On the Vagaries of Liking Things - The Bear and Badger

Skerret

legaldinho wrote:

I mean, what the fuck

You shut up

[Deleted User]

Lord_Griff wrote:

You need to love commas a little more.

I'm glad somebody else said this first. Yes. Very much so. Sorry, Muggins.

Raiziel

I never point that shit out. It feels rude to do so.

davyK

AJ wrote:

There's plenty of those about these days. Plus, most local multiplayer is pretty undemanding, so won't need a beast of a machine. We probably played more Speedrunners and Mount Your Friends then anything else at my last place and they'd probably be happy on integrated graphics.

And MAME-ing would also serve up some old school arcadey larks. I used to play A LOT of MAME. Dicking about with ROM sets and new OS has put me off a bit.

Fuck knows what ROM sets even are, but I've given up dicking about with drivers and the OS. So far, everything's running fine without any input from me beyond installing drivers after the Win10 update. Laptop must be getting on for a couple of years old now.

I had a version of shmupMAME running nicely but a Win10 upgrade has fucked it up.

I'd actually love to just get a Win98 SE PC (with USB support going) and a solid old DOS build and the really nice DOS only arcadeOS front end - but that becomes more unlikely as time passes.

Speedhaak

Even now, my immediate group of friends will giggle like cunts if I instigate videogame conversation on a night out. Because unless it's conversation focused around manly stuff like Rugby or Football then it's not worth talking about, apparently. Funny though that they can all still be seen online playing FIfa, CoD and other 'socially accepted' videogames. Still, doesn't stop them asking do I "still kill Dragons online" though - coupled with smirk and nod to other mate.

Yeah, I (like a lot of other people in here I suspect) learned a long, long time ago not to give a fiddler's fuck about other peoples opinions on what I like. Growing up in the 80s and 90s in Ireland I submitted to the fact that I was an oddball long ago.

A lot of people think I'm being deliberately contrary when almost everything I enjoy falls outside the parameters of your average persons appreciation levels - Videogames, weird 80s inspired pop synth on Spotify, Michael Mann films, Marmite, Pale Ales, Whiskey and Cigars, Carl Sagan, Bill Hicks, Cats and Coffee (who the fuck drinks Coffee man...)

Tempy

I like some stuff, sure

djchump

It's a weirdly parochial hangup to give a shit what other people like or dislike, and feel the need to conform your tastes to "socially-safe" things.

stonechalice

Diluted Dante wrote:

Andy wrote:

XOMuggins wrote:

He once punched a guy for dissing The Beach Boys. Overreaction? No. He dealt out swift and vital punishment for a lack of intellectual faculties.

Eh, no, I'm sorry, but your man sounds like a dick. That is an overreaction. If the way you deal with a lack of intellectual faculties is to resort to physical violence, you've not only lost the argument, you've lost any claim to intellectual superiority.

I was like you once. Blond hair. Scraggly little beard. Childlike ears. Full of beans and spunk. I let my principles get in the way sometimes. I punched a bloke in the face once for saying "Hawk the Slayer" was rubbish.

Good for you.

Yeah, thanks. But that's not the point, Tim. The point is I was defending the fantasy genre with terminal intensity, when what I should have said is "Dad, you're right, but let's give Krull a try and we'll discuss it later."

Watched it again the other day. Still great.

Bollockoff

Speedhaak wrote:

Even now, my immediate group of friends will giggle like cunts if I instigate videogame conversation on a night out. Because unless it's conversation focused around manly stuff like Rugby or Football then it's not worth talking about, apparently. Funny though that they can all still be seen online playing FIfa, CoD and other 'socially accepted' videogames. Still, doesn't stop them asking do I "still kill Dragons online" though - coupled with smirk and nod to other mate.

What friend like qualities do your friends possess.

Skerret

Few

Escape

Speedhaak wrote:

doesn't stop them asking do I "still kill Dragons online" though - coupled with smirk and nod to other mate.

@Skerret

Brooks wrote:

Alcohol, pistachio nuts, being void of ambition.

Is that the full Bukowski? Who have you punched?

hylian_elf

Playing games is one thing. I get funny looks when I tell people I listen to game music.

hylian_elf

Super Play was great

Raiziel

You be wantin' that thread down there.

Skerret

Escape wrote:

Speedhaak wrote:

doesn't stop them asking do I "still kill Dragons online" though - coupled with smirk and nod to other mate.

