Head Over He..ll

a different kind of blue

2007-08-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

www.musicislikeoxygen.blogspot.com

to whom it may concern... this is where I will be posting my adventures on the wheels of steel.

see you there

all the best

Hec

this blog has taken its toll on...

2007-07-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Αυτό το blog, εδώ και πάρα πολύ καιρό, δεν έχει:
1. writer να το ανανεώνει
2. readers να το παρακολουθούν
3. λόγο ύπαρξης

Αυτός ο blogger [όχι ότι ο όρος είναι κολακευτικός...], εντούτοις, σκέφτεται σοβαρά να αρχίσει να γράφει πάλι. Παράλληλα, ωστόσο, βαριέται να πουλήσει τα κείμενά του σε ένα έντυπο, καθώς i. θέλει να διαλέγει ο ίδιος τα θέματα, ii του είναι αδύνατον να φανεί συνεπής ακόμα και στο πιο ελαστικό deadline, iii δεν είναι σίγουρος ότι αυτά που σκοπεύει να γράψει αφορούν κάποιον συνάνθρωπό του.

Για να μην πολυλογούμε, αυτός ο blogger σκέφτεται να γράφει κείμενα για τραγούδια. Για αυτά τα μαγικά πραγματάκια που κρατάνε από δύο έως 13+ λεπτά και είναι ικανά να σου αλλάξουν τη ζωή, αν όχι προς το καλύτερο, τουλάχιστον προς κάτι πιο συναρπαστικό. Επειδή η ζωή χωρίς μουσική θα ήταν μουντή, άχρωμη και ρουτινιάρικη, αυτός ο blogger σκέφτεται πολύ σοβαρά να αφιερώνει μερiκές, έως και πολλές, αράδες, σε αυτούς τους μελωδικούς συντρόφους της καθημερινότητάς μας [πολύ corny μου βγήκε αυτό. Θα προτιμούσα έναν πιο streetwise όρο, αλλά κρατάω την ευρηματικότητά μου για αργότερα].

Οι επικριτές του συγκεκριμένου blogger [δεν είναι και λίγοι], θα έσπευδαν να παρατηρήσουν ότι υπάρχουν πιο σημαντικά πράγματα να κάνει κανείς. Όσοι γνωρίζουν όμως τον ίδιο και τα κίνητρά του, θα απαντούσαν ότι, προτού καταδικάσουμε αυτόν και τις μονομανίες του, καλό θα ήταν να διαβάζαμε πρώτα ένα-δυο κειμενάκια του.

Ως εκ τούτου, αυτός ο blogger χρειάζεται καινούριο blog. Επειδή όμως βαριέται αφάνταστα τη διαδικασία να ξεκινήσει καινούριο και επειδή τον βολεύει ιδιαίτερα απλώς να συνεχίσει αυτό που έχει ήδη, είναι πολύ πιθανό να καταθέτει εδώ τα νέα του πονήματα. Το παλιό head over he…ll είχε ξεκινήσει και λειτουργούσε για έναν πολύ συγκεκριμένο λόγο. Κρίνοντας εκ του αποτελέσματος, απέτυχε παταγωδώς. Από αυτή την οπτική, το νέο head over he..ll [χμ, μήπως πρέπει να αλλάξω και τίτλο;] δεν θα μπορούσε να καταφέρει τίποτα λιγότερο, οπότε ξεκινάει με τα προγνωστικά υπέρ του. Ας μην αρχίσουμε τις ευοίωνες προβλέψεις ακόμα, όμως. Ας περιμένουμε το πρώτο κείμενο. Που, μην ανησυχείτε, ξέρω ήδη ποιο τραγούδι θα αφορά...

none that can be spoken

2007-04-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

Αν δεχτούμε ότι σε κάθε κινηματογραφική ταινία ο θεατής βλέπει συνήθως ακριβώς αυτά που ήθελε, ή έστω περίμενε, να δει, τότε το "The Fountain" είναι μάλλον η εξαίρεση για μένα: διότι σε μια ταινία που οι περισσότεροι, μερικοί εξ αυτών σαφώς πιο έξυπνοι από μένα, δεν κατάλαβαν απολύτως τίποτα, εγώ είδα όλα όσα δεν ήθελα να θυμηθώ. Και οι υπέροχες [τι χρώματα, τι φωτισμοί, τι συνθέσεις, τι εμπνεύσεις, τι ατμόσφαιρα, τι ζωγραφιές, ΤΙ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ...] εικόνες του Darren Aronofsky απαιτούσαν από εμένα ένα ύστατο αντίο.

Well, την ταινία [νομίζω] την κατάλαβα [to cut a long story short, o άνθρωπος δεν είναι Θεός και ούτε πρόκειται να γίνει ποτέ, οφείλει να αποδεχτεί ότι μερικά πράγματα τον ξεπερνούν και πρέπει να εστιάζει στην ουσία της ζωής, στην απλή μαγεία της καθημερινότητας, αντί να κυνηγά ανεμόμυλους που βρίσκονται μόνο στο μυαλό του...], αλλά χρειάζεται κάτι παραπάνω από μία εντυπωσιακή ταινία, δυο καλές ερμηνείες, μία συγκλονιστική μουσική επένδυση και μία μεγαλειώδη σκηνοθεσία για να τα διαγράψω όλα. Δεν είμαι, δυστυχώς, Θεός. Η Αγάπη, όμως, είναι...

impossible to forget, hard to remember

2007-04-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

Σε μια σκηνή μιας ταινίας της οποίας ο τίτλος δεν έχει καμία σημασία, ένα κοριτσάκι βάζει τα χέρια του μπροστά στα μάτια του, ως αντίδραση στην ανακοίνωση ενός οικοδόμου στην τηλεόραση, που προειδοποιεί ότι θα ανατινάξει ένα παλιό σπίτι, το οποίο δεν είναι πλέον κατοικίσημο λόγω μίας επιδρομής τερμιτών. Το κοριτσάκι, βέβαια, φοβάται λίγο, αλλά παράλληλα ανοίγει τα δάχτυλά του, ώστε να ρίξει μερικές κλεφτές ματιές στο επικείμενο boom!

Αν μπορούσα να διαλέξω ποια γυναίκα θα ήθελα να έχω συνοδηγό στο αυτοκίνητο, μία τέτοια θα διάλεγα... Μία που να κλείνει με αυτό τον αυθόρμητο, παιδικό, ελαφρώς αστείο και πέρα για πέρα ανόητο τρόπο τα μάτια της, κάθε φορά που θα κοντεύω να τρακάρω με τον μπροστινό μου.

"Μα γιατί;", θα ρώταγα αν διάβαζα αυτές τις γραμμές χωρίς να τις έχω γράψει κιόλας...

Γιατί, άμέσως μόλις ΔΕΝ θα άκουγε ήχο σύγκρουσης, θα άνοιγε ελαφρώς τα δάχτυλά της με τον ίδιο ακριβώς τρόπο: για να βεβαιωθεί ότι είμαστε ακόμα ζωντανοί, ή κάτι τέτοιο. Και εγώ χαμογελώντας θα έβλεπα τα μάτια της να με κοιτούν. Αν είχατε δει και εσείς αυτά τα μάτια, και αυτό το χαμόγελο που ανταπέδιδε, δαγκώνοντας αμήχανα τη γλώσσα της, δε θα αναρωτιόσασταν "μα γιατί;".

Το ερώτημα είναι άλλο: εγώ, γιατί το θυμήθηκα τώρα αυτό και, κυρίως, για ποιο λόγο κάθομαι και το γράφω;

a penny for my thoughts

2007-03-31T15:07:00.000-07:00

Θα ήθελα να ήμουν εκεί. Τώρα. Όπου κι αν είναι αυτό. Αρκεί να ήμουν δίπλα. Και το πρωί να μας έβρισκε μαζί. Όπως παλιά. Τότε που πίστευα ότι ο κόσμος όλος ήταν ή μπορούσε να γίνει δικός μου. Δυστυχώς, τίποτε από αυτά δε θα συμβεί. Και, πίστεψέ με, δε δίνω δεκάρα για τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο. Ήθελα μόνο να κατακτήσω το δικό σου.

"something's not working"...

2007-03-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

..you said. That's an understatement, I'd say...

Too bad I still haven't figured out how to mend this broken, erm, bike of mine.

rain must fall

2007-03-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

Είναι μία και δέκα το βράδυ, έχω γυρίσει από το γραφείο εδώ και λίγη ώρα, αύριο το πρωί πρέπει να ξυπνήσω κατά τις επτά, να κάνω ένα μπάνιο ως άνθρωπος και να πάω νωρίς στη δουλειά, διότι από το πρωί με περιμένουν δεκάδες interviews... Άτομα των οποίων το άμεσο επαγελματικό μέλλον εξαρτάται από την εντύπωση που θα μου αφήσουν μέσα από μία ημίωρη συζήτηση και ένα περιληπτικό βιογραφικό. Άτομα που λογικά θα βέρουν βαρέως την απόρριψη που πιθανότατα θα τους ανακοινωθεί τηλεφωνικά στο τέλος του μήνα, αν και δεν θα έπρεπε: θα απορριφθούν για να προφυλαχθούν από μελλοντική απογόητευση. Αν δεν κάνεις εσύ για μια δουλειά, ούτε η δουλειά κάνει για σένα. Εσύ δεν γίνεσαι ευτυχής και η δουλειά δεν γίνεται καθόλου...

Το φυσιολογικό, λοιπόν, θα ήταν να κοιμηθώ λιγάκι, γιατί είναι αλήθεια ότι το χρειάζομαι. Πλην όμως... τι κάνω αντί αυτού; Μέχρι στιγμής, τα εξής pathetic πράγματα: ακούω ένα παρακμιακό άλμπουμ των Ultravox [χωρίς τον Midge Ure], i googled myself [it gets even worse: it wasn't the first time - but there was at least one new entry for me, so I guess that makes it less pathetic; kinda...], σκέφτομαι το μήνυμα που μου έστειλες πριν λίγο και που ανταλλάσουμε εδώ και δύο μήνες χωρίς κάποια ιδιαίτερη λογική, το πόσο θα πονάει που πέθανε ένας άνθρωπος στον οποίο είχες αφάνταση αδυναμία, το πόσο δεν μπορώ να βοηθήσω ουσιαστικά καθόλου, το ότι ο καλύτερός μου φίλος θα γράφει σε ένα φρη πρες που θα του επιτρέψει επιτέλους, όπως του άξιζε, να διαμορφώσει θεωρητικές απόψεις, καλλιτεχνικές συνειδήσεις και κάμποσες καταστάσεις, το ότι ο ίδιος φίλος μπορεί πια να μη θεωρεί εμένα αντίστοιχα καλύτερο δικό του φίλο, το πόσες ευθύνες έχω αναλάβει επαγγελματικά τους τελευταίους μήνες, το ότι σήμερα αποφάσισα ότι οι Stranglers είναι ένα από τα καλύτερα και πιο αδικημένα punk rock group ever και το πως θα ήθελα κάποια πράγματα να ήταν αλλιώς...

Το πιο αξιοσημείωτο από όσα κάνω αυτή τη στιγμή, ωστόσο, είναι ότι, έχοντας πάρει την πιο άβολη στάση πάνω στο κρεβάτι μου, κάθομαι και γράφω κάτι μάλλον ανόητο σε ένα μπλογκ που δεν επισκέπτεται κανείς [ίσως, βέβαια γι αυτό και να το κάνω...], πόσο μάλλον εσύ. Εσύ που, τώρα που θα πατήσω "απενεργοποίηση", θα απαντήσω στο μήνυμά σου, λες και θα γίνει τίποτα με αυτό... :-)

καληνύχτα τώρα...

if it is broken, then why bother fixing it?

2007-01-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

Τι νόημα έχει να...
* βγάζεις λεφτά,
* ακούς ωραία μουσική,
* έχεις ωραία ρούχα,
* διαθέτεις καλό αυτοκίνητο,
* υπερηφανεύεσαι για επαγγελματικές επιτυχίες,
* εισπράττεις προσωπική αναγνώριση,
* πηγαίνεις για κούρεμα,
* ξυρίζεσαι,
* ακούς ένα καλό ανέκδοτο,
* σου λένε για ένα ωραίο εστιατόριο,
* μαθαίνεις για ένα καταπληκτικό ξενοδοχείο,
* προσέχεις τη διατροφή σου,
* πέφτεις για ύπνο,
* ξυπνάς και να σηκώνεσαι με μία γρήγορη κίνηση,
* σου λένε ότι είσαι κουλ κι ωραίος,
* νιώθεις κουλ κι ωραίος,
* βλέπεις μια φοβερή ταινία,
* ζεις...

...όταν δεν είσαι με τον άνθρωπο που θέλεις; Ειλικρινά... ξέρετε;

truth about [false] love

2007-01-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

Πώς ξέρεις ότι είσαι ερωτευμένος; Όταν, χωρίς δεύτερη σκέψη, παίρνεις το πρώτο διαθέσιμο αεροπλάνο και πετάγεσαι μέχρι την άλλη άκρη της χώρας [ας μην πω κόσμου και φανώ υπερβολικός], μόνο και μόνο για πέντε λεπτά με το άτομο το οποίο λατρεύεις.

Πώς ξέρεις ότι ΔΕΝ είσαι ερωτευμένος; Όταν σε παίρνουν τηλέφωνο και σου λένε ότι έχουν παρκάρει ακριβώς έξω από το σπίτι σου και θέλουν να σε δουν, αλλά εσύ απαντάς ότι «θα ήθελα, αλλά... τώρα... δεν ξέρω... βασικά... πώς θα γίνει... δεν... καταλαβαίνεις».

Δε χρειάζεται να έχεις σπουδάσει αστροφυσική ούτε να το παιδέψεις πολύ στο μυαλό σου. Μερικά πράγματα είναι απλά και η φύση η ίδια σου τα υπογραμμίζει, ώστε να μη χρειαστεί να ταλαιπωρείς τον εαυτό σου με ανυπόστατα διλήμματα.

Από εκεί και πέρα, αν έχεις μάθει στη ζωή σου απλώς να σε παρασύρουν οι άνθρωποι με έντονη προσωπικότητα και από ένα σημείο και έπειτα [μη σου πω από την αρχή...] να μην είσαι σε θέση να ξεχωρίσεις τι επιθυμείς εσύ ο ίδιος και τι σου έχουν επιβάλει έμμεσα [ή άμεσα] οι άλλοι... well… that’s your fucking problem, isn’t it?

Turn off the lights please…

through the looking glass

2006-12-31T16:05:00.000-08:00

Aπλώς ήθελα να [σου] πω ότι τις προάλλες που έτυχε [;] να κάνουμε για λίγες ώρες κάτι πάρα πολύ απλό και συνηθισμένο, ένιωσα πάλι όλα αυτά που νιώθω από την πρώτη στιγμή που... ξέρεις...
Και δεν έχω ιδέα πως ή γιατί συμβαίνει αυτό...
Γνωρίζω όμως ότι είναι μοναδικό και με κάνει να αναθεωρώ τα πάντα...
Γιατί, λοιπόν, δεν στο είπα;

...

Γιατί δε ξέρω αν έχει νόημα [πια]
Γιατί έχω βαρεθεί να τα λέω...
Γιατί έχω κουραστεί να μην τα ακούω...
Γιατί δεν μπορώ να βγάλω κανένα ασφαλές συμπέρασμα.
Γιατί, ούτως ή άλλως, δεν ήταν κατάλληλη η στιγμή ή η περίοδος γενικότερα...
Γιατί αρχίζω και πιστεύω ότι σημασία έχει πάντοτε το «αμέσως μετά» και όχι απλά το «τώρα».
Γιατί δεν έχω να προσθέσω κάτι καινούριο.

Δεν το είπα γιατί δεν το είπα... Tι θέλεις τώρα δηλαδή;.. [Αλήθεια, ξέρεις τι θέλεις;]

Καλή χρονιά!

post mortem

2006-02-08T01:47:00.000-08:00

Sod any other list you may bump into... Just with a two months delay :-) here are the one hundred and... something best albums of 2005! Enjoy...

