Stumbled onto a free Cosmopolitan

This blog post is a milestone! I actually stumbled onto something rather than either intentionally encountered or have worked it up in my head for a long, long time! Finally the title of this blog post is relevant and true! I shall celebrate by complaining/mocking the Cosmopolitan world I so unexpectedly re-encountered.

I am not going to pretend I haven't spent money in the past actually buying these magazines as a teenager. My friends and I would sit around and read through the make-up sections, the celebrity gossip, the outfit suggestions and the flirting/relationship tips as if they were gospel. We outgrew said phase once we actually started wearing make-up, good looking clothes and flirting/dating boys. I sort of feel that this was not a coincidence. I’ll be honest, though, I’m still up for the celebrity gossip.

I was initially going to read through the magazine and complain, but life is too short and the psyche too fragile, so I just skimmed through it. But no worries, I can still complain just fine.

Let’s start with how ugly a magazine it is. I am not saying I expected the graphic design of i-D (that is as hipster as I go), but if we are talking about a magazine in the popularity levels of Marie Claire and Vogue, they could have made the pages look like something other than a five-year-olds sticker book, with leopard coats standing in for the sticker bit. Honestly, they employ photographers and graphic designers; make them work for it.

Secondly, there are interviews with two celebrities, obviously women, who talk about literally nothing. And I do not generally mind, but this is the time where the name Harvey Weinstein can be overheard in a stranger’s conversation at least once a day. It is easy money and a good opportunity to talk about gender inequalities or sexual harassment or something other than the strangest item in Kate Hudson’s fridge (placenta pills, if you were wondering). This magazine addresses a specific age group which is usually exposed to silly, useless celebrity facts (and we love it), but it is simply too good an opportunity to pass, now that this important issue has been Hollywood-ified.

I feel like the tone of this post has become a tad heavy so I will move on to a funny point in my stereotypical-girl-oriented journalism. There was an investment section! I am not joking! It was ‘Best Dry Shampoos’  on one page and ‘How to Set Up a Business’ with quick tips on equity on the next. First of all, I have lived with many finance enthusiasts and the only thing I have learnt regarding equity is that I need to read more than a speech bubble to understand what it is (I haven’t, I don’t). Also, the contrast was insane. Maybe include a transition article, like ‘How the Pricing on Dry Shampoo Works and If You Think This Article is Boring, Skip the Next One’.

The final complaint for this Stumbled On magazine will be a bit more general. I want to actually complain about the unrealistic, compartmentalised bullshit tips this magazine provides that can make a young girl feel inadequate. The pop psychology sections are and will always be a shame to journalism and the unfortunate parasite to light entertainment. For example (a real example) saying all women meet the man they will marry by 23 is both idiotic and unnecessary. So dear Cosmo, write all you want about dry shampoos (best discovery ever), lipstick, tan creams, cellulite creams, swim suits, lingerie, sex toys, smoothie parlours, homemade hair masks, Oscar appearances, bags, tags and rags but STAY WAY FROM MY SCIENCE!

I feel ashamed cause Cosmopolitan is an easy target and other than the aesthetic complaint, you get what you are looking for, I guess. 

Well, I suppose I needed to use words in a syntax to feel as if I retrieved the missing IQ since I read about the placenta pills.  

Stumbled onto a Private Investigator in Soho

Last time I wrote a post, Sherlock had just finished. Therefore, it is fitting that the next post would be about the new detective on the BBC block, Mr. Cormoran Strike, PI! (it is important not to be confused with General Stryker; Mr. Strike did not make Wolverine the weapon he is today, I mean was… it’s really been a long time since I wrote a post). As this is a new detective series and as the true writer of the books it was based on is J.K. Rowiling, I think we can all agree I was meant to write a post about it.

