Tennis

As Andy Murray thumps his way into the Cincinnati Masters final, I thought I’d blog my thoughts on the current state of men’s tennis.


Murray will face the winner of Novak Djokovic or Tomas Berdych. There’s no Nadal and there’s no Federer. They were knocked out in the quarter finals. Djokovic is undoubtedly the best player in the world at the moment – he’s lost only once (to Federer in the French Open Semi finals), but Federer is the greatest player of all time and Nadal is the greatest clay court player ever.

But there absence shows the strength of the men’s game at the moment. There isn’t one player who’s significantly better and has been for years. Djokovic won only his second and third Grand Slam’s this year. He won his first in 2008 and has been the No. 3 in the world for years. Yet this year he has stepped up.

But it’s not just him. Federer and Nadal are vulnerable. The aura of invincibility around them both has done. Federer was beat in Cincinnati by Mardy Fish, Nadal by Berdych. There is a feeling in the men’s game at the moment that anyone can beat anyone on a given day. The time when Nadal could just turn up and play sub-standard and thrash his opponent are gone. They have to be on his guard.

Where does this leave Murray? He’s the best British player we’ve had for generations, yet that Grand Slam seems to elude him. In the three Grand Slam final’s he’s been in, he’s been blown away. But by player’s at the top of their game. There’s no shame in that. I still believe he’ll him a Grand Slam – either in Australia or America. The Hard Court’s there suit his game better.

In contrast, the women’s game is so different. This is not a great era of women’s tennis. There is no Navratilova or Graf. Grand Slams are so unpredictable that anyone could win. The world No.1 hasn’t won a Grand Slam in years. The William’s sisters prove the weakness of the women’s game by the fact they can play basically just the Grand Slams and win them.

This is a golden age for men’s tennis. And we should enjoy it. Federer can’t have many more year’s left in him, and Nadal’s body often fails him. Add in Djokovic, Murray and a handful of others and we have the most competitive era of men’s tennis potentially ever.

One thing’s for certain – I’ll be watching.

Sesame Street Debacle

I only saw this for the first time the other day.

For those of you who don’t know, the episode of sesame street with Katy Perry was banned because she was showing too much cleavage.

I wasn’t paying attention to that but the song, which is actually quite good. Perry wasn’t wearing anything scandalous. And it was a cartoon, which is what half her image is based on anyway. But this control is bizarre – I’m sure the Muppets have done far worse; Miss Piggy always had terrible innuendo.

I loved, however, the sesame street statement:

"Sesame Street has a long history of working with celebrities across all genres, including athletes, actors, musicians and artists. Sesame Street has always been written on two levels, for the child and adult. We use parodies and celebrity segments to interest adults in the show because we know that a child learns best when co-viewing with a parent or care-giver. We also value our viewer's opinions and particularly those of parents. In light of the feedback we've received on the Katy Perry music video which was released on You Tube only, we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of Sesame Street, which is aimed at preschoolers. Katy Perry fans will still be able to view the video on You Tube."

The idea of it being written for the child and the parent seems to have been a bit too spot on if you think Perry is not wearing enough.

Oh well, at least we can watch it on Youtube.

I enjoyed it at least – for the song.

Magical Music

Now, as an English & History graduate and an MA student, alongside being an aspiring journalist, I like words. I like speeches and poems. One of the things I really like are TV scripts, simply because they are fascinating. But one of the most underrated things on TV and in cinemas is the music.

Shows have to have good scripts – if it isn’t good, no matter how brilliant the acting is, the show will suffer. Look at David Tennant’s final few adventures as the Doctor, and some of those scripts were dodgy, even if his portrayal of the last of the Time Lords was excellent.

Music gives things an added dimension. Happy or sad, climatic or a prelude, music can give a sense of being in the moment. I’ve being listening to the Doctor Who Prom on I-Player, and one remembers adventures through the music. There is Rose’s heartbreaking exit in ‘Doomsday,’ the Master’s four knocks and David Tennant’s final scene as the Doctor. The music adds something. Murray Gold, the composer, deserves a medal. He has helped make the modern Doctor Who what it is, adding rousing pieces which elevate the show to beyond ‘good’. See David Tennant's Regeneration.

