This is so cool. Anyone want to go with me? Learn more here.
Let me know ASAP if you are interested. I want to get tickets very soon!!
June 13, 2007
Because of you, I have to rest
My current addiction: Cygnet Committee by David Bowie, off of the 1972 RCA release, Space Oddity. (It says on the cover of my tape, “Previously released as ‘Man of Words, Man of Music’.”) I’ve probably listened to it two dozen times in as many days.
Here’s how one reviewer on Amazon described it:
“Cygnet Committee” is the grand gem of this album. Nine and a half minutes long, and great for every second of it. It weaves a talk good enough for a novel and the end brings to mind every great plea of human history, from Patrick Henry to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Etcetera – Nine’s ears, Ten’s mouth
I really must add this link.
Remember the world again, and remember him: Nine’s ears, Ten’s mouth. The
suits and the smile and Barcelona. That’s what you do.
Who is this person? I love the writing. I love how he calls him “Ten.” Kudos!
The Son of God
“You stupid, stupid people. I’ve seen what you’ve done. It’s finally happened.” He raises his arms to the sky and screams. “Heaven is empty, and Hell is bursting at the seams!”
Does that sound like Doctor Who or what? I mean, he points to things with his hands in his pockets – how Doctor Who can you get?
But, it’s not. It’s Steven Baxter from The Second Coming.
Here is his big-big speech, with a little editorial spirit, copied off this site (many thanks to Jacob!):
“You are becoming Gods. There’s a new master of creation, and it’s you. You’ve unraveled DNA, you’re five years away from building your own people…and at the same time, you’re cultivating bacteria strong enough to kill every living thing. D’you think you’re ready for that much power? You lot? Heh. You lot? You cheeky bastards.”
The TV goes off, and a blond hooligan kid laughs with Pete about Steve swearing on BBC at 2 in the afternoon. They switch it to ITV, which I guess is less afraid of Steven Baxter than the BBC is. That’s hilarious!
He continues: “You’re running around science like kids with guns. Creating a new world while the world you got is…” He says something gutteral I can’t get at, and begs them to put a hand up: “Hands up anyone who thinks you’ve got it right!” One hand goes up, and he laughs (“There’s always one”), and points to the guy. “I can see you,” he says, and reaches out. The way he says it is heartbreaking.
“If you want the position of God, then accept the responsibility.” Close-up on the sad face of Steve. “And I’m like you; I’ve been you. Knowing it’s all gone wrong, and doing nothing about it, keeping me head down, giving a quid to charity, signing a petition. Talking about it down at the pub. Laughing about it and doing nothing.” Pan across the disciples, at the pub. Knowing he’s right. We know he’s right. I get all in a twist about the liberal polemics, but you know he’s right.
“Even now. Right now I wanna do nothing. I wanna go home, shut the door, and pretend this isn’t happening. But I can’t. I can’t, because I was born the Son of God. And the Son of God came once before, and gave you a Testament. And you ignored it.” Actually, we jimmied around with it for 2000 years like a Frankenfood, but I know what you mean. Steve smiles out at them.
“This time there’ll be a Third Testament. A new foundation for the way you live your lives. And the Third Testament will be written by you. You’ve got five days. In five days, the Third Testament will be delivered to me, and we start again. Every country, every religion… starts again.” Chris Eccleston is a fucking awesome actor. I can’t imagine a speech more offensive, and you buy it. (But then, your definition of “offensive” gets to be a little bendy as we go on, doesn’t it?)
Steve turns away, winded, and downloads the epilogue: “And don’t argue.” Dave stares up at the screen, in the pub. “All you Christians out there, don’t go ’round saying you were right…” — Fiona stares — ” …And everybody else was wrong. Forget all that, all those divisions…” Judith and Peter staring up. “All that history, all that bollocks. Forget it, it’s gone. Forgotten. It’s starting again from scratch right now, because you’ve got to. I’ve seen it.” That’s all God ever offered — the opportunity to drop the fight. Zoom in on the TV. “You stupid, stupid people. I’ve seen what you’ve done. It’s finally happened.” He raises his arms to the sky and screams. “Heaven is empty, and Hell is bursting at the seams!”
