I am in Florence, Italy. I know that I am lucky to be able to travel (this trip is business) but I am not sure I want to be here right now. I am only here for meetings tomorrow. I arrived at almost midnight, have the meeting all day and leave the following day at seven in the morning. Somehow this doesn’t feel the right way to be visiting this city. Surely, I should be on holiday with time to explore the Plazas rather than rushing between office blocks. Still, I am told the first meeting is within walking distance and so I might – for once – get to see some of the city.
Yearly Archives: 2003
Daredevil
I was very surprised that I did not enjoy Daredevil more. It’s darker and more disturbing than many a super-hero flick and while this, for some, may be the appeal, it just didn’t do it for me. It’s also oddly constructed. We first meet the superhero as he collapses on the floor of a church. Why? Well, he’s half way through a battle with one of the villains – Bullseye (an Irish hitman capable of killing talkative old ladies on planes with nothing more than his finger and a peanut).
And so the film lurches backwards as we are told Matt Murdoch/DaredevilÂ’s story. He grew up with his father -a boxer – and singled out for the bully treatment when he was a kid. Blinded in a dockside accident by a hazardous chemical, DaredevilÂ’s face remains remarkably unmarked as he matures in the talented pro-bono lawyer played by Ben Affleck.
Once the Flashback sequence is over we return to our hero in mid-Organ scaling (as in church organ) battle. Who considered the middle of the narrative a sensible place for us to join? I guess it has worked before, but not here. In true super-hero style, our almost dead star rises and battles to the end. Of course, as in all such movies one wonders why the world hasnÂ’t worked out that Matt Murdoch and Daredevil are the same. They are Ben Affleck in red leather.
Ah, dear Ben. I appear to be in the minority who were not convinced by his portrayal of a super-hero. He was too “leading man in a romantic comedy” for me, despite the tight leather gear which didn’t seem to turn him into the sex-hunk that I thought it might – Chris O’Donnell looks better in tight leather in Batman and Robin. Colin Farrell tries hard to be brutish with sex-appeal and he almost pulls it off, especially considering the target on his forehead isn’t really that great to look at.
I really can’t be sure what made this film fail for me. Maybe it was too dark for a super-hero flick or maybe that the story was not compelling. Maybe it was the fact that at least one villain survived for a sequel in a far too obvious fashion. Daredevil may be a comic hero but he you don’t have a super-hero “thing” to latch on to (Superman flies, Spideman has a web and Batman has a utility belt). Daredevil’s other senses are enhanced. Big wow. Maybe it was the violence that felt too real and not comic-book enough or maybe it was that the supporting characters never really moved from being one-dimensional support.
I guess, in the end, I would have been disappointed if this crime-fighter had come to my rescue. IÂ’d have been happy with Batman, thrilled if it was Superman and delighted if Spiderman liberated me. If Ben turned up in red leather I just might have laughed.
On this day…
2006: Helsinki, February 2006
2004: South London Jazz
2003: New Host
New Host
The server crash caused all sorts of problems and I only just managed to salvage the data from the site. Now, the new host is causing me problems as I get used to the capabilities. I have been working on the re-build for most of the day and there are still large parts missing but I need to go to bed!
On this day…
2006: Helsinki, February 2006
2004: South London Jazz
2003: Daredevil
On Hold
Well, ten days ago the server at my hosting provider crashed and, as they are ceasing their hosting business, it was not restored so I have spent the last week or so trying to organise everything. Hopefully, normal service will resume soon.
On this day…
Online Advertising Technology Issues
Eric Picard at Clickz posted an interesting article about online advertising before Christmas, discussing some of the major problems facing the online advertising industry, particularly the technology on which it runs. Today, he posts some possible solutions.
On this day…
2005: On Microsoft And Windows Digital Media
2004: Janet’s Malfunction
2004: Colourful Pages
2004: Alcohol Free
2003: An Email From Space
An Email From Space
While the investigations into the loss of the Space Shuttle continue, some argue that the Shuttle itself should be scrapped,
The space shuttle is impressive in technical terms, but in financial terms and safety terms no project has done more harm to space exploration. [Source: Time.Com]
For me, the most compelling story in the media today is from BBC News who have the text of an e-mail from shuttle victim Laurel Clark.