Time for some background info. Rowling chose to write the Cormoran Strike novels under the pseudonym Robert Gallbraith, as she did not want them to be connected with her previous work in any way. Nonetheless, in the chaos that is modern literature, the books did not climb the ladder well (because chaos…is a… nevermind). Then, someone accidently let it slip that it is Rowling’s work and she accidently made more money. That’s not to say that the books are not worth the attention; they are really good! The woman has a gift for underdogs with unwanted fame, it’s undeniable.

Cormoran Strike is a war veteran that lost his leg and is now working as a PI in Central London. He is also the estranged son of an old rock star and a groupie/model, because why the hell not. As PI’s are a ridiculous occupation in the modern world, Strike is poor, has unpaid debts and lives in his office. One sunny morning, the beautiful Robyn enters his life as a temporary secretary, as does the brother of dead supermodel Lula Laundry. And this is where we meet our hero, with a brand new employee and a high-profile case to turn his financial situation around.

The book was really good, but this is not the place to talk about the book. I am here to congratulate the best casting director in the UK, because these characters were so spot on, it was spooky! Strike is described as ugly, but with a certain charm, but as this is the magic box, they could not cast someone who is too ugly. Tom Burke comes in with his scrappy upper lip and chubbiness and those eyes and manliness, he is perfect! Needless to say, I developed a much deserved crush that I had not felt since, well, Sherlock, who is monopolising this post. Robyn is gorgeous in a girl-next-door way and the most important thing; her chemistry with Strike is wonderful! That’s not to say she is not doing the character justice independently, but their interaction cannot be overlooked; it is exactly as the book had promised.

London is also portrayed in all its gloomy glamour, with old, empty pubs and dodgy Indian food parlours. Then you get the over-the-top, marble white, high-class houses all the celebrities live in and the hip areas of east London, where coke-loving models and hipsters mix. There are some beautiful little details that further ensure you that this is the London we know and love; Robyn lives far out because she cannot afford central London and commutes long hours every day. Strike lives in his office in a fold-out bed because he cannot afford an apartment and every nicotine junkie smokes outside like an exile. It’s really beautiful in its own, strange, London-y way!

And now for the complaints, yes we all knew they were coming. While the three episodes do not deviate much from the book and they also take care of a couple of issues, such as that vile attempt at rap lyrics by MC Row-bling, they were… flat. Like the visual depiction of someone sitting in a chair and narrating the book. Television is a different medium and especially of late, TV shows have caught up with cinema and can be works of art! I would have rather seen something less faithful to the book but something that would have worked without Rowling’s name attracting the crowds. I am going to mention Sherlock one last time. Of course, half the work in Sherlock is Benny and Marty and their chemistry, but the other half is beautiful directing and, I am assuming, a larger budget. And this brings me to my final question; why is Rowling not giving her work a larger budget?

It’s more than Strike; as of late, everything feels rushed and mediocre and this from a woman who wrote Harry Potter. I am not a fan of the movies, but they involved recognised actors, beautiful effects, Alfonso Cuaron (at a time) and a general feeling of polished work. And then we get Casual Vacancy as a miniseries, which just made you feel like it was done to be done; a checklist outcome. I can’t help but feel like this falls under the same category; it could have been done more carefully, it could have been up in Sherlock territory (okay, I lied before). She is a billionaire, so is it still about the money? Is it all a hit-and-run? Is it that her name only carries weight when Harry Potter is involved? I don’t know, but I think that this story line and these leads had so much more potential. I was really hoping for this series to be my substitute for Sher… for that other detective series. 

Now, am I going to watch the Silkworm this Sunday? Of course! Because I believe in Strike and his potential and I am hoping this second installment of the series will be better, because it still was very, very enjoyable and because Tom Burke is a hottie! Had to be said.

Stumbled onto 'The Final Problem'

(WARNING! SPOILERS! SPOILERS EVERYWHERE!)

(SECOND WARNING! IT IS A BIT BIG)

Isn’t it funny when a blog always starts its posts with the phrase ‘stumbled onto’ when in reality it means ‘very intentionally and passionately spent time on this matter’?