Steve turns away, winded, and downloads the epilogue: “And don’t argue.” Dave stares up at the screen, in the pub. “All you Christians out there, don’t go ’round saying you were right…” — Fiona stares — ” …And everybody else was wrong. Forget all that, all those divisions…” Judith and Peter staring up. “All that history, all that bollocks. Forget it, it’s gone. Forgotten. It’s starting again from scratch right now, because you’ve got to. I’ve seen it.” That’s all God ever offered — the opportunity to drop the fight. Zoom in on the TV. “You stupid, stupid people. I’ve seen what you’ve done. It’s finally happened.” He raises his arms to the sky and screams. “Heaven is empty, and Hell is bursting at the seams!”
It’s a good flick. I’d recommend it.
June 12, 2007
Similarities
How interesting. I’ve just started watching The Second Coming. The character Eccleston plays is very similar to the character he plays in Doctor Who – can you say God complex? He even says the same thing “You humans! [Insert compliment, then insult here].” Interestingly enough, The Second Coming was written by Russell T. Davies, who wrote many Doctor Who episodes.
It turns out it was a made-for-TV miniseries, so I got through Part 1 last night and hope to finish the rest tonight.
Color me surprised!
This evening I watched a Season 1 episode of Doctor Who. It seemed so foreign to have Christopher Eccleston play the doctor!! I guess that means I really took to David Tennant – he is a fabulous doctor!
Speaking of Christopher Eccleston, tonight I’m finally sitting down to watch The Second Coming. I put all of the Christopher Eccleston movies I could find on my Netflix queue. Here’s what I’ve seen so far:
Now, back to the movie!
June 11, 2007
Funny Story
Here’s one from the Small World department. Last night Kerri called me up to go grab a beer and some dinner. We debated our choices. Lynnwood was out because they were rude to Ker. O’Malley’s was out because it’s just too smoky. Dos Taquitos was closed. And Ben’s Place was out because 1) Kerri went there on Saturday and 2) there is a total tool of a waiter who works there. He is so annoying that I decided we should just avoid the place. We ended up going to Rudino’s Rooftop.
We walked out onto the patio and it was quite crowded. As we milled, looking for a seat, two guys sitting at a large table offered us a seat at the table. There weren’t a lot of options so we sat down…with the waiter from Ben’s Place. Ha! Luckily, he left after another beer. Obnoxious and drunk, what a lovely combination.
Towards the end of the night, we ended up talking with this 7 foot tall guy. His nickname is, not surprisingly, Lurch. I can’t believe I didn’t have my camera. His license plate is a Hurricane’s vanity plate, so it has the little Hurricanes symbol on the left. On the right, it says 1LUR and the two small characters that designate the tag type are CH. Ha! How clever. If you don’t quite get it, you will the next time you see a Carolina Hurricanes vanity plate.
June 10, 2007
Worm Bin Critters – Identify the Mystery Bug!
I finally snapped some pictures of the mystery larvae that’s in my worm bin. Can you identify it? It’s not listed in any “common worm bin critters” references. Wicked looking, aren’t they? They are less than a centimeter long. 
Here is a video of the little critters movin’. They did not like sitting in the hot sun. I never have felt them (intentionally) so I don’t know if they’re as pokey as they look.
And here’s another mystery creature. Any idea what these are? Perhaps this is the fruit fly that’s been driving me mad. Don’t let the close-up fool you. This guy is less than one centimeter long.
Doctor Who?
So, first Christopher Eccleston left, and as I sit here watching the final episode of Season 2, it looks like Rose will be killed off. I am so surprised how much I liked Billie Piper – she’s adorable and really a perfect fit for this role. I was getting to like the new doctor (David Tennant) and not hate him for not being Eccleston. And what’s up with the Doctor, anyway? From the previews for Season 3, it looks like he gets a new sidekick instantly – doesn’t he take any time to mourn? Bastard. [Okay, so it’s not his fault and he does seem pretty sad to see Rose go.]
Will there be any reason to continue watching Season 3? 