The ramblings of a egomaniacal academic...

Junior Senior called, they want they’re cheesy riff back…

academicegomaniac — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:53:17 +0000

I used to think that ‘Mika – Grace Kelly’ was the cheesiest, happiest and enjoyable song ever written (it took over the title from Katrina and the Waves). Now I think the peppy Danish cheesy-pop merchants ‘Alphabeat – Fascination‘ may have scooped up the title.

Discuss.

N.B. The fact that the lead singer dances like John is a bonus…

Wedding Dance

academicegomaniac — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:26:57 +0000

This is awesome (wait til you’re about 30-40 seconds in…)

Andy, Anna, the bar has been set…

Sufjan Stevens Orchestra

academicegomaniac — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:15:47 +0000

For those of you that like Sufjan Stevens, check out this from his recent radio appearance with WNYC. Some instrumental stuff with an orchestra. Pretty awesome.

It’s worth noting…if you actively don’t like Sufjan Stevens or harbour some sort of abject hatred toward him then this probably isn’t for you…

Giggity giggity goo!

academicegomaniac — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:49:09 +0000

I went to see Iron & Wine last night in Edinburgh. The gig was sublime and I absolutely loved it. I don’t go to gigs very often yet I’m going to two this week (Ray LaMontagne on Friday). The only reason I’m getting to see two of my favourite artists this week is because my friends had the foresight and good planning to get tickets for themselves and offered to pick me up one.

I don’t seem to have the time to keep checking the relevant artists websites – either that or I keep forgetting and as a result I end up missing gigs that I really want to catch…

Does anyone know of a webiste where you can login and enter which bands you want to know the gigs for and say where you live and then they email you when gig dates are announced for your favourite bands, near to your hometown? Surely in the vastness of the interest this must exist? If not there’s a massive amount of money to be made doing it.

Anyway, links please…alternatively, if someone can let me know when Sigur Ros, Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens, Beirut et al are playing near me, that’d be equally helpful.

UPDATE: Despite Graham’s sarcastic post, last.fm doesn’t do what I’m looking for. Thank you to Scott btw – It appears that www.ticketmaster.co.uk does a “My Ticketmaster” section that you can sign up for and get alerts when the artists you pick out. It’s pretty good and it works, but the range of artists is a bit limited. It finds Sigur Ros, Death Cab For Cutie, Muse etc, but can’t find Sufjan Stevens, Beirut and Iron & Wine, though that might change as it grows more popular.

My line of work…

academicegomaniac — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:41:08 +0000

There has always been a little bit of doubt among my friends about what I do for a living…which is fair enough. Anyway, some friends of mine (from the Odyssey days) provide a free online education resource about the marine environment to help raise awareness about conservation…anyway…it’s much cooler than I make it sound.

Check out this video (the 1st part of a 5 part documentary on the Mediterranean Sea), if nothing else it’s better than working. But hopefully you’ll enjoy it too…and check out the earthOCEAN page for the other 4 parts in the near future and under “Series” you’ll find a bunch of other amazing videos they’ve produced.

If you need that edge…

academicegomaniac — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:12:36 +0000

I’m a sporty fellow and when I’m feeling fatigued, I reach for…..POWERTHIRST!!!…and now new Powerthirst ROCKET EDITION!!!!

Got to get me some Juice Springsteen…

The earliest C word on record?

academicegomaniac — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:53:40 +0000

After reading Graham’s candid open letter to Air Canada yesterday and some of the language he used…mainly his use of the word ‘cunt’ (a dirty and wrong word that is awfully satisfying to say). It’s better than prick, twat, tosser, dickhead or pooface. It just ticks all the boxes and rightfully is saved for occasions where no other word will do.

Anyway, last night I was invited around to my brother’s house and we watched Glengarry Glen Ross. It’s a good film, made in 1992. I enjoyed it. About an hour in Al Pacino goes on a fine tirade and drops the C word, and like Graham’s usage, it felt justified. Anyway, it got me thinking. This film is from 1992 and I guess was filmed in 1991 – this leads me to my question – is this the earliest record of the word ‘cunt’?

I’m serious. I didn’t learn the word until I guess I was about 15 or 16. A full 4 years after this film was realised.

Does anyone know of an earlier record of the C word? I’m totally serious. Answers on a postcard.

