Oscar-tide Pickles

Now that I've explained myself to what I assume is an apathetic public I'll allow me to crack on with the topic at hand. Oscars tomorrow, and I'm very much in the mood. Shunned by the avant-garde and embraced by the mainstream media, one could certainly argue that The Academy Awards are nothing more than an overblown advert for the film industry. Still, at what other time of the year can we all sit around a television together and critically analyse what Ellen DeGeneres is wearing? It can certainly drag a bit, and those involved are likely to be overpowered by a strong mood of desperation. 

It seems new limitations and rules have been put in place for acceptance speeches in a daft bid for ratings, and with Steve Martin (hopefully back to his vintage comedic persona) and the brilliantly heterosexual Alec Baldwin co-hosting this certainly has the potential to be the most entertainment-oriented Oscars show in years. 

Whatever your stance, here - for you heroes, villains and all those in between- is my breakdown of the major categories in what people are suggesting is the most predictable Academy Awards for years.

Best Supporting Actor.

- what's goin' on: the nominees & a breakdown -

Christopher Plummer - "The Last Station"

I do have a bit of a soft spot for Christopher Plummer, in terms of musical fandom his performance in "The Sound Of Music" qualifies him as one of the lovely old stalwarts of the game. As Leo Tolstoy in "The Last Station" he's surprisingly aware, especially when one takes into account the grand scale of the flick. He won't win, but it's nice to see him finally be awarded with the nomination.

Stanley Tucci - "The Lovely Bones"

Stanley Tucci... Well, he's alright. Y'know, not bad... Hmmm, what else is on?

Woody Harrelson - "The Messenger"

"White Men Can't Jump", "The People Vs. Larry Flynt", "Will & Grace" and now a string of proper dramatic films for grown up real life people types - Woody Harrelson's had a mixed bag of a career stylistically, but critics seem to be digging on him lately. This makes it two nods from the Academy in total, and I'm sure that after tomorrow's ceremony he'll be as Oscarless as ever. Still, he's got a fond follower in me. Here's to another unfulfilled nomination Woody Harrelson.

Christoph Waltz - "Inglourious Basterds"

Christoph Waltz as Colonel Hans Landa in a film which seemed to take a period of eternity to come along helped entirely justify the wait for a really chuffing good movie. It's been a hard old slog in European cinema for the boy Christoph, but unfortunately until now his work in the English language (something which the movie-going public of the Western world seems pretty keen on) had been limited to merely the odd bit part. Thankfully, he's taken the opportunity to show off his talents in 3 different languages here; adopting the superbly written part as his own in what is a beautifully balanced mixture of a discomforting charm, eloquent cunning and a dark humour all underpinned with a delicious sense of unease...

 It really is just good. I could go on about this all day, but basically he's going to win. If you fancy making a dull and sure-fire sort of bet then this is your pony.

Matt Damon - "Invictus"

Damon's already received a pretty little hunk of golden, featureless man back in 1997 for his "Good Will Hunting" screenplay. Coupled with a best actor nomination for the same film that brings Matt Damon to this, his third time up for an Oscar. Perhaps the dark horse in the category, if there is one... but believe me when I say there's no need for another horse in this race, sooty complexions aside. You've already got one Matt, don't be greedy.

Best Supporting Actress.

- what's goin' on: the nominees & a breakdown -

Vera Farmiga - "Up In The Air"

Vera Farmiga puts up a natural front in this years leading 'port-com "Up In The Air". However arrogant and generally bent the character may have seemed in someone else's hands, our girl Vera presents the whole thing in a charmingly subtle way. Perhaps this is the reason she's not going to win... At the same time though, she may just be a bit average. It's quite difficult to actually judge a Jason Reitman film underneath all those stylistic affectations. Nice performance though, and a jolly good egg I've always thought.

Anna Kendrick - "Up In The Air"

Anna Kendrick was in "Twilight". Now she's nominated for an Oscar. 

...

Suppose you're right, yeah.

