Archive for June, 2009

The inevitable Michael Jackson post

Posted on June 27th, 2009

After the is-he-isn’t-he drama, the shock of it actually being true and a day of jokes tasteless or otherwise, I realised today that Michael Jackson actually* died. I’ve read the entire Guardian MJ tribute edition cover to cover, I’ve got Thriller on and I’ve been seeking out internet grief; needless to say, I’m feeling gloomy. And soz, I’m going to do that annoying ‘feel-it share-it’ thing that the internet compels us all to do. I was born in the ’80s [thanks, Calvin Harris, but this really isn't the time] so Michael Jackson has been a household name my whole life. 1984 wasn’t solely notable for my birth, it was also the year that Jacko’s hair caught fire whilst filming an advert and the term…

Would you rather…

Posted on June 21st, 2009

…turn up as a Vice Don’t or on Look at this fucking hipster? vs. (if anyone’s keeping score, I’d really really like the Vice DOs and DON’Ts book, kthx)

Do we really need music charts?

Posted on June 21st, 2009

The Official UK Charts Company (which, presumably, feels we do so need music charts) has finally deigned that the UK’s charts should take streamed music into account – but still not for another year at least, according to this report from the BBC. Talk about playing catch-up. Services like Spotify and We7 may have taken off in a big way over the last six months, but streaming music via sites like Last.fm, MySpace and other music-minded social networks is nothing new. Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot told the BBC: The charts have always been there as a popularity poll, as a means of identifying what are the hottest records of the moment. That’s been relatively simple when people have bought stuff to…

How you know that you’re too in love with your iPhone

Posted on June 18th, 2009

My love for my phone is well documented, but today I reached a whole new level of ridiculous. On my way to work, I was walking down Old Brompton Road when suddenly, out of nowhere, came a schoolboy barrelling towards me. He was all overlarge blazer and enormous backpack, head down and in a serious hurry. In the three seconds leading up to impact, I’d worked out an entire scenario which involved me sprawled on the pavement, the contents of my bag scattered around me and my beloved iPhone shattered by the impact. What would I do? How would I survive without my iPhone? Who would pay for my new one? Would I have to march this kid back to his parents and demand…

Five things I’d really like to do right now

Posted on June 8th, 2009

So, somebody once said that lists are a lazy blogger’s friend. Happy days, I’m the laziest blogger around. 1. Skate – I had to lump these together because it turns out wearing funny boots and gliding unsteadily along is not exclusively appealing be it on wheels or blades. I want to go ice skating so badly, but I want to go on a day when I can be guaranteed to have plenty of space to fall over and not get my fingers sliced off. I also think I may have convinced myself I’m better at it than I actually am. And I’m getting a little bit worryingly obsessed with the idea of buying and owning these beautiful skates despite the fact that I clearly…