elisi | Random ramblings.

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Random ramblings.

Changed my layout (again), although for once I made the banner myself. (This is somewhat of an overstatement - I added text to a picture! *g*) Guess this'll get all the lovers of German art house cinema to come out of the wood work... (ETA: The picture is from 'Wings of Desire' - the German title is 'Der Himmel Uber Berlin' - which is probably best described as a contemplation on life and what it means to be human. Oh, and the guy in the banner is indeed an angel aspiring to be human.)

Also snagged this icon from

promethia_tenk, since I love it very much and she said it was OK. (It was this, or find one that said 'Little Miss Pretentious'. *points to banner*)

By the way, is anyone else watching 'Episodes'? It's probably too clever for its own good, but I find it oddly compelling. (Even though I have to watch some parts through my fingers.)

Oh! That leads me to 'How TV Ruined Your Life', which Darcy and I caught last night, because we are rather partial to Charlie Brooker. (By the way, did you know that he is married to Konnie Huq? Yes, that Konnie Huq!)

For foreigners here is Charlie Brooker talking about American news media - Fox in particular - HIGHLY recommended! (Probably NSFW. There's some swearing...) Konnie Huq is best known as a Blue Peter presenter. (Blue Peter is a very famous children's show.) Really, opposites attract!

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I'm enjoying Episodes. How true to life it is I don't know, but it's great fun.

I have a feeling that it's both exaggerated and toned down. But certainly based on true stories, from what I've read.

And it's easy to see why Matt LeBlanc agreed to the role... ;)

That's his name! You know, that I knew him as the role is probably very much like his fear of being known for only one character ono :3

Indeed!

Oh yes! And he doesn't even have to act. He just has to be Matt Le Blanc.

*laughs* An... enhanced Matt LeBlanc. *g*

Until yesterday it hadn't occurred to me that Charlie Booker and Charlie Boorman weren't the same person... I'd have had Connie on the back of a bike...

*blinks*

I have nothing against Charlie Boorman, but I wouldn't credit him with the ability to eviscerate media, politics, culture and anything else he might set his eyes on, with finely honed diatribes...

I do rather like Charlie Boorman but he's not what one would call... cutltured?

No, not exactly. Bless him.

I think it was simply that I only ever saw the odd few minutes of the Ewan McGregor thing whilst doing other things - and have never seen anything else that Charlie Boorman was on - so it was more that when I occasionally saw Charlie Booker on TV I assumed he was the guy who was Ewan McGegor's mate...

That makes sense, although - as far as I can - Charlie Boorman's main talent is that he's Ewan McGregor's mate and that he can ride a motor bike. (I'm not putting him down - I think Ewan definitely needs a down-to-earth kinda friend.)

Pretty new picture :B If you ever want a banner, gimme a shout, if you don't have time to make one again. Also... Episodes is the one with the guy who plays Joey playing himself, right? I was wanting to see it, what channel's it on?

Pretty new picture :B
It is a very, very beautiful film.

f you ever want a banner, gimme a shout, if you don't have time to make one again.
Thank you! I might just take you up on that! (It's not so much a lack of time as a lack of talent. And a decent graphics programme...)

Also... Episodes is the one with the guy who plays Joey playing himself, right? I was wanting to see it, what channel's it on?
Yes, that's the one. And it's on BBC2! :)

I really need to watch Episodes. So far all I know about it is that it has Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig, which makes my Black Books/Green Wing heart go *beeeeeeeeep*.

Oh they're brilliant. And married to each other. Go hunt it down.:)

OK, I've watched the first three episodes, and I see what you mean about having to watch it through your fingers... holy shit. It's like Extras cubed. Loving it, in a very cringy way.

"...You end up writing a show called Pucks!"

"A bunch of Jennifers, and someone called ... 'Dushku'?"

