; that we've never met, though that same technicality didn't prevent our LD including DD in the list. It's like she's like kinda met everyone like. Kinda.
St Fallen has contributed his piece on the matter here. I can't quite figure out who started it and where this particular tag is now but it's a good and enthralling one, seeing who's met who and exactly how much they love each other.
A Virile Nagalingam, a blogger who I often read but don't think I've ever mentioned has kicked out two contrasting and nifty posts. First came this one, about Indian food, though AVN makes us wonder if there is such a thing. He points out that so many are quick to label food that originates in the subcontinent as being "Indian" despite the fact that there are huge differences between the food from different areas of the country.
The average Brit does exactly the same thing. Here in Londinium an Indian restaurant is an Indian restaurant. There is little distinction made between a South Indian one compared to a Northern one, let alone between errm, well, you know. But are we wrong to generalise like this? The closer you get to a place the more specific the geography becomes no? In England it's fine for me to say my parents are from Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka I need to say my Dad's from Gampola. In Gampola I need to say where the house is. And on we go with that spiffing illustration.
Secondly from AVN comes this post. WTF, OMG and OMWTFG. I haven't a clue what he's talking about. At one point, late in the first paragraph I thought I understood something. I was wrong though. I finished reading and thought that I'd like to be able to write like that, then realised that I don't know if I'd like to write like that, because I can't figure it out. Cool. See if you can.
In the land of Indi.ca there have been some goings on. This tour of a handloom factory is an interesting couple of minutes, or coupla minutes as Indi would no doubt say. I guess it's not actually a handloom factory as such, they don't make handlooms there, but they weave and churn out sarongs and shirts. Check it out, if you're thinking of investing then buy the place too, you can you know.
Rajaratarala, that farmer geezer who everyone reads, is back with a couple of quick and readable posts. I like him, he's the sort of chap I'd love to have a drink and a chat with. But, to my Suddha vocals his name just has was too many vowels, well As, in it. I'd find it easier if he was called Roger or something similar. Either way, whether it's Roger or Rajaratarala, I think he's got most people on his side and wishing success in his direction.
On a slightly serious note this post, on Chitrangi's blog, intrigued me. It's a story alleging Police brutality in Sri Lanka. I don't think it's the first, nor methinks will it be the last. The bit that really grabbed me was when the fellow says this:
"They asked me why I had assaulted a woman. One of them dragged my shirt color and started to assault me using their hand and legs. I told them that the said woman is my wife. But they didn’t listen to me. They assaulted me further."
I don't condone the alleged violence by the Police, I don't know if it's true anyhow. But is the writer's defence, that it wasn't an assault because the woman concerned was his wife, for real? He doesn't tell us exactly what happened but it seems mad. By my standards assaulting people is wrong, whether they're married to you or not. Please have a read of this and tell me if you think I've misinterpreted the post.
Amila Salagado, the man who knows more about birds than Dominic Sansoni knows about tying sarongs, has been out and about with his sparkling new lens. So far the results have been disastrous, as you can see here with his abysmal failure to get a single bird in focus. Amila, I'll step in and offer to take the lens off your hand if things don't work out better. I'm kind like that you know. You can pay me when you've got the money.
As we come to the end of the journey, maybe not a journey but more a little stopover in the Lankanosphere, we get to the best bit. It's him, some people know him as Cerno, all I know is that the Stig worships him. I must warn you that things could go a bit oooer here, it's Sunday night, though you'll probably be reading this on Monday, and I've got Zombie by the Cranberries blasting out. It's on my "energetic" playlist and it's fanfuckingtastic, as I'm sure you know.
"In your head, in your head, they're still fighting" sing along now.
So anyway, Cerno wrote this post about elephant watching and his discomfort with it. It's an engaging one that puts across a view many wouldn't consider. In its own right it deserves a place in this "lately". But then, with that splash of inspiration only splashed about by people like Cerno he follows up with something even better, funnier and more mind blowing. I'd try to describe it and attempt to quote something from it but I'm not worthy and I might get trampled by a herd of angry elephants. Go and read it, click on the link and prepare to be unprepared.
If there was a fellow with a project to compile a book of great Sri Lankan blog posts, then these two MUST be in it.
Lastly we had the first edition of the Kottu Mag out with yesterday's Sunday Leader. I've seen it on Indi's blog but the cover I see on the Sunday Leader page consists of a link to Kottu itself, which I glance at once in a while anyway. I really like the cover, I think it's eyecatching, which is good. It's big, it's mainstream and it's positive. What will come of it, how it will be/has been received I don't know, only time will tell.
That concludes our stopover. The weeks begins and I wish you a good one, filled with all seven days and some smiling and laughing.
RD
Frankly this isn't one of those times. All of you see me after class. There has however, been some good sparkly stuff floating around, bits and pieces from the expected bloggers and quirky stuff from the less expected, perhaps the ones that I usually don't read. Here are some of the best bits.
Darwin, who has become a bit of a Godmother of the Lankanosphere, by hovering away in the background, not posting that often and then writing gems when she does, has given us this thought provoker. The best words are those used by Darwin. They go like this
"Seriously. This is the cheesiest, creepiest, weirdest engagement announcement I have ever come across."
And she's right. Check it out. I commented, saying that there was something cute about it. The more I think about it the less cute it feels. I feel sorry for the husband to be, but perhaps they deserve each other.
Blogaversary wishes have been winging their way across to the land of the rising Sun for JapSach, who's celebrating a year of writing his blog. I remember the days when he was young and unknown. My how he's grooown! I left a comment on one of his posts, to say that I'm a bit envious of his adventures in Japan and he thought I was being sarcastic. I wasn't. I really enjoy reading his blog and of his discoveries and adventures, thundering typhoons included.
There's been a tag doing the rounds, one about five friends bloggers have made through their blogs. I was tagged by TMS in her post about it, for which I'm rather grateful. I thought about writing my own post and naming my five friends but I haven't. Why RD, but why? I hear you shouting. Well it's because I've made many friends and writing about a mere five would cause fights and bad feeling among the people left out. DD wouldn't be in the top five, that's the only certain thing! I reserve the right to write one of these posts at some time in the future though.
Lady Divine's post about the subject should probably win an award for meeting the most bloggers. I was omitted owing to a technicality; that we've never met, though that same technicality didn't prevent our LD including DD in the list. It's like she's like kinda met everyone like. Kinda.
St Fallen has contributed his piece on the matter here. I can't quite figure out who started it and where this particular tag is now but it's a good and enthralling one, seeing who's met who and exactly how much they love each other.
A Virile Nagalingam, a blogger who I often read but don't think I've ever mentioned has kicked out two contrasting and nifty posts. First came this one, about Indian food, though AVN makes us wonder if there is such a thing. He points out that so many are quick to label food that originates in the subcontinent as being "Indian" despite the fact that there are huge differences between the food from different areas of the country.
The average Brit does exactly the same thing. Here in Londinium an Indian restaurant is an Indian restaurant. There is little distinction made between a South Indian one compared to a Northern one, let alone between errm, well, you know. But are we wrong to generalise like this? The closer you get to a place the more specific the geography becomes no? In England it's fine for me to say my parents are from Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka I need to say my Dad's from Gampola. In Gampola I need to say where the house is. And on we go with that spiffing illustration.
Secondly from AVN comes this post. WTF, OMG and OMWTFG. I haven't a clue what he's talking about. At one point, late in the first paragraph I thought I understood something. I was wrong though. I finished reading and thought that I'd like to be able to write like that, then realised that I don't know if I'd like to write like that, because I can't figure it out. Cool. See if you can.
In the land of Indi.ca there have been some goings on. This tour of a handloom factory is an interesting couple of minutes, or coupla minutes as Indi would no doubt say. I guess it's not actually a handloom factory as such, they don't make handlooms there, but they weave and churn out sarongs and shirts. Check it out, if you're thinking of investing then buy the place too, you can you know.
Rajaratarala, that farmer geezer who everyone reads, is back with a couple of quick and readable posts. I like him, he's the sort of chap I'd love to have a drink and a chat with. But, to my Suddha vocals his name just has was too many vowels, well As, in it. I'd find it easier if he was called Roger or something similar. Either way, whether it's Roger or Rajaratarala, I think he's got most people on his side and wishing success in his direction.
On a slightly serious note this post, on Chitrangi's blog, intrigued me. It's a story alleging Police brutality in Sri Lanka. I don't think it's the first, nor methinks will it be the last. The bit that really grabbed me was when the fellow says this:
"They asked me why I had assaulted a woman. One of them dragged my shirt color and started to assault me using their hand and legs. I told them that the said woman is my wife. But they didn’t listen to me. They assaulted me further."
I don't condone the alleged violence by the Police, I don't know if it's true anyhow. But is the writer's defence, that it wasn't an assault because the woman concerned was his wife, for real? He doesn't tell us exactly what happened but it seems mad. By my standards assaulting people is wrong, whether they're married to you or not. Please have a read of this and tell me if you think I've misinterpreted the post.
Amila Salagado, the man who knows more about birds than Dominic Sansoni knows about tying sarongs, has been out and about with his sparkling new lens. So far the results have been disastrous, as you can see here with his abysmal failure to get a single bird in focus. Amila, I'll step in and offer to take the lens off your hand if things don't work out better. I'm kind like that you know. You can pay me when you've got the money.
As we come to the end of the journey, maybe not a journey but more a little stopover in the Lankanosphere, we get to the best bit. It's him, some people know him as Cerno, all I know is that the Stig worships him. I must warn you that things could go a bit oooer here, it's Sunday night, though you'll probably be reading this on Monday, and I've got Zombie by the Cranberries blasting out. It's on my "energetic" playlist and it's fanfuckingtastic, as I'm sure you know.
"In your head, in your head, they're still fighting" sing along now.
So anyway, Cerno wrote this post about elephant watching and his discomfort with it. It's an engaging one that puts across a view many wouldn't consider. In its own right it deserves a place in this "lately". But then, with that splash of inspiration only splashed about by people like Cerno he follows up with something even better, funnier and more mind blowing. I'd try to describe it and attempt to quote something from it but I'm not worthy and I might get trampled by a herd of angry elephants. Go and read it, click on the link and prepare to be unprepared.