Mo'Nique - "Precious"

Former sass-splashed comedienne from the mean streets of crap, mainstream, American comedy land Mo'Nique decided to get a bit full-on this year in "Precious". I assume she's going to win; bookies and critics alike rate her as the forerunner, but I can't help but have it leave a quite unpleasant taste in my mouth. Surely the accolades of the Academy are only going to further her foolish ideas that "Moesha" spin-offs and judging spots on "Last Comic Standing" are the sort of thing that should eventually be rewarded and held in high regard. 

It's all a bit dry for my liking I suppose, and after a career of in-my-face comedy I'm afraid to say it leaves me with several shades of dislike toward Mo'Nique.

Penélope Cruz - "Nine"

I enjoyed seeing Penélope Cruz winning her award in this category last year. Years on from her charming all us cinema slaves under the guidance of Pedro Almodóvar there were certainly tones of justice when her name was called out on the night 12 months ago. Things change though, and I feel I've seen one too many a failure from Penélope at this stage to feasibly imagine her winning another one of these for a while yet. 

Though I hear "Sex and the City 2" is ready to confound all our expectations.

Maggie Gyllenhaal - "Crazy Heart"

Were Maggie Gyllenhaal to emerge victorious on the night I don't quite know how I'd feel about it. In a film where the performances have garnered much more attention than any other aspect of the film itself Maggie does her well-connected family proud. Methinks those connections could be exactly what she needs to cause an upset tomorrow night. We'll see, but I'd be chewing my acrylic nails all nervous like were I Mo'Nique right now.

Best Actor.

- what's goin' on: the nominees and a breakdown -

Jeff Bridges - "Crazy Heart"

Here we've seen Jeffry "The Dude" Lebowski go all Waylon Jennings on us in a starkly melodramatic turn. Generally the winners of the Screen Actors' Guild Awards - I've punctuated it correctly for them, no need to thank me - are a pretty keen indication of who's going to win what at the years Oscar ceremony. 

The Dude in question is of course Jeff Bridges. He picked up his best actor prize at the peer-voted guild awards several weeks ago now. Having been pipped to the post on the night so many times before, and always maintaining a steady and unpretentious attitude to his work it'd somewhat justify my years of faith in the man to watch him take home the statue tomorrow. 

I'm saying he'll land this in as charming and laid back a fashion as ever, in the name of every time anyone's ever taken it easy & gone with the flow. 

Amen.

George Clooney - "Up In The Air"

George Clooney being kind of a dick but still entirely delicious, and now complete with a real set of problems and agenda and all!

It wouldn't be the biggest outrage in the world were Clooney to win for "Up In The Air", but having said that I wouldn't be particularly interested either. Anyone remember his acceptance speech when he bagged the supporting actor gong for "Syriana" a couple years back? Not such a charmer without a writer to create that working man's Robert Downey Jr style persona for him, it seems...

Colin Firth - "A Single Man"

Colin Firth!!! I LOOOOOVE Colin Firth! AAAAaaah! He's so dashing and elegant and masculine and refined... My mum loves him too! Gosh, it appears I've become lost in his eyes...

It's a nice thought that some day Colin Firth might be honoured by the Academy in a grander sense, but for the moment the nomination will have to do. All style and charm aside.

Morgan Freeman - "Invictus"

Had tomorrows awards been taking place even as recently as three or four years ago I reckon Morgan Freeman would've been a shoe-in. Honouring work-horses was something those sods at the Academy just loved to do. Honouring work-horses playing real life heroes was like Legoland for them. Nowadays they like to think they take a more left wing approach.  Getting a touch nervous, worrying the cool kids will mock them if they even dare think about taking such an obvious step. 

Pity too, I would've liked to write a parody around The Specials song "Free Nelson Mandela" had he won. 

- "Freeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ee-man play-ays ManDEL-LA!"... no?