Rock/Pop
Antony And The Johnsons I Am A Bird Now [Secretly Canadian]
Joseph Arthur Our Shadows Will Remain [14th Floor]
Athlete Tourist [Parlophone]
Brendan Benson The Alternative To Love [V2]
City And Colour Sometimes [Hassle]
Coldplay X&Y [Parlophone]
Doves Some Cities [Heavenly]
Patrick Duff Luxury Problems [Harvest]
Brian Eno Another Day On Earth [Hannibal]
Final Fantasy …Has A Good Home [Tomlab]
The Go-Betweens Oceans Apart [Yep Roc]
Hal Hal [Rough Trade]
Hard-Fi Stars of CCTV [Atlantic]
Richard Hawley Coles Corner [Mute]
Jack Johnson In Between Dreams [Brush Fire]
Little Barrie We Are… [Genuine]
Madrugada The Deep End [EMI]
Paul McCartney Chaos And Creation In The Backyard [Parlophone]
Malcolm Midldleton Into The Woods [Chemikal Undergroud]
Nine Horses Snow Borne Sorrow [Samadhisound]
Ocean Colour Scene A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad [Sanctuary]
William Shatner Has Been [Shout Factory] *
The Sights The Sights [Sweet Nothing]
Stereophonics Language.Sex.Violence.Other? [V2]
Rufus Wainwright Want Two [Dreamworks] *
War Against Sleep Invitation To The Feast [Fire]

Alternative
Art Brut Bang Bang Rock’n’Roll [Fierce Panda]
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Howl [Echo] Bikini Atoll Liar's Exit [Remote Control/Bella Union]
Bloc Party Silent Alarm [Wichita]
British Sea Power Open Season [Rough Trade]
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Clap Your Hands Say Yeah [self released]
Clor Clor [Regal]
The Cribs The New Fellas [Wichita]
The Dead 60s The Dead 60s [Deltasonic]
The Departure Dirty Words [Parlophone]
Editors The Back Room [Kitchenware]
Elbow Leaders Of The Free World [V2]
Engineers Engineers [Echo]
Gang Of Four Return The Gift [V2]
M83 Before The Dawn Heals Us [Gooom]
Mew …And The Glass Handed Kites [SONY BMG]
The National Alligator [Beggars Banquet]
Oceansize Everyone Into Position [Beggars Banquet]
22-20s 22-20s [Heavenly] *
VHS Or Beta Night On fire [Astralwerks] *
The Zincs Dimmer [Thrill Jockey]

Post Rock/Eclectica
Eftreklang Tripper [Leaf] *
The Evpatoria Report Golevka [Shayo]
From Monument To Masses Schools Of Thought Contend. [Dim Mak]
Halfset Dramanalog [Elusive]
My Beloved On Happiness Hill [NCB] Tristeza A Colores [Better Looking]
Yann Tiersen Les Retrouvailles [Labels]

Hard’n’Heavy / Punk’n’Roll
Arch Enemy Doomsday Machine [Century Media]
Big Business Head For The Shallow [Hydra Head]
Black Mountain Black Mountain [Jagjaguwar]
Cave In Perfect Pitch Black [Hydra Head]
CKY An Answer Can Be Found [Island]
Coheed And Combria Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness [Equal Vision]
Fully Down Don’t Get Lost In A Movement [Fearless]
Funeral For A Friend Hours [Atlantic]
God Forbid IV: Constitution Of Treason [Century Media]
Gratitude Gratitude [Atlantic]
Korn See You On The Other Side [Virgin]
Life Of Agony Broken Valley [Hassle]
The Mars Volta Frances The Mule [Universal]

Motion City Soundtrack Commit This To Memory [Epitaph]
Opeth Ghost Reveries [Roadrunner]
Pelican The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw [Hydra Head]
Red Sparowes At The Soundless Dawn [Neurot]

Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions [Roadrunner]
Scum Gospels For The Sick [DogJob]
System Of A Down Mezmerize/Hypnotize [Columbia]
Taproot Blue-Sky Research [Atlantic]
Team Sleep Team Sleep [Maverick]
This Is Menace No End In Sight [PSI]
Thrice Vheissu [Island]
Time Of Orchids Sarcast While [Tzadik]
Ulver Blood Inside [Jester]
Your Codename Is:Milo Ignoto [Fiction]

Urban
Common Be [Geffen]
Dalek Absence [Ipecac]
Gorillaz Demon Days [Parlophone]
Kano Home Sweet Home [679]
John Legend Get Lifted [Columbia] *
Damian Marley Welcome To Jamrock [Tuff Gong]
Pete Philly & Perquisite Mindstate [Unexpected]
Saul Williams Saul Williams [Wichita] *

Electronica
Audio Bullys Generation [Source]
Richard Davis Details [Kitty Yo]
Dela Gonzalez & Gavin Russom The Days Of March [DFA]
The Go! Team Thunder, Lightning, Strike [Memphis Industries]
The Juan MacLean Less Than Human [DFA]
Kraftwerk Minimum Maximun [EMI]
LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem [DFA]
Jamie Lidell Multiply [Warp]
Minotaur Shock Maritime [4AD]
Out Hud Let Us Never Speak Of It Again [Kranky]
Nitin Sawhney Philtre [V2]
Royksopp The Understanding [Wall Of Sound]
Erik Sumo My Rocky Mountain [Pulver]
Urbs Toujours Le Meme Film… [G-Stone]
Treva Whateva Music’s Made Of Memories [Ninja Tune]
Who Made Who Who Made Who [Gomma]

Soundtracks
Asche & Spencer Stay [Varese Sarabande]
Explosions In The Sky Friday Night Lights [HIP-O] *
Dario Marianelli Pride & Prejudice [Decca]

Jazz
Susi Hyldgaard Blush [Enja]
Enrico Rava Tati [ECM]
Maxence Cyrin Modern Rhapsodies [F Communications]
Marcin Wasilewski, Slawomir Kurkiewicz & Michal Miskiewicz Trio [ECM]

* please do note that the stars indicate all late 2004 releases. Albums in yellow lettering are quintessential.

last but not least

2006-01-18T01:16:00.000-08:00

This blog died on New Year’s Eve from complications of losing its purpose in this web-life. It was one year old.
Soft-spoken and obsessive, HeadOverHell never looked the part of a hopeless romantic. But, in the final days of its life, it revealed an unknown side of its psyche. This hidden quasi-Jungian persona surfaced during the Agatha Christie-like pursuit of its long reputed soul mate, a female blog-browser whom it only actually spent a few precious hours with.
Sadly, the protracted search ended late Saturday night in complete and utter failure. Yet even in certain defeat, the courageous blog secretly clung to the belief that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences.
Uh-uh.
But rather, it’s a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan.
Asked about the loss of his dear blog, Hector Drone, the Pulitzer Prize-winning blogger and executive editor of the New Blog Times, aged 32, described HeadOverHell as a changed blog in the last days of its life. "Things were clearer for it," Drone noted.
Ultimately HeadOverHell concluded that if we are to live life in harmony with the universe, we must all possess a powerful faith in what the ancients used to call "fatum", what we currently refer to as destiny…

In a nutshell, may this blog rest in peace. Thank you all for the ride. Cheers!

anonymous subway surfer

2006-01-11T00:11:00.000-08:00

On weekend I came across a TV set, so I switched it on just to update my knowledge of the world's current affairs... There was an x-ray featurette on Madonna's shooting the video for her single "Hung Up". It was funny and entertaining... And then, at some point, when the crew, the star, and the dancers visit a subway station for the dance scene, mrs Ciccione looked at the camera and said "Good Gosh, it's been ages since I have used the tube. I remember when I visited London for the first time, I thought it was the best and most reliable way to move around the city. Then again... back then I was just a nobody, you know, so..."

The same night I took the train in order to go to the theatre to catch a movie. As I was listening to Korn's "See You On The Other Side" brilliant album through my earphones [sorry about that dear Louise & dear Stuart] and waited for my stop to come, staring at unknown faces around me, I felt an integral part of the Nobody horde. Well... it was not THAT bad...

As the man himself [mr. Marilyn Manson] has put it... "We feed machines and then we pray / Look up and down mortified / You should have seen the ratings that day / We are the nobodies Wanna be somebodies / We're dead, we know just who we are..."

Hey Madonna... guess what! Subway is so much better when you use it as a means of transport instead of rehearsing the same dance moves again and again... So good luck and all that but I am going to, erm, hung up now. Goodnight...

O Tannenbaum

2005-12-28T07:27:00.000-08:00

When I was a child,
I thought that
a new PlayMobil set
was the best present
in the whole wide world.
Maybe
it’s high time
I re-evaluated some things,
wouldn’t you say?…

timing is everything

2005-12-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

Even a clock that’s broken can be precisely right and useful at least twice a day!

Now, that’s not a bad thought to start/end your day, is it?…

weekender

2005-12-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

Monday morning feels so bad,
Ev'rybody seems to nag me
Coming tuesday I feel better,
Even my old man looks good,
Wednesday just don't go,
Thursday goes too slow,I
've got Friday on my mind

Gonna have fun in the city,
Be with my girl she's so pretty,
She looks fine tonight,
She is out of sight to me,

Tonight....I spend my bread,
Tonight...I lose my head,
Tonight...I got to get
tonight

Monday I have Friday on my mind.
Do the five day drag once more,
Know of nothing else that bugs me
More than working for the rich man,
Hey I'll change that scene one day,
Today I might be mad,
Tomorrow I'll be glad,
I've got Friday on my mind,

The Easybeats, “Friday On My Mind”

Great song. As far as the lyrics go… well, I don’t know about that. But it’s Friday alright. And I have the worst hangover in the history of bad hangovers…
But as I am about to turn 32 years old in two month’s time, I come to think of my achievements in this life and I am afraid I have to be honest with you: all those years the only things I never got bored of were the following…

* Managing this great band I had the privilege to work for in a past life
* Being a music journo
* Making tape/cd compilations
* Listening to music
* Browsing in record stores
* Playing pc and console games
* Playing basketball myself
* Talking nonsense with my friends
* Watching movies, even boring ones
* Reading English books
* Spending time with a certain someone

So much for my career progression plans…

funny thing...

2005-11-24T02:22:00.000-08:00

every time
I meet
a pretty girl
and she looks into my eyes...
all I can think is
how beautiful
you are...

wish u were here

2005-11-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

As I am writing down these lines, I find myself in a city that’s not my own. It’s the city my father was born – does this make it my hometown as well? It sure doesn’t feel like one to me… I like it here, though. I like the sea, I like the relaxing vibe out in the streets, I like the fact that everything’s just a walk away from where I am now. Oh, yes… where I am now…

It’s a luxurious room in a five star hotel. From where I am standing right now I cannot see the bathroom – it’s too far in the back corner. In the bathroom, I could easily launch an orgy with one female soccer team, substitutes included. I have my own hi-fi system, an enormous tv set with brand new movies on the menu, a dsl connection, a majestic view and a mini bar so filled it could take the thirst out of the salvation army. Everything’s been paid by someone else and at the wee wee small hours of the morning I sense a quietness that’s not been familiar to me in ages. It’s smoothing and it’s rewarding, if you are willing to stay awake as the night lights fade away…

Tomorrow I will have a ridiculously variable breakfast, I will go to the airport to welcome some interesting people from abroad and, meanwhile, I can see lots of challenging movies. Furthermore, I am already invited in some highly anticipated parties and, to top it all, David Holmes is djing on Friday evening…

So, will I sound too ungrateful, if I say that I’d rather be back home? Or anywhere closer to you, for that matter?...

shake worries from your hair

2005-11-20T12:44:00.000-08:00

There are some things I have never ever said in my life. I haven’t, because I didn’t and still don’t, feel like I really really need the following…

I need a fag
I need a shag
I need a cup of coffee
I need to get some sleep
I need a drink
I need to go shopping
I need to see my shrink
I need to watch TV [or I need to buy a TV set, for that matter]
I need to get a job
I need to break a law
I need to break a jaw [ok, that's a lie...]
I need someone’s help here
I need to take viagra pills :-)
I need to meet my idol
I need to be somebody else
I need to lie
I need to smile like I mean it

Nope, not me… I never needed any of that, so I have never said something similar…

But I’ll tell you that: I really need[ed] to see you tonight…

your wish is my command, your kiss is my demand

2005-11-16T02:52:00.000-08:00

So…
There were many reasons why I haven’t been updating this blog for the past month or so….
Most of them are still going….
However, I now have one good reason to write something new.
Because… I don’t know if I have ever said that but…
I love it when you ask me things. I like doing things that please you but when you ask me, even with your anything but demanding way, I just enjoy them twice as much – don’t know why but I do. So… you wanted a story… let’s see what there is to be posted…

I was out with a friend last night. We smoked some fags, played some pool, pretended we never went to school… oops, wrong chapter… :-)
Anyhoo, we were at this small pub and the dj was playing his 70s guts out, we couldn’t stand any more blues riffs and hard rockin’ boogies so we said our goodbyes and headed for the exit door. And then he run into this guy he knows and he [the other guy] told him “I think I have met someone you know… Actually someone you were going out with sometime in the past. I am not sure I remember her name but…”

And he was right. He had actually met a girl my friend had a thing once. “A thing”… That’s an understatement, to say the least… But you get my point… So when we hit the road, my friend L. turned to me and said: “Why did I have to bump into this guy? The last thing I wanted back there was someone to remind me of my mistakes…”
I thought it was the booze talking and I didn’t consider this to be much of a real deal, to be honest, so I just smiled, turned on the radio and started singing the new Darkness single, “One way ticket to hell… and back”, but he fell silent, so I just knew there was something deeper going on… When we crashed back home and landed on the sofa, putting a Compulsion album on the cd player and letting this take us back in our early nineties semi-grunge adolescence, he started mumbling again irrelevant words about him and his choices and his past and everything. Everything but the girl. But obviously, he just didn’t want to spell her name. Otherwise, everything was indeed about that girl…

The smoke cloud was covering his sleepy eyes, as he sipped down the last beer from my fridge and started snoring there…While I was getting him a blanket I just realized I thought he was a hit & run kinda guy. Not the one who gets stuck with anyone, let alone a girl from the recent past. But obviously, his image is just a mirage he wants us to see and take for granted. The truth is that he has a weak spot. And, cross my heart, if I knew who that girl were… I would have tried to phone her last night, at three o’clock in the morning and explain her everything. Not much that is. Only the substantial fact: he’s in love. Head over he…els…:-)

when it rains, it pours

2005-11-04T00:08:00.000-08:00

My friend M. lost his mother just two days ago. It was not a good year for my friend. He suffered lots of losses. And the last one was the most difficult. They say that you have to get used with the idea that your parents won’t live forever. Well… you don’t, actually. Even if you are close to your 40th birthday or your son’s 20th birthday and he’s about to lose his grandmother… You don’t. Some things never change. And you are your mother’s little boy as long as your mother lives. The moment she’s gone, you’re not her little boy any more. And that’s tough, to say the least…

Throughout this hard year, M. had to cope with situations almost unbearable. But he got through. And I admire him for that. And he still manages to crack a smile. And go on. Do his thing. And he does it well. They say that when you lose your family [parents], only a new family [children] can make up for the loss. I don’t know about that. But I sure know one thing. My friend M. is nice and lovable and excellent as nice and lovable and excellent a guy can get. I cannot describe to you the relation ship he has with his friends. And, because he’s such an exceptional person, he has many friends, he has his own extended family. So, whether he needs a shoulder to cry, a hug to give, a joke to share, a moment of silence to spend, a record to listen to or a great restaurant to propose, there will always be at least two dozen friends to do all that with him. So, in a strange way, you could say that even this year, this very difficult year, M. has been the luckiest person in the world. But he’s not. You are lucky when something happens out of the blue. M is loved because he deserves it. His friends are the lucky ones…

May your mom rest in peace…

P.S. I know I may have no right to ask that from anyone out there but… next time the phone rings, can you please NOT give me any more bad news? Can you please let me know of unimportant issues, of football matches and love crashes and financial problems and cars breaking down and boring days at work and bad moods and crap movies and poor performances by Greek teams in Champions League fixtures, and cancelled gigs and stolen t-shirts and whatever? Thanx…

r.i.p.

2005-10-11T02:32:00.000-07:00

This great guy I have known for twelve years or so died last Thursday night. I went to the funeral on Saturday morning. He was 35 years old.
I thought about writing something close to an obituary but then I felt it was kind of pointless. While I was there, between all his friends who were crying their hearts out, I thought of him and some great jokes he had played on me during the time we were working at the same floor, at the same publishing company. I thought of my close friend Stephen who also died, even younger, aged 22. I thought of me and my choices in this life. And then I thought about the ones whom he left behind without an actual choice.
There is no use writing down all these thoughts. I can't see a reason why I should expose that on just another post. At the same time, I cannot seem to go on updating this blog. I mean, I know life still goes on no matter what, but... sometimes serious things happen. And no great movies or crap records or amusing night out's or whatever really seems to matter. I mean, what am I supposed to do? And, even worse, if I am still looking for an asnwer, can you even begin to imagine what his folks and his girlfriend and his close mates are going through?

Farewell big guy. You were loved. And you will be missed. A lot...

P.S. Thank u Niva for the Sad Wings Of Destiny hint...

total bliss

2005-10-06T03:55:00.000-07:00

He asks “What are you doing the rest of your life?”

She smiles. She’s not exactly sure she gets it…

He insists, because he’s determined not to waste any more time: “Whatever it is that you plan on doing, would you like doing it with me?”

She blossoms.
She hugs him.

He pushes her tight up his body.
They kiss.

She doesn’t need to say “yes”. Her whole existence screams YES,YES,YES!!! As if there is no tomorrow. ..

Lucky for them, there is. And the first beams of light will find their bodies side by side.

care to join me?