OK, I've watched the first three episodes, and I see what you mean about having to watch it through your fingers... holy shit. It's like Extras cubed. Loving it, in a very cringy way.
I'm surprised I've watched it at all, cause I hate cringy stuff... but I *do* love the actors!

(Also 'Pucks' is a stroke of genius!)

::cringes::

Please don't judge the US by Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly. From what I understand, that would be kind of like judging the UK by The Daily Mail. O'Reilly's just a blowhard who figured out a way to carve his own niche. Glenn Beck is just unhinged. I have a lot of very conservative relatives-- big catholic family. One of my cousins is actually married to a republic politician who will remain unnamed as several people on your flist might live in his district. A couple of my aunts recently had dinner with Laura Bush for a library fundraiser.

That said, all of them think Glenn Beck is nuts. I'm not sure who his audience is!

but the new banner looks very pretty!

Thank you! :)

Please don't judge the US by Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly. From what I understand, that would be kind of like judging the UK by The Daily Mail.
Heh. Pretty much. And don't worry, I've been following along long enough to know that most Americans are nice and decent and sensible.

One of my cousins is actually married to a republic politician who will remain unnamed as several people on your flist might live in his district. A couple of my aunts recently had dinner with Laura Bush for a library fundraiser.
Huh. Um - Darcy once met Princess Diana! So there. (No he did.)

That said, all of them think Glenn Beck is nuts. I'm not sure who his audience is!
The American version of Wayne and Waynetta? ;) (ETA: They're not political at all, just... slobs.)

Edited 2011-01-26 19:14 (UTC)

Hee! That sounded bad, didn't it? I just meant that even my very conservative relative think Glen Beck is nuts!

And you might be right about his audience.

That was me BTW, zanthinegirl, not logged in!

No worries! :)

Hee! That sounded bad, didn't it? I just meant that even my very conservative relative think Glen Beck is nuts!
LOL! It's OK, I got what you were saying! :)

Charlie Brooker is married to a Blue Peter presenter? That does kind of blow my mind. How do you stay so cynical living with that much perky?

No idea. Although the idea of the two of them pleases me immensely. :)

Hey,

love the new banner. Can't recall the actor's name, but I saw him most recently in The Reader; he was really powerful in what was a pretty minor role.

Still under Willow & Tara's spell,
Ray.

love the new banner.
Thank you! :)

Can't recall the actor's name, but I saw him most recently in The Reader; he was really powerful in what was a pretty minor role.
Bruno Ganz. He played Hitler in 'Downfall'...

Oh! And I sent the parcel! Should turn up tomorrow if all goes well. :)

Nice new banner.

We're watching Episodes but are one behind at the moment as we watch to record later. It's growing on me.

I meant to watch Charlie Brooker last night but other things conspired against me. I was only thinking about him and Konnie Huq when they trailed the programme though, and thinking that they were a couple you'd never ever put together.

Nice new banner.
Thank you! :)

We're watching Episodes but are one behind at the moment as we watch to record later. It's growing on me.
Same here. We keep missing the start of the episodes, but it's rather entertaining.

I meant to watch Charlie Brooker last night but other things conspired against me.
It was pretty entertaining, and he sure knows how to find the right clips.

I was only thinking about him and Konnie Huq when they trailed the programme though, and thinking that they were a couple you'd never ever put together.
And yet I can sort of see why it might work - all in all it makes me very happy. :)

We've been watching "Episodes" but we're one behind as we watch it on the iPlayer. I've been rather enjoying it.

Very striking new banner. The colour scheme and the banner all go together very well.

If you check your email in about 5 minutes you might see something to your advantage!

We've been watching "Episodes" but we're one behind as we watch it on the iPlayer. I've been rather enjoying it.
We keep missing the start, but it's not proving much of a hindrance. *g* And when you see the new one you'll understand why Matt LeBlanc too the role...

Very striking new banner. The colour scheme and the banner all go together very well.
Thank you! :) I decided to keep the default icon the same (I am terribly, terribly, terribly find of it), and thought the blue tones would work well with the black and white.

