Today I heard someone whistling the theme music for Chariots of Fire. You know, that slow, majestic tune that accompanies a bunch of guys running in slo-mo on a beach in the 1920's. And it reminded me of something that had occurred to me many years ago, when I first heard it played: this tune is "On Top of Spaghetti"! (or the original, "On Top of Old Smokey". Think about it. It's the same tune, just slowed down and softened. You can even sing along. It couldn't be a more blatant rip off.
Well, I guess if you're going to plagiarize, it's best to steal from the public domain so you don't get sued.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Mood music.
Something that was crawling around in my skull a few weeks ago:
For some unknown reason, I was in a bit of an odd mood today. I guess thinking about selling the house and all the upcoming changes have got me in an introspective way. A combination of the weather and some tunes reminded me of a time about 18 or so years ago, back when I was young and insane. Funny how the right music at the right time can take you back.
The music in question was Dire Straits Alchemy Live album. Way back when, I had this on cassette tape (remember those, kids?) and I played it in my car until the tape was stretched and the sound distorted. A gray day driving around town with this playing gave me a hint of how I felt back then. Kind of like a burp that reminds you of a past meal. But it was only a hint of the feeling; it was clear that I could never have more than that. It's like that meal was a delicious roast of some animal that is now extinct, and the belch just reinforces the fact that you'll never have it again.
For some unknown reason, I was in a bit of an odd mood today. I guess thinking about selling the house and all the upcoming changes have got me in an introspective way. A combination of the weather and some tunes reminded me of a time about 18 or so years ago, back when I was young and insane. Funny how the right music at the right time can take you back.
The music in question was Dire Straits Alchemy Live album. Way back when, I had this on cassette tape (remember those, kids?) and I played it in my car until the tape was stretched and the sound distorted. A gray day driving around town with this playing gave me a hint of how I felt back then. Kind of like a burp that reminds you of a past meal. But it was only a hint of the feeling; it was clear that I could never have more than that. It's like that meal was a delicious roast of some animal that is now extinct, and the belch just reinforces the fact that you'll never have it again.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Take this Meme and shove it.
A meme thingy stolen from the spousal unit.
How tall are you barefoot?
6' 1", more if I lie down.
Have you ever flown first-class?
Yes, on a business trip years ago. The secretary who booked my flight must have liked me. Nice. Bigger seats, better food, drinks, and in case of a nose first crash I'd be one of the first to die.
One of your favorite books when you were a child?
Define child. I don't remember much of what I read before high school. Then it was The Lord of the Rings. I actually almost cried at the end. After investing so much time in it, it felt like I was saying goodbye to good friends.
A good restaurant in your city?
The spousal unit introduced me to Bertoldi’s Italian trattoria. Awesome food, but a little pricey. All my old favourites are gone or sadly degenerated in quality.
What is your favorite small appliance?
The Amazing Ronco Turnip Twaddler! But seriously, it would have to be the microwave, as I am a lazy cook.
One person that never fails to make you laugh?
Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld books. Read any beyond the first two, and you'll see.
First LP you ever bought?
The soundtrack to The Empire Strikes Back. I was such a little sci-fi nerd!
Do you do push-ups?
No, but I've recently re-started some weight lifting. A bench press is kind of an upside-down pushup, isn't it?
What was one of your favorite games as a child?
Again, define child. I started playing Dungeons & Dragons in grade 9 or so, and have loved the game ever since, though I never got to play as much as I would have liked. (still don't)
When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I never really thought about it back then. I was more concerned with my dad and helping him cope with his medical problems.
Your favorite Soup of the Day?
Spousal unit's spicy, bacon-cheeseburger soup. Great stuff. Even better the next day.
Have you ever met someone famous?
Douglas Adams, author of the Hitchhiker's Guide series, at a book signing in university. He had just travelled from Toronto through a nasty blizzard and wasn't in a very talkative mood. However, I was near the front of the line and snagged a couple of autographs before his hand got tired.
Date Of Birth?
See the profile.
From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news?
Daily Show, Colbert Report, Fark, Boing-Boing, Slashdot, CBC Newsworld, CTV Newsnet.
Current worry?
That the new job will fall through.
Current hate?
My ex-boss still has a special, dark, cold, spider-infested place in my heart. I'm sure this will fade to a socially acceptable background level with time.
Favorite place to be?
At home with Spousal-unit and the cats, or out being silly with our friends.
Least favorite place to be?
Any of the various circles of Hell. But I guess that's the point.
Any place playing loud, crappy music.
Do you consider yourself well organized?
Reasonably, when given the time and quiet to concentrate.
Do you believe in an afterlife?
Rationally, no. Deep down gut feeling: I certainly hope so.
Where do you think you will be in 10 Yrs?
In the bustling metropolis of Kincardine, and still working at the ol' atom mill.
Do you burn or tan?
In the sun, I tan. When on fire, I burn.
Are you more optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
Optimistic, mostly.
"The glass is neither half full or half empty, it is simply twice as big as it needs to be."
What did you fear was going to get you at night as a kid?
Nuclear war. Seriously, during the 80's I figured I probably wouldn't live to adulthood.
What’s in your pockets right now?
A magic ring of power....why does it wants to know, precious?
Last thing that made you laugh?
The 8th episode of the Hitchhiker's Guide Radio Series, to which I was just listening.
Worst injury you’ve ever had?
I've never had anything really serious. I guess the nasty scrape down my ribs from the corner of a railing after slipping on ice.
How many TVs do you own?
One. But someday I hope to have a room with fifty or more, so I can watch everything at once.
Best compliment received?
Pass.
What leaves you speechless?
Lack of oxygen.
What is your favorite book?
I can’t choose just one.
