Obsessions: An Academic Perspective

You know, reading this scholarly article makes me want to delve into my obsessions even more...

"Mental obsessions are like cognitive magnets. They attract certain ideas, images or thoughts (even delusions) and then bind them to one's psyche, earning the definition of "the uncontrollable persistence of an idea or focus in the mind." People become obsessed with virtually anything. It can be money, sex, danger, pain, cleanliness, another person, one's appearance, video games, sports you name it. And these fixations can consume a person's mental existence, leaving little room for anything else."

This riveting piece by psychotherapist Philip Chard, published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel should be read in its entirety if you want a clearer understanding of why people like me do what we do.

The Sublimity of Edna St. Vincent Millay

Few people, let alone dead poets with morphine addictions, have ever moved me as much as this woman does.

Modern Declaration

I, having loved ever since I was a child a few things, never having
wavered
In these affections; never through shyness in the houses of the rich or in the presence of clergymen having denied these loves;
Never when worked upon by cynics like chiropractors having grunted or clicked a vertebra to the discredit of those loves;
Never when anxious to land a job having diminished them by a
conniving smile; or when befuddled by drink
Jeered at them through heartache or lazily fondled the fingers of
their alert enemies; declare

That I shall love you always.
No matter what party is in power;
No matter what temporarily expedient combination of allied
interests wins the war;
Shall love you always.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Supernatural Season Premiere: A Review

In short: brilliant. This is the most riveting series on television, with fast-paced action, emotional family scenes, mysterious forces causing havoc, and, well...hotties. The intense relationship between the brothers is what gives the show its gravitas. My only fear is that this season there will be more of a focus on horror, rather than just plain scary. It is not always necessary to be as graphic, if it's already bone-chillingly frightening (a case in point would be the scene from "Scarecrow" when Dean first comes face to face with the seemingly inanimate scarecrow). If the producers continue the way they are going, and if they can match the standards set in Season One, Supernatural will be around for a long time. I certainly hope so.

Next episode: "Everybody Loves A Clown," Thursday, October 5th.

http://www.cwtv.com/shows/supernatural/episodes/202

Mackintosh: The Continuing Trail

If you are visiting the Glasgow area, you must do the Mackintosh Trail. A friend has just returned from my beloved hometown, and raves about the city: the architecture, the museums, the parks, the sunshine. Yes, we are talking about the same Glasgow. And everything you've ever wanted to know about Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow's most famous architect, designer and artist is on display in and around Glasgow. A trip to Glasgow is not complete without a stop at the Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street or Buchanan Street. Actually, it's not complete without a black pudding supper or a visit to Ibrox or Parkhead on Old Firm day, but I digress. Visit the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society webpage for more information on the Mackintosh Trail.

Also, you may wish to visit the recently renovated and refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

SUPERNATURAL SEASON 2 TONIGHT!

Well, some of us are like kids on Christmas morning about it. 6pm if you get channel 67, and 9pm on Channel 13. It's no wonder this show has so many websites devoted to it. It's the best programme on the telly.

The other side of the mountain

"Like vast clouds of steam from thermal springs in winter the years of things unsaid and now unsayable -- admissions, declarations, shames, guilts, fears -- rose around them. Ennis stood as if heart-shot, face grey and deep-lined, grimacing, eyes screwed shut, fists clenched, legs caving, hit the ground on his knees."

From the short story "Brokeback Mountain," by Annie Proulx.

Someone Else's Story

This comes from someone else's blog, but I decided to modify to suit my own tastes. (If you were clever enough to notice the reference to Chess above, please contact me immediately. We were obviously separated at birth.)

I want to know 20 things about you; pick 20 questions from the list below and answer them. I don't care if we've never talked, never liked each other, or if we already know everything about each other. I really don't give a monkeys. My thinking is that if you're reading my blog, I should get to know something about you too, just in case you're a lunatic. ;-)