@Skerret

Brooks wrote:

Alcohol, pistachio nuts, being void of ambition.

Is that the full Bukowski? Who have you punched?

As accurate as needed

Moot_Geeza

I love....Ruby and Carlos by James McMurtry.

I owned my first McMurtry album before I knew he was the son of Larry, and long before Lonesome Dove became my second favourite novel. I'd probably put The Last Picture Show in my top ten too. Hoping for lightning to strike twice thanks to daddy's little swimmers sounds like a waste of time, but that didn't stop me buying three Wallflowers albums or a couple of Justin Townes Earle albums. I like a handful of Wallflowers songs and a really like a few JTE songs, but McMurtry Jr. yielded a full return on those crossed fingers - I'm only missing one of his albums now, and his best work is absolutely outstanding. He's a singer-songwriter whose work would probably be placed in the plenty-wide category of Americana, and he specialises in story songs, which suits me perfectly.

This one's a tale of a failed relationship, and two lives dulled by a loss that lingers. It's equal parts bleak and beautiful, and I haven't been able to wear it out after months of typically avid listening. At six and a half minutes it's covered my journey to and from the station dozens of times. I've had to retire plenty of songs due to what could probably be described as obsession over the years, but I've already listened to it twice whilst typing this and I'm not even close to filing it away.

The couple split early in the track, as Carlos is itching to get out on the road. He ends up as a touring musician, leaving a stubborn Ruby to her horses, town gossip and regret. An older woman, she drifts in and out of liasons but remains alone while he descends into functional alcoholism, poor health and memories their time together. You only hear the chorus twice, but it's a gut punch of a pay-off. The line about sending the ashtray flying that lands just before the first chrous is as close to perfect as anything else I can think of by any artist - I'd put this level with Famous Blue Raincoat for songs I can just sit and, for want of a better expression, lose myself in the words. The whole thing is a downer, especially the way he misses her phonecall as the track draws to a close and we find out that she's martyred her body by riding on the slippery slope she used to avoid. For me, it's a perfect song.

Escape

Skerret wrote:

As accurate as needed

Insufficiently lurid suits.

[Deleted User]

I love watching cartoons.
Anything from the golden era of Loony Tunes, Merry Melodies, the early Disney shorts and the Disney features up to Aladdin. Nicktoons like Ren and Stimpy, Doug, Rocko. Newer Cartoon Network like Adventure Time, Gumball, Regular Show.

I can watch cartoons all day quite happily. There is a joy to these shows that gets written off by people as they get older. I find it strange that people dismiss media as "for kids" but are still happy to eat birthday cake or play football or any number of other things that were just as joyful as a child.

djchump

Ren and Stimpy.

ShabbyMcCrabby

I'm liking tennis at the moment. Makes me happy even if I don't win.

Diluted Dante

I like watching, but it's frustrating to play.

Squash however, is bloody brilliant. I wish I knew anyone that felt the same.

[Deleted User]

Diluted Dante wrote:

I like watching, but it's frustrating to play. Squash however, is bloody brilliant. I wish I knew anyone that felt the same.

Yeah, I lack the required hand eye coordination for most racquet sports, but a mis-hit shot can score you the occasional point in squash, so it's much less frustrating/embarrassing than the likes of tennis.

XOMuggins

Moot_Geeza wrote:

I love....Ruby and Carlos by James McMurtry. I owned my first McMurtry album before I knew he was the son of Larry, and long before Lonesome Dove became my second favourite novel. I'd probably put The Last Picture Show in my top ten too. Hoping for lightning to strike twice thanks to daddy's little swimmers sounds like a waste of time, but that didn't stop me buying three Wallflowers albums or a couple of Justin Townes Earle albums. I like a handful of Wallflowers songs and a really like a few JTE songs, but McMurtry Jr. yielded a full return on those crossed fingers - I'm only missing one of his albums now, and his best work is absolutely outstanding. He's a singer-songwriter whose work would probably be placed in the plenty-wide category of Americana, and he specialises in story songs, which suits me perfectly. This one's a tale of a failed relationship, and two lives dulled by a loss that lingers. It's equal parts bleak and beautiful, and I haven't been able to wear it out after months of typically avid listening. At six and a half minutes it's covered my journey to and from the station dozens of times. I've had to retire plenty of songs due to what could probably be described as obsession over the years, but I've already listened to it twice whilst typing this and I'm not even close to filing it away. The couple split early in the track, as Carlos is itching to get out on the road. He ends up as a touring musician, leaving a stubborn Ruby to her horses, town gossip and regret. An older woman, she drifts in and out of liasons but remains alone while he descends into functional alcoholism, poor health and memories their time together. You only hear the chorus twice, but it's a gut punch of a pay-off. The line about sending the ashtray flying that lands just before the first chrous is as close to perfect as anything else I can think of by any artist - I'd put this level with Famous Blue Raincoat for songs I can just sit and, for want of a better expression, lose myself in the words. The whole thing is a downer, especially the way he misses her phonecall as the track draws to a close and we find out that she's martyred her body by riding on the slippery slope she used to avoid. For me, it's a perfect song.

