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Post by Reactionary Rage on Dec 24, 2021 12:26:46 GMT
Personal:
1. How's it been for you? Shite really but onwards and upwards
2. Cultural highlight? Rome. Just the history, the art, the beauty, the food. A welcome respite from the mundanity of life and a much needed circuit break.
3. Favourite new film? I really enjoyed Dune on Imax but have been to the cinema so little this year I haven't seen much else that's new. In terms of older films that were new to me the ones that left the biggest impression were Hiroshima Mon Amour and Two Lane Blacktop
4. Favourite new record? (unlikely round here) There's been a handful I have enjoyed - John Grant, Besnard Lakes, Pom Poko but sneaking in at the end is the Dry Cleaning album.
5. Favourite book? I haven't read nowhere near as much as I'd liked as I've found my attention span and energy this year to be so disrupted and low however Wagnerism by Alex Ross was a lengthy exploration of the great mans incredible influence on our culture that was a real eye opener.
6. Favourite meal? A place called Spirito Di Vino in Rome. The staff were great and the food - cooked by the Mum as it's a family restaurant - was wonderful. I gave them a big tip at the end which I don't think is standard in Italy and the son who dealt with the wine immediately poured a huge fuck off glass and then he topped me off with a shot of some liqueur before I stumbled off into the night full, happy and with a warm Italian glow in my cheeks. Just the way it should be.
7. What have you learned? I dunno, I think I continue to learn more about people but none of it is positive lol. I've been playing chess though so I've deffo been learning about that.
8. What did you accomplish that satisfied you? I quit smoking back in February and stopped with the weed too after falling off the wagon. Since August I've been swimming five times a week for almost all of that time so I feel my health, both mental and physical is in a much better state than it was previously.
9. Hero of the year Nobody really springs to mind. Maybe the fella at the restaurant who got me pissed.
10. Cunt of the year Xi Jinping. Fucking China man. Awful
Preludin:
1. Thread of the year I enjoyed the album a day thread and it was a shame more people didn't contribute
2. Poster of the year (apart from me obv) Fange. Just seems like a nice, genuine guy with a great love of music but if the cunt wins the cup again I swear to God I'm gonna fucking lose it completely.
3. Funniest post It would be one of Skope's. Perhaps his one about C and the occult but lots of his jibes make me lol
4. Cunt of the year (apart from me obv) Hef.
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Post by Half Machine Lipschitz on Dec 24, 2021 15:19:16 GMT
1. How's it been for you?Mostly uninteresting. No real highs or lows - just coasting along with a constant nagging in the back of my mind about whether or not things will ever be "normal" again. Some low-level depression that comes and goes, but nothing too dark. 2. Cultural highlight?Being able to play music again after a much too long break. 3. Favourite new film?I didn't really have the attention span for films this year, but I really enjoyed watching 'Get Back'. 4. Favourite new record? (unlikely round here)Ookii Gekkou by Vanishing Twin, and two new ones by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Butterfly and L.W.5. Favourite book?This was the first year I kept a running list, and I think Paul Auster's 4321 is the contender for favourite. I also really enjoyed Viv Albertine's memoir if we're doing a fiction/non-fiction thing. 6. Favourite meal?We didn't go to any restaurants this year, and only had the odd pizza dilivered now and then, so it'd have to be something I made. Probably a really nice steak from the fancy butcher in the market, with some roasted potatoes and other goodies. Maybe the ones I grilled on my birthday... That said, Christmas dinner is shaping up to be a doozy. I'm doing a 10.5lb prime rib roast, with roast garlic-mashed potatoes, roasted and curried butternut squash, Yorkshire puddings, green beans, gravy and horseradish sauce. The missus is making some lovely desserts, and I've got a million bottles of excellent wine. 7. What have you learned?Playing a musical instrument is much more satisfying if you're able to do it with others. I already knew that, but it was really cemented home this year. Also, after a year-and-a-half of piano lessons I started jamming with some friends, playing covers: lots of Dylan, The Dead, Beatles, Country tunes, VU, Gene Clark, etc. It's been a ton of fun. 8. What did you accomplish that satisfied you?Nothing big, but I built a new bench on our front porch to replace an old one that I built years ago, but which was rotting. I learned from my mistakes on that one, and this new one should last much longer - plus it looks way nicer. 9. Hero of the yearMy wife for going back to work after a five year leave-of-absence to look after her elderly parents. They both passed away around the beginning of the pandemic, but I encouraged her to take the full five years off for personal reasons, so she started back at work this past August at a new position within the company but really hated it and after hemming and hawing finally transferred to something she's actually enjoying. It's been a rough ride, but she's happy now and so am I. 10. Cunt of the yearDoug Ford
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Post by tory on Dec 24, 2021 16:07:46 GMT
Personal:
