My Week In Media
As tagged by Meg earlier this month, I have just got around to posting it, and the stuff relates to the week between Christmas and New Year. So here is Me Meeja Meme.
What I read
I subscribe to National Geographic magazine - I read articles on the albatros, memory and cowboys.
Sunday Times Culture section is the first thing I reach for from the weekend’s papers. AA Gil’s review is a sometimes guilty pleasure.
The Week is the best news magazine ever made and it’s always bang on the money without taking itself too seriously. The back page article consistently the best feature of the week, and the letters section is brilliant. It does it all.
I didn’t read any newspapers because I don’t really, but I did the quiz of the year in The Times.
I read Lorelei’s Secret by Carolyn Parkhurst - a novel which was a recommendation from Wendy, and one I wouldn’t have picked myself because the premise was kind of weird and it could have gone either way. But it didn’t and while the theme was very sentimental, it dealt with real issues of grief and cruelty with a dignity I very much doubt would ever carry me through such trials.
What I watched
I watched the film Gettysburg, which is the four-hour epic screen adaptation of Killer Angels, which was the best book I read last year, and the finest account of battle have read, and I’ve read lots of books about war. This was a birthday present from my dad and stepmum - cracking present, both.
I saw a cheesy Sandra Bullock film where she works as a train ticket seller in Chicago. It was all right. Until five years ago, I had never seen a film with her in, and now I can’t avoid them.
Jules Holland’s Hootenany and the news for the fireworks. I watched the Transformers movie and I went to see Everton play Arsenal and then saw the highlights on Match Of The Day back in the hotel and the cold light of day (we lost).
Flight Of The Conchords - one of the funniest shows of the year. Murray…. -present.
Riding Giants - No, stop that, it’s a documentary about big wave riders who live and love to surf. Just watching it was breathtaking.
Lead Balloon - Jack Dee at his deadpan funniest.
What I surfed
AOL UK (present employer), BBC News (future employer), newswires, photo archives, Facebook, The New Yorker, blogs (from my Bloglines RSS reader, in no particular order, and I can’t remember if they all posted, but I would have read them if they had and the list is): It’s A Life, troubled diva, So?, rivierawriter, little red boat, writer’s moll, Everything Is Electric, Sad Sweet Songs & Crazy Rhythms, Jonny B’s Private Secret Diary, This Is The Goo I’ve Got, Scaryduck, A little bit of wisdom in every box, Fleet Street 2.0, The World of Jill Twiss, Goin’ To The John, A few words from Rob Mansfield, Adventures in Kathrynland, Zen Habits, Journalism.co.uk, The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss, McSweeney’s, newsroomnext, meish dot org, I am livid, Justin’s ramble, better than fine, agenda365, The Daily Telegraph’s Bits.
Riviera Writer, my dad, made his final blog post in that week, which is a shame, but you can enjoy the archives and I will plug his book again, as he’s giving up to work on his second one.
What I listened to
Newton Faulkner’s Handbuilt By Robots CD - really enjoyable, heartfelt, soulful and funny songs by this energetic and sensitive acoustic guitarist with an earnest but not schmaltzy voice.
Magic by Bruce Springsteen
On the road trip to the match, I listened to Radio 2 - Mark Lamarr on the way up, and Clive Anderson on the way down.
A spoken word CD - Lake Wobegon Days: Original Radio 4 Broadcast (see below)
Podcasts - Prairie Home Companion’s News From Lake Wobegon - This is irresistible and if you haven’t heard it yet then it give it a try. It never fails to brighten my darkest week. Garrison Keillor writes adorably. Also NPR’s Writer’s Almanac - another Garrison Keillor show which looks at literary landmarks on that day in history, followed by a poem.
And Mr Angry’s inaugural podcast - very funny if you get the chance.
I am tagging Writer’s Moll, Kathryn, Mr Angry, Pete and Scaryduck.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I remember reading Lake Wobegon days years ago and thoroughly enjoying it. I then heard the Radio 4 broadcast and realised I would have to re-read the book in Garrison Keillor’s very distinctive style. The second time of reading the book was even more enjoyable than the first. Does that make sense?? Thanks for the heads up on the podcast!
January 16th, 2008 at 11:36 am
“Mark Lamarr on the way up, and Clive Anderson on the way down.”
I think they’re both on their way down, personally.
January 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
The Sandra Bullock movie was ‘While You Were Sleeping’ and it is quite possibly one if the better-made romantic comedies of the ’90s. Oddly, neither of the writers of that screenplay have as yet had another of their screenplays produced, that I can find.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Glad you enjoyed the book - it’s one of my favourites.
And did you say This Is The Poo I’ve Got?
You’re higher brow than you care to admit, and it’s nice to know that we were watching Jools at the same time, even if at the opposite ends of the country.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Wendy - maybe, but I didn’t know the plural for albatros.
Welcome Dan - Makes perfect sense. I’m happy I tipped you off and glad to commented.
Ed - That’s the one!
Sam - You mean… together? (Shudders)
January 16th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
What is it - albatri?
January 17th, 2008 at 3:29 am
‘Birds’, I think.