2005-10-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

My mind is a very dangerous neighborhood and I should not be walking around it.
At least not alone.
Enter at our own risk then…
Together, shall we?

sweet smell of true love

2005-10-03T03:26:00.000-07:00

It’s very early in the morning.
I am on a bus.
I am overhearing the guy beside me…
I understand he’s leaving a message on an answering machine…

“Hey, it’s me. Just wanted to say how I love the smell of your body on me, now that I am on my way to work. Even better than the smell you leave on my pillows when you get out of my bed. Our bed… Have a nice day…”

And then he obviously hung up his cell phone. But just when I thought he was done, I heard him whispering to himself: “Actually, I like the smell of the whole world since I met you…”

I didn’t turn around to see how he was like.
But I know there is a lucky girl out there somewhere…

walk away

2005-09-30T02:13:00.000-07:00

Τhat’s the highlight of the forthcoming Franz Ferdinand album. The way Alex Kapranos’ voice cracks when he admits “I love the sound of you walking away…”, trying to persuade himself that he doesn't really care makes my heart melt. I guess it’s the Scottish/Greek blood that runs through his veins I have to blame…

I swapped my innocence for pride
Crushed the end within my stride
Said I'm strong now
I know that I'm a leaver

I love the sound of you walking away, you walking away
Mascara bleeds a blackened tear, oh
And I am cold, yes, I'm cold
But not as cold as you are
I love the sound of you walking away, you walking away
I love the sound of you walking away, walking away, yeah hey

Why don't you walk away?
No buildings will fall down
Don't you walk away
No quake will split the ground
Won't you walk away
The sun won't swallow the sky
Won't you walk away?
Statues will not cry

I cannot turn to see those eyes
As apologies may rise
I must be strong and stay an unbeliever
And love the sound of you walking away, you walking away
Mascara bleeds into my eye, oh
And I'm not cold, I am old
At least as old as you are
And as you walk away…

Oh, as you walk away
My headstone crumbles down
As you walk away
The Hollywood winds will howl
As you walk away
The Kremlin's falling
As you walk away
Radio Four is static

Oh, as you walk away
Hey
The stab of stiletto
On a silent night
Stalin smiles
Hitler laughs
Churchill claps
Mao Tse Tung on the back

I love music, we have established that by now… But don’t believe the songs. They lie from time to time. Because if there’s one thing you already know, it’s that I never ever loved the sound of you walking away. Neither the sight of it. Nor the feeling… Especially the feeling.

serenity

2005-09-29T01:10:00.000-07:00

In just a week’s time… I find myself with some money to burn, a brand new notebook and a sofa, a new car WITH a cd player, some stylish trainers, a couple of challenging job assignments, at least one famous actress harassing and almost stalking me, a good night sleep, a phone call from my lawyer that I am, in a way, a wealthy man, some unanswered questions, lots of strings [on the new PSB album] etc etc
Am I supposed to be thrilled and happy as happy one can be?

Make a wild guess…

reeds driftin’ on

2005-09-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

I got no money to spend, no decorated place to crash, no flashy car to drive, no trendy clothes to wear, no challenging job to do, no v.i.p. friends to socialize, no time to sleep, no news from my lawyer concerning a compensation from another life, no questions asked, no strings attached... Nutha…
Then why the heck am I feeling so good?

silver jubilee

2005-09-19T05:28:00.000-07:00

Today my parents celebrate their 40th anniversary…
How about that?
Forty years together!!!
I don’t know about you, but it sounds out of this world to me! Forty consecutive years with one another…
Sure, there have been some fights. Lots of yelling. Some glasses even breaking on the wall, hahaha… But, if you look at them , you just know they are happy. At least as happy as one can get in this life… And I won’t ever forget one thing I have listened my mother saying over the phone to one of her friends. She didn’t know I was listening, obviously: «What can I say, my dear… He’s a stubborn kind of fellow, my husband, oh yes he is. But do you know what? I was watching him the other day, sorting out his books in the huge library of his and I thought, “If I could turn back time, I would fall for the same guy again”… What can I say? I am still under his spell».
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to create this image of the all American family with my folks being head over heels in love after forty years of marriage, two crazy kids and one lovely grand daughter… However, what I would like to point out is that… I kind of envy them. Sure, my dad never learned to program the VCR [although that knowledge would have been proved useless in the dvd era…] and my mother never approved of my obsession for Bad Brains BUT… they seem just fine to me. All right. Balanced. Calm… In terms with themselves. And more than satisfied with their choices.
I am 31 and I still cannot say the same thing about myself… I cannot imagine myself mature enough to cope with parental demands… I don’t have a stable career, the way my father had in my age…. And I don’t think I deserve to be loved the way he was…
Nevertheless, I consider myself to be one hell of a lucky bastard. My parents gave me the privilege to afford to have my own problems and nothing but. I wish I could do the same one day for my children [if any…]
So, mom & dad, I know u r not reading this, but from the bottom of my heart, I wish that, in ten years’ time, you will be both healthy to celebrate your golden jubilee as well. Knowing that you are out there, still doing the right way whatever it is you are doing so well all these years, makes me feel that this world is a better place…
Love,
Your son…

P.S. Ok you guys I know this is not the most rawk’n’roll post ever, but it was the only thing I felt like writing today. Cheers!

not in the mood

2005-09-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

u could say I just had a bad day - but, actually, the day has just begun...

u could say I should be a little more patient, as weekend is just around the corner, tgif etc. - but patience is not my virtue

u could say I should be having the side effects of a good night out, lots of wine and lots of laughing out loud - but that was yesterday and yesterday is too far gone...

u could say I should be thanking God it finally rained - but rain's not enough when the heat won't go away...

u could say I should be more social and polite - but, if I were you, I would think twice before entering my office...

u could say I should be grateful I am in fine health - I know I should, but...

I am just not in the mood. Ok?...

take that and party

2005-09-09T04:05:00.000-07:00

one of the best pop singles of all time and one very good reason why Gary Barlow [who?] deserves our respect… Somehow, I included it in my dj set last night, squeezed between less “cheesy” songs by Psychonauts and Bill Wells Octet… :-)
Everyone cheered up and started singing along. Never underestimate the positive effect of an all time classic tune…

I guess now it's time for me to give up
I feel it's time
Got a picture of you beside me
Got your lipstick mark still on your coffee cup
Got a fist of pure emotion
Got a head of shattered dreams
Gotta leave it, gotta leave it all behind now

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood

Unaware but underlined I figured out this story
It wasn't good
But in the corner of my mind I celebrated glory
But that was not to be
In the twist of separation you excelled at being free
Can't you find a little room inside for me

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood

And we'll be together, this time is forever
We'll be fighting and forever we will be
So complete in our love
We will never be uncovered again

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood

I guess now it's time, that you came back for good

What a song... And mind you, even McAlmont & Butler couldn't outdo the original version...

i luv this game. d'ya love me?

2005-09-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

1-2
We scored the second goal in injury time.
Six minutes after the last minute of the second half.
On stoppage time…
I don’t want to write a review for yesterday’s match. But I want to use it as an example for real life. Because I believe that, at the end of the day, you could say it’s only the final result that counts. I don’t know whether that applies everywhere or not, but, if you really really want something, if u r passionate about it, then you have to exceed yourself in order to win, do whatever it takes, try anything.
And when the final whistle will be blown, just raise your head and take a look at the scoreboard. Who won? Was it you? If yes, congratulations, you deserved it. If not… maybe you should have tried harder… Think about it.
Even after the lights go out all over this scoreboard. The scoreboard of your life… Some manage to qualify for the next round. Others won't be satisfied unless they win the championship... But even then... after some time, they will have to defend their crown. So, it takes a lot of hard work.
But... if u are once a worthy winner, then it can't be that difficult to realize that no, it's not hard work you need. Just relax, take your time, enjoy the game and play it simple - there is no way you are going to lose, I promise you that...

how r u ?

2005-09-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

- F.I.N.E.*
What about you?

- You know, the usual… I.P.O.D.**

- Ok then. It was nice chatting with you.

- Later…

*fucked-up, insecure, neurotic, emotional
**insecure, pressured, over-taxed, debt-ridden

exit wounds

2005-09-06T05:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone who’s someone was there… The aunts, the relatives, the grand children, the gay couple, the “has been” actors, the “sexy till u drop” old ladies, the-pretty-girl-your-mother-wanted-you-to-marry-but-you-never-took-the-time-to-deal-with, the other one you'd had sex ages ago, her sister whom you fancied when you were fifteen, the ghost of your friend who will never come back…Everyone was there. They were all around you. So you chatted, you laughed, you got drunk as drunk one can get on a Sunday noon, you re-exchanged phone numbers you knew you wouldn't use, you toasted, you raised your glass, you saw some others raising their eyebrows for a second, you got bored and, eventually, you said your goodbyes.
Just as you were walking away, the-ever-so-pretty-girl-your-mother-wanted-you-to-marry-but-you-never-took-the-time-to-deal-with [don’t worry, she got married to a ridiculously wealthy ship owner and she’s having the time of her life], comes to you, smiles and asks just one innocent question: “So, have you found the girl of your dreams…yet?”
I mean… am I supposed to read between the lines or am I destined to waltz away glooming?

right till the end

2005-09-02T03:22:00.000-07:00

As I am currently grooving to the new Audio Bullys album, “Generation” [to be released September the 16th], for some reason, I think about my friends. Since childhood, I’ve had a few friends, never had one too many…

Two of my best friends have died. One of them literally, because of cancer at the age of 21… The other one woke up one morning and decided all he ever wanted was to become a monk. He changed his name, left his family and drove all the way up to Holy Mountain. I have only seen him once since then…

But I am a lucky bastard. I may have very few friends but all of them, well, they’re fucking extraordinary…

I met Thanassis K. while still in high school. We got through a lot of hard and funny times together. And it’s a fact that your school buddies are bonded with you in a very special way. We can share and swap almost everything [apart from girlfriends].

Marc French is eight years older than me. He was my boss and mentor at the early stages of my so called career. He’s an incredibly patient guy and knows things about me one could not even dare to imagine… He has managed to summarize my personality in one phrase. Of course I am not going to write it down…. Forget about it!!!

John Dokman served his military duty with me on the very same war ship. We were in close company every single day for 17 crazy months. Suffice to say, it was impossible not to keep in touch right after, so we made it official: I became his best man.

I have known YK for years but he seemed unreachable. However, situations occurred and by the autumn of 2003 we were hanging out on a daily basis. He is one of the most charismatic and cool people I have ever met. Needles to say that when we go out, women only have eyes for him…

There are also some other friends that I don’t get to see that often. Michael K., for example, one of the best drummers in the world under 40, is a great chap but his touring schedule and our working hours that never cross each other keep us from hooking up regularly.

All of them are guys. I don’t have female friends. I don’t think this can be done. There are women I respect, like and with whom I can have a good time, but I don’t exactly consider them friends. It doesn’t work this way. Not for me. I could explain why but that’s material for another post altogether.

The reason why I decided to write about my friends [there are a couple more but on a different level] is because today, when I woke up, I took a look around my flat, had a quick re-evaluation of my life and tried to remember all my hits and misses. As you may have guessed, there have been a few hits and lots of misses. Somehow, my biggest hit is that I have these friends with whom I can share my hits & misses, alli my bits and pieces. Hey, if someone has friends that good where he can depend on, he can’t be all that bad, can I? :-)

So, dear friends, let me say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t know what I’d do without you…

Cheers!

payday my ass

2005-08-31T05:51:00.000-07:00

Mε το μισθό του μηνός Aυγούστου που εισέπραξα χθες…

* Πλήρωσα τα κοινόχρηστα δύο μηνών
* Πλήρωσα την πρώτη δόση από το laptop που πήρα πρόσφατα
* Έδωσα 200 ευρώ που χρωστούσα στο φίλο μου yk
* Πλήρωσα το ενοίκιο
* Πλήρωσα την ασφάλεια του αυτοκινήτου μου
* Πλήρωσα εκπρόθεσμα τη δόση μου στην ασφαλιστική μου εταιρεία
* Ξόφλησα λογαριασμούς ΟΤΕ & ΔΕΗ
* Πλήρωσα το μίνιμουμ ποσό που απαιτούσε η κάρτα μου

Βάζω το χέρι στην τσέπη. Έχω τέσσερα ευρώ και ενενήντα πέντα λεπτά. Και ο Σεπτέμβριος δεν έχει ξεκινήσει καν… Άντε, βρε, καλό χειμώνα να έχουμε…

brother, you should spare a dimmer

2005-08-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

They're called The Zincs. They're from Chicago but expatriated and British based [bonus points for that alone]. Their singer has another band as well, Sophia. I've been listening constantly to their second album, "Dimmer" on the infamous label Thrill Jockey, and, for the last month or so, I thought that it was excellent BUT... there was something missing.

Since mid day, it's raining non stop... Now, I am listening to it again. I take a look out of the window. Raindrops keep falling all over the place... I think I just found out the missing element!

Do yourself a favour, if you are into Spain, Tindersticks, Leonard Cohen, Freakwater or even Chris Isaak [...], get your copy now!!!

ditto

2005-08-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

I just read again
my previous post
and I only have
one thing to say:
couldn't agree more...

it's official

2005-08-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

After almost seven hours talking over the phone, surfing on the net, reading stupid and not so stupid blogs, searching for useless info, answering to business calls only if it were a matter of life and death, sending funny mails to friends, numerous times explaining to our secretary "I'll be out for a while - If anyone asks for me, well, tell them I am not available" in order to get 1. a cup of coffe, 2. sth 2 eat, 3. my music magazines etc, I have the duty, as a grown up man, to admit the truth: there is no fucking way I can work today...

είσαι…

2005-08-25T02:14:00.000-07:00

i. Ανόητος;
ii. Σπάταλος;
iii. Ασυναίσθητος;
iv. Νεόπλουτος;
v. Απελπισμένος;
vi. Υπεράνω;
vii. Όλα τα παραπάνω;
viii. ή απλά μαλάκας…

...όταν πληρώνεις 1.700 δραχμές για έναν καφέ και λες και ευχαριστώ;

knocking on hell's door

2005-08-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

I saw lots of terrible movies in the last weeks: Fantastic Four, Wedding Date and… Edison. What they all had in common was at least one positive element. F4 had Jessica Alba [sweet smile & sexy curves], Wedding Date had some British scenery, Edison had… Dylan McDermott!

That guy had his 15 minutes of fame almost a decade ago, when People magazine declared he was the sexiest man on earth etc but he never quite made it big. He’s mainly a TV star now [seek for the mini series “The Grid”] and he will star on the new Pang Bros horror movie.

Till then, however, he’s the only reason worth paying to see Edison: no, Justin Timberlake is not worth a single penny as an actor [not that he’s worth it as a singer…], Morgan Freeman is bored to death with his own performance, Kevin Spacey has only one good line [Morgan: “God, I think I desperately need a woman!!!” – Kevin: “Well, don’t look at me…”], LL Cool J plays it low & safe as usual but McDermott… well he’s ace.

Because our guy Dylan is supposed to be a cocaine addicted, hard cop, named Lazerov, who belongs in the Special Forces so he doesn’t need to obey to anyone’s rules or any dress codes whatsoever. He never wears his bulletproof jacket, he has his right thumbnail polished, he’s beating the hell out of anyone, he smokes even under unusual circumstances [let’s say when his world is falling apart, but then again, I guess that’s when you need a fag the most] and he cracks from time to time, because of the cocaine addiction, the insomnia and the guilt [in a manner of speaking] for his dirty methods and his selling out… He’s also getting killed at some point and that’s the point of no return for the rest of the movie…

Actually, I’d say Edison has to be avoided at all costs, but at the same time it’s a proof that, sometimes, a good performance comes as a surprise from where [and whom] you’d expect it the least.

Now that was by far the most useless post of this blog’s career…

JELLYFISH - Baby's coming back

2005-08-22T01:03:00.000-07:00

Thank God,

I only encountered one jellyfish during my swimming hours this summer. Even this one was killed on the spot by fearless yk...
:-)

However, Jellyfish was one of my favourite bands of the early [as in TOO early] nineties, and Baby's Coming Back was their second, and most poppy single of their short career. For no obvious reason, my mind has been stuck on its hooky melody since Saturday...

The moment that I saw her,
I knew that my life would soon move over from the fast lane
gone would be the days of all by drinkin and my carrying on
but when I settled down
the party king uncrowned
this stubborn memory hadn't faded
too many dumb mistakes
and all the grief it makes
left nothing else to be debated

and if you say that you understand then you're lyin'
but if you figure that I'm alright now I can't deny it

Baby's coming back
baby's coming back
and I'm on my best behavior
I can't take it anymore
I just woke up on the floor today
I've long run out of my last chances but she's on her way

If I had a dollar for every single time I fought her
I'd buy a handgun
but that couldn't shoot away
the bull's eye that she made on my heart

and if I sound like a beaten man well I guess so
but on her way is the sweetest prize and I can't let go

What I told her on the telephone was that I'd been so bad
I wouldn't blame her if she mowed down these wild oats I'd sown
but when she said she'd give me one more chance
I said knock three times when you arrive

will you?

here she comes again

2005-08-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I left the office early, at about 17.30 or so. I had parked just across the street, so I popped in and within an hour I was at the beach. I swam for about 45’ minutes and then I drove back home. Not my home, as the heat is unbearable these days, so I prefer to spend the nights at my parent’s house, up the mountain.

