I don't want to watch World Cup I don't understand the point of it all I don't want to watch football I don't understand the thrill of sitting in an armchair Screaming at the television Cursing other human beings Just because they're from a different place Sugar, I'd rather watch a different sort of game Sugar, where men don't kick what used to be a cow That's what I was going to say, but since I've just sat through the whole of the Ireland-Saudi Arabia match, screaming support and abuse, all oOOH! and aAAHHH! in harmony with the rest of my office, the point is rather moot. I *do* live here, though, and it would surely be a crime *not* to show a little emotion, no? And it *was* a crucial match. Am I convincing anyone with all these *emphatic* *excuses*? It is different, though, the world cup. For a start it's about the countries and the game, whereas the year-in, year-out nonsense is nothing but politics. And the WC (?) is finite; three weeks and that's it for four years. I can relate to that, even if it is sometimes just an excuse for legalised xenophobia and grunting tribalism. Still, that Saudi 'keeper. How much shit is *he* in when he goes home? I can hear that axe being sharpened even as I type... I think I'll have to rent Solondz's Storytelling after all. I read the reviews at the time and wasn't moved to make the effort of going to the one cinema in this little country (Northern Ireland) that was showing it. I did enjoy Happiness, but I knew I'd only be going to hear four minutes of a soundtrack I knew I'd buy the week it was released. Ho hum. I think I'm gaining a little perspective on this band after all. In previous years, when people criticised their work, I remained blind to any imperfections, utterly incapable of appreciating any opinion that conflicted with my own. And even though I was aware of that, it made no difference. But after a weekend's listening I can appreciate why people like Miss McNeil have difficulties. First or second time through I was thinking that it was an EP with delusions of grandeur, but it's a slow-burner, I believe. Some of the dialogue is a little unnecessary, but perhaps seeing the film will add a little extra context. And that I am now able to accept the criticisms, I can't decide whether it means that this is a partically flawed, pseudo-album, or that my taste is maturing. Nevertheless, and to paraphrase someone else, the Belles at their most mediocre would still tower over many of their peers. Enough waffle, I have a thesis to finish. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister@missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo@missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-+ Snipp snapp snut, sa var sagan slut! +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+