1. How's it been for you?
Generally good. As I said on the other thread, securing a job that has a tangible long-term future so close to home was a big deal. In May I was considering looking for jobs in places like Eastbourne, Maidstone and much further away, and then one pops up in my lap that is a 5 minute drive away. That was pretty huge, and when I consider that some of my colleagues take up to 90 minutes to drive in, a real blessing. I've got a job I love, which I had wondered in my career whether I've ever get that. Whilst it is early days, I've not been snowed under and have been able to deal with things to a certain extent, whilst also having to learn the curriculum, skills etc. I've also been encouraged by the fact that my efforts have been "noticed" by the senior leadership team, what with the OFSTED inspection turning out to be a real boon for me.
At the same time I'm feeling the fact that I'm losing contact with some of my friendship circle. I'm no longer involved in music in any meaningful way, and whilst I'm still involved in a sort of administrative/organisation manner (we have an event on next year), I feel like that circle of friends is ebbing away. I was, to a certain extent, the sort of person that "organised" things for people to get together and now I simply don't have the energy or the inclination to really be involved with it. I'm sad about it, but deep down I'm not sure whether I'm hugely motivated to "work" on it for want of a better phrase.
2. Cultural highlight?
Rediscovering Poetry (mostly because I had to for work) and in particular the work of Robert Browning. He was a fabulous poet and his work is full of depth.
3. Favourite new film?
Nothing of note. The only new film I saw at the cinema was Bond. 6/10.
4. Favourite new record? (unlikely round here)
I've not listened to anything new of real note. In fact I stopped listening to any music for around 6 weeks in the Autumn and felt it did me the world of good.
5. Favourite book?
Lots. I finally read The House of Government by Yuri Slezkine, which anyone who has a vague interest in the history of the Soviet Union should read for a completely different look at it. I very much enjoyed Roy Baumeister's comprehensive study of Evil, which is a must-read and David Abulafia's mammoth Oceans, which looks at history from the perspective of the Sea. I finally got round to reading Lawrence Durrell's Prospero's Cell, which might just be the greatest travel book ever written. It is really amongst books that I feel happiest.
6. Favourite meal?
Lots. In fact, too many to remember I think. The Seahorse in Dartmouth on my birthday for outrageous Basque cheesecake. Osip in Bruton for Pork Ratatouille, countless cuts of beef or goat cooked by my wife every weekend. I'm very lucky.
7. What have you learned?
Lots but I'm fucked if I can remember what.
8. What did you accomplish that satisfied you?
Teaching GCSE levels concepts to Year 7 students. Lots of teacher stuff in general, but the big thing is building meaningful relationships with students. It takes time, but I sense I'm getting there for want of a better phrase.
9. Hero of the year
Dame Bingham.
10. Cunt of the year
Dominic Raab or Hancock for being the sort of spineless liberal wet Tory that the Government is infected with.
Preludin:
1. Thread of the year
NONE
2. Poster of the year (apart from me obv)
NONE
3. Funniest post
NONE
4. Cunt of the year (apart from me obv)
Skope is clearly the biggest cunt on Preludin, but he is, in his own way, the very heart of the place too. I think he's displaced Coan to be fair.
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Post by souphound on Dec 24, 2021 16:33:30 GMT
Personal:
1. How's it been for you? Very much on the positive side. Started off on sick leave for the first half of the year. Fully back in the swing of things since July and kicking ass since.
2. Cultural highlight? No question: I went with my very best friend to see a Quebecois duo (2 Freres) in concert just this past friday, just before everything got shut down once again. I hadn't been to a show in years actually. This event turned out to be WAY better than I had anticipated even given the fact that I went in already loving their output. A magical evening in great company.
3. Favourite new film? HAven't seen an actual film in a few years. I'm just not that interested.
4. Favourite new record? Nothing new I'm afraid but I have been "discovering" lots of provincial stuff that I had ignored for most of my life. Some really good stuff out there. Nous Autres by 2 Freres really is a standout for me but it's a few years old now.
5. Favourite book? I read so much for work that I'm kind of turned off reading for pleasure these days. It'll come back. I have a small stack of coming victims.
6. Favourite meal? I pretty much never eat out, pandemic or not, so definitely something I made. Let's see now....Nah, nothing special. Just a bit healthier, but learning that healthier does not necessarily mean boring, just more balance and variety really.