The final episode of season four and quite possibly the whole series of Sherlock was such a huge deal for me that I tried to work it into as many conversations as I could; for example ‘I am not feeling well, maybe I should see a doctor, or maybe we should see if Dr. Watson was shot in the head after "The Lying Detective"’. I am subtle, I know. You don’t even want to imagine the rants I would go into when I would see an Aston Martin (I live in London now, it happens).

Before I go into detail I should say that season four was a roller coaster for me in a way. I was not insanely pleased with t'The Six Thatchers', as it pretty much embodied all my problems with season three; little deduction, a lot of feelings, introversion, and Mary being the centre of everything. The second episode was a stroke of genius, it was good old Sherlock (Mary has just died, coincidence?) with a wonderful case, deductions, wit and a lot of emotions yet rightly placed. Not to mention the INSANE TWIST AT THE END! What the fuck was that?! How wonderfully did it all tie up together? ‘There’s an east wind coming’, ‘You know what happened with the other one’, and my own personal favourite: Sherlock’s first and only mistake when meeting John was taking for granted that John’s drunk, distant sibling was a brother! Do you see?! It is the same mistake we all made about the third Holmes! How awesome is that?

My expectations for the last episode were very high, as I think everyone’s were. It was a very intense episode, stressful dare I say, and I was much invested while watching it. And while I am very, very positively biased in regard to this series, I have some complaints. I think I liked the episode, but had the whole series been these last two seasons, I would not have. Let me start with the positives. As mentioned, it was very intense and suspenseful, no argument there.  I don’t even have to mention that the directing was beautiful and the actors were great because those are kind of givens. I have to mention three scenes I just adored though.

The first one was the missing glass. You try to figure out why she wants him to move closer; is it just psychological torture? Is it a laser alarm? No, it is simple and wonderful! I swear, when their hands touched, I felt my skin crawl!

The second scene was James Moriarty showing up listening to Queen’s ‘I want to break free’. I love how this series keeps on toying with our heads, it sticks up its middle finger and says ‘Oh, you think we will ridiculously resurrect Moriarty just because Andrew Scott is such a cool villain? IN YOUR FACE’. Loved it!

And the last scene which has received some backlash by some over-the-top feminists was the one with Molly Hooper. While a man killed himself, Sherlock almost had to kill his best friend or brother and a little kid was left to die in a well, this scene was somehow the saddest because we know how she feels for so long. It is beautiful!

Molly: I can't say it because it's true, Sherlock. It's always been true.

Sherlock: Well if it's true then say it anyway.

CHIIIIILS! Who knew that deducting robot could be so freaking sweet! I like that Sherlock is more human, I know many people don’t, but as it has been explicitly shown in this season that is how he overthrows all those of superior intellect (although I still think Mycroft is not the smart one as he claims). And I also think it is a wonderful character development as the best character developments come from character interaction, a.k.a. ‘John Watson rubs off on Sherlock; he is more than a passive sidekick’. I also think it provides a good platform for Benny to show off his acting chops; he can play emotionally distraught just as well as high functioning sociopath. 

Now, for the complaints. I feel like the sister was such a good twist and it was wasted in this episode. It opened and closed, it had no permanent effect! All the plot twists in this episode were for the sake of having plot twists; she is back in the asylum and now good?! No one had to compromise his ethics, the little girl didn’t die (OR EXIST) and 221B Baker Street looks as if no bomb ever went off! The only thing that had a permanent effect (and be there another season, I expect them to honour) is the new emotional situation between Molly and Sherlock.

