Men Without Hats

Oh shame on me, it's been ages, and I really wanted to write more.

Sadly, I'm working in a data input job, so I'm usually unenlightened by the idea of sitting in front of the PC to type up some nonsense. However, I have been jotting down some ideas for future posts.

The other reason I've not written very much is my reluctance to write about 'arty' or 'good' movies and miss the point. of the films I've seen in the last 6 months (not many - thats a point 3) I could only think of ordinary criticisms.

A later post I'd like to try is my contempt for movies based upon real-life people and events. Of the few films I've seen recently Il Divo, Patti Smith doc, Gonzo they've been warbling about 'real lives', and I am getting sick of it. I'd really like to see something that doesn't expect me to read up on it first, and/or be lectured about historical events that occurred in a persons life. Add to this the spate of bio-films such as Milk in the usual Oscar dash, and it has been difficult to dodge the non-fiction world. Tellingly, I prefer to read non-fiction but watch fiction.

point 3 is that main reason that I've not written, is purely because I've not been watching many films. I did see Slumdog Millionaire, so I feel I've achieved something. I really enjoyed it, and yes, it could be trashed because of its kaleidoscopic switches in time and place. A rather hollow unconvincing lead character and doughy female love interest. Along with the uncomfortable factor of The Full Monty screenplay. But it was really really good fun, and was full of verve, great music and a pleasing structure.

The reason for the title is my interpretation of today's Singapore F1 GP. Half-way through the race was red flagged for bad weather. The next 50 minutes of the allotted two hour race consisted of the different but dull spectacle of drivers and teams lined up on the grid in the rain. It was something I had never seen before - I used to watch F1 a lot especially when I was around 10-15 - drivers and teams mucking around on the grid, soldering on trying to rescue the days racing. What really struck me was the hair of the drivers.

Typically, F1 coverage presents drivers in helmets prepping their cars or driving them. On completion of the race the podium finishers will collect their trophies and give a bland interview. This is conducted in bright red bridgestone (tyres) baseball-caps. The drivers look straight-jacketed by sponsors in their clothes. At all times they are required to wear these silly caps, which complement their text laden overalls. Yet the funny thing that happened at today's GP was that a few drivers got out of their cars, and took off their helmets to walk around the sodden grid to chat to their teams and fellow competitors. I was really stuck by Mark Webber - an Australian red bull driver - who appeared to be centre of attention as he walked up and down the track asking other drivers if they wanted to race on. He was not a bulbous rounded headed top heavy figure but had a normal-sized head with short brown hair. A couple of other drivers were seen moving around sans-head gear.

I was not awestruck as that would be an overstatement. But if a bunch of people getting rained on can hold my attention then I must have been involved. For once a driver looked like a real person, and not a walking billboard. I'm not actually having a go at the advertisers, in fact I used to think the adverts looked 'cool'. I think what I liked was seeing drivers acting outside of standard procedure. Instead they merely got on with their work, and were genuinely concerned and unsure of what will happen to the race. On the one hand they will go home in the positions as they stand, or on the other they may race in dangerous conditions for possible glory and thrills. That said, it looked for the majority of those wet fifty minutes that neither would happen, as the cars looked likely to orderly follow the safety car around the track for a couple of uneventful and sodden laps.

Well done Webber for appearing without your hat on TV (not including a commercial).

(additionally, i must get on with my planned blogs about Urusei Yatsura (music, film, book and TV), as well as my hatred and affection for Ranma 1/2)