Death Throes of Two-Thousand and Sixteen.

This is going to be a long one.

 Across the Gradient

It has been an interesting year, one that if the collective circle jerk is to be believed was a dumpster fire that grew intelligence and destroyed the world. Yes the has been a lot of terrible things but in my mind the is always terrible things but why let that distract from the good stuff?

This blog is going to be my big wrap up for the year, including my film watching project and some choice facets of my life from this year.

The Pack

This year has gone down as a year of loss and yes the have been many notable deaths some of which have hit me hard, but non more so than the loss of a member of the family. Back in May we lost our lovely dog and her presence is still missed. But I believe that memories are for forever and I have forever with her.

I will cover this more in my post one the future but my fitness and health this year has been a bit all over the place. While I've not been too ill I have had issues that set me back during the summer. I think my fitness is a factor and while I have done a lot more exercise this year my intake has been very poor. Again it will be coved soon but I am changing my physical outlook.

"Moo"

I have done a fair few enjoyable things this year and looking back over my photos its been a good one. As well and fun stuff its been a year of changes, my sister got married, I moved roles and detachments in cadets (that's all the cadet talk for the year). I have had the chance to try new things and to go to some odd places, not all fun as such but the experience was worth it.

As you can tell just by a brief overview of this blog I have focused a lot on media consumption. What I take in has changed a tonne this year, TV has almost been eliminated and books, podcast and films have filled the void. I have kept up with less and less web-comics but my manga reading may have gone up slightly. My youtube viewing choices have altered, I have unsubbed from a lot of channels and found some very interesting ones, I now have a divers mix of lets plays, science, reviews and informative videos.

Roadside View

This have been my year of films, I have gone out of my way to watch more and to do a small write-up on each. Wow just added them all together and it came to a round 160! Bare in mind about 40ish will be short films (need to do that blog) but that is a lot of films. I think I have for the most part chosen wisely but diversely.

This is something I will keep up and so will the posts about each film. I like the record I can look back on and see what I thought about a certain film. Now the big question is what was the best film I saw this year? God knows, I don't think I could choose. But up there would be Paprika and When Marnie Was There with The Prestige ans so many more. I have watch a tone of anime and that's a blog all in its self (though it would be a long way off).

My biggest takeaway from so many films is; I want to watch more! I want to see other worlds and experience story’s from the minds of creative people. I want to see the work of masters in their fields and new comers proving themselves. I want to enjoy this diverse field of art.

Roadblock

I have taken almost half as many photos as last year. That's bad, I will change that next year. Why did I take so little? Not sure. Some kind of artists block, that is kind of why what I did take took so long to get on Flickr. Starting to post them here as well seems to have broken that dam. I feel like I am almost back in the grove but I need a bit more spark. Speaking of photos the ones in this post are from the walk I mention last blog.

I have also made a dive into more video and came up with one or two I am proud of. I need more experience but its something that wile was long and difficult I enjoyed doing. I will try to take video in mind when I move forward next year. I may need a new computer to help with that though, I have pushed my main computer hard this year and the are creaks starting to show. It should hold up for a while longer but next year I will have to take a good look at a new one.

At Home

39 blog posts this year, not bad going even though the was a few slight lulls. The have been about ten or so that haven't made it to the blog, some in an almost finished state and others little more than a collection of notes. I would like to go back through what I have laying about and see if I can do anything with them. I will try to do better next year to let less fall through the cracks.

I would have liked to have dome more personal update type posts throughout the year, most of my posts have been about films and less about my life. I will set myself a target next year but at least I got a bit better towards the end of the year.

Downhill Trail

The year is dying but what is a construct of time? Heck this thing we call a year is very localised and small compared to all of everything. I have never held much stock in the concept years especially new ones. The is no point in my mind but I suppose it makes the endless need to organise a lot easier.

So that’s my end of the year, the was some much I cut from this post (still over 1000 words). I want so say a lot so that's good I guess, but I have to keep it short or it wont come out tonight. Its been a fun and different year and on the whole its not that bad right? Anyway -

Have a Happy New Year and Here’s to Making the Future Bright.

Christmas Eve 2016

So it's Christmas eve. The day before a day of festivity’s and gifts.

Can't say that over the last few years I have been into it. The run up is by far the worst part of the current Christmas season. The fact it is correct to call it a season shows the main issue. All of the energy is put into the weeks leading up to the day. Christmas is celebrated multiple times and it doesn’t take much for a collective lethargy to set in.

The day itself is nice enough, gathering with family eating well and going to mass. It has become a routine that works. Time to relax and enjoy the day of rest. It could just be my state of mind but I don't remember the last Christmas where I felt that it was important. Is Christmas Important? Yes. I can't go into why but to me it is. I can feel confidant my reasons are not like the norm but yes the day to me is good. Don't get me started on the following 12 days.

 Hard at Work

The Lost Christmas Eve is a great song. It's so good I did a write up on why I like it and what it mean to me. The song is great but my post on the other hand... I'm not sure.

I found it very hard to write. Not because its hard to set my thoughts strait on. It was getting my thoughts into words that was very hard. I found myself working on it for days, just a line here or there. I did get two large bursts at it and I hope I arranged it up into something that is worth reading. I haven’t re-read it since I posted it out of fear that I spouted nonsense.

Poinsettias

A Christmas storm is on its way it seems. Almost zero chance of snow but a power cut wouldn't be much of a surprise. Walking back home the other night at just gone past 11 was an ordeal. The paths were frozen and I could see the frost form around me. It was a bit chilly.

I can take this kind of weather for the most part, its almost nice to walk in a cold wind. Speaking of which a small tradition is to meet up with about 30 people and go for a short walk in Derbyshire. Usually it takes place in the gap between Christmas and new years. Been doing that for a good ten or so years.

This year it's a short five mile stroll near Eyam. Should be nice and hopefully I will get a few good photos. Just got to work out what boots to ware and what kit to take. I may do something interesting and post it one here. I have a few ideas forming but we will see.

It Keeps the Snow Off

I have got some more posts to come before the end of the year. A bunch of round up blogs from films to other media and a general year overview. It will be interesting to see what I can get out. I just hope I can keep up this kind productivity next year. Anyway its getting late and I have some relaxing to do.

- - -

Happy Christmas to all,

and to all a good night.

