Love Is The Drug

I love cover versions of songs. It's interesting to see other peoples interpretations, or style put into a song.

I've just heard Kylie's version of 'Love Is The Drug' by Roxy Music. I really liked it! As covers go, it was really good! That might be because:

1. The song is amazing to begin with.
2. Kylie is wonderful and can do no wrong. Fact.

I don't really care which to be honest.

Just for reference, here's the Roxy Music original version:

And here is Kylie's cover version which she did in the Radio1 Live Lounge with Calvin Harris:



Kylie's is from 2007 and I'm pretty sure the original was 1974.
I like both versions equally. I can't stand it when people say they don't like a song just because it's a cover. Just because it's not original material doesn't mean it can't still be good.

Not A Lot

Basically, I've recently started writing actual stuff... that's right stuff!!

Wonderful news this is, it means I'm actually being productive in some way!

It also means, however, that I won't be blogging as much. Not that anyone will care, but I thought it was worth a mention, to sort of mark the time when the amount of blogging I do slows down.

Hormones

I hate: Hormones.

Hormones are horrible things. I honestly believe (in the most non-sexist way possible) that women have it worse when it comes to hormones. Men get a constant, whereas womens change over an amount of time.

One day you'll want to kill everyone you see, the next day you’ll be crying at an Andrex advert on TV, the next you’ll be confused why you can’t fit the kettle in the fridge (true story, unfortunately).

I love: being able to use hormones as an excuse for (most) things.

Classy and Fabulous

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” -- Coco Chanel

I love Coco Chanel for millions of reasons, but the main one is that I consider her a feminist figure.

She single-handedly built the Chanel brand, invented the concept of the LBD, and never married. Oh, and she came up with this lovely quote too:

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” -- Coco Chanel

To me, Coco Chanel is a perfect example of how it is possible to be simultaneously well groomed, and a feminist figure.

Eavesdropping

I love: eavesdropping on people's conversations.

I hate: when you go to the trouble of listening to other people’s conversations, and it turns out to be really boring.

German Words

Bit of a German theme over the last two days. Hmmm… it’s probably because I’ve been inspired and reading Rilke today and have begun thinking in German again. Reminds me what a brilliant language German is – and of some of the hilarious words it allows you to use.

I’ve been rather bored today, so I thought I’d compile some of my favourite German words:

10. Über - Purely because it’s fun to say. Pronounced with the ‘U’ sounding sort of like a ‘OU’.

9. Scheibenwischer – (English: Windscreen wipers) – They sound like what they are. I like that about German words.

8. Wasserstoff – (English: Hydrogen) – Literally means ‘water stuff’, I think it’s pretty cool, it’s a good example of compounded German words with literal meanings. Brilliant.

7. Arschgeweih – (English: Arse-antlers) - Sounds rude. And it is… sort of. Refers to when people have tattoos above their arse.

6. Fickakopf – (English: fuckhead) - I just think it’s funny because I’m immature.

5. Schmetterling – (English: Butterfly) – I like the way it sounds. Sccchmetttterrrrliiiing!

4. Ohrwurm – (English: Catchy song) - You know like when you can’t get a song out of your head? The literal translation could be ‘ear worm’, but it means a catchy song. I don’t know why, but I just like the thought of songs as worms. Screw the eels, it’ll be - “Ohrwurms up inside ya, findin’ an enterance where they can!”

3. Depp – (English: Idiot) – Gutted Johnny.

2. Arch – (English: Arse) – I know I already said Arschgeweih, but I just like seeing that English and German swear words are actually the same thing with a few letters added/missed out.

1. Schneeman – (English: Snowman) - It’s seasonal, and fun to say. The more you elongate the ‘ee’, the funnier the word becomes.

Sorry if I’ve got any words wrong, I’m working from memory and it’s been a while since I’ve been in the German frame of mind.

Writing this has given me several ideas for other writings. You know, the writings I said I’d do on my gap year when instead I’ve been busy being unemployed, baking cakes and poncing around in ridiculous shoes.

Rainer Maria Rilke

Happy Birthday Rainer Maria Rilke! Who would be a ridiculous 132 years old today.

Who?
René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke a.k.a Rainer Maria Rilke

When?
Was born on 4th December 1875 and died on 29th December 1926 at the age of 51. His most famous works, ‘Sonnets to Orpheus’ and ‘Duino Elegies’ were both written in 1922.

Where?
He was born in Prague, Bohemia. He then studed Literature, Art History and Philosophy in both Prague and Munich. He travelled several times to Russia in 1897. He then moved to an artists colony in Worpswede, Germany and after getting married, moved to Paris in 1902. He then left Paris and went to Duino, Italty, where he began the ‘Duino Elegies’. Rilke was called up in 1916, and was trained in Vienna. After leaving the army later that year he spent a long time in Munich. Rilke then travelled from Munich to Switzerland, where he died.

What?
Rilke is one of my favourite poets. Arguably the most influential German poets of all time. He is famous for the beauty of his writings.

The fact that the works retain their beauty through translation is arguably because Rilke was also a philosopher.

Rilke’s writings have been referenced in a lot of modern media, including J.D Salinger’s ‘Franny and Zooey’, Niffenegger’s ‘Time Traveller’s Wife’ and even the 2001 film Kissing Jessica Stein.

I love the ‘Duino Elegies’ and ‘Sonnets to Orpheus’, so here’s a few of my favourite Rilke quotes…

"All the soarings of my mind begin in my blood."

"Every angel is terrible... for beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror."

Advent

Yes yes, I went Christmas shopping yesterday. Gosh it was busy. Why go on a Saturday?! No one goes shopping on a Saturday – it’s far too busy. So, I’ve decided to try and do some Christmas shopping on the internet this year. I’ve been trawling sites such as these, but to little avail. I keep seeing things I want but not being sure if other people would like it or not. Buying Christmas presents is an awful ordeal all in all.

But, I'm going to London soon to go shopping, that should be equally infuriating but the Christmas lights look incredible, so it should also be good. Oxford Street always has amazing lights.

Seeing Christmas lights makes it feel like Christmas. This is why I think most people dislike decorations being up to early (a tree up in the last week of November?! - bloody ridiculous).

We dislike it because it gives a false sense of Christmas - a false sense that they should have started their shopping several weeks ago. The lights being put up in November is like a false alarm - they lengthen the stress in the run-up to Christmas. But now it's December, most people seem to agree it is acceptable to put up Christmas decorations. So the false alarm is infact a very real alarm, and not one you should ignore like I've been doing for the last few weeks.

I'm not complaining (except about having to buy presents) because I love Christmas. If you're organised (or just plain naive,) then Christmas is a great time. I've just added 'make gingerbread house' to my 'To Do' list.

Hooray for Christmas!