If there was a fellow with a project to compile a book of great Sri Lankan blog posts, then these two MUST be in it.
Lastly we had the first edition of the Kottu Mag out with yesterday's Sunday Leader. I've seen it on Indi's blog but the cover I see on the Sunday Leader page consists of a link to Kottu itself, which I glance at once in a while anyway. I really like the cover, I think it's eyecatching, which is good. It's big, it's mainstream and it's positive. What will come of it, how it will be/has been received I don't know, only time will tell.
That concludes our stopover. The weeks begins and I wish you a good one, filled with all seven days and some smiling and laughing.
RD
Monday, August 31, 2009
Kottu - The TV Series
On Indi's original post about the Kottu Mag a comment by David Blacker almost slipped by unnoticed. I say "almost" because I for one did notice it. It was like the tiniest flick in my mind, only this particular tiny flick was against a domino piece that was leaning against another, which was leaning against another, which was.... you get the picture.
DB said, and I'm taking a big risk here and reproducing without his written permission, which might result in him suing me, killing me or just shrugging his shoulders:
"The TV idea we talked about, which takes it into a different dimension, might be better."
Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh, I thought. A TV series, now we're really cooking, though it probably wouldn't be a cooking programme, this is when it gets truly adventurous and exciting.
And who would I choose to play the Lankan bloggers in this new series that's almost certainly on the cards?
Firstly, probably most importantly there's Indi himself. An ideas chap with energy and enthsiasm, youngish and with highly a suspicious sense of fashion about him. Yes, there can be no doubt that Tony Montana, as played by Al Pacino, would be perfect for the role. Indi likes to play that game, Risk, and it's only a few steps away from being like Tony Montana. It fits.
Next I thought about Dinidu. His youthful zest for life, his endearing naivety about things, which gets knocked out of us older people and we often wish it hadn't been, his intellect and warmth are things that would have to be portrayed by a skilled actor with sensitivity and care. At first I instantly thought of Leonardo DiCaprio, but I think his hair's not quite right for it. I settled on the now retired Rick Moranis. Perhaps the prospect of playing Mr de Alwis would tease him out of retirement.
Let's look at some women.
First there's the Queen of the Lankanosphere, The Missing Sandwich. There wasn't much thinking needed for her role. With her pink hair, her deep thinking and out of the box ideas, her quirkiness and drive I knew immediately who'd be perfect for this. Yes, Phoebe Buffay from Friends is the automatic and natural choice.
Next is our Gyppo, a bird who possesses a dangerous combination of looks and brain, rather like an Ostrich. And neither of them can fly, adding to the spookiness of the Ostrich / Gypsy connection. Who' d be able to fit the looks and brains mould, retaining the sense of youth and vim that G12 exudes. Ah yes, that Jessica Biel girl would slot in quite nicely, with a bit of work needed on her Lankan accent of course.
No episode of our new Kottu based soap would be complete without Lady Divine taking up a fair amount of on screen time. She'd be one of the main characters, liked by all and admired by many. I think there's a certain motherly tone to her, in the nicest possible way, and there's quirkiness in there too. If you've read her last two posts about growing up I'm sure you'll agree.
So continuing along the characters from Friends scenario started earlier the natural choice would be Monica Geller. Problems may arise if Chandler gets a part, but I haven't decided this yet.
Next we come to the very important role of Cerno. We need a wise and fatherly fellow to fill these big shoes. Someone a bit off the wall but with common sense, someone who can run with pack and also sprint ahead of it when he wants to. It needs to be a unique actor and Jean - Luc Picard, the best ever Captain of the USS Enterprise could, with a bit of coaching, be the man for the job.
David Blacker? Well I considered this for a nano second, maybe even less, and a certain Bruce Willis, once in the frame, was perfect. He's got the thinking man's hard man thing going on and he wouldn't have to shave his head either. I thought about Sly Stallone and Mickey Rourke for the key Blacker part but they both lacked the sophistication needed.
As for DD, well we need someone who's a little, ahem, more mature. We need a person who can portray DD with all his quirkiness and emotion. A thespian who used to have it and has still got it, you know what I mean. A chap who's continually changing with the times, evolving more quickly than those scary dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Step up Jack Nicholson. Perfect.
And what about villains? There are only two that need to be included; Sittingnut and Voice In Colombo. After some thought and a few auditions I feel that they need to be portrayed by a double act, they go together, but not in a John Travolta and Olivia Newton John way. I've decided on Harry and Marv from the Home Alone films. Joe Pesci as Harry would play Sittingnut and Marv would be VIC.
St Fallen, the new hero and centre of the Kottu can be played by a young and rebellious type, someone who's dangerous, who women and gay men want to sleep with and other men want to be. James Dean, obviously back from the dead, is lined up for this.
As we near the end of my casting special post there are only three people left. The legend that is Java Jones, the legendess that is Naz Sansoni and the, well me.
Java's role is a crucial one. Played by an actor with presence and wisdom. He most probably wouldn't pop up in every episode but his appearances would be important, big and meaty. And Morgan Freeman, after some serious negotation has agreed to fill these rather large shoes.
For the role of Naz there were a few considerations but only one true possibility and that actress is Sharon Stone. She's got the mixture of maturity, style and sexiness and likes a dance or two. She can't work on Tuesdays though so we'll have to work around that.
I'm low profile in this production. Obviously my first thought for the actor to play me was Brad Pitt, but he's a little bit too out there and I felt as though he'd fail to portray the inner me, the sensitive RD that you all know. So I've settled on Johnny Depp, I figure he'd be able to do put across my foibles as well as my extreme intelligence. He's not perfect but I'm willing to compromise.
That's it. Apologies if I've missed anyone out, feel free to make any additions. I think I've done the hard bit now, all that's left is for someone to write the thing and film it. Easy.
Have a nice week all.
DB said, and I'm taking a big risk here and reproducing without his written permission, which might result in him suing me, killing me or just shrugging his shoulders:
"The TV idea we talked about, which takes it into a different dimension, might be better."
Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh, I thought. A TV series, now we're really cooking, though it probably wouldn't be a cooking programme, this is when it gets truly adventurous and exciting.
And who would I choose to play the Lankan bloggers in this new series that's almost certainly on the cards?
Firstly, probably most importantly there's Indi himself. An ideas chap with energy and enthsiasm, youngish and with highly a suspicious sense of fashion about him. Yes, there can be no doubt that Tony Montana, as played by Al Pacino, would be perfect for the role. Indi likes to play that game, Risk, and it's only a few steps away from being like Tony Montana. It fits.
Next I thought about Dinidu. His youthful zest for life, his endearing naivety about things, which gets knocked out of us older people and we often wish it hadn't been, his intellect and warmth are things that would have to be portrayed by a skilled actor with sensitivity and care. At first I instantly thought of Leonardo DiCaprio, but I think his hair's not quite right for it. I settled on the now retired Rick Moranis. Perhaps the prospect of playing Mr de Alwis would tease him out of retirement.
Let's look at some women.
First there's the Queen of the Lankanosphere, The Missing Sandwich. There wasn't much thinking needed for her role. With her pink hair, her deep thinking and out of the box ideas, her quirkiness and drive I knew immediately who'd be perfect for this. Yes, Phoebe Buffay from Friends is the automatic and natural choice.
Next is our Gyppo, a bird who possesses a dangerous combination of looks and brain, rather like an Ostrich. And neither of them can fly, adding to the spookiness of the Ostrich / Gypsy connection. Who' d be able to fit the looks and brains mould, retaining the sense of youth and vim that G12 exudes. Ah yes, that Jessica Biel girl would slot in quite nicely, with a bit of work needed on her Lankan accent of course.
No episode of our new Kottu based soap would be complete without Lady Divine taking up a fair amount of on screen time. She'd be one of the main characters, liked by all and admired by many. I think there's a certain motherly tone to her, in the nicest possible way, and there's quirkiness in there too. If you've read her last two posts about growing up I'm sure you'll agree.
So continuing along the characters from Friends scenario started earlier the natural choice would be Monica Geller. Problems may arise if Chandler gets a part, but I haven't decided this yet.
Next we come to the very important role of Cerno. We need a wise and fatherly fellow to fill these big shoes. Someone a bit off the wall but with common sense, someone who can run with pack and also sprint ahead of it when he wants to. It needs to be a unique actor and Jean - Luc Picard, the best ever Captain of the USS Enterprise could, with a bit of coaching, be the man for the job.
David Blacker? Well I considered this for a nano second, maybe even less, and a certain Bruce Willis, once in the frame, was perfect. He's got the thinking man's hard man thing going on and he wouldn't have to shave his head either. I thought about Sly Stallone and Mickey Rourke for the key Blacker part but they both lacked the sophistication needed.
As for DD, well we need someone who's a little, ahem, more mature. We need a person who can portray DD with all his quirkiness and emotion. A thespian who used to have it and has still got it, you know what I mean. A chap who's continually changing with the times, evolving more quickly than those scary dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Step up Jack Nicholson. Perfect.
And what about villains? There are only two that need to be included; Sittingnut and Voice In Colombo. After some thought and a few auditions I feel that they need to be portrayed by a double act, they go together, but not in a John Travolta and Olivia Newton John way. I've decided on Harry and Marv from the Home Alone films. Joe Pesci as Harry would play Sittingnut and Marv would be VIC.
St Fallen, the new hero and centre of the Kottu can be played by a young and rebellious type, someone who's dangerous, who women and gay men want to sleep with and other men want to be. James Dean, obviously back from the dead, is lined up for this.
As we near the end of my casting special post there are only three people left. The legend that is Java Jones, the legendess that is Naz Sansoni and the, well me.
Java's role is a crucial one. Played by an actor with presence and wisdom. He most probably wouldn't pop up in every episode but his appearances would be important, big and meaty. And Morgan Freeman, after some serious negotation has agreed to fill these rather large shoes.
For the role of Naz there were a few considerations but only one true possibility and that actress is Sharon Stone. She's got the mixture of maturity, style and sexiness and likes a dance or two. She can't work on Tuesdays though so we'll have to work around that.
I'm low profile in this production. Obviously my first thought for the actor to play me was Brad Pitt, but he's a little bit too out there and I felt as though he'd fail to portray the inner me, the sensitive RD that you all know. So I've settled on Johnny Depp, I figure he'd be able to do put across my foibles as well as my extreme intelligence. He's not perfect but I'm willing to compromise.