Jeremy Renner - "The Hurt Locker"

"The Hurt Locker" is a really wonderful thing, don't get me wrong here. I'm simply of the opinion that it's a sort of ensemble piece for which it'd be wrong to reward one specific actor. It's not that actor-orientated a film anyway, focussing more on storytelling and mood. This film will win at least a couple of awards tomorrow night, and though it's a fine performance from Big Jezz Renner I'm afraid it's the film that's its own star here.

Best Actress.

- what's goin' on: the nominees & a breakdown -

Sandra Bullock - "The Blind Side"

It's the highest grossing sporting film of all time, unless I'm very much mistaken. People like Sandra Bullock. People like sports. Those things are generally accepted truths. Sandra Bullock winning an Oscar though? I never! Well now you have sir. The firm favourite in this category, and I would suggest with more reason than a lot of you probably think. She's a firm, reliable kind of gal. I reckon this is her time, and that's a thought most people seem to be opting for. 

It's an uncommon thing for somebody to win an Oscar for this kind of sap-trap, but with Sandra involved... I don't know. It seems to make sense. Go win yourself an Oscar, you champ.

Carey Mulligan - "An Education"

A dash-all marvelous little film this one! I adored it, and I adored Mulligan's contribution. Not an Oscar film in the truest sense I think, but it works well for what it is. Perhaps a touch classy for some of us hardcore emotional whore types.

Meryl Streep - "Julie & Julia"

How many award statues does Meryl Streep need? Does she have a lot of loose paper knocking about that needs waiting? Or perhaps she simply wants some stuff & shit to fill her newly installed maple shelves with. Either way, a Meryl Streep nomination is about as Oscar-y as the Oscars can get. It's not every day that we see her go into a category like this with such relatively slim hopes of winning, but I'm afraid to inform you that today's not your lucky day Meryl dear.

Don't worry, I still think you're a babe.

Gabourey Sidibe - "Precious"

I've heard a lot of people praising Gabs for her touching portrayal of a troubled teen while still at such a young age herself, but I'll have you know that she is a relatively ancient 27 - relative, of course, in terms of young Hollywood. I've always maintained it's hard to tell how old really overweight people are. 

It's a solid one this... But that's all it is. Not much to it really: Gabourey Sidibe is quite simply good, but not good enough.

Helen Mirrin - "The Last Station"

Oh her, yes I know her off money and stamps... Oh, it's not? Oh. Well she was very convincing as your one out of the back of money... 

After the certainty with which her Oscar was won Hell's Bells is now practically ensured future nominations with an almost Streepesque regularity. I'd imagine, though, i'll take something fairly special for her to win a partner for her first award.

She's a steady old gal though. That girl's reeeeal people.

Best Director.

- what's goin' on: the nominees & a breakdown -

Jason Reitman - "Up In The Air"

As I mentioned already, it's difficult to see past Jason Reitman's quirky idiosyncrasies and cutesey stylistic choices sometimes. Still, when one does they are faced with what seems to be a competent filmmaker. I never thought Reitman lived up to the promise shown in his, frankly underrated, 2005 gem "Thank You For Smoking". "Juno" was a huge hit and was universally adored. I can take it or leave it really. All that Ellen Page was a bit too much for me to handle, and Michael Cera in what is perhaps the most unaware parody of an actor's self captured on film in recent years - wasn't feeling that one so much.

So what of his new film, "Up In The Air"? It brings J-Reits his second Oscar nomination for direction and, though I think I'll regret saying it later, I think he's earned his place as the star of the future that the media seem to be crafting him into. Big up and keep doin' the do my friend.

James Cameron - "Avatar" 

Shamefully, I have still to see this sweet tiny indie flick. I hear it's full of subtle character development and witty dialogue. For my ignorance I can't quite comment, but I'd imagine it's your standard alternative-crossover hit...

Quentin Tarantino - "Inglourious Basterds"

Probably my personal favourite film nominated among this years vast sea of artistic diversity and weak media wank alike, Quentin Tarantino managed to provide me with a film I preferred to both "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs". When lil' Q.T. is at his best classics of modern cinema are crafted. In terms of films we'll be watching and rewatching years from now this does it for me, I reckon. 

