I've been in my new place for about three months now, and I haven't bothered to get an aerial installed, and so haven't watched a minute of live television. Every now and then I think I should get it done, and then I realise how bad TV is right now.
Take the other night for instance. I was at my lady friend's house, and we turned on the TV, and found a dancing reality show on one channel, a medical reality show on the other, plus some sort of singing competition that I believe is reasonably popular. If I kept it on there would have been the airport reality show, the cooking reality show, the real estate reality show . . .
I guess most people figured this out a long time ago, but I just realised that pretty much everything on TV is reality programming. And it's mostly dull and repetitive (this week, on Border Patrol, someone tries to smuggle drugs into Australia! How novel!)
I mean, I'm not someone who has really elitist tastes. Last night I hired "Snakes on a Plane" from my DVD shop. But it seems there's an awful lot of crap on these days, and I don't know why everyone puts up with it. I often think the average person is at least as smart as me, sometimes I'm not so sure.
Anyway, a TV show I have enjoyed on DVD the past week was season 2 of Dexter (it's on free to air on Sunday nights, which would ruin my argument, except they are still showing season one, even though season one and two are available to buy/hire. Genius.)
If any of my seven readers haven't come across the show, the basic premise is that Dexter Morgan is a blood splatter expert with the Miami Police Department, who kills serial killers in his spare time. Season two focuses on his efforts to evade detection - the bodies of his victims have surfaced, and his colleagues (including his step sister) form a special FBI-led task force to track the killer. Which means that in addition to his normal killing duties, and his day job, he also has to intervene from time to time to taint evidence and throw his colleagues off his scent.
I thought season one was OK, but season two was definitely a step up. I watched all twelve episodes in six days, which sounds quick but it was two more than it took Murray. Amanda apparently watched season one and two combined in even less time, which is rather impressive. It's definitely a show that pulls you in.
If I had one complaint it would be that they stole one of the characters - Lila - from Fight Club. Skinny pommy chick who's kind of hot but has all sorts of issues, and goes to support group meetings even though she doesn't have an addiction. Yep, sounds like Marla Singer. Also, I didn't really see why she had to be topless in almost every episode, but I guess I'm not a professional TV-directing guy.
Despite the rampant breast baring in season 2, the show isn't as full on as it sounds. A lot of the violence is implied, there's probably not a lot more than an average episode of CSI (admittedly, there's more than you'd find in Columbo Paul). The main thing is that it forces you to identify with, and sympathise with, someone who is a serial killer. If you can get past that (and I'm sure some can't) you'll love it.
Season three starts in the US in a few weeks. I could wait until 2010 or so when it makes it to Australian TV, but most likely I'll download it as it airs.
The following trailer shows Jimmy Smits (my favourite fictional president) joins the cast, so it should be great.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Go Sixers!
Last night I went to see the new look Sixers play the Melbourne Tigers in their first practice match of the season (by my count only four players remain from last year - Maher, Cooper, Hill and Ballinger).
We arrived at about 6.30pm for a 7pm tip off. It was so weird going to a Sixers game and only seeing a few hundred people there.
Before the game, they had a worst haircut competition, and this guy won.
We came into the match missing a few key players - new pg Aaron Bruce apparently hasn't arrived yet, neither has our second import.
We've got a new guy I'd never even heard of called Winitana. When I saw his darker skin, I assumed he was our new import, but Michella said "he looks more Maori than black". She was right. He's a NZ'er, which rules because it means he gets to play as an Aussie. Anyway he was our best player on the night. He seemed a bit undersized as a sg/sf (apparently he's listed at about 6 foot 4 1/2) but he was really aggressiv going after rebounds, had a nice three point shot, was aggresive on his drives, and even went for two pretty ridiculous tip dunk attempts.
The other key new guy, Schenser, was pretty good. Kind of like a slightly taller David Cooper who can play OK offense. There was one sequence where a Tiger player tried to lay it up and got blocked by Cooper, the loose ball went to one of his team mates, who tried to dunk and got blocked by both Cooper and Schenser. It's going to be tough scoring against those two inside, and with Ballinger we've got a pretty fearsome front line.
