The Flatland Almanack

The Flatland Chronicles: Ricky G. Does 'The F Word'

To kick things off, here's a most excellent and charming video of two of my favorite Brits on the planet---Ricky Gervais and Gordon Ramsay---being very funny.  'The F Word' is my favorite Ramsay vehicle and Gervais is always rewarding in any context. 

Music: the Sublime & the Ridiculous

THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.  See and hear Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sing "Dove Sono" from The Marriage of Figaro; then enjoy the Animaniacs take on Gilbert and Sullivan (HMS Yakko). 

The Last Hangman: An Excellent, but Grim, but Humane, but Bleak, Film

JUST EAT THE DAMN PEACH/ANGLO-SAXON ATTITUDES.    If you're American, you probably haven't heard of Albert Pierrepont, Britain's most famous hangman.  As played by Timothy Spall in The Last Hangman, he is not the executioner you'd expect, but a kind-hearted and humane one, whose principle objective was to spare even the worst criminals any unnecessary fear or pain and who firmly believed that by paying the ultimate price, even the worst of the worst (e.g., the Nazis he hanged) reclaimed their dignity.   It is quite an extraordinary film, though not exactly a feel-good movie.

If there really were a Mr. Death, I'd want him to look and behave exactly like Spall's Albert Pierrepont.

Posted here if you just want to read it in the context of diversions and here if you want to read it as a fascinating window on a period of British history. 

Midlife Hotties

Though I'm a woman of a certain age, I haven't lost all awareness of what my grandmother used to refer to as "the opposite S-E-X."  In fact, quite the reverse.  We live in a society that believes that sex is only about sex, and is therefore the province of youth.  For which I have two words:  "Madame Pompadour." 

ANGLO-SAXON ATTITUDES.  I didn't exactly love "King Arthur," but I'll be re-watching it again tomorrow as I so often do.  If you're a woman, you'll want to take a look at this.

JUST EAT THE DAMN PEACH. And this.

Both need to be cross-posted.  I'll see to that eventually. 

Misheard Lyrics: "Yellow Ledbetter"

THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.  In a way, I'm relieved to find that "Yellow Ledbetter" is as impenetrable to other---and presumably younger---fans as it is to me.  Before I looked up the lyrics, I had a vague notion it was a song about a soldier (references to letters and runways), but after I read the lyrics I didn't know what the hell it was all about.  "Misheard lyrics guy" has put together a video illustrating his own personal audit.  YL always makes me cry, but this time it was with laughter.  It's the contrast between the imagery and the poignant, anguished quality of the music and Vedder's voice.

Man, I want to see "Into the Wild," but I doubt I have the emotional fortitude....  Anyway, check it all out here.

Pop Culture Revelations: Two Crucial Songs

THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.    One of them brings back memories that don't seem to belong to me.   The video that goes with the other almost ruined it for me. 

Anxiety, Morris Dancing, & Scroogekins

THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.  The anxiety over John continues, though we believe he is doing better.  But even if he jumped up off the bed tomorrow and started Morris dancing, we would still be too shaken to really work up to the party spirit this Christmas.  Nevertheless, you can still find ways to divert yourself.

For example, by finding and posting a video of actual Morris dancers, juxtaposed with a clip of the final dance from "The Full Monty."  Morris dancing is out of season, but it's probably never the wrong time to watch men do a pagan fertility dance. 

Finally, you can find and post photographs of pets adorned for Christmas, but making it clear by signs and signifiers that they aren't into it any more than you are.  Scroogekins are here.

All's Well, "No L"

"Christmas shell" by Damozel |   THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.  Good news, fingers still crossed, but good!  Here in my journal. 

Also, and out of love, this ecumenical Christmas songs from Warner Brothers' "The Animaniacs," circa the [Bill] Clinton era, "No L."

Blogging Alvin & the Chipmunks, 21st Century Style: It's On It's On It's On

Get "Remember, Remember" by Damozel | THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES.  "Alvin?  Alvin....  AAAALVIN!"

"YO!"

You might not think you need to hear my favorite band (when I was four) sing "I Got My Drink and My Two Step," but I think you do.

Yo, check it!  Bonus vintage annoying Sixties Christmas song, complete with hula hoop reference!

Gangsta Teletubbies

<Get "Prismatic Lights" by Damozel |  There's really nothing else anyone can say except:  GANGSTA TELETUBBIES.