30 skills a man should know

Here is a list of skills that men should know how to do...

1) Mix Music: I think I have managed this one as music is my life!
2) Give a speech: No matter how cringe-worthy my best man speech was or how awkward my leaving speeches have been from work; I’ve had plenty of practice and believe I have mastered this one!
3) Keep it up: Unfortunately no! I can keep it up people, I just can't play keep it up with a ball much to the bemusement and constant mocking from my brothers! I will beat you both one day!!
4) Carve meat: check!
5) Haggle: Terrible at this, hate doing it, can't do it, never will
6) Protect a computer: Oh yes, I can manage this one.
7) Get hold of a good tradesman: As I have lived in Taiwan for the past few years and many tradesman seem to be under the impression that all foreigners are rich (hence rip them off for all their worth) then no!
8) Tip: I can manage this
9) Play golf: Watching me play golf is more embarrassing than words can possibly describe. Horrible game, truly appalling!
10) Massage: Oh yes I can do that!
11) Feign Confidence: Feign being the operative word here. I'm screaming to get away inside, but cool on the outside!
12) Know Shakespeare: I would never have the nerve to call myself British if I didn't know Shakespeare.
13) Play pub games: Do drinking games count? I'm a pro!
14) Admit mistakes, accept defeat: mistakes? What mistakes! No, truly, I can do this one!
15) Change sheets: I've lived away from home for 10 years people! Despite the panoply of colorful expletives I can do this!
16) Procrastinate: occasionally
17) Support a team: Afraid not!
18) Camping: Infrequently but enjoy it when I do
19) Approach woman: Hmmm well no problem there! Approach women to take home, major problems there!!!!
20) Cook something well: Any complaints about my pasta? I think not!
21) Wallow in nostalgia: just take a look at my mobile ringtones to answer this one.
22) Be happy: :-)
23) Age gracefully: I'm gay; I have no choice in the matter!
24) Organize documents: check
25) Gift shop: No, no, and thrice no. The day before, maybe, an hour before, usually.
26) Read: A pro
27) connect with babies: not yet
28) Set the video: please!
29) Feign illness: pretty good at this
30) Top up the coolant in a 1.6L fuel injection Zetec engine: I don't quite understand this sentence to be fair!

Result: 20/30. Not quite a man yet then!

Amy Winehouse Woes

In Rehab, out or rehab, experimenting with drugs, back into rehab, drinking yourself into a self-induced coma, trashing hotels, punch-ups with your partner, back into rehab yet again, cancel concerts (that's twice you've done that to me young lady), release some bizarre Youtube video involving mice with another tortured soul, Pete Doherty, now into hospital! Why is she there? Apparently she had been 'doing admin' when she suddenly became ill. Doing admin? Seriously!

If she wasn't such a musical genius I wouldn't care one way or the other. However, she is one of the best things to happen to music for a long time! Get your act together Winehouse, the music world can't afford to lose you!

Tori Amos: American Doll Posse

In an epoch of digital downloads and singles, embracing the concept album is a rather fortitudinous tactic. This epic 23 song oratorio is an ambitious, if somewhat daunting, endeavour to cover America's social and political panorama. Adopting five separate persona's, in the guise of Greek Gods, she takes on issues such as war, feminism, and the state of the world. For most artists such an undertaking would go seriously astray, indeed you may well need a pad and paper to keep track here due to its enticing complexity. However, a general overall coherence is maintained and the whole concept is kept firmly under control. In fact, it has given her the unique opportunity to address these issues from multiple perspectives and is well worth the listen.

Tori bends syllables into improbable geometrical forms with rippling piano themes and choruses that threaten to go Broadway at any moment. Political venting, anti-war and pro-feminist themes along with commentary on the impersonal age in which we live are plastered all over this album like sloganeering posters. Amos adopts a big 80s rock sound on many tracks but in a good way. You can almost hear the permed-headed-rock-God himself, Brian May, pealing off these guitar licks over an arena-rock beat! What makes this album so good is that it is not so much a traditional concept album, but more a convergence experience, amalgamating everything good and bad about today's culture and molding it all into one package.

Her last two albums have been nothing to write home about, in fact there was a slight fear that she had reached her artistic burnout. Now she seems to be back and arguably operating at the height of her creative powers. No favorite tracks here as it would deter from the whole point of the album. Listen to it from beginning to end, you may get lost but just let yourself, you will eventually find the way back. A wonderful, albeit wild, achievement.

Gay Weddings in California

From 5:01pm today gay marriage was finally made legal in California. More importantly, not only will licenses be granted to those living in California but also to those from other states too.

Obviously such a 'touchy' issue leads to everyone having an opinion one way or another. I'm all for reasoned and healthy debate. However, if you are going to go on national TV and make a case against gay marriage at least have some sort of argument to justify it.

I spent the best part of the morning watching and reading arguments both for and against gay marriage. Those arguing in its favour have made eloquent and impassioned speeches as to why this was such a great day and why it was so important to them. On the other hand, the only argument those against it seemed to have presented was well if i can't marry my sister why should two guys/ two girls be allowed to marry. Well done, nice argument!

Of course I'm biased but willing, in fact eager, to discuss the issue with those against it. All i ask is that people have something to actually discuss and debate. Surely this is not too much to ask.

Amusing Quote

This tickled me, I'd love to meet this person. Below is a shopping list found in a supermarket basket in England.

"Vodka, 'braed', eggs, fat, vodka"

Love it!

