As some of you might have already picked it up, I'm not much of a believer myself. The idea that a cosmic regulator never really sat well with me. Especially when you consider that once you give in to the notion of a creator, you take away your free will to a pre-destined life that you have no control of.
Life is strange, though. No matter how you seem to be incontrol of it, there are always things that happen beyond your control. I actually think failing is a much better option than accepting your "fate". When you fail, you learn from your mistakes and you make sure that the same thing never happens again. However, when life puts before you an undesirable circumstance, you have no choice but to wallow in misery.
That happened to me recently. Things progressed beyond my abilities to prevent them and I am feeling the consequences of that situation. More of that will sure to come my way. And here's my point: are these unforeseen circumstances pre-destined, or do they just happen?
It is very easy to succumb to the ignorant bliss of assigning all these to a cosmic saga, but I'm still not convinced. If this is my fate, and if my creator would rather have me go through these dire circumstances, what is the point? Why do I have to suffer to appreciate what I am assuming to be positive things that would come out of this? Can we all just live in peace and harmony?
If it's not destiny, or fate, then what is it? It is pure coincidence. There can be no other explanation. I would rather fail at something, but if I am destined to fail, then I don't want that. In that case I would rather have cosmic coincidence dictating my life than someone deciding for me.
Peace.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Something to Do
I am bored. It is Saturday night and I can't think of one thing to do. Yes, I am new in Portland and my social circle isn't as large as I hope it would have been by now. Regardless, I have always prided myself not to always depend on a social circle to enjoy life (read loner). The problem isn't the lack of people to do stuff with, or the lack of actual stuff to do - Portland offers both in abundance.
I think the main issue is that I am at a point in my life when my routine has become mundane. It is a sad state of affairs. I feel like there is a lot missing in my life and I can't seem to find the things to fill that void. I have no idea how this can be remedied in the near future, but bleak few weeks seems like the order of the day.
Well, I don't usually do introspective blogs such as this, but it is 6:12 pm PT, Saturday evening, the skies are clear ... and I need something to do. I am itching.
Peace.
I think the main issue is that I am at a point in my life when my routine has become mundane. It is a sad state of affairs. I feel like there is a lot missing in my life and I can't seem to find the things to fill that void. I have no idea how this can be remedied in the near future, but bleak few weeks seems like the order of the day.
Well, I don't usually do introspective blogs such as this, but it is 6:12 pm PT, Saturday evening, the skies are clear ... and I need something to do. I am itching.
Peace.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Goodbye to Massachusetts
I posted this blog somewhere else by mistake. Oops...
It has been a little over three and a half years since I arrived in Beantown with no definite game plan for the long run. I had signed up for the summer school to get some film classes in order to find out if the whole scene was right for me. My original plan was to travel around the world for a year with the money I had in the bank (a few years' worth of savings and what I got for my 2001 Ford Fiesta 1.6L 5-speed manual). However, after a couple of weeks in Boston, I decided to stay here. I enrolled - miraculously - in graduate school and the rest is history (I can't escape cliches nowadays).
My three and a half years (with 3 months break in the City of Angels) has been full of ups and downs. Here's the lowdown:
Ups:
- Regan - love of my life and the most gorgeous girl in the world.
- Friends - mostly through BU I met some amazing people that are now my lifelong friends.
- Accent - my new British-American-Turkish hybrid of an accent is apparently a hit.
- US of A - there are so many places to see and things to do here, I love it.
Downs:
- My car - how can a car break down this frequently?
- Personal issues that I don't want to divulge - those close to me know what they are.
- Job situation - unless you're an accountant or have a medical training, Boston is devoid of job opportunities.
Now I'm heading out to Oregon - a place I fell in love with two St. Patrick's Days ago. A new beginning. I'm sad to say goodbye to Boston, but at the same time I am very relieved to be out of this place. Who knows when I will be here next - not for a long time. I hope life treats me a little better out there, because I'm running out of options.
Anyway, this is getting pretty morbid. This is my last blog from the East Coast. Next blog will be written in Pacific time.
Peace.
It has been a little over three and a half years since I arrived in Beantown with no definite game plan for the long run. I had signed up for the summer school to get some film classes in order to find out if the whole scene was right for me. My original plan was to travel around the world for a year with the money I had in the bank (a few years' worth of savings and what I got for my 2001 Ford Fiesta 1.6L 5-speed manual). However, after a couple of weeks in Boston, I decided to stay here. I enrolled - miraculously - in graduate school and the rest is history (I can't escape cliches nowadays).
My three and a half years (with 3 months break in the City of Angels) has been full of ups and downs. Here's the lowdown:
Ups:
- Regan - love of my life and the most gorgeous girl in the world.
- Friends - mostly through BU I met some amazing people that are now my lifelong friends.
- Accent - my new British-American-Turkish hybrid of an accent is apparently a hit.
- US of A - there are so many places to see and things to do here, I love it.
Downs:
- My car - how can a car break down this frequently?