I feel blessed to be here representing our country and carrying out the research of scientists around the world. All of the experiments have accomplished most of their goals despite the inevitable hiccups that occur when such a complicated undertaking is undertaken. [Source: BBC News]
On this day…
2005: On Microsoft And Windows Digital Media
2004: Janet’s Malfunction
2004: Colourful Pages
2004: Alcohol Free
2003: Online Advertising Technology Issues
Shuttle Lost
Like everybody else, I was shocked to hear of the loss of the space shuttle Columbia. Like many, the first pictures I saw were the trails in the sky as the craft disintegrated. I’ve just found this radar picture online from the US National Weather Service which shows the heat generated as Columbia broke up. Despite the previous tragedy, it seemed space travel was gradually becoming routine. Seeing the radar image reminded me just what these craft and crew have to endure to push the boundaries of human knowledge. It brought space travel back into perspective for me and really shows the bravery of those who choose to go into space. As the events leading to the disaster unfold, it’s time to remind ourselves that we really are pushing boundaries. I am grateful that people are prepared to take such great risks in the interest of human knowledge. I, for one, salute their bravery.
On this day…
2004: January Interest
2004: Scrabble Name
January Snow? A Surprise to Transport Chiefs
Here we go again. Following on from the 23-mile traffic problems on the M4 and the Chancery Lane tube crash, the South East of England was hit by a snow storm. Not an unexpected event in January and one that the weather forecasters got right two days ago. Nevertheless, snow on the ground brings the South East to a halt. Even the Underground was hit (strange, but true).
I was in a taxi on my way home last night from central London and many of the main routes seemed to have been missed by the gritting teams. Still, my taxi driver was able to get me home safely which is more than the poor souls on the M11 who spent upwards of twenty hours trapped on a snow-swept, frozen motorway going nowhere [BBC].
Why is it that weather treats commuters so badly? Wrong leaves, wrong snow, frozen points, iced snow-blocked roads? Not one of these weather conditions should be a shock to the transport planners. Sadly, I don’t understand. I suspect bad planning (incompetence, even) and I doubt things will change. Has the past week been exceptional or is this really how it is and I have just got to the point where I feel I should write about it? Let’s hope next week brings relief from public transport woes.
On this day…
2004: Maybe Somebody Was Listening
2004: Forgotten Credits
2004: Supporting Greg
2004: Where In The World
2004: Desert Drag
In Need of Exposure? Visit A Salon!
The Salon, Channel Four’s current reality TV show set in a beauty salon is an interesting concept. Book an appointment for a cut and blow-dry and then see yourself on television. To be honest I was quite keen on this one (I’m not sure why it appealed more than some of the other formats, but it did). Sadly, silly scheduling means I saw the two opening shows and have not watched another one. As it turns out, I am quite glad as it seems it could turn into a celebrity rehabilitation centre. Missing out television exposure? Turn up and get your hair cut and your celebrity past will, most likely, mean you’ll make it to air. Has anybody really sunk this low to grab some TV time? Yes, Michael Barrymore. [Source: Ananova | Channel 4]
On this day…
Pop
I am currently listening to pop. This is a difficult thing to write. Pop is not considered to be a credible music genre by people who listen to lots of music. Pop is considered the home of the boy band. Pop is the cheap and nasty side of music. People, especially people of my age, should have grown out of pop, but I have not. I enjoy the throw-away nature of it. The three-minute perfect pop song can take you away from your day and, if this week’s other entries are to be believed, away from your fellow commuters.
Actually, I hope, the current music I am listening to is considered the good side of pop (see, I am joining in the criticism of the genre). Not for me the sounds of the Cheeky Girls or S Club Juniors. No, I hope my current selection is a little more discerning.
I own a reasonable amount of music but I don’t purchase CDs weekly like some people. But I am listening to three recent albums which must be the first time that has happened to me in a long while. My current favourite is Justin Timerlake’s Justified. That is followed closely by Erasure’s new release (just last Monday), Other People’s Songs. Finally, I been unable to resist Will Young’s From Now On. Yes, unable to resist!
On this day…
2006: Logo For Our Times
2004: Company Update