Three Lions on a shirt

This is one of those 'not to much to mention, but I'll write one anyway' kind of Blog posts - It's Summer, which means not a lot in the way of exciting product launches or news and reviews to discuss at Elite Bastards... And who would want to? There are far more important things to involve oneself in, such as drinking, enjoying the sunshine, and that small matter of the World Cup.

Yes, the World Cup - Those few weeks that come only once every four years where I eschew my usual disinterest in the television and instead become glued to it, taking in game after game after game, removing my computer hardware reviewer hat and firmly placing a wannabe Andy Gray hat on my head instead. So yes, you could say I've been enjoying the feast of football so far... Indeed, as I write this I'm simply killing time until England kick off their final group game against Sweden. We've already qualified for the last sixteen, which takes the pressure off somewhat, but it's important for us to get a good performance under our belts after a couple of stumbling, pedestrian displays in our opening two games.

I've also been making the most of the sunshine to spend time chilling out with a good book, currently in the form of Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore - A pretty excellent read so far. There's something I love about Murakami's ability to put plausible characters into surreal, bizarre situations which they then accept and thrive in without question - Somehow, I just find it reflective upon the attitudes of most in the real-world, a celebration of the human spirit if you will.

Music-wise, I'm currently sat about listening to Thom Yorke's first solo album, The Eraser, which isn't bad at all - I don't quite understand his feeling that it's all material that wouldn't suit Radiohead, as the vast majority of the album seems exactly like tracks that would suit Radiohead... Oh well, he's the boss, and there's some good stuff on the album so I won't complain. I also finally got arround to picking up Gnarls Barkley's album, St. Elsewhere - I wasn't expecting much beyond the hugely over-played by now Crazy, but again was pretty impressed. It's a hit and miss album, but the tracks that work do so damn well, so it gets my vote.

So, that sums up the past few weeks in a nutshell for me - TV, books, music, with review work slotting in nicely alongside it all. I just hope the rest of you guys and girls are enjoying the Summer so far as much as I am.

Dylan Moran

Just this minute got back from seeing Dylan Moran's stand-up show live.... Absolutely fantastic, side-splitting stuff. I might write more about it some other time, but right now I have to go and tend to my pentagram. Of cheese.