K, I admit it. I'm not really 'into' music. That sounds stupid, but generally I don't collect albums/obsess over a particular band. I like the music that I like.
Which is why, when this wonderful album, was brought to my attention, I had no idea who Robert Plant or Alison Krauss. Well, no, I knew Krauss from the 'Oh Brother, Where Are Thou?' soundtrack. I had no idea that Robert Plant was of Led Zeppelin fame. Embarassingly.
So, a treat for our ears:
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Catholicism & All That Jazzzzzz....
So I'm an Irish Catholic. Yes. THAT type of catholic. The crazy kind.
I admit, however, that I am the type of Catholic that, if my mother isn't with me, wont kneel if I don't feel like it - for example, if I'm too hungover, period-ridden, or just plain tired. I will retreat to the back of chapel after communion and hover by the door until the mass is over. My catholic guilt - and God knows there have been tracts written about this complex - wont let me leave straight after communion. God will know!
At Oxford, I don't go to mass. I don't have time. Sunday is my deadline day, which usually means I work Sunday morning. Oddly enough, away from Ireland I don't feel so dreadfully guilty about not going to mass. I think because in Ireland Catholicism is bound up with cultural identity. Especially North, where I come from. A lot of people will disagree, but I think in old communities, were there is a living memory of oppression, not to practice your faith is very much connected to spitting in the face of history.
Of course, if you are born Catholic you can never really quit. Even if you stop practicing, your name will always be written in a dusty book in the Vatican claiming you as theirs. Excommunication is an escape route but I'm not quite sure what you'd have to do to warrant it - something pretty bloody bad, I'd imagine, and a high price to pay to escape Catholicism.
What annoys me, however, is the label 'lapsed Catholic'. I think its become a bit of a fashion accessory, and, forgive me if its my upbringing thats talking, but I find it goes hand-in-hand with intellectual snobbery. For a lot of people, to claim you are 'a lapsed Catholic' is the intellectual equivalent of getting a handbag dog ala Paris Hilton. If you really genuinely don't believe, that's absolutely fine. What I heartily disapprove of is those people who adopt the face of 'lapsed Catholicism' so they can sneer or be condescending, to be utterly disrespectful.
I admit, however, that I am the type of Catholic that, if my mother isn't with me, wont kneel if I don't feel like it - for example, if I'm too hungover, period-ridden, or just plain tired. I will retreat to the back of chapel after communion and hover by the door until the mass is over. My catholic guilt - and God knows there have been tracts written about this complex - wont let me leave straight after communion. God will know!
At Oxford, I don't go to mass. I don't have time. Sunday is my deadline day, which usually means I work Sunday morning. Oddly enough, away from Ireland I don't feel so dreadfully guilty about not going to mass. I think because in Ireland Catholicism is bound up with cultural identity. Especially North, where I come from. A lot of people will disagree, but I think in old communities, were there is a living memory of oppression, not to practice your faith is very much connected to spitting in the face of history.
Of course, if you are born Catholic you can never really quit. Even if you stop practicing, your name will always be written in a dusty book in the Vatican claiming you as theirs. Excommunication is an escape route but I'm not quite sure what you'd have to do to warrant it - something pretty bloody bad, I'd imagine, and a high price to pay to escape Catholicism.
What annoys me, however, is the label 'lapsed Catholic'. I think its become a bit of a fashion accessory, and, forgive me if its my upbringing thats talking, but I find it goes hand-in-hand with intellectual snobbery. For a lot of people, to claim you are 'a lapsed Catholic' is the intellectual equivalent of getting a handbag dog ala Paris Hilton. If you really genuinely don't believe, that's absolutely fine. What I heartily disapprove of is those people who adopt the face of 'lapsed Catholicism' so they can sneer or be condescending, to be utterly disrespectful.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
30 Rock Love
Tina Fey is amazing.
Yeah, ok, so I've descended into utter cliché with my love for what has to be one of the hottest comedians/writers/awesome people at moment. But reallly! There's a reason she's absolutely hot stuff at the minute...and that is because she is awesome/amazing/insert glorifying adjective.
30 Rock is finally (sort of) getting the credit it deserves...its hilarious, underrated, and has the amazing voice talents of Alec Baldwin.
Tina's writing and her creation of Liz Lemon is utter genius, but Alec Baldwin as the utterly sexy Jack "The Voice" Donaghy is omigod-orgasm time.
Moment of soggy underwear. *cough*
In short, Tina's Writing + Alec Guiness & Liz Lemon = Very Happy Me.
Yeah, ok, so I've descended into utter cliché with my love for what has to be one of the hottest comedians/writers/awesome people at moment. But reallly! There's a reason she's absolutely hot stuff at the minute...and that is because she is awesome/amazing/insert glorifying adjective.
30 Rock is finally (sort of) getting the credit it deserves...its hilarious, underrated, and has the amazing voice talents of Alec Baldwin.
Tina's writing and her creation of Liz Lemon is utter genius, but Alec Baldwin as the utterly sexy Jack "The Voice" Donaghy is omigod-orgasm time.
Moment of soggy underwear. *cough*
In short, Tina's Writing + Alec Guiness & Liz Lemon = Very Happy Me.
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