Mixing it up

My first full day back in Dundee's been spent doing nothing but adding a bundle-load of old CDs onto my iTunes, which was looking a bit sorry for itself sporting a measly 700-odd songs. What caught my attention wasn't the odd song that I had forgotten about (Linkin Park - Points of Authority; Foo Fighters - Stacked Actors; and Massive Attack - Karmacoma to name a few) but more the range of genres that were coming up on shuffle. Metal, then acoustic, electro followed and so on and so forth. Most people would view this as disjointed whereas I revel in this.

"What you listening to bro?"... "ROFL, you've never heard of JLS?!"

Like everyone else, I too have a distinctive favourite band, and if you're reading this you should know who my favourite band are (MUSE) and yes, I love to hear them whenever I can; I even forgive iTunes playing several Muse songs back-to-back. After a while though, I'll get bored of the same kind of music and fancy a change. Even when going out in Glasgow, I like a change of DJ every now and again. Saturday afternoon seen me indulging in some ska music and when I - somehow - managed to shrug off the hangover to go to Cathouse, I amalgimated myself with the likes of Rammstein and... Well I can't remember the other bands that were played but I know I was probably head banging and pretending to know most of the songs played. Note that this is 24 hours after I partook in a 90's rave as part of TFI Friday (Strathclyde Union).

I bet at least one person here listens to Duran Duran in their spare time.

 I just can't imagine going through each day listening to the same type of music every day. Everyone's entitled to their own preferences and I won't judge - unless the taste in music is truly unacceptable - however, I fail to empathise with the folk that refuse to introduce even a hint of diversity to their music taste. Since I started typing this, The Specials, Daft Punk, System of a Down, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day and R.E.M have all been played. I'm not trying to say that my list of bands beats yours, but even a little bit of change can't hurt, can it?

What I Can't Live Without #1

#1: The Microwave

The "#1" is included in the title as I had an epiphany not five minutes ago that I can follow this blog up with related pieces. Not to say though that everything I will write about will walk along the same path as the one you read now. Like the rest of my blog entries, there hasn't been much planning or thought before I start creating this not-so-perfect column so whatever I type will more than likely contain numerous parts where if I said this in a normal conversation you'd happily say "oh my God shut the hell up!". I'm sensing that this is one of them times...

Anyway, on with the reason why I'm on this blog at this time (apart from procrastinating), and it all came about whilst making my hot chocolate that's making me just about as exhuberant as the Spongebob that faces me on the mug. For the last six weeks or so, me and my flatmates have been stranded in the kitchen without a working microwave and though this may encourage some people to go all out when preparing dinner, that effect hasn't happened here. It's not that I use it often anyway but it's when you're craving quickfire heated food that requires minimal effort to make that it begins to take its toll on your daily plans.

I'll just have Heinz tomato soup instead thanks.

Just there, I had to heat up the milk for my hot chocolate in a pot before washing the pot out so that the milk doesn't stick to it like Mr Clegg sticking to his original plans. Oh wait... Out goes the quick tinned soup for lunch, out goes the baked beans at the side for your dinner and out goes reheating the food you couldn't quite finish. Notably, in the time it's taken me to type to here, my hot chocolate's gone cold and, you guessed it, I can't reheat it; or at least I can't be bothered to.


When looking to move into a new flat/house, students usually look for the dishwasher or fridge as the most important kitchen applaince, but the microwave is taken for granted every time. Even world-renowned chefs 'cheat' and use the microwave from time to time. Because it's essential to life. I'm fully aware that it appears that this is leading to a full-on argument in support of microwave-recognition but no, I'm just venting my... Not so much anger, lets say frustration.

So here we are, paragraph five on not having a microwave, congratulations if you've read this far! There's not much left for me to say about microwaves if I'm being perfectly honest. I had to think outside the box for this next point, which works out as a valid argument in my head, maybe not to anyone else reading though. Think about this: when (or if) you have children growing up and you want them to fend for themselves, the microwave can be viewed as a 'My First Cooked Meal' for kids. Imagine a house without this. Criminal.