1. Your Drag/Stage Name:
2. Do you know who Bonnie Langford is?
3. Free As A Bird or Off the Market?
4. Favourite Movie featuring Keanu:
5. Favourite Song sung by Frida:
6. Favourite Band/Artist other than ABBA:
7. Dirty or OCD?:
8. If you have Tattoos and/or Piercings other than ear-related, never ever contact me (okay so it's not an actual question):
9. Do we know each other outside of our ABBA love?
10. What's your philosophy on life and do you think God created ABBA to heal the world?
11. Would you stab me in the back as many have done before?
12. Are you a gossip? If so, what's the best piece of information you've run across lately? (You can use pseudonyms IF YOU MUST.)
13. What is your favourite memory of Diana, Princess of Wales?
14. Would you sell my kidney on e-Bay?
15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you that is not associated with conspiracies.
16. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?
17. Can we get together and eat a giant vat of chocolate ice cream whilst discussing Millay's sonnets?
18. Have you heard any rumours about me lately which were *not* started by me?
19. Do you ever stop talking crap about me?
20. Do you think I'm a sad person?
21. Would you drive across country with me listening to the entire ouevre of ABBA?
22. Do you think I resemble Robbie Coltrane?
23. If you could stop me talking, would you?
24. What do you wear to Scottish funerals?
25. Would you come over to watch Charlie's Angels, the series, not the utterly appalling films?
26. Would you go out on a date with me if I won the lotto, could cure cancer and the dark restaurant lighting flattered me?
27. If I only had one day to live, would you send yellow roses in lieu?

Second Season of Dr. Who - October 9th on CBC!

Exterminate! Exterminate!

Although I have mysterious pixie contacts who made it possible for me to view all of Season 2 of the new Dr. Who series whilst it was being aired in the UK, it is worth mentioning that CBC will begin airing the Second Season, starring David Tennant and Billie Piper, on October 9th. In many ways, this season was even better than Ecclestone's season, with intricate storylines covering emotional ground not previously covered in Dr. Who. And on top of that, it is an utter joy to see the return of the eternally enchanting Sarah Jane Smith, as well as some old foes with the usual evil plans to conquer the Earth. Sadly, UNIT are not resurrected as of yet, but we do learn more about the Time War, and the long-standing existence of a top secret British establishment with ties to Queen Victoria...

Series Two of Doctor Who premieres Monday, Oct 9 (Thanksgiving Monday) at 8:00pm.

"A Sweepingly Romantic Film"

I am in the process of writing a short review of the film Latter Days, which touched me greatly, to say the least. In the meantime, here is a teaser from one of the most beautiful moments in the film:

"Damn it! What is wrong with you? You want revelations engraved in gold and angels trumpeting down from heaven? But what if this is it instead? Me, telling you I love you, right here, in the snow? I think that is pretty miraculous. But if you don't... I'll go. I'll walk and you can pretend that this was just some coincidence. You can pretend there wasn't some reason that we met, and that you're sorry I ever walked into your life."

2007: Cruising America

I plan to visit Las Vegas and Salt Lake City during the summer of 2007. I have wanted to see the spectacle that is Vegas for some time now (not for Mamma Mia! though), and after my parents' recent adventure there, I can hardly wait. It's apparently hotter than Hawaii, and I'd love to see the white tigers at the Mirage. The plan is to rent a car and have a road trip from there to Salt Lake City. It is beautiful, by all accounts, so it will be a pleasure to visit there, and learn more about the Book of Mormon, which is a completely fascinating read and something I had not expected to be so interested in.

Other than that, there are vague plans to conquer the jungles of Ecuador with friends. It's nice to be able to travel to more exotic locations than Glasgow now that my gran is gone and the pull of the old country has dissipated.

Do you love your body?

Clearly I do not. Having just completed the MSN Elle Quiz, I am a waste bin cruising towards self-destruction. The assessment reads:

0-10
Good to see that you've put down the Snickers bar long enough to read this. There's lazy and then there's you! You barely exercise, you don't know what moderation looks like and you haven't seen a vegetable in years. Are you sure you're not a man? Get off the couch already and get thee to a personal trainer. Yeeesh!

The Languishing Loveliness of Lyricism

Dictionaryreference.com describes "lyricism" as being "an intense outpouring of exuberant emotion." Thus begins a weekly pause for reflection:

Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!

William Wordsworth

In the absence of Henrik...

Seems that Celtic are doing quite well without Henrik Larsson. Saturday saw The Bhoys beat Rangers 2-0 at Celtic Park, putting them 7 points ahead of their Glasgow rivals. Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was delighted, but cautious, noting how exceptionally well Rangers played during the match. It's early days yet. Celtic's next match is against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League this Tuesday. It's a grand old team to play for.