Music has always been crucial in cinema. Everyone can think of a theme tune which has become memorable to them. From The Third Man to Star Wars, films have often become known by their music, a language universal to all. The first few seconds of the Imperial March lets everyone know they are watching Star Wars.

Musicians have always been interested in films. See Simon and Garfunkel’s presence in The Graduate for that. But musicians are becoming increasingly involved in video games. The Final Fantasy series, one of the pioneers of music in video games, has used pop stars (Leona Lewis in its latest incarnation).

The music for the games themselves (just the incidental and situation pieces) has also made stars of its composers. Nobuo Uematsu has become a star in his own right for his compositions to the ‘Final Fantasy’ games, setting up his own band, ‘The Black Mages’ who perform concerts around the world, showcasing both his music and more classical pieces. ‘Liberi Fatali’, a piece from Final Fantasy VIII, was used during the 2004 Olympics in the Women’s synchronised swimming, highlighting both a strong base audience, but also a growing one.

One of my favourite things in music is Latin. There is something special about its presence. See ‘Vale Decem’ above (of which I can translate parts) or the piece below. There is something rousing, unknown but ultimately epic to the use of Latin, It is probably for that very reason of it being alien which makes it so epic and memorable.

Liberi Fatali, as performed by FF voices in Concert

Music in television has been very different. It is either fantastic, or simply incidental. One of my abiding TV music memories was the finale to Cold Feet where the characters are dispensing with ashes to the crashing chords of Coldplay’s ‘The Scientist.’ But shows have been made around music. Heartbeat has been an excuse to use 1960s songs, whilst both Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes have used music from their respective periods.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer always had a distinctive musical theme. Conveying the music of the young, it also had its own musical episode which won plaudits from around the world and has led to other shows having musical episodes. There was also a show where the characters lost their voices (Season 4’s ‘Hush’), meaning that it relied on the music alone to terrify and relax viewers. However it is Buffy’s death in the Season 5 finale ‘The Gift’ that will always haunt this writer, capturing a sense of loss at her death, but having a sense of peace that went with her sacrifice.

Music is something I will never be able to truly grasp. My attempts to play instruments have always failed – and that include the recorder. But it offers a world into which I have fleeting glances through the medium of the screen. Long may it continue.

Decisions, Decisions

Life is full of decisions. I mean, in M&S the other day, I had to choose between Victoria Sponge or a chocolate muffin (I went for the sponge by the way, and wonderful it was too!), but it highlights the decisions that go on in life.

Amanda goes on about the indecision I've just spent the last 3 years involved in. My degree was Joint Honours, therefore highlighting an inability to make a decision.

Decisions are tough to make. One of the most agonising things I find in a game of chess is the impasse when I don't have a plan, or there is an impasse in the game when we (the players) seem to be starting again, with no move apparent.

But chess is important. It helps us make decisions, which is important for the brain and the functions within it (and yes, I expect someone to get The West Wing reference).

I have decisions to make. I've made some. I decided to stay at Leeds to do my Masters. I'm trying to make decisions on where to live. I'm starting to make decisions on what I want to do extra-curricular next year. I want to be involved in LS and sit on Union Council, as well as be more involved with the Conservative Party in Leeds. This would be in addition maybe to being a subwarden.

We make decisions based on so many things - lifestyle, upbringing, what we fancy for tea. But they can be difficult to make.

Now, should I end this blog now or continue for a while longer...

England vs USA

Well, it could have been worse. The nation waited expectantly and after 4 minutes it all seemed to fit into place.

Emile Heskey, derided even my non-footballing housemate Mark, set up Gerrard to put England seemingly on their way. However, unable to nail their superiority down in terms of goals, Rob Green failed to put his body behind a shot from Clint Dempsey and it trickled into the back of the net.

