My favourite scene in cinema history

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Well probably anyway, it certainly always makes me tingle with goosebumps. It;s from Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) by Sergio Leone. In the scene, Jill (Claudia Cardinale) arrived in Flagstone to meet her husband McBain who isn't waiting. The scene shows everything I love about the western. The isolation, the clothes, the music, the scenary. It is the ultimate tribute the western. Leone's previous films tended to be ona  smaller scale, so when the camera pans up he is showing off his town set. It is interesting to note that unlike most films, Ennio Morricone's score was actually composed before the film was shot after reading the script and instructions so Leone is actually able to stage it to the music which works up a wonderful moment as the camera finally pans up.

Also included are the only scenes shot in America, in Monument Valley. This setting was a regular feature in films by Leone's hero John Ford, and he is paying tribute to him as he allows the camera to capture the setting in all it's glory. Beautiful.

"take the ribbon from your hair"

Ok Ok. So I said I wouldn't do me updates on my blog for a while, but with my laptop still broke I could not help it :P Internet cafes are a fustrating experience of smelly old men looking at escorts and money down the drain, but I need to keep tabs on my life :D For some reason I am trying to grow a beard at the moment. It's been nearly 4 weeks now, and people are only starting too notice it which is a start. I've got the 'tash and bottom bits, but none of the connected parts. I'm going to keep it till my birthday and see how it looks.

The European Championships have been , and another German heartbreak for me as they excited at the semis again. I'm not genius, but even I could tell Low was wrong to stick an out of form Podolski and a pedastrian (no matter how hard my man crush for him is) Gomez. Gomez is a great finisher, but lacks the killer instinct and needs more than one chance a game. I still love his George McFly hairdo though. There is also a lack of men; one friend told me they just looked like nice pretty boys. I can see her point, there is no leaders like Effenberg and Kahn. It's hard to say what their chance will be in the World Cup in 2 years, especially with Spain creating history. Their 4-6-0 formation worked better than Roma's in 2008, yet I hope it doesn't take form in the rest of the game as forwards have been such a unique part of the game. Plus advertising would go down the crapper, defenders just don't sell shirts.

Life's been good

A quick update: Things are going pretty well at the moment. Enjoying the people at work, I have money to buy nice things and I can finally hear again! When they finally cleared, it was like swimming and your ears coming good again. I can't describe it, it is like I can hear better than I ever can; sometimes that is a curse and I'm still driving my colleagues nuts with my country music. On the downside, my old laptop died (luckily I saved all the info before) and my new one cracked it's screen after 9 days so it is out of commison. I also met a lady last month who chose to prioritise a cinema visit with nobodys over arranged plans with me, but it is her loss. I will get better luck soon i'm sure, but things are alright. I will write about something that is not me soon I swear :D

Common ground

For years, me and my Dad have struggled to find common ground. We never agree on most things, but we can carry a conversation well. He is money orientated, and is generally right wing. I am not, and am generally left wing learning towards socialism. He is emotionally distant, I lay mine bare. He is logical, I am not. He supports whatever I do which I am grateful for, but we never shared a passion until I discovered one we share.

You see, my Dad loves to collect vinyl records; a hobby I and also my twin brother share. Sure, we all collect different kinds, but it is so nice to actually share an interest and discuss it. My Dad collects northern soul records from his youth and then likes to sell them for a profile (see, money), my twin likes to collect hardcore/grind music to listen to where as I collect Bob Dylan vinyl just to say I have it. I don't even own a record player at the moment, but I have a ton of Dylan (and other truth be told) vinyl that I hope one day I will listen too. Because of my "issues", I tend to collect brand new releases only. My Dad has advised me on new places to get some, and just the joy of collecting. So, while we may not agree on everything it is nice to know that after nearly 27 years I can finally say me and my Father have the same hobby :D

P.S. I have been told many times recently I mince when I walk. I think that is rather endearing!

Being deaf

Well, for over the past week I have been deaf. Well I can still hear slightly, but with a 90 percent hearing loss as my ears are blocked. The pain of finally registering with a doctor, plus the incompitance of the A & E I went to is fustrating. Yesterday I thought to myself "oh I work in a hospital, why not go to A & E" now. I wait for 2 hours as you do, only for a 2 minute encounter with the GP who tells me "you need to go see your own GP". Well no shit, that is why I am seeing you! Gah the mind boggles. It was Iestyn's 3rd birthday on Monday, and I couldn't hear much of what he was saying to me. We had fun though, he enjoyed the Cars Duplo set I got him.

The one main advantage to being mostly deaf is that I get to avoid all the inane conversations on the tube. Trust me, you will be thankful for that one. The disadvantages fair outweigh that though. There is a constant ringing in my left ear that is surely torture in some form, I get to miss out on great music,  I keep on bumping into people as I can't hear them pass and my new favourite word is "what?".

Don Jupp's revenge

On Wednesday, Jupp Heynckes finally got his revenge. The FC Bayern manager finally got his revenge on Real Madrid, knocking them out of the Champions League. The same team where two players bought for near 150 euros couldn't score a penalty between them.  Back in 1998 he was Real Madrids coach when they won their first Champions League trophy in 32 years. The trophy that they always crave; and was sacked 6 days later for his troubles. That pales in comparison to the sackings of Del Bosque in '03 and Capello in '07. He still doesn't get the credit he deserves, with many stating the players coached themselves. The photo above proves the players admiration for the man named Osram and Don Jupp. This year he leads the FC Bayern players out for the final in Munich against Chelsea. This is the third time he has managed them, and his sacking in 1991 Uli Hoeness states is his biggest regret. He's provided a steady hand over Louis van Gaal's huge ego and defensive frailities, and hopefully will win in 3 weeks time. He often doesn't get the credit he deserves at both clubs, which is a testement to his unasuming character and lack of ego; his records in the CL over his club career reads: two semi finals, 2 finals only going out in '90 to AC Milan and '91 to Red Star Belgrade, two of the greatest club sides of any era. Tactically he is pretty astute preferring a passing game build around a strong central midfield, with plenty of width of the flanks.

Here's to one of football's nice guys.

P.S. Last time I did a football blog I fucked up pretty badly with the prediction. I won't make one for the final, I will just hope Bayern Win. a guy can dream right?

a quote

"Well, there are three things men can do with women: love them, suffer for them, or turn them into literature. I've had my share of success and failure at all three."

Stephen Stills gave this quote to Rolling Stone magazine in the early 70s, and it grabbed me when I first read it In this one quote, he shows how deeply someone can care for a woman, and experience three different and strong emotions for just one woman.