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