I have so many problems with Euros’ character. First of all, she is built up as this cold, cynical character, worse than Mycroft, and in the end she is driven by loneliness and rejection? While that is psychologically sound, when you want to top the insane Moriarty as a threat, the villain cannot be beaten by a brotherly hug. That was ridiculous and sudden and unfounded. She lacks emotion, that is her deal! Also, this might just be me, but shouldn’t she be more mad at Mycroft than Sherlock? I mean, I know he preferred Redbeard and did not play with her as a child, but Mycroft locked her up for the rest of her life in an inhumane island. Wasn’t Sherlock already revenged when she drowned Redbeard? Last problem with Euros’ character; supposedly she is brilliant, so intelligent that she could predict the days of the last three terrorist attacks after an hour on twitter. Why not show us all that deducting magnificence? This is what we fell in love with in this series to begin with! What does she notice that Sherlock and Mycroft can’t? AND THE LITTLE GIRL NOT BEING REAL WAS ‘LOST’ ALL OVER AGAIN! 

The other thing that bothered me that very likely did not bother others is the location of this episode. I feel like Sherlock is an homage to London and while I wouldn’t mind a random episode to be shot elsewhere, like so many have, I kind of wanted the last ever Sherlock episode to be in London. It is more of a sentimental thing. Further advocating for London as a background, Sherlock notices what is there that should not mean anything yet he makes sense of it. But in this ‘deduction arcade’ everything he sees is meant for him to notice! It kind of defeats the purpose. In all other episodes the surroundings guide the case and in this one, the case directed the surroundings. Also, this laboratory background in itself does not attenuate the Holmes’ lack of sentimentality, it actually overshadows it.

Last but not least, WHY DID MARY CLOSE THE SHOW? Haven’t we dealt enough with her already? She had to have the last word!

I feel like a spoilt child, whining about how the villainous sister wasn’t villainous enough, or the location relatable enough. I should just shut up and enjoy, For Sherlock is an amazing series and in all honesty, this was a good wrap up for an epilogue. Till the very end…

Stumbled on to Westworld

In case it is not clear, I have an innate need for series. My brothers are to blame as they had me binge-watching ‘Friends’ since the age of nine and I haven’t stopped; chances are I won’t. So it is hardly surprising that I stumble on to series like Westworld. The new ‘Game of Thrones’ some said! An adventurous breach of ethics with Sir Anthony Hopkins in a mysterious role of a genius! Who would resist? Who did? Seriously, who is not watching it? And why?!

There are actually a few reasons why. 

First of all, the statement ‘new Game of Thrones’ is very misleading; it was to me at least. Game of Thrones has a lot of things going on, so many main characters, so many plots which intertwine and separate for numerous developments that mean a different thing for each and every character. Have I mentioned that George R. R. Martin is a genius? Westworld is pretty much one thing; the robots will rebel and revenge their mismanagement. This is not a spoiler; this is just the very obvious prediction one makes before even watching a single episode. It is a single ethical shock/dilemma, which is promising in terms of action, therefore there is some anticipation, but nowhere near as much as the completely unpredictable Game of Thrones. Therefore, let’s just conclude that the comparison is misleading at best, irrelevant at worst.

This next one might just be me, but is anyone really rooting for the humans? They are being absolutely awful to the robots, taking advantage of them in every way and the makers have given them enough cognition to make this a painful experience. So, yeah, problem solved! Robots will rebel, justice will be restored and we will make sure to create our future theme parks more humane. There is no real dilemma, is there? There is no taking sides; plus there hasn’t yet been a character interesting or relatable or nice enough to perplex things a bit. Say a man that would attempt to murder a small boy but then nobly save his war captor from unavoidable rape (you got Game of Thrones from that? That can’t be, I stopped comparing the two). So yeah, robots good, people bad.

It is still an interesting ethical breach, even if at least to a vast majority the conclusions are unanimous. My real problem is, this particular ethical issue, Artificial Intelligence, robots having feelings, robot rebellion, it has been dealt with. Extensively. In the 90’s. The movie the series is based on was made in 1973! ‘I, Robot’ was twelve years ago and it was already outdated (it was also pretty bad and cheesy). So while this is a very interesting question and a careful insight on how we treat others when there are no consequences, I do not feel it adds that much more to the field. But who knows, maybe it is something waiting to happen! Maybe a shocking twist will come our way!

So I understand, I do, it might seem like less good a choice than what had been advertised but it is still such a good choice! It is beautifully made, there are some gorgeous details in the robots’ behaviour and this portrayal of western scenery as part of an otherwise futuristic society is always pleasant. And the cast is really good! The amazing Anthony Hopkins is just so impressive in anything he does! He could sneeze and if they’d let it in the final cut it would look like Shakespeare with mucus!

So there you go! A misleading blog post to match for the misleading comparison!

By the way, if you just read the bold bits it is a very positive review J

Stumbled on to a Gym

So this blog’s name is ‘Little Things We Stumble On’. Supposedly it’s meant to talk about things that popped up and unexpectedly sparked an interest while it mostly has been about my thoughts on things that I intentionally care about. Well, no more! I am getting things back on track and talking about things I never considered I would consider, like the gym. But I’ve taken some adjustment measures so it is not that different to my regular posts; it is mostly complaints, and lyrics guide the experience!

Hello, it’s me. I was wondering if after all these years you’d like me to exercise

(personality profile alert)

Why would I have never guessed I would talk about the gym? Because I am a lazy, procrastinator that doesn’t care much for it. Let me elaborate on the laziness issue; the gym I was enrolled in for four years (for free) was a 15 minute bus ride and the bus station was right outside my house. Let me further elaborate on the procrastination issue; even though I had free membership for four years, I finally joined four years later, when it had expired. It might sound like I am exaggerating but you know you’ve abstained for too long when you tell your friends you started working out and they are genuinely shocked. Now I go daily because I know that if for a day I don’t break a single sweat, but instead eat chips and watch an entire season of Mad Men there is no way of convincing myself to go back. That life is too good!

When I see a buff man, I see a liar

(subjective opinion generalized alert)

I have spent numerous discussions with gym enthusiasts about how when you get into it, you love it; you would never give it up! Liars! Filthy liars! You would, everyone would! If you could look fit and lined by sitting on the couch and writing blog entries then that is what you would do. If the gym was fun and not a hellish exchange for good health and looks then treadmills would not have a timer or a calorie meter; you would just run until you started feeling euphoric. I, for one, need to know how much longer I need to stay on it so as to not feel guilty. The truth is you get happy when you see change in your body or when you feel that certain cramp and predict a change in your body, which makes it an indirect satisfaction. A direct satisfaction is your taste sensors encountering sugar, or in my case, cheese. Sports and outdoors jogging is different; I will accept it is somehow incomprehensibly possible to enjoy a good basketball game or running out in the clean air because I enjoy dancing (the artistic way of exercising) therefore some activities that result in fitness can be pleasing, but it is a mere few.

Conversation has run dry. That’s what’s going on, nothing’s fine I’m sore.

(antisocial alert)

This is something I only knew to be a myth; making friends at the gym. I do not understand how that works. What do you talk about? How long do you talk about it? I was approached about four days ago by a girl in a gym class and we had a nice, polite conversation about the class, about whether it constitutes Pilates or a stretching session which lasted for a good 90 seconds. And just when I thought that would be it she suggests we ‘keep in touch’ and asks me when I will be in again! And, in turn, I ask you, what grounds for a ‘keep in touch’-ness did she have?  What was the common ground that made me a potential acquaintance? Well, I could investigate but I was in real pain from the session and therefore do not remember face or name.

Stacey’s mum has got it going on, she can lift all she wants and her biceps are strong

(ageism alert)

This is a terrible blow to my self esteem every single time. Rumour has it that in your twenties, you should be at your fittest with good stamina. While I can easily accept that I am not fit for my age it is a very interesting realization that I am not fit for any age. Blow number one; there was a lady clearly in her late sixties that finished a 1-hour Zumba class when I had died after 35 minutes and indicated movement for the rest of the class. Blow number two; I was stretching after my fast-paced walk on the treadmill (it is a disgrace to call that jogging) and a similarly aged woman was coaching/showing her 12-year-old grandson how to exercise his side abs for intergalactic boxing sessions! This was obviously Stalone’s stunt double in her youth. I feel nothing but respect, envy and awe for these women, whereas I am looking forward to get to that age so I can write off working out for life!

Closing time, I don’t have to go home, I have to go to the nearest hospital

(conclusion alert)

I am of course in the wrong, after all there is scientific evidence that exercising excretes pheromones that make you happy and dopamine and adrenaline and all that chemical crap. Plenty scientific evidence, no personal experience but what can you do. But I’ll subvert my attack to working out to gyms in particular with a single argument; you would not suggest to go to the gym to a friend in order to have more fun than any other place, you would suggest to go to the gym with a friend in order to make the place more tolerable than it would be. Therefore, not fun. The end.

Tribute summer: Tribute to Muse

This has almost been said and done already. I never miss a chance to say how much I love Muse, regardless of the topic. Having finally seen the three-piece live in my home country has re-awoken that adoration I felt when I first consciously heard ‘Time Is Running Out’. They are my absolute favourite band for about 8 years now and even though my taste in music has changed a lot since, they remain a stable number ‘Uno’ throughout their better albums and worst.

I believe that before a proper tribute some things need to be said. Firstly, I can now admit that ‘The 2^nd Law’ was not a good album. There are a couple of good songs (Panic Station), a couple of okay songs that we got used to liking (Madness) and then mostly monotone, forgettable songs which is not what Muse has us accustomed to. My personal feeling is that it was a sound still in progress. Secondly, I am a self-acclaimed ‘old muser’, meaning that I have the typical ‘the first four albums are the best that define the band and were their peak’ thing going. I apologise for this, I should be able to put this prejudice aside but I can’t. And lastly, while I will spend sometime praising Dom Howard (drummer) and Chris Wolstenholme (bassist), I am very much in love with the musicianship of Matt Bellamy and it would be hypocritical of me to say all three hold equal spaces in my heart.

Another thing I need to get out of the way is that I know that saying Muse is your favourite band has lost all street credit. I know that they have taken a turn towards pop which others dislike and others that I dislike like. They have an extravagant sound and that can often play at borderline silly. You have extraterrestrial fascination lyrics, you have the Orwellian lyrics, you have the dramatic words popping up here and there and some clichés like ‘Love is forever because our love will be forever’ or something like that. But once you get past the fear of what others will say about the music you listen to, you realise that it is a band pushing boundaries within the mainstream music industry.

They are craftsmen, but that was proven way too early on. Matt’s voice is practically an extra instrument, a fine-tuned, beautiful hue and all of them command their actual instruments like a drill sergeant making and breaking and making them A FUCKING PSYCHO (dun dun dudun dudun dun). So instead of just playing excellent riffs (where the bass and guitar both have challenging melodies, yet somehow complete one another rather than overburdening the sound), they try out new things, adopt new technology and knock on Queen’s door with orchestral additions making use of that classical training Matt Bellamy so obviously has.

Back to the lyrics, which I seem to mock. I do not. I much prefer a good tune to good lyrics, I think I have mentioned that before, but I do not think that Muse’s lyrics are not good. Drones is a bit over-the-top for me lyrically but I cannot lie and say that I don’t love singing along to Mercy and Dead Inside and Psycho. I do not exactly feel touched emotionally but they are fun, very fun (especially psycho, dun dun dudun dudun dun). And I also do appreciate that they are not ‘girlfriend songs’ or about how they are cool and can take the trash from the press. I like that they are about their beliefs for their government even in a raw name-calling of those in charge as fat cats (actually that was awesome). It shows nerve and especially from a now considered mainstream band.

Up to now this seems like me defending a band as if it needs defending, but I am just easing in the reader for that intense ‘I would give up all other existing music for Muse’ statement. So one last thing to go.  This is about ‘The Resistance’, the most overlooked album. I admit I am biased as it is the first album that came out after I started to fanatically listen to Muse but I still feel like it has suffered a great injustice. No one appreciated it as much as they should! It should be up there with the first four albums, it is almost impeccable (I am not crazy about ‘Resistance’ the song) and so many of its songs are perfect examples of Muse’s sound. I know Drones is supposed to be the Dystopian concept album but honestly, I thought that about ‘The Resistance’. Lyric-wise it switched wonderfully between social restriction, politicising human nature and despair while keeping the love theme strong. Musically, it had noteworthy melodies, each one very distinguishable and very melodic. In other words, good album!

And now for the constrained, promised tribute. This band is not a band for hipsters, they are widely and popularly known; it is not a band for wannabe philosophers or hopeless romantics, The Smiths will have you covered there. It is a band for whoever loves music as an art, a form of expression and, as mentioned before, a craft. They are talented and skillful, I honestly believe that Matt Bellamy could have easily been a highly regarded piano virtuoso executing all those classical pieces of music, that is craftsmanship. But they also write original songs that are masterpieces. Who else could have written such an emotionally powerful song with the title ‘Sunburn’? Or who else could have such an electric guitar infused song like ‘Plug-in Baby’ sound so damn melodic? Or who else could have given a song like ‘Time is Running Out’ such a groovy twist? Or caused joyful melancholy with that orchestration that we get in ‘Starlight’? And those are just the most famous songs out of the first four albums, the best four albums. They are joined by equally good if not better tracks and b-sides that would have been amazing singles (if you haven’t, please listen to ‘Easily’).

To once again tie this with a previous entry, how good a band is has a lot to do with how good they are live. And these three guys are amazing live. Their earlier shows were short on production and other people helping them (like Morgan Nichols) and it was a total shock that three guys could produce such a full sound. That is something that also impressed on their recorded songs, but imagine seeing three people and think you are listening to about five or six. Their performance is so powerful; Dom looks like an athlete towards the end of a marathon trying to simultaneously lift weights while on the drums. He is giving it everything he has got with amazing precision yet with passion that you would expect would throw him off track completely. Chris is so cool throughout the set while his hands do magic on that bass (if that sounds sexual it is because he is one sexy man), an underrated musician, not because he is not considered good but because he is even better. And of course, Matt Bellamy, the ultimate musician, artist and performer. I do not even now which concerts to suggest for you to watch, but he is one of those people that should be included in a Duracell commercial. While the visuals lately have also been top notch, my only regret is that I never saw them live on their earlier days which, as YouTube suggests, were so much more spontaneous and weird.

And lastly, while there is no reason to appreciate a band because of this, they seem like really nice guys. They are adorably enjoying their fame, they do not pretend to be working class heroes when everybody knows but they do not shove it in your face. They have that constant ‘I can’t believe I am living this’ smile on their faces with a bit of a surprise and a lot of appreciation. They don’t take themselves too seriously in interviews and are more than glad to express their strong thoughts on politics without the much used hint of sarcasm cool musicians tend to use. Plus Matt Bellamy can recite the alphabet backwards, look it up!

Wow, and this is the short version. Anyhow, this band has given me something to love and something to remind me how much I love music and love loving music (so much love). If I ever could I would thank them for covering a whole spectre of emotions for me (fun, melancholy, awe etc.) provided I could get the words out. And for the haters, has your favourite band ever had you thinking you were marching into battle for your beliefs? i.e. Has your favourite band written masterpieces like ‘Kinghts of Cydonia’? Whatever you think of their latest work, you cannot deny their past. Muser out.