That's it. Apologies if I've missed anyone out, feel free to make any additions. I think I've done the hard bit now, all that's left is for someone to write the thing and film it. Easy.
Have a nice week all.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Inheriting, Blogs, Cerno, Death And The Internet
Cerno is one of my favourite bloggers of all time.
I've frequently wondered why and have never come to a firm conclusion. There's the variety of flavours on his blog, from google Earth related posts to photographs of the graphics on Lankan buses and tri shaws. There's a sense of innovation about him that shines through his writing as well as the general feel and look of the Cernoblog.
He's funny too. Obviously not as funny as me, but he's up there with witticisms and little idiosyncratic lines that make me chuckle on a regular basis.
Perhaps the thing that's his biggest strength, is the way he so often inspires me. Not that he turns up at RD Towers and slaps me on the back in an American film sort of way and spurs me on when I'm feeling down and demotivated. To be honest Cerno's pretty crap at that sort of thing, he's never done it. Maybe if I gave him the address that might help him. I suspect not.
However, he does inspire me through his writing, as Cyndi Lauper said"girls just wanna have fun" "time after time".
His recent post here, about who will inherit our blogs when we die is one of the aforementioned inspirational ones. Oftentimes I have half formulated thoughts bouncing around in my head, but I only become consciously aware of them when I get the impetus from an outside source. That's what took place this time.
This blogging / Facebook / email age has created a vastly different backdrop compared to that which existed for people of my parents' generation and everyone before that, going back to when man was invented.
We, as part of our everyday lives, continually create records, diaries and logs of the way we live our lives. As a kid I remember watching Blue Peter, a childrens' magazine type of twice weekly TV programme that is still running.
Every once in a while they'd bury a time capsule. The idea was that it would contain examples of and information about the way we currently live. In hundreds of years time someone would dig it up and make amazing discoveries about 20th century man. Like those ologists do these days when they dig up Roman stuff and learn knowledge and stuff.
These days it's all different. In hundreds of years time I don't think there'll even be people seeking to find out about how we lived, they'll know it all already. It's a total paradigm shift but I reckon the subject of history will cease to exist, except in terms of looking back beyond our current era.
Our histories will be there for all to see, unless we've opted out. We blog, we Facebook and we email and it's all out there. Perhaps we exist in a Utopic mindset in which we reckon that because everything's password protected we'll be secure. Well that's got to be rubbish hasn't it?
Our lives are an open blog, our thoughts are there on Facebook and Twitter and our, whatever the opposite of ancestors is, will have total access to it all. I like the thought of this.
Back in the day there were famous old diarists likeJava Jones Samuel Pepys and Darwin (the scientist not the scientist). They were fellows who chose to write diaries compared with the rest of the populace who didn't, well many couldn't read or write let alone choose to diarise. They opted in.
They chose to record events in a structured way. Today we take a far less structured, and far more comprehensive approach but a huge proportion of the population does it. Of course many people, particularly in parts of Wales, don't have internet access or a computer, but again, give it a couple of hundred years and that will all change.
I rather like the somewhat egotistical thought that in hundreds of years there might be some very great granchildren of mine who'll be writing in this very blog. I hope that they'll have more structure to their posts and that Blogger will have added the sexy moving tag cloud into its options. But I do think it will be cool to have generations of RDs writing here. Maybe there'll be future generations of DDs writing too, saying GM2U and all.
Often I look at blogs, particularly those of the much younger bloggers, and wonder if they'll regret publishing what they have done when they're older. I think I'm quite safe in the knowledge that I won't regret publishing the posts I've written as I only came to blogging so late in life. All that angsty and angry change the world and shout at people stuff that I had in my twenties has been replaced by a desire to still change the world, just by having a beer and talking, by intelligent debate and mutual respect.
Maybe you'll find me (del) e(a)ting my words but I think I'll be quite proud of my blog when I get old (er). Even now I'm embarrassed when I look at my early posts and see how I've sort of developed a style of writing. I make no claims for my writing abilities now but I look back at those humble beginnings and they seem like the scribblings of a ten year old child writing about what he did on his weekend compared with one of today's posts.
I'm quite proud though. I hope that someone reading these scribblings from start to finish might get a picture of me and the things I've been through and will go through. I hope that they'll get a picture of me and be a little bit proud, farts and all.
One of my less formulated thoughts is about wills. I've had fleeting ideas about letting Academic Bro know my current passwords just in case, but he can't be trusted really. He'd probably ruin LLD within a few hours.
It's a cert though.
Our blogs, our Facebook accounts, our emails and anything else to do with our online presence will be there for all to see in time to come.
What legacy will you leave?
I've frequently wondered why and have never come to a firm conclusion. There's the variety of flavours on his blog, from google Earth related posts to photographs of the graphics on Lankan buses and tri shaws. There's a sense of innovation about him that shines through his writing as well as the general feel and look of the Cernoblog.
He's funny too. Obviously not as funny as me, but he's up there with witticisms and little idiosyncratic lines that make me chuckle on a regular basis.
Perhaps the thing that's his biggest strength, is the way he so often inspires me. Not that he turns up at RD Towers and slaps me on the back in an American film sort of way and spurs me on when I'm feeling down and demotivated. To be honest Cerno's pretty crap at that sort of thing, he's never done it. Maybe if I gave him the address that might help him. I suspect not.
However, he does inspire me through his writing, as Cyndi Lauper said
His recent post here, about who will inherit our blogs when we die is one of the aforementioned inspirational ones. Oftentimes I have half formulated thoughts bouncing around in my head, but I only become consciously aware of them when I get the impetus from an outside source. That's what took place this time.
This blogging / Facebook / email age has created a vastly different backdrop compared to that which existed for people of my parents' generation and everyone before that, going back to when man was invented.
We, as part of our everyday lives, continually create records, diaries and logs of the way we live our lives. As a kid I remember watching Blue Peter, a childrens' magazine type of twice weekly TV programme that is still running.
Every once in a while they'd bury a time capsule. The idea was that it would contain examples of and information about the way we currently live. In hundreds of years time someone would dig it up and make amazing discoveries about 20th century man. Like those ologists do these days when they dig up Roman stuff and learn knowledge and stuff.
These days it's all different. In hundreds of years time I don't think there'll even be people seeking to find out about how we lived, they'll know it all already. It's a total paradigm shift but I reckon the subject of history will cease to exist, except in terms of looking back beyond our current era.
Our histories will be there for all to see, unless we've opted out. We blog, we Facebook and we email and it's all out there. Perhaps we exist in a Utopic mindset in which we reckon that because everything's password protected we'll be secure. Well that's got to be rubbish hasn't it?
Our lives are an open blog, our thoughts are there on Facebook and Twitter and our, whatever the opposite of ancestors is, will have total access to it all. I like the thought of this.
Back in the day there were famous old diarists like
They chose to record events in a structured way. Today we take a far less structured, and far more comprehensive approach but a huge proportion of the population does it. Of course many people, particularly in parts of Wales, don't have internet access or a computer, but again, give it a couple of hundred years and that will all change.
I rather like the somewhat egotistical thought that in hundreds of years there might be some very great granchildren of mine who'll be writing in this very blog. I hope that they'll have more structure to their posts and that Blogger will have added the sexy moving tag cloud into its options. But I do think it will be cool to have generations of RDs writing here. Maybe there'll be future generations of DDs writing too, saying GM2U and all.
Often I look at blogs, particularly those of the much younger bloggers, and wonder if they'll regret publishing what they have done when they're older. I think I'm quite safe in the knowledge that I won't regret publishing the posts I've written as I only came to blogging so late in life. All that angsty and angry change the world and shout at people stuff that I had in my twenties has been replaced by a desire to still change the world, just by having a beer and talking, by intelligent debate and mutual respect.
Maybe you'll find me (del) e(a)ting my words but I think I'll be quite proud of my blog when I get old (er). Even now I'm embarrassed when I look at my early posts and see how I've sort of developed a style of writing. I make no claims for my writing abilities now but I look back at those humble beginnings and they seem like the scribblings of a ten year old child writing about what he did on his weekend compared with one of today's posts.
I'm quite proud though. I hope that someone reading these scribblings from start to finish might get a picture of me and the things I've been through and will go through. I hope that they'll get a picture of me and be a little bit proud, farts and all.
One of my less formulated thoughts is about wills. I've had fleeting ideas about letting Academic Bro know my current passwords just in case, but he can't be trusted really. He'd probably ruin LLD within a few hours.
It's a cert though.
Our blogs, our Facebook accounts, our emails and anything else to do with our online presence will be there for all to see in time to come.
What legacy will you leave?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Unconditional Love - My Thoughts
A certain Reverand J Jones wrote a little thought provoking post about the subject of unconditional love.
I was going to leave a comment but got caught in that somewhat dangerous no man's land, the one where I'm never sure if I should comment or answer by way of a post.
At this stage, unless you're really quite stupid and think that I might stop the post in a sentence or two and point you in the direction of my comment on Java's blog, you'll have figured out that I'm going to do my own post.
I guess there are no clear answers, no rights and no wrongs to this issue. My view may be different to your's and your's may be different to her's.
But, I do believe in unconditional love. I believe that it exists and I believe that it can exist in all of us. I have a strong feeling that, were you to ask any parent about it, they'd agree with me.
Love can be conditional for sure, it depends on the specifics of the relationship. For example a person can cease to love a former partner, a friend or a particular snare drum. (unlikely I know) People fall out of love. Fact.
"Like" and "love" are two similar yet very different emotions and somewhere therein lies the key.
I reckon I'll always love my daughters, whatever they may do and however they may behave, but that doesn't mean I'll always like them. I think that love is a far more unconscious choice than like is, that we can grow to love a person if we like them first, as is often the case with a partner, but love can also begin of its own accord, without that like thing happening first.
When both of my girls were born I loved them immediately. I didn't know about their characters, I didn't know how they'd be as people, whether they'd be people I'd like, but those things didn't matter, I loved them from the word "push".