One Christmas Song – The Lost Christmas Eve [TSO]

Track 2 - The Lost Christmas Eve

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas songs seem to come in two main variations. There are the traditional ones, think carols or songs derived from them. Then the is the pop songs; basically most stuff played in shops and on the radio. I like some of both kinds but the are a lot that either I don't care for, or out right can't stand. With Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO from now) I have a group that produces a variety in style and tone of Christmas themed songs. Listening to them will give me something pleasant no matter my mood.

TSO are most well know for their Christmas music, they have produced three full double albums of songs and music. They come from a classical school but the are other styles in there. Most noticeably metal and blues. The big thing that sets TSO apart from other bands is the make up of the group. They are a super group, the is a core but they have collaborated with many people, some just for one or two tracks.

On a street in the night
In the cold winter's light
A child stands alone and she's waiting
And the light that's out there
It just hangs in the air
As if it was just hesitating

The Lost Christmas Eve is the title track of its album. On a very diverse album in style this one stands out to me the most. It has a feeling of wonder to it that is hard to tie down. Like with Beathoven's Last Night the song has a deep vocals and lyrics that set a world wonderfully.

World building is a kind of rare thing in songs, most take place in a know setting or head space. Here with this one we get a description of its world and what it is like. The lyrics are prose like in form, though it doesn’t tell a story it feels like it is setting one up. The descriptions take time to set the world up and show its parts to us, we then take a short but wild ride through it.

And the snow it comes down
And it muffles the sound
Of dreams on their way to tomorrow
And when they appear
This night will hold them near
For where they will lead
It will follow

To me this song is like the story A Christmas Carol. The feel between the two is striking it feels so similar with the song being almost Dickensian. The words of dreams and wonders, wrapped within a child sense of wonder at the season. Its like a story of a cold winters breeze and it blows through a place and leaves its presents'.

The is not much of a narrative through line it is more of a song that gives thoughts and feelings of a world of a kind of Christmas fantasy. The song sets up the world well both in appearance and feel. The lack of story it a bonus as every time I listen to it I can imagine a different one.

In this scene on this night
There's an ancient hotel
Where shadows they do tend to wander
And the ghosts that live here
Hold each moment so dear
For time's not a thing one should squander

One major thing about TSO that holds me so much is the power they put into their performances. Here towards the end the tempo goes up and the lyrics are sung with force. The male vocals are brilliant and the power is palpable. It wont be a surprise to know this is my favourite part of the song.

The shifts in tone and style are to be expected but here we have two fairly big ones. First we get the child whispering Merry Christmas over and over which then shifts into the heavy part where the last few verses are powered through. The calming begging is nice but the ramp up is what makes it great.

Windows of frosted ice
Prisming candlelight
And somehow we start to believe
In the night and the dream
As it cuts through the noise
With the whisper of snow
As it starts to deploy

This song has stuck with me since I first heard it. It is a meld of things I enjoy about Christmas and music. It could be argued its not very Christmasy in both style and tone, but to me it is what I want from Christmas. I could see myself moving on from this song as time goes by but in my situation now, it is my Christmas song.

With a dream so intense
That it returns us all
To a child's innocence

- - -

A Mixture of Festive Feelings

The Christmas season is now here in full force. I'm even getting into the act a bit early this year.

I have sent out a gift for the Reddit gift exchange and have got some ideas about presents for people. I got my first Christmas card the other day and have realised I don't have any, I thought I had a pack or two laying around but they have vanished.

Carol of the Bells

I have even started to listen so some Christmas music of my own choice. I can't stand being bombarded by what the radio plays. I have gone for a more classical approach. And have made a playlist consisting of mainly Trans-Siberian Orchestra who have three dedicated Christmas albums and they are great.

On a sadder note the man behind of of my favourite Christmas songs had died, Greg lake. 'I Believe in Farther Christmas' is fantastic and is the style I love. As will be seen in an upcoming 'One song' Blog post. His work for King Crimson is great and he has had some minor input into TSO.

I Believe in Farther Christmas - Greg Lake

I have two planned out two One Song posts; one a Christmas song and another by the greatest band of all time (Well I think so). Not sure when they will be done as I'm away this weekend and I have a lot on my plate next week. Its a feature that I like to do I just hope I can keep it up. The are many songs that through my life have made a mark on me, this gives me a change to tell their story.

All the tracks in this blog are runners up for song to write about, they are all fantastic and this last one is stellar. As an aside the video embed feature for Blogger is crap! It make finding a video I want next to impossible. Why it doesn’t let me embed a link I don't know. It's backwards and probably will never be fixed.

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 - TSO 

 

One Song – And Then There Was Silence [Blind Guardian]

A Night at the Opera 2001 (original)

Memories of a Time to Come 2012 (new recording)

Written by Hansi Kürsch and AndréOlbrich

Blind Guardian is a funny beast for me. The is one compilation album I love and everything else pretty much hasn’t caught me. They are a German Heavy Metal band who are most well know for doing songs based on Fantasy. Such as Lord of the Rings, Dark Tower or The Wheel of Time.

This song that I have singled out is based on an older story and may have a basis in history. The Iliad by Homer is a work that has come down through the ages, from when Alexander the Great slept with a copy to modern films of various quality. The story of the Trojan wars is very well known.

We have been betrayed
By the wind and rain
The sacred hall's empty and cold
The sacrifice made
Should not be done in vain
Revenge will be taken by Rome

This song had a lot of ups and downs, the tempo varies along with the part of the story its at. As feeling go up and down so dose the music. Being a long song (14:06) it need variance to keep interest and to better tell its story. It doesn’t get lost ins its own rhythm but crashes in at points were needed.

The are moments of power and moments of calm and peace. Then we get an almost fake end that then leads into the climax. The music and story builds and then the inevitable finally comes. The last two or so minuets is an epilogue to its story both in story and style. As the song fades out we get a reminder of the running riffs.

And then there was silence
Just a voice from other world
Like a leaf in an icy world
Memories will fade

This is such an awesome way of telling an epic story. It hits a lot of notes from the main story of the Illiad and manages to show some of the wonder. I get a feeling of anger at the start and it builds up to the war. The is aggression in the lyrics and in how they are sung.

One of my favourite parts is how they tell the story of the wooden horse. The glee and disbelief is amazing. The song shifts through so many feelings its a ride and a half. The main source of the changes is that we get both sides of the story. We get the victory and the despair.

