Syria

I am not in favour of immediate military action. It's not that I think that there should be no action in the future. It's just that I doubt their intentions. I can't see that certain MPs are looking at the larger picture, they are focussing more intensely on Britain's authority on the world stage.
What are the motivations behind stepping in?
I consider that atrocities are committed against people on a daily basis all over the world. How do you quantify at what level you should step in as a country who are not directly affected by the conflict?
Where do you draw the line at for pain and suffering - how are chemical weapons worse than shooting somebody and watching them die a slow painful death?
Why the hypocrisy? Is Bashar al-Assad a war criminal? If so, who else is?

Russia have put their views for America's action as being strongly against any movement without UN approval. Surely this will create turbulence on the world stage - will this defeat the object of stepping in if this will just provoke tensions?

What is the alternative? The Syrian rebels will take over. Who are these rebels and should we be encouraging them into power? Should we even be interfering in another country's political affairs?

What makes our system so much better than a dictatorial style of government? Considering that many people don't vote or make the most of their freedom of speech in democratic countries. Is it worth them having it? Or is it a case of knowing it is there.

What is funny about numb?

Someone told me that comedy is only comedy if it has meaning.
I think Simon Amstell hits the nail on the head with underlying messages and dark humour.
I really enjoyed 'Numb' and 'Do Nothing', the first which is on iPlayer at the moment and the second which is on Youtube.
Very very funny.
Though I do wonder about what I find funny. Often the quite wacky (Family Guy), the resigned, brutally honest and hilarious (Peep Show), the 'making-fun-of-public-figures' Have I Got News For You, then silly things like an infectious laugh or sharing old jokes with friends.

It used to be more the blatant and exaggerated (Big Bang Theory) and the silly (The Simpsons) and the mundane made funny (Michael Mcintyre). However they rarely make me crack a smile any more. I guess tastes change as life happens and certain things become much more comic, especially when you've experienced them yourself.

I also think that the atmosphere at a comedy gig might make certain jokes more funny. Isn't it true that laughter is 'infectious'?

I enjoy all kinds of stand up comedy, and particularly like finding new comics that I can relate to, though if it's done badly then it really does make you cringe. I think you'd have to be very self assured to make a living as a comic but I suppose your audience gets used to your humour and knows what to expect!

Instagram

Banana buns

The great thing about banana buns is that they can be eaten at any time of the day.

I'm not really a wannabe Mary Berry, but I do love to create things, and they will come out with the 'home-made look' and not the polished look.
These aren't too sweet for a breakfast treat, especially if you don't add icing.

I was really excited how these turned out because they had exactly the right texture so I think the ratios in this recipe are just right.

Several friends found the topping quite hilarious in my photo - will say no more.

WARNING: Very addictive

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
3 large, ripe bananas mashed
150g caster sugar
1 egg
75g butter

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180C. Place 12 baking cases in muffin tin.
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and mashed bananas and combine.
Fold in flour and mix until smooth.
Spoon into muffin cases. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.

Optional

Combine icing sugar and water and drizzle over cooled muffins.
Leave to set.

Enduring Love - Ian McEwan

I MUST admit, this book was a slow starter for me. Though it plunged you straight into the story at the start, I found I didn’t fully relate to the characters until I got about halfway through, by which time I was hooked on the storyline and couldn’t stop reading.

With beautiful prose being a key asset of McEwan’s writing,  this is a short novel for light readers to get their teeth into, offering quality writing over quantity.

The synopsis describes the book as a story of relationships, and this is definitely the key theme, as well as death and mental illness. The main storyline follows Joe Rose and his ‘stalker’ Jed Parry, who we eventually find suffers from de Clerambault’s syndrome, and the effect this has on Joe’s life with his other half Clarissa.

Following a traumatic event, the book keeps you guessing until the end whether Jed is a figment of Joe’s imagination or whether he is the sane one.

An original storyline and a compelling read, this is one to add to your summer reading list.

Youtube picks this week

1. Jose Gonzales - Put your hand on your heart

One of the best acoustic artists ever!

2. KT Tunstall - Other Side of the World

I've loved this song for years, and this is my favourite rendition. Sometimes live recordings spoil a song, but I love the crowd singing back at her.

3. Jessie J cover of Rihanna

I've recently started listening to Jessie J's acoustic sessions on Youtube. Very beautiful songs from the heart. I love Jessie's stage presence, full of attitude!!

4. National Anthem - Lana del Rey

I admit it, I was wrong about LDR, sorry Becci and Steve...
Actual song begins at 1.44.

5. Passenger - Let Her Go

This is in the charts at the moment. Love it.

Music reviews

Hello blog!

I have been neglecting you for a while. I think that's how it is with blogs - you get a few weeks of inspiration then forget to write for a while.


So I've been catching up with some new music on YouTube recently, getting annoyed with my local radio stations en route to work because of the quantity of inane ads in the middle of the programmes. It's got so bad that I actually thought of Confused.com before I heard YMCA at a party.

Here's the first song I love at the moment.

1. Kemosabe by Everything Everything

If you haven't heard this already, you need to give it a listen! I love the chord changes. Every time you think his voice can't get any higher, he somehow manages it!

The video is pretty good too. It matches the erratic nature of the song especially at the start. Eerie, but somehow optimistic. This track is always surprising, and I think quite complex compared to some tracks that are out at the moment. I like the unexpected in music.

2. Pompeii, by Bastille is the second song up for review. I really quite liked it the first time I listened to it. But don't over listen to it, because it is quite repetitive and gets old quite quickly. I would turn the radio up if it came on though.

  

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The video is okay. I get what they're trying to do with the dead eyes, but its been done before! Think they've copied Black Mirror! And various music videos.

3. Full Circle by Half Moon Run

I love this track. I know that it has been out a while now but I have to review it because I got recently recommended it. I feel the references are to drugs and/or getting wrapped up in your own head and thoughts. A feeling of inevitability permeates every word.

4. #thatPOWER ft Justin Bieber - will.i.am

A bit of a joke track really, the video's best bit has gotta be when JB's face appears on a giant billboard, while multiple will.i.am's dance below him. 

I like the bass and it is definitely dance-able. But also pretty funny. And a little bit creepy, especially with so many Wills. I guess there is something quite eerie in general about power gravitating towards a small group or an individual.

Though, if I could sing and I was on the Voice, I would probably choose Will. I also love Jessie J, so if she chose me I would have a hard decision, especially seeing as she is a female coach. I don't know why I'm even wondering about this as I really can't sing. Apparently you can train yourself to become a better singer though.

Here it is:

On a side note, does the title have reference to JB's number of Twitter followers? ;) 

Or is it all about money and fame? Or power behind the scenes like criminal gangs? 

I think the latter, as power is often in the hands of someone who is not in the public face - so you have a puppet acting on behalf of #thatpower.