Which feature do you miss most?

Tuesday 15 June 2010

One-Shot (15/06/10)

Originally, I started this post off with the title "One-Shot (15/06/10) - Farewell Mach 1 One-Shot There Will Be Tears Mondo Deluxe Edition Collector's Edition." Make of that what you will. Then, I realized I couldn't in good conscience write about the subject I wanted to write about and give it that title. It wouldn't convey the right tone.

Then I reconsidered.

Kinda.

If I treat a very serious subject very seriously there's a good chance - a very good chance - you'll read it and feel the desired "serious" emotions (guilt/sympathy/etc) and that resonance will last for a short space of time. If I include that poor joke and you read it before I get to something truly heartbreaking, my hope is that the juxtaposition will make the impact all the greater. And it needs to be greater. Why? That's why.

Whatever your politics or background, I hope we can all agree this is a truly harrowing event made more harrowing by the fact that only now, 38 years after the murder - yes, murder - of innocent people in Derry, an apology has been made.

While appreciated, an apology can't bring those victims back to life. Or any of the other innocents killed, traumatized, or disadvantaged in some way by despicable individuals not just on Irish soil, but across the globe.

Congratulations to those who were vindicated today. And full marks to Cameron for having the nerve to make an apology of that magnitude on behalf of other, lesser men... who couldn't even admit to their own wrongdoing and apologize for themselves.

By the way, if you don't find the idea of the term "justified killing" problematic in and of itself, you're reading the wrong blog.

One-Shot (14/06/10)

When I missed yesterday's One-Shot (sorry about that, by the way) because of the one-two punch of work and Tegan and Sara - so more of a punch/kiss combo, really - I realized something. Something I've been toying with for some time now. For a myriad of reasons.

The One-Shot is no more. Well, not no more. The One-Shot is being retired... re-branded. No longer will it come once a day and bring news of sporting results no one but me cares about. After I post yesterday's belated entry (the one you're reading right now. The one with these very words) and today's, it's One-Shot 2.0, baby. As and when I feel like 'em.

The reason for this is not nearly as convenience related as that sounded. I felt that a Twitter-esque feature would provide extra incentive to blog; now that we have a Twitter I enjoy using, the feature feels redundant. Simply put, the very thing I created to improve the blog has undeniably hurt it. To atone for this, I'm attempting to get back to what made this blog "great." By great, I, of course, mean "readable." Hopefully.

PENULTIMATE ONE-SHOT BEGINS!

As I alluded to above in the meta pre-amble, I went to see Tegan and Sara yesterday. The gig was very good, even though the pop pixie combo slagged off Belfast's "freezing" summer weather and largely ignored their early material. However, the last few days have seen me thrilling to the beat of a different drum. And guitar. The guitar and drum combo Japandroids, to be specific. Give 'em a go right here. And here. Not to mention there.

See ya soon for the last ever One-Shot... 1.0. Tissues available from all good chemists/newsagents.

Sunday 13 June 2010

One-Shot (13/06/10)

This was perfect Sunday night entertainment. Yes, Australia weren't great... but you can only beat who's put in front of you and Germany did that very well tonight.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other really. They set their stall out well early on. It's a game of two halves...

This concludes Ian's football cliché broadcast for today. Be sure to come back soon. I plan to outline my radical "scoring more goals than the opposition is the key to victory" theory in the coming days.

Saturday 12 June 2010

One-Shot (12/06/10)

Unlucky, Yanks. But for the woodwork, you'd have been three points to the good there tonight.

In case you haven't noticed, WORLD CUP FEVER!!! is sweeping through (one half of) Back-Talk Towers. Expect more Tweets no-one wants. Enjoy!

Wednesday 9 June 2010

One-Shot (09/06/10)

Some people want you to be concise, but they don't like it when you don't elaborate. Some people don't know what they want.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

One-Shot (08/06/10)

I am high on this chick right now. And as high on lame puns as ever, apparently.

Monday 7 June 2010

One-Shot (07/06/10)

I sorta wish to party with this man.

Sunday 6 June 2010

One-Shot (06/06/10)

This is so beautiful it hurts remembering it won't be seen on the pitch in South Africa this summer. Where it belongs.

I realize me dedicating a One-Shot to the new Northern Ireland top is exactly the kind of thing that keeps this blog the obscurest of the obscure. I realize and don't care. It's too gorgeous not to be brought to your attention.

Saturday 5 June 2010

One-Shot (05/06/10)

Christophe always jokes about me preferring Conan O'Brien/ other American talk-show hosts to their British counterparts... to which I say "because they're better."

Friday 4 June 2010

One-Shot (04/06/10)


Decent.

Also, new Back-Talk!

"Episode Thirty Nine: Time Craic - Part One"

Chris and Ian offer a glimpse of what life on the other side of the mic is like, by commentating on the “art” of podcasting for about twenty minutes. Privacy during “toilet time” is a good thing. If you went back in time, would it be easier to convince people from the distant past of your sincerity than it would people from last week? Ancient floozies mean more to Christophe than Ian does. There’s no time machine like a magical carton of cigarettes.

Awesome track "Goodbye Jason" by Green.

Thursday 3 June 2010

One-Shot (03/06/10)

If you want to know how morally suspect a lot of people are, ask them about piracy and watch them defend it as though it were pouring milk into a cup of coffee. Or eating scrambled eggs and pancakes with raisins in 'em.

What? Just me?

Wednesday 2 June 2010

One-Shot (02/06/10)

If you aren't already doing so, you should start following Patrick Kielty's Twitter.

Exhibit A:
Restaurant tonight in Ireland. Waitress "We have 4 veg this evening - Boiled potatoes, mash, garlic wedges or chips."


Exhibit B:
Note to Israeli Special Forces - I've seen worse provocation on the ferry back to Belfast after an Old Firm Game.

Exhibit C:
9.15am. Glasgow Airport. Dozen men in bar with kilts and T shirts "Gynaecologist at your Cervix" Must be a smear test conference in Ibiza.

and let's not forget this election classic...

Have voted for the first time outside Northern Ireland - just not the same fun without armed soldiers guarding the polling station.

It's so funny, in fact, that it's worth signing up to Twitter just to follow.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

One-Shot (01/06/10)

Not much to report today, so I'll remind you once again to listen to this podcast.