With friends and partners I've had to like them first in order to grow to love them. It's a different type of love, one that can die as well as exist. Java says in one of the comments that
"It’s a pretty subjective issue depending on one’s value systems and one’s logical processes."
and that's got to be true, but we all have a few unconditional love relationships with certain family members, it's just the way of the world, or of the mind, that we have differing boundaries. For example I might feel a sense of unconditional love towards my brothers, even if I might intensely dislike them at the same time. It's a concept that sits quite comfortably with me, though I happen to like both of the idiots in question.
But, another fellow, let's call him fellow B, might genuinely not love his brothers because they're arses of the highest order.
In the theoretical scenario where one of Java's dogs savagely mauled someone, I suspect Java would still love the dog, but would cease to like the beast. However perhaps Darwin, in the same position, would cease to love the dog. It's not often I get to talk about Darwin and the doggie position either. Then again, I wonder how Java would feel if said dog had savagely mauled Mervyn Silva. It wouldn't be as straightforward then would it?
So, after a bit of consideration my conclusion is this:
Unconditional love exists, but varies from person to person.
Conditional love also exists and it's as subjective as the other type.
Like is a very different, but similar thing.
All like is conditional, there's no such thing as unconditional like.
Why do you think there are no songs called "Unconditional Like"?
Thanks to JJ for the thought provoking post. There's another post / response to it by metheblogger here.
I was going to leave a comment but got caught in that somewhat dangerous no man's land, the one where I'm never sure if I should comment or answer by way of a post.
At this stage, unless you're really quite stupid and think that I might stop the post in a sentence or two and point you in the direction of my comment on Java's blog, you'll have figured out that I'm going to do my own post.
I guess there are no clear answers, no rights and no wrongs to this issue. My view may be different to your's and your's may be different to her's.
But, I do believe in unconditional love. I believe that it exists and I believe that it can exist in all of us. I have a strong feeling that, were you to ask any parent about it, they'd agree with me.
Love can be conditional for sure, it depends on the specifics of the relationship. For example a person can cease to love a former partner, a friend or a particular snare drum. (unlikely I know) People fall out of love. Fact.
"Like" and "love" are two similar yet very different emotions and somewhere therein lies the key.
I reckon I'll always love my daughters, whatever they may do and however they may behave, but that doesn't mean I'll always like them. I think that love is a far more unconscious choice than like is, that we can grow to love a person if we like them first, as is often the case with a partner, but love can also begin of its own accord, without that like thing happening first.
When both of my girls were born I loved them immediately. I didn't know about their characters, I didn't know how they'd be as people, whether they'd be people I'd like, but those things didn't matter, I loved them from the word "push".
With friends and partners I've had to like them first in order to grow to love them. It's a different type of love, one that can die as well as exist. Java says in one of the comments that
"It’s a pretty subjective issue depending on one’s value systems and one’s logical processes."
and that's got to be true, but we all have a few unconditional love relationships with certain family members, it's just the way of the world, or of the mind, that we have differing boundaries. For example I might feel a sense of unconditional love towards my brothers, even if I might intensely dislike them at the same time. It's a concept that sits quite comfortably with me, though I happen to like both of the idiots in question.
But, another fellow, let's call him fellow B, might genuinely not love his brothers because they're arses of the highest order.
In the theoretical scenario where one of Java's dogs savagely mauled someone, I suspect Java would still love the dog, but would cease to like the beast. However perhaps Darwin, in the same position, would cease to love the dog. It's not often I get to talk about Darwin and the doggie position either. Then again, I wonder how Java would feel if said dog had savagely mauled Mervyn Silva. It wouldn't be as straightforward then would it?
So, after a bit of consideration my conclusion is this:
Unconditional love exists, but varies from person to person.
Conditional love also exists and it's as subjective as the other type.
Like is a very different, but similar thing.
All like is conditional, there's no such thing as unconditional like.
Why do you think there are no songs called "Unconditional Like"?
Thanks to JJ for the thought provoking post. There's another post / response to it by metheblogger here.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The 2008 Blogging Awards - The Best Overseas Blog
It's like Wimbledon isn't it, as we move into the second and final week of the awards and the tension, excitement and boredom build to previously unknown levels. We have five more awards to go and will finish off with the much sought after Blog Of The Year title.
Today's award, for the best overseas blog, is accompanied by yet another genuine guest judge in the form of The Missing Sandwich. It's an award that goes to the best Sri Lankan blog that is written overseas, as in overseas from a Sri Lankan perspective. Simple really.
The Missing Sandwich is one of the best, and most well known, bloggers in Sri Lanka. In her spare time, when she's not writing adverts, appearing on TV herself or being featured in the newspapers, she likes to organise Olympic Gaymes and act in plays. So, to get her along here for a bit to help out with the judging is something I'm quite chuffed about. Let's get started shall we? The nominations for Best Overseas Blog are:
1. Viceunversa - We all know of and probably read DD's blog. It's made up of about 60% advertising and creative world things, 40% Sri Lankan bits and pieces and then about another 30% of random things about life, DD's in particular. The fact that its content adds up to 130% proves how interesting it is and it's almost always in Kottu's top posts.
2. Indyana - I did think twice about including this in the awards. Purely because Indyana now resides in Hong Kong and writes little about Lanka. But, she used to live there, she has a strong Lankan connection and, what the hell? I like her and she's brown too. She continues to regale us with tales of her kids, her husband and the life of an Indian in HK and I know many in the Sri Lankan blogosphere read the tales as they unfold.
3. Darwin - The first winner of the blog of the year award has been a little bit quiet of late but she can be relied upon for ongoing quality, some ongoing ranting and the occasional hilarious sheep related story. I mean the story is hailarious. not the sheep. Well, I suppose it might be a funny sheep but I don't know. She's always opinionated but never afraid to give her opinion. Cool. And I mean Darwin there, not the sheep.
4. Ian S - Formerly, and still often, known as theonetruecoolguy. Ian's is one of those blogs that I feel I've grown up with, rather it's grown up with me. Over the years we've followed our management consulting, charity working intrepid blogger as he's visited, worked in and studied in country after country. From Sweden to Nepal it's been fun and interesting and I hope the adventure that is Ian's life continues to be reported online. I'm still unsure about the white suit though.
5. T, or Sosnazzy or Dance in a triangle - I'm never sure with these bloggers who change their names what to call their blog, but T is the name of the writer for sure. She's an alien in New York, though seemingly legal, and over the year has narrated stories of drunkeness, boys, weddings and the life of a girl who works hard and plays hard and writes a bit. She basically does everything that I know my kids will be doing in a few years' time, but I hate the thought of it.
6. Kalusudda - He's the first and only newbie in this category but thoroughly deserved. I'm a firm fan of KS and I think that a person who comes up with the idea of writing about other blogs in a positive light is to be commended. Sorry Darwin, I don't want to go on too much about it though! It's been good to watch KS' blog develop from one that only commented on other blogs to one in which he also now tells us about his own thing. But, he's been quieter than a quiet thing in a church lately and I hope he gets back to us soon.
There you have it, those are the esteemed nominees and I'll pass things over to TMS for the award and her few words:
"I can't believe I didn't make the connection between T and Dance in a Triangle! She's my shoo in for the winner. An almost 23 year old, Calvin loving, alcoholic with a reluctant bohemian streak. The thing about her posts are that anyone can read them and find something to nod, chortle or snigger about. She's got that knack of being able to double relate. What do I mean by that? She's relates her stories and anecdotes in a way that others can relate to it ofcourse. This girl is going places and I don't just mean in the New York sense of it.
Close seconds are Indyana and Darwin. Darwin's blog is in dire need of a facelift though. Indyana comes in 2nd too I guess. She writes so well and comfortably that you can't help being drawn into her posts.
Ian and DD come in 3rd. Although I think Ian needs to blog about something more than work-related stuff. DD... well he concentrates on advertising and politics. Not that I'm one to talk! Although he is utterly ballsy and that certainly makes him a good read even if you disagree with his sentiments.
Kalusudda's blog comprises mainly of holding up a mirror to the rest of the blogsphere. And, though this does have its benefits, one wonders what he has to say for himself."
There you have it, she has spoken and judged and the winner of the Best Overseas Blog for 2008 is T.
Many congratulations T and thank you to the others for the enjoyment they've given me.
RD
Today's award, for the best overseas blog, is accompanied by yet another genuine guest judge in the form of The Missing Sandwich. It's an award that goes to the best Sri Lankan blog that is written overseas, as in overseas from a Sri Lankan perspective. Simple really.
The Missing Sandwich is one of the best, and most well known, bloggers in Sri Lanka. In her spare time, when she's not writing adverts, appearing on TV herself or being featured in the newspapers, she likes to organise Olympic Gaymes and act in plays. So, to get her along here for a bit to help out with the judging is something I'm quite chuffed about. Let's get started shall we? The nominations for Best Overseas Blog are:
1. Viceunversa - We all know of and probably read DD's blog. It's made up of about 60% advertising and creative world things, 40% Sri Lankan bits and pieces and then about another 30% of random things about life, DD's in particular. The fact that its content adds up to 130% proves how interesting it is and it's almost always in Kottu's top posts.
2. Indyana - I did think twice about including this in the awards. Purely because Indyana now resides in Hong Kong and writes little about Lanka. But, she used to live there, she has a strong Lankan connection and, what the hell? I like her and she's brown too. She continues to regale us with tales of her kids, her husband and the life of an Indian in HK and I know many in the Sri Lankan blogosphere read the tales as they unfold.
3. Darwin - The first winner of the blog of the year award has been a little bit quiet of late but she can be relied upon for ongoing quality, some ongoing ranting and the occasional hilarious sheep related story. I mean the story is hailarious. not the sheep. Well, I suppose it might be a funny sheep but I don't know. She's always opinionated but never afraid to give her opinion. Cool. And I mean Darwin there, not the sheep.
4. Ian S - Formerly, and still often, known as theonetruecoolguy. Ian's is one of those blogs that I feel I've grown up with, rather it's grown up with me. Over the years we've followed our management consulting, charity working intrepid blogger as he's visited, worked in and studied in country after country. From Sweden to Nepal it's been fun and interesting and I hope the adventure that is Ian's life continues to be reported online. I'm still unsure about the white suit though.
5. T, or Sosnazzy or Dance in a triangle - I'm never sure with these bloggers who change their names what to call their blog, but T is the name of the writer for sure. She's an alien in New York, though seemingly legal, and over the year has narrated stories of drunkeness, boys, weddings and the life of a girl who works hard and plays hard and writes a bit. She basically does everything that I know my kids will be doing in a few years' time, but I hate the thought of it.
