Geek Chic

After finding myself at a loose end one afternoon, I decided to watch some Big Bang Theory which got me thinking about 'the geek'.

After a few episodes I started to wonder whether the show has done wonders for the world of geek-dom or just perpetuated the ever present notion that geeks are not cool. O.k so we've all watched Beauty and the Geek right, right? Blokes out there, you have right? (wonders if he's be duped by the wife again). Most of us have also heard of  Heat's 'weird crush' Professor Brian Cox now, with his youthful looks and ex-pop star status. So is the world of'the geek' becoming an easier place?

I was never a full blown 'geek' at school but studying and passing exams at a city school where cigarettes, stealing magnesium from science class and being 'hard' were status symbols, I wasn't without ridicule either. But as I got older and entered the real world outside school I noticed I was more accepted and just 'normal'.

But what of the 'super geeks' of this world, the Sheldon Coopers and the Leonard Hofstadter's, is life easier for them now their image has been given the mainstream T.V treatment? Comic-con seems to be becoming ever more popular and the Marvel and DC heroes are ending up gracing the big screen ever more readily.

Science seems to be taking a forefront along with technology as we forge into the Smartphone era and TV seems to be documentary, after series, after examination of the world, from every possible perspective.

So a question for you, are the T.V shows helping to carve a new place in the world for the 'geek' or just indicating to the bullies of the world who to beat up in the future?

Incidentally I'd love to have a mind like Sheldons', and a girlfriend like Penny but I'm not so sure girls like Penny would want me, though my gorgeous wife knows I'm a bit of a sado and she's still here!

Mouse Door and Beer

T.V has much to answer for, it's given me food for thought this week after watching new episodes of Big Bang theory and Perfect Couples. Both addresses the issues of monogamy and commitment.

Are we humans, men in particular, built for Monogamy. It's an age old question that many people have tried to answer and I suspect many people have an opinion on. I for one have experienced both worlds, the single and the monogamous life for reasonable periods of time and end up sitting pretty in the green grass of a committed long term relationship, and it's where I'm happy to be.

The single life can be a riot, several nights out as and when you choose, different men or women for different nights, being able to go and do as you please, no ties to partners Birthday, family/Christmas gatherings, and if you happen to be very attractive, the world appears to be your oyster.

But on the flip side, you do spend alot of time alone you never get a chance to get to know someone properly to see if they might be "the one" and you spend a lot of time learning to "love yourself", if you know what I mean.

Those who enjoy the single life are likely to see the alternative as a burden but monogomous relationships allow you to truley know a person, you can laugh and a joke about the silliest things, that become in jokes between you over time and can brighten even the darkest days of a relationship.

 There are no more awkward first kisses, no more having to pay for all there drinks to keep them sweet, though that is replaced by paying for everything else. You're not lonley, can enjoy there company and there is the perk of regular sex, or regular headaches, depending on how she's feeling. I'm not saying everything is rosie, it never will be, but the small fights and niggles between you are outweighed by the fun and special times you share together. You even begin to tolerate their family after a while ;-)

Secondly, after watching the last episode of Frozen Planet the other week, I was told something amazing and stupid. Apparently that wasn't being shown in America because they don't believe in the global warming effects.

This is totally crazy, American submarine research finds out the ice is shrinking, America will be able to use quicker export routes etc because the ice is shrinking, the US has an extremely educated and sensible president in Obama and yet they refuse to show a program that reveals the truth?

Surely even the most ardent “I'm alright jack, screw the rest of you” Americans, and the bible belt Christian communities must see that this is the case.

Oddly the search for oil under the Arctic ice can only continue if the polar regions shrink further, and we all know the country with the greatest thirst for oil? Hint (in a whisper) “they probably started a pointless war over it?”

Thirdly, as it's nearly Christmas and I'm unlikely to blog again before then, I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas, and remember the true meaning of Christmas, VENGEANCE (The Grinch clip 1:26 in) , no, um, spending time with the ones you love and the birth of Christ, oh and loads of pressents!

Mouse door and beer.

Deck the Halls with Books and Wallys

I'm currently re-reading Lord of the Rings and am really enjoying it, which made me watch the films and extended editions again, loving the insight. This got me thinking about books that have or should be made into films.

LOTR, Hobbit (coming 2012), Harry Potter series, Twilight, and various DC and Marvel comics to name but a few that have been given the Hollywood treatment with varying degrees of success.

With the cult followings that LOTR and Twilight have developed it must be tempting for authors to sell the rights to their stories for the big or small screen, or even turn their hand at writing their own screenplay versions. But what books, yet to be made do we think would make great films or series?

 Having read House of leaves by Mark Z Danielewski I think this would make a fantastic film. It's a very difficult read with 3 interlacing stories relying on the suspension of beliefs in the laws of physics and reality, and complex page layouts to immerse the reader in the confusion and pull experienced by the main character of the story, but it would interpret brilliantly, and I think be much easier to grasp as a film.

Visionary scenes of stairs plummeting to great black depths, tunnel visions of light and darkness and deep emotional ties to the characters sparked images in my mind that could be great given the right director, and these kind of images might actually look good if cinema is going to persist with 3D.

Anyone got some other book to film ideas? N.b I'm not sure the Bible, in full wide screen 3D would necessarily work.

Secondly this week, the total wally that is Jeremy Clarkson and his claptrap about being a 'working man' and not supporting the Public sector pension strikes. What makes him think driving super cars on a ridiculous TV star wage makes him a working man?

Celebrities have the power to use there status for good promoting charities and causes like the great Jimmy Savile, or to help support world wide issues like Stephen Fry does for World AIDS day and many others via his Twitter and T.V appearances.

But instead many celebrities end up causing outrage by putting their foot in it with outrageous and ludicrous statements that they then have to offer public apologise for, particularly when the issues they comment on is in the forefront of the news and public eye, like the Pensions issue.

I feel Mr Clarkson is in no position to comment as he is probably in a much better position than very many others, and probably makes as much if not more money than the Politicians making these difficult decisions.

He and, I feel, many of the politicians don't live in the real world or know the problems of those truly affected by the cuts and tax changes they are making. I am lucky as my job is safe, but I still feel the pinch of rising food prices and will, if the plans of this government go ahead, feel the pension and public sector pay freeze bite my income tightly, with no sign of releasing it's frugal jaws anytime soon.

Clarkson should stick to what he does best, nothing!

And Finally, as the festive season arrives I thought I'd have a word on decorations, it is all well and good putting them up early, anytime in December is fine, but don't go mental. Shops start with the music and sparkles in mid October, and houses like the one below begin glowing in estates by late November.

 

http://www.homebasedesign.com/10-outdoor-christmas-lights-house-decorations-luxury-ideas/outdoor-christmas-lights-house-decorations-luxury-ideas/

For the sanity of everyone else go subtle, nice, and Early December like this Robin in our house

Mouse door and beer

P.s R.I.P Gary Speed