- Personal issues that I don't want to divulge - those close to me know what they are.
- Job situation - unless you're an accountant or have a medical training, Boston is devoid of job opportunities.
Now I'm heading out to Oregon - a place I fell in love with two St. Patrick's Days ago. A new beginning. I'm sad to say goodbye to Boston, but at the same time I am very relieved to be out of this place. Who knows when I will be here next - not for a long time. I hope life treats me a little better out there, because I'm running out of options.
Anyway, this is getting pretty morbid. This is my last blog from the East Coast. Next blog will be written in Pacific time.
Peace.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Shaking the hands of the Truth
It has been a long time since I graced this pages with utterances that are utterly useless. Needless to say it has been a fruitless few weeks with nothing much to write home (or on this blog, for that matter) about. However, today's chance spotting and immediate handshaking deserve a little mention.
As I was innocently trying to figure out whether the new James Patterson book is even worth putting up on the shelf, I pass by this dude who was much taller than me, wearing an Oakland Athletics cap. Then a very supporting-character-in-a-romantic-comedy happened and I stopped in my tracks and literally retraced my steps. Holy fucking shit. Could he be? No way, right? But he is. It's Paul Pierce. The MVP of the Finals. The Man. The Truth.
Throwing away the shit that was in my hands and pushing away little children trying to grab the newly-arrived Horse webkinz, I made my way towards the man I have admired all these years, from late night rebroadcast games on Sky Sports in England to Channel 52 here in Boston. But, I had to be sure.
Gurur: "Dude. You're Paul Pierce, right?"
The Truth: "Call me Champ"
He walks away, I stand there wide-eyed... Awesome.
Last but not least, a moment of Zen. I have mentioned this to none other than Mr. Wheeler Maidrand Crowley today: 3 months in L.A. and the most famous person I've seen is Tony Shalhoub (great actor, by the way) and 3 weeks working at a bookstore at Logan Airport and I have already spotted Counting Crows and Paul Pierce. Go figure.
Peace.
As I was innocently trying to figure out whether the new James Patterson book is even worth putting up on the shelf, I pass by this dude who was much taller than me, wearing an Oakland Athletics cap. Then a very supporting-character-in-a-romantic-comedy happened and I stopped in my tracks and literally retraced my steps. Holy fucking shit. Could he be? No way, right? But he is. It's Paul Pierce. The MVP of the Finals. The Man. The Truth.
Throwing away the shit that was in my hands and pushing away little children trying to grab the newly-arrived Horse webkinz, I made my way towards the man I have admired all these years, from late night rebroadcast games on Sky Sports in England to Channel 52 here in Boston. But, I had to be sure.
Gurur: "Dude. You're Paul Pierce, right?"
The Truth: "Call me Champ"
He walks away, I stand there wide-eyed... Awesome.
Last but not least, a moment of Zen. I have mentioned this to none other than Mr. Wheeler Maidrand Crowley today: 3 months in L.A. and the most famous person I've seen is Tony Shalhoub (great actor, by the way) and 3 weeks working at a bookstore at Logan Airport and I have already spotted Counting Crows and Paul Pierce. Go figure.
Peace.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
A Small Rant
Is it me or is it completely inexcusable for the celebrities selling their baby pictures to gossip magazines? I personally would hate to find out that my parents used my pictures to make a couple of more millions. You can say that the money could be used for the kids' future, but come on...we're talking about people who have a few million stacked somewhere that they don't deserve. Their kids won't grow up to need that money. I think it is a travesty and it should be abolished altogether.
Peace.
P.S. While we're at it, why don't we get rid of Nancy Grace too?
Peace.
P.S. While we're at it, why don't we get rid of Nancy Grace too?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Little Bit of Everything
There were three things that caught my attention in the last two days and I would like to share them with you:
1- Last night Boston Celtics snapped the 22-game winning streak (second longest in the NBA history) of Houston Rockets with a defensive display we have come to expect from Pierce and co. As a Celtics fan, I was jubilant and wanted to hug the imaginary person watching the game with me late last night. However, the more interesting news came after the game. As usual, the sideline reporter pulled aside a player from the winning team for a live interview. The TNT reporter picked the inimitable Kevin Garnett. After asking him tired old questions about how well Celtics played and Garnett's equally tired old replies, the reporter asked the player about his former employer's (Timberwolves owner...name I can't remember) comments that Garnett "tanked" at the end of last season. Garnett, first smiled, then said that he is Boston player now and that's all he cares about. Then he dropped the bomb: "I don't know why you bring this up right now". Thank you, Kevin, because seeing the reporter understanding that he has screwed up and making him eat his words on national TV was priceless. Who cares what the Timberwolves owner said? What is important is that Celtics managed to stop the streak and Garnett just wants to celebrate it. Do you have to bring that up? What were you expecting Garnett to say? "Fuck him" on national TV? Kevin Garnett proved himself that not only he is one of the best forwards the league has ever seen, but also one of the smartest.