6. Kalusudda - He's the first and only newbie in this category but thoroughly deserved. I'm a firm fan of KS and I think that a person who comes up with the idea of writing about other blogs in a positive light is to be commended. Sorry Darwin, I don't want to go on too much about it though! It's been good to watch KS' blog develop from one that only commented on other blogs to one in which he also now tells us about his own thing. But, he's been quieter than a quiet thing in a church lately and I hope he gets back to us soon.
There you have it, those are the esteemed nominees and I'll pass things over to TMS for the award and her few words:
"I can't believe I didn't make the connection between T and Dance in a Triangle! She's my shoo in for the winner. An almost 23 year old, Calvin loving, alcoholic with a reluctant bohemian streak. The thing about her posts are that anyone can read them and find something to nod, chortle or snigger about. She's got that knack of being able to double relate. What do I mean by that? She's relates her stories and anecdotes in a way that others can relate to it ofcourse. This girl is going places and I don't just mean in the New York sense of it.
Close seconds are Indyana and Darwin. Darwin's blog is in dire need of a facelift though. Indyana comes in 2nd too I guess. She writes so well and comfortably that you can't help being drawn into her posts.
Ian and DD come in 3rd. Although I think Ian needs to blog about something more than work-related stuff. DD... well he concentrates on advertising and politics. Not that I'm one to talk! Although he is utterly ballsy and that certainly makes him a good read even if you disagree with his sentiments.
Kalusudda's blog comprises mainly of holding up a mirror to the rest of the blogsphere. And, though this does have its benefits, one wonders what he has to say for himself."
There you have it, she has spoken and judged and the winner of the Best Overseas Blog for 2008 is T.
Many congratulations T and thank you to the others for the enjoyment they've given me.
RD
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hands On (Part 2) - Elegance, Eloquence and Elephants
Continued from here.....
She glanced down now, so much later, as they drove along the dimly lit road. His left hand flexed then relaxed, smoothly changing gears, his right rested casually on the wheel. Competent. Sexy. She turned away, inexplicably saddened, unbearably aroused. If she forgot everything, she'd remember those hands. ‘What’s wrong’ he asked, sensing her mood. She glanced at him, his perfect profile, her voice a mere whisper of need, ‘pull over’.
"What?" he said, though he had heard her the first time.
"Pullover, you forgot your pullover" she said.
His left hand flexed then relaxed again, smoothly changing gears. Changing gears smoothly was a skill he had picked up when he was in the States, Sri Lankan drivers were fundamentally against the idea.
"Ammi I don't need a pullover. I think I'm old enough to decide that now. And, can't we stop doing this whole 'you're a groupie and I'm a guitarist rock God game now'?" he asked, getting a little bit lost in quotation marks and question marks. "It's not natural and all my friends think you're a bit weird, particularly when you wear the leather trousers."
"Darling you should have worn the pullover, the one with the sheep on it, you'll catch a cold and you know how that makes you feel. Pullover."
"I'm fine" he said, with anger, hostility and some of the parippu from dinner in his throat.
"I said pullover" she matched the anger and the hostility but she had never been a parippu fan and could only offer a strand of spinach covering two of her front teeth.
Despite the way she clung to him, despite the way she insisted on looking after him, even when he didn't want it, despite the way he almost hated her at times, he'd still catch himself marvelling at her elegance and eloquence. If only she owned a herd of elephants the sentence would be complete. There was something sensual about the way she could use the spoken word and she'd make the most average of sentences sound like the most delicious of seductions.
"No, you stupid fucking cunt, pull the fucking car over, there's something there, in the fucking road." she said.
He slammed his foot on the brake and peered into the night.
She was right, there was something there.
It was....
Over to Darwin now.
She glanced down now, so much later, as they drove along the dimly lit road. His left hand flexed then relaxed, smoothly changing gears, his right rested casually on the wheel. Competent. Sexy. She turned away, inexplicably saddened, unbearably aroused. If she forgot everything, she'd remember those hands. ‘What’s wrong’ he asked, sensing her mood. She glanced at him, his perfect profile, her voice a mere whisper of need, ‘pull over’.
"What?" he said, though he had heard her the first time.
"Pullover, you forgot your pullover" she said.
His left hand flexed then relaxed again, smoothly changing gears. Changing gears smoothly was a skill he had picked up when he was in the States, Sri Lankan drivers were fundamentally against the idea.
"Ammi I don't need a pullover. I think I'm old enough to decide that now. And, can't we stop doing this whole 'you're a groupie and I'm a guitarist rock God game now'?" he asked, getting a little bit lost in quotation marks and question marks. "It's not natural and all my friends think you're a bit weird, particularly when you wear the leather trousers."
"Darling you should have worn the pullover, the one with the sheep on it, you'll catch a cold and you know how that makes you feel. Pullover."
"I'm fine" he said, with anger, hostility and some of the parippu from dinner in his throat.
"I said pullover" she matched the anger and the hostility but she had never been a parippu fan and could only offer a strand of spinach covering two of her front teeth.
Despite the way she clung to him, despite the way she insisted on looking after him, even when he didn't want it, despite the way he almost hated her at times, he'd still catch himself marvelling at her elegance and eloquence. If only she owned a herd of elephants the sentence would be complete. There was something sensual about the way she could use the spoken word and she'd make the most average of sentences sound like the most delicious of seductions.
"No, you stupid fucking cunt, pull the fucking car over, there's something there, in the fucking road." she said.
He slammed his foot on the brake and peered into the night.
She was right, there was something there.
It was....
Over to Darwin now.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The 2008 Blogging Awards - The I Wish I Hadn't Written That Award
This is the first of the new awards to this year's proceedings and it's proved quite a hard one to decide upon. Not because there aren't any candidates, oh no, there are plenty of good quality nominations out there. The problem is that, in order to truly qualify, in order to really prove that you wish you hadn't written a specific post or blog, then you really have to delete the thing.
And, if it's been deleted, then I can't refer to it, unless I'm one of these parasitological wizards who uses Google Dreamcatcher and all sorts of other mean and marvellous software to keep track of my regular reads. So my memory comes into its own here, which is like losing a cricket match by a few runs, knowing that one batsman could do it and then realising that Murali is the next batsman.
I'd also like to welcome another genuine true life guest judge at this point, young Darwin herself. She is of course no stranger to these awards, being the first ever winner of blog of the year, but this is the first year she's worn such a skimpy dress. I'm unsure about the Bata Haiwaianas as the choice of footwear though.
The candidates are mostly memories, with one notable exception. I'll try to describe them and you, at this juncture, may be wise to try and remember them.
1. Viceunversa's fantastically timed post only last week. The one in which he said that the attack on Sirasa / MTV was justified because people who voice their opposition to the GoSL are traitors. Old DD took some serious stick for this and it was only made worse after the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga. But, if you read Indi.ca perhaps you'll have seen that the murder seems to have changed DD's opinion. His previous "traitor" post was deleted and DD is almost one of the good guys. Or is he?
2. Soixante Neuf - in her, or her blog's, entirety. She came, she came again. He came, all over the place and then she told us all about it in the most intimate details. Most of us wish that we could write as well as 6 and also get as much action as her. There were rumours all over the Lankan blogosphere about whether Soixante Neuf was / is real, there were as many rumours about who the mystery man was. In a way they are all irrelevant as the blog became as big as a huge big thing in a tiny little world and we hung on 6's every word. Finally, when things changed the blog got deleted. I suspect 6 doesn't wish it hadn't been written, but then surely she'd leave it hanging around for all to see.
3. Darwin's post on Muslims, cartoons, Dutch and Danish people caused some reaction and outcry, from me as well as others. Sadly our heroine didn't even get into the nominations "proper" as, though I and many disagree with her, she stands by her sentiments, albeit with an edit added onto the end of the post. You've got to respect a person who can do that. Though funnily enough I respect Darwin for sticking to her guns as well as DD for swapping his guns for a sarong.
4. The final nomination is Dinidu de Alwis for this post, also about that God fellow. Amongst other things Dinidu said:
"I’m pretty outspoken about my views on religion, I’m an atheist, and I simply think those who practice a religion are, for the lack of a more diplomatic work, stupid."
Now I have bucketloads of time and admiration for Dinidu, a sneaky bit of me even admires him for coming out with tosh like that. He's young, he writes quite brilliantly and he wears his keyboard on his sleeve near where his heart is. When you get older you usually get more cynical and accepting of things and acceptance can be an empowering thing.
Dinidu's little assertion that those who practice a religion are stupid was to diplomacy and tact what Sittingnut is to objectivity and cool headed writing with sharp and incisive content, and good spelling too while we're at it. Not only was there a fatwa out on the fellow but there were nuns, monks and priests of all denominations hunting him down with evil on there minds. I heard that there was a very short little monk from a very working class family, about 3 feet tall, who had big grudge against Dinidu for quite some time. He was the lowest common denominator though. (Did you see what I did there?)
The time has come to announce the winner. I'd ask for a drum roll but we don't have any drummers around here.
The winner is...............
Dinidu and the religion post.
Darwin has these kind and sympathetic words to say to our Dinidu:
"It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr De Alwis on being the winner of the 'I wish I hadn't written that post' award. Speaking from personal experience, I know that the subject of religion is a difficult one to discuss on a blog (a topic only slightly less volatile than SL politics!) and many a time even I've had a few trolls obligingly prove my point by simply showing how dumb their defence of religion is. But while I agree with Mr De Alwis' position on the topic of religion, even I couldn't quite manage to trigger the shit-storm that followed on the comment section and other follow-up blog posts. In this post that made even the venerable Christopher Hitchens look like a de-clawed kitten, Dinidu managed to take careful aim and shoot himself (and atheism) on both feet. Well done!"
Many congratulations to Mr de Alwis. I assume he's won other awards for his writing but this must be the biggest.
And, if it's been deleted, then I can't refer to it, unless I'm one of these parasitological wizards who uses Google Dreamcatcher and all sorts of other mean and marvellous software to keep track of my regular reads. So my memory comes into its own here, which is like losing a cricket match by a few runs, knowing that one batsman could do it and then realising that Murali is the next batsman.
