Category Archives: videos

by

“It’s The Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer!”

Hello my non-yogic friends. How are you all?

It’s been literally months since I posted anything proper on here. All you’ve had from me are re-blogs of all this Yoga Bum stuff I’ve been doing. And while I’m sure you’ve enjoyed my current escapades, I’m sure some of you miss the old me, the one who trawled the internet for all kinds of dross to share with you here (I know I miss him).

Well, with the intermittent time/cost/availability of connections whilst traveling, there hasn’t been much chance to find and share stuff. But sometimes you have to make time. Nay, sometimes you are compelled.

I’ve had scenes from the movie Step Brothers going around in my head for days now. I dunno why. It’s not even one of my favourite movies. Maybe it’s a reaction to all this yogic/sattvic stuff I’ve been doing, but every now and then I have to stop, shake my head, and say “It’s the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer!” out loud for no good reason at all.

Now, assuming you don’t know what I’m on about, I’ve dredged up a few clips to share with you all. The first is a clip that has caused so many youTube parodies, but for you here we have the original Sweet Child Of Mine scene.


 
This next scene just makes me laugh so much. It’s just wrong on so many levels. I can’t say any more than that.


 
And of course, the final scene, the denouement, the Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer. All I can say is, stick with it, watch it all. All should become clear.


 
And there you go. Happy? I know I am. Ciao for now.

by

Live A Better Life

This is an excellent talk on not only how to increase your longevity, but also how to enjoy the years you do have so much more!
 


 
It’s by Jane McGonigal, creator of SUPERBETTER.

She starts off talking about games, but quickly goes into tips for better living. All the ideas she offers are real and familiar, and are backed up by real world science. But the absolute bonus are the practical tips and exercises she gives you at the end to help you improve the quality of your life.

It’s very fun and life affirming, and I’m glad I watched it (which is why I’m sharing it here!). :)

And because I don’t say it enough, thank you all my friends and followers for checking out my blog, leaving comments, and taking an interest in what I do and what I’m doing to improve my life. It really means a lot to me.

Be happy everyone, and remember to follow your dreams! It’s the only thing that makes any sense in the long run. ;)

by

Achievements!

You’ve got to celebrate your achievements, whatever they may be. Big, small, it doesn’t matter. Enjoy what you do and you’ll always be happy.

I did my first scorpion today. For those that don’t know, it looks a little something like this.

Of course my scorpion was far less impressive and a damn site shakier than the one pictured above, and I needed a little help in getting there, but I did it, I held it, and I’m pretty damn pleased with myself (not to mention a little surprised, lol).

Of course my little achievement is nowhere near as impressive as these guys,

but so what? I did it, I’m happy, and that’s all I care about. :)

PS: How ridiculous is that shot?!?

by

“How About A Nice Game Of Chess?”

First of all, I just watched WARGAMES for the first time in ages and I have to say, if you haven’t seen it recently, do! It’s still brilliant.

Beautifully written, good characters, simple storyline, great effects (for the 80s), and not an ounce of fat on it (production wise that is). Still a favourite of mine after all these years, and a quintessential lesson in how to write a screenplay.

(WARNING: only watch the clip below if you’ve seen the film or if you’re sure you’re not going to watch it again any time soon – it kind of gives the game away!)

I found the ‘what’s your next move’ motif very fitting when considering my life at the moment.

I’m somewhat stuck. I’ve made a few inroads towards where I want to be, but I’m now waiting for other people to get back to me, or simply for time to move forward, so there’s nothing I can do to advance my situation except wait.

The I-Ching tells us that a wise man knows when to move forward, when to retreat, and when to stand still; but knowing it and doing it are two different things, and right now I’m finding it a little frustrating.

It doesn’t help that some asshole side-swiped the back end of my car the other day whilst it was parked outside my house, denting the wing and smashing the tail light. It’s cost me £54 to get a new light (which won’t be here for 5 days because of the jubilee) and then there’s the wing to repair. God knows what that will cost me? I am not amused! So, as you can imagine, very keen to move out of London at the moment.

list - done!

Now that I know what I want to do, I’ve realised there’s two things I want to achieve before I go away; finish writing my book and build a vegan food blog (and I’ve got just 3 months to do them in). Now I did intend to do both at the same time, but I think concentrating on one (the book) is best until it’s done, then I can do the other.

After all, I can do the blog when I get back fairly easily, it’s just mechanics. But the book needs thought and creativity, and after several months abroad I might not have the focus it requires to get it done. Besides, I want to be able to re-write while I’m away, and I can’t do that unless I’ve written. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time off to write. it’s all work at the moment, be it housework or work work.

So that’s where I am at the moment, stuck in limbo (kind of) unable to move in any direction. But like all things, this too shall pass. Then you watch, pretty soon I’ll be complaining that it’s all going too fast, that I need to put on the brakes, slow things down, make some space so that I can get everything done, lol. Daft I know, but you know I’m right! ;)

As they say; be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. :lol:

by

New Video Triptych

Thursday night I managed to wangle some free tickets to a filming of this thing I used to go to at the South Bank called BUG.

It’s where I first came across Fever Ray and MGMT, to name but two. A night of new music videos and comedy hosted by the incorrigible Adam Buxton, who provides commentary and entertainment in the form of his patented youTube comment clips.

If you have time I recommend checking them out, but not until you’ve seen a selection of some of the best stuff that will be in the first two episodes to be show on Sky Atlantic later this year (I guess. I don’t really know to be honest :P ).
 
This first one is great. Animated special effects over kids playing with guns. Just how it was in our heads when we were young!


 
This one shows Rio at it’s best, during carnival, but through the lens of tiltshift pioneer Keith Loutit. An excellent video that must have taken ages to shoot.


 
And finally something from someone I’d never heard of but who is already in my Amazon shopping cart; Grimes. This video was shot guerilla style and I just like how it’s done; not to mention it’s a catchy tune.


 
Hope you liked this wee selection. Check out the series when it comes on, you won’t be disappointed. I promise you’ll have a right laugh watching it (coz it was a right laugh filming it ;) ).

by

“…between zero and one.”

I’ve been in a weird place recently. Working more often than not (10 days out of the last 12) to try and make a bit of money to go do stuff, I’ve made no progress on anything else I got going on.

And all the work and early starts, the lack of progress and lack of energy, has dulled the mind and allowed doubts and fears to creep in. I push them aside but that only allows them to sneak up behind me.

I need help, I need inspiration, I need an idea.

Then this comes along.
 

 
Thank you internet. You are the distraction, but sometimes you are the light as well. It’s time to begin, so let’s start shall we… :)