Friday 28 September 2007

Pip, you're playing catch up

Last month I wrote about the shocking situation in Burma. That turned out to be quite prescient, as it has all kicked off over there this month, with great acts of monkish resistance and people power challenging the oppressive junta there. At last! But will the Western world stand up and be counted, and finally show some support? Only time will tell, but so far, not really. In the meantime, shots are being fired, tear-gas is in use and, most worrying of all, huge numbers of monks have been rounded up into the back of vans and 'disappeared'. How I hope a peaceful resolution can be found. How I fear it will not.

But re-reading my post from last month, I had a sudden urge to check back over everything I've written here, and maybe give an update on some of the other stories - to close a few loops, if you like. I'm sure you're not interested, but I am, so here goes:
  • In February 2005, in one of my first posts, I discussed the absurdity of trying to identify "the greatest films ever"... and then went on to list a few of my favourites anyway. I'd like to add Amélie, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, and Fight Club to that list.
  • In April 2005 I reported on buying a digital camera, but assured my lone reader that the trusty old film SLR would "come out of retirement any time I need to take 'proper' photos." I've only used it once since, and that was whale-watching in Canada when I needed the benefit of a 300mm zoom lens. Think it's time to sell all that old kit whilst it still has at least some monetary value.
  • In May 2005 I expressed shock on hearing that Kylie Minogue had breast cancer. Happily, she has been treated successfully and has made a full recovery. Excellent.
  • In December 2005 I wrote about the difficulty in settling down. You will be unsurprised to learn that I'm still not settled. In fact, I'm less settled than ever.
  • In May 2006 I bemoaned the way we, as consumers, are given plastic carrier bags for everything. It's gratifying to see, then, that retailers are starting to wake up, and are making the act of not taking a carrier bag a positive thing. About time too.
  • In June 2006 I recounted the tale of 'Ed' and 'Jenny' and how my advice to Ed may have helped them get together. Last I heard, they're now getting (or may have already got) married. A happy ending then!
  • In July 2006 I suggested Danny Wallace as a candidate for 'greatest living Englishman'. Since then he's hosted the latest run of the execrable Castaway, and is Anne Robinson's lackey on Test The Nation, so you'd think I might want to reconsider that... and I do. But he also hosts School's Out... so all is forgiven, Danny.
  • In November 2006 I lamented the fact that the talented, intelligent, attractive Myleene Klass had lowered herself by appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!... but since then she's been on our TV screens and magazine covers more than ever, so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing...
  • In January 2007 I posed the admittedly dumb question "why are there no beautiful women in IT?" I have had no proof to the contrary, and so can only conclude, sadly, that there are none. The sole woman under 50 in our IT department looks like the back end of a bus. Q.E.D.
  • In May 2007 I bitched about Jose Mourinho being a bad loser. Well, Chelsea have given him the boot now... a shame, in a way, the Premiership will be a lot less interesting without him.

I promise I won't do this kind of boring review again for another couple of years, okay? Good.