2- This morning I caught the last minute of an interview with Dick Cheney (I think it was on GMA, but it could have been on CNN...doesn't matter). The chyron read that Cheney thought the war on Iraq was a success. No news there. Just then the interviewer mentioned the opinion polls and said that a certain proportion of the population (again I can't remember the exact number, but it was a rather sizable one) believes that it's not worth fighting there. What followed was unbelievable and I had to verify with my girlfriend if I heard him right. This is what Cheney said verbatim: "So what?". Insert your comments here...
3- Remember last year when the news that two of cinema's greatest masters died within a week of each other and how empty we all felt and ordered their back catalogues from Netflix? For the philistines out there I'm talking about Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni. This year, sad news from the same front came hours apart. Anthony Minghella and Arthur C. Clarke passed away yesterday. You can argue back and forth about Minghella's position in cinema history with respect to those of Bergman or Anotnioni, but the point is the film industry lost one of its most consistent and intelligent filmmakers. As for Clarke, he was the last great science fiction author. I can't wait to re-visit 2001: A Space Odyssey and Minghella's "trio": The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Cold Mountain again.
Peace.
1- Last night Boston Celtics snapped the 22-game winning streak (second longest in the NBA history) of Houston Rockets with a defensive display we have come to expect from Pierce and co. As a Celtics fan, I was jubilant and wanted to hug the imaginary person watching the game with me late last night. However, the more interesting news came after the game. As usual, the sideline reporter pulled aside a player from the winning team for a live interview. The TNT reporter picked the inimitable Kevin Garnett. After asking him tired old questions about how well Celtics played and Garnett's equally tired old replies, the reporter asked the player about his former employer's (Timberwolves owner...name I can't remember) comments that Garnett "tanked" at the end of last season. Garnett, first smiled, then said that he is Boston player now and that's all he cares about. Then he dropped the bomb: "I don't know why you bring this up right now". Thank you, Kevin, because seeing the reporter understanding that he has screwed up and making him eat his words on national TV was priceless. Who cares what the Timberwolves owner said? What is important is that Celtics managed to stop the streak and Garnett just wants to celebrate it. Do you have to bring that up? What were you expecting Garnett to say? "Fuck him" on national TV? Kevin Garnett proved himself that not only he is one of the best forwards the league has ever seen, but also one of the smartest.
2- This morning I caught the last minute of an interview with Dick Cheney (I think it was on GMA, but it could have been on CNN...doesn't matter). The chyron read that Cheney thought the war on Iraq was a success. No news there. Just then the interviewer mentioned the opinion polls and said that a certain proportion of the population (again I can't remember the exact number, but it was a rather sizable one) believes that it's not worth fighting there. What followed was unbelievable and I had to verify with my girlfriend if I heard him right. This is what Cheney said verbatim: "So what?". Insert your comments here...
3- Remember last year when the news that two of cinema's greatest masters died within a week of each other and how empty we all felt and ordered their back catalogues from Netflix? For the philistines out there I'm talking about Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni. This year, sad news from the same front came hours apart. Anthony Minghella and Arthur C. Clarke passed away yesterday. You can argue back and forth about Minghella's position in cinema history with respect to those of Bergman or Anotnioni, but the point is the film industry lost one of its most consistent and intelligent filmmakers. As for Clarke, he was the last great science fiction author. I can't wait to re-visit 2001: A Space Odyssey and Minghella's "trio": The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Cold Mountain again.
Peace.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
iPod kaput
Yes, folks...it finally happened...again. My beloved iPod succumbed to its demise and now looks at me with that sad face icon with the exclamation mark plastered next to it...taunting me...
You know men have cars as their extensions, I had my iPod...and now I feel very inadequate indeed...
A sad day in my universe. What am I going to listen to in my car? Or when working out?
When my first iPod was broken, Deep Purple's "Stormbringer" was playing. I cringe every time that song comes on. This time it was "Skeletons of Society" by Slayer. And I like both songs!!!
Peace.
You know men have cars as their extensions, I had my iPod...and now I feel very inadequate indeed...
A sad day in my universe. What am I going to listen to in my car? Or when working out?
When my first iPod was broken, Deep Purple's "Stormbringer" was playing. I cringe every time that song comes on. This time it was "Skeletons of Society" by Slayer. And I like both songs!!!
Peace.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Back From Vacation Part 2: The Epic Journey
If I remember correctly (well, I could just open a new window and read it, but you know...) I left off last time with my first day in Switzerland, with grocery shopping in Germany (I just can't get over it...).
My parents arrived the following day and in the next couple of days were spent hanging out and eating lots of awesome food. When the day arrived for my parents to leave, I went to the airport with them as my flight was a few hours after theirs. After they checked in and I bade them goodbye, only to see them later that night in Istanbul, I started waiting for Regan (my beautiful girlfriend).