7. What have you learned? I've learned tons about myself (about friggin' time) and especially what things are important to me. Interestingly (to me ayway), a line that was written in my kindergarden "report" (1965-66!!!) has hit me with how true it is. The person responsible wrote that I am perfectly happy whether I'm all alone or in a group. Very very true indeed. One of the things that means to me is that it matters not what my surroundings are, it is what I make of my surroundings that can make me happy. I'm in control of my happiness. Who knew.
8. What did you accomplish that satisfied you? Very minor, but I have managed to change some habits for the better. I have managed to stay away from all alcohol intake after years and years of abuse. Easier than I thought actually.
9. Hero of the year The very best friend who I went to that concert with. What she has done for me in the last couple of years especially is nothing short of wonderous. We met when I was probably at my worst and she has supported me through my climb back on top, pushing and pulling when necessary. All this while asking for nothing in return. I tell you, if she wasn't already in a couple, I would whisk her away. She sure has reinforced my view of the undeniable worth of real friendship. I will never be able to thank her enough.
Also, in general on top of the personal side, all personnel in the medical care arena. Daily heroes. It can't be easy at the best of times, so.....
10. Cunt of the year Trump, Xi, Putin on the politico side. More generally, every single asshole who abuses their perceived position of "power", whatever shape that may take.
Preludin:
1. Thread of the year - 2. Poster of the year - 3. Funniest post - 4. Cunt of the year
I will abstain from these. Preludin (as well as BCB whatever you may feel) is a welcome distraction for me. Yes, I am interested in your thoughts, views, lessons, discoveries, travels, memories, tastes, opinions....whatever. But I do not keep lists and rankings. The moment s what the moment is. Tomorrow is another day.... La la la la ....
Thanks for being here. Ech and every one of youz. And yes, even if I don't drink anymore, I'd be happy to buy you a beer.
Cheers.
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Post by bungo the mungo on Dec 24, 2021 16:34:05 GMT
4. Cunt of the year (apart from me obv) Skope is clearly the biggest cunt on Preludin, but he is, in his own way, the very heart of the place too. I think he's displaced Coan to be fair. JC has lost his edge, although he does still like to cause mischief on bcb. he has adapted a more authoritarian attitude over here. maybe because he runs the place? either way, he is morphing into prof with each passing year (minus the squeaky voice).
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Post by fearlessfreap on Dec 24, 2021 17:51:34 GMT
1. How's it been for you?
I've got my health
2. Cultural highlight?
I live in upstate New York -- culture here is deer hunting
3. Favourite new film?
The only one I saw was the Beatles thing, which I enjoyed
4. Favourite new record? (unlikely round here)
I haven't bought one in years
5. Favourite book?
I haven't read anything published this year
6. Favourite meal?
We don't go out to eat. I made gnoccis with proscuitto and mushrooms that was restaurant quality a few weeks ago.
7. What have you learned?
There are no depths to which a human can sink
8. What did you accomplish that satisfied you?
I survived
9. Hero of the year
A hero ain't nothin but a sammich
10. Cunt of the year
Xi
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Dec 24, 2021 17:59:14 GMT
4. Cunt of the year (apart from me obv) Skope is clearly the biggest cunt on Preludin, but he is, in his own way, the very heart of the place too. I think he's displaced Coan to be fair. JC has lost his edge, although he does still like to cause mischief on bcb. he has adapted a more authoritarian attitude over here. maybe because he runs the place? either way, he is morphing into prof with each passing year (minus the squeaky voice). None of that's true, really. There's not much going on here most of the time. People just drop in, say something, then fuck off again - sometimes for weeks - so any actual ongoing dialogue is difficult. It's less of a pub and more like yer actual notice board now. It's frustrating, and even more so when people say 'it's going well'. I suppose we all have slightly different standards. I've always been a bit authoritarian regarding the board - it's necessary. Especially when SOME PEOPLE just want to cause trouble. 🙂 In short - 90% of our members are asleep, 5% are quietly curious and the other 5% should probably be banned. Merry Christmas.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2021 18:19:45 GMT
Hopefully my Scott Walker chart will reignite your enthusiasm J.
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Dec 24, 2021 18:27:09 GMT
Maybe!
DON'T LOSE THE LISTS! 😉
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2021 18:37:22 GMT
Maybe! DON'T LOSE THE LISTS! 😉 Are you going to send me one J?
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Dec 24, 2021 18:43:03 GMT
non
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2021 18:53:54 GMT
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