I'd also like to welcome another genuine true life guest judge at this point, young Darwin herself. She is of course no stranger to these awards, being the first ever winner of blog of the year, but this is the first year she's worn such a skimpy dress. I'm unsure about the Bata Haiwaianas as the choice of footwear though.
The candidates are mostly memories, with one notable exception. I'll try to describe them and you, at this juncture, may be wise to try and remember them.
1. Viceunversa's fantastically timed post only last week. The one in which he said that the attack on Sirasa / MTV was justified because people who voice their opposition to the GoSL are traitors. Old DD took some serious stick for this and it was only made worse after the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga. But, if you read Indi.ca perhaps you'll have seen that the murder seems to have changed DD's opinion. His previous "traitor" post was deleted and DD is almost one of the good guys. Or is he?
2. Soixante Neuf - in her, or her blog's, entirety. She came, she came again. He came, all over the place and then she told us all about it in the most intimate details. Most of us wish that we could write as well as 6 and also get as much action as her. There were rumours all over the Lankan blogosphere about whether Soixante Neuf was / is real, there were as many rumours about who the mystery man was. In a way they are all irrelevant as the blog became as big as a huge big thing in a tiny little world and we hung on 6's every word. Finally, when things changed the blog got deleted. I suspect 6 doesn't wish it hadn't been written, but then surely she'd leave it hanging around for all to see.
3. Darwin's post on Muslims, cartoons, Dutch and Danish people caused some reaction and outcry, from me as well as others. Sadly our heroine didn't even get into the nominations "proper" as, though I and many disagree with her, she stands by her sentiments, albeit with an edit added onto the end of the post. You've got to respect a person who can do that. Though funnily enough I respect Darwin for sticking to her guns as well as DD for swapping his guns for a sarong.
4. The final nomination is Dinidu de Alwis for this post, also about that God fellow. Amongst other things Dinidu said:
"I’m pretty outspoken about my views on religion, I’m an atheist, and I simply think those who practice a religion are, for the lack of a more diplomatic work, stupid."
Now I have bucketloads of time and admiration for Dinidu, a sneaky bit of me even admires him for coming out with tosh like that. He's young, he writes quite brilliantly and he wears his keyboard on his sleeve near where his heart is. When you get older you usually get more cynical and accepting of things and acceptance can be an empowering thing.
Dinidu's little assertion that those who practice a religion are stupid was to diplomacy and tact what Sittingnut is to objectivity and cool headed writing with sharp and incisive content, and good spelling too while we're at it. Not only was there a fatwa out on the fellow but there were nuns, monks and priests of all denominations hunting him down with evil on there minds. I heard that there was a very short little monk from a very working class family, about 3 feet tall, who had big grudge against Dinidu for quite some time. He was the lowest common denominator though. (Did you see what I did there?)
The time has come to announce the winner. I'd ask for a drum roll but we don't have any drummers around here.
The winner is...............
Dinidu and the religion post.
Darwin has these kind and sympathetic words to say to our Dinidu:
"It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr De Alwis on being the winner of the 'I wish I hadn't written that post' award. Speaking from personal experience, I know that the subject of religion is a difficult one to discuss on a blog (a topic only slightly less volatile than SL politics!) and many a time even I've had a few trolls obligingly prove my point by simply showing how dumb their defence of religion is. But while I agree with Mr De Alwis' position on the topic of religion, even I couldn't quite manage to trigger the shit-storm that followed on the comment section and other follow-up blog posts. In this post that made even the venerable Christopher Hitchens look like a de-clawed kitten, Dinidu managed to take careful aim and shoot himself (and atheism) on both feet. Well done!"
Many congratulations to Mr de Alwis. I assume he's won other awards for his writing but this must be the biggest.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Blood, Sweat, Curry And A Birthday
I was chatting with the best parasitologist in the world yesterday and she asked me something that was uncannily topical. Uncanny because it was only on Friday last week that I had sent music biz bro a text about the subject. Topical because it was a topic.
Darwin asked me what I thought about the theory that, when a chap eats a lot of curry, the sweat can start to smell of it. Of course Darwin herself smells of chocolate cake and science labs, but I thought it was an interesting question, one that I've puzzled about for some time.
In the life formerly known as a married one I would have probably eaten rice and curry once or twice a week. On really good weeks I just might have hit the number three and a holiday to Sri Lanka would throw the figure on the how many curries a week has RD eatenometer off the scale.
Then, during the segment of my life during which I lived on my own for a year or so, saw me eating less home cooked rice and curry but far more from the Bengal Brasserie, the absofuckingtastic Indian at the end of the road. I guess the frequency must have gone to about twice a week.
Now, back at the 'rents, the curryometer has gone to new extreme levels, the sort of high numbers that are usually associated with Sri Lankan public holidays, calories absorbed in an average Christmas holiday or the number of people that read Indi.ca.
I'm certainly not complaining. The food is great, plentiful, delicious and welcome. It comes at me from all angles and only occasionally leaves me yearning for the blandness of some chips or a sausage or two. Anything not eaten, in true Sri Lankan parent style, is tupperwared and put in the fridge, to reappear the next day/week/month or year in a different form.
But there is a downside, the smell. After several days of eating R+C I start to feel as if it's somehow sweating its way out of me. The topical relevance to my discussion with Darwin is that I received a text, or SMS in Singlish, from music biz bro last Friday. He was at my parents' place, I was at work. He was trying to persuade me to go back there by describing the mouthwateringness of the mutton curry my Dad had made and that they were tucking into.
I, being the captain of industry I am, responded to him by saying, and I quote
"Son I've got curry oozing out of my bloody pores at the moment!"
Which I felt was true.
The parasitologist and I had quite a lengthy discussion on the matter. She feels that sweat is fundamentally odourless and sent me a few links that would seem to agree with her. Her opinion is that the smell comes more from external factors. So, you walk into an Indian restaurant and can often find your clothes and being end up smelling of the food and spices that get mixed with your general bodily juices.
Or you cook a nice rice and curry meal and the wafting spices, the curry leaves and garlic will blend in with your natural smells to create the odour that is you and I.
Me? I partly agree with Darwin, but also think that the curry smells do come out through the sweat. My belief is that when a chap eats a lot of spicy food some of those spices and flavourings start to ooze out through the pores and mix with the sweat. I don't know the science, you'll have to ask Jennifer Aniston about that, but I'm sure the sweat actually starts to have an odour itself.
There are however, levels of complexity to be added to the simple starting theory. First is the suspicion I have, based on a sample size of roughly zero but also with a lifetime of experience, that odours come through the sweat on men more so than on women. Even I, with my sheltered and naive background, have met a few rough old soap dodging birds in my time. But none of them have ever smelt as bad as a soap dodging bloke.
I reckon it may be the case that mens' sweat is different to womens'. You lot, with the breasts and femininity usually smell of sugar, spice and all things nice, except the spice. Us men invariably reek of engines, soil and curry. That applies even in the case of a good metrosexual like, er me. Maybe it's to do with testosterone, testicles or test matches, I know not.
Also this whole theory about sweat, curry, men and women goes flying out of the window quicker than you can say "flying out of the window" when I go to Sri Lanka. Granted, the smell inside a Sri Lankan bus is unlikely to be used as the inspiration behind the next Jean Paul Gaultier eau de toilette, but the fact is that people in England smell far worse after intensive curry eating than they do in the Motherland.
Maybe it's to do with climate, perhaps it's because we all eat so much rice and curry there that we become immune to the smell in others. I don't know, but ti definitely throws a spanner into my otherwise well researched findings.
So what do you think? The comment box is waiting for your input. Is Darwin right? Am I right or are we both right?
Oh yes, I lied about the blood bit, I've got nothing to say about the stuff, but it is my birthday today.
Darwin asked me what I thought about the theory that, when a chap eats a lot of curry, the sweat can start to smell of it. Of course Darwin herself smells of chocolate cake and science labs, but I thought it was an interesting question, one that I've puzzled about for some time.
In the life formerly known as a married one I would have probably eaten rice and curry once or twice a week. On really good weeks I just might have hit the number three and a holiday to Sri Lanka would throw the figure on the how many curries a week has RD eatenometer off the scale.
Then, during the segment of my life during which I lived on my own for a year or so, saw me eating less home cooked rice and curry but far more from the Bengal Brasserie, the absofuckingtastic Indian at the end of the road. I guess the frequency must have gone to about twice a week.
Now, back at the 'rents, the curryometer has gone to new extreme levels, the sort of high numbers that are usually associated with Sri Lankan public holidays, calories absorbed in an average Christmas holiday or the number of people that read Indi.ca.
I'm certainly not complaining. The food is great, plentiful, delicious and welcome. It comes at me from all angles and only occasionally leaves me yearning for the blandness of some chips or a sausage or two. Anything not eaten, in true Sri Lankan parent style, is tupperwared and put in the fridge, to reappear the next day/week/month or year in a different form.
But there is a downside, the smell. After several days of eating R+C I start to feel as if it's somehow sweating its way out of me. The topical relevance to my discussion with Darwin is that I received a text, or SMS in Singlish, from music biz bro last Friday. He was at my parents' place, I was at work. He was trying to persuade me to go back there by describing the mouthwateringness of the mutton curry my Dad had made and that they were tucking into.
I, being the captain of industry I am, responded to him by saying, and I quote
"Son I've got curry oozing out of my bloody pores at the moment!"
Which I felt was true.
The parasitologist and I had quite a lengthy discussion on the matter. She feels that sweat is fundamentally odourless and sent me a few links that would seem to agree with her. Her opinion is that the smell comes more from external factors. So, you walk into an Indian restaurant and can often find your clothes and being end up smelling of the food and spices that get mixed with your general bodily juices.
Or you cook a nice rice and curry meal and the wafting spices, the curry leaves and garlic will blend in with your natural smells to create the odour that is you and I.
Me? I partly agree with Darwin, but also think that the curry smells do come out through the sweat. My belief is that when a chap eats a lot of spicy food some of those spices and flavourings start to ooze out through the pores and mix with the sweat. I don't know the science, you'll have to ask Jennifer Aniston about that, but I'm sure the sweat actually starts to have an odour itself.