However, things were actually getting pretty interesting by this point. I was going to meet Regan (my beautiful girlfriend) at Zurich airport. To save some money, we found the cheapest ticket we could muster up on the so-called cheap airfare sites on the net. She was going to fly from Boston to Zurich with two stop-overs. One at Philly, the other at Munich. The catch was that she had about 35 minutes of lay-over at Munich. Yes, we were pushing a little bit. But, as always, I was being overly optimistic. I was checking her flight status with my BlackBerry at the airport and everything seemed fine. As I was making my way through Cormac McCarthy's can-you-be-any-more-pessimistic masterpiece The Road, my phone rang and it said "unknown number" - the dread of everyone in the cellphone universe. I knew it was her and about twenty-five different scenarios passed through my mind after I pressed the answer key and lifted the phone up to my ear. Yes, her flight in was late and she missed her connection. Well...
We had another problem. Our next flight was in four hours. And the next flight from Munich to Zurich was in an hour, but the line was way too long, she said. So, somehow she managed to pull some strings and found a place in the next flight. She also managed to have her bags checked in all the way to Istanbul. God, I wish I was blonde and beautiful...
Anyway, she came to Zurich. Kisses, hugs, etc. We made our way to our next flight to Istanbul...via Paris. For those of you who have no idea about European geography, it's like going from Boston to New York via Chicago. We made it to the flight and sat down waiting for take-off. Then we saw our bags wheeled in on a cart. After a couple of minutes, Regan's (my beautiful girlfriend) two bags were waiting on the tarmac. Surely, something must be wrong. I called the stewardess and told her the situation. She came back to me by saying that those weren't our bags. Like, how? I can see them outside. They are our bags. No, sir. How do you know they are your bags? Well, how do you know they aren't? Surely, I can recognize my bags when I see them.
While this...I don't know...ludicrous discussion was going on, the plane started to move...we were left with staring at our bags...
After landing in Paris we cracked another one for the Supervisor / Stewardess (I wanted to punch her, because she was constantly smiling). We tried to tell our predicament to ground staff, but French being the French(sorry, I don't believe in stereotypes, but this incident sort of persuaded me that stereotypes might actually be accurate when it comes to Air France staff) we received no help. After landing in Istanbul, the Turks being the Turks (when it comes to my own people, stereotypes are an understatement), they couldn't find our bags on the system. Which means that they were lost...
You have to wait for the next instalment to find out what happened next.
Peace
My parents arrived the following day and in the next couple of days were spent hanging out and eating lots of awesome food. When the day arrived for my parents to leave, I went to the airport with them as my flight was a few hours after theirs. After they checked in and I bade them goodbye, only to see them later that night in Istanbul, I started waiting for Regan (my beautiful girlfriend).
However, things were actually getting pretty interesting by this point. I was going to meet Regan (my beautiful girlfriend) at Zurich airport. To save some money, we found the cheapest ticket we could muster up on the so-called cheap airfare sites on the net. She was going to fly from Boston to Zurich with two stop-overs. One at Philly, the other at Munich. The catch was that she had about 35 minutes of lay-over at Munich. Yes, we were pushing a little bit. But, as always, I was being overly optimistic. I was checking her flight status with my BlackBerry at the airport and everything seemed fine. As I was making my way through Cormac McCarthy's can-you-be-any-more-pessimistic masterpiece The Road, my phone rang and it said "unknown number" - the dread of everyone in the cellphone universe. I knew it was her and about twenty-five different scenarios passed through my mind after I pressed the answer key and lifted the phone up to my ear. Yes, her flight in was late and she missed her connection. Well...
We had another problem. Our next flight was in four hours. And the next flight from Munich to Zurich was in an hour, but the line was way too long, she said. So, somehow she managed to pull some strings and found a place in the next flight. She also managed to have her bags checked in all the way to Istanbul. God, I wish I was blonde and beautiful...
Anyway, she came to Zurich. Kisses, hugs, etc. We made our way to our next flight to Istanbul...via Paris. For those of you who have no idea about European geography, it's like going from Boston to New York via Chicago. We made it to the flight and sat down waiting for take-off. Then we saw our bags wheeled in on a cart. After a couple of minutes, Regan's (my beautiful girlfriend) two bags were waiting on the tarmac. Surely, something must be wrong. I called the stewardess and told her the situation. She came back to me by saying that those weren't our bags. Like, how? I can see them outside. They are our bags. No, sir. How do you know they are your bags? Well, how do you know they aren't? Surely, I can recognize my bags when I see them.
While this...I don't know...ludicrous discussion was going on, the plane started to move...we were left with staring at our bags...
After landing in Paris we cracked another one for the Supervisor / Stewardess (I wanted to punch her, because she was constantly smiling). We tried to tell our predicament to ground staff, but French being the French(sorry, I don't believe in stereotypes, but this incident sort of persuaded me that stereotypes might actually be accurate when it comes to Air France staff) we received no help. After landing in Istanbul, the Turks being the Turks (when it comes to my own people, stereotypes are an understatement), they couldn't find our bags on the system. Which means that they were lost...