Last meal you cooked for the opposite sex?
Hell, I don't remember the last meal I cooked for myself!
What were you doing at 12 midnight last night?
Stalking the streets in search of evildoers to thwart. I'm Batman!
How tall are you barefoot?
6' 1", more if I lie down.
Have you ever flown first-class?
Yes, on a business trip years ago. The secretary who booked my flight must have liked me. Nice. Bigger seats, better food, drinks, and in case of a nose first crash I'd be one of the first to die.
One of your favorite books when you were a child?
Define child. I don't remember much of what I read before high school. Then it was The Lord of the Rings. I actually almost cried at the end. After investing so much time in it, it felt like I was saying goodbye to good friends.
A good restaurant in your city?
The spousal unit introduced me to Bertoldi’s Italian trattoria. Awesome food, but a little pricey. All my old favourites are gone or sadly degenerated in quality.
What is your favorite small appliance?
The Amazing Ronco Turnip Twaddler! But seriously, it would have to be the microwave, as I am a lazy cook.
One person that never fails to make you laugh?
Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld books. Read any beyond the first two, and you'll see.
First LP you ever bought?
The soundtrack to The Empire Strikes Back. I was such a little sci-fi nerd!
Do you do push-ups?
No, but I've recently re-started some weight lifting. A bench press is kind of an upside-down pushup, isn't it?
What was one of your favorite games as a child?
Again, define child. I started playing Dungeons & Dragons in grade 9 or so, and have loved the game ever since, though I never got to play as much as I would have liked. (still don't)
When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I never really thought about it back then. I was more concerned with my dad and helping him cope with his medical problems.
Your favorite Soup of the Day?
Spousal unit's spicy, bacon-cheeseburger soup. Great stuff. Even better the next day.
Have you ever met someone famous?
Douglas Adams, author of the Hitchhiker's Guide series, at a book signing in university. He had just travelled from Toronto through a nasty blizzard and wasn't in a very talkative mood. However, I was near the front of the line and snagged a couple of autographs before his hand got tired.
Date Of Birth?
See the profile.
From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news?
Daily Show, Colbert Report, Fark, Boing-Boing, Slashdot, CBC Newsworld, CTV Newsnet.
Current worry?
That the new job will fall through.
Current hate?
My ex-boss still has a special, dark, cold, spider-infested place in my heart. I'm sure this will fade to a socially acceptable background level with time.
Favorite place to be?
At home with Spousal-unit and the cats, or out being silly with our friends.
Least favorite place to be?
Any of the various circles of Hell. But I guess that's the point.
Any place playing loud, crappy music.
Do you consider yourself well organized?
Reasonably, when given the time and quiet to concentrate.
Do you believe in an afterlife?
Rationally, no. Deep down gut feeling: I certainly hope so.
Where do you think you will be in 10 Yrs?
In the bustling metropolis of Kincardine, and still working at the ol' atom mill.
Do you burn or tan?
In the sun, I tan. When on fire, I burn.
Are you more optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
Optimistic, mostly.
"The glass is neither half full or half empty, it is simply twice as big as it needs to be."
What did you fear was going to get you at night as a kid?
Nuclear war. Seriously, during the 80's I figured I probably wouldn't live to adulthood.
What’s in your pockets right now?
A magic ring of power....why does it wants to know, precious?
Last thing that made you laugh?
The 8th episode of the Hitchhiker's Guide Radio Series, to which I was just listening.
Worst injury you’ve ever had?
I've never had anything really serious. I guess the nasty scrape down my ribs from the corner of a railing after slipping on ice.
How many TVs do you own?
One. But someday I hope to have a room with fifty or more, so I can watch everything at once.
Best compliment received?
Pass.
What leaves you speechless?
Lack of oxygen.
What is your favorite book?
I can’t choose just one.
Last meal you cooked for the opposite sex?
Hell, I don't remember the last meal I cooked for myself!
What were you doing at 12 midnight last night?
Stalking the streets in search of evildoers to thwart. I'm Batman!
Lousy Commies!
Well, I'm back. For a while I just didn't feel like writing. Then when I finally did, I realized I had forgotten my username and password. D'oh! I've been trying to remember too many other passwords of late.
Anyway, now I discover that I'm being forced to use the new version of Blogger (no longer in beta), which I had been intentionally avoiding. The spousal unit and others had complained about it after switching. I hate being forced to change to something that is not necessarily better. But now that the Google Empire has swallowed Blogger, we must comply. Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!
Well, life has been eventful over the last couple of months. I'm not ready to reveal all just yet, but here are a couple of thoughts:
1. I've had a painful revelation about my distant past. I'm still trying to digest it and will probably write some more about it later.
2. Q: Why do chicken coops have two doors? A: Because if they had four doors they would be chicken sedans!
Groan! So bad it's good.
3. "He who laughs last, thinks slowest." I'll be laughing last about something, which I will explain in about 4 weeks.
Now, let's see what this evil regime does with my post...
Anyway, now I discover that I'm being forced to use the new version of Blogger (no longer in beta), which I had been intentionally avoiding. The spousal unit and others had complained about it after switching. I hate being forced to change to something that is not necessarily better. But now that the Google Empire has swallowed Blogger, we must comply. Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!
Well, life has been eventful over the last couple of months. I'm not ready to reveal all just yet, but here are a couple of thoughts:
1. I've had a painful revelation about my distant past. I'm still trying to digest it and will probably write some more about it later.
2. Q: Why do chicken coops have two doors? A: Because if they had four doors they would be chicken sedans!
Groan! So bad it's good.
3. "He who laughs last, thinks slowest." I'll be laughing last about something, which I will explain in about 4 weeks.
Now, let's see what this evil regime does with my post...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