Raise my hands and praise the day
Break the spell show me the way
In decay
The flame of Troy will shine bright

Its hard to take it all in in one go. The is so much going on from the simple story to the more abstract lyrics. I can just listen through and get carried away by the music. Then at other times is like listening to a story book.

The are two main versions of this song one from 2001 and the other from 2012. They sound very different and in my mind the is only one winner. The new version has more energy to it and the vocals so so much more full of life. It doesn’t hurt it's the first version I listened to but like so many things it got better with practise.

She's like the sunrise
Outshines the moon at night
Precious like starlight
She will bring in a murderous price

I can't emphasise it the scope and scale of this song enough, it's so impressive. Listening to it all the way trough is no challenge, its so good I can't but pay full attention to it. This is a song that defines a band for me. Blind Guardian do some great stuff some at this level but for me the sheer scope and scale of this track ups it up among my favourites of all time.

 Misty tales and poems lost
All the bliss and beauty will be gone
Will my weary soul find release for a while
At the moment of death I will smile
It's the triumph of shame and disease
In the end 

 - - -

Iliad

Frost and Fire

I feel as though I almost burnt the house down today. I probably didn’t; but the fire did get a bit out of control. It was far too hot to get near which made turning it down a struggle, but I did it. It is an old solid fuel fire that heats the houses water. The issue was to much air got into the closed system so it burnt through the coke fast and violently.

By the time I had realised it was over an hour since I have stoked it up so it had plenty of time to run away. I turned the heating on and well as ran off some tap water which both helped. Strange that I got distracted but I'm not sure it would have been a disaster. All sorted now and all that was lost was half a load of coke and some of my nerves.

 Outlined

One Song, its a thing I hope I can keep going. I have been looking for excuses to write more and this has been around in my mind most of the year. I will focus on one song that I like and do a small write up on it. My first plan was to go into some detail but I feel its more important to say what it means to me rather than what it is at a technical level.

As I said I have had plans for a while and even started a write up on 39' by Queen. I'm not sure where that file went but my plan is different now so I will do it some other time. The next one I think I will tackle will be: 'And Then There Was Silence' by Blind Guardian. If I keep this streak up it could come soon.

Winter Coat

I have binged my way through a new podcast over the weekend. The Mental Podcast. It is by a comedian I found early this year and went through his other podcast [The Parapod] it was a treat and since following him on twitter I have gained an understanding of his work. It is a podcast that takes a look at mental well being. HE talks through events and issues with people who have suffered or helped others.

It may not be an easy listen for some but I found it very interesting and well presented. Issues like the ones from the show have been something I have been aware of and its interesting to see from the eyes of people who deal (or try to deal) with mental issues.

Frozen Firework

I have started on my winter path and bought some cough sweets and the like. I have had a bit of a sore throat for week or so, its one that hasn’t affected me much but has just been annoying. It makes swallowing something I notice and I have been hacking up some flem but not a disruptive amount.

Wow look at me being wordy today. I may just be on a writing upswing but I think I will capitalise on it. The is so much I want to get down in words but the last month was a struggle. Its coming easy today and my typing speed is fast, I'm not thinking much its just flowing out. I can feel sentences arranging in my head and even change last second before my fingers tap it out.

Anyway I think I should end this off and move onto something a different.

One Song - Tides of Time [Epica]

Track 09: 'Design Your Universe' by Epica

Released in 2009

Written by Mark Jansen

Performed by Simone Simons

Epica have become of my me favourite bands this year. They are known as a Symphonic Metal group who produce long and powerful pieces. I have had them around for a few years but this year I took a dive into their discography and haven’t surfaced yet.

In this ongoing blog series I will look at one song that I like, then try and say why. Don't expect overly detailed analyses, all it is is me saying what I like and why.

Tides of Time is atypical Epica song in some ways. It limits its use of instruments for a long portion and is only sung throughout by a female vocalist. It starts off quiets and calm but builds up to something a bit more powerful.

This song has a power to it from the piano to the very high singing it has a sharp presence. The comes a crash towards the end that brings in the full power of the song. You are hit with a wave of powerful but calming music.

You were always there to hold my hand

When times were hard to understand

But now the tides of time have turned

They keep changing

- - -

Seasons range, but you remain the same

A steady heart, a sun to rain

You'll be the light that's shining bright

High above me

The lyrics have an autumnal feel to them, with the turning of the seasons showing a mental turn. The is a hope to the words which though don't stand out run throughout song. People grow apart or are lost even in memory. Can it be accepted?

I can get so much from just reading the Lyrics and again more when I hear them sung. The energy put into the words by Simone Simons is outstanding.

This is a song that I think is beautiful. Beauty is more than looks, it encompass feel and sound. The sound is obvious but what this song makes me feel can only be described as beauty.

We are leaves meant to fall

There is a meaning to all

That fades

- - -

2016 The Year of Films [December]

Here we go last month of the project. The Index is HERE

01. 20th Century Boys (02.12.16)
I think this may be the first live action Japanese film I have watched. It has been sat on my shelf for years after picking it up off the market. I am well versed in the manga and read it back in 2008 I think. The story is great and very well told, this is a almost perfect adaptation of the manga up to the end of the first arc.

02.  Full Metal Jacket (03.12.16)
This may seem a bit odd but this is the first time I have watch this a a Kubrick film. Before it was a army film. I watched looking into the direction and story telling. Like 2001 or Clockwork Orange it is a collection of parts, The are two very apparent parts but the whole film is almost a run of vignettes. Very unsettling at times and I'm not sure what Kubrick's theme was (duality of man?) but it is a great film.

03. Valkyrie (04.12.16)
To know the details of a film before it was written is a somewhat odd thing. I have a deep interest in the world wars and in the plots and machinations within them. My first time seeing this; not sure why, perhaps I know that unlike most war film you can't put a spin on it. Very well made film, the tension build wonderfully. Very compelling and an interesting look from the other side.

04. Tank Girl (05.12.16)
Crazy. Its like Mad Max but turned up to 11. Where Mad Max is restrained this takes 90s action and shoves it into a world of crazy. Nice direction and production, some of the acting is a bit suspicious but its the type of film that gets away with it. On another note why hasn't Malcolm McDowell been a Bond villain?

05. On Your Mark [Short] (07.12.16)
A short film slash music video by Studio Ghibli. It's setting is very interesting being a weird high density sifi world. The plot is fairly simple but the narrative is slightly more complex. It  has a bunch of different plots all interesting in different aspects. The animation and art is very Ghibli and the song is fantastic.