You have to wait for the next instalment to find out what happened next.
Peace
Monday, January 7, 2008
Top 10s of the Year
Yes, it's that time of the year, when people with absolutely no authority declare their favourites for the year. And Yours Truly is no exception. But, let's face it - it's fun to make them and it's also fun to read them and damn their author.
So, without further ado, I give you my Top 10 albums and films of 2007. Note, however, that this list might change any day, since I will be watching films and buying albums from 2007 in the future too. And with all likelihood, some of them will creep up into the following lists.
Enjoy:
ALBUMS
1- Raising Sand by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
And absolute gem of an album from two very distinctive and talented singers. There isn't a filler here as one song transcends to another seamlessly. Perfect.
Recommended download: Nothin'
2- The End Is Begun by Three
Each and every one of these unpretentious prog songs are incredibly memorable for their hooks and intricate arrangements.
Recommended download: All That Remains
3- Black Stone Cherry by Black Stone Cherry
The newcomers of the year, the Kentucky band showed the world that you don't need to lead a hedonist's lifestyle to come up with grooves and hooks.
Recommended download: Rain Wizard
4- Hello Master by Priestess
What is fantastic about this album is how each song sounds unique, yet make up a whole cohesive unit.
Recommended download: Blood
5- From Beale Street to Oblivion by Clutch
Great songwriting and musicianship all around. Like all other Clutch albums, it is full of gems and oddities.
Recommended download: Electric Worry
6- Dark Passion Play by Nightwish
Defying all the expectations, Nightwish came up with a fantastic album that reminds everyone what an amazing band they are once again.
Recommended download: 7 Days to the Wolves
7- III: Over the Under by Down
The sludge-masters are back...with a vengeance. It is mature and full of interesting ideas. Their best work to date.
Recommended download: Nothing in Return
8- United Abominations by Megadeth
Yes, they're back. May not be a classic 'Deth album, but whets my appetite for what is next to come.
Recommended download: Never Walk Alone...A Call to Arms
9- Send Away the Tigers by Manic Street Preachers
Manics? Cheerful? No way...yes way, sir. It's chock-full of hook-laden gems and masterful songwriting.
Recommended download: Your Love Is Not Enough
10- Fear of a Blank Planet by Porcupine Tree
An album that requires MULTIPLE listens. However, the rewards you get from it are worth the time it requires of you.
Recommended download: Way out of Here
Also worth mentioning (in alphabetical order):
Blackbird by Alter Bridge
Carry on by Chris Cornell
Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 2: No World for Tomorrow by Coheed & Cambria
Devin Townsend Presents Ziltoid the Omniscient by Devin Townsend
The Butcher's Ballroom by Diablo Swing Orchestra
Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace by Foo Fighters
Latest Version of the Truth by Mustasch
In Requiem by Paradise Lost
Elect the Dead by Serj Tankian
The Varangian Way by Turisas
And now the films...
1- No Country for Old Men (Dir: Joel & Ethan Coen)
The Coens are back. Bleak is the word that comes to mind. Another word that comes to mind is perfection. It may be the best film of the last five years.
2- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Dir: Andrew Dominik)
It's a beautiful canvas on which a great story is painted. Casey Affleck comes up with the performance of the year. Worth the admission for the dinner scene.
3- Gone Baby Gone (Dir: Ben Affleck)
A gripping thriller with genuine performances and a good script. The Affleck brothers did their homework and delivered a fantastic film.
4- Knocked up (Dir: Seth Rogen)
I am still laughing at the jokes months after...that's what makes it an unforgettable comedy experience.
5- Feast of Love (Dir: Robert Benton)
My guilty pleasure of the year. A warm and genuine film.
6- Sunshine (Dir: Danny Boyle)
It makes you hate Danny Boyle for being this talented. Is there a genre he can't tackle? I heard that he is now making a musical.
7- Atonement (Dir: Joe Wright)
Despite slowing down and going to a completely different direction in the second half, it is a very elegant movie with great performances. Special mention for James McAvoy.
8- Eastern Promises (Dir: David Cronenberg)
Aside from an annoying and unnecessary voiceover and a weak ending, Cronenberg again comes up with the smartest movie of the year.
9- Hot Fuzz (Dir: Edgar Wright)
Better structured than Shaun, this is a movie where belly-aching laughter never ends.
10- The Mist (Dir: Frank Darabont)
How about ending the list with another bleak one? Most people hated it, I was hooked the moment Thomas Jane entered the frame.
And those that just couldn't make it:
The Bourne Ultimatum (Dir: Paul Greengrass)
Grindhouse (Dir: Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino)
Lust, Caution (Dir: Ang Lee)
The Simpsons Movie (Dir: David Silverman)
Superbad (Greg Mottola)
Zodiac (Dir: David Fincher)
So, here it is folks. My favourites for 2007. Like I said, these lists will eventually change, but for now they will do.