Already an Academy Award winner for the screenplay to "Pulp Fiction", I can't imagine Quentin building on that sort of critical success any time soon. Shame really, it'd be cool if he had something to make it worth his while and with which I could associate my own personal love for his films. I'd like to feel he knows he's appreciated... Maybe I'll go hug the DVD.

Kathryn Bigelow - "The Hurt Locker"

For me this is what has to happen at this years Oscars. There's certainly a strong case to be made that Kathryn Bigelow is the best female film director of all time - thanks mostly to her stunningly tense, claustrophobic Iraqi romp. I'm backing Kitty for the big award this year, and my hunches suggest she won't let me down.

Apart from that I just want to see a woman win the best director Oscar. Nothing to do with gender identity or breaking down barriers or any saddo political toss like that, it's just that it's never happened before so I think it'd be real neat.

Lee Daniels - "Precious"

At this stage in the article, I think Lee Daniels and I both know he's not winning any directing awards tomorrow night.

Best Film.

The, now exhaustive, list of nominees. No breakdown, just brief and fleeting opinions. 

(thank you "The Dark Knight")

"District 9" - Not a chance.

"The Hurt Locker" - I would hope so, and when I look at logically I think this is the safest bet.

"Inglourious Basterds" - As much as I wish it would happen it just won't happen.

"The Blind Side" - Sandra aside, the movie's not too hot.

"An Education" - Baftas and Oscars are a different game, I'm afraid.

"A Serious Man" - Great script and a generally pretty keen Cohen Brothers offering... still, nah.

"Up" - Bit gratuitous, innit?

"Precious" - I reckon not.

"Avatar" - The number 2 seed, I wouldn't be surprised if Jim Cammers pocketed himself another Oscar for this.

"Up In The Air" - Maybe a slim outside chance, but really I'm looking forward to the overly serious and intense look on Jason Reitman's face when he loses. Or more accurately, when he doesn't win.

So there it is, my picks for the 82nd annual Academy Awards. As the almost hypnotic little counters pretty much every major films website have been sporting lately are now telling me, it's 30 hours and 57 minutes till the ceremony. I'll have to sit tight.

This is Kid Sensible departing for the moment, with pockets full of cinematic opinion following me on my merry way.

- smooches.

My Recent Blog Absence, & A Sort of Explanation To Go With It

I'd entertained the idea of starting this post with a laboured and tenuous sort of joke revolving around the concept that I'd just woken up from a very long sleep, beginning after the posting of my last update and ending only moments ago. Seems a bit poor though, doesn't it?

For those who may be concerned as to what I'm doing with myself and where from I'm spending my time, please allow me to clear that up for you. Back living in the charming little rut that gave us James Joyce, the Cleary's Clock and tracksuit bottoms tucked into knock-off Tommy Hilfiger gym socks. My return to Dublin was, and remains, brought on by a need to sort out some things in personal life and such associated heaviness. I've deferred my studies in being a cinematic tyrant until this coming Autumn, so till then I busy myself with writing whatever I can get a hold of. 

"Why no new blog updates then!?" I hear you chirp, with your clipped and paranoid anger. Steady on, reader, steady on. I've simply been busy doing articles critiquing comedy, working on a new play and an upcoming web series. I have my beak in all sorts of sandwich boxes these days, like the scampish cuckoo I so desperately long to be.

Specific adoration and theoretical hugs today go to one Eimear Nolan, who requested that I update.

Do You Like Colouring?

Below you will find "conceptual art" (what a film student calls the result of dicking around with some pen & paper for a bit) for my upcoming short film "The Smyslov Screw". What's shown here is basically a drawing of each of the two lead character's faces and a drawing of one in full attire. This is for no more reason than to help me in finding what I want them to look like and dress like, and I'm certainly no artist (look at the way his legs are positioned in the full body one. Criminal) so don't judge too harshly. I just thought I'd stick them here for the laugh. You can expect me to add another full body drawing, this one of the character of Vincent in costume, and another doodle or two of the supporting cast of characters. 

