Mat Bowles

One of the things that always bugs me online is different peoples reactions to plot 'spoilers' for media things—unpredictable and at times downright weird, as Nick Mamatas demonstrated last month. Now me, I tend to seek them out for shows I like—before the internet I had a subscription to SFX partially for the spoiler zone section, I loved reading about shows way in advance and knowing what would happen. But then I tend to rewatch stuff I like a lot anyway. So, inspired by this old poll at nmg's, I thought I'd update it a bit.

Warning though, below the fold are some minor spoilers for recent films such as Iron Man, Harry Potter 5 and Spiderman, and also endings/character reveals for Hamlet, Sixth Sense, Citizen Kane, the Star Wars trilogy, Soylent Green and Fight Club. Nothing is revealed that isn't on this classic t-shirt but if you really are that averse, just scroll to the last question...

[Poll #1199471]

Obviously some things, like the end of a genuine mystery, are worth hiding if that's how it's written—knowing who did it never seemed to hurt my enjoyment of Columbo though, and a chunk of my reading is always history books where, y'know, I normally know the ending. It's not what happens that matters to me, it's how—I'm there for the ride, not the big splash at the bottom. You?

OK, one of the basic rules of blogging is that links aren't there to help the blogger, they're there as a service to your readers. Consequently, although this link has little appeal to me, I provide it because I know a fair number of my friends are filthy perverted voyeurs who like looking at pictures of mostly naked young pretty people. Therefore, this link is fr all the filthy perverted types out there; the Leaky Couldron (a site I'm not known to frequent but I lost the via link, sorry), has pictures of Daniel Radcliffe almost naked taken from the publicity for his new play, Equus. Somehow, I suspect I'm going to attend that play at some point. Oh well, it looks like it might have a few redeeming features (the website can't seem to tell me who she is, any ideas out there?).

On the subject of Harry Potter fans; jantshira (and possibly others) would likely be interested in this quote by james_nicoll which he's repeated on his profile:

The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.

There's an icon with a paraphrase doing the rounds out there as well, but it's rather apposite to a few conversations I've had recently.

Now, via tyrell, this is rather good ad Bash.org, book report comparing Bill Clinton's memoirs with Titanic:

Titanic:..... The story of Jack and Rose, their forbidden love, and
subsequent catastrophe.
Clinton:..... The story of Bill and Monica, their forbidden love, and
subsequent catastrophe.

Titanic:..... Jack is a starving artist.
Clinton:..... Bill is a bullshit artist.

Perhaps of more general importance, one of Blair's best mates has been arrested (again), and of course we all believe Mr Blair's Spokesman when he says the sainted Tone had nothing to do with it, don't we children? Meh. Why is it always corruption that gets them? Invade a small country illegally after lying about the justification? No problem. 'Borrow' money to pay for an overbudgeted election campaign, and you get caught. Ah well, they got Capone on tax fraud after all.

Now this, on the other hand, is very cool, Stonehenge builders' houses found (also at CNN.com). How cool is that? Might have to make a small detour seing as the site is directly on the drive to Torquay from here.

Also, it looks like, if things keep going, we may actually get peace in our time! Well, in Northern Ireland, anyway, which is good enough given the history of the last 30 or so years. This also means a lovely new set of elections to watch, coming soon; sammymorse has already started an analysis of the more interesting battlegrounds, and I bow to his superior local knowledge (he was nhw's agent when he ran for the precursor to the assembly).

And last up, from Alex Lucard what has to be the weirdest hotel resort in existence. It's a former top security prison in Latvia, and you pay them to lock you up and be treated like a prisoner. Nice... (site is flash based, and thus BAD, but given I'm no longer on dial-up, it's actually loadable, still crap though, as entirely flash sites always are).

Lastly, a question: Would I be better off attending Les Miserables for the first time having read up on the plot, or going in cold?

I've mentioned Vincent Flanders' wpts a few times before, but todays is particularly apposite given recent news and interest, plus more than a few of you reading this. Web Pages That Suck -- Examples of Bad Web Design:

As far as MMN goes, you're looking at a very expensive cut of meat -- she's got the money for the best Mystery Meat money can buy. She should have an obvious link to a site that would answer your questions because there are lots of folks like you who want just the facts.

The site in question? J. K. Rowling.

Because, as sites go, playing hangman to find out the answer to a news announcement? That's just crazy talk.

Meh, last day at work, last few hours in the office, I'm still trying to clear and sort my desk, it's more than a little weird...

*cough*

For the benefits of faeriecween, jantshira and others...

So here it is: Daniel 'Harry Potter' Radcliffe is all set to staras Alan Strang in Equus when it comes to the West End next year.

In case you haven't read it, we aren't really spoling anything for you if we say that Strang's favourite hobby is sneaking around stabbing horse's in the eyes with big metal spikes. Not exactly quidditch is it?

There's also a scene in the play which requires the actor playing Strang to ride a horse naked.

From londonist, here.

Just, y'know, observing...

Weird, tried swapping the sim with a different phone, that didn't work but when I put it back in my handset the screen works again. Weird, but can send/receive again :-D The crazy people are getting more obsessed with That Film, 5 and a bit hours to go. Obsession can be scary to behold.

So, Lj sets up a facility so you can, if you chose, list what school or university you went to. Not a bad plan, I like it. So do lots of other people.

Some people though, don't get the point. Did any of these people really study at Hogwarts? And I really doubt this lot are from the Unseen University.

I despair at times. Thanks to theweaselking for the links...