There are however, levels of complexity to be added to the simple starting theory. First is the suspicion I have, based on a sample size of roughly zero but also with a lifetime of experience, that odours come through the sweat on men more so than on women. Even I, with my sheltered and naive background, have met a few rough old soap dodging birds in my time. But none of them have ever smelt as bad as a soap dodging bloke.
I reckon it may be the case that mens' sweat is different to womens'. You lot, with the breasts and femininity usually smell of sugar, spice and all things nice, except the spice. Us men invariably reek of engines, soil and curry. That applies even in the case of a good metrosexual like, er me. Maybe it's to do with testosterone, testicles or test matches, I know not.
Also this whole theory about sweat, curry, men and women goes flying out of the window quicker than you can say "flying out of the window" when I go to Sri Lanka. Granted, the smell inside a Sri Lankan bus is unlikely to be used as the inspiration behind the next Jean Paul Gaultier eau de toilette, but the fact is that people in England smell far worse after intensive curry eating than they do in the Motherland.
Maybe it's to do with climate, perhaps it's because we all eat so much rice and curry there that we become immune to the smell in others. I don't know, but ti definitely throws a spanner into my otherwise well researched findings.
So what do you think? The comment box is waiting for your input. Is Darwin right? Am I right or are we both right?
Oh yes, I lied about the blood bit, I've got nothing to say about the stuff, but it is my birthday today.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Lately In The Sri Lankan Blogosphere....
It's oh so quiet. Look at the whatsernames..
Java - 1 day ago - But a damn fine letter to Mr Claus nevertheless
Gallicissa - 1 day ago - What a fantastic owl picture though.
Hissyfits - 1 day ago - You do talk so much sense, but must try harder.
Dance in a T - 1 day ago - It must be love.
The Missing Sandwich - 2 days ago - The ice melts
Naz S - 2 days ago - Probably still jetlagged
Sach - 3 days ago - But she's got a new look.
Noorie - 4 days ago - Exams and doolally
Dinidu - 4 days ago - Worrying.
Darwin - 1 whole fucking week ago - Must be TGDBS
Confab - 1 week ago - In a Black Label stupor
Gutterflower - 1 week ago - Please please we want more.
Kalusudda - 1 week ago - Holidays are no excuse
Theena - 3 weeks ago - Come on machan
Ravana - 4 weeks ago - Par for the course, sadly.
Ian S - 1 month ago - It's Nepalling.
Cerno, Indyana and Viceunversa are off the hook. The rest of you, see me in my office after school.
Oh, good weekend all.
RD
Java - 1 day ago - But a damn fine letter to Mr Claus nevertheless
Gallicissa - 1 day ago - What a fantastic owl picture though.
Hissyfits - 1 day ago - You do talk so much sense, but must try harder.
Dance in a T - 1 day ago - It must be love.
The Missing Sandwich - 2 days ago - The ice melts
Naz S - 2 days ago - Probably still jetlagged
Sach - 3 days ago - But she's got a new look.
Noorie - 4 days ago - Exams and doolally
Dinidu - 4 days ago - Worrying.
Darwin - 1 whole fucking week ago - Must be TGDBS
Confab - 1 week ago - In a Black Label stupor
Gutterflower - 1 week ago - Please please we want more.
Kalusudda - 1 week ago - Holidays are no excuse
Theena - 3 weeks ago - Come on machan
Ravana - 4 weeks ago - Par for the course, sadly.
Ian S - 1 month ago - It's Nepalling.
Cerno, Indyana and Viceunversa are off the hook. The rest of you, see me in my office after school.
Oh, good weekend all.
RD
Friday, November 7, 2008
Lately In The American Sri Lankan Blogosphere
I could have taken the easy route, writing this and linking to the hundreds of posts about Obama, that's in just the Sri Lankan blogosphere. But no, I'm not going to do that. You know about all those posts and you've probably read and commented on them already.
I'll take the harder option and talk about important things.
As I wove my way delicately through the Obama posts yesterday morning I bumped into this short beauty. No, not the writer, though she does have the reputation of being everyone's favourite Muslim Mama. I mean the post itself. It's a clip from Friends. I've seen it a million, maybe a billion, times before but it still made me laugh so much that a tiny bit of pee might have come out. Check it out, you'l know exactly what's about to happen every step of the way. You'll laugh too. I guarantee it.
Java, who seems to be posting infrequently these days, put up one of his compilation posts. It was called "Cricket Sledging Classics" and it's about cricket sledging classics. He can be so predictable sometimes! Check them out if you're bored or have a few spare minutes. Though I'm not a huge cricket fan I do know that sledging is part and parcel of the game and many of these had me in stitches.
My newest almost favourite blogger, young Noorie, had an encounter with a cockroach of some sort. If you're a cockroach reading this I would strongly suggest that you steer well clear of Noorie's place. It may look tempting what with all the cakes and desserts made there almost every day, but it's a trap and you won't get out alive. She's got feet the size of a Colombo suburb too. There's even a picture that proves it.
The Right Honourable Lord Cerno of Cernosville Towers published one of his fascinating posts. This one was about the possibility of the Czech Republic supplying anti aircraft systems to the Sri Lankan Government. It's a bit technical and I didn't understand most of it but the bits I did understand were full of juicy links and made for chin scratching reading.
Up North of the border, well north of the English border, everyone's favourite parasitologist regales us with part deux of her Greek adventures. The skies are blue and the sea looks rather lovely. The buildings all look a but old and ruined though. A bit of demolition and a McDonalds drive thru with a cinema complex here and there would make the place a lot better.
Dinidu kindly informed us that his "ass" is fully insured, complete with a picture to illustrate the point. Over in these parts of the world, where we speak English, not Microsoft, an "ass" is a donkey type creature, I think a cross between a donkey and a snake or something. So I think he's probably referring to his "arse". Well I heard on good authority that Dinidu was refused insurance on his arse because it had a crack in it, so I reckon he's lying. Just my little joke.
There's been some sleep, or lack of, related posts here and there as well. T, over the pond, tells us about a dream she had in which Java and Mr and Mrs Chaarmax made an appearance. I know little about Mr and Mrs Chaarmax but I am familiar with Mr Jones. I know that many young women dream about Java on a regular basis but must admit the thought scares me shitless.
Then, over in the heart of Colombo, Gutterflower has had a bout of insomnia, so bad that she couldn't sleep. She's also been creating a few poetic sounding posts, full of words, verses and things like that. I reckon it's love related.
Kalusudda's been quiet for a couple of weeks, but we know it's because he's been very busy with work and car crashes. I'm sure he'll be back soon before we can say "He'll be falling down the mountain as he comes."
But he hasn't been as quiet as Unbound Urchin, who hasn't posted for months. His last post said he was doing pre entry readings for his University course. I hope he's around and alright, but a nice little post or two from him would be enjoyed by quite a few of us.
Back here in the city that is London old DD has been continuing to amaze the non creatives among us with ideas, ads and stories that seem to add something different to the Sri Lankan blogosphere. I was looking at the top 5 list bit on Kottu and trying to figure out why DD gets such a large readership. Well I haven't got a clue, but I'm one of the regulars and have learned a lot from reading his bits and pieces. Perhaps that's the key to his popularity; we learn from him.
Check out the water dress post. I want.
That's about it for now. I'll leave you with a little push towards the Godfather of the Sri Lankan blogosphere, Mr Indi, or Mr Ca really. His blog continues to be the one to look up to and his writing continues to make the reader think and laugh, though I reckon he's got slightly more than one reader. If you're one of the few who haven't read his slice of Sri Lanka then check it out.
I wish you a good weekend. I'm thinking of adding one of those label cloud things into LLD, they seem to be all the rage at the moment, just thought I'd tell you.
RD
I'll take the harder option and talk about important things.
As I wove my way delicately through the Obama posts yesterday morning I bumped into this short beauty. No, not the writer, though she does have the reputation of being everyone's favourite Muslim Mama. I mean the post itself. It's a clip from Friends. I've seen it a million, maybe a billion, times before but it still made me laugh so much that a tiny bit of pee might have come out. Check it out, you'l know exactly what's about to happen every step of the way. You'll laugh too. I guarantee it.
Java, who seems to be posting infrequently these days, put up one of his compilation posts. It was called "Cricket Sledging Classics" and it's about cricket sledging classics. He can be so predictable sometimes! Check them out if you're bored or have a few spare minutes. Though I'm not a huge cricket fan I do know that sledging is part and parcel of the game and many of these had me in stitches.
My newest almost favourite blogger, young Noorie, had an encounter with a cockroach of some sort. If you're a cockroach reading this I would strongly suggest that you steer well clear of Noorie's place. It may look tempting what with all the cakes and desserts made there almost every day, but it's a trap and you won't get out alive. She's got feet the size of a Colombo suburb too. There's even a picture that proves it.
The Right Honourable Lord Cerno of Cernosville Towers published one of his fascinating posts. This one was about the possibility of the Czech Republic supplying anti aircraft systems to the Sri Lankan Government. It's a bit technical and I didn't understand most of it but the bits I did understand were full of juicy links and made for chin scratching reading.
Up North of the border, well north of the English border, everyone's favourite parasitologist regales us with part deux of her Greek adventures. The skies are blue and the sea looks rather lovely. The buildings all look a but old and ruined though. A bit of demolition and a McDonalds drive thru with a cinema complex here and there would make the place a lot better.
Dinidu kindly informed us that his "ass" is fully insured, complete with a picture to illustrate the point. Over in these parts of the world, where we speak English, not Microsoft, an "ass" is a donkey type creature, I think a cross between a donkey and a snake or something. So I think he's probably referring to his "arse". Well I heard on good authority that Dinidu was refused insurance on his arse because it had a crack in it, so I reckon he's lying. Just my little joke.
There's been some sleep, or lack of, related posts here and there as well. T, over the pond, tells us about a dream she had in which Java and Mr and Mrs Chaarmax made an appearance. I know little about Mr and Mrs Chaarmax but I am familiar with Mr Jones. I know that many young women dream about Java on a regular basis but must admit the thought scares me shitless.
Then, over in the heart of Colombo, Gutterflower has had a bout of insomnia, so bad that she couldn't sleep. She's also been creating a few poetic sounding posts, full of words, verses and things like that. I reckon it's love related.