The (admittedly slightly reminiscent of The Head off of Art Attack) fellow seen above is the dower and haggard protagonist of the piece Vincent Bagshaw. 

This here is the film's catalyst Scooter McIntyre in full costume. Isn't he well cool?

And of course Scooter's headshot.

This entry is really just an excuse to publicize my pretty little pictures, but seeing as I'm here and all I'll go ahead and treat myself to a ramble. The trend of high spirits and robot love set for 2010 on new years eve fall for some and continue for others as snow (ice really, but I'm one for looking on the bright side) continues to fall in Dublin. I myself am amongst the latter group of people, staying in Dublin for an extra week thanks to unforeseen circumstances. Good thing too, as my few extra days here are proving very pleasant. I do wish I had photographs as for then I could show them to you without having you to use the power of your imagination to decipher what it is I've been up to. Well I fear this is one of those rare moments in the modern age where you'll have to pump that big ol' brain of yours into the unknown depths of imagination, because of relevant photographs I have exactly zero. I could go into a description of my recent escapades, perhaps even a nice anecdote or two; but this isn't that kind of blog. Nor do I really find the events in question really interesting enough to write about. Suffice to say, I'm in Dublin for another two days and having a pleasant time being so. 

It seems my distinct lack of time spent sitting around doing nothing more than thinking has lead to an all-time record slump in the tiny little history of this blog. Myself circa '09 would be disappointed in present time me. Much like the character played by actor and fat child Spencer Breslin in Disney's Bruce Willis epic "The Kid" (I never understood why the child was so miffed anyway. He grew up to be Bruce Willis, an impressive feat for any fictional character. Let alone a grotesquely overweight one). In the grand tradition of tomorrowness and general optimism I reckon I'll be posting with a lot more regularity come my triumphant return to London Town. There is, after all, a party happening in my (Irish) home of homes upon the morrow and I'm sure that will at the very least provide the photos which you readers so desperately crave. Vultures. I'll also be getting down to work on the aforementioned short film, which should prove a breeding ground for blog topics...

I'm sorry Bruce Willis; I promise I'll blog more soon.

Hoping to see more of you,

Kid Sensible. 

Eks-oh-eks and that.

The Onesies.

As you can probably guess from the title of this post, I have decided as to what I'll be calling the current decade. It seems, after a bit of googling, that (rather unsurprisingly) a number of people have already begun to use the phrase at hand. I'm not going to lay claim to having originally thought this up or even originally discovered the term for myself. The credit there has to go to my dear friend, rowing enthusiast and humanoid robot Semputer. Several of us huddled around a fire, after beginning the year frolicking in the snow like so many hopeful young Dubliners had done, were discussing the topic at hand when out of nowhere the plucky young robot piped up with a rusty and mechanical chirp; "The onesies". I tried to explain to Semputer how pleased his suggestion had made me, but of course he couldn't get to grips with the basic human emotion of happiness. After all, he is a robot. Never the less, I rewarded him with a rare moment of affection between us in the form of a man-on-bot hug. It was scarcely an hour into the new year and already robo-sapian relations were at an all time high. The precedent for the decade had been set, and it was a happy one. 

As I've already outlined above, in the outside the evening had been snow-covered. Usually in Dublin the closest we come to snow is a thin, slightly pitiful spattering of hard & unforgiving sleet or hail tumbling down from the heavens injuring small children and inconveniencing the rest of us. Sure, in these cases a few particularly hopeful children with their romanticized ideals of the Winter phase will attempt snowball fights, snowman construction and all the other snowtide joys, but little usually comes from it barring what looks like a small pile of half-melted sugar on the lawn, accompanied by a nasty cold. Rest assured though, 2010 began with a soft, almost Dickensian snowfall which has continued on-and-off since the year was brought in. 

