Disjointed Ramblings

Minister of Chance

Posted by anarchic teapot on 9 December, 2012 at 17:40 No Responses »

Dec 092012

I haven’t had time to write about this because things are really hectic these days. The second part of the Bugarach translation is nearly ready to go out the door: just some final tweaks and proofreading to be done. I listened to Minister of Chance over the summer and I’ve been meaning to listen to it again before writing about it, but I’ve not even had time to do that. So… Very briefly then: it’s a fun, funny, fantasy adventure with lots of respected British actors, funded by the fans and professionally produced. It’s a “sonic movie”, which is best described as like a radio drama, but with vastly improved acting and sound effects. Try it. It is free to download, can be listened to anywhere (although personally I recommend doing so while peacefully ensconced in a comfy chair with a large drink of whatever’s appropriate for the season to hand) and you are allowed – nay, positively encouraged – to pass it on to friends. The Minister of Chance is the groundbreaking sonic movie starring Julian Wadham, Jenny Agutter, Jed Brophy, Lauren Crace, Paul Darrow, Philip Glenister, Tamsin Greig, Sylvester McCoy, and Paul McGann. It’s free to download from www.ministerofchance.com or iTunes. The Minister of Chance YouTube channel By the way, helping to fund the next installment gives you access to goodies. I might put a photo of mine online later. It’s a postcard signed by two Doctors, Avon, Frances Tomelty and, um, Squiggle. Oh well. Maybe all will be [Read more]

The Black Stone of Bugarach Mountain, Part I

Posted by anarchic teapot on 25 November, 2012 at 19:02 No Responses »

Nov 252012

The Black Stone of Bugarach Mountain, Part I

Fine, yes, it took a while to get the thing on-line. Don’t look at me, it’s not my fault. Apparently some people have lives, which are things that get in the way of unreality. I’m told he’s much better now, but we had a bit of a scare. Anyway, this is the first part of a tale of mystery, murder and manipulation, inspired by the many weird and wonderful legends that have settled over a small and very rural part of South-Western France like dandruff on a good jacket. Having come across quite a few of the whackjob beliefs during research for posts on Short & Spiky, I thought I’d be prepared for this. I wasn’t. I think I can safely state that there is no concept so batshit, so pop-eyed and straw-in-the-hair’d, that somebody, somewhere, cannot be found to give it credence and yet still be considered responsible enough to be allowed to vote. The authors (there are three of them behind ‘Maurice Prevel’) actually had to tone some of the wilder myths down before they could be used in the book. You should probably avoid searching the Internet for further details of the more extreme nuttery around Bugarach unless you are very drunk. Anyway, here it is. Enjoy. Do not take seriously. Let us know if there are any typos ‘n’ stuff like that. If the electronic version sells well enough, we’ll cut down a few trees to make a printed version. Here’s the link for US readers: [Read more]

Video of the day: Van Canto

3 - Video of the day No Responses »

Jul 232012

You need to see this, whatever your personal musical tastes. This is… astounding. Unexpected. Extremely impressive. My great pal Rolf has paid one of his irregular visits and has provided his usual update on bad films and metal music. No cinematic gems this time, I’m afraid, but in compensation he passed on his latest discovery: a German metal band called Van Canto. Odd name for a metal band, you might think – the ‘canto’ bit anyway. All will be made clear in time. While not especially strong on melodic originality, this lot make up for it in sheer musical talent and technicality. Also the two lead singers are seriously hot, but I digress. This clip is fairly standard low budget metal, but you get a good look at all six band members. Now then, what I want you to do here is count the musical instruments. Yes, that was ectoplasm made from detergent foam. Official site: Van Canto Related articles VAN CANTO Re-Signs With NAPALM RECORDS (blabbermouth.net)

Searchindipity for May 2012

Posted by anarchic teapot on 15 June, 2012 at 03:33 3 Responses »

Jun 152012

Time once again for the monthly Whackjob Express to Fruitcake Central. Oh boy. Lessons I continue to learn: never expect anything sane out of search terms leading people to a blog that speaks of fringe therapies and antiscientific loonery. And, of course, willies. The juxtaposition in the list (3 hits each) of guy whipping penis out and hand potentising has me reaching for the homeopathic mind bleach. Ah yes, homeopathy. A rich and unrelenting source of prime WTF. A worried mark writes: what if you hv homeopathic provings due to wrong remedy. To which I helpfully reply: fear not, for ’tis all a consignment of ancient shoemakers anyway – Have I Got Loons For You: Homeopathic proving. Another hopefully scans the blog for homeo for head stuck, which conjures up images of someone trying to surf the Net with a saucepan jammed over his ears. There are other weird and wonderful sugar pill-related terms, but positron homeopathy is by far and away my favourite. I look forward one day to reading the hilariously contorted and unscientific explanation of how they manage to get antimatter into their tinctures. I’m sure John “Raving Loony” Benneth has penned or will soon provide a misspelt, incoherent rant on the subject. Another recurring theme is cancer quack Stanislaw Burzynski, also known as the piss doctor and serve him right. There are several variants on this, as well as a number of people who’d like to see him in a face-off with another dangerous cancer vampire: [Read more]

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