April 2003 Archives
X-Men 2, x-men 2, out to-mo-rrow! La la la! I conceal my excitement with the skill of a master. I owe it to myself to report my opinion. Back soon.
Трудна говорить па русскй - speaking Russian is difficult - that is, if you've never had to study such a highly syntactical language before, and I really can't think of a single Romance tongue that falls squarely into this group. I'm loving it, but it's really not as easy as Italian, Spanish or French! If you ever walk down the same path, it will probably feel rewarding ultimately, but think hard before you make such a nutcase commitment as there's hell to pay. There, I've been responsible. Lives saved.
In an act of sheer brilliance absurdity, Cadbury's have started a campaign whereby children will be able to justify their burgeoning maladdiction to chocolate and refined sugars by exchanging a crazy number of proof-of-purchase coupons for sports equipment. Ostensibly to promote healthy living, this farce has been cleverly constructed; one the one side, you could argue that the chocolate is going to be eaten anyway, but on the other - reality - well, you just know what kids are like... sweets! free footballs! ...buy...buy...buy! Unfortunately, the numbers involved are staggering.
In high profile cases, the tobacco industry has recently paid enormous amounts to recompense individuals damaged by its products. Will Cadbury's be among those forced to pay out for the rise in type-II diabetes and its knock-on toll on our healthcare system?
"It's basically about being gay," Sir Ian McKellen told us. "Or at least, being part of a minority that society disregards."
...so quoth he at the British premiere of X-Men 2, which saw all of the cast members, bar Halle Berry, and half of London descend on Leicester Square last night. I guess it's a sensible point, though one which more unreasonable conservatives would be hard pressed to empathise with. That said, it's not why I love the X-Men universe, but a Macedonian style mish-mash of minority issues, stretched science and pure fantasy fiction is enough to keep this chap happy. Concerns that the sequel will not live up to its predecessor will shortly be addressed, but until then, I'll keep my expectations low.
Incidentally, what isn't utterly delightful about that cat licking Logan's (Wolverine) claws? A lighthearted moment, but seriously, turn me into a cat already.
A little advertised fact of the day; it is the 50th anniversary of the 'Discovery of DNA' - actually, that's not strictly true, as the existence of DNA was proposed in, oh, roundabout 1868. What took place in 1953 right here in Cambridge, through significant collaboration with Birkbeck and King's Colleges, London, was the elucidation of its structure as a binary helix. I won't risk boring you with further details, or my own factual inaccuracies, but if you're interested - and you should be (your DNA is who you are) - just mosey on to the BBCi page linked to above!
Friends really do mark the highlights of my life, day to day, as month to month. This Easter weekend was spent in London with two of my dearest...
On May 10th 2002, the 12.45 London King's Cross to King's Lynn service crashed at Potters Bar, killing seven passengers and injuring many more.
When news of the accident first reached us further down the line in Cambridge, where I study, the atmosphere was subdued; here, a reliable service that many of us use on a weekly basis, lay crippled, a twisted mass of metal and bone. It could so easily have affected any one of us. It was on May 11th that the truth of this mere sentiment came to bear, impressed into the harshness of what is, sadly, our reality.
Among the seven dead was Jonael Schickler, philosopher and friend. There are few who can bring such life and passion to theological discussions as he did, and his musings, reasoning and tolerance have been missed among conversations, at a time when such virtues seem largely waylaid by common misconceptions, ignorant prejudices and misplaced anger. Perhaps not at the forefront of my consciousness, day to day, but in some small way, always.
In memoriam
Jonael Schickler
1976-2002
And of all those people whose lives were lost or affected by this sad event.
I've just discovered that there are people in this world who believe that the only drink of choice for gay men in particular - I quote, the 'gayest cocktail' - is the one that contains pineapple juice. Interesting. Why? Well, all "gays drink pineapple juice." Why? Well naturally...
I realise that no-one is likely watching these particular pages - I have better things to do myself (!) - but so far, I haven't had time to throw together a real interface for this part of the site... it shouldn't be long now mind, as I need to get moving with some other web-based projects that are required by my institute.
