Dance Of Democracy

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I went to the Saatchi Gallery's current exhibition entitled "The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today". It was a very interesting exhibition, largely because I'm so used to seeing work that reflects western culture, it was fascinating to see eastern culture in this way. I was surprised at just how political a lot of the work was.

One artwork that stood out to me was "Dance Of Democracy" by Mansoor Ali, it's the picture above. A series of chairs precariously perched together. When you stand in front of it there's a feeling that it may fall any minute, if luck is what holds it all together. You start looking for logical reasons as to why it stays together, glue sticking it? A frame inside it? The chairs have notches that interlink? All to no avail. It somehow against all odds stays in place, as fragile as it is.

I really liked that visual interpretation of democracy, as it is also in it's nature bureaucratic, made up of seats, committees and departments. Thus the humble chair is a prefect choice to symbolise it.

Doctor Who - Waters Of Mars - Spoilers

On the wonderfully named Bowie Base One, Captain Adelaide and her crew are manning the first human outpost on Mars. The Doctor turns up and is immediately concerned, it's the exact day that according to history, the base is destroyed in a self detonated explosion. This is as the Doctor repeatedly says as he tries to back out the door, a so called fixed point in history. Before he has a chance however, it's discovered that two crew members have been infected by a mysterious alien life form, that turns them into zombies with really badly chapped lips. Yes there is life on Mars and it isn't pretty.

I enjoyed the episode more than I thought I would, yet the ChapStick zombie storyline felt only there to put the Doctor into a situation that raised the question of what happens if all the power he has over time and life, finally gets to him? Without Captain Adelaide it would have felt even more disconnected, yet thankfully she pulled the story together enough for me not to complain too much. I did find her however the most interesting and entertaining aspect to the story. Which as a secondary character shouldn't really be the case.

Part of the reason for that was the Doctor just didn't seem the Doctor we've known through out the series, this seems to be a recurring theme with Russell T, wrap up a story by making the characters implausible or have a Messianic complex. It doesn't create good drama, it just feels like a bit of a cop out. In doing so he's certainly making the series feel like it needs to regenerate.

MPs Kanye West Kelly's Expense Review

If your not familiar with the joke link

Yo Kelly. I'm really happy for you, I'm going to let you finish, but we had one of the best scams of all time.....

BNP On Question Time

Having just watched the well built up appearance of Nick Griffin on Question Time, I was stuck firstly by the anti fascist groups trying to stop Griffin entering the BBC and the programme going ahead. I seriously question their anti fascist credentials on seeing such video, perhaps reading up on what fascism is may help, as that just ironic.

I did feel sceptical as to whether the programme would really be a debate, but David Dimbleby kept it on track well, particularly since the audience clearly wanted to string up Griffin by his testicles. I would have preferred the programme to focus on questions covering a range of topics, yet it is inevitable that the spot light would fall squarely on the BNP. There was too much interest for it not to.

Jack Straw was the weakest link, the question of whether "the success of the BNP can be explained by the misguided immigration policies of the government" just floored him, combined with Griffin's comments on the Iraq War, Straw really showed that this government can't defend it's record. Which hardly puts them in a strong position to challenge the BNP. Bonnie Greer was wonderful, when Nick Griffin was up against her he was really shown to be second-rate. I loved that she lectured him on British history, inviting him at one point to go to the British Museum to understand more.

Out of every one on the panel though it was David Dimbleby that real shone tonight, he threw the incriminating material at Nick Griffin and pushed him to explain it. Those were the times that Griffin really looked awful, loony, racist and embarrassed. I don't think just this alone will expose the BNP or change the mind of their votes, mainstream parties addressing people's alienation will, at least this is a start though.

MoD Wasting Billions

An internal review of the MoD's procurement processes has found that as much as £2.5 billion of taxpayers' money is being wasted every year by the ministry, it was reported last night. (read story)

It's amazing how often these reports come out and tell us what everybody knew for years. One day I'd like the cynical suspicion of the public be proved wrong and for it to turn out that we're not governed by incompetents.

Is that too much to ask?