Note the above snap, courtesy of H-Bomb. A select few of the attendees partying with our new friend Shane. A mention must go to J-Dizzler for his heading Shane's construction and general conception. I did contribute to the precipitationy fellow two of my finest gloves, so you might say I was ready to lend a hand.

I thought I'd leave a small gap there for you to appreciate my first pun of the new year fully. 

Awesome.

So The Onesies are very much a-go-go, have started in beautiful style and by all accounts should continue as such. I'm back to the slog in two days, returning to film school and getting rightly stuck into production on my upcoming flick. Nice. So what changes for me in this newly founded and freshly named decade of ours? We all know I'm blogging as an oh-10 challenge, but there are a few other resolutions I'd like to try observe. They're not particularly amusing, original or perhaps even blog-worthy; but they are at the very least constructive, and I reckon with some conviction I'll be able to stick to them. They are as follows:

1 - Blog on a somewhat regular basis. If I achieve an average of two posts a week I'll be chuffed. I'm nothing if not realistic.

2 - Smoke less weed. I'm aware that this is a pretty subjective one, but it's something I really ought try to do even if the improvement shown is only marginal. I shan't go into a detailed account of my habits, but suffice to say that my goal here is to limit it to just weekends while not on holidays. Dig it.

3 - Attend more social activities. As many of my friends will tell you, I'm quite prone to bottling, bailing, ditching, skipping out, canceling and of course skiving. I plan on changing this as of this very moment. 

4 - Come off more like Bridget Jones in writing.

All thoroughly doable I feel. Of course I say that now, but lets see how I'm doing when I begin my next post from my flat having reneged on plans to stay home and smoke a joint. 

My most sincere wishes of warmth and loveliness to you all,

Kid Sensible.

Where Did The Decade Go To?

It seems the decade's decided it's going to end in little over 12 hours from now. As the year and associated premiere ten year period of what promised to be a new millenium full of hope and opportunity draws to a suitably uneventful close, many seem left with a sour taste in their mouths. Wasn't it about now we were meant to be riding our hover cars around the Millenium Dome as a swarthy and oddly attractive wise-cracking robot serenaded us into the new year with a note-perfect rendition of Auld Lang Syne? Christ, at this stage most would probably settle for a neurotic and slightly racist wind-up hamster dictating the Queen's speech over the radio. Though alas, here we are; in a world almost identical to that of 1999. Computers are faster, fame is more easily attained, prime ministers are fatter, presidents are blacker and I have distinctly more bodily hair than I did when entering the decade yes; but on the other hand, conflict still reigns in the Middle East, U2 remain bafflingly popular and the technology for a "Hendrix, Beethoven & Jesus: Back From The Dead And Rocking Their Greatest Hits" tour seems as far off as ever. 

This leads me to think, what does the coming period hold in store for planet Earth? One would hope the economy manages to pick up, the powers that be decide to pull out of Iraq (so not to get it pregnant) and perhaps Nintendo come up with a bitching new games console. We can hope for more than this, we can hope for less, but lets be honest: hope won't get us anywhere. Surely it was hope that got us into this funk in the first place. So I urge you all, go into the new year not wanting, wishing or praying; but simply drifting, waiting and seeing what happens. Make 2010 the year of the spectator. Watch in resigned and expected horror as the world falls apart around you, or be pleasantly surprised as we all join hands on top of a hill somewhere drinking Coca-Cola and singing a la their famous "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" campaign. Don't worry, if you're more partial to Pepsi I'm sure you could sneak it in, world peace is hardly going to crumble under a soft drink preference. Basically what I'm trying to say is that we could complain, grumble and moan without any distinct action taken every time something slightly inconvenient or unfortunate happens in the world or we could just plainly ignore it. That way on the rare occasion when something decent does come along we can all revel together in being slightly tickled, rather than having it overshadowed by the bad.

Perhaps you think my willingness to resign myself to another subpar decade is a reflection as to exactly why the world is in such a state right now, but at this moment in time I'm content to simply watch as we wave goodbye to the past ten years and revel in their aftermath. Besides, now we've got all the time in the world to think of a witty name for the upcoming decade.