Great post my friend.

b0r1s

Love playing tennis. I am not good but I have two mates who are worse. So bad I once beat them when I was playing singles to their doubles. I also love watching Wimbledon.

XOMuggins

Thanks for all the stories friends. Here is a little post about something else I love, even though I already mentioned it. Blood on the Tracks was given to me by my father. It was his very favourite Bob Dylan album, even though Blonde on Blonde was very close in rank. He felt - as I feel - that Bob was at his best not when he was hyped up on amphetamines and booze. What makes Blood on the Tracks so very special is that it details a period in his life which was particularly difficult. That is, the separation between him and his wife. The album as released is a masterpiece. It is lyrically as interesting as anything he has done and as musically satisfying as the Wall of Sound Blonde on Blonde recordings. It is the personal nature of the songs that make them so moving. Listening to the original cut of the album is revealing as all hell. Anyone who has even a modicum of interest in Bob Dylan should seek out these unreleased recordings immediately. They show a development of hopelessness and bitter anger. Take the song Idiot Wind for example. On the released album it is a big blustering fuck you, full of rage and finger pointing. On the New York version it is still sad yes, but mostly it is mournful for a life that had escaped him through his own fault. There are similar changes to Tangled Up In Blue, You're a Big Girl Now and If You See Her, Say Hello. Perhaps the greatest cut on the original LP is however Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts. As released the song is just a caper and holds no great meaning. In its original form it is slow, steady and insightful. The problems of good and bad luck and missed opportunities is what Blood on the Tracks is really all about. Anyone who wants to hear the original album, do a google and find that sucker. It's easy to locate.

Moot_Geeza

Lily is one of the tracks where I prefer the Minneapolis version. Caper is a good word for it, but it's the greatest caper ever told. Blood on the Tracks currently sits in third place on my Boblist - Highway 61 Revisited is first (always), then Bringing it all Back Home. John Wesley Harding and Love & Theft are 4th and 5th.

Edit: and Visions of Johanna is my favourite ever song.

Syph79

I'm a simple man. I love my family, Crystal Palace FC and Ryan Adams. Probably in that order. I fill the gaps between those things with game. I also love games.

XOMuggins

My favourite version of Visions of Johanna is on the "Albert Hall" concert. Magical stuff. My top 5 would probably be:

1. Blood on the Tracks
2. Blonde on Blonde
3. Infidels
4. John Wesley Harding
5. Love & Theft.

XOMuggins

Syph79 wrote:

I'm a simple man. I love my family, Crystal Palace FC and Ryan Adams. Probably in that order. I fill the gaps between those things with game. I also love games.

I really like Ryan Adams, even if he is a bit of an arse. I love I See Monsters.

XOMuggins

Liveinadive wrote:

I love watching cartoons. Anything from the golden era of Loony Tunes, Merry Melodies, the early Disney shorts and the Disney features up to Aladdin. Nicktoons like Ren and Stimpy, Doug, Rocko. Newer Cartoon Network like Adventure Time, Gumball, Regular Show. I can watch cartoons all day quite happily. There is a joy to these shows that gets written off by people as they get older. I find it strange that people dismiss media as "for kids" but are still happy to eat birthday cake or play football or any number of other things that were just as joyful as a child.

Good stuff here. I went through a period recently where I watched and bought most of the Disney classics. Never saw Little Mermaid before but boy is it great. Beauty and the Beast is my choice for best animated movie ever. Really touching, great music and beautiful to watch.

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