06. Tokyo Godfathers (11.12.16)
So much to say, and now I've rewatched this I will do a post on Kon. This is a fantastic film, the pacing and plot runs smoothly and all the points in the film hit well. Its also so damn funny, from the outset just the premise of homeless people caring for a baby is odd but how the film plays with all its aspects its a riot at times. At other times it very introspective.

07. Escape [Short] (12.12.16)
A Christmas themed short. Its a nice little simple story shown with no speaking. The art style of paper craft silhouettes is very well realised. The were some nice little moments to the animation that showed extra depth to the story. The sound design and music were on point and all in all it a very good film.

08. Premier Automne [Short] (14.12.16)
A film that personifies the seasons. It is about the meeting between winter and spring and the resulting impact on the world. The story is nice and simple but very well made, with a cell shaded look and some very smooth animation. The puppy's were especially great even the skeleton ones. Loved the music which helped set the feel and the end was perfect.

09. Rogue One [Cinema] (16.12.16)
It's very very good! Story wise it ties some stuff up nicely with nothing overly surprising. The characters are interesting and well portrayed, loved the cg work on Tarkin even if it is a little uncanny valley. The look of the film is amazing. A wide range of locations helped but the cinematography is awesome. Overall it's a great film and a nice addition to Star Wars.

10. Batman - Year One (18.12.16)
Batman's first year compressed into a shortish film. This story has been told many times over the years with only slight variations. This one deviates a fair bit and is far too much of a rush to get through it. The overall plot is a mess and the characters are changed. The art and animation are very simple and plane. Not terrible but could have done with a focus and breathing space.

11. One Winters Night [Short] (19.12.16)
A  low budget short film but it makes the most of it. The art is very janky almost reminds me of old shockwave stuff. The story is told as a poem, the narrator is a bit hard to understand but the poem is ok. It seems to emulate the style of Poe but its far short of him. Nothing special.

12. Summer Wars (22.12.16)
Showing the internet on film is hard, many films have done odd metaphors for hacking and the like. Here Hosoda has gone with a cool second life type style. The plot is a odd meandering one with a bunch of strands running through. The characters are diverse and well portrayed. As I have come to expect from Hosoda the animation is great. the are lots of intricate things I could go into but all I will say its it's well put together.

13. Memoirs of a Geisha (23.12.16)
A wonderful film, the cinematography and set design were outstanding. The overall plot it a simple tale of growth and finding love but the setting and style made the film truly great. The performances are all top notch and the score is one of John Williams' best. The are some stand out moments both awe inspiring and others shocking but it is all tied together brilliantly.

14. Fargo (24.12.16)
This counts as a Christmas film right, there is snow and everything. A damn good film, very well made and in a style that works well even though is not one I find interesting. The acting is very stylised but it works with the slightly absurd story. The are some great moments and the is space to let it all sink in. Even though it is not a long film it uses its time well and feels fuller than most modern films.

15. The Exorcist (26.12.16)
It's 43 years to the day since it was first released, so what's a better night to watch it for the first time? Going in I wasn't sure of what to expect, parts are ingrained into culture and cinema legend. I loved the build up in the first act and the rest of he film flowed nicely. It's all around amazing. Oh and  Tubular Bells is awesome.

16. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (27.12.16)
Is there a more perfect film than this? It is fantastic on so many levels, world building, story, animation, characterization, music, theme and the direction that bundles it all up. Strong characters with good motivations and a world that not just makes sense but very easily could be in our future. I love it to bits and will watch it over and over again.

17. The Zero Theorem (28.12.16)
How do you go about disproving a meaning to life? How dose Terry Gilliam make such wonderful films? It's great, from wonderful performances by Christoph Waltz to surprising bit from Tilda Swinton. I loved how the film asks so many questions but strays from giving full answers, it looks at them but leaves the deeper meaning to us. Fantastic.

18. Planet Unknown [Short] (29.12.16)
A very well made short about two rovers searching a planet for a place to grow life. It takes a few too many cues from Wall-E but it is very well animated and the direction is nice. The music though a bit over the top at times works well. Not much of a story as such but a nice little film with good action and likeable robots.

19. The Garden of Words (30.12.16)
Every frame is a work of art. The animation and art shines. Makoto Shinkai is now becoming a household name like Ghibli, his work is so fantastic and this shortish piece is next to perfect. The story is a nice little but complex character piece with some heartbreaking moments and a great climax. But again its the art that stands out. I need to see 'Your Name' in the cinema.

20. Star Trek Beyond (31.12.16)
A film of ups and downs. The are some things that just didn't work but luckily they were only minor things. The two major twists worked well with the last one being great. Its a solid sifi film with some nice future architecture but the were places they could have gone further. I felt the enemy were too strong and numerous and like a lot of modern action films were dealt with too easy. Other than that one of the better trek films.

End of the month end of the year. A solid year for films and I have seen some very good ones. Best of this month? meh, so many good ones, if I were to narrow to ones I watched for the first time it would be Memoirs of a Geisha. So onto next year.

Dazed Thoughts

I have got a small lump on my head. Its just in the hair line and is tender. The problem is; I don't have a clue where it has come from!

I got my hair cut in town in the morning and the were no issues then. When I got back home I spent about an hour doing some bits and bobs and clearing up the leaves (for the third time and I will need to to it again sometime) Later just raking my fingers through my head I felt a bit of pain and a small lump.

It has almost been a day and it is still there and still hurts. My best guess it that a bug bit me whilst I was clearing the leaves. Its something I could have done without.

Merlin and his texts

I have decided to change my blog on Millennium Actress into a long form one on Satoshi Kon. I will be watching Tokyo Godfathers sometime soon. Then I will only have one more film of his to watch before I have seen them all this year alone. So I will wait give some detailed views on his works until then.

It shouldn’t take too long after I watch Tokyo Godfathers to get the post out since I have done a fair bit already. My biggest issues is going to be how to format it. The is less films than the Ghibli post but I can go into so much more detail.

Millennium Actress - The Interview

I heard a Christmas song on national radio this morning... Kill me now.

I don't get it; why would anyone want to risk getting sick of something weeks before the event. Then you get an almost total drop off before then end of the year even though Christmas lasts a week into the new year. I think its one of those things that I will never get.