So I took the road from the seaside to Penteli. The ride is marvellous. Every time I do it, I don’t want the journey to end, especially if the radio plays some good songs [and I am lucky, as both Athens’ “alternative” stations play non stop music these days, due to their producer’s summer holidays]. But this time, it was magical. Because, while still at sea level, I spotted lots of clouds moving near the top of the mountain. So, when I was actually up there, I was driving in the midst of the clouds. It was, erm, cloudy…

I turned on my fog lights and started slowing my speed. Then I saw a couple of cars moving the opposite direction. They had slowed down as well. The drivers had their heads out of the window, smelling the mountain air and feeling the fog’s invisible touch. We exchanged a quick glance. We smiled at each other. It was like sharing something our friends would not believe. For a single moment, we experienced a miracle of nature. We were there, witnessing the clouds embracing the top of the mountain. And then I wished for some rain… I guess that was too much, wouldn’t you say?

It didn’t rain. But when I turned right and took the final, long and winding road to my parents’ house, the radio tried to console me for my failed wish… Some guy obviously remembered that radio friendly, hooky and so catchy Alarm track. God, it’s been 18 years since the first time I listened to it… And still Mike Peters’ welsh accent when he sings those kinda nonsense lyrics… well… it still appeals to me. It was a hell of a summer - but nothing’s the same without you…

Under the anvil of the sun
Sweat, like a train
I come, I come,
My body to dust
Scorched by the might of the sun

Burning light, burning white heat
Like wildfire
I sweat a fever
My body screams
Disintegrates in the heat

Our love is the faith that keeps on burning

I love to feel the rain in the summertime
I love to feel the rain on my face

Burnt at the stake, on a bed of fire
My body rises
Taking me higher
My loves desire
Is pure ascension fire

And then I run ’til the breath tears my throat
’til the pain hits my side
As if I run fast enough
I can leave all the pain and the sadness behind

I love to feel the rain on my face
(in the summertime)

off on holiday

2005-08-05T01:54:00.000-07:00

Yup... Closed 4 business. And there's no business like show business but... I mean, who cares? I am off - and that's the business I am qualified to do perfectly!!! See ya in a couple of days!!!

does he...

2005-08-04T03:47:00.000-07:00

· try to sing?
· show off his new dance move?
· finish a great joke?
· announce his early retirement from the show biz?
· admire himself on the video wall?
· believe he is not being photographed?
· think “that would be a great shot for my blog”?
· consider this night to be his breakthrough?
· impersonate some famous politician?

...Or is he under the impression that those other guys really give a flying fuck about whatever he may be saying?

Q & A

2005-08-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Q: How come you never say to any woman that she’s beautiful or something?

A: Because no woman I know is actually beautiful. It takes to see one to know one. And I have seen all right…

Q: You have seen what?

A: One…

Q: And what did you say to her?

A: I only said what I saw…

Q: How many times?

A: You ask too much...

dead reckoning

2005-08-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

Zombies, man. They creep me out.

Looks like God left the phone off the hook…

happy birthday

2005-08-02T04:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Angelina,

I know you turned thirty this June, but to me it’s like you are 32. Don’t get me wrong, you look way younger and, though I was born a couple of months after you, you have to admit that when we were together… I was the older one. And I liked that part.

I also happen to like you. A lot. With respect to your private life, I am not going to get into more details about our time together, our sex action, our habits and our small fights. With respect to my personal life, I am not going to get into more details about how I missed you and how sorry I am for all the problems my behavior caused us. I understand that you are a celebrity, and the spotlight is always on you. Ι also know it’s very hard for you to express your feelings but your eyes couldn’t help but showing how much you adored me, body and soul.

And thing is… you still do. Even after all these movies. And that’s the one thing I am mostly proud of. That I inspire you…

So, dear Angelina, it’s Tuesday noon, August the 2nd… and I honestly don’t know if I will ever see you again. I am not going to write down, let alone in this blog, all the things that are in my head, let alone in my heart – after all, you already know, don’t you?

But, I want to wish you a very happy birthday.

I think you are a great person. Gifted, charismatic, charming, positive. You can do miracles. You can do wonderful things. You can achieve any goal you want to. You can succeed in any field. You can be happy as happy one can get.

Beautiful, that’s what you are.

Happy birthday my dearest. You are the one.

Love,
Hector

P.S. I will try to reach your agent again next Monday. It will be August the 8th.

la patata list

2005-08-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

TEN SONGS IT’S JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO LISTEN TO AGAIN

1. Deep Purple Smoke on the water [that riff makes me wanna smash a guitar. Not my guitar, though, Ritchie Blackmore’s]
2. The Doors Light my fire [When Ray Manzarek starts playing that circus-ish melody on keyboards, I think the world would be a better place without electric power]
3. The Beach Boys Surfin’ Safari [I mean, how shiny & happy can one be? Have mercy!]
4. Rainbow The temple of the king [“One day in the year of the fox/Came a time remembered well/When the strong young man of the rising sun/Heard the tolling of the great black bell” – ok, nonsense lyrics may be charming sometimes but… Pllllllllllllllllease!!!]
5. No Doubt Don’t speak [Problem is… it’s not that I have listened to it one too many times. Problem is I couldn’t stand it in the first place!!! Urghhhhhhh]
6. The Dandy Warhols Bohemian like you [ok, almost any Dandies song would do, but because of the Vodafone ad, this pretentious indie-trying-to-become-stadium-rock song just gets on my nerves!!!]
7. Tiesto Adagio for strings [The Americans use Samuel Barber’s “original” version everytime a President of the US dies and the Nation’s in mourning. Every single time I listen to it, I feel like a President of the US. Dead…]
8. U2 I still haven’t found what I'm looking for [Let’s say you’re a man, and 18 years after your declaration, you STILL cannot seem to find what the fuck you have been looking for all this time. Wouldn’t you say it’s high time you stopped moaning??? Bono Vox my ass!!!]
9. The Rolling Stones Angie [“…With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats…” There is nothing worse than a cocaine addicted millionaire impersonating a blues singer in no-way-I-am-having-a-mid-life-crisis-as-I-am-on-top-of-the-world crisis. But I could live with that. It’s the song itself that makes even other Stones’ dreadful song sound almost good by comparison]
10. The Kelly Family Fell in love with an alien [for once, words actually fail me]

sealed with a kiss

2005-08-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Love making is marvelous of course, no doubt about that…
However, I believe that some things are underrated: kissing and sleeping together [as actually waking up together, instead of lying in bed for a couple of hours due to the intercourse].
A kiss may be much more than just a lip touching, fluid exchanging experience. Depending on one’s technique and passion it may mean almost everything, the ultimate commitment, if u like… The pleasure can last for countless hours, and the variations are too many to mention – in a nutshell, the list is endless. And the perfect kiss should be endless as well.
Now, as far as sleeping together, it’s no wonder why fans of the old fashioned one night stand usually try to avoid spending the entire night at their new acquaintance’s residence… Because, when you share the same bed with someone, that’s something way more than just a silent compromise or a mutual agreement to try to do whatever. It’s the safety that the male inspires to his lover. The tenderness they have for one another. Her gentle touch during the night. The moaning. The hugs. Even the snoring [in a way and up to a certain level, of course, hahaha].
Most of all, what matters is who's the first person you see right the minute you open your eyes [unless you are into threesome's, it's, most propably, the same person, you saw last, before closing them], first thing in the morning. Messy hair, saliva on the pillow, strange positioning, talking in one’s sleep, morning erection… all that. The intimacy can kill every romantic aspect or can grow it even stronger…
So, I don’t wanna underestimate the value of good old shagging – nope!!! On the contrary, a penetration symbolizes much more than meets the eye [unless the eye watches only porn…hahaha].
BUT, sometimes, a kiss can haunt you forever and a night you've spent holding your lover tight can actually be the best night of your life. May you will be able and worthy to repeat it every night. Till death do you apart…

pre-season cliché

2005-08-01T03:38:00.000-07:00

Apologies to my beloved visitors from abroad, but this one has to be in greek

· H μεγάλη μεταγραφή της ομάδας θα είναι η επιστροφή του κόσμου στο γήπεδο και τα περσινά αποκτήματα, που έχουν πλέον ενσωματωθεί πλήρως.
· Ο βετεράνος αμυντικός παρουσιάζει ένα νέο πρόσωπο στις προπονήσεις: ευδιάθετος, όλο «πειράζει» τους νέους του συμπαίκτες και παρασέρνει με το πάθος του όλη την ομάδα.
· «Φέτος θα είναι η χρονιά μας», δήλωσε ο Ρουμάνος μεσοεπιθετικός της ομάδας, θέλοντας, με αυτό τον τρόπο, να ξορκίσει το κακό πρόσωπο της περσινής χρονιάς!
· «Σημασία σε αυτά τα φιλικά παιχνίδια δεν έχει το αποτέλεσμα, αλλά το “ροντάρισμα" της ομάδας”, δήλωσε ο προπονητής μετά την φιλική ήττα από την Γκρασχόπερς με 0-7.
· Δεν μας ενδιαφέρουν οι ηχηρές κινήσεις των άλλων ομάδων. Εμείς δουλεύουμε βάσει προγράμματος.
· Έφεση άσκησε ο Άρης, ελπίζοντας στη ΦΙΦΑ, για να παραμείνει στην Α’ Εθνική.
· Ο Αχιλλέας Μπέος δήλωσε απλός «φίλαθλος» του Πανιωνίου.
· Ο Σωκράτης Κόκκαλης δήλωσε ότι δεν έχει γνωρίσει ποτέ στη ζωή του τον Τάκη Τσουκαλά.
· Ολυμπιακός γεννιέσαι, δε γίνεσαι.
· Ο Φίγκο στο λιμάνι!
· Στόχος μας είναι η παραμονή. Από εκεί και πέρα, ό,τι παραπάνω καταφέρουμε θα είναι ευπρόσδεκτο!
· Ραντεβού Τζίγγερ-Υπουργού για το γηπεδικό!
· Έβγαλε μάτια ο Ανατολάκης στο φιλικό του Ολυμπιακού με την ομάδα επιλέκτων των επιζώντων από τις βομβιστικές επιθέσεις της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου. Ο διεθνής αμυντικός φάνηκε ευδιάθετος μετά την μονοετή ανανέωση του συμβολαίου του.
· Καλές εντυπώσεις άφησε ο ομογενής επιθετικός από την Αυστραλία που πρότεινε στον ΠΑΟ ο Τζέισον Πόλακ. Σήμερα θα περάσει από ιατρικές εξετάσεις.
· Φέρτε μας τη Ρεάλ – αποκλειστικό ρεπορτάζ από την προετοιμασία του Απόλλωνα Καλαμαριάς!
· Προσφυγή έκανε ο Λάμπρος Χούτος για να μείνει ελεύθερος από την Τρίτη ομάδα της Ίντερ Μιλάνου!
· Έβγαλαν τυα κοστούμια τους οι Ίβιτς-Ντέμης και πήρνα μέρος στην απογευματινή προπόνηση.
· «Δεν έχω τίποτα να χωρίσω με τους άλλους τερματοφύλακες», δήλωσε ο 19χρονος αλβανός πορτιέρο που ήρθε με υποσχετική από τη Βερόνα και αναμένεται να γυαλίζει τον πάγκο της ομάδας.
· «Τα γκολ δεν τα βάζω μόνος μου – είναι όλα αποτέλεσμα συλλογικής δουλειάς», δήλωσε ο σούπερ σταρ της ομάδας, λίγο προτού τσακωθεί με τον προπονητή του, επειδή έγινε αλλαγή στο φιλικό αγώνα με τα Τρία Πηγάδια!
· Ο ΠΑΟΚ είναι η καλύτερη ομάδα στην Ελλάδα.
· Μαύρο ελάφι από την Αφρική εντόπισε ο Ληβαθηνός!
· Θησαυρούς στη Λεμεσό ψάχνει ο ΠΑΟΚ!
· Τη ναυαρχίδα της εθνικής Λουξεμβούργου απέκτησε ο ΟΦΗ!
· Επένδυση στο μέλλον για τον Ιωνικό με την απόκτηση δύο παικτών της εθνικής ελπίδων της Αρμενίας. Τα αδέρφια Μπαρδιζμπανιάν αναμένονται από αύριο στη χώρα μας – πρόβλημα η πλήρης άγνοια της αγγλικής γλώσσας!
· Ανιχνεύει τα Βαλκάνια ο Σέρβος προπονητής της Αθηναϊκού αανζητώντας φτηνές λύσεις για τα μετόπισθεν.
· Το Ζιντάν του Λιχτενστάιν φλερτάρει η Καλλιθέα!
· Λιοντάρι από το Καμερούν φέρνει ο Δώνης στη Λάρισα!
· Δεν τα βρήκαν στο οικονομικό Κυριάκος και ΠΑΕ.
· Λόρδος Μπασινάς – στην Premiership από του χρόνου [εδώ και 4 χρόνια] ο Άγγελος της Εθνικής!
· Τραυματίας ο Πατσατζόγλου – χάνει τη σαιζόν ο άτυχος παίκτης!
· Στόχος η Ευρώπη για Αιγάλεω, Ηρακλή, Χαλκηδόνα!
· «Λίγα λόγια, πολλή δουλειά», υποσχέθηκε ο Ντούσκο, στην επίσημη παρουσίασή του από την ΠΑΕ Ξάνθη!

Αναρωτιέμαι γιατί οι αθλητικές εφημερίδες δεν ανατυπώνουν απλώς τα περσινά ρεπορτάζ, αλλάζοντας τα ονόματα [όπου χρειάζεται…]

like angels ought to smell

2005-07-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.

I had read Frank Miller’s comic a couple of years ago. I knew Robert Rodriguez was talented. I was told that the movie was wonderful. I was amazed by the trailer and the photo still. However, I couldn’t possibly expect to see what I saw. It’s not a matter of taste or a matter of how Rodriguez manages to outTarantino… our kid Quentin or what’s the use of all this violence or how come Mickey Rourke got back from the artistic grave or even if the movie is excellent or not. It’s just that SIN CITY already belongs to Cinematic History. And its feature would be in gold pages, if it were not necessary to have everything in black and white…
The casting, the music, the direction, everything is just perfect. No, it’s not exactly one of the best movies I have ever seen – I wouldn’t even dare to say it’s one of my favorites. But… you HAVE to see it. It’s unique!

This ain't no bar-room brawl. These are the old days, the bad days, the all-or-nothing days. They're back!

read it and weep

2005-07-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

She had been gone and it was quiet… Well, not quiet actually – a little later,he had to go as well. But whenever he looked around and saw the same scenery minus her physical presence… it felt as if it were quiet… You know?

The high speed was, erm, highspeeding on the water. He asked for my pen. I gave it to him. He looked determined. He needed a pen. I was glad I was there to give him one… He started writing. Writing to reach her, obviously. I tried to pretend I wasn’t noticing but I managed to look over his shoulder a couple of times. I could only read some words but it made sense in a way. I mean, I think I can guess what he was writing. I believe he wrote about the songs they talked about. The songs they listened to together. About the feelings they didn’t honestly talk about in deep. About the melodies that surrounded her. About the soundtrack of their lives. About how safe and relaxed and in love he made her feel. About how complete and high she made him feel. About how their bodies matched perfectly together. How great their kisses were. About how she inspired him. About how she missed him. About how she couldn’t think of anything else. About their love making… All night long. And all day long as well. About music. About seeing in his eyes and having her heart ache. About her moving around and making his heart skip a beat. About every useless, non practical, stupidly romantic, nothing to do with reality, beyond the daily facts thing you could ever imagine.

I smiled. He didn’t see me smile. He couldn’t know. He was lost in his world. Their world. I think he’s a fool. The world is full of romantic losers. They make me and some others seem gifted and capable of anything… Ha!
I smiled. He kept on writing. He was alone. He had his earphones on and I could listen to some hi hat sounds. I smiled. Most probably he would never finish the letter – and she would never read it. Most probably he wouldn’t have the guts to deliver it anyway… I mean, who cares?

Well… I care. Because I had this ironic smile, these train of cynical thoughts and this superiority spark in my executively trained eye but… I was jealous. Of him. Of her. Of their relation ship. Of the songs they shared. Of their short holiday. Of everything they got together. I envy something I cannot exactly dig. It’s not that I am after what I ain’t got or what I miss. It’s just that he looked so absorbed… So happy, lost in his words. My pen, a pen I had used so far only to sign contracts and approve budgets and give professional e-mail and telephone numbers to other successful pros like me… well my pen, looked like my… ex pen actually. Because it was on fire. And if it could only talk – I bet it’d tel you that its goal in life was fulfilled. It was used for a love letter, whereas I had been misusing it and abusing it all along.

I stopped smiling. I got up and changed a seat. He looked straight up and made a move with his hand. He was giving me back my pen. Now he was the one gently smiling. “It’s ok, keep it”, I said, “I have lots of them”… That was a lie. It was my favorite pen. But I never asked to get it back. I trusted it was happy in his hands, writing words of love and strong emotion and missing heartbeats and wet eyes and exciting thrills and endless touches and caresses…

The next day, I resigned. My company’s accountant called me to sign some papers. I asked for a pen. He gave me one. It was out of ink. Mechanically, I put my hand in my suit’s pocket. “Silly you”, I thought, "you gave away your favorite pen just a day ago"… But, my fingers touched something that felt like a pen. I drew it out. It was a pen. That pen! The pen was there. The very same pen!