Finally (I promise this is the last microwave-related thing I'll ever type or say), it gets quite depressing that even though I'm not the biggest fan of Rustlers burgers, I am unable to make the food come to life in my kitchen, it's a bit like what a poor football club suffers when the transfer window opens. So yeh, life in the Cumming residence has been made difficult with a lack of a working microwave - and the lack of funds to replace it - but fret not, I will struggle on.

The Illusion of Perfection

For years I have firmly believed that perfection is nothing but a fanatical myth. People may say that my view on this is rather gloomy, discouraging or depressing, but none of these words define who I am. I am a realist. The connotations linked with the term 'realist' have the tendancy to be negative-minded as it suggests that if it is not possible to attain something of value, then mediocracy will suffice. Personally, I strive to get the best out of any situation, regardless of the importance of the matter but there must come a time where you cannot let yourself be misguided on the road to 'perfection'. This error can ensue mass disappointment and despair when the inevitable happens and you realise that what you seek must always be flawed in one way or another.

I was interested to see what happened if I typed 'perfection' into Google Images so that I can get an idea of what the internet declares perfect. Turns out it's a few scenic pictures and a selection of beautiful girls - ha! Someone took a picture of a girl and said she was perfect. Biggest myth of them all, no girl (or guy if you're a female reader) is perfect. I can empathise more with the picturesque backdrop ideas but there would always be a hitch to whatever scenario someone would dream of.

 Just to clarify, I DO realise that I'm being stereotypically 'realist' so far, however I believe in near-perfect situations. I will admit that my idea of something nearly perfect is the sight of the Northern Lights. Stunning, but not perfect. Note - there is a monumental difference between near-perfect and perfection.

Why am I writing about something so unorthadox and irrelevant to most - if not all - readers? Not only do I feel pity for people who delude themselves with false aspirations of something flawless, I was reminded of these views by a quote from George Orwell - who just so happens to agree with me.

" The essence of being human is one that does not seek perfection."

                                                                       George Orwell

The Little Things

In the latter half of November, a melancholic cloud started to creep up on me but I - just and no more - managed to thwart its relentless attacks until December arrived (better known in a game of tig as "den"). Finally I can speak of November 2010 in the past tense.
Bliss.

Rather than pick out the minor aspects of life and let it gnaw on my already stressed mind, I can take a step back and pick out the unobtrusive things that gives me a quick rush of felicity and tranquility. I'm not talking about the soppy stuff like a ladybug getting itself comfortable at a tea party or a rose blowing in a somewhat meaningful direction, no, I'm not yet sure what it will be I come across that makes me smile as if I had heard a Muse mixtape being played in a shop. Inadvertently finding the needle in the haystack; something like that.

I'll wake up tomorrow knowing that it's December; that's a good thing. Though saying that, I don't have an advent calendar (so far) this year but I suppose a slab of chocolate for breakfast isn't the best start to the day; again probably a good thing. See, optimism flowing through my bloodstream already! On that note, my internet dongle has stopped flashing blue and started to give out lime green pulses (first time since I bought this over two months ago, must be feeling the Christmas spirit). Oh my, high hopes for December one is thinking!

To conclude, I will capture the overall tone of this post by giving you a personal smiley face.

:) There we go.

Looking on the Bright Side

As much as it annoys me, you and everyone else you know, the immense amount of snow over the past few days (the last week for Dundonians) has sufficiently minimised all of our social lives. It's not so bad when you're living in the city centre as everything is conveniently placed and rather than making the effort to go and see people, they make the effort to traverse through the slush and ice into the centre. But I don't live in - or near - the Dundee city centre and only have one night before embarking on a voyage to Glasgow in a bid to be ready for work by 6pm. Still, life could be worse:

1. One of your favourite bands could release a mediocre - or worse - album after years of anticipation.
2. Purchasing food in Greggs, only for your steak bake to be cold, crispy and generally unappetising.
3. You find a £1 coin on the floor, only to realise on closer inspection that it has the value of 1p, thus ruining your day.
4. Journey - Don't Stop Believing could be played at any given moment.
5. Worse than number 4, Glee - Don't Stop Believing could be played at any given moment.
6. Jeff Stelling breaking the news that a 4:46pm coupon-buster of a goal has been scored, preventing £100+ being pocketed for a Saturday night out.
7. You could break your leg.
8. That awkward moment where you tell a joke that severely offends someone in the group.
9. Trying to get to sleep and hearing cringeworthy sex noises coming from next door.
10. More snow could fall and make life that bit more inconvenient.