If you check your email in about 5 minutes you might see something to your advantage!
I actually saw this comment when you first made it, and then had a lovely time waiting! :) *pets pretty icon*

Sorry about that. My friend's family did seem to have had an awful lot of illnesses since I last spoke to her!

Glad you like the icon :)

Oh don't worry! Darcy was busy nattering at me, so I wouldn't have had time to sit down and look at it in peace and quiet anyway!

And the icon is just lovely and has already been admired. :)

You put up the banner! Congratulations on your ascension to full pretentiousness! (Is the text partially obscured under LJ's navigation bar, or is that just a quirk of my browser?) And I like the blue and black--very sleek.

Konnie Huq is best known as a Blue Peter presenter. (Blue Peter is a very famous children's show.) Really, opposites attract!
Heh. It is my understanding that Jon Stewart is married to a veterinarian.

You put up the banner! Congratulations on your ascension to full pretentiousness!
Thank you for the encouragement! :)

(Is the text partially obscured under LJ's navigation bar, or is that just a quirk of my browser?)
Probably just you, although I have un-chosen the navigation bar, so I don't really know.

And I like the blue and black--very sleek.
Thank you! I kept time, love as my default icon, so that's where the blue came from.

Heh. It is my understanding that Jon Stewart is married to a veterinarian.
But Jon Stewart is nice and jolly! Charlie Brooker is full of cynicism and bile...

Yeah, unfortunately, the navigation bar does cover up the top of the banner for me too.

But Charlie Brooker rules. *grins*

Yeah, unfortunately, the navigation bar does cover up the top of the banner for me too.
:( I know that there is probably a way of fixing that, but I wouldn't even know where to start.

But Charlie Brooker rules. *grins*
He has such a way with words...

Thank you for the encouragement! :)
Pretentiousness likes company ;)

Probably just you, although I have un-chosen the navigation bar, so I don't really know.
You can do that? Huh. Often it is very pretty, though. I think I shall keep it.

But Jon Stewart is nice and jolly! Charlie Brooker is full of cynicism and bile...
Well, admittedly all I've seen of this Brooker guy is that clip, but it seemed very much in line with Stewart. Don't let American smiley-ness fool you, he can be vicious (although he is always very principled in where he levels it--if you ever want to witness a great moment in cultural heroism, google "jon stewart crossfire"). And it's always very interesting to hear him talk about the writing process for The Daily Show (from here--excellent article):

The day begins with a morning meeting where material harvested from 15 TiVos and even more newspapers, magazines and Web sites is reviewed. That meeting, Mr. Stewart said, “would be very unpleasant for most people to watch: it’s really a gathering of curmudgeons expressing frustration and upset, and the rest of the day is spent trying to mask or repress that through whatever creative devices we can find.”

Pretentiousness likes company ;)
LOL!

You can do that? Huh. Often it is very pretty, though. I think I shall keep it.
Oh not the pretty one. The grey-black one at the top of every page. (This is where you choose/unchoose. And apparently you can now decide which colour you want. Nifty.) (I still don't want it, it messes up how my LJ looks - I remember when they first introduced it, see, and got rid of it as soon as possible! *g*)

Well, admittedly all I've seen of this Brooker guy is that clip, but it seemed very much in line with Stewart. Don't let American smiley-ness fool you, he can be vicious (although he is always very principled in where he levels it--if you ever want to witness a great moment in cultural heroism, google "jon stewart crossfire").
Oh I am a great fan of Jon Stewart, but I think that playing to a studio audience makes it a very different show - he is there to entertain, as well as to provide political commentary. Charlie Brooker is more like that morning meeting - it comes across as a sort of stream-of-consciousness spoken from his sofa as he surfs different channels. Having just looked around for a good clip, I found someone describing him as 'the misanthrope's misanthrope' which fits rather well. ;) Anyway, after wasting far too much time, here's a good example of why Charlie Brooker is just... a bit less jolly than Stewart. (I'm not putting The Daily Show down, good god no! I'll have to google the crossfire thing, but I already know that Colbert has balls of PURE STEEL!