“I have never seen a man smiling so glowingly the very moment he signs his resignation!”, the Money Man said. I was smiling again. And I hadn’t even realized it… So, this is the first step to happiness or what?…

I wonder if she ever read his letter… If they’re still together. If they ended up hurting one another. If they could ever suspect how much I owe them… Even more than I envy them. Still.

take me down to the ocean [of your eyes]

2005-07-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a hell of a summer to be lying so low
Dogs and cats dropping down in the street
Yellow bellies crying trick or treat/trick or treat, and I say to you ....
It's been a hell of a summer to be lying so low
Every word of kindness tastes like bile
Deep in our hearts, we knew it all the while, and I say to you ...
In the heat of the summer, to be kept lying way down so low
What you have sir, dispose of at your will
What you cannot have sir, you must kill/you must kill, and l say to you
It's been hell

I’ve been away for 15 days. It’s been a hell of a fortnight… The first week was sheer magic: Santorini is by far the best place in the world. I read books, I listened to unbelievably many cd’s, I’ve met some nice people, I slept a lot, a swam two and a half hours every day and I hardly moved my ass away from the hotel facilities. It was the first time I went on holiday all by myself. I had such a great time that I am afraid I will only do so from now on… :-)

Nah, I am only joking. But it’s true that at this very special period of my life, I had to do it.

And now I’m back
to let you know
I can really shake 'em down...

Erm… wrong quote. Let’s try again…

And so I'm back
from outer space
I just walked in to find you here
with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed my stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second
you'd be back to bother me…

Hahaha. Wrong lyric again!!!. Let’s play shuffle to see what the cat will drag in…

I heard you really got sick
Sick in Santorini
You found a Greek who liked martinis
You used the olives for bikinis

You never like to take it slow
Forever fire you were roaring
Like Niagara Falls you were pouring
No act of God could slow your party down

But every story got and ending
You kissed every boy saint and sinner
Your Grecian holiday was a winner
'Til they had to scrape your head up off the ground

I heard you really got sick
Sick in Santorini
The sun was down and you were frying
The boys weren't around and you were dying

You know, you know, you got sick

Hahaha, what a song… Anyhoo, Let’s put Dada [the band] aside and eat just the olives out of our martinis. I just wanted to let you know that I am actually back and I will update my blog – just give me some time to catch up with my e-mails and I will get back to you [and hopefully not AT you] anytime soon. Yup, you can see that both as a promise and a threat! :-)

contradiction

2005-07-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

You have to claim what's important for you. You have to fight. You have to take it yourself. Chase it as far as it will go - and even further. You have to make it work. You have to try...

Everything happens for a reason. If it doesn't happen the way you wanted it, then it just wasn't meant to be...

So... has anyone figured out how life works, by the way?
[this question is rhetorical - i'd rather you comment other posts that still have zero comments. see below]

I am thinking about giving up trying. It's high time I tested if life has actually a plan aside for me. Because, to be honest, I don't wanna take it to the limit...

london's burning

2005-06-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

THEY'RE ALREADY HERE...

England is under attack. The hostile, red spacecraft landed a couple of blocks away from Big Ben...

However, until you get to see them in your neighbourhood [or in a theatre near you], the question remains the same:
If you work as a cleaner and you are supposed to have your company's offices clean and ready at eight o' clock in the morning... does that mean that your weekend starts on Fridays, at eight o'clock in the morning? If yes, is it too late for me to apply for a new career? And don't tell me you don't value the extra bonus of NOT having to actually meet your so called colleagues...

P.S. If u don't feel glamorous enough with the term "cleaner" you can always use the rather more effective "hygiene manager". It sounds stupid enough so as to impress some idiots...

read between the lines

2005-06-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

Have a nice day

See you soon

Hope we'll meet again

Maybe we could go out sometime or something

I wish you all the best

May you live happily ever after with your lovely wife

Have a great weekend, will ya?

How was your two-week holiday?

Excellent! See you next month, then...

Your son is very sweet!

My God! It's you! I mean, how long has it been?

Yeah, I know. We're getting married in ten days.

Do you want me to show you the ring he gave me, when he proposed?

I just got back from my honeymoon!

What can I say? He's just... perfect! I am in total bliss...

He is by far the most wonderful guy I have ever met!

To cut a long story short, he's the best thing that ever happened to me. What about you, though? Any luck with your ladies?

I am flying over to Paris for a mini break. He's going to wait for me with his cabriole to the airport...

Describe him in just two words? Let me think... Great Sex! Yup, I think that will do...

Well, you know, I noticed his confidence right from the start...

So, do you STILL buy records, play games and live in this semi-abandoned flat?

Well, I guess some things never change, do they? Anyway, I hope you will be ok...

I just called to say hi... And, by the way, where do you want me to send the wedding invitation?

We should catch up sometime. What? No, can't do next week. I am going to escort somebody in the ambassador's ball...

In the movie business, ha? Good, good for you. Me? Nah, nothing special. Just flied back from New Zealand. We had an international nuclear science meeting - just the top ten scientists from around the globe... Nothing extraordinary, though. But next week, we're going to the moon and back...

God! You haven't changed a bit. Still look like a twenty five year old!!!

My old phone number is no longer in use. I will send you an sms with my new one, ok?

Where did you say you live now?

I am afraid I am not going to make it. I am out of time... Sorry about that. Have fun, though...

Give them my love, will ya?

Bye!!!

Excellent lines, all of them. But what happens when they're addressed to you by the love of your life? They kinda suck, don't they? Big time...

space invaders

2005-06-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

They're already here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Summer, the last war on Earth won't be started by humans.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They've been planning this for a million years. And these are only the first. They'll keep coming. This is not a war. This is an extermination!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No one would have believed in the early years of the twenty-first century that our world was being watched by intelligences greater than our own. That as men busied themselves about their various concerns, they observed - and studied. With infinite complacency, men went to and fro about the globe, confident of their empire over this world. Yet, across the gulf of space, intellects vast, and cool, and unsympathetic regarded our planet with envious eyes... and slowly, and surely, drew their plans against us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps i am a man of exceptional moods. i do not know how far my experience is common. at times i suffer from the strangest sense of detachment from myself and the world about me; i seem to watch it all from the outside, from somewhere iconceivably remote, out of time, out of space, out of the stress and tragedy of it all...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In about 24 hours, the War Of The Worlds will have begun. Where will you be?...

multiple choice

2005-06-24T03:24:00.000-07:00

Σου γαμάω τη ψυχολογία γιατί…
Α. είμαι σημαντικός για σένα;
Β. δεν μπαίνω στον κόπο να καταλάβω τις ανάγκες και τις ευαισθησίες σου;
Γ. είμαι ο μόνος που δεν σε «χαϊδεύω» όλη την ώρα, ώστε να σε επιβεβαιώνω;
Δ. θέλεις απλώς μία αφορμή για να έχεις γαμημένη ψυχολογία;

overnight success [not quite]

2005-06-24T02:06:00.000-07:00

"It has been a difficult journey of late and we now realise that we have achieved what we set out to do...

Alright then, what a long strange trip it's been, but hey, all things must pass, God bless you all!"

And that was Six By Seven's farewell to arms! Nothing dramatic, nothing pretentious, nothing pomptuous, nothing... too much anything!!! One of the best guitar bands of the last decade just decided to call it a day.
But the songs remain the same... And, hey, that was a hell of a songbook...

the riddler returns

2005-06-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

Riddle me this, Batman...
There are three men in a boat with four cigarettes but no matches. How do they manage to smoke?
Throw one cigarette overboard and make the boat a cigarette lighter

love is a battlefield

2005-06-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was trying to tide up my old play room. So I put away all the boxes containing playmobil and lego and subbuteo teams, action figures and lots of toy soldiers. I intented on giving them away to some charity organisation. But I was too tired to finish the job, so I left them in the corner… But… would you believe that?… I woke up at six o clock in the morning because of the noise: bullets, bombs, rockets, screaming, fighting and that bloody smoke! I couldn’t even breath… But when I opened the door… here’s what I saw. I am lucky I had my cell phone camera along, otherwise, you’d say I am kidding ya…

Step by step, heart to heart, left right left
We all fall down like toy soldiers
Bit by bit, torn apart, we never win
But the battle wages on for toy soldiers

It's getting hard to wake up in the morning,
My head is spinning constantly. How can it be
How could I be so blind to this addiction
If I don't stop the next one's gonna be me.
Only emptiness remains, it replaces all, all the pain.
Won't you come out and play with me

the riddle

2005-06-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

There's a room in my mind where no one can ever enter...

The [magic] mushroom

for a moment there... you were riding on my shoulder

2005-06-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

I want you to take a moment, and I want you to look each other in the eyes. I want you to put each other in your hearts forever because forever is about to happen here in just a few minutes.

Being perfect is not about winning. It's about you and your relationship with yourself, your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didn’t let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is you did everything you could. There wasn’t one more thing you could've done. Can you live in that moment as best you can, with clear eyes, and love in your heart, with joy in your heart? If you can do that gentlemen - you're perfect! And I want you to put that in your hearts. Boys my heart is full. My heart is full.

I'll miss the heat…

I'll miss the lights…

wuthering heights

2005-06-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

Don’t ask me
What you know is true
Don’t have to tell you
I love your precious heart

I told you
That we could fly
’cause we all have wings
But some of us don’t know why

I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart

We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I’d make wine from your tears

singing the same theme

2005-06-18T03:02:00.000-07:00

Everytime you go away
You take a piece of me with you

Can’t you see we’ve got everything?...

sex as a weapon of mass destruction

2005-06-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah they were all yellow,

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful

I swam across
I jumped across on you
Oh all the things you do
Cause you were all yellow

I pulled a string
I pulled a string for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow

Its true look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look at the stars look how they shine for you

Do puppets [on a string] have skin and bones? Well, even if they don’t, they sure as hell have not a low sex drive either…

shoot that poison arrow

2005-06-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

Ι heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
but you don't really care for music, do you?…
well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth
the minor fall and the major lift
the baffled king composing hallelujah

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
you saw her bathing on the roof
her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you

Well there was a time when you let me know
what's really going on below
but now you never show that to me do you?
but remember when I moved in you
and the holy dove was moving too
and every breath we drew was hallelujah

Leonard Cohen, John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Lucky Jim, Bono, Alison Crowe, kd lang

[holding out for a] HERO

2005-06-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

When you try your best but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired that you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?
High up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth

I promise you I will learn from the mistakes

LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME
AND IGNITE YOUR BONES
AND I WILL TRY TO FIX YOU

[ Coldlpay, "Fix You" - fix it even if it ain't broken, then... :-) ]

Gromit is my new hero [not that I ever had an old one…]. He’s a dog. Of British origins. He never speaks. So, ok, he’s not exactly the perfect companion for a crazy Saturday night, but Saturday night only lasts, erm, one night a week. And Gromit can be excused for that very night… So, yes, I am positive, Gromit is my hero.

But I am yours. Your hero. Your rock star…

vampires walkin’ through the valley

2005-06-10T02:48:00.000-07:00

“Why do we fall, Bruce, why do we fall?
So that we’ll learn to pick up ourselves…”

Alfred Pennyworth, trying to persuade master Wayne that even Batman is a man. And every man falls sometimes. Every single one...

Some fall in the ground. Some fall behind. Some fall from great heights, screaming their way down. Some fall big time, so they crash for good. Some fall over and over again, addicted to their own mistakes. Some fall just for fun. Some climb higher and higher but they feel like falling. Some are whistling the Free Fallin’ tune. Some fall down, they collapse… Some fall apart, searching hopelessly for an inner strength they never had in the first place. Some fall on others because, even in bad times, they cannot deal with reality. Some fall about, in order to exorcise their demons. Some fall among others, because they cannot bear the thought of being special. Some fall away, unable to compete with timeworn routine. Some fall back so as never to be forced to claim something. Some fall for money or power. Some fall flat on their faces, just because they aimed too high or because others want them to be the fall guys. Some just fall into line because they feel they deserve nothing more. Some fall out with each other. Some fall over themselves and still never manage to get it right. Some fall short – you know, shit happens. Some fall through and crash into a wall. Some fall back on a faded memory. Some just fall asleep before making up their minds.

And there are some who fall in love. Head over he..ll

Oh life bugger [off]

2005-06-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

That’s me in the corner…
That’s me in the spotlight
Losing my patience
Trying to keep up with work
And I don’t know if I can do it
Oh no I’ve said too much
I haven’t said enough

But that was just a dream

Consider this
The hint of the century
Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees failed

I hate this song. And I am not a big fan of R.E.M. either

But I am so frustrated right now. I am so fucking furious, I could even pick up a fight against Mike Tyson. Yeah, alright, I’d lose big time and probably couldn’t even walk back home on two legs… BUT… at least the pain would scare away the anger.

Cause you can call me many names. You can accuse me of many things. You can say I am always nagging, I am lazy, I am not responsible, I am playing stupid, I am worthless as a friend, I am a selfish lover, that I should get a life beyond my imaginary music world, whatever the fuck you want! BUT YOU CANNOT EVEN DARE TO SAY I AM UNFAIR! AND, EVEN WORSE, YOU CANNOT JUST IMPLY THAT WITH YOUR BEHAVIOUR, JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW I AM FAIR ENOUGH NOT TO GET BACK AT YOU!!! AS FAIR AS ONE CAN BE, ACTUALLY...

Isn’t it the most exasperating thing? To play it safe, by provoking a guy who you know is not going to return the “compliments” because he, in total contrast to you, respects some basic things?

You will never read this post. I wouldn’t ever give you the fucking honour to read my actual thoughts and feelings. You will never know. You can fuck off – but, quite probably, that’s exactly what you would like to do instead of making my life miserable. Newsflash: you cannot do that. You can only try – and then fail. [both the fucking and the making miserable parts... :-) ]

And, oops, how about that?…

I think I thought I saw you try

save the last dance for me

2005-06-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Choose life.
Choose a job.
Choose a career.
Choose a family,
Choose a fucking big television
Choose washing machines, cars,
compact disc players, and electrical tin openers.
Choose good health, low cholesterol
and dental insurance.
Choose fixed-interest mortgage repayments.
Choose a starter home.
Choose your friends.
Choose leisure wear and matching luggage.
Choose a three piece suite on hire purchase
in a range of fucking fabrics.
Choose DIY and wondering who you
are on a Sunday morning.
Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing
sprit-crushing game shows
Stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth.
Choose rotting away at the end of it all,
pishing you last in a miserable home
Nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish,
fucked-up brats
You have spawned to replace yourself.
Choose your future. Choose life.

But why the fuck would anyone want to do a thing like that?

It’s been almost a decade since Renton did his monologue, reading Irvine Welsh lines over PF Project’s techno sounds…

I have chosen lots of jobs since then. A couple of unfinished careers. A television that big I cannot afford to buy it. A car. No washing machine whatsoever. Too many cd players to mention. I open the tins myself, no electricity needed, thank you. My health is fine, although I am not much of a sleeper. I tend to keep my cholesterol low and my dental smile as white as possible. I avoid mortgage, payments and repairs in general. I choose my friends among the ones who choose me first. I’d like a luxurious suite on a holiday abroad. I've always ben more into DIY punk than DIY IKEA furniture. My wear is not that stylish, as I only replace clothes that are too old but not that old to be old-fashioned. I have a great couch, a gift from my best man, but usually, I lie there, I don’t sit. I hate watching tv, so if I had one, I’d use it for my playstation games. I used to love junk food but now it all tastes the same so I am not up for it. I may be miserable and I may be rotten, but I won’t be the judge of that. I am not in a position to embarrass anyone apart from myself. The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades…

I have chosen lots of other things as well, some way more important than the ones mentioned above. Some choices were crucial, some proved to be wrong, some are still in question, some don’t worth bothering. You could say that I even have few regrets but, more or less, I’ve had my share of all flavors, so I got no complaints…

However, I never felt that I had to choose a life. And If I did… then… I am doomed – ‘cause I haven’t realized that the life I am living is the life I once chose. Like a true Nick Hornby hero, I prefer my options open – that’s why I still keep my final choice for later, like the most delicious bite from your food, that you technically corner at the side of your plate. Save the best for last, they say… Well… why am I beginning to wonder whether that “last” is not that far away after all?…

that subliminal kid

2005-05-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

I started walking up the pedestrial road to Irodeio Theatre, just downside Acropolis. It was a warm summer-ish nigh. Αt least 3.500 people were there. I was stunned! I thought it would just be me, myself and I, best case scenario. But I was wrong.
And when Paul D. Miller, better know as DJ Spooky, stood in front of us at 21.15 sharp, he just said “Wow!”

And WOW indeed! He is the first dj that ever played in a theatre that is… 1850 years old! His records are not distributed massively in Greece but there he was, opposite 3500 people waiting to listen to him mixing and spinning his sounds, scoring an alternative soundtrack for D.W Griffith’s 1915 movie, “Birth Of A Nation”. The screening began, a mutant version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" hit us through the sound system and, for the next ninety minutes or so, we witnessed an extraordinary gig.

