Stunning. I… excuse me, I think I have something in my eye…
I want to go to Iceland (oh yes, very funny, but you know what I mean).
Month: September 2009
Global Warming
A song wars song from Joe Cornish. It has whistling and an anguished polar bear in it. Win! Not so sure about the video, but just close your eyes and imagine something amazing directed by you, or Michael Bay. Boom!
Funny or…
This man is in hiding after ruining my punchline
You can see it here: Selling Out
It’s not too bad, as far as it goes, although it doesn’t so much end as just stop, cos they couldn’t use the punchline I wrote due to music clearance issues.
Basically, Robbie Williams ruined my sketch. How many people can say that? I feel almost privileged.
Apart from lopping off the last 20 seconds, the only other change they made was swapping the word “mint” for the word “sick”, which I assume is what kids these days say when they want to say something’s good. But “sick” is, like “bad”, the opposite of good! I just don’t understand those crazy kids! I’m so out of touch!
Still, all in all the sketch is “terrible” (that means “good”, right kids?).
Toast
Forget life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Or rather don’t, but recognise that toast with butter is a basic human right up there with the other three. Best eaten off a plate, all cosy comfy in bed.
What glorious magic occurs inside the toaster to transform a simple slice of bread into the warm and crunchy food of the gods?
There are only around three things in life more satisfying than the perfect piece of toast, and to be honest even they might be improved by the addition of a buttery slice.
It’s nice with soup too.
Nom nom nom! That’s all I’m saying. Hehe, it really is the little things…
Bizziness
It’s September, and me jolly hollybobs are over. I’m pretty busy over the next few months. I just started rehearsals for a new theatre in education tour. I say new, I did the same show six years ago. We watched a video from the original tour – goodness, that was an odd experience. I’d say I looked young, but I dunno, I think I looked older somehow. I mean, it might have been the grey wig and shawl, but who can say?
Anyway, I feel certain that my long-awaited return to the role of Mr Fable, kindly sweet-shop owner and storyteller, will be the talk of theatreland for months to come. And my Ugly Sister, and Donald the Brummie Dragon? The reviews will be stellar, darling.
It’s a lot of fun so far: it’s a job that I love, and the money will come in very handy, especially if I’m going to be moving next year.
And I’ve got two separate schools drama projects on, plus my Intro to Acting course at the Arc in Stockton. It’s fair to say I’m feeling motivated again. I love my work, which is more than a lot of people can say. It feels like play. I’m thankful for it. And it seems I’m quite good at it, too.
And there’s always the magical extras: the writing, the dumb comedy (joined a Leeds-based sketch group, we’ll see how that goes) and the music. Always the music.
It keeps me sane, man. Hehe. Mostly.
The Rat Control The Cook plus Sausages
New from Adam Buxton. Mesmerisinginging!
Bonus! Buxton sings about my favourite breakfast ciabatta filling:
If I Didn’t Have You
I met Tim Minchin once, at a party in Edinburgh. He was very nice, especially considering my drunken opening gambit was “I usually hate comedy songs, but…”
Anyway, I usually hate comedy songs, but Minchin’s stuff is funny and clever and thoughtful and musically ambitious and funny, and seems to come from a good place. As ever, there’s more to find on YouTube.
I saw him play If I Didn’t Have You live last year. And I loved it, cos at its heart… it’s true. Lasting love is about choice, not necessity. About knowing that you and this person complement and delight each other in this way, and it’s wonderful and it’s all you want. Other possible connections are always available, but you simply don’t want to know about them.
Isn’t that love? Or at least a big part of it? I think so, and it’s all the sweeter for it.
Hehe, that’s a lot of waffle about what is, after all, just a funny song, innit?
The Bright Side
Eeyore looking sad by a tree.
“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily.
“So it is.”
“And freezing.”
“Is it?”
“Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.”
A Good Day
I ran a four hour film challenge in Saltburn today. 4 groups of schoolkids, 4 film makers and four hours to make 4 short films, from script to screen.
It was inspiring. The kids really seemed to enjoy it. I know I did. We had a grand screening of the films this evening and they were… of variable quality, as you’d expect, but they all had their moments and one of them was hilarious, with kettle-related violence and some truly mental dialogue. The kids were so proud of themselves, as well they should have been.
It got me thinking about film making again. What with one thing and another I haven’t felt able to devote any energy to the film stuff for quite a while, but watching the enthusiasm and creativity of those kids today…
I miss it. I think it’s time to step it up again.
The Jamming Arabs
Ha! Well, talking of music, I just found this footage I’ve never seen before of fat Harris bopping about on stage with a bass guitar. I think this might have been the last gig The Columbos did. The song is The Peacock’s One More Chance.
The Columbos used to be The Jamming Arabs. I know, terrible name, but it seemed funny at the time. We had a record out last century. Surf-punk-ska-pop-a-gogo.
If you’d lke to hear what a big mix of The Ramones, Beach Boys, Madness and the Banana Splits might sound like, you can download the album Never Bin Surfin here. It’s high-speed shouty sunshine!
Ramshackle Charm 