Man on Wire

I just watched the documentary Man on Wire on the BBC's iplayer, it's about:

In August 1974, French wire-walker Philippe Petit spent nearly an hour walking, dancing, kneeling and lying on a wire which he and his friends had strung in secret between the rooftops of New York's Twin Towers. Six years of intense planning, dreaming and physical training fell into place that morning

It's a remarkable documentary, Philippe is a very engaging storyteller, he pulls you into his plan from the start, just as he did to those that helped him. He is enchanting, full of ego and self-confidence, brazenly well aware of the fact that he used people and then cast them aside. Yet as a policeman who arrested Philippe said, he knew he was seeing something unlike anything he'd ever see again. A true description of this film and Philippe Petit.

Tuition Fees - Lame Duck Government

As part of the deal stuck with Labour backbenchers when tuition fees were raised in 2004, they were to be reviewed this year. Labour have now announced that review though it won't conclude until after the next election, I'm shocked.

Other than striking me as incredibly cowardly, given they introduced these fees in the first place. It also makes you wonder what's the point of them continuing this charade of governing? When every controversial decision won't happen until after the election. What are they doing then?

Certainly not governing. They're just drawing out the time and hanging onto power for the sake of it. Do they really expect to continue doing this for the next 10 months? Putting things off until Brown graces the country with an election. I guess so.

O/T Torchwood - Children of Earth - Spoliers

It was an emotional roller-coaster with moments of brilliance and sadly written with skill I've not seen Russell T Davies apply to Doctor Who. The kids being taken away by the army was some of the best drama I've seen on the BBC in years. It was all too real as those trucks and buses pulled into the school. While the teachers were powerless to do anything but just insist that the soldiers don’t have the right to take the kids.

Finding out the 456 motives - drug dealing on an intergalactic scale - was a bit strange, part of me sniggered and part thought it was twisted. It does open up some big plot holes though, why did they come to earth in the 60s for the children? They couldn't have known the kids were drugs, were they just sniffing around for a dealer. Which lends to questioning why the government just shut out Torchwood from the start? There was a collective shrug as they resigned themselves to doing whatever the 456 said.

Overall I do feel torn in my reaction, as it's Torchwood, someone from the team is meant to pull the short straw and sleep with the bald three headed telekinetic chicken with a mucus problem. No one expects an Eastenders Christmas special, it was drama with a bit of sci-fi, instead of what it's been for the last two years, sci-fi with a bit of drama. If Torchwood didn't have a history this would have been brilliant, instead it's a little disappointing and really depressing.

Is this the end of Torchwood? Certainly as we know it, perhaps that won't turn out to be a bad thing, if they introduce some of the characters from this series.

O/T - Torchwood New Series 3 Trailer

I was expecting a bit of a "home movie" than that from Torchwood! *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

I love a bit of sci-fi, I wasn't griped with Torchwood though until the end of the last series, the writers and actors really seemed to get into stride. They filled in a back story to the characters and the events that lead them to join Torchwood. They answered that question which hangs in the air when I watch, why do these people go around chasing and sleeping with aliens?

The trailer does look to be a promising start to the next series. I hope they'll continue with their own voice though, rather they falling into Doctor Who territory.

Eurovision Song Contest: 2009

Congratulations to Norway! Nice to see the Eurovision is back to being a song contest, with Norway's entry winning by a landslide. Lord Webber and Jade Ewen's hard work put us at number 5, instead of getting just getting "nul points". Graham Norton took over from Sir Terry's commentary and didn't disappoint, very enjoyable.

The best performance for me was Ukraine's entry, that was some crazy camped up action. Germany's entry had Dita von Teese* in their performance, yet it was the lead singers skin tight, shiny sliver trousers that stole the show, I thought at one point I might have an epileptic fit the way the light danced off them. France's entry couldn't be any more "French", or depressing, I'm glad I wasn't wearing laced shoes. Best part however as I am a little geeky, was they linked live to the International Space Station to launch voting.

It was a bit disappointing that production values were so high with the acts, rather than campy, yet given Mother Russia's earlier actions on campness, I'm not surprised. The biggest curiosity that hangs over it all though, is when did Russia or Israel become apart of Europe? Must of missed that.


* She's well known America burlesque dancer, famous for her giant Martini glass routine.

Doctor Who – Planet of the Dead

Overall "Planet of the Dead" was like opening a tub of Neapolitan ice-cream only to find someone has just eaten the chocolate, disappointing.

The plot centred around a London Bus being sucked through a worm hole, and ending up on a barren desert planet. With swarming creatures fast approaching, the Doctor and passages must find a way back home. I wasn't so sure on the London Bus having the top deck blown apart, nor were the references to the recession welcomed. I watch Doctor Who for escapism, I don't really want to be reminded of how crap things are at the moment. Also when did Doctor Who become 'The Bill'? How many ex EastEnders actors did the episode need.

