Reading the Metro paper on the way to work today:

Get Lost! The cast of hit TV show Lost are being turned into dolls. The 15cm replicas of Jack, Kate, Locke, Hurley, Charlie and Shannon will hit the shops for Christmas.

Uh…why? Why?

So that the children can play “plane crash and stranded on an island”?

I don’t get it. Is the show even rated fit for children?

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Last night I found a new form of self-inflicted pain when my fingers led my TV remote to the semi-finals of the Eurovision contest. For those of you who haven’t heard about it, well, here is a 3-point introduction.

1. What is it? It is basically a song contest whereby each country in Europe sends delegates to represent them.

2. When did it begin? The first Eurovision contest was held last 24th of May 1956, making it the longest-running talent competition in the world. Only 7 countries participated in this first contest – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland. Now, there are 37 countries competing.

3. How is the judging/scoring? Prior to 2004, the contest was held in one night where all participants perform their songs and viewers from each of the countries represented can call in and vote for their favourite, except their own representative. Now, there is a semi-final stage. 4 countries automatically qualify for the final stage — France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Then, the top 9 countries from previous year’s contest also proceed to the final. The top 10 countries of the semi-final stage also moves to the final.

The contest is hosted by the country who had won it on the previous year. Last year’s winner was Helena Paparizou from Greece so the final on Saturday, the 20th of May, will be held in Athens.

Some famous names who had their humble beginnings by winning this contest:

• Abba representing Sweden
• Buck Fizz representing the UK
• Celine Dion representing Switzerland
• Katrina and the Waves representing the UK
• Olivia Newton John representing the UK (although she only finished 4th)

So, why the kitsch reputation?
Continue reading →

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A Brechtian Punk Carabet act … she’s goth-like and plays the piano, he’s a mime banging on the drums. You’d think that a group with only these instruments will create music that seems to be missing a sound. But no. Their music is rich, full and powerful. With a haunting voice, the words of their songs are deep, too. Songs titled Backstabber, Me and the Minibar and Coin-Operated Boy … guaranteed to evoke a self-searching, what-am-i-doing-with-my-life emo moment!

Taken from the Dresden Dolls website

Bottomline is I like this group. THEY ROCK!

Gabs (a long-time fan — he’s met the band several times already!) introduced me to this group and he managed to get us tickets to see them play at the Astoria in London last Friday night. It was a show that was never to disappoint. I took some photos with my phone but haven’t managed to upload them yet. Here are photos I managed to extract from my phone.

Anyway, I know that that Dresden Dolls deserves a more profound intro than what I have written here but I suppose I’d let their music speak for themselves.

coin operated boy
sitting on the shelf he is just a toy
but i turn him on and he comes to life
automatic joy
that is why i want a coin operated boy…

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