Over the fear and through the flames

I've got a few different things I want to do today, so I'll try and attack them one at a time.

1) My life for the last week. Once again, I can't confess to having done anything noteworthy. I visited Quarry Bank Mill on Sunday, under the pretence of needing to start my dissertation research. Strictly speaking, this wasn't the best place to start, but nonetheless I enjoyed it. The history of the mill is wonderful. I also took my new camera out for the first time, which is always good.
Dad's giving me photography lessons over the summer, which should be fun. I only take pictures for fun, but it would be nice to make the most of the cameras I have and their many settings.
Gaz came round on Wednesday, which was shocking to say the very least. We watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and talked about a variety of things, none of which mattered in the least. I just appreciated the company and the fact that Gaz had taken the time to come to me for a change.
Tomorrow I'm going out for the first time in a good long while. I plan to drink a fair bit and forget my worries for one night. It's only me and Jennie, but still, it beats another Saturday night at home.

2. I want to start adding in music reviews to this blog. So here's the first. As Dave said, I can hardly remove the bias from this, but I shall try my best.
Agony and Irony - Alkaline Trio
Yes, they're my favourite band of all time. Yes, a variation on their logo was my first tattoo. Yes, I debatably love them more than anything else in life. But stepping down from my "I *heart* Trio" soapbox for a moment, I still see this album as something special. It's different in a familiar way. Anyone who loves the catchy melodies and upbeat rhythms of From Here To Infirmary can hardly find fault with songs such as "Calling All Skeletons" and "Lost And Rendered". Whilst the punk purists will lament the high production levels, each song is polished to perfection without detracting from the emotion and power of the music and lyrics. Dan Adriano's songs are arguably stronger than Matt Skiba's, particularly late addition "Do You Wanna Know?". The band have clearly matured and found their sound as a collective entity, accepting that they are no longer 20 year olds and singing songs about the things that matter to them in their adulthood. I for one couldn't be happier. 9/10.

Obviously that was going to be a favourable review, perhaps my next one will have considerably less bias.

3. Another meme from Erykah.
“To participate, you grab any book, go to page 123, find the fifth sentence, and blog it. Then tag five people.”
I won't tag 5 people, but here we go.
"The story of Turin's madness after the slaying of Beleg, the guidance of Gwindor, and the release of Turin's tears at Eithel Ivrin, is here in embryo".
J.R.R Tolkien - The Book Of Lost Tales Part 2

4. Films!
The Lives of Others was a brave film to make. It's nearly 20 years since the Wall fell, but really that's no time at all. These sorts of issues (the existence of the Communist state and its dependence on surveillance) are still at the forefront of a lot of people's minds and memories, luckily the risk paid off. The contrast between Wiesler and the other members of the Stasi was handled wonderfully, and was played in such a subtle way that one can hardly help feeling a connection to him despite his position in the secret police force. Very enjoyable, if a little difficult to follow at times due to subtitles. 6/10

Pan's Labyrinth is rightly acknowledged as a modern classic. Del Toro takes the fairy tale world and brings it together with the horrors of modern warfare in a way which makes both worlds seem equally terrifying. Without wanting to give anything away, all I will say is that this is one of the greatest films I have seen ever. Wonderfully acted, with perfect cinematography and a deft handling of subject matter. 9/10.

aDulthood, like its predecessor, delves deep into the subculture of the London estates and emerges on the other side with a positive message. Noel Clarke, acting as writer, director and leading man, has achieved something quite remarkable. Whilst remaining naturalistic in the dialogue and setting, aDulthood combines humour and violence with heartwrenching situations and a message to "the youth". No one could accuse Clarke et al of glamourising gang warfare. 7/10.

I've also rewatched a number of my favourite films - True Romance, Pride and Prejudice, LOTR, and finally got around to watching Fight Club one last time to give it a final chance to wow me. It finally did.