I am not going into any details but, for those unfamiliar with the movie [don’t worry, it’s not exactly a mainstream blockbuster production], I will just underline the fact that it is still used by none other than... the Ku Klux Klan as a “recruiting device”, despite the racist content, or rather, just because of it. According to that movie, the African Americans have divided the US Nation, so the country must be re-delivered to white rulers… Anyhoo, I have never been in the States, but I know that racism still exists there, even though one would believe that the KKK belongs to a forgotten past. Unfortunately, that is not the case!

Nevertheless, the point is that DJ Spooky took a controversial [to say the least] movie that’s more of a call up to arms and a propaganda tool instead of an artistic document [although, technically speaking, it’s kind of interesting] and managed to counter-narrate the tale, spreading the message in a complete different way. As he told us before the gig, in his short introduction, “Those who do not understand the past are doomed to repeat it.” Words of wisdom [erm, actually, this quote is Santamaya's, the LATAM philosopher]...

I despise politics and this blog is bored to death when it comes to analyze things that are too serious to deal with within a blog limitations. But, the music was fantastic, the scenery was majestic, the combination of the phat beats, cinematic strings and… ancient stones was inspiring and when the sounds went off… the night proved to be still young.
And I might as well witness the re-birth of a nation, but I also had a good night out. And spooky that… it was not. So, call me shallow, but “nice” is always a good option…

As a matter of fact…
Call me morbid, call me pale…
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years
On your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail

But if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life…

recurring dream

2005-05-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

Wokeup@04.30andfeltlikewrittinginBrettEastonEllis’style.
SoIpickedupapenamdstartedwirtingdownsomerandomthoughts.
Butitprovedtobethathteywerenotrandomatall.
TheywereallexcludedfromadreamIjusthad. SoIwasdrivingreallyfastandIfeltliketherewasnothingforme
tolose,asifiwasplayingGrandTurismoorsomething,
onlythatwasnogame-itwasreal.
AndsuchwasmyspeedthatIcouldn’tseeclearlytheothervehicles
andpassengersorlights. Butnothingcouldgetinmyway. AndIturnedonmyrightandtherewasagirlandsheestaredright
intomyeyesandheldmyhandandwhisperedinmyear
“Iloveyoumorethanyouwilleverknow”. IthinkthatwastruebutrightthenwecrashedandIdon’tknow
ifwediedornotbutwhenIcheckedonhershewasn’tthere.
Somaybeitwasjustacrush,youknow?
Nothingmore,nothingless. And that’sthe“less”…

I can see my life from here

2005-05-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

There are many things I could write…

About my experiences of a past life as a music journo. About my experiences last night in the Box, where all my life passed like a near death experience in front of my eyes – but in slow speed. About all the damned, doomed and gloomy drunks that drank their hearts out in front of me at the bar, while I swang along to me sounds…
About some new records I came across and got excited with. About the forthcoming ISIS gig with JESU supporting tomorrow. About how much and, most important, why I hate the greek eurovision contest song. About famous local singers managing perfectly not to do their military service without facing any problems whatsoever.
About some really crazy, deranged and disturbed people that live among us. About the new System Of A Down album that will definitely go to #1 in the US. About how I hate some people. About how insensitive I feel. About how even more insensitive I am…
About how I loved Wicker Park [the movie] and how I listen to the soundtrack just before I fall asleep. About how much I missed the days I was practicing karate and felt stronger than anyone around. About how much I would like to play basket ball for the National Team. About how old my niece grew just in two weeks when she was in her new home, in Switzerland. About how I can’t stand the heat and I cannot believe summer lasts for six months in this bloody country!!!
About how bad I need a holiday. About how much I miss some friends I haven’t been able to meet for some time. About how strange it was when I stumbled upon an old school mate, ten years after our previous meeting. About what I am planning to do this weekend.
About all the stupid spam mail that insist on trying to sell me viagra pills and pc accessories [as if that combination would secure maximum pleasure – endless net sex in front of a luxurious screen!!!].
But… who would read any of that? And why on earth would I write such a thing? There are worse things I could do, aren’t there? So, I think I will go for that…

Random Rated R

2005-05-06T00:56:00.000-07:00

· The best porno flick title ever: "My first time... volume VI"

· The best song to listen to your discman walking your way to work on an early morning: The Jam's "Going Underground". What a bassline!

· The out of competition best way to start your day: an e-mail with an attachment under the code name KARDAMILI

· The best current t-shirt slogan: Quit Your Job!

· The best song title: Rubin Steiner’s “Your Life Is Like A Tony Conrad Concert”

· The best anthology title: Steve Wynn’s “What I Did After My Band Broke Up”, collecting his solo years [post Dream Syndicate]. Mediocre material, great title

· Music to my ears: Your voice, over the phone

· Best movie I have seen lately: Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind. What a script! What a direction!

· Second best thing I’d like to do right now: Play “The Punisher” in PS2

· Highlight of the week: anytime soon

and there were times I'd take my pen...

2005-05-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

…And feel obliged to start again
I do profess that there are things in life
That one can’t quite express
You know me I’m acting dumb-dumb

You know me…

But even if you don’t, it’s not that difficult to understand I’m acting really dumb-dumb, is it?

Another sign with no regret
More coins inside her hand
One more time to own respect
No mercenary she stands
I'm no boy stealing pennies from the poor
Break it down
Can't you see she's the dum-dum girl

Another hand upon her hair
Time probably erased distaste
And so she's left outside of guilt
Break it down
Can't you see she's the dum-dum girl

Anyhoo, enough with 80s’ songs’ lyrics…

Some people say that what I know should be kept secret,
Some people say I don't know anything at all,
Some people say that what I do could be dangerous,
Some people say I don't do anything at all.

Some people say this is a blog that needs some posts in,
Some people say no it's a blog for the masses,
Some people say that they can't stand what they're reading,
Some people say... who gives a damn what they say.

Some people say that I look just like my father,
Some people say I've got my mother's eyes,
Some people say I'm like my sister 'cos I'm honest and truthful,
Some people say they know my sister’s just another lie.

Some people say that we should let the search continue,
Some people say just what the hell's going on.

But, honestly now…
Do you think I care, do you think I care,
Do you think I know or I'm aware,
Do you think I care what you say when I'm oblivious.

Blimey! Songs. All my life is surrounded, or even worse, guarded, by songs. Everywhere I look, every stone I lift, every trip back to memory lane, every move I make, every breath I take, every little thing I do, every bond I break, every step I take, every game I play, every word I say, every vow I break, every claim I stake, every smile I try unsuccessfully to fake, every fucking single day… there is a song that scores the moment. And there is a high chance songs tell me what to do actually. They show me the way. They force me to do things. They inspire me. They cheer me up. They set fire to my imagination. They sparkle in my eyes. They sex me up. They make my day. They fix the mood. They set the record straight. They send shivers down my spine. They make me wanna share!!! They make me wanna dance, scream, shout, sing and play the air guitar. They make me wanna smash, rip and burn everything around me. They make me feel ALIVE. And they never let me down. Almost…

But… great songs have no meaning when you can only imagine where they are referring to. I mean, you listen to a really GREAT song, like Blur’s “Universal”, or Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over”, or Diana Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, or Queen’s “One Year Of Love”, or The Blue Nile’s “Let’s Go Out Tonight” or Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” or any song you consider to be great anyway and you’re left there speechless. And all you can think of is something like “Wow! Now that’s a great song. I wonder what were those guys thinking when they were writing it…” And then one day, you get the chance to actually feel what they were thinking because that’s exactly what you think as well, so you know. And then beautiful songs become more, erm, beautiful that you could ever imagine, because every detail has its own meaning and everything fits into place and everything blossoms. And you are privileged to know that there can only be one. You are the chosen. You are the one who knows that all great songs are out there for a reason: to describe the beauty that lays in front of you and the warmth that spreads inside of you. And the beats your heart skips. And the love-making. And the tears of joy and happiness.

But you are only human. Full of flaws. And you ruin it all. And you pick up the pieces, you try to rip it up and start again.
These are the times you 'd take your pen...
And feel obliged to start again.

Oh, what the heck. Rip it up and start again then. But, you know, why don’t we play the next round with the same team[mate]s?

grasshoppers & yello & young gods & clocks

2005-04-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

She’s leaving today. We said our goodbyes two days ago. I have seen it coming, to be honest. She told me she had to travel abroad. She had to do that for another guy. She will have a family with him. To be honest, it’s been long since these two got together in the first place. It’s just that to me, in a way, she would always be mine…

I didn’t try to persuade her. Honestly, I didn’t have the arguments or even the reasons to try something like that. I wish her luck. She said she’d write, that after a while, maybe I could visit them and stuff… Who knows… Maybe I will.
So… at the time I am writing she will be on a plane to Switzerland. Destination: Lozanne. Yup, I guess much better than the capital of Greece. They speak French up there. Oh, what the heck, she always spoke French better than me…

Truth is, it’s been some time since we haven’t exactly been THAT close to each other. Life moved on and before you knew it, we weren’t under the same roof. Not every night. When she told me about the other guy for the first time, I thought it was just another flame. But she proved me wrong. They proved me wrong. All three of them. And maybe… there is more to come…

So our little Phaedra [older though she may be than me, I will always think of her as the younger one] is on a plane to her new home for the next three-five years. And I know she’s going to find happiness there. I will miss her, although it may sound pretentious, given the fact that I had lots of opportunities to see her more often but always postponed that…

Oh you people, I am talking about my sis here, hahaha.
Really now, it’s a fact. Today she took the plane to Switzerland. The land of milk & honey. Or the land of chocolate and cuckoos to be more precise, :-). Her husband was relocated for professional reasons [newsflash: there are actual jobs out there that need something more than just a our average input, hahaha], so she took her little daughter, Aphrodite, aged 1 [!!!!!!!] and followed him there.

I know it may sound boring to most of you, but… as you may understand it is the event of the month, to say the least, for me and my family…

Someone told me that in Switzerland you can get ganja for free. You cannot buy it or sell it but you can give it as a… supplement with something else. So… I imagine myself entering shops and ordering for a dozen red roses – or thirteen, if the bonus one get me my little takeaway gift, hahaha.

Nah, I’m only joking. The grass won’t be the reason why I will be visiting Switzerland any time soon. :-)

Have a nice trip lil’ sis. Do you remember that one? It’s for you, once more…

Hey little babe you're changing

Babe, are you feeling sore?

Ain't no use in pretending

You don't wanna play no more

It's plain that you ain't no baby

What would your mother say

You're all dressed up like a lady

How come you behave this way

Sail Away Sweet Sister

Sail across the sea

Maybe you find somebody

Who loves you half as much as me

My heart is always with you

No matter what you do

Sail away sweet sister

Always be in love with you

Forgive me for what I told you

My heart makes a fool of me

You know I'll never hold you

I know that you gotta be free

Sail Away Sweet Sister

Sail across the sea

Maybe you find somebody

Who loves you half as much as me

Take it the way you want it

But when they let you down my friend

Sail away sweet sister

Back to my arms again

Hot child don't you know, you're young -

You've got your whole life ahead of you

Oohah - You can throw it away too soon

Way too soon

That was Queen’s Sail Away Little Sister. Brian May wrote the lyrics “for the sister I never had”. Well I have one… and I am sooooooooo very lucky for that. :-)

Fahrenheit or Centigrade

2005-04-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a strange week...

I was home, sick [not homesick]

Unfortunately, people related to people very close to me left this world seeking for quieter places...

So... It's been a really strange week...

I spent seven days in a row at home.

Unfortunately, I couldn't do much to throw away my friend's pain.

Even worse, now that I am back to normal, I can't do much either...

I hope your week was better. Actually... how was it for you?

everything is wrong

2005-04-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

...aaaah...feeling so real!!!

well. it's one of these days. You know. Whatever could possibly goes wrong... goes really wrong... and then even furhter in the wrong field...

and i am stuck. as a near death flashback, all the wrong choices of my life came back to haunt me. And, boy, did I make plenty of those...

but... wrong though I may have been... you know the title of that Caravan album, right?...

Isn't it strange? everything is wrong... and I pick my most beautiful mistake out. I focus on that... and the rest seem... so well... I guess it seems as "the rest" is supposed to seem. Meaning... who cares? So, what does that make me?

the band is as good as the drummer

2005-04-06T03:53:00.000-07:00

Paul Hester, centered in the back, behind the drum kit, doing backing vocals as well R.I.P.

...that's what they say in US music colleges. And, for once, our American friends are absolutely right. All the great bands in history had excellent drummers - ok, Ringo Starr was an exception, but his low profile demands were a catalyst, absolutely necessary for the Beatles' artistic and egomaniac balance...

Since March the 26th, however, the drummers' community lost an honourable member. Paul Hester, former Split Enz/Crowded House drummer, in true rawk'n'roll style, has taken his own life.
People who were close to him, say that "over the last fifteen years, Paul has swung the extremes of happiness and sadness."
Unfortunately, it looks like the latter was rather more effective...

Paul Newell Hester was born in Melbourne on January 8, 1959. His mother Ann was a jazz drummer. He joined Split Enz [the most - and perhaps only- famous band ever to come out of New Zealand] in 1983 fresh from Deckchairs Overboard. He was recruited into the band with a reference from Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst.

When Split Enz broke up, Hester stayed with singer/songwriter Neil Finn and together with bass player Nick Seymour, was a founding member of Crowded House. The rest is history...

However, when Paul decided to quit, a couple of platinum albums and worldwide hits later, Neil Finn admitted that "it's not even half the fun anymore" and after a while announced the official demise of the band. Split enz again, in a manner of speaking...

Most recently Paul Hester played with Tarmac Adam, a band featuring his Crowded House band-mate Nick Seymour.

He had two daughters.

I like Crowded House very much. I loved the lyrics and the simplicity of the melodies. I think both Finn Bros are gifted songwriters and responsible for some classic pop tunes...

But... if a band is as good as the drummer, then what happens when the drummer... won't be around anymore?

I guess all it's left... is the option of whistling that unforgettable track...

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
In the paper today tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and relief

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
Don't ever let them win

I expect you to die mr. Bond

2005-03-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

Please please please…
Make it an early April fool’s day joke.
Otherwise… it can’t be… It just can’t!!!

I read that Orlando Bloom got to be the new James Bond…
I mean, ok, he’s British but… let’s be sincere here ok?… If u take out the bows, the arrows, the white hair, the star trek-ish ears, and the Lord Of The Rings film set, he’s nothing than a skinny boy.
Handsome he is not… Charming? I’ll pass. Sexy? Yeah, I guess for Smash Hits & Bravo readers… Cool? As a cup of yesterday’s tea… Stylish? Oh, give me a break…
The guy’s just so… indifferent, that’s what he is.
So, if the producers of the next James Bond movie are reading this, I do have an alternative proposal…

What about me? Ok, I don’t have a native accent straight out of Oxford BUT…
· I did my military service in the Navy as well [ok, he’s a commander, I was just a sailor… whatever]
· I do drink vodka martini and yes I prefer it shaken not stirred, thank you
· I am the world’s greatest lover [recommendatory letters to be given upon request]
· I want to save the world as well
· I want to kill the bad guys
· I want to get the girl in the end
· I like Q’s gadgets
· I can raise my left eyebrow
· I look nice in suits
· I am taller and stronger than that Orlando bloke
· I am cheaper than that Orlando bloke [due to lack of film experience…]
· My real name is undoubtedly more camp than, let's say... Orlando Bloom [gosh!]
· I am 31 [that’s the actual James Bond age for forty years now, isn’t that right?]
· I like hanging out in casinos
· I can sing God Save The Queen and retain my respectful look
· I always wanted that bloody license to kill
· I have read the Ian Fleming’s books
· I have seen the George Lazenby movie
· I am not American
· I think John Barry is the greatest composer of the 20th century
· I want this real bad

So, what do you say mr. & mrs. Broccoli? Will you please comment this post with a nice professional proposition? I won’t drive a hard bargain, I promise…

celebrity profile

2005-03-23T00:49:00.000-08:00

well... not exactly. it's just mine actually. after almost four months of constant blogging, I managed to write down some stuff about me. the original "about me" part was up to 10.000 words. all these months I was trying to edit it down to 1.200 characters... so, take a look. it may eliminate any chances I had you posting comments, but it's a de profundis confession...

Nah, u didn't believe that, did you? :-)

don't play that song

2005-03-21T02:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know we have already established the new Stereophonics' album really rocks and stuff... but I haven't taken a moment to focus on the first single, "Dakota". It's an amazing song with a new wave-ish bass line, a steady beat and some great guitar licks throughout. But what's extraordinary about it is the sheer simplicity of the lyrics.

First of all, it begins with one of the greatest opening lines ever: "Thinking about thinking of you"... I mean... wow!!!! Yeah, it may seem stupid to you but... newsflash: stupid it is not - it's fucking awesome. He's not just thinking of her. He's thinking about him thinking of her. Because, obviously, that's a hard habit to break...

Now, I may be wrong, but I think this song is autobiographical and Kelly Jones recalls a relation ship he had when he was just the boy next door and not a well known pop star. And I think it's so touching that he really wants to know "why did it end?" after all those years. Because, you see, he obviously can have almost anyone he fancies now he's rich & famous. But, hell no, he understands that the essence and th truth lie beyond the filth & the fury...

Thinking about thinking of you
Summertime think it was June
Yeah think it was June
Laying back, head on the grass
chewing gum, having some laughs
Yeah having some laughs

It may seem boring and typical of me to write a post about a song and have the lyrics do the job instead of me thinking of something original to write but... d'ya get my point? If not... please go on. Give the next verse a chance...