(This is where you choose/unchoose. And apparently you can now decide which colour you want. Nifty.) (I still don't want it, it messes up how my LJ looks - I remember when they first introduced it, see, and got rid of it as soon as possible! *g*)
Lol. Still think I'm keeping mine--I use it a lot.

Oh I am a great fan of Jon Stewart, but I think that playing to a studio audience makes it a very different show - he is there to entertain, as well as to provide political commentary. Charlie Brooker is more like that morning meeting - it comes across as a sort of stream-of-consciousness spoken from his sofa as he surfs different channels.
Ok, I see your point. I guess I see it more as a difference in style than in fundamental levels of bile :P

Anyway, after wasting far too much time, here's a good example of why Charlie Brooker is just... a bit less jolly than Stewart.
Heh. Thanks. So is his focus more the media in general?

I'm not putting The Daily Show down, good god no!
Oh, no worries. Didn't think you were. And would not have been swayed even if I did--The Daily Show is one of those things that is Right With The Universe *nods*

I'll have to google the crossfire thing
Well, to save you two seconds: here :) Crossfire was a flagship show on CNN with people who disagree shouting fruitlessly at each other. Stewart came on the show all deceptive meekness and proceeded to eviscerate them and the whole system of empty partisan squabbling--it became one of those things everybody was talking about for weeks. Something like four months later Crossfire was canceled, and everyone pretty much jumped to the conclusion that Jon Stewart had killed it. Heh--and I'd forgotten that he makes fun of Tucker Carlson's bow tie too!

I already know that Colbert has balls of PURE STEEL!
Lol. Man, if I had to choose only one of them to watch, I'd go with Stewart, but Colbert's interviewing skills are insane. It's one thing to maintain a satirical persona like that when it's scripted, but to conduct interviews like that and consistently come out on top?!?!? *is in awe* Obama's press secretary is on record saying he'd happily send the President on The Daily Show, but that he'd never seen a politician beat Colbert.

Lol. Still think I'm keeping mine--I use it a lot.
Oh it's very practical, absolutely. My aesthetic principles just override its usefulness...

Heh. Thanks. So is his focus more the media in general?
Well he's had different shows. Newswipe, which was about news specifically, Screenwipe, which was about TV generally, Gameswipe, which was actually a very informative history of console games and so on. So yeah, like you said about - he occupies a different genre. His strength lies in marrying brilliant clips and bitingly snarky and to-the-point commentary.

Oh, no worries. Didn't think you were. And would not have been swayed even if I did--The Daily Show is one of those things that is Right With The Universe *nods*
*agrees whole heartedly*

Stewart came on the show all deceptive meekness and proceeded to eviscerate them and the whole system of empty partisan squabbling--it became one of those things everybody was talking about for weeks.
Ooooh. Will have to have a look at that! Thank you!

Man, if I had to choose only one of them to watch, I'd go with Stewart, but Colbert's interviewing skills are insane.
I was actually talking about when he roasted Dubya, which... Me, slackjawed.

Obama's press secretary is on record saying he'd happily send the President on The Daily Show, but that he'd never seen a politician beat Colbert.
Now I want to see that!

I was actually talking about when he roasted Dubya, which... Me, slackjawed.
You know? I'd never actually watched that. I think I must have been horribly busy when it happened, because I certainly remember everybody talking about it and thinking that I needed to watch it but I never did.

You're right--that man has NO FEAR. I was half cringing while I watched, and he hardly blinked. I'm also pretty sure that's the funniest thing that's ever happened on C-SPAN (which mostly exists to do live broadcasts of, like, Senate hearings and things like that).

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