Peace.
So, without further ado, I give you my Top 10 albums and films of 2007. Note, however, that this list might change any day, since I will be watching films and buying albums from 2007 in the future too. And with all likelihood, some of them will creep up into the following lists.
Enjoy:
ALBUMS
1- Raising Sand by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
And absolute gem of an album from two very distinctive and talented singers. There isn't a filler here as one song transcends to another seamlessly. Perfect.
Recommended download: Nothin'
2- The End Is Begun by Three
Each and every one of these unpretentious prog songs are incredibly memorable for their hooks and intricate arrangements.
Recommended download: All That Remains
3- Black Stone Cherry by Black Stone Cherry
The newcomers of the year, the Kentucky band showed the world that you don't need to lead a hedonist's lifestyle to come up with grooves and hooks.
Recommended download: Rain Wizard
4- Hello Master by Priestess
What is fantastic about this album is how each song sounds unique, yet make up a whole cohesive unit.
Recommended download: Blood
5- From Beale Street to Oblivion by Clutch
Great songwriting and musicianship all around. Like all other Clutch albums, it is full of gems and oddities.
Recommended download: Electric Worry
6- Dark Passion Play by Nightwish
Defying all the expectations, Nightwish came up with a fantastic album that reminds everyone what an amazing band they are once again.
Recommended download: 7 Days to the Wolves
7- III: Over the Under by Down
The sludge-masters are back...with a vengeance. It is mature and full of interesting ideas. Their best work to date.
Recommended download: Nothing in Return
8- United Abominations by Megadeth
Yes, they're back. May not be a classic 'Deth album, but whets my appetite for what is next to come.
Recommended download: Never Walk Alone...A Call to Arms
9- Send Away the Tigers by Manic Street Preachers
Manics? Cheerful? No way...yes way, sir. It's chock-full of hook-laden gems and masterful songwriting.
Recommended download: Your Love Is Not Enough
10- Fear of a Blank Planet by Porcupine Tree
An album that requires MULTIPLE listens. However, the rewards you get from it are worth the time it requires of you.
Recommended download: Way out of Here
Also worth mentioning (in alphabetical order):
Blackbird by Alter Bridge
Carry on by Chris Cornell
Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 2: No World for Tomorrow by Coheed & Cambria
Devin Townsend Presents Ziltoid the Omniscient by Devin Townsend
The Butcher's Ballroom by Diablo Swing Orchestra
Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace by Foo Fighters
Latest Version of the Truth by Mustasch
In Requiem by Paradise Lost
Elect the Dead by Serj Tankian
The Varangian Way by Turisas
And now the films...
1- No Country for Old Men (Dir: Joel & Ethan Coen)
The Coens are back. Bleak is the word that comes to mind. Another word that comes to mind is perfection. It may be the best film of the last five years.
2- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Dir: Andrew Dominik)
It's a beautiful canvas on which a great story is painted. Casey Affleck comes up with the performance of the year. Worth the admission for the dinner scene.
3- Gone Baby Gone (Dir: Ben Affleck)
A gripping thriller with genuine performances and a good script. The Affleck brothers did their homework and delivered a fantastic film.
4- Knocked up (Dir: Seth Rogen)
I am still laughing at the jokes months after...that's what makes it an unforgettable comedy experience.
5- Feast of Love (Dir: Robert Benton)
My guilty pleasure of the year. A warm and genuine film.
6- Sunshine (Dir: Danny Boyle)
It makes you hate Danny Boyle for being this talented. Is there a genre he can't tackle? I heard that he is now making a musical.
7- Atonement (Dir: Joe Wright)
Despite slowing down and going to a completely different direction in the second half, it is a very elegant movie with great performances. Special mention for James McAvoy.
8- Eastern Promises (Dir: David Cronenberg)
Aside from an annoying and unnecessary voiceover and a weak ending, Cronenberg again comes up with the smartest movie of the year.
9- Hot Fuzz (Dir: Edgar Wright)
Better structured than Shaun, this is a movie where belly-aching laughter never ends.
10- The Mist (Dir: Frank Darabont)
How about ending the list with another bleak one? Most people hated it, I was hooked the moment Thomas Jane entered the frame.
And those that just couldn't make it:
The Bourne Ultimatum (Dir: Paul Greengrass)
Grindhouse (Dir: Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino)
Lust, Caution (Dir: Ang Lee)
The Simpsons Movie (Dir: David Silverman)
Superbad (Greg Mottola)
Zodiac (Dir: David Fincher)
So, here it is folks. My favourites for 2007. Like I said, these lists will eventually change, but for now they will do.
Peace.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Back from Vacation
Hello Earthlings,
I haven't been able to communicate with my brethren for about three weeks now and It gives me great pleasure to finally spread the word about Yours Truly's vacation across continents and cultures.