I'll force-feed you more of my thoughts in the year that inspired this blog. 

Peace out,

Kid Sensible.

So It's Come To This...

I've often wondered what possessed people to blog. One could find it a little pompous when faced with a person who feels obliged to dedicate a small portion of the online media solely to their thoughts and opinions. A myspace here, a twitter there, a facebook for your troubles or a little bebo (an archaic form of communication now long forgotten, for the younger among you) should surely satisfy the needs of any aspiring pontificator. Still, the internet is covered in blogs; most of which are truly dreadful. The oh so self-aware hipster mindlessly double-ewe-tea-effing away at his Macbook in some ratty establishment dispensing tea and pretension by the cup. 20-something professionals living in their own romanticized version of London or New York, having moved from suburbia long ago with high definition dreams of gay best friends & Prada heels; as such beginning and ending every post with slightly pitiful Carrie Bradshaw-ish rhetorical quandaries - "Is the orgasm my white whale?" - or the typically peachy sounding Desperate Housewives style spin on a narrative statement - "They say every dog has his day, but for this dog his day was just beginning...". Of course there are plenty of perfectly earnest people blogging today simply to document their endeavours or keep in touch with friends & family in a far off land, but for every one of these we're faced with literally thousands of the aforementioned clichés.

You're surely wondering by now why a seemingly bitter old tart like me would ever partake in something I have such negative feelings toward. It's quite simple really. You see darling, as my new years resolution for the soon to be halted year gone by I decided to see how long I could refrain from engaging in one of life's simple post-pubescent pleasures: masturbation. Somewhat surprisingly I've managed to keep onanism out of my life for nearly an entire 12 months now, and in 3 days time I'll be needing a new challenge for a brand new decade. So here I am. Blogging is something I've considered for a long time but always shied away from, mostly due to the reasons listed above. Of course it's not quite as impressive a feat as being master of ones domain for 365 long and hard (I'm a stitch, right?) days, but I would see it as a relatively productive plan in that it gives me a way to hone my writing skills and force some opinions on the world at the same time.

I'm sure by now you've either lost interest or you're simply reading on to indulge your thoughts of "whoa, check this guy out. What a jerk. Does he not realize he's embodying every one of these blogland stereotypes as he damns their very existence? Epitomizing a culture while simultaneously lampooning it, pfffft! What are you? Like, 12? Jerk...", well if that's what you're thinking then you have a very valid point oh dear reader from the depths of the infonet, I also admire your use of the word jerk. Well allow me retort in ramble: I'm 18 years old, live in London (though I come from Dublin), I am a student filmmaker and aspiring writer, some may find me pretentious at times though this makes me feel emotionally poorly and misunderstood (much like Marvel Comics stalwart Galactus or Arthur Reid's teacher Mr Ratburn from the charming children's books and television series "Arthur"), as you can most probably tell from those references I am also a massive geek. I'm a (perhaps occasionally archetypal) homosexual, and in case you haven't guessed by now I would also assume myself to be terribly insecure, though I would think this is something which by its very nature can't really be confirmed by ones own self. So I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while I may not be entirely fond of a lot of things relevant in society today, I have to face up to the slightly uncomfortable (like jeans with a broken fly; you can wear them, but you're not happy about it) fact that I not only must deal with them regularly, I must also experience them every day when I look in the mirror. Not literally or physically of course, but I'm sure you catch the drift I'm pitching. So to close in classically disposable and buzz-wordy blogger fashion: Some blog for practically, some for image, some to fulfill romantic ideals, but all these things are surely entirely forgivable for regardless of rhyme or reason we are all but people sharing this vast and beautiful cyberphysical landscape. To blog is human. I blog therefore I am. In blog we trust. So please, shall we try to be only lovely to one another in oh-10, and blog simply for the joy of it all? Lets do.

Kid Sensible out,

Smooches.