There were moments that I really enjoyed, Lee Evans was perfect as a mad professor, yet what let the episode down for me was Russell T Davies writing has become like spot the parody - Lara Croft, Mission Impossible, Pitch Black, Thomas Crown Affair, the Fly! I was just left looking forward to Steven Moffat taking over, the series really needs some unexpected twists, scares and excitement injected back into it.

The preview for the next episode looks just bizarre, killer water? Seriously Mr Davies? Killer water? Or is it Waterman - water boarding all who stand in his way.

G20 Protest – Saturday 28th

The protest went well contrary to what police suggested. Turn out was estimated at 35,000 by police, Put People First haven't announced any figures as of writing this. I'm surprised however there wasn't more, as can you think of anything more quintessentially British than forming a long queue!

I was pleasantly surprised by police in attendance, they weren't trying to provoke or intimidate people and their terrorist cameramen taking photos of everyone weren't out. Overall they were fairly low key apart from around parliament, which you would expect, and the Ritz which isn't so expected.

There were a lot of children and families present which was really nice to see, along with a large cross section of people from, communist parties, socialists workers, child campaign groups, pensioners, unions, anarchists, Stop the War Coalition, Salvation army, Greenpeace and a lot of people like me, who aren't happy with the ineptness surrounding this recession. The best protesters were a group of people dressed as bankers, who while slipping Champagne and smoking cigars, heckled “bloody commies, I just want a swimming pool”.

The atmosphere was really enhanced by the brass bands, they were brilliant, it was like marching to the Wallace & Gromit theme. Which made the atmosphere really upbeat, though there was a sense of anger lurking under it. Which is a pretty good parallel to how most people feel, there isn't anything that can gloss over how pissed off people are getting.

I hope the other protests planned will follow suit, and the police show the professionalism they did today, as they do set the tone of a protest as much as the protesters.

Update: I stand corrected, the police were taking photos/filming from balconies. Hence I didn't see them.

My Favourite Ingredients - Skye Gyngell

This is a collection of recipes and information based on the authors favourite foods. Skye Gyngell is a chef at Petersham Nurseries restaurant, and she's very passionate about good seasonal food.

I found the recipes looked and sounded wonderful, I even fell asleep dreaming of the food. The only issue I have is that some of the ingredients are a little obscure, suggesting an alternative to them would have been useful.

The information she included on the foods she choice, from general information to their season and knowing when they're ready to eat, was very informative. For example.

Young asparagus spears are the tender shoots of a much larger plant, which if left alone will grow over a metre tall, with fern like fronds and brilliant vermilion-coloured berries.

Also grown from seed it takes 4-5 years to harvest. I didn't know that, though I've only ever brought it in bunches from the super market and you do tend to except what you see.

I've not cooked any of her recipes yet but I've got my eye on several, particularly the baked apples; Cox's apples stuffed with currents, sultanas, raisins, a little lemon zest and covered with brandy. How good does that sound?

The Gum Thief – Douglas Coupland

The story is written as an exchange of letters and diary entries. Which stem from Bethany discovering Roger’s notebook in the staff room at Staples. Shocked to discover Roger's writing diary entries pretending to be her, she writes back to him. This develops into an unlikely friendship as they start to share their thoughts and feeling on the world. A couple of thoughts I particularly liked were:

“I think if human beings had genuine courage, they'd wear their costumes every day of the year, not just Halloween. Wouldn't life be more interesting that way?”

“Have you ever stayed in a hostel? It's like a crack den without the crack.”

Roger is writing a novel within the book called Glove Pond, it's obliviously a story about his life and Bethany responses to it by writing short stories about buttering toast, from the toast perspective, I found this to be a stroke of genius:

“I can't see the knife coming my way! If you wanted to scare me it worked, and . . . oh jeez . . . it's not even butter, it's margarine. Oh dear God, it's not even margarine – it's spread - house-brand spread...”

Coupland continues themes that are familiar within his work, that of loneness, memories and life. He always seems to find another stance on them though, which keeps the subject fresh.

Overall a book fans of Coupland won't be disappointed with, and for those new to his work, not a bad introduction. I would be inclined to suggest Hey Nostradamus! or for a more geeky alternative Microserfs over this though.

8/10