You made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one

What's the point of being the ONE, if u r not the one for the person you really care about? I mean, you could say you are the best at what you are doing for a living, you can believe you are great at some kind of art, you can be at the top of the whole wide world but... is there really someone who makes you feel THE ONE? Because, you see, if that happens, then it means the other person is the one for you as well. If someone is in love with you and admires you but the feelings are not mutual, then he/she can't inspire you that. You don't give a toss if u r the one for someone who's not the one for you. Confused? Hope not... :-)

Drinking back, drinking for two
Drinking with you
And drinking was new
Sleeping in the back of my car
We never went far
Needed to go far

I don’t know where we are going now

And now he's ready to make the connection between his past life on the dole and the life on the road now...

Wake up call coffee and juice
Remembering you
What happened to you?
I wonder if we’ll meet again
Talk about us instead
Talk about why did it end

Got it? "wake up call, coffee and juice" - that's the morning after a gig. He wakes up in a hotel. They all start to look alike after a certain point in the middle of a continental tour. And he thinks of her.. He wants to meet. And talk. Face her again. Listen to her voice. See through her eyes. Why? Here comes your response again...

You made me feel like the one
Made me feel like the one
The one

So take a look at me now

Admit it. You're touched as well. And you 're left hoping one thing: if ever a love like that crosses your life... you won't let it slip away. Because everything resembles to be new then. And you want to go as far as possible. And even further...
Don't say I didn't warn you...

your job is prevention, but you just provoke

2005-03-18T01:32:00.000-08:00

I’m still drunk. NB: I am not talking about your average hangover here. I am drunk. Period. Gin & tonic was my poison last night. Not much of a poison, I know. But if the dose is heavy enough… it does its tricks, trust me…
But it’s not that bad. I feel nice. I am listening to Stereophonics’ new album, “Language. Sex. Violence. Other?”. It’s fucking awesome. It took them some years and five albums but it looks like they might have made it: a great rock album. The first six tracks are amazing. The guitar playing, the roaring voice, the loud production, the funky rhythms, the masculine power, the sex of it… I was never a fan – on the contrary, I always considered them to be overvalued. Well… they proved me wrong, and I am happy for that, as I got a good record in my hands [and it’s been given to me for free in an excellent promo case ten days prior its official release – what more could anyone ask? :-) ]
However, the ‘Sonics are not our issue today. Today… we got no issue whatsoever. I am drunk so I can’t bother trying to sort myself out and come with original ideas. But I challenge you, if u like. Post a comment with something clever and I promise I will make a story out of it.
How about that?

just press "send" you &*^%$#@!>

2005-03-17T02:14:00.000-08:00

This is the photo I was supposed to publish in the previous post. But I still can't send the pictures I want to my own blog!!! And I am afraid it's not HELLO to blame. I only got myself... :-)

love in bright landscapes

2005-03-17T02:04:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, fellow bloggers, soul mate bloggers or friends who happen to be co-bloggers can really make up for all the pen pals you never had when you were supposed to, as a kid. When I was at high school, I was urged to get as many pen pals from abroad as possible in order to make my English and French better. As you may understand from my poor vocabulary and lack of idioms I never did that. But that did not happen because I was bored to get stamps and seal envelops. I had some pen pals from all over the world but they bored me after the first letter or so. I think I was to blame. I was thirteen or so, the pen pals were a bit older but all of them were writing about things one was "expected" to write about. But I didn’t want to learn about their customs and ethics. I wanted to learn about their lives. Now, if I had wanted some travel information I would have picked up a tourist guide or something. Plus, they all seemed pretty immature to me and, you know, as a kid, you want to have a taste of the grown up life, so information about math and tulip gardens and bicycle wheels were not exactly my cup of tea. And I didn’t even drink tea at the time! :-) So I never sent back those letters. And so went off my so-called pals...

Back to 2005. I am no longer a kid [try to tell that without bursting into laughter please]. I am a well respected gentleman [ok, you are allowed to laugh a little here]. I have friends abroad but they’re not from mail correspondence. And, among other things, I have a blog. And it’s through that blog I came upon Dave & Jessica. They’re both from Brisbane, Australia. They’re both seventeen years old. Actually, Jess has just turned 17. Today is her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!!! And this post is for them…

I have never met them, obviously. Most probably, I never will. I know a couple of things about their lives, though… And if something is to blame for that… blame our blogs. I was introduced to http://nomoremisternicejess.blogspot.com/ by Hardcore Arena who recommended it as the best and most addictive blog around. I found that to be kind of absurd as we all know the best and most addictive blog around is http://www.headoverhell.blogspot.com/… :-)
Nah, he was right. It was. And still is. Just pay a visit and you will understand why. It doesn’t have pictures. No earthquake-wise disclosure either. No links to obscure sites. No words of profound wisdom. No quotes from songs or books or movies or anything. It’s just Jess’ thoughts actually. And, no question about it, she’s a gifted personality, as it took me 31 years to be able to think the way she does. And, whisper it, she seems to be doing it [the thinking part] rather better…
And all her friends log in and write comments. And she has lots of friends who love her. And her family ties are strong. And although she is really really clever, she hasn’t even decided if she wants to go to college or not. But don’t mind my interpretations. You should go after the real thing. You may also read her opinions on abortion, career focusing, “popularity” issues at school, animal rights, sleeping in pool fences, coffee tables, freezers, stairs and comfortable floors as well as numerous other very interesting topics. And, apart from getting bored easily [well, I guess that goes along with intelligence] she seems to be one of the nicest persons I [don’t] know. She always has a good word for her friends, she’s always trying to avoid compliments, she’s happy when others are happy and still cannot understand why some people are not kind to other people…

And then, at the end of February she wrote
5 months today dave:) thankyou so much for everything. seriously, you have no idea how much you mean to me. i love you
Just that. Her shortest post. But what more should she have said? Yeah, it’s funny if you think about it. Five months. Five months don’t seem a long time, right? No one gives a toss about five-month anniversaries. Well, she did. She’s 17. She’s in love. And the lucky fellow is called Dave. But who is this Dave bloke anyway?

Those familiar with the minimal comments on my posts would already know Dave. Dave is obviously a guy who can appreciate a good blog as he’s a regular in mine. :-)
Seriously now, Dave is a student from Brisbane. Only he’s many other things as well.
From what I can understand, Dave is not your ordinary 17 year old boy. Sure, he likes loud music [whereas Jess is into Delta Goodrem and more mainstream stuff] and punk rock and Muse and Queens Of The Stone Age. He has a piercing which he is not allowed to wear at school. He’s also learning tae kwo do which says a lot about his personality [anyone who was ever into martial arts would know what I am talking about]. I haven’t understood yet if he plays an instrument but it’s certain that his friends have a band. You can read more about he and his mates in http://daveblogsitup.blogspot.com/.

Dave and Jess go to the same school, I assume. She noticed him because he’s kind of misfit. Outsider by choice. Out on his own. To quote him “he wonders a lot”. And when you do that at high school, you’re not exactly the king of the prom or the leader of the basketball team. But he stole Jess’ attention. And they’re together. A lovely couple, as you can see from the picture above.

I am afraid I cannot give you hot details about the first date, kiss etc. I know nothing about that. You see, thing is, they never write silly things about their relation ship on their blogs. They write lots of stuff but not THAT personal. And that makes the whole lot even better. Respect!!!

So, all you can do, if u really share my enthusiasm for these guys is to imagine things. Here’s what I imagine: Opposites attract. Jess is kind to everyone, has lots of friends, tight family ties, excellent grades at school and lots of guys after her. But she can’t bother – typical things bore her. She doesn’t want to do something just because she’s supposed to. Dave is the skinny kid in the schoolyard. He’s always ready to give a hard kicking to anyone silly enough to challenge him. He goes out with his friends, all dressed up like the guys in Blink 182 or Sum 41 or some other band with a number next to a three or five letter word. They drink beer, talk about music and girls, get drunk. But Dave wonders a lot. So he doesn’t exactly fit in. Sure, he can have fun as the next guy but he’s restless. He wants more. And then he met Jess. And she looked into her eyes. And sparks flied high. And Jess’ girlfriends didn’t quite get it. They ‘d rather Jess had her hooks in another guy. But Jess is not into popular quarterbacks. She prefers the guys at the back – the extra-ordinary ones. And Dave’s the one for her. And they’ve been going out for six months now. And they talk about the future. And their exams. And their teachers. And their friends. And I am sure Jess considers Dave’s friends to be hers as well. Not the same with Dave, though. He’s not very social. And he knows Jess’ friends can’t quite dig him. And he’s kind of hostile towards them. And Jess sees that. She’s wondering what she could do to alter things round. But when he’s hugging her, nothing else matters. For a moment there… it’s only them against the world. And that’s a magic moment you wish it’d last for ages.

The school will end. University applications will begin. Job offers will occur. New people will come into their lives. And, yes, as every thirty-something would bet with plenty of cynicism, odds are against them staying together. Their teen relation ship will be a faded memory in a couple for years. They will have moved on. Maybe even literally. So, no more plain old Brisbane for them. No more blogs. Queens Of The Stone Age will have split. Delta Goodrem will be remembered as a one hit wonder. Dave’s friends will no longer beat the drum kit like maniacs. Jess’ friends will have been married with children. And they won’t get to see each other, not even talk on the phone or exchange e-mails.

Oh, fuck that!!! It doesn’t necessarily work this way. We work things out. They don’t work out themselves [I’m pretty sure that, in English, what I just wrote means that some "things" go the gym but anyway…]. So, Dave, Jess, if u r reading this, never mind my cynicism. Do your thing. Smile. Hold each other. Talk about things. Do things together. Face the world together. Live this life together. Follow the sun wherever it leads. And if u ever fall short of your desires, remember life holds for you one guarantee: you’ll always have… “woot!” [ok that’s A Diana Ross sample lyric but it’s nice whatsoever].
The world needs couples like Jess & Dave. We need them because they remind us that true love never fails. And true love makes you happy when it’s five months and counting since that very first kiss. And true love makes the world go round. And it can bring tears into a hard, big, old man's eyes. And it makes you feel seventeen again. And it makes life shine. And it makes us smile. And Mel Gibson got to marry his childhood sweetheart. And… guess what – he’s Aussie as well!!!

Thank you. Both

married to the mob-ile

2005-03-10T03:17:00.000-08:00

It’s been a month since I decided not to have a cell phone any more. I made my announcements to my boss. She said “no fucking way”. I smiled. It was my way of saying “just watch me”. I still got it

Then I told my mom and dad. They seem to understand.
I told the stars above about the one I love
I told the passers by, I made a small boy cry
I told the morning sun, yeah I'm telling everyone
I told all of my friends again and again and again
I drove them round the bend so now you're my only friend
And I'll get through to you if it's the last thing that I do…

Oops. Wrong lyric sample. Sorry Neil!!!

Yes… as I was saying… the day before yesterday, I forgot my cell phone home. I didn’t do it on purpose. But it felt nice. And I had a good day. Did excellent at work, went to a studio to edit some TV & radio spots, met up with a friend, went to the movies and then all the way to the port to watch Barcelona – Celtic with my best man. And all that without a cell phone…
Yesterday, I forgot to forget it again. And it was hell. Because everyone was calling to say “At last! You answered that bloody thing! I’ve been trying to reach you and it was impossible. What the fuck did you do?” etc.
So, today… I was lucky. I put my cell phone to bed last night because I used it as an alarm clock as I had an early start. Guess what? It’s still resting on my pillow.
And here I ma… Mob-less, cool, calm, relaxed and happy happy happy.
I am going to shut it down once and for all. If someone really wants to find me, they will. If they don’t, then I guess they don’t deserve me, right?
I reckon I will miss the sms’s, though. I was kind of addicted. You could say I like to write. A lot. But then again, you are here… so u already know that… :-)

quand vous mourez de nos amours

2005-03-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

Nancy just got back from Hammersmith! She brought lots of valuable stuff, but what she gave me is priceless: Rufus Wainwright's got a new album. It's called "Want Two", as it's the follow-up to, erm, "Want One"!!! But, on top of all that, Nancy managed to spot down a limited version of the album - it includes two bonus tracks not on the normal release plus a bonus dvd, containing a stunning full-length performance filmed at the historic Fillmore East. You know, the notorious Frisco venue.
Anyhoo, I don't know what I should have done to express my gratitude. Hugs & kisses, tears in my eyes, promising glances, what? Well, at the moment, I am listening to the album and I am in awe!!! This guy's amazing. He composes catchy tunes, writes touching lyrics, supervises opulent arrangements [Van Dyke Parks is one of a kind], trusts an imaginative producer [Marius De Vries] and dresses like a woman for the cover... but anyway... :-)
Q magazine wrote that "this record is brave, bold and deserves attention".
TimeOut London wrote that "Rufus is the prince of emotive pop".
I'd say that "Want Two" is the album of the year [so far]. And I am still on track # 3!!!

I met with Hardcore Arena yesterday [aka Kingdancer]. He's a new man. Reborn. Free. So he says, and I take his word for granted. We had a cup of tea, like real Brits. Only Brits we are not. Pricks more like it... :-)
And there were two girls as well in our company and we had a talk about going after what you want and stop living your life by imagining things and considering possible casualties and never attempting to claim your rights over something/someone etc etc. And I have thought so much about all that, I almost feel I am an expert. Which I am not.
All I know is what works best for me. If I want something, I go get it. I am a go-getter guy. Yup, u could say that. If I need something, I ask for it. If I miss something I reach out and touch it. If you are getting on my nerves... you don't have to worry about it - you already know it 'cause i will show it to you, no matter who you are. That's the way I am. And I respect that quality to others as well. I know people who dislike me but don't bother pretending they do not. I don't like them as well but I respect them for that. And I admire all people who can really express the way they feel. I think it's wonderful to be able to look straight into somebody's eyes and say "You are the one that I want" or "You make me feel alive" or "I'm lost without you" or "I hate your guts" or "Can I borrow your bike?" or whatever. That doesn't mean that you have to be head over heels in love in order to come straight. It's just that only strong feelings can inspire transgressions. That's why, some people, usually women, tend to exaggerate with words and decisions. Because they know they don't feel the way they would like to feel; the way the have seen in the movies. So they say "u are the light of my life" and stuff, whereas they should just be sincere and say "would u like to go to bed with me?" or "please don't leave me this way - at least not tonight..."
Anyhoo, enough talking. My point is that there are million ways to do whatever. Problem is, sometimes, it really seems there's only one way to win. So... question is... "how bad do you want this to happen?". If that's the case, it's kind of tragic. Pathetic. Because that would practically mean the only problem is... people don't really desire anything. They want many things but they're not passionate about them. There's no lust. No risk. No life altering impulses. No point zero's...
Now that's my definition of hell. Cause that's something I honestly detest. Don't u wanna be adored? When the lights go out and the crowd doesn't scream out for more... don't u STILL want to be adored and explored?
So... Kingdancer, u got it right after all. But, do yourself a favour. Eject that Postal Service cd. And listen to Kingmaker's "You and I will never see things eye to eye". Never mind the lyrics. It's the passion that will set you alight. And then you will be ready to roll... Like a true champ...

the wager between

2005-03-09T09:38:00.000-08:00

lyric of the day:
Cornered the boy kicked out at the world…
The world kicked back a lot fuckin’ harder…

highlight of the day [so far]:
a doctor called just a minute ago. He gave me excellent news. No, I didn’t expect any medical tests’ results or something. He wanted to ask for a cd, actually. But then he said something he couldn’t possibly imagine that could make my day!!! Thanx Bill – though you will never know…

joke of the day:
Two cannibals are discussing
- “I hate my mother-in-law’s guts!!!”
- “Ok, just eat the noodles then…”

movie of the day:
Constantine – I was expecting a mediocre comic adaptation and I enjoyed two hours of total blockbuster nonsense: exactly what I wanted. And Keanu Reeves may be a talent less actor but he’s cool as fuck. And Rachel Weisz’s British accent is always sexy!!!

album of the day:
Swayzak’s Loops From The Bergerie

song of the day:
Jet's Look What You've Done [thank you Theodore for sorting me out on both]

meeting point of the day
petite fleur

quote of the day:
fuck if I care

avoid at all costs:
preaching. not today. not to me. not in the mood. buy me a drink instead…

advice to the young at heart

2005-03-08T02:55:00.000-08:00

· Do not drink and dial
· Do not live every day as if there is no tomorrow. There’s always tomorrow – I don’t know about the day after, though…
· Never say [n]ever!
· Do not flirt, kiss, fuck and tell with people you work with
· Do not do to others what you do not want others do to you – that way, you can always say “why did u do that?”. Otherwise… you won’t have the chance to use the best pre-punch line… ever!
· Do not turn your back on mother earth
· Do not watch The Ring Two while on drugs – it will scare the shit out of you!!!
· Do not dismiss video games as child’s stuff – actually, it’s the only education we’ve got…
· Dο not believe the hype
· Do not underestimate the power of love
· Do not tolerate this, or your children will be next
· Do not search for any inner moral story in these rules – it’s pointless…
· Do not close your eyes and fantasize someone you physically admire…
· Do not talk about the Fight Club
· Do not cross the [white] line kiddo. Just step on it first, or sniff the damned thing!!!
· Do not honor and obey your parents. Do not make them proud. Do them some good instead…
· Do whatever you want in Denver – as long as you’re dead
· Do or die
· Just do it. Even if you're wearing adidas sneakers...
· Do whatever. Who cares anyway…

bela lugosi's dead

2005-03-08T00:17:00.000-08:00

My cosy little place is called VALERIOUS MANOR. You will find it in Transylvania. We have a large guest room. You are all more than welcome. And never mind the children of the night. Oh, what sweet music do they play...
My old PO Box is no longer valid, so please keep sending letters to the following address:
Count Olaf
Vampire State Building
Transylvania
666 66 ROMANIA
c/o Dracula

And if u see Blade, tell him I eat daywalkers for breakfast!!!

stop the press!!!