On a stranger note I had put a few hours into a blog that wont go up. The evening after Trump was elected I wrote a 'thought piece' on the situation and it turned very abstract. It may see the light of day but very changed. I made some interesting points but they can be applied to just about any subject.

So long for now.

Remember Remember

A podcast has just ended that I have very much enjoyed. Its a podcast by the minds behind 'Welcome to Nightvale'. It only lasts ten episodes but uses a very interesting concept, relaxation/self help tapes. The help they offer is odd but they also get over some other things. The are hints at a larger story and an odd world.

A mix of weirdness and world-building with a fantastic narrator makes this a very worth wile series. I like how the arching story unfolded from with the concept of the self help tapes. The were time I felt for the narrator as she described her role and what she saw. They are doing a season two but I doubt it is a direct squeal. Very worth the time.

Marina

A bit of a phone update; I am liking it, a lot. The battery seems to last for a long time even with the increased use I am getting out of it. I have decided to use a full cover case for it it as opposed to a rubber backing. It gets in the way a bit but I will get used to it and it offers a damn sight more protection.

I have made an effort to use this phone better than my last. I have more data per month to use so I have been using it wisely. I also plan on using the contactless pay options and stuff as well. And I am using the damn calendar, lets see how long that lasts for...

Almost Ready To Fall

I have completed my Goodreads challenge of 40 books in a year a few months early; this is due to using audio books. Though an audio book takes almost twice as long to listen to as to read; I can fit in in better. ( I have got three stared dead tree book on my desk to finish) From walks to before bed at night or doing chores and mindless stuff.

I have listen to a lot over the last few years mainly fantasy and I could just be lucky but they were all great. Almost done with the third book of the 'First law trilogy' its pretty good. I wish I knew a bit more before going in book one. It would have been better at the time, but now I am where I’m at it makes sense.

Rear Guard

November the month of darkness and remembrance. Its going to be a busy one and one; I will have to manage it well but I should be ok. As a last aside I have signed up for Reddit's secret Santa again this year, it should be a bit of fun.

2016 The Year of Films [November]

November. Dark nights are perfect for staying in and watching films.
Here is the INDEX

01. Piper [Short] (01.11.16)
Pixar shows its skill in both short form story telling and their prowess in making a beautiful looking film. One of their best shorts and by far the best looking cg I have seen.

02. Coda [Short] (02.11.16)
A film about death and the parts of your own life you don't get to see. (You lived what anybody gets. A lifetime -Sandman) Interesting take on the grim reaper.  Nice bit of voice acting. LINK

03. Stanley Kubrick's Boxes (03.11.16)
A documentary about the work of Kubrick and his method in preparing for a film. His organization and preparation reaches crazy levels of work but he was far from the mad man he gets portrayed as. Nice little film, a bit odd in presentation but it got its points across.

04. Westworld (04.11.16)
A nice high concept but it fails to do much with it. The are some holes to the story that would make the whole better if they were filled. For a kind of short film it some how drags in the final act. Other than that is was enjoyable but very much of it's time.

05. The Backwater Gospel [Short] (05.11.16)
Very distinctive look to the film, it is cg but looks dirty. Odd story and one that make little sense, it meant to be a horror story but come off as more of a bash on religion. The was no pay off.

06. Road to Perdition (06.11.16)
I read the comic back in about 04 and pick up the film not long after. This is my first time watching it. Some big name involved who maybe weren't so at the time. It is a great film, the score is fantastic and the direction though a bit noticeable is great. Some awesome shots.

07. Little Match Girl [Short] (09.11.16)
A Disney short and a damn good one. Love how the is no sound other than a simple piano score. A old story (well it is Disney) but very compelling and with a sad ending.

08. The House of Small Cubes [Short] (12.11.16)
Man i need to find some uplifting short films. Very well executed film, from story to art and music. I loved the dive back i time being kind of literal. The metaphors were on the nose but that was the point.

09. Millennium Actress (13.11.16)
So mush to say, and I'm not sure how too. One of the best films I have seen, so complex and yet the story flows so well and the acting is top notch. The animation and art quality is fantastic as well. A inspired story and told in a way only achievable through animation. (a full review will come soon)

10. Riddick (18.11.16)
Why did they have to tie it in so close to the other films? Why did they rehash the first one? why do the effects look so bad? Other than that its a fun film, it is great when Riddick is doing his Batman style stuff and the intro was cool. A bit much exposition at times but solid over all.

11. Redline (19.11.16)
Oh boy where to start? It looks amazing, the art and animation is out of this world as is the design choices. Stylistically it is perfect. The story though, its just damn bad. To make things worse it is told very poorly. Far too much bad dialogue and lazy story telling. It could be so much better. Watch it for the racing and animation only.

12. Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future (20.11.16)
Crazy and very of it time. I don't know much about Max Headroom but this was a fun little film. Nice setting, they sold a gritty dirty future.

13. Angel's Egg (21.11.16)
A early work by Oshii and a very stylistically surreal one. I have very little in the way of dialogue or even story but it exudes style and feelings. It is more of a work of art than a film in the way Fantasia is. Very interesting and I will have to give it a second watch sometime.

14. Memento (25.11.16)
Very solid film. The narrative is what makes it great but the acting and story stands up with it. I'm not sure if a rewatch would make it clearer or not. Very interesting.

15. Akira (27.11.16)
Nothing to say. Still one of the best films ever made.

A solid month of films. Best? Millennium Actress, by a hair. worst? well most disappointing would be Redline.
On to the end of the year.

Autumnal Feelings

October is here and Autumn has come crashing in. It has been a slow creep this year building over the past few weeks. I love this time of year, especially a nice warm afternoon.

The change of season has brought about some other changes. We now need to heat the house and water more, this requires for the fire to be used for the first time since about May. The fire in the kitchen heats the house and for now is only needed in the evening and night but in a few weeks if the weather turns it will be in most of the day.

So from now until next spring I have more stuff to do as I am more often than now to one who makes and cleans the fire. I have to bring in the wood and coke (like coal but cleaner) and starting it up. As well as cleaning it out.

I emptied it out for the first time this season a few days ago; I used the handle to lift the full ash pan and carried it outside to the dustbin. The odd thing being I used on hand and didn't balance it against my body. I carried it out one handed with no struggle.

