Hasta la Vista

So Microsoft has pushed back it realise of Vista in the interests of no un-stabilising the market. What they really mean is that they're not as far a long as they hoped they would be, they have the usual bounty of bugs that all Microsoft software releases have and have given themselves quite enough time to iron them out for the initial deadline.

On the back of Sony Corp. pushing back its release of the PS3, I'm claiming that 2006 is the year of the Missed Deadline.

Commonwealth Games Defunct?

Why do we have the Commonwealth Games?

Australia (who is the big dog behind a little fence in this situation) want to become a republic, England hasn’t made any meaningful steps to reinforce the Commonwealth in 30+ years and countries like New Zealand and it Pacific neighbors have very little significant connections with the Motherland other than carrying the Union Jack and abiding by ceremonial traditions. Oh and there is the legal system bit as well but we'll exclude that for the sake of this blog.

Attendance at the Games is not flash hot especially in early stages of heats etc. Would there be any benefit from finishing the Commonwealth Games to let Athletes and the world audience focus solely on the Olympic Games? I think there would as it would make the Olympics that much more elite and special.

That a look at this forum from the Australian newspaper the Age. The Commonwealth Games Forum

Oscar the Grouch

Hello World!

My first blog post. So this is what it looks like from the other side. Hmm, nice window treatment.

I must admit that I'm a little disappointed with myself that I choose to begin my bloggers life with a critical post, however as I am intent on using this tool to express my authentic self I wont bother entertaining any compulsion to be positive or upbeat simply because I don't want to be seen as overly opinionated or critical. I aim to represent my opinion as succinctly as possible and will pursue short postings until I have found this nirvana.

So, what’s with Hollywood? For the last three years (or at least from what I remember) there have been grumbles with the disappointment that is Oscar’s night. "It's too long", "It's too predictable" “The judges are so conservative" "It’s boring!".

So if this is the case, 1 - why do people still feel compelled (obliged?) to watch; 2 - If there is truth to these criticisms, why don’t those responsible for the biggest night in western entertainment do something about; and 3 (which is really point 2b) - is the Academy made up of real breathing people?

On the first point, I think the lure of the bright stars of American celebrity, who for many are the representation of what they profoundly desire to be, gets the best of people’s curiosity. And much the same as reality TV programmes, the chance that something sensational and/or controversial might happen will always draw the closest voyeurs.

The second and third points are more interesting and the reasoning for them is more complex. I think tradition certainly creates a burden of obligation to which fires the ceremony. Like many elements of the boarder American entertainment industry, the Superbowl, music festivals like Ozfest, and telecasts of important dates e.g. New Years at time square etc, an ingrained sense of belonging to a history of occasions is an important driver it would seem.

With the observation of traditions comes the sense of belonging to/beginning apart of something bigger than oneself and this is worked out in an entertainment event by establishing a history to the occasion which gives the perception of some creditability to what is being observed.

It just seems that this desire for marking achievement in film is buckling under the weight of an out-moded tradition. It’s either large blockbuster which critics are indifferent to at best or small independent style films which sadly few people seem to want to watch (especially those who ought to be watching them).

As far as the Academy being human, they must be a sadistic bunch. In the land of programming excellence, it seems odd that the expertise that give us incredible tension in an episode of 24 can't be transferred for one night to the Oscars. The selection of Jon Stewart as host shows that the Academy realises that audiences will not keep tuning in to this behemoth year after year unless drastic changes take place.

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s me.