Dark and Stormy

The Big Picture is one of my favourite websites, with good reason: lots of absolutely beautiful photos gathered from around the world. I would share their selections every day if I didn't control myself, but today's entry, titled Stormy Skies and capturing lightning, tornadoes, and all sorts of wondrous things, had to be shared. It captures the awesome beauty and the devastation left behind. Scroll all the way down for the unbelievable photo of lightning and the Manhattan skyline.

Think of a Happy Place

Work is a tad stressful at the moment, and I was listening to a variety of fairly morose tunes in keeping with that mood earlier today (when I finally got a few minutes to myself in my office, that is. I'd not really thought of it as a sanctuary before, but today, I was so pleased to shut myself in, listen to a few tunes and sort myself out). But I have just realised that this was entirely foolish: what I needed in this mood was to listen to the one thing that, for some reason, is guaranteed to put a smile on my face and make me feel better about the world: Chime by Orbital. I've mentioned it here before, but really, truly, I can't explain or replicate the feeling I get from it through anything else. And having seen them play it at Coachella earlier this year, it brings me even greater joy to remember throwing my arms around like an absolute nutter to it. Chills up my back and, indeed, joy.

Operation Anti-Knee Knack: An Update

As I have mentioned, I got knee knack after a match of football that prevented me playing footie anymore. Well, I've slowly but surely been recuperating and getting myself stronger and fit again, and yesterday I made a significant piece of progress: I played. Slowly, rustily, with terrible touch and little efficacy (either at the back or upfront) but I really enjoyed it. My knee was tight and painful afterward, it's not that happy today, but I'm making headway to even think about it. And I had similar pain and problems immediately after running outside for the first time a mere month or so ago. It's getting there. Slowly, surely, it's going to happen. And if I have to continue with discomfort and stretching and icing for the rest of my playing career - and yes, I shudder to use that word about my playing - then it's worth it just for the exhilaration, the adrenaline, and the sheer fun. Although I think I'd prefer it in temperatures slightly lower than yesterday, please.

A Fight for Love & Glory

I have said it before and I'll say it again - Casablanca is bloody fantastic. Which is why I'm watching it for the umpteenth time this evening.

Sunday Selection: What next?

So, the World Cup is nearly at a close. It is certainly going to leave a void in my life. So this random list is in honour of that great competition's closing, based on I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself, as covered by The White Stripes.

1. Is This It? by The Strokes (I've listened to the Strokes more in the past two weeks than I think I have in my entire life - I'm going through a phase, it seems)
2. Electioneering by Radiohead.
3. Here Comes Your Man by The Pixies. It is just awesome. That is all.
4. Devil's Haircut by Beck. I had a moment a few weeks ago at physio where I heard Where It's At on the radio, and I realised that I did not own Odelay, except on an old tape somewhere. So I remedied that with haste.
5. Dirty Harry by Gorillaz.
6. The World Has Turned by Weezer. I really truly had forgotten how much I love this album, but a spate of articles about how hot Rivers Cuomo was (I didn't really share the fascination) then spurred me to revisit the record - it's great.
7. Slow Hands by Interpol. Saw them at the Creators' Project a few weeks ago and although we only caught the end of the set, magically this was one of those. This album was the part of the perma-soundtrack of my first year of law school.
8. So Says I by The Shins.
9. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips.
10. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure.