Archive for category me
Good Blog-keeping
For those of you who have missed my numerous subtle (and less than subtle) hints, I recently started a new film blog called 7 Films, 7 Days, in which I plan to post a film review for each day of the week for as long as I can stand it. You can find the blog here, and follow the associated Twitter stream here.
Consequently, any film-related news will henceforth be blogged about (and tweeted) through the 7 Films alter-ego, leaving Ebonics and Irony focused on my other interests, chiefly fiction writing and music. The film blog gives me something to work towards, but more importantly helps to overcome my writer’s block.
The next couple of chapters for Horns Of The Apocalypse are on the way, although I’m ditching the World Cup setting in favour of a more generic “ooh aren’t all massive sporting events a load of old bawbags” tip. I might even start using this as a ‘proper’ blog, too. You lucky lot.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Keep watching this space for the next phase in my no doubt riveting adventures.
Blog image sourced from wanderingone‘s Flickr stream.
On broadening my musical horizons
Posted by matt in me, spotify playlists on September 15, 2009
One of the greatest things about social media, for me at least, is the fact you can know about 3 people in the beginning, then gradually find more and more interesting and entertaining people by word of mouth (or text), until you eventually reach a comfortable critical mass whereby the number of new people you are meeting slows down to match the number of people who are unfriending you because you mentioned off-hand how much you hate Twilight.
Coupled with this, we’ve seen a rapid increase over the past five years or so in the number of ways to link, share and recommend new media. Without needing to buy a music magazine or TV guide, I’ve discovered far more excellent music, film and shows since I joined Facebook and Twitter than I ever did when I was reading hard press.
Now, thanks to a combination of individual recommendation, Last.fm and Spotify, I can connect instantly to music I like. Even better, I can be connected to music that I will probably like, purely based on my listening habits, or by giving me a selection of artists similar to one I specify.
This is brilliant. If things continue in this way, never again will I buy music that I haven’t already listened to, in full, more than once and at my leisure. Every CD and digital download I have bought in the past couple of years has been meticulously vetted, not vaguely recalled from a 2-minute sample fished out from betwixt ten-minute commercial segments and the latest Pussycat Girls ‘joint’.
About two months ago I was inspired by fellow music-lovers (notably Robyn, example here) and decided to start compiling playlists on Spotify. The intention was to have music I already know and love, and mix it in with stuff that I’d learned about in the preceding weeks and months. I didn’t want to restrict it to any one genre, nor did I want to alienate people by ignoring others. Hopefully I’d be finding new music for myself while spreading awareness of lesser-known, yet awesome, acts.
I’m aiming to post these playlists on Mondays, once a fortnight. The most recent one can be found by following the link below, and I’ll be posting backdated links to the previous ones. I hope you find at least something new that you enjoy, and if you think they’re worth sharing, please do so!
Questions Meme
Questions care of ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
retromorphosis, long overdue answers care of me.
1. What advice would you give your ten-years-ago self?
Read between the lines, dipshit. You have at least three girls who are interested in you, so forget that horrendous ex and enjoy yourself. Stop playing Ultima Online, get out more and change your degree to something you have a remote interest in. You can learn what you need to know about computers on the fly.
Oh, and whatever you do, don’t go to the free bar at the end of the year. You’ll lose friends over it. Best to quit drinking now – it’ll save you a world of hurt in the long run.
2. What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?
Really awful, unhealthy food. Always has been, probably always will be. I tend to repent after the act, but there are days when I will eat enough junk food to last a fortnight.
3. If you had to join a recreational team in any sport, which would it be?
I used to play rugby when I was in school. I had the size and weight advantage, and could take a knock. Never had much enthusiasm for it, it was just something to do. I’m not competitive enough for team sports, and I hate playing something I’m crap at (e.g. football).
If I had to choose something, it’d be something crazy like competitive dancing or the like. When it comes to sport, I prefer to do it on my own. I’m a team sport spectator! Ha ha.
4. What’s the best cure for a hangover?
I never get them, believe it or not! Well, maybe once or twice in my entire life, but I’m usually lucky enough to avoid them. I quit drinking a few weeks back, with the serious intent to stay sober for good, so I doubt that’ll change any time soon 
5. Why won’t you ever come to Del’s with me anymore? 
. . . . .
If you want me to ask you 5 questions about yourself, let me know in a comment!