Having spent three days in Boston after my second road trip (this time a return trip) across the US of A, I ventured out over the pond named the Atlantic and arrived at the magnificent city of London. Coming out of the plane and seeing the familiar black-on-yellow signs of Heathrow airport was a welcome I was looking forward to for over two and a half years. Nothing seemed to have changed until I saw the new 20 pound notes. Frankly, they look like monopoly money and it looks like the British Sterling is no longer the coolest-looking currency anymore. The staggering price of the train ticket to Central London was another reminder for me. London IS expensive. This thought stayed with me for the duration of my stay there.
My hotel (so to speak) was near Paddington station and the room was slightly bigger than my car, with the added bonus of a TV with no signal. Great. I walked around London, visited the old sites and met my friend Hattie and her boyfriend Andrew that night. I enjoyed drinking outside of a pub (something definitely missing in the US). I went to Richmond - the old neighborhood - the following day. Sitting on the Tide Tables by the Thames alone and reminiscing about good-old-days was one of the highlights of my trip. That night I watched "The Golden Compass" in Odeon Leicester Square. A little bit of more walking around and I went back to the hotel.
My flight to Zurich was from the City Airport. For those of you not in the know, it is situated in a place where no airport should ever be situated - far away from any discernible tourist or residential areas. I took the night bus at 3 in the morning, along with the drunken brethren of London who were taking the same bus back home. Anyhoo, I arrived at the airport without much hassle. The only significant thing about the airport was the sight of a teenage girl 1) throwing a bag at her father, and 2) slapping her mother. Quite a sight to behold.
Onward to Zurich. My uncle Can and my two cousins picked me up from the airport. Apparently nobody told him what time I was coming, so he had been waiting for quite some time. We drove to his apartment, dropped my bags, and went to Germany for food shopping. Now, that sounds strange, but the goods are considerably cheaper in Germany, so a lot of the Swiss population near the border prefer shopping over there. It takes about 25 minutes from Zurich to the German border. Having finished shopping (which included showing the receipt at the border control instead of a passport), we met my other uncle Cuneyt in Reutofabrik - an old factory now serving as a cafe and meeting place for the young, the hip, and the weird. After coffee we drove to my aunt Canan's apartment. Then we went back to Can's.
This is getting too long, so I better give a break here and save you from utter boredom - if you're not bored already. The second instalment will follow very soon. And until then,
Peace
I haven't been able to communicate with my brethren for about three weeks now and It gives me great pleasure to finally spread the word about Yours Truly's vacation across continents and cultures.
Having spent three days in Boston after my second road trip (this time a return trip) across the US of A, I ventured out over the pond named the Atlantic and arrived at the magnificent city of London. Coming out of the plane and seeing the familiar black-on-yellow signs of Heathrow airport was a welcome I was looking forward to for over two and a half years. Nothing seemed to have changed until I saw the new 20 pound notes. Frankly, they look like monopoly money and it looks like the British Sterling is no longer the coolest-looking currency anymore. The staggering price of the train ticket to Central London was another reminder for me. London IS expensive. This thought stayed with me for the duration of my stay there.
My hotel (so to speak) was near Paddington station and the room was slightly bigger than my car, with the added bonus of a TV with no signal. Great. I walked around London, visited the old sites and met my friend Hattie and her boyfriend Andrew that night. I enjoyed drinking outside of a pub (something definitely missing in the US). I went to Richmond - the old neighborhood - the following day. Sitting on the Tide Tables by the Thames alone and reminiscing about good-old-days was one of the highlights of my trip. That night I watched "The Golden Compass" in Odeon Leicester Square. A little bit of more walking around and I went back to the hotel.
My flight to Zurich was from the City Airport. For those of you not in the know, it is situated in a place where no airport should ever be situated - far away from any discernible tourist or residential areas. I took the night bus at 3 in the morning, along with the drunken brethren of London who were taking the same bus back home. Anyhoo, I arrived at the airport without much hassle. The only significant thing about the airport was the sight of a teenage girl 1) throwing a bag at her father, and 2) slapping her mother. Quite a sight to behold.
Onward to Zurich. My uncle Can and my two cousins picked me up from the airport. Apparently nobody told him what time I was coming, so he had been waiting for quite some time. We drove to his apartment, dropped my bags, and went to Germany for food shopping. Now, that sounds strange, but the goods are considerably cheaper in Germany, so a lot of the Swiss population near the border prefer shopping over there. It takes about 25 minutes from Zurich to the German border. Having finished shopping (which included showing the receipt at the border control instead of a passport), we met my other uncle Cuneyt in Reutofabrik - an old factory now serving as a cafe and meeting place for the young, the hip, and the weird. After coffee we drove to my aunt Canan's apartment. Then we went back to Can's.
This is getting too long, so I better give a break here and save you from utter boredom - if you're not bored already. The second instalment will follow very soon. And until then,
Peace
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Back in New England
It is time to turn a new page in life as my time in Los Angeles, CA is over. I am back in Boston. This sounds like a step down in my career, but I see it as a little detour to something greater.