I wasn't completely sold on Holmes. It's nice to have him back and he seemed to play really well for South Melbourne last year, but I'd rank him pretty lower than Ballinger, Maher, Schenser, Winitana, and presumably import number 2, and maybe even Bruce from what I hear. When Jacob Holmes is your sixth or seventh best player though, that's a good sign for your team.
The Sixers did give up a lead in the last few minutes and lost the game, but nothing to worry about there really, Ninnis seemed to be trying out the new guys, Maher and Ballinger sat off most of the end of the game.
I'm cautiously optimistic about this team - on paper they seem pretty stacked, but will have to see how things actually work out when the season starts in a few weeks.
We arrived at about 6.30pm for a 7pm tip off. It was so weird going to a Sixers game and only seeing a few hundred people there.
Before the game, they had a worst haircut competition, and this guy won.
We came into the match missing a few key players - new pg Aaron Bruce apparently hasn't arrived yet, neither has our second import.
We've got a new guy I'd never even heard of called Winitana. When I saw his darker skin, I assumed he was our new import, but Michella said "he looks more Maori than black". She was right. He's a NZ'er, which rules because it means he gets to play as an Aussie. Anyway he was our best player on the night. He seemed a bit undersized as a sg/sf (apparently he's listed at about 6 foot 4 1/2) but he was really aggressiv going after rebounds, had a nice three point shot, was aggresive on his drives, and even went for two pretty ridiculous tip dunk attempts.
The other key new guy, Schenser, was pretty good. Kind of like a slightly taller David Cooper who can play OK offense. There was one sequence where a Tiger player tried to lay it up and got blocked by Cooper, the loose ball went to one of his team mates, who tried to dunk and got blocked by both Cooper and Schenser. It's going to be tough scoring against those two inside, and with Ballinger we've got a pretty fearsome front line.
I wasn't completely sold on Holmes. It's nice to have him back and he seemed to play really well for South Melbourne last year, but I'd rank him pretty lower than Ballinger, Maher, Schenser, Winitana, and presumably import number 2, and maybe even Bruce from what I hear. When Jacob Holmes is your sixth or seventh best player though, that's a good sign for your team.
The Sixers did give up a lead in the last few minutes and lost the game, but nothing to worry about there really, Ninnis seemed to be trying out the new guys, Maher and Ballinger sat off most of the end of the game.
I'm cautiously optimistic about this team - on paper they seem pretty stacked, but will have to see how things actually work out when the season starts in a few weeks.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Great lyrics
I'm really more of a music than a lyrics guy, but I love the lyrics to "One for the cutters" from The Hold Steady's new album "Stay Positive". It's like a Bret Easton Ellis novel in less than five minutes . . .
When there weren’t any parties, she’d park by the quarry, walk into the woods until she came to a clearing where townies would gather and drink until blackout, smoke cigs till they’re sick, pack bowls, and then pass out. Windows wide open to let the hard rock in, theirs was a rage that didn’t need much convincing. The girls gave her glares, but the boys were quite pleasant. To be totally honest, they didn’t seem much different. When there weren’t any parties, sometimes she’d party with townies.
Out on the parkways, after the parties, it was always arousing, when they’d rev up their engines. It’s hard to describe, so she kept it a secret. The girls that she lived with, they knew nothing about it. The night with the fight and the butterfly knife, it was the first night she spent with that one guy she liked. She gave him a ride to some kid’s house in Cleveland. He stayed there for two weeks. The cops finally found him. He didn’t seem that different, except for the blood on his jacket. He didn’t seem that different, except for maybe his haircut. He didn’t seem much different. They didn’t seem that different, up until this one little incident. They didn’t seem much different…
Now, the cops wanna question everyone present. They parade every townie in town through the station, but no one says nothing, and they can’t find the weapon. The girl takes the stand, and she swears she was with him - her father’s lawyers do most of the talking.
She’s sick of the questions, sick of the concept of justice and fairness. Who the hell cares who gets caught in the middle? She smokes and she ponders this riddle: When one townie falls in the forest, can anyone hear it? When one townie falls. . . when one townie falls in the forest, does anyone notice?
One drop of blood, an immaculate kiss . . . Mom, do you know where your girl is? Sophomore accomplice in a turtleneck sweater . . . Dad, do you know where your kids are? Sniffing on crystal in cute little cars, getting nailed against dumpsters, behind townie bars. It’s a cute little town, boutiques and cafes. Her friends all seemed nice, she was getting good grades, but when she came home for Christmas, she just seemed distant and different.