Tribute summer: Game of Thrones for Harry Potter

This is a very interesting time for me as I have participated in one of the fandoms I had been resisting for years, Game of Thrones. We are talking about the series everyone watches, everyone’s obsessed with and no one mocks! Because you will mock the Marvel fanatic for the lame false-scientific justification and the Star Wars fanatic for the Chewie-Solo bromance but no one will ever mock the brutally realistic fantasy series about a bunch of rich families either bedding or killing each other.

And I am now part of that fandom too! Haven’t read the books but I did binge-watch it really fast and passionately; I now manage to include discussions about Game of Thrones in most of my human encounters (and one with a cat but just the one). It is a brilliant series and it is captivating and from what I hear the books are even better! It is also an adult fandom as it is sprinkled with disgusting, gore scenes, lots of nudity and disturbing breastfeeding scenes that are somehow worse than all of the angles of any beheading… I am trying to keep this spoiler free but you know which breastfeeding I mean.

I really loved Game of Thrones and I can only assume those that watched it as it came out, having to wait each week to see what would happen, love it even more. However, during my extensive exposure to such a mature and ‘life is a bitch’ series I was also reading my favorite book series ever, Harry Potter. If the contrast is not apparent, let me just say that all three main Harry Potter characters are alive, so are their romantic interests and the strongest magical force in the series is love. It is also a children’s book series (or so some ignorant people claim) while ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ should be kept away from children at least until they realize they will never get a Hogwarts letter.

So this is basically my tribute to Harry Potter (the books really) as it came about from my parallel journey with Game of Thrones.

So what if it is unrealistic? So what if it is idealistic? So what if it is over-optimistic? So what if the ‘love conquers all’ theme is a bit cheesy? It is so beautiful! It is beautiful to read as a child because it is wonderful to be convinced that love is ancient magic. And as an adult it is comforting to read that someone who does not appreciate love will always underestimate how strong a drive it is. The world sucks and that is where George R. R. Martin has it right, but you turn to books and specifically to science fiction for some imaginative comfort and distraction. Is it not fun to read about a magical world where you can see your diseased loved ones in a hidden mirror and beat your materialized greatest fear with laughter? It is even more fun to do that and then watch Game of Thrones so the fall back to reality is even steeper.

Anyway, it is misleading to say the two are even comparable, that is not the case,  but it got you here didn't it?  It is just that the show’s realism is a good trigger for me to write this tribute. However, by all means, if you haven’t watched Game of Thrones you should, it is FUCKING AWESOME!! But this is not the post for such a tribute.

I don’t think an extensive tribute is necessary; I will only focus on two instances. I cannot fully describe the rush of warmness you feel when the name ‘Ron Weasley’ shows up on a page for the first time, knowing he becomes the best friend of a kid that lived under a staircase for eleven years.  And of course realistically, such a kid would not be sociable enough to make a best friend on their first encounter on a train, but J.K.Rowling’s version is so much more redeeming. Then come the tears when one of your favourite characters died that had been around for countless child-appropriate moments and this non-child ending is a rush of melancholia. A movie drags it out and uses E minor chords in the background, you are forced to feel sad in a conventional way but in these books, you fill in the gaps yourself and the sadness is so much more pure. I, for one, was an adult on a train tearing up because Fred Weasley died the moment Percy reunited with his family (if you have only seen the movies you might not know what I am talking about).

I could go on for a long time about why I love Harry Potter, book by book. These two examples do not even talk about my favourite characters throughout the series. But having now demolished any sort of street credit I may have had when I bashed Justin Bieber as pre-adolescent, shit-noise (and let’s be honest that it no street cred to be proud of) I can firmly state that I loved reading Harry Potter as a twenty-two year old. Definitely not as much as I had when I was younger and did not know what was going to happen but it was very similar to being covered with a nice fluffy blanket. So, you know, re read them or if you are that ashamed, get a son, daughter, sister, nephew to read them with. It’s as good an excuse as any.