The Brits 2013

It was The Brits award ceremony this week, a ceremony I've seen a few times and have always thought was pretty awful. This year was no exception. The actual award was designed by Damien Hirst and I think it's a piece of crap. I don't really see the attraction of Damien Hirst's work, I just can't see why his work sells for so much.

David Shrigley

I was in the library this week and noticed a book on one of the display shelves, it was an art book by an artist called David Shrigley. I haven't seen the work of this artist before. I found out a little more about the artist and it turns out he is only very slightly younger than I, by a few weeks but we were born the same year. I was intrigued by his art and his sense of humour. I like the idea of compiling a book based on drawings and the volume of his work is impressive. I realise the art is not to everyone's taste - I guess some may say it's not very professional looking. That's true to some extent but is it any less worthy for it? What is art anyway? The sister blog to this one (Dinkums and Doodles) contains some drawings you might like, if you like this style.

The Killing

I recently caught up on a TV series from a few years ago called The Killing. It was a Danish programme, so was broadcast with subtitles. It was very gripping and featured a detective called Sarah Lund who was very down to Earth. She had a dysfunctional home life, like many detectives in these kind of shows but I found this drama very believable because she didn't always know the answer to problems. She often follows up dead ends. I'd recommend the series. One of the better crime dramas on TV.

Daleks

I like the TV series Dr Who, there have been some actors who have played the doctor who I have liked more than others. Same with the enemies, but one enemy I always enjoy watching are the Daleks. Sadly, I read today that the designer of the Daleks, Ray Cusick died this week. The design for the Daleks is truly iconic in my opinion.

Roobarb and Custard

When I was young, still at school, I enjoyed a cartoon in the kids time TV slots - no dedicated kids channels when I was young. The cartoon was called Roobarb and Custard and I liked it for several reasons. It was funny first and foremost. I liked the animation style, it wasn't as clean and professional like other cartoons. It was like a pen drawing. It oscillated and moved when cartoons were getting cleaner and more life-like. It was short enough to enjoy and leave you wanting more for next time. I enjoyed the anarchic theme music - well, it seemed anarchic to me at the time. The narrator was an actor called Richard Briers who has just got the best voice for children's television.
It was created for TV by Bob Godfrey, who was also responsible for Henry's Cat but I don't remember that programme so much.
Here's an episode I found on YouTube that I'm including as my mark of respect for Bob Godfrey who died recently at the grand old age of 91.

R.I.P. Reg Presley

Reg Presley

I was saddened today to see the news that Reg Presley has passed away. In some ways, The Troggs have been very influential in the development of British music. Their reputation always seemed to precede them. Their version of Wild Thing was something I liked to singalong to as a kid and it remains one of the first great guitar chord sequences for rock beginners to play and enjoy. They have enjoyed a bit of a come back in recent years with cover versions of some of their songs, the main one being Love Is All Around. Personally, I don't like the song all that much but I've found this version on You Tube and I think it's a good one.

New Router

I installed a replacement router last night. The equipment I had been using was previously supplied free by my ISP. I've given it over a year but during that time we have been experiencing random wi fi dropouts. Because they are random it is impossible to predict when it's going to happen and I've heard and read other people comment the same. So, I decided to buy a new router and try it. All seems good so far.

February is here

Yes, here we are at the beginning of a new month. The weather has changed from snow to wind and rain. More wind than anything though.
Haven't had much time to do any blogging this week. I was busy last weekend helping my son to complete a school project, so I hope this weekend is more relaxing.
Have a good weekend all!