It's good to be back in Boston, albeit a VERY cold Boston. Living in Los Angeles for four months, I forgot what Winter waq - I left Boston in August, which meant that I had a perpetual Summer for this year. That was repeated when I went to Argentina in 2002. Driving back through Pennsylvania, I saw my first snow. In fact, I witnessed the first sings of snow in Maryland, where I spent the last night on the road with my Dad. I haven't felt cold or worn anything remotely warm for such a long time.
Seeing signs for Dunkin Donuts was a welcome return - but the coffee from the said place wasn't. The fact that I am now in a city where they care about sports - and are pretty damn good at it - also helps. Los Angeles clearly lacked that sense of community.
But, most important of all, I came back to be with my girlfriend and my family once again. And that is the prize above all else...This next few months will be very important and I intend to use them wisely.
I am flying out tonight to various locations and will try to dedicate some time to writing...hopefully...
Peace
It's good to be back in Boston, albeit a VERY cold Boston. Living in Los Angeles for four months, I forgot what Winter waq - I left Boston in August, which meant that I had a perpetual Summer for this year. That was repeated when I went to Argentina in 2002. Driving back through Pennsylvania, I saw my first snow. In fact, I witnessed the first sings of snow in Maryland, where I spent the last night on the road with my Dad. I haven't felt cold or worn anything remotely warm for such a long time.
Seeing signs for Dunkin Donuts was a welcome return - but the coffee from the said place wasn't. The fact that I am now in a city where they care about sports - and are pretty damn good at it - also helps. Los Angeles clearly lacked that sense of community.
But, most important of all, I came back to be with my girlfriend and my family once again. And that is the prize above all else...This next few months will be very important and I intend to use them wisely.
I am flying out tonight to various locations and will try to dedicate some time to writing...hopefully...
Peace
Monday, November 12, 2007
Running out of Space!
To my surprise / shock / dread my iPod is running out of bits to hold my music. I never thought I would have 30GB worth of music, but now I do.
It puts a lot of things in perspective. I am a kind of person who saves all his belongings for an impending apocalypse of sorts - which means, what I possess, I shall possess in the future too. And this, of course, applies to music. However, over the years I have shed some albums from my collection. One thing that comes to mind is the Sting / The Police best of album. Not that I don't care for the blond siren or his white-raggea-punk style, but somehow I must have felt the urge to get rid of that album. Another victim was a Beatles tribute album. It is a wonder I had that in the first place - I have no inclination to hear another note from the so-called Fab-Four, or as I would like to call them, the Bottles.
Anyway, the whole point of this particular rambling is that I am running out of space and that I would have run out sooner had I not got rid of some stuff. But, then again, who needs an iPod that can hold 160GB...Yours Truly, for sure...
It puts a lot of things in perspective. I am a kind of person who saves all his belongings for an impending apocalypse of sorts - which means, what I possess, I shall possess in the future too. And this, of course, applies to music. However, over the years I have shed some albums from my collection. One thing that comes to mind is the Sting / The Police best of album. Not that I don't care for the blond siren or his white-raggea-punk style, but somehow I must have felt the urge to get rid of that album. Another victim was a Beatles tribute album. It is a wonder I had that in the first place - I have no inclination to hear another note from the so-called Fab-Four, or as I would like to call them, the Bottles.
Anyway, the whole point of this particular rambling is that I am running out of space and that I would have run out sooner had I not got rid of some stuff. But, then again, who needs an iPod that can hold 160GB...Yours Truly, for sure...
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Leaving the City of Angels
It's almost time to bid farewell to Los Angeles and head back to Boston. But, before I leave, I want to take this moment to list the stuff I am going to miss here in L.A.:
1- My friends: Although they are not part of L.A., I think the only time I will come back here would be to visit them. I'm going to miss hanging out with them.
2- In'N'Out Burger: definitely the best fast-food burger I've had in my life. Animal style, baby. Animal style. On the same note, I'm going to miss guacamole in my burger too...
3- Rainbow Bar & Grill: Even though I didn't get to see Lemmy, dining across the booth where "November Rain" was filmed is pretty awesome, don't you think?
Unfortunately, these are the things I will miss. So, despite a future gastro-intestinal problem, the only thing I will miss from this city are my friends. And they better come and visit me wherever I end up.
P.S. I know, this blog sucked...
1- My friends: Although they are not part of L.A., I think the only time I will come back here would be to visit them. I'm going to miss hanging out with them.
2- In'N'Out Burger: definitely the best fast-food burger I've had in my life. Animal style, baby. Animal style. On the same note, I'm going to miss guacamole in my burger too...
3- Rainbow Bar & Grill: Even though I didn't get to see Lemmy, dining across the booth where "November Rain" was filmed is pretty awesome, don't you think?
Unfortunately, these are the things I will miss. So, despite a future gastro-intestinal problem, the only thing I will miss from this city are my friends. And they better come and visit me wherever I end up.
P.S. I know, this blog sucked...
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