Whimsical Musings of a Loon

The year 2008 is at it's sunset, so it seems apt to post a photograph I took yesterday of a December sun setting over the Hampshire countryside.

I never saw myself as a rapper. Slim Siany? No, not me, I'd never get the hang of such foul language in public (my mother might be watching). But I quite like wrapping gifts. Although admittedly when you have 3984763984765 begillion to wrap, it is tedious and an annoying chore. This weekend I did a Christmas present wrapping service for donations to Cancer Research Wales. It was good fun actually, and even better to think of money being raised for a good cause. We were set up in a shopping arcade in Cardiff City Centre, and were quite busy, mostly with guys (sorry) dumping a load of gifts and looking as stressed as a size 6 pair of jeans being squidged onto Kerry Katona. It was actually quite random to see how much people donate too. I was astounded by the generosity of many, I mean seriously taken-aback. And then (and I know you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth but) disappointed with others. Having said that, it ALL counts, no matter how big or small, and as I said it ...

Forget all those woeful sighs, Feast on some nice mince pies! Maybe pour a glass of wine, Unleash it onto, your waistline.

An end of year list, because I am a musical nerd and enjoy compiling these kinds of delights. So nah. Anyway, this list is for the best new musical albums I have heard in 2008. They're not in any particular order, because that's too difficult again. It's been an odd year for me, as I haven't bought as many records as I normally do, and thus haven't listened to some albums I would have liked to have got my ears wrapped around. Martha Wainwright - I Know You're Married... Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair Lindstrom - Where You Go I Go Too Devon Sproule - Keep Your Silver Shined REM – Accelerate NEON NEON – Stainless Style Spiritualized - Songs in A&E No Age - Nouns Portishead - Third Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust I've probably listened the most to Martha Wainwright's album, due to my inherent obsession with all things Wai...

Sometimes I feel I am pretty much walking a tightrope. Every day. There's a Rufus Wainwright song, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk where Rufus sings about lessons for walking on tightropes . He's not wrong. And then today, I actually see someone walking a tightrope. For real. And playing the violin (quite nicely) at the same time. In fairness, this is one impressive talent. This man needs fame and fortune from Britain's Got Talent. Move aside Paul Potts, a singing embryo and a Hitler impersonator playing the spoons whilst painting a replica of the Sisteenth Chapel ceiling. Tightrope walking brings me nicely onto my favourite film of 2008 (and I seriously doubt I will see a film from now until the 31st of December that will better it). It was Man On Wire , the documentary about the wonderfully eccentric, yet genius Frenchman Philippe Petit, who decided to tightrope walk between the tops of the WTC Twin Towers in 1974. It's a fantastic film, filled with moments of poignan...

Jingle Bells, Santa, Frankincense & Myrr, Yes it's *that* special time of year, Christmas, Christmas, it's always the same, Shopping frenzy, busy, insane. Peace on earth? There's not much merry, With a scrum to buy the last cranberry. Panic buy, as if the world will end- But! It's only one day the shops are shut. Homes covered in lights to see, Tinsel plastered over the tree, A smorgasbord of endless plastic, It all looks rather drastic. And seeing the cake that's over iced, What's this to do with Christ? Running around, and trying to jape, Decorations ruined, from years of selotape. Packet puddings, it's a bit of a cheat, Mountain of food that no one will eat. It's so great, have some wine, Everyone's having the best time. Around TV festive specials we group, Or Shakin' Stevens on a continuous loop. Once December 25th is over, forget details, It's off to the shops and scrums, to 'enjoy' the sales.

Today's random crappy graffiti. And apparently Buddy Holly is alive and well and living in Cardiff. Nice. Better tell Peggy Sue.

Smallest book in the world: "All the Times My Dad Didn't Lose His Rag" Over the dinner table Sunday night at my parents' house, Dad pipes up with: "Oh you remember that time I argued with that bloke." Actually Dad, no I don't....there are far too many times to sift through over the years to remember individual occasions... Mind, nothing was better than his gem of a quote later on. "The Sound of Music...I expect those kids are all grown up now." No Dad. Kids in films remain the same age forever more. "I know kids in films stay the same age forever..." he replied to much laughter. Stop digging dad! (But don't change. Ever. I'd miss the comedy).