When Pranks Go Too Far…

academicegomaniac — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:33:54 +0000

Hello everyone, this is my first post in ages, but I’ve been away on boats and stuff….oh that and I’m very lazy.

This clip was sufficient to wake me from my e-slumber:

Enjoy…

The Running of the Bulls(hit)

academicegomaniac — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:46:12 +0000

Ever since Graham went skydiving in New Zealand – the ultimate adrenaline–junky fix – I started thinking about my lifestyle and how it’s not particularly adrenaline filled. Sure I work on boats a bit and I’ve crossed the Atlantic on one… an achievement I’m proud of but they don’t provide that buzz I imagine you get for doing something really really stupid. The problem for me is that I’m not a very brave person. I don’t think I’ll ever go skydiving or jump off a bridge with an elastic band attached to my ankles…it’s just not my style – the most adventurous thing I’ve ever done involved Stuart McKimmie…but that’s a story for another day. But I have been craving that fix, that buzz you can get from such daring activities.

Anyway, so last week I took it upon myself to push the boat out…to live a little.

First off I went for a tried and tested scary thing to do, sure to get anyone’s heart racing – “Pissing Off JB”.

Good god. I could go base-jumping in a Zorb whilst wrestling with a Great White Shark and I still wouldn’t be comparable to getting shouted at by JB down the phone. I’m pleased I didn’t pick up the phone that night. JB – you’ve got a great angry voice. You’ll make a fantastic father one of these days. Anyway JB, in all seriousness, it’s all done with love. I’m sensing you didn’t appreciate it, but we all love you and I wouldn’t do it if you didn’t react so spectacularly. I can’t imagine that means you’ll be any happier with me, but, well you’ve always been right, I am an asshole.

Anyway, incurring the wrath of JB certainly got my heart-pounding but it was all to short-lived….I was left craving more. I began searching everywhere for my next fix. I tried everything. Driving to Aberdeen with my eyes shut…nothing. Eating pumpkin in a sushi restaurant…NOTHING. Then on Saturday night after dancing with Graham (which didn’t work either whilst we’re on the subject), I got my fix…

Graham was working his magic on a lucky lady (though inevitably ended up being egregiously cockblocked – the list goes on Wazz) so off I toddled to the toilet. My toilet trip was thankfully uneventful, but on the way back I got chatting to a very nice Polish girl by the name of Ella. We chatted away, had a little kiss (a gentleman never tells……well, not unless he’s asked) and then went off to an ATM to get more money (I had to pay her obviously) then back into the club to find Graham alone, post-CB and I introduced Ella to him and they started chatting. It was as they were chatting that I looked around the club a bit. My gazed stopped quite quickly on a large skin-headed fellow who was about 3 metres away and staring at me. Before I had a chance to think anything about it, he gave me something new to worry about. He raised his thumb to his throat and dragged it across his neck in a guillotine-type fashion. In case his message wasn’t clear enough (he was only 3 metres away) he followed it up by pointing at me. Now I admit that I’m not the most pigmented man on the planet, but I’m sure that even in that dark club, you could see the colour drain from my face. I tried to hold his gaze for a second – refusing to be intimidated by him – but I got all intimidated by him and had to look away…

A few minutes passed and I could feel him burning a hole in the side of my head (with a lighter, not his gaze). That was short lived as he came over and started talking to Ella and they animated chatted away in what I’m guessing was Polish at which point I chose to collect my jacket (and my bowels, which it turned out I’d left on the couch) and got the hell out of there. Terrifying…but what a rush.

Good times. So now I’m back at work and I’ve never been so happy to be writing a report. It might not be exciting to some, but my guess is it’s better than being stabbed to death a Polish skinhead / Waking up in a bathtub full of ice…

Health? Not as we know it & “Drinks Anyone…Part Deux”

academicegomaniac — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:13:43 +0000

Welcome to Planet Earth. Here………..the most vast expanse in the history of the Earth, The World Wide Web. Down there, we see a tiny speck of insignifance. For there, look, we see the lesser spotted Booth as he motions down to rehydrate, drinking at the most popular waterhole of the Interneti.

Sorry I’m not sure what was about…

It’s probably all the health I’ve been having. Today has been a worrying day for me. As some of you know…I like my health, I like exercising and I’m sufficiently insecure that I pay attention to both these things in a desperate effort to avoid perpetual loneliness…that and a fat ass.