Have I gotten stronger over the summer? It is likely that I have but by how much and how? Its not like I work out and the most exercise I get comes in the fashion of walking. Granted I have felt pretty good this year about my body image, even through a few weeks of trouble in July.

Something seems to have gone my way, is it just small gains or is it my new dedication to posture?

The more I think on this the more I see I have never been weak, yes I have issues with Asthma but my core strength has been there since I left childhood. Heck I have been doing hard work since I was an early teen including chopping logs with an axe.

Now the main thing is to take this as a good sign and to try and get better.

Froglet

Some random stuff.

I have just listened to all 15 Dresden Files books since September 10th and wow are they good. They hold up well and the last few were nice to re-read for a first time. I will do a blog on the series and perhaps even a post on 'Changes' (boot 12).

Last Monday I got back from wandering around Sheffield and Meadowhall and my left ankle hurt a bit. Then all week is has been a massive issue, the tendon has been giving me pain enough that I have been limping. It has faded the last day or tow but if I tweak it it huts. Hope it clears up.

I managed to get a new phone (Moto G4 play) and I got an awesome deal. I will be paying about £3 a month less for more features and a better tariff than my last phone. And as a big upside I have a phone with a working audio jack now. I wont have to use the bloody awful Bluetooth thing.

The are some interesting things on the horizon, from films to books and I am working on getting some of my photos displayed.

Next post coming soon(ish)

2016 The Year of Films [October]

Busy month ahead but I should find time to see some films. INDEX

01. Perfect Blue (10.10.16)
Kon's films have dream like quality's to them but here we get one that feel like a dream. I love how the themes of identity mix in both artificial and introspective ways. The are some disturbing parts and the tent pole scene is very well done.

02. The Little Prince (14.10.16)
A delightful animated film. From top to toe it is fantastic. From the animation to the story and voice acting. It all comes together well and is one of the best growing up films around. Deep and truly delightful.

03. Borrowed Time [Short] (15.10.16)
Very well realized story of a man facing his past. Beautifully rendered and compiled with few lines of dialogue but they are very effective when they come. Though it is a sad film it feels right.

04. The Enforcer [Dirty Harry] (16.10.16)
Keeps the themes of the first two films, with a slight extension into woman's rights. It is a bit heavy handed and times and the action though dated is still ok. Nothing overly special about this one. Nice and simple plot and fairly well told.

05. Whiplash [Short] (17.10.16)
A strange short film, the is no ending as such just a tirade of insults. Nicely made and the sound is top notch. I think I will have to give the feature a go. This was just too short.

06. Paprika (22.10.16)
Yes again. Needed something awesome as I'm very damn tired. Still awesome from top to toe.

07. Shelter [Short] (23.10.16)
Its odd how much story you can fit into a small amount of time, even with little dialogue. This is also a music video and it works so damn well. Love the literal world building. From a sense of wonder to sadness and loss the short hits every note.

08. The Disappearance of Alice Creed (24.10.16)
Such things as too many twists? Loved the opening sequence and the film built on it nicely. Perhaps they tried to fit to much into a simple story. Still, I enjoyed it.

09. The Crow (26.10.16)
My 'Halloween' film for the year. So many great things going on here, from the imagery to the music and direction. Nice a simple plot but very well done. A few issues with his ability's and what he can do but it didn't diminish the film. Nice to see a non horror Halloween film.

10. Doctor Strange [Cinema]  (31.10.16)
A sidestep for the Marvel universe. Loved the acting and visuals, the story was almost by the numbers but the were some very nice moments. 

A slow month but a diverse one. Best of the month? The Little Prince by a hair.

Back Behind the Lens

I went out and took some pictures today.

Grains

Shocking right. But its the first time in a long while I have gone out and done that for myself.

I didn’t get much to share but I did take about a hundred shots which is more than I have mustered the last few times. I hope this is me getting over this hill. I don't know if I have had artist block or what but I don't take photos for myself much. Heck it may have been years since I did it with any regularity.

Is the a link to how I feel? No doubt but what effects that. I have felt happier the last few weeks since some pressures have lifted. They will come back down but I am going to have a better foundation for them now.

Using Photoshop has felt better, less of a chore. I now want to tweak my pictures and show them off. Suppose I should grind through the lash few hundred of the wedding photos.

Wild Flower

On another note I have blasted my way through the first four Dresden Files books in the last five days. They are great I may even do a review what I have caught back up.

Still on books I have three on my shelf by my desk, all started and left untouched for months. I must sort that out.

I will do a more general update blog in the next week or two.

So. Just How Good is - Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

It is a 13 part Anime from the winter 15/16 season by studio Deen. It is based on the Manga of the same name, which I haven read. (Yet)

Don't ask me to try and read the title out! I wont have a hope in hell. It has taken me a while to work my way through it due to one reason or another. I didn’t even learn of it until after the season had ended and some reviewers had rated it above “Boku dake ga Inai Machi” (Erased) witch I loved.

Here is some rambling and random thoughts on five and a half hours of Anime greatness.

First off the title, what dose it mean? It directly translates to something like -

"Shōwa Era, Genroku Era, Comic Storytelling, and Double Suicide"

witch sound more like a description than a title. I prefer a more natural translated title to a direct one and with this show we get -

“Showa and Genroku Era Lover's Suicide Through Rakugo”

Much nicer. So what is Rakugo?

Rakugo is like a form of one man storytelling/theatre. It reminds me of what Little Ronnie was famousfor. It is an old Japanese art of storytelling; preformed before a audience with no assistance apart from a bell a candle and a fan. It takes great acting skill in face a voice to pull it off. The are hundreds of story's, mostly comic but some are love story's or even horror.

The shows story is almost slice of life but is more plot focused. The bulk of takes place in a flashback, starting pre war going up to about the 60s. I think the present is some time in the 80s but its hard to tell. The title gives better clues to when it is set. The is a interesting set up in the present but the main focus is one the past and the death of a Rakugo performer.

We learn of two children growing up as apprentices to the art form. They bounce of each other as they grow and most of the story is around how they effect and are effected by the nature of the art. They upset the order of things and thus the plot is driven into a sorry place. The story runs deep and in very much character focused.

It is the people that makes this show great. I feel like they are real. The is so much to every one of them. not a mix of character traits but fleshed out people. The animation and voice acting is on such a level it is hard to find anything that can compare.