When there weren’t any parties, she’d park by the quarry, walk into the woods until she came to a clearing where townies would gather and drink until blackout, smoke cigs till they’re sick, pack bowls, and then pass out. Windows wide open to let the hard rock in, theirs was a rage that didn’t need much convincing. The girls gave her glares, but the boys were quite pleasant. To be totally honest, they didn’t seem much different. When there weren’t any parties, sometimes she’d party with townies.
Out on the parkways, after the parties, it was always arousing, when they’d rev up their engines. It’s hard to describe, so she kept it a secret. The girls that she lived with, they knew nothing about it. The night with the fight and the butterfly knife, it was the first night she spent with that one guy she liked. She gave him a ride to some kid’s house in Cleveland. He stayed there for two weeks. The cops finally found him. He didn’t seem that different, except for the blood on his jacket. He didn’t seem that different, except for maybe his haircut. He didn’t seem much different. They didn’t seem that different, up until this one little incident. They didn’t seem much different…
Now, the cops wanna question everyone present. They parade every townie in town through the station, but no one says nothing, and they can’t find the weapon. The girl takes the stand, and she swears she was with him - her father’s lawyers do most of the talking.
She’s sick of the questions, sick of the concept of justice and fairness. Who the hell cares who gets caught in the middle? She smokes and she ponders this riddle: When one townie falls in the forest, can anyone hear it? When one townie falls. . . when one townie falls in the forest, does anyone notice?
One drop of blood, an immaculate kiss . . . Mom, do you know where your girl is? Sophomore accomplice in a turtleneck sweater . . . Dad, do you know where your kids are? Sniffing on crystal in cute little cars, getting nailed against dumpsters, behind townie bars. It’s a cute little town, boutiques and cafes. Her friends all seemed nice, she was getting good grades, but when she came home for Christmas, she just seemed distant and different.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Quick thoughts
I tried the new double dipped Cherry Ripe last night. Not bad. Not bad at all.
If you like a) laughing and b) watching guys get shot, you'll probably enjoy "Pineapple Express". Not Seth Rogen's best work - in fact it's probably the worst film I've seen him in - but still at least twice as good as "Get Smart", which I saw a few weeks ago. Darryl from the US Office is a particular standout in it. No idea how it ended up with an MA rating though, apart from the fact that the protagonists smoke dope right through the movie, it's surprisingly violent.
I've watched a little bit of the Olympics and am pretty much over it. I lost interest in the opening ceremony about 15 minutes in (although that was before I found out it discovered lip-syncing and fake digitially created fireworks), and have only watched little bits since. The low point was watching women's judo. Remember when you were a kid and you'd grab someone and try and trip them over. Yep, that's an Olympic "sport" now. Can't wait till British Bulldogs makes it in.
Best comment I've read about the Olympics comes from Freakonomics author Stephen D Levitt . . . "I have to believe that when a country with as much at stake in these Olympics as China sets its mind on finding ways to beat the anti-doping rules, they will succeed."
On a positive Olympic note - Stephanie Rice. Wow.
We moved into brand new offices at work this week, and we now have a deluxe coffee machine. I had three lattes yesterday. I feel like Kramer when he won his case against Java World, hopped up on free coffee all the time.
I've been eating the same sandwich at work every day for the last few months. And in no way is that depressing. I start with a Turkish lepinja from the Markets, slice it in half, add Watsonia cheddar cheese, Beerenberg tomato sauce, a few slices of thinly sliced tomato, and a meat of my choice. Lately I've been using slices of smoky beef sausage. I then toast it in our sandwich press, and finally add a handful of wild rocket. I swear I have colleagues ask me almost daily "Did you buy that?" Amazingly, I'm still not even remotely sick of it.
If you like a) laughing and b) watching guys get shot, you'll probably enjoy "Pineapple Express". Not Seth Rogen's best work - in fact it's probably the worst film I've seen him in - but still at least twice as good as "Get Smart", which I saw a few weeks ago. Darryl from the US Office is a particular standout in it. No idea how it ended up with an MA rating though, apart from the fact that the protagonists smoke dope right through the movie, it's surprisingly violent.