Appreciate life as it is just now, make the effort to travel through these dire conditions so that when you reach your destination, you feel a sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, you could crank up the heating, put your feet up, designate a place in your fridge for numerous beverages, invite people over and indulge in a Star Wars marathon; which reminds me:

   11. You could be stuck watching a Star Wars marathon with the host deciding to start from Episode I, with you not having the power to tell the host he/she is too dimwitted to realise that Episode IV - A New Hope is the first film of any Star Wars marathon.

What to listen to on a cold November night...

Ian Curtis: 1956-1980

Take one of the greatest songs ever written, drag it to the barbers and give it a two back-and-sides haircut. The result is an edgier, polished version of something that could've been deemed near-perfect before this rendition. Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart has more than cemented its place in the group of 'immortal' songs, but this song was recorded on the late John Peel's BBC Sessions radio broadcast and the result is nothing less than awe-inspiring.
Having only recently found the CD with this track on it (CD2 on 'The Best of Joy Division'), this rendition of the classic hit has left every other song in my iTunes eating its dust as far as the recorded amount of plays goes. Saying that clicking on the provided link below is "highly recommended" fails to do this track justice.

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (BBC Sessions)

The XX - The XX

Also, buy this album. This is the first 'new' release I have purchased since being majorly disappointed with Franz Ferdinand's attempt to avoid the jinx of the 'third album demise'. The album's intricacy intertwines majestically throughout and this album goes to show that powerful vocals and unnecessary guitar solos are far from essential in the indie music industry.

That Time of Year Again

George Square: bettering Dundee's Christmas lights since ever.

On my way to the weekly journalism lecture to hear more of journalist-turned-lecturer Eamonn O'Neill's effusive stories, I couldn't help but notice the George Square ice rink being put together; the first real sign of the presence of Christmas. The immediate reaction is one of overwhelming happiness and relief that University work is temporarily put on hold, but a flurry of new questions spring to the mind that always piles on needless stress: What present(s) do I get for my family? Do I have enough money to fund Christmas shopping? What song is the X Factor winner going to murder this year?

It's always the same every year (for me at least), I have in my head what I want to buy as presents but when I decide to begin the shopping voyage - usually about five or six days before the deadline -  most places are crammed to the door with fellow panic-buyers and everything is bumped up in price. Then there's the mundane task of finding the accessories: cards; wrapping paper; gift tags, etc. Oh how much I would give to rewind about 15 years and only worry about the pending arrival of Santa Claus and whether or not he remembered to bring my Transformers-themed Power Rangers.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Christmas season, however I will continue to nag about smaller, perhaps insignificant, details about this time of year. First of all there's the amount of football games that are called off 'due to a frozen pitch'. Not only does this limit the amount of football on the TV, it also makes decrypting the league tables a difficult task, calculating how many games in hand one team has over the other and seeing teams with poorer playing surfaces inactive for as long as six weeks at a time.

Much better than the though of Wagner getting #1

Then there's the Christmas songs. I can say that I haven't heard the likes of Slade or Wizard as of yet this year, maybe due to me distancing myself from any shop that's displaying tinsel or any Christmas decoration of any sort. There's also the X Factor fiasco and of course the newly invented Facebook petitions vying for the Christmas number one, something that used to have relevance. Personally I'd like to see a new truly awful Christmas song by someone like Justin Bieber or JLS getting the number one so that Simon Cowell's army of wannabe superstars will retreat at this time of year and also filtering out Wham so that it's only played every hour rather that every half-hour.

Apart from that though, I think it's a wonderful time of year! As I didn't have a job last year, my Xbox was made as a sacrifice so that I could buy presents, but as long as everyone's as happy as a six-year-old finding out that the milk and carrots are missing on Christmas morning, it's all worth it!