The Rakugo sets within the episodes are what stand out the most. They are funny, tragic and even poignant. though they are animated its like they don't need to be to work, the sheer force of acting behind the story makes it feel real. The is are two that add in the visuals to a greater extent both to show oh the person preforming is changing, one dying the other coming into his own after so long.

There is a big barrier in a show like this one, language. It can be a issue in most shows in the form of translation compatibility but here not only do the Rakugo story's need to work in English but there is issues with the structure of the society and the language of the world. Little things like roles to strange things such as shoes and the world of geisha. It took a fair bit of effort to keep up during the Rakugo performances and the intrigue was as hard to keep up with. It was worth it, as I have said it is all about interactions and following them was essential.

The direction of the show was almost formal but it was fitting with the times and nothing felt out of place. The sound and music were brilliant and made the world come together.

I could go into so much about this show, from gender issues to generation gaps and the place of the old with the new. Not to even mention all of the subtle stuff. All I will say is the is so much to love and is is present in such a way that feels grown up and clever.

So just how good is "Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu"? Pretty damn good. It hasn't effected me like “Usagi Drop” or put me on edge like “Boku dake” but as a whole it is excellent and very compelling. Cant Wait for season two.

The show is a work of art. No, it is more like an art gallery. A building which is a masterpiece in its own right that encompasses other great works. This show has all of the right parts to make a beautiful whole. It is at the top of its genera.

2016 The Year of Films [September]

Summer is ending but the film watching is gearing up.
Link to the INDEX

01. Eastern Promises (02.09.16)
My first Cronenberg film, and what a good one it is. I did have the twist spoiled some months back but it didn't diminish the film any. Strong acting and direction make for a well told story.

02. Roujin-Z (09.09.16)
From two of the greats, Otomo and Kon is this strange film. Its very funny and very very odd. The dub leaves much to be desired and is poorly localised, some of the voice acting is weak. Love the art style its a bit all over the place but it fits with the sensibility's of the film.

03. Captain America - Civil War (10.09.16)
Still awesome, it makes logical sense and holds up. The are three very distinct acts and each are almost a film in there own right. The conflicts are what makes this film tic and it gets the interactions spot on.

04. Coraline (11.09.16)
Haunting and beautiful. A fantastic stop animation film and a well told story. Love How Coraline seems like real girl. Top to bottom a fantastic production.

05. Moongirl [short] (12.09.16)
A short by Laika, somewhat strange but a nice and fun ride if a bit simple, the ending made up for that though. Nice animation and direction, the boys voice-acting and dialogue was a bit much but Moongirls was spot on.

06. Brazil (14.09.16)
What if Monty Python did 1989? You get a wild ride and a damn good one. Love it from start to end, the music, the acting, the direction and the world. Its all great.

07. Home Sweet Home [short] (16.09.16)
Wow! Such a great film, so much packed into 9 minuets. The level of detail and art quality is top notch. How they anthropomorphising of the buildings was great and even though the were no dialogue it came across well. I felt sad for a house.

08. The Prestige (17.09.16)
The is much that could be said about this film. From the nature of good and bad to the art of preforming and just how far do you stretch believability? This is going to become one of the greats, it has a very interesting plot told in a very non liner way but it makes sense and the twists are unexpected. Awesome.

09. Appleseed (18.09.16)
By the writer of Ghost in the Shell, and is shows. An interesting take on post humanism and robotics. Very 80s in style but it works.

10. Unbreakable (19.09.16)
A very well made film and a interesting take on the whole comic book hero idea. Its the ending that turns this film into  a very very awesome one. A look into the mind of a villain. I love how low key it is how normal everything seems, even the acts of heroism are small scale.

11. American Psycho (23.09.16)
Wow, all over the place and very damn crazy. I don't know what to make of it. Its a awesome ride but not one I felt like I was awake for.

12. Ghost in the Shell- SAC - Solid State Society (24.09.16)
Very compelling story. Mostly well told a bit too much tell instead of show bit it works. It felt like the two previous series. The music is fantastic. The themes and plot is so good I may do a blog on it.

13 Ghost in the Shell - Arise - OVA 1 Ghost Pain (25.09.16)
Interesting. A re-imagining of the origin of section 9. Not sure about the younger looking Major or how much she shows but its off to a strong start. Feels like ghost in the Shell so far.

14 Ghost in the Shell - Arise - OVA 2 Ghost Wispers (25.09.16)
 The team is coming together. Nice continuation of the wider plot with the memory virus. I like how one or two of the other members have a bit more to them now. Its clicking together in all the right ways. Like most GitS it talk heavy but it works.

I had hoped to watch more this month, but al least the were some very very good films. The Prestige was the best but there were no stinkers.

27 Years

It's been a nice and relaxing day to round off a crazy month. From being Ill with my Asthma playing up to going away with Cadets for a week and the faff that was getting back early to attend my sisters wedding. I may be a bit drained in strength and mentally. It's been a fun on for the most part.

Catherine's wedding day went well, nice and relaxed with some very nice moments. I have over 700 pictures of it to sort through as well as a half hour of film but that wont be to bad. although I don't know Greg all that well he was great and I wish both of them the best.

My parents birthdays came and went as well and they both seem happy and they were very proud at the wedding.

My breathing on the other hand has been far from great, just in the last few months I have gone trough three inhalers. My core strength is still great but I have felt very bad a times especially at night. I'm almost out of my current one, must get a new one this week.

Some random stuff.

I have come across a fantastic new Manga. It is in WSJ and the have been only 4 issues so far but it is great and had a tonne of potential. Its 'The Promised Neverland' A story of a small house of orphans who live happy with their 'Mum'. The are some very things stiff hidden on the surface and it soon takes a dark turn. The best thing is how the two main children talk and reason things trough. It is very well written and even got me with a jump scare.

Films have been slow this month but I knew they would be. I have stared going through Kubrick's library of films starting with ones I haven't seen before. The others this month for the most part have been bloody good. I should get a fair few in over the next week or so.

But I have a lot to work on. Over 1600 pictures from camp as well as the 700 or so from the wedding will mean I have a lot of photoshop work ahead. Then the is all the special bits to do such as the two mess photos and so on.

On the musical side of things I have been listening to a lot of Epica and now have all of the studio albums. I'm still not a fan of the male vocals but the other parts are just too good. I love how they can make me feel, the energy behind them is palpable.


Well this is close to the end of my birthday, its not been much of a special one but a relaxing one. Here's to another year on this small rock.