I've watched a little bit of the Olympics and am pretty much over it. I lost interest in the opening ceremony about 15 minutes in (although that was before I found out it discovered lip-syncing and fake digitially created fireworks), and have only watched little bits since. The low point was watching women's judo. Remember when you were a kid and you'd grab someone and try and trip them over. Yep, that's an Olympic "sport" now. Can't wait till British Bulldogs makes it in.
Best comment I've read about the Olympics comes from Freakonomics author Stephen D Levitt . . . "I have to believe that when a country with as much at stake in these Olympics as China sets its mind on finding ways to beat the anti-doping rules, they will succeed."
On a positive Olympic note - Stephanie Rice. Wow.
We moved into brand new offices at work this week, and we now have a deluxe coffee machine. I had three lattes yesterday. I feel like Kramer when he won his case against Java World, hopped up on free coffee all the time.
I've been eating the same sandwich at work every day for the last few months. And in no way is that depressing. I start with a Turkish lepinja from the Markets, slice it in half, add Watsonia cheddar cheese, Beerenberg tomato sauce, a few slices of thinly sliced tomato, and a meat of my choice. Lately I've been using slices of smoky beef sausage. I then toast it in our sandwich press, and finally add a handful of wild rocket. I swear I have colleagues ask me almost daily "Did you buy that?" Amazingly, I'm still not even remotely sick of it.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Weekend viewing
Ever find yourself at the video store with nothing that you want to see, so you talk yourself into something that you know you're not going to love?
That was me on Saturday. I was hoping to get "Semi-Pro" but all copies were out, so I ended up talking myself into "Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story". My rationale being that it starred John C. Reilly, who's underrated as a comedy actor (Boogie Nights, Talladega Nights), and was co-written by Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up).
Unfortunately, the movie was not great. It's kind of a send up of musical bio-pics, and in particular, the Johnny Cash movie "Walk the Line". The style of comedy is rather different to what you'd expect from the guys involved, it's kind of like a "Scary Movie" type thing, with lots of slapstick and sight gags. I didn't enjoy it all that much, although it does improve at the end, and there are some good cameos, like Jonah Hill, Jack Black and Eddie Vedder.
Sunday I went back to the video store (exciting weekend!) and got the movie I originally wanted, Semi Pro. It wasn't too bad, but not especially hilarious. Basically it's the movie "Major League", but remade about a basketball team. Will Ferrell was OK, but I thought Woody Harrelson was kind of wasted. Unless you really love basketball I can't really recommend this.
That was me on Saturday. I was hoping to get "Semi-Pro" but all copies were out, so I ended up talking myself into "Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox Story". My rationale being that it starred John C. Reilly, who's underrated as a comedy actor (Boogie Nights, Talladega Nights), and was co-written by Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up).
Unfortunately, the movie was not great. It's kind of a send up of musical bio-pics, and in particular, the Johnny Cash movie "Walk the Line". The style of comedy is rather different to what you'd expect from the guys involved, it's kind of like a "Scary Movie" type thing, with lots of slapstick and sight gags. I didn't enjoy it all that much, although it does improve at the end, and there are some good cameos, like Jonah Hill, Jack Black and Eddie Vedder.
Sunday I went back to the video store (exciting weekend!) and got the movie I originally wanted, Semi Pro. It wasn't too bad, but not especially hilarious. Basically it's the movie "Major League", but remade about a basketball team. Will Ferrell was OK, but I thought Woody Harrelson was kind of wasted. Unless you really love basketball I can't really recommend this.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Sunday, August 03, 2008
NBA 2K8
About a week ago I tried to play NBA 2k8 online against Corey. For some reason, which I'm still to figure out, the process failed, and we couldn't see each other online.
It motivated me to pick up this game again though, and I decided to try a season. I don't know if I've ever finished a season (and I've been playing basketball games since "Bulls vs Blazers" on the Megadrive), but I'm really into this one.
I went with the Bulls as my team. I've never used them a lot in 2K8 before, but they have a pretty good team, especially since the Cavs trade last season. I'm starting Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni (a really good three point shooter) and Noah (great cleaning up around the basket), which leaves a bench rotation of Drew Gooden, Ty Thomas, Larry Hughes, and Thabo Sefalosha. Not bad at all.