I Let The Music Speak: first impressions

Much to my delight (and my co-workers' dismay) I received the promotional only press pack for opera diva Anne Sofie von Otter's I Let the Music Speak this morning. The pack includes a copy of the CD and a DVD featuring footage of Ms. Von Otter recording the album, as well as a booklet with photographs. As many will be able to tell from the title, the cd is a tribute to the music of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. There are 6 ABBA songs, songs from Benny Anderssons Orkester and from the boys' musicals Chess (in collaboration with Tim Rice) and Kristina.

My first impression is that Von Otter is marvellous, but no Frida. She sounds as if she wants to break into her opera voice, but never quite gets there. However, she does interpret Frida's lead vocals more convincingly than she interprets Agnetha's. This is undoubtedly because both Anne Sophie and Frida are mezzo-sopranos. Nowhere is this more evident than on the title song, from ABBA's final studio album. Highlights also include the breathtaking "Heaven Help My Heart" (originally sung by Elaine Paige on the Chess soundtrack), the cabaret influenced "Money, Money, Money" and the haunting ballad, "I Walk With You Mama," a poignant piece about a woman reflecting on her relationship with her mother. This song was originally an instrumental called "Stockholm by Night" and is featured on one of Benny's solo albums. Bjorn has written new lyrics for the vocal version.

The album will be released in Canada in October. The track list of I Let the Music Speak is as follows:

• The Day Before You Came
• I Let The Music Speak
• When all is said and done
• I walk with you, Mama
• The Winner takes it all
• Butterfly Wings
• Heaven help my Heart
• Ljusa kvällar om varen
• I am just a girl
• Ut mot ett hav
• After the rain
• Money, Money, Money
  
  
  

"The Notebook": a critical assessment

I resisted watching this movie for a long time, mainly because it was so popular. I normally loathe anything popular. I assumed it would be too cloying and sweet. But I finally rented it 8 weeks ago. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. From the opening credits with the gorgeous use of colour and the reflective feeling of serenity emanating from the sunlit sequence, I was hooked. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are divine, and their chemistry is so palpable on screen. It's no wonder they are now a couple.

Love like this is so rare, and although the director uses all the obvious components of a cliched romantic film, it is thoroughly captivating in its simplicity and its interpretation of a time long since passed. The film reminds me of my parents' enduring love for each other and thus was believable, something so many romantic movies are not. It certainly made me believe in miracles. Gena Rowlands and James Garner are convincing as older companions in the film, and it is both joyous and heartbreaking to experience the story as it unfolds. I'll say no more about the plot, but few films in my life have made such a deep impression on me. Everyone I've shown it to says the same. This is the way life should be: powerful, incredibly sweet and passionate. I now own the film and urge anyone who believes in the transformative power of love to watch it.

Stay tuned for more film reviews...

VALL Luncheon: a review

Attended the VALL luncheon yesterday at the Law Courts. It was an interesting update on RSS feeds, and they finally have decaf coffee after months of requesting it. A fellow Glaswegian was at the table, so we told our colleagues more than they needed to know about Scottish football...

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Yours truly is off to California again to be best man at one of his best friend's wedding next month. I am honoured and delighted to be best man. Hope I can see more of one of my favourite cities in the world during the visit. I am presently preparing my best man speech in a language other than English.

ARRIVAL DELUXE EDITION COMING!

ABBA's 1976 seminal lp ARRIVAL, will be released on October 9th (Oct 17th in Canada) in a deluxe edition, featuring bonus tracks and a 90 minute dvd, covering the following:

• The 1976 ABBA-Dabba-Doo documentary never before released on dvd.
• Fernando from Top of the Pops (live) - this is the actual moment in time which started the obsession.
• footage from Arrival promotion in the UK and Sweden
• Happy Hawaii cartoon (never seen by anybody except even bigger wankers than me).
• plus more vintage footage.

SUPERNATURAL SEASON 2!

Supernatural's second season premiere is on Thursday, September 28. A must watch for the deft acting (I confidently predict that Jared Padalecki and/or Jensen Ackles will receive an Oscar nomination at some time in the next 10 years) and intelligent scripts that incisively examine the human psyche.

I, of course, watch for the hotties.