2016 The Year of Films [August]

It could be a slow month but I hope I can see a fair few good films.
Link to the INDEX

01. The Princess Bride (01.08.16)
Wow, wasn't sure what to expect but it was great. Very funny physical acting and great performances all around. Loved the premise and the execution was sublime. Love the specific falseness of it.

02. Warcraft (05.08.16)
The first half hour is kind of unsteady but it settles into one hell of a film. It needed to be a bit slower even some narration just to set things up clearer. Overall a very valiant attempt at a film this huge and though only Lord of the Rings pulls everything off this is not so far off.

03. Batman - The Killing Joke (06.08.16)
Could perhaps even should have been awesome, beyond any of the other Batman films. Two thing let it down. The animation ranges from cheep looking to just plain bad. The extra half hour at the beginning didn't add to the film it just mixed up the tone. Even 15 min of Joker backstory would have made the film more focused.

04. Beautiful Nightmares [Short] (10.08.16)
A student film and it shows in places. The is some dodgy performances and too broad a focus for a half hour long film. It had a cool central idea and technically it was good. Some very nice moments in there to enjoy.

05. Big Trouble in Little China (12.08.16)
My opinion changed often wile watching. At first it felt just like a generic if a bit odd action film of its time. Then I though bad acting was going to bring it down. This was as I was getting a feeling it would be awesome as a spoof. Then in descended into comedy and satire and became genius. Mental but a great film. I think...

06. Mad Max - Fury Road (13.08.16)
Still Awesome. That is all!

07. Dr. Strangelove [Kubrick] (28.08.16) 
A very very good film, from the acting to the script and direction. It is a full formula for a perfect film. The are some very strange aspects to the film which no doubt have deep meanings but the larger plot was well told and very funny.

08. The Killing [Kubrick] (29.08.16)
A crime drama that is old in style but feels modern in execution. It is told in a non liner fashion and the plot ties together nicely. The plot though simple is well shown and the ending is great. I can see how this has inspired many more films.

09. The Kinematograph  [Short] (30.08.16)
A very stylised animated short about a inventor and his wife. Though very predictable the story is well told and some of the direction is fantastic.

10. Voices of a Distant Star [Short] (31.08.16)
A very beautiful OVA about a young couple separated by a war. The sense of time that passes and the gulf of space between them is shown in such a way it feels overwhelming. Very interesting animation and some very high quality art.

A very interesting month only one re-watch and only the one anime film.

2016 The Year of Films [July]

 July... More films!
 Link to the film INDEX

01. 6:45 a.m. SUN 31 August 2014 [Short] (06.07.16)
Very well realised. What ever it is. Very strange but compelling short film with some haunting music and very detailed art. Something deeper behind it but I don't see what.

02. Rain Town [Short] (06.07.16)
Powerful in a small package. Loved it to bits, the style and tone makes for a film with a tone of heart. Lovely little story of a robot and underlying themes of loneliness and even depression. No vocals needed here, the story shone through just pay attention.

03. Way back to the Sea [Short] (07.07.16)
Sad little story, child helping out a creature and in the end letting it go. Very cool art work, a very deliberate sketched style. Nice music and a very nicely done p.o.v sequence.

04. Silent Hill (08.07.16)
Just a few little grumbles here and there but overall a solid film. Some of the dialogues is bad, as are the cg critters. Odd plot and even odder ending but the film did make sense. Loved the flashback exposition part and the little girl was good.

05. Mission Impossible 2 (09.07.16)
That hair!!! Very stylish but in strange ways, but that is what happens when the director is Ang Lee. Not the  most compelling plot or anything but it works a a frame to gets some sneaking followed by far too much action. Nice film just forgettable.

06. Garuda [Short] (10.07.16)
Fighting and dancing, in film they are almost the same. Some films have too much choreography in the fights and it is a waltz. Here we have to friends set at each other in what we see to be a fight to the death and it could be one sided. Loved this short film the animation and music is superb and the story telling is very effective.

07. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (11.07.16)
Still great, only the third time I've seen it and the first in Japanese. Love how it takes time and makes it feel strange and compelling. As you would expect behind the simple plot is deeper thoughts on the nature of life and the sole post singularity. More CG than I remembered and it is used to great effect.

08.There Will Come Soft Rains [Short] (12.07.16)
Based on a short story by Ray Bradbury this is a Soviet animated production. Dark and depressing as suits the setting of post nuclear apocalypse.  Very stark and at times creepy, it tells a simple take of a world that ended but the robot wasn't aware.

09. Batman - Mask of the Phantasm (15.07.16)
I have very vague memories of seeing this once before on TV and I may have mixed it with 'Batman of the future'. A good look at Bruce Wayne rather than just Batman, the plot though simple was nicely laid out. I love the 90s style Batman aesthetic and the music was great. Top film.

10. Leon (16.07.16)
A little bit creepy but a bloody good film. Funny at times and touching at others. Very well acted by the three mains, they bring everyone to life. Solid action and direction. New York looks old.

11. Rambo 2 (17.07.16)
Suffers from trying to top the first, the is a very good basic plot hidden under the dumb action and over the top patriotism. The end lays the US rhetoric on a bit to thick and it looses the message it should have. A good watch though.

12. Lights Out [Short] (18.07.16)
A very short live action horror film, and damn is it scary. Nice and simple in its set up and execution but very effective in building up a sense of terror.

13. Metropolis (25.07.16)
The animated one from 2001. Very strange in many ways but so good. The music stands out by far and not just in the climax it is great all the way through. The design is odd, the people are a western design but the rest of the art seems very anime.  As you would expect the are many stand out shots and small set pieces and the plot is strange.

14. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (27.07.16)
Better narrative through line than I remembered. It ties together well and the ending was very well set up. Very funny and the are some very good shots and direction. Still one of the greats.

15. Blade (29.07.16)
Some good, some bad and some dumb. Very of its time with a mix of good and bad story telling as well as dodgy cg. I felt like they could have gone furtherer at times with the plot, some things just happened because they needed to.

16. THX 1138 (30.07.16)
A very compelling film. Very well shot and the feeling that runs throughout it well maintained by both the acting and the sound design. I'm not sure I can recount the plot or story to anyone but its was a  very cool look at the future of society.

Five shorts and each as compelling as a feature film. Its been a good month with some interesting films. Six of the films were re-watches and only 4 new ones. Best of the Month? Leon.