I lost the first game, then reeled of four wins in a row (two of them in overtime). All of the games have been close, except for when I played the Suns, who ran me off the floor. Right now I'm about 10% of the way through the season with a 5-3 record, and feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it.
Will I win the title? Or will I lose all interest in the coming week? Stay tuned to find out.
It motivated me to pick up this game again though, and I decided to try a season. I don't know if I've ever finished a season (and I've been playing basketball games since "Bulls vs Blazers" on the Megadrive), but I'm really into this one.
I went with the Bulls as my team. I've never used them a lot in 2K8 before, but they have a pretty good team, especially since the Cavs trade last season. I'm starting Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni (a really good three point shooter) and Noah (great cleaning up around the basket), which leaves a bench rotation of Drew Gooden, Ty Thomas, Larry Hughes, and Thabo Sefalosha. Not bad at all.
I lost the first game, then reeled of four wins in a row (two of them in overtime). All of the games have been close, except for when I played the Suns, who ran me off the floor. Right now I'm about 10% of the way through the season with a 5-3 record, and feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it.
Will I win the title? Or will I lose all interest in the coming week? Stay tuned to find out.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Melbourne
Wednesday night I left the cold, bitter, winter weather in Adelaide to travel somewhere even worse . . . Melbourne.
We flew in on Tiger, with some $10 fares that I had picked up a few months ago. We didn't get in until about 10pm though, so by the time we got to our accommodation it was around 11pm.
We stayed at Punt Hill Manhattan in Flinders Lane (pictured below). Wotif described it as industrial chic, which was reasonably accurate, although part of me felt like we'd stumled into a setpiece from Saw.
In the morning we checked out pretty early, and had breakfast at a lovely little restaurant/bar called Terra Rosa, a few doors down. Sitting in front of an open fireplace, I had their breaky sandwich, which was basically a fancier version of the Subway one I have every second day or so.
After breakfast we got the train out to Prahan, and did some shopping in Chapel Street.
I got a new jacket from Industrie, and these awesome sneakers from a sneaker store called Provider.
Michella also managed to get a few things, spending her birthday cash. After we'd finished up on Chapel Street, we caught the train back into town, returned to Terra Rosa for a beer, then back to the airport.
The Tiger terminal at Melbourne airport is really quite a sight. Michella said it looks like a bus terminal. I said a refugee camp. It doesn't resemble a regular airline terminal, that's for sure. For some reason they serve alcohol in there, so the place is full of guys walking around, swigging from bottles of beer. It just looks wrong. Still, they do have Krispy Kreme there so it's not all bad.
We got into Adelaide at about 8pm last night so just a short visit but a good one, would be good to get back later this year and take some time though, and catch up with friends.
We flew in on Tiger, with some $10 fares that I had picked up a few months ago. We didn't get in until about 10pm though, so by the time we got to our accommodation it was around 11pm.
We stayed at Punt Hill Manhattan in Flinders Lane (pictured below). Wotif described it as industrial chic, which was reasonably accurate, although part of me felt like we'd stumled into a setpiece from Saw.
In the morning we checked out pretty early, and had breakfast at a lovely little restaurant/bar called Terra Rosa, a few doors down. Sitting in front of an open fireplace, I had their breaky sandwich, which was basically a fancier version of the Subway one I have every second day or so.
After breakfast we got the train out to Prahan, and did some shopping in Chapel Street.
I got a new jacket from Industrie, and these awesome sneakers from a sneaker store called Provider.
Michella also managed to get a few things, spending her birthday cash. After we'd finished up on Chapel Street, we caught the train back into town, returned to Terra Rosa for a beer, then back to the airport.
The Tiger terminal at Melbourne airport is really quite a sight. Michella said it looks like a bus terminal. I said a refugee camp. It doesn't resemble a regular airline terminal, that's for sure. For some reason they serve alcohol in there, so the place is full of guys walking around, swigging from bottles of beer. It just looks wrong. Still, they do have Krispy Kreme there so it's not all bad.
We got into Adelaide at about 8pm last night so just a short visit but a good one, would be good to get back later this year and take some time though, and catch up with friends.
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