2005-03-07T01:10:00.000-08:00

It's official: the transfer of Shrek to Olympiakos has been announced. Now, all eyes are on Rivaldo: will he accept the fact he won't be the #1 star of the team?

Don't fear the reefer

2005-03-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

Joints. Spliff. Ganja. Stuff. Get stoned. I got high. Pot. Hemp.
Call it whatever you want. But please, please… when u roll it don’t put tobacco in it. I mean, what’s the point? It’s like having sex without kissing, or eating pasta without cheese. It’s like punishing yourself for the guilty pleasure and cut the fun in half… And we don’t wanna do that, do we?…

P.S. for the record, this thing never affects me. I don’t know why. I guess I am the Ovelix of cannabis… On the other hand, when someone offers you something at a party, it’s not polite to say “no”, is it?
JJ

if this is your first night...

2005-03-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

And you open the door and you step inside…

This is your life, good to the last drop
Doesn’t get any better than this
This is your life and it’s ending one minute at a time

This isn't a seminar, this isn't a weekend retreat
Where you are now you can't even imagine what the bottom will be like
Only after disaster can we be resurrected
It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything
Nothing is static, everything is evolving, everything is falling apart

You have to give up…

And you open the door
And you step inside

And it’s been days since you last slept, ate, worked and acted normally.
And u didn’t mind
You felt alive

But something happened
Things happen, you know
And something really did happen

And it’s just five minutes time, all your need to get some sleep, some food, some pampering…
Well… it all came up for air
And left u breathless

This is your life
It doesn’t get any better than this

Fuck the pain away
No sms
No mails
No phone calls
No cell phones
No availability

Won’t get fooled again

And u open the door and you are all alone
This is your life

I want you to hit me as hard as you can
I want you to bite me as deep as you can
I want you to kiss me as long as you can
I want you to hold me as tight as you can
I want you to be honest and come clean
Then… we’ll talk dirty

traffic jam in memory lane

2005-03-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

Last night I was invited to attend this special screening. They call it avant premiere. They had booked four theaters at the new Athens' multiplex, Ster Cinemas. According to the invitation we were supposed to be there by eight o clock. I had got stuck in between two record stores so I arrived @ 21.15. The movie was just about to start. I grabbed a glass of vodka and found myself a cosy little seat for my royal ass. The movie was not that bad, given the fact that all greek movies suck for reasons beyond my blog [:-)]
It’s called Testosterone and it deals with a sailor who somehow ends up in an island inhabited only by women. Soon enough he’s a rare species, sought after by women of all ages [and shapes :-)]. His initial fantasy of having sex with anyone he fancies goes terribly wrong. He’s hunted like an animal. He can’t take it anymore and in the end…
Yeah, ok, I guess you could say that it’s almost a 21st Century version of La Citta Delle Donne but… you don’t care that much, do you? For what is worth… I managed to see the whole film, so that makes it a decent greek movie… And then the lights were turned on and the after show party began…
Nope, glamorous it wasn’t. Some actors, some journos, some executives, some bimbos and… lots of vodka. After having greeted all the people I know, after having been introduced to every single woman I haven’t already known [obviously I didn’t introduce myself. I mean others did that for me…], I decided my... testosterone level was not that high for the night, so I took the long way back home…
Since I moved downtown, I rarely ever take the car. This time, I had to take the train. So I headed for the nearest station. And when I sat at St. Eleftherios station, waiting for the next train, it all came back to me. For years, I did the same thing, while still in school. For my two… freshmen years, I used to take the school bus. Then I persuaded my parents I was big enough to pick my own means of transportation. And so I did. I was walking everyday to Victoria station and then I took the train to school, usually getting off @ St. Eleftherios...
So, in a way, last night was like getting back from school. When I was 14 I had a walkman. Now it was a discman. Back then I would have been listening to Outfield, Queen and Echo & The Bunnymen. Last night I had Action Action and ARE Weapons on my play list. Back then I would have been exchanging glances with girls from other schools [we only had males in class – yes, I am that old!!!]. Last night the train was almost empty. 16 years ago, I would have been making noise with my friends. Last night I was just enjoying the first night in months that I was completely alone. 16 years ago, my mom would have been waiting for me at home. Last night I opened the door and it was dark and quiet. 16 years ago, the room would have been full of subutteo figures, vinyl records, tapes, balls of various sizes,an Amstrad computer books in greek and lots of sneakers. Last night I stumbled upon some a stack of cd’s, some movie gadgets, a Yellow Submarine branded skateboard, a laptop, a plate with a credit card and a cut up straw, a hanger for my blazer, some books in English and, erm, lots of sneakers!... So much for my evolution plan!!! :-)
I opened the veranda doors and took a look at Lycabetus. Not bad for a view. Not bad at all. I pressed play on my cd player. Travis’ Singles was on.

"If I told you a secret
You won’t tell a soul
Will you hold it and keep it alive
Cause it’s burning a hole
And I can’t get to sleep
And I can’t live alone in this lie

So look up
Take it away
Don’t look da-da-da-down the mountain

If the world isn’t turning
Your heart won’t return
Anyone, anything, anyhow

So take me don’t leave me
Take me don’t leave me
Baby, love will come through it’s just waiting for you

Well I stand at the crossroads
Of highroads and lowroads
And I got a feeling it’s right

If it’s real what I’m feeling
There’s no makebelieving
The sound of the wings of the flight of a dove

Take it away
Don’t look da-da-da-down…”

Next morning, I got myself up and headed to work.
No school buses, no trains. I was on foot. It was raining. It was lovely.
I pressed play on my discman. Music to my ears. The soundtrack of an early morning. I felt good. Still do. I guess it’s good to have nice teenage memories. And my testosterone is back on high levels. That’s not bad either…

blog's gone pro

2005-02-24T02:38:00.000-08:00

I am very excited. This is the first post I was commissioned to write. At last, two months after this blog’s debut, someone recognizes my talent and asks me to write something. Actually, that was my goal in the first place: to be commercial, to earn money out of this. That’s why I post my friends’ heartbreaking stories, that’s my I try to create an articulate and mysterious image about myself, that’s why I don’t disclose anything in MY PROFILE link, that’s why I am willing to sell out just in order to succeed!!!
So, a small step for the blog world, a giant leap forward for my bank account. Thank you very much in advance Katerina!!!

Well, here’s how the story went…

YK passed by the office to pick me up. He paid his dues, took his goody bag, gave me a present from Berlin and… off we went…
- Where to?
- To the Grand Britain lobby. There, at the bar.
- Oh, fine. I hope the treat’s on you
- You’d wish
- Hardcore Arena wrote a new post, back from the grave…
- Yeah, I know… I bumped into him when I got out of the tube. He was holding a peacock feather… It would strike me as weird if it were for anyone else…
- Yup, that was him alright. But he is soooooooo funny. The other day we were talking about music and I said: “I hate blues music! It’s just for losers. I hate these «oh baby why d’ya treat me this way, while I deserve to be treated with respect» lyrics. I only have 25 blues records. 25! Among a total of 45.000!!!” And, smoothly as always, he remarked “Well, that’s 25 more blues records than I got!!!”
- Yes, he’s funny

A couple of more…erm, funny dialogues later, we were entering GB lobby. And that was when yk said “Oh, I forgot, I hope u don’t mind. I told the girls we would meet them here”
- What girls?
- Oops, I forgot about that, didn’t I?
- What girls? Oh, hello lady L, hello Catherine!!!
- That girls!
- Phew… For a moment there…
- Consider it to be a double date…
- Ok, which one is my date?
- What about me?
- I’ll pass…

So we sat there. The four of us.
The youngest was 27. The oldest 36. And the in-between… 31.
Now… some numbers to spice up your imagination...
50% had just arrived from Berlin
100% work in the movie business
25% work for an international company
75% have worked for Athens International Film Festival
25% have worked for Rockwave Festival
75% like guys, not women
75% have wore, at least once, women’s lingerie… [surprise: not the same 75%]
0% is virgin
100% appreciate good music
75% have been in the United States
25% were on a diet
25% ordered some sweets [not the same 25%]
50% drank gin & tonic
75% live by themselves
25% live with their soul mate
0% thought of a foursome [!!!]
0% was happy when a famous tv persona with a gay beard came in uninvited

but it was fun anyway…

And then a new entry came along and the numbers changed but… oh, never mind!!!

Topics we tried to discuss but were not so focused so as not to change subjects every three minutes:
· film festivals
· clint eastwood
· berlin’s delicatessen
· women’s underwear
· e-mails
· blogs
· strange, yellow, spiky fruits with exotic names
· german waitresses
· back & forth, I’d take you both
· blond hair
· film producers
· bus hostages & bus pirates
· butts and but’s
· I never invite you because…
· [low] wages
· the declaration of independence
· box
· common friends
· press screenings
· a famous tv persona with a gay beard [the one who showed up just minutes after that]. Correction: a famous gay tv persona with a beard more like it…
· my best man’s marriage
· the Tom Cruise look-alike from Fame Story III
· macademia & chocolate

When the piano player started to earn his living, we got up. Outside, the cold wind gave us a welcome-to-reality boost. The National Front was protesting against the immigrants who were protesting against the Nation who was just sitting back and watched. We passed them by. yk said goodbye and turned left, obviously to point out his political beliefs. We turned right, just because we had parked there…
A guy in a motorbike was listening to Thanos Petrelis. But very loud! Really really loud!!! And his speakers were full of this ex Fame Story meets Phoebus sound… And he was singing, “My blood, blue like the sky” etc.. And just ten meters away hundreds of people were ready to kill each other. The girls laughed. I told them that the guy on the motorbike was nothing more [or less, for that matter] than just the average sample of their future mate choices. They stopped laughing. I think that must have been when I said goodbye as well…

harry potter eat my dust

2005-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

“Why don’t you write something?”, they say…
Why don’t I?
“Don’t you have anything to say?”
Now, that wouldn’t be that bad for a change…
“Why don’t you then? Why?”
‘Cause… I don’t know…
Ok, that’s a lie. But, usually, you know, when someone says “I don’t know”, he/she knows perfectly well but, obviously, he/she doesn’t want to share. Because if he/she shares, there might be a chance he/she’s going to lose something. What’s that? The feeling of plain magic. Something that happened but was too… magical for you to actually consider it to be nothing more than just a done thing from the past. It’s like Greece having won the Euro Cup. Only better. Much better.

So… some could call it a great day.
Yes, it was, wasn’t it?
But it was more. Because it was kind of magic. And, by the way, do you know what’s the… erm, great thing about magical days? They last more than 24 hours…
And no, to be honest, real magic doesn’t vanish even if u share. But why on earth would someone do a thing like that?
:-)
Oops, got to go. My carpet ride’s here…

blank

2005-02-17T05:20:00.000-08:00

He showed up again. He called to say it’s a shame to be working when the sun I shining, the birds are signing and… ok, you get the picture. I agreed. So I did a coffee break and went out to meet him. First, however, I made him promise me a name wouldn’t come up. He promised. And he kept his promise. We talked about football, music, food, favorite vodka brands, birthday presents, the Radio 4 gig tomorrow, our parents, our jobs, movies you know… indifferent but entertaining stuff. Coffee talk. Helps you enjoy the good weather even more. And I don’t even drink coffee!!!
But I knew what he was really thinking underneath it all. So, as we walked back in my office he mentioned something about computers and then…

“You try to spot something on the internet, you type down you addresses, click on links, browse on search engines, do your best, ask for help, log into google and then your server breaks down or something and you see a white page. A page that you cannot write anything on. It’s, as it says on the upper left line… page: blank. But not a blank to be filled. Blank period. A useless blank. It’s just there. It’s the last thing you need but the only thing you get.
Well… that’s me. BLANK”

I looked into his eyes. Fucking hell! He was right. He was blank. The most joyous and energetic man I know lost his sparkle… I am sure it’s there somewhere but he is actually blank.
I didn’t know what to say. I said goodbye. He just smiled. I am still shocked. What if this ever happens to me? How does it feel to be blank? How does it feel not to feel? And what could you possibly do about it, when all your best friend can think of is just an equally… “blank” goodbye?

But, I mean, what I was supposed to do? I was stunned. There he was, my best friend, a guy I know for ages and with whom I’ve been around almost everywhere… totally blank. And I don’t know what exactly was wrong with that picture… But I couldn’t add anything to it. No colors, no sketches, no dots, no spots, nothing…
I hope he will find his palette sometime soon, although I can’t help thinking that he has given it away to someone really special. And I know this friend of mine pretty well. He’s not going to claim it back. And sad though I may be to admit it, by [not] doing so, he’s just true to himself, to his feelings, to her. So, maybe he is a hero after all…

last post on the bugle

2005-02-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

That’s how the British call the sound the trumpet makes when it’s time for all lights to be turned off and all soldiers to be quiet and get some sleep. After that last post, there is nothing but silence – and some sleepless guards I guess…

That’s a also Libertines’ song. But it’s not just a song. It happens to be the best song of my enire life. At least for this month…

It begins with a plain drum rhythm for six seconds. Then a minimal garagesque riff begins. And, within four seconds, the second guitar starts making this amazing distorted reverb.

And then it steals your heart, because you can listen to a piece of paper being cut off a notebook. And, how I imagine it, our hero begins to write something [maybe a “post” in another idiom]. But he is not satisfied, because a couple of seconds later we hear sounds that tell us the paper is being torn to pieces…
Mind you, the whole feeling is kind of retro, with a touch of 60s naïve rebellion [Mick Jones, of Clash fame, who took over the production, has something to do with it, as, he, from all people, knows exactly how to capture a good moment when he spots one…].
Some handclaps are added somewhere at this point and… the voice enters, just half a minute after that first drumming beat.
And here is what he has to say…

If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you’ll know
You will know
Thinking of your love

And there comes that haunting, minimal riff again, but the singer goes on breathless…

Slyly they whispered away
As I played the last post on the bugle
I heard them say
Oh that boy’s no different today
Except in every single way

Now the melody starts all over again, but you are already heartbroken because of that boy being no different… except in every possible way!!!

If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you’ll know
Just know you’ll
Thinking of your love

Oh, I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they led him away, he sang
We’ll meet again some day
Oh my boy, there’s a price to pay

I guess there always is one, yes… Too high a price maybe…But never mind me. Please keep on singing there. Don’t let this song ever end!!!

If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you’ll know
I don’t know how but you’ll know
I’ll be thinking of your love

And the guitar breaks in a small solo just in time to be covered by the most popular and familiar lyric ever

La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la

And then the bass sound stops and it’s just the guitar riff and the snare drum and your heart melts again… But it gets better, yes. Because although you think you have just experienced the absolute listening bliss, the guy starts talking in a low voice. He doesn’t sing. He just reads the following words…

Inside I felt
So, so alone
Locked in a room
Waiting till kingdom come
Although I felt elated
I felt like I was scum

But then our scum is carried away by his enthusiasm so he forgets that he’s supposed to continue whispering or something and lets his voice guide him through singing routes again. It couldn’t possibly get any better than this!!!

I was carried away
Caught up in an affray

As they led him away, he sang
We’ll meet again some day
Oh my boy, there’s a price to pay

Now he’s kind of tired, almost exhausted after all this sincere coming out but he's not about to give up. Not just yet...

Feels like I’ve never been away
Though it’s been longer than I could possibly say
I’ve been wandering the market
Carrying a sign, saying the end of…

That's it. The end is near, so he’s ready for his tour-de-force

The word is nigh
I’m glad to see we’re still tight
The bonds that tie a man are tight

There is no more singing now. Just a statement, whether you like it or not…

Yet we do what we do
With rituality
All through the night

And that’s about it, actually. 2 minutes and 32 seconds long. No string arrangements, no brass interludes, nothing. Just two guitars, one bass, a drum kit and a passionate voice. But it’s just perfect. Nothing’s missing.

It’s one of these songs that I would like to play to you. Sitting together by the cd player. Or bringing this song to bed one rainy morning. Or turning the volume up in the car while driving off. Or whatever. Whatever, as long as you let me play it to you. And see this excitement in my eyes. Not because I find this song to be thrilling and life affirming and all that but because I have the privilege to share it with YOU. Now that’s what I would say, if I had the chance.

But I guess we listened to the last sound on the bugle. So there is nothing but silence. Just a sleepless guard. But if I had to go…well you know what I would be thinking of…