Kalusudda's been quiet for a couple of weeks, but we know it's because he's been very busy with work and car crashes. I'm sure he'll be back soon before we can say "He'll be falling down the mountain as he comes."
But he hasn't been as quiet as Unbound Urchin, who hasn't posted for months. His last post said he was doing pre entry readings for his University course. I hope he's around and alright, but a nice little post or two from him would be enjoyed by quite a few of us.
Back here in the city that is London old DD has been continuing to amaze the non creatives among us with ideas, ads and stories that seem to add something different to the Sri Lankan blogosphere. I was looking at the top 5 list bit on Kottu and trying to figure out why DD gets such a large readership. Well I haven't got a clue, but I'm one of the regulars and have learned a lot from reading his bits and pieces. Perhaps that's the key to his popularity; we learn from him.
Check out the water dress post. I want.
That's about it for now. I'll leave you with a little push towards the Godfather of the Sri Lankan blogosphere, Mr Indi, or Mr Ca really. His blog continues to be the one to look up to and his writing continues to make the reader think and laugh, though I reckon he's got slightly more than one reader. If you're one of the few who haven't read his slice of Sri Lanka then check it out.
I wish you a good weekend. I'm thinking of adding one of those label cloud things into LLD, they seem to be all the rage at the moment, just thought I'd tell you.
RD
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Lately In The Sri Lankan Blogosphere...
It's been a while, but since I've started blogging I don't think I've seen things as quiet as they are at the moment, in the Sri Lankan blogosphere at least.
It's as if most of my regular haunts have decided to shut down and only post very, very infrequently. Maybe it's part and parcel of having a blog, that people do it for a while and then get a bit bored or just lose the desire to continue. Perhaps inspiration is in short supply these days, maybe the cost of living in Sri Lanka is so high that inspiration is way down the list of items to be purchased. Who knows?
But there has been activity and some of it has been interesting, a lot of it has been interesting in a highly sex based way, thanks the to new kid on the block, a certain Miss Soixante Neuf. I've written about her and I'm one of many whose interest, as well as other things, has been aroused by her sexual memoirs.
Dinidu's gone and caused a bit of a stir. Nothing big really, he just wrote something that would probably offend anyone in the world who holds any religious beliefs whatsoever. He says that he thinks those who practice a religion are:
"for the lack of a more diplomatic work (sic), stupid."
and this has kicked off an avalanche of comments, if "avalanche" is the right collective term for comments that is. Now I like Dinidu, I like his blog and I would consider him as a friend. But frankly his comment is, in my opinion, stupid. That doesn't mean that I think that Dinidu's stupid, not in the least. I think he's as bright as a button, but his comment and his thinking on that particular issue is stupid.
He has a right to be an atheist, I just find it hypocritical that a person who is a sexual rights activist, which I assume means that he fights for the rights of gay people, can make and believe a statement like that. Presumably Dinidu's all for tolerance unless you're religious, in which case you're stupid. Am I just being all mature and uncontroversial when I say that yes, religion has caused wars, death and volcanoes? It's also brought lots of happiness to many people and caused good things, like Father Ted for one. But people who practice a religion are stupid???!! I don't think so Dinidu. I was joking about the volcanoes by the way. As a rule I don't generalise.
The Missing Sandwich has been going through a poetry phase in recent days. She's worried that the ability to write prose has left her for good and writes one of her brilliantly worded posts to tell us about the worry. If Alanis hadn't totally fucked up my idea of it I'd probably think there was irony in that.
Java reports a heartbreaking story. It's yet another example of some people putting short term profit before the environment. It's in Sri Lanka, but it needn't be, there'll be one of these scenarios going on right next door to you wherever in the world you're reading this from.
Lord Cerno of Cernosville has been churning out his usual eclectic mix of posts. You won't be surprised that my attention was kidnapped by his one about the drumming Gorilla. I don't know about you but I'm never sure whether to write the name of an animal with a capital letter or not. I don't mean "Gerald" as in the Not the Nine o'clock News. I mean "Gorilla" or "gorilla". I think it's the variety in Cerno's blog that I love so much. One day it's that post about that (G)gorilla and the drums and immediately after there's one about building unmanned aerial vehicles in Sri Lanka. His mind really is like a fart trapped in a collander.
Over in Portrait land Electra complains about too many friend requests on Facebook. I understand her problem, I have a similar thing in real life. Oh no, I don't, that was a dream, now I remember. Those lines between reality and dreams get so blurry sometimes.
In Glasgow Darwin's been doing a few things. Firstly she's fallen head over heels for a Mexican, mostly because of his fondness for cleaning. Now we know how to get into everyone's favourite parachutist's erm, good books, just take along a cloth and some disinfectant. She's also been playing in the playground and getting all youthful. She's lucky that she's a woman. If it were astrapping young man like me who had done the same things there'd be a load of worried mothers warning their kids to stay away from me and calling the Police.
Over the pond T has been fruit picking. She's kindly posted a photograph of her lovely pair of peaches for all to see. Worth a look lads, I tell you.
Sach's review of the Thriloka and more gig at Barefoot made me pine for Colombo like one of those dogs locked in a room and forced to listen to a guitarist practicing Sweet Child Of Mine. I've heard from many people about how brilliant Thriloka and the older chaps were and I'm left with even more love for Shiraaz than I had to start with, in a manly hetero drummer's way of course, not that I think gay people are stupid or anything mind.
That's about it for now, at least in terms of my regulars. On a final note I'm missing Kalusudda . I don't know where he's got to. He went away with old Mrs Kalusudda and young Miss Fukuoka, fell down a mountain and survived to blog about it and now he's disappeared without telling us.
Come back Kalu, we miss you. I'm a fan and I think it's interesting to watch how his blog is developing. It started as a very factual record of the blogs he has visited and commented on and it's developed into a mix of that plus a blog about his life and times too. Very different and very captivating.
Have a nice weekend all. I'm off to see the Ting Tings tonight and Billy Cobham tomorrow. It's a drumfest in these parts!
RD
It's as if most of my regular haunts have decided to shut down and only post very, very infrequently. Maybe it's part and parcel of having a blog, that people do it for a while and then get a bit bored or just lose the desire to continue. Perhaps inspiration is in short supply these days, maybe the cost of living in Sri Lanka is so high that inspiration is way down the list of items to be purchased. Who knows?
But there has been activity and some of it has been interesting, a lot of it has been interesting in a highly sex based way, thanks the to new kid on the block, a certain Miss Soixante Neuf. I've written about her and I'm one of many whose interest, as well as other things, has been aroused by her sexual memoirs.
Dinidu's gone and caused a bit of a stir. Nothing big really, he just wrote something that would probably offend anyone in the world who holds any religious beliefs whatsoever. He says that he thinks those who practice a religion are:
"for the lack of a more diplomatic work (sic), stupid."
and this has kicked off an avalanche of comments, if "avalanche" is the right collective term for comments that is. Now I like Dinidu, I like his blog and I would consider him as a friend. But frankly his comment is, in my opinion, stupid. That doesn't mean that I think that Dinidu's stupid, not in the least. I think he's as bright as a button, but his comment and his thinking on that particular issue is stupid.
He has a right to be an atheist, I just find it hypocritical that a person who is a sexual rights activist, which I assume means that he fights for the rights of gay people, can make and believe a statement like that. Presumably Dinidu's all for tolerance unless you're religious, in which case you're stupid. Am I just being all mature and uncontroversial when I say that yes, religion has caused wars, death and volcanoes? It's also brought lots of happiness to many people and caused good things, like Father Ted for one. But people who practice a religion are stupid???!! I don't think so Dinidu. I was joking about the volcanoes by the way. As a rule I don't generalise.
The Missing Sandwich has been going through a poetry phase in recent days. She's worried that the ability to write prose has left her for good and writes one of her brilliantly worded posts to tell us about the worry. If Alanis hadn't totally fucked up my idea of it I'd probably think there was irony in that.
Java reports a heartbreaking story. It's yet another example of some people putting short term profit before the environment. It's in Sri Lanka, but it needn't be, there'll be one of these scenarios going on right next door to you wherever in the world you're reading this from.
Lord Cerno of Cernosville has been churning out his usual eclectic mix of posts. You won't be surprised that my attention was kidnapped by his one about the drumming Gorilla. I don't know about you but I'm never sure whether to write the name of an animal with a capital letter or not. I don't mean "Gerald" as in the Not the Nine o'clock News. I mean "Gorilla" or "gorilla". I think it's the variety in Cerno's blog that I love so much. One day it's that post about that (G)gorilla and the drums and immediately after there's one about building unmanned aerial vehicles in Sri Lanka. His mind really is like a fart trapped in a collander.
Over in Portrait land Electra complains about too many friend requests on Facebook. I understand her problem, I have a similar thing in real life. Oh no, I don't, that was a dream, now I remember. Those lines between reality and dreams get so blurry sometimes.
In Glasgow Darwin's been doing a few things. Firstly she's fallen head over heels for a Mexican, mostly because of his fondness for cleaning. Now we know how to get into everyone's favourite parachutist's erm, good books, just take along a cloth and some disinfectant. She's also been playing in the playground and getting all youthful. She's lucky that she's a woman. If it were a
Over the pond T has been fruit picking. She's kindly posted a photograph of her lovely pair of peaches for all to see. Worth a look lads, I tell you.
Sach's review of the Thriloka and more gig at Barefoot made me pine for Colombo like one of those dogs locked in a room and forced to listen to a guitarist practicing Sweet Child Of Mine. I've heard from many people about how brilliant Thriloka and the older chaps were and I'm left with even more love for Shiraaz than I had to start with, in a manly hetero drummer's way of course, not that I think gay people are stupid or anything mind.
That's about it for now, at least in terms of my regulars. On a final note I'm missing Kalusudda . I don't know where he's got to. He went away with old Mrs Kalusudda and young Miss Fukuoka, fell down a mountain and survived to blog about it and now he's disappeared without telling us.
Come back Kalu, we miss you. I'm a fan and I think it's interesting to watch how his blog is developing. It started as a very factual record of the blogs he has visited and commented on and it's developed into a mix of that plus a blog about his life and times too. Very different and very captivating.
Have a nice weekend all. I'm off to see the Ting Tings tonight and Billy Cobham tomorrow. It's a drumfest in these parts!
RD
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