Direct China-Taiwan travel agreed

Source: BBC News

The two sides are holding their first formal talks since 1999. China and Taiwan have signed historic agreements to establish regular direct flights and allow more mainland tourists to visit the island. The deal means there will be direct cross-strait flights every weekend, instead of just during holiday periods. The development came at the first formal talks between the two sides for almost 10 years. Ties have been tense for years but have improved rapidly since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May. In contrast to his independence-leaning predecessor, Mr Ma wants warmer ties with Beijing and says his priority is maintaining regional stability.

Negotiators from Beijing and Taipei have been holding their first formal bilateral talks since 1999 at a state guesthouse in the Chinese capital. On Thursday the two sides agreed to host representative offices, and early on Friday they signed a deal to boost transport and tourism links, in a ceremony broadcast live on Chinese state television.

The weekend passenger flights will begin on 4 July and there will be 36 flights each week, with China and Taiwan operating 18 flights each. Previously direct flights were limited to four holiday periods each year. On other days, cross-strait travellers had to fly via Hong Kong or Macau.
From 18 July, each side will also allow in 3,000 tourists per day - a move that triples the number of mainland Chinese who will be allowed into Taiwan.

The move will be welcomed by Taiwanese businesses. Improving economic links with Beijing was one of Mr Ma's election pledges, and the island anticipates a boost from the influx of tourists.
Better cross-strait ties will also appeal to China in the run-up to the Olympics.
Beijing is very sensitive to international criticism, and its long-standing threat to use force against Taiwan if it move towards independence continues to be a focus for concern, analysts say. China and Taiwan say they hope that this round of negotiations will pave the way for regular dialogue between them. The two sides do not have formal diplomatic ties. China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949.

My New Laptop

Today i finally purchased a new laptop computer. It was becoming a priority after my old one was practically dying on me before my very eyes. With no sound, no CD drive and a completely Chinese system, it was only a matter of time before I got a new one.

So here it is, the Fujitsu Lifebook S6510 Notebook. It pretty awesome and I'm so happy to have a new laptop after living with my defective one for ages! Brian and I will share the computer while he is studying for GRE then in the long run it will be mine.

So, glad to have a new computer and glad to share something with my guy!

Genesis: That's All

Just as I thought it was going alright
I find out I'm wrong, when I thought
I was right s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
I could say day, you'd say night
tell it's black when I know that it's white
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all

I could leave but I won't go
though my heart might tell me so
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
so why does it always seem to be me looking at you,
you looking at me s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all

Turning me on, turning me off
making me feel like I want too much living with you's
just putting me through it all of the time
running around, staying out all night
taking it all instead of taking one bite living with you's
just putting me through it all of the time

I could leave but I won't go
it'd be easier I know
I can't feel a thing from my head
down to my toes

but why does it always seem to be me looking at you, you looking at me
s'always the same, just a shame, that's all

But I love you
more than I wanted to
there's no point in trying to pretend
there's been no-one who
makes me feel like you do
say we'll be together til the end

I could leave but I won't go though my heart might tell me so
I can't feel a thing from my head
down to my toes
so why does it always seem to be me looking at you,
you looking at me s'always the same, just a shame, that's all

But I love you
more than I wanted to
there's no point in trying to pretend
there's been no-one who
makes me feel like you do
say we'll be together til the end
Just as I thought it was going alright
I find out I'm wrong when I thought I was right
s'always the same, just a shame, that's all

I could say day, you'd say night
tell me it's black when I know that it's white
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all

Radiohead: In Rainbows

Radiohead are often put on a pedestal, and rightly so in my opinion, which means there is only one way to go when your up and that's down! Amazingly enough, Radiohead have worked their genius yet again with their seventh album and produced something awe-inspiring. Admittedly, it would be criminal for me not to elevate my favorite band to album of the week but this truly deserves such an accolade. As innovative as ever, they initially offered the release as a digital download where the buyer names the price. Thankfully, the music lives up to all the hype surrounding its release. Combining avant-grade electronics; as creepy, disjointed and discombobulated as ever, with guitar driven sounds synonymous with their inception makes for a healthy compromise. Gone are the political overtones, paranoia and talk of death. Enter an altogether more romantic and personal milieu where inner frailties are revealed. The melodies are shimmering and resonant touching on something never approached by them before; emotions! Sadness, longing, and regret, even infidelity. Is this truly Radiohead? Don't be fooled, this is them. There is a certain amount of gloominess and introspection expected from them here, but finally it seems that they are opening up and revealing their true colours. A staggering album on all accounts.

Fading Away

Losing weight was something i had to try really hard to do. With determination and a lot of hard work i managed to shift a considerable amount of weight over the course of a year. Over the past couple of months I seemed to have lost 5 kg by doing nothing. Actually, I have no idea how I have managed to do it. A combination of no gym and by no means a healthy diet over this time should have resulted in a trend in the opposite direction. Ordinarily I wouldn't complain about this; however, when people start commenting that you look much thinner and not necessarily in a good way along with the fact that you look older, then this is by no means a good thing!

On top of this, having nightmares almost every night of someone trying to chase and kill you obviously has some meaning yet I can't for the life of me think what! The only explanation I have got for this is I am stressed out. About what exactly? I feel far from stressed. Yet thinking about what has gone on in the past two months, then maybe there is some weight to this argument. Changing cities, homes, jobs, and relationships all at the same time is probably not something any would suggest as a wise choice. I suppose i have just been occupied dealing with all this without really thinking about it. Now i am settled i suppose it's possible things have just caught up with me and only now affecting me.

This week has been terrible, i hope it passes soon and some sort of normality sets in.