Not wanted to dwell on that, here are my ratings (out of 10) for the England side against USA:

Green (GK): Quiet game, didn’t have much to do. Complete howler that will haunt him for the rest of his career. James surely to start against Algeria on Friday. 3

Johnson (RB): Solid game from the right back. Useful in attack and steady in defence. One of England’s best players. 7
King (CB): Injury problems appeared again and substituted at half time. Other than that, fairly sturdy. 5
Terry (CB): Solid performance, nothing really of any note. 6
Cole (LB): Quiet game for Cole, who stayed back to deal with Donovan. Looked useful when venturing forward. 6

Lennon (RM): Undoubted pace, but end product still questionable. Lively. 6
Gerrard (CM): Excellent first half, well taken goal. Subdued in second half. Unfortunate to get a yellow card. 7
Lampard (CM): Quiet game from the Chelsea midfielder. Worked well with Gerrard, stayed back when needed to and tested Howard. 6
Milner (LM): Obviously still ill, one of Capello’s stranger decisions. Hauled off after half an hour, hopefully he’ll play again when fully fit. 5

Rooney (ST): Very quiet from the striker, looked like he was under instructions to stay cool. Came to life in the last 15 minutes. Worked for the cause though. 6.
Heskey (ST): Fine assist for the goal, worked with endeavour throughout. Still can’t score, but an excellent target man. Very useful in the group games. 7

Subs:
Wright Phillips for Milner: Strange selection over Cole, but stopped the USA right back overlapping when his pace caused him to be booked. Spurned a good chance. 6
Carragher for King: Sorely lacking in pace, but made some good tackles. Booked. 5
Crouch for Heskey: Came on too late to make an impact. His height will be useful against weaker opposition. 5

Spotlight on Solihull

Elections are always an exciting time. The Presidential Election in America captured the attention of the world, with Barack Obama transfixing the world with his message of hope. As we enter April 2010, the spotlight is on the UK as we search for the next Government.

In what is going to be the closest election since Major defeated Kinnock in 1992, David Cameron looks to end 13 years of Labour rule by beating Gordon Brown. As the opinion polls are proving as varied as an episode of Dr Who, no-one is sure what statistics to believe. The Sun claims the Conservatives have a 41% approval rating compared with Labour on 31%, whilst The Guardian claims the Tories have a 2 point lead.

The close nature of the election is mirrored in where I live (when I'm not being a student): Solihull.

Having been a Tory stronghold since 1945, Solihull changed its allegiance for the first time since World War Two in 2005 by voting in Lib Dem Lorely Burt. Her grassroots campaigning is symbolic of the Lib Dems - very good at campaigning on a local level, less effective on the national landscape. She managed to beat John Taylor by a slim majority of 279 - a 10% swing.

Whilst Taylor admittedly did not want to run in 2005, the Tory's for some reason selected him. He did no campaigning, and the Lib Dems won, having made it priority seat number 2.

5 years on, Solihull is fairly pleased with Burt. She appears balanced (but then Lib Dems are) and seems to care about Solihull. She has grown on people, and has a chance at holding on to her seat. The problem is, if Taylor lost by only 279 without campaigning, what happens when the Conservatives do campaign?

Maggie Throup has been the Prospective Parliamentary candidate since 2005, and Solihull has received more money from Lord Ashcroft than any other seat. She hasn't put a foot wrong, and like Lorely, she is liked by the masses.

However, after 5 years people like Lorely. But the problem facing Silhillians is whether to vote for Lorely, seemingly a good MP, or vote Tory, the way it has always been and crucially - the best way to get rid of Labour. As a virtual Tory stronghold, the Labour Government has strangled the finances of Solihull Council - a change in government might rectify this.

Solihull was on Radio 4's 'The World at 1' on Wednesday, and the consensus was that whilst Burt was a good MP, people were tired of Labour, so might vote Conservative. Add in the boundary changes, and Ladbrokes predict a Conservative victory in Solihull.

In my opinion, it is going to be very close. People have grown attached to their Lib Dem, but I believe that this makes little difference on the national scene, as the Lib Dems could suffer in this election, further weakening their position. A Conservative victory may give Solihull a bigger place on the map, especially as we border the constituency of Caroline Spelman, an excellent Tory MP and sure to play a big role in any future Conservative government.

It's a tough choice, but either way, I think the winners are the people of Solihull. With Throup or Burt, they will have a good MP for the next Parliament.

Let the election fun begin!

Attention!

Just a quick post.
As most of you aren't aware, I have been making Freedom of Information (FOI) requests this summer. One of them, however, has caught the attention of an internet newspaper/ journal. If you are interested, go to: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/10/southampton_freedom_of_info/
See if you can spot yours truly!

P.S. A new blog post is not far off...