However, today I fear I’ve taken it too far. I woke up this morning after a healthy night of DIY round at my brother’s new house. I got a solid 10 hours of kip. I awoke, picked up my weary head and went and played golf with said brother. Then went for lunch, had a turkey and cranberry salad sandwich. Then, I went home, drank some milk (an excellent choice on this occasion), had a short nap and watched a bit of tennis, I then went for a run (10 k as it happens). I came home, showered and made a fuckload of sushi. I went round to my brothers and ate said sushi whilst watching TV.

My question…Have I just had the healthiest day on record? Seriously, what more could I have done?!?! I appreciate that there are athletes who probably have healthier days, but I’m not an athlete, it’s not where my income comes from. I’m a marine biologist, I’m supposed to save whales and dolphins for a living. The health…well, I do that of my own volition. I’m concerned, we all live in balance. Ying, Yang and all that spiritual bullshit. I’m worried I’ve upset the balance. What do I do? My only suggestion thus far has been to snort lots of cake (actual cake) tomorrow.

It’s not a bad suggestion, but I’d appreciate any help on this. I’m genuinely concerned…

In other news, since my last blog entry there has been a backlash of epic proportions. 50% if my readership has been up in arms at the lack of their inclusion in my last post. I apologise. All 3 of you will be included in this blog entry. I hope you feel special.

So let’s be quick…here’s a couple more “What Drink Would You Be” al a…me

John / Woody – Well John thinks he would be a fine glass of red wine: sophisticated, clean and tasty. Crock o’ shite. John is a Screwdriver. It’s a tasty drink that everyone likes. Honestly, you’ll never meet a person that says “A Screwdriver?!? Dammit!! You know I hate Screwdrivers!! Can I just have a vodka and orange juice instead?” Which brings me to my second point…it’s just a vodka and orange juice. The two most simple ingredients put together to create something tasty…but lets face it…not that special. A winner, but no Red Corvette. Scott and Stu know what I’m talking about! Sorry John. Just remember, no matter how many children you save, you’re still just a Vodka and OJ, just in glasses…

Sarra – A girl with a touch of class and elegance about her, some might even say sophistication, though none of those people are here. Anyway when it comes down to it Sarra just wants to get battered like the rest of us. So I think it’s got to be Champagne. It makes us feel good, raises us to another drinking level, but really, by all intents and purposes, it’s just Stella but with less spousal abuse. It’s the Paul McCartney to everyone elses Tom Sizemore. Somehow you get away with being shitfaced on Champagne…

To sum up…It does the job of making us feel classy when really we’re just on a mission to munterland.

Andy – let’s cut to the chase. Andy is Baileys. Another drink that everyone likes, but frustratingly is viewed as a God-like drink in the eyes of all women, though the men cannot quite see the attraction. Look, we like Baileys, we just know it’s a devilish drink that reeks havoc when mixed with lime cordial – we don’t mind it, we just wish the women would shut-up about how fucking awesome Baileys is.

Note: I know girls don’t love Baileys that much, but I think it is more likely to cross a ladies lips than a man’s lips. The exception being Ol’ Gregg – but he’s got a downstairs mix-up.

Gary – This one isn’t difficult, Gary is Guinness. It’s great, it’s a big heavy beer (I didn’t just call you fat) and it has the potential not to make you shit right for quite some time.

Doug – Doug is Carlsberg. Not the best beer in the world but you can find it everywhere when better drinks aren’t available…

Alex – hmm…This is a toughy. Alex feels she should be champagne…I disagree. Mainly because Sarra somehow managed to get dibs on Champagne. One could argue that they could be different brands of Champagne…for example Bollinger and Moet, or one could be Champagne and the other being Prosseco – a fine, but frankly cheap alternative…but I’m not that stupid. I know that would earn me a clip around the ear. Anyway, this is all by-the-by because Alex isn’t Champage. She’s a Flirtini. Like the Screwdriver it’s a complex drink. It’s sophisticated, it’s enjoyed by all but it’s difficult to make properly…and it has champagne in it too…happy now Alex? Are you?!?!?

On that subject, I’m still not sure which one of my friends is the Mojito. It’s easily my favourite drink, but it’s awfully difficult to make a good one. I’ve had 10 bad mojitoes for every good one.

If you think you can be the Mojito in my life then write a comment in response to this blog with the words “Cormac, I could be your Mojito baby because” explaining why (in less than 12 words…).