I Need A Hero.

Hello and welcome once again to Title Under Maintenance. Hope you enjoy your stay, and no, the soaps are not yours to take home.

You've guessed it, today's post is about Super Heroes and comic books, both of which seem to be a hit and miss subject. See, many people (usually girls) will argue that they are quite nerdy, and those who enjoy reading comic books are nerds themselves. I on the other hand believe that some comic books can involve super heroes, and still be pretty cool.

For instance, the new Kick Ass film is based on a comic book. although I haven't actually either read the comics or watched the film, I have heard very positive comments about both. Now I actually really want to see the film, but don't really have the confidence to buy the comics. The main reason is the stigma attached to comic books.

Many people will say that if you are seen buying a comic book you are uncool. Personally, I feel there is a fine line between acceptable and uncool. For instance, if you are one of those people who buys a comic book just to keep it in one of those plastic sheets, never to be read ever and only to be kept in "mint condition" then that is a little sad. If however you have bout a comic book to just read a couple of times, and don't really care what happens to it as long as it is still legible, then I think thats fine. It is no different from somebody buying a magazine to read.

Now onto Super heroes. They rock! well most do anyway. All the actually cool ones like Spiderman and Batman. But there are some really stupid ones. for instance, Aquaman. who wants to read about a man who lives under the sea and can speak to fish? No one, that's who. Infact, I would rather read about south park's "Seaman and Swallow" than Aquaman.

Seaman!!

Back tracking to Super Hero films, there have been many, and many have sucked. For instance, the most recent Spiderman film was terrible compared to the first two. Not only has Spiderman failed, but also "Superman Returns" was also a very poor film. If you want a good Comic book film, look at the two new Batman films. They are awsome. They are dark, and don't try to be too much like the comics. Even as normal films, they are two very good films, but in comparision to the rest of the comic films, they cetainly do justice to the fans. The next one is set to be even better. I feel more producers should take a look at how a real film is made, and take it from there.

Anyway, sorry for quite a short blog, got lots to do, including the challenges on "Batman: Arkham Asylum" (Y)

Arkham Asylum: "Nice Costume"

Now I must go, Lincoln needs my help!

Andy*

The Hills Are Alive.

Hello once again to Title Under Maintenance!

It has been more than a week since I last updated this. On one hand I feel really terrible because I really enjoy writing these, but on the other hand i suppose nobody reads it anyway so no real biggy :P.

If you had not worked out from the title, this post is going to be about music, not musicals (sorry, but I think i would struggle to write a blog about them without falling asleep).

I personally believe that i have a reasonably good taste in music. Now, of course I would say that, but looking at other people's ipods, mine seems very similar. I this this is mainly down to the fact that I enjoy a lot of genres of music. Whether it be pop, rock, indie, drum and bass, or techno, I very rarely find myself wanting to switch the channel or skip to the next song.

Now I personally do not find classical, folk, or death metal any good to listen to. Sorry for any readers reading this who enjoy these, but I cannot see the appeal. I am sure many other people are the same, but I find classical gets a bit monotonous and boring, whereas folk I seem to always have the image of an old man with a banjo, a piece of straw in is mouth, just sat there playing. Death metal on the other hand is the image of men in their 40s with long hair headbanging furiously and talking really deep into a mic.

So, some bands and musicians I like; Blink 182, You Me At Six, Motion City Soundtrack, Green Day, Foo Fighters, The Beatles, The All-American Rejects, The Hives, And Scouting For Girls. Now they are all quite a similar genre I know, and I know many of you will be like "why do you like such a S*@# band?" and to be honest, I really do not not know. All I that I would quite happily sit and listen to all of these bands for days on end and would only complain when the battery for my Ipod ran out.

Which reminds me of another point about music I find interesting. I seem to be able to learn lyrics very very easily. I am sure many of you reading are the same, where you hear a song you like maybe ten to fifteen times, and you are then capable of singing along should someone play it. Whether this is a gift or not, but if lessons were taught in song I would probably remember a darn sight more than i would now.

I have never been to a concert before. I know, 16 years old and never really heard a band play live (except for when I was collecting glasses at a pub and a band was playing). I think this is down to three main reasons; A. the tickets to bands I want to see are really expensive. B. I would struggle getting to many places the concerts are held. And C. I don't want to be let down. Now, A & B are both practical points, but C is more of a psychological problem. You see, I know that all songs are sorted out and are made to sound better in the recording studios etc. Also another problem is that all concert videos on sites like youtube are generally recorded on poor video cameras, with rubbish sound quality. Saying that though, I have been looking at tickets online just now, and may look to purchase one when i get some money :)

And finally, I have bought myself an acoustic guitar! It is a Westfield B200 (for any guitar nuts reading) and I am pleasantly surprised with the sound quality, especially seeing as I got it for £60. Furthermore, I am now getting guitar lessons, which start on Wednesday. I am really look forward to these, but I am also a little nervous, seeing as I am going to be really bad at it, but i suppose that is why i am getting lessons, and i probably will not be the worst he has taught. But, I was considering starting another blog that i would update after every lesson telling everyone how I had got on, which videos etc, what do you think? Please leave a comment either below or the status I posted this on on Facebook.

And that is all for today, gotta get ready for school, you know how it is. Thanks for reading, and goodbye!

Andy*

Time For an Egg-cellent Blog.

Hello and welcome to another egg-citing blog. Hopefully this will be a cracking good read and will leave you egg-stremely satisfied. Now enough with the bad yolks, lets begin.

So it's Easter. The four days where we remember Jesus and his sacrifices for the human race. Well supposedly anyway. Now it is more orientated towards a marketised holiday with the selling of chocolate eggs and rabbits and stuff. I swear that sweet companies lose out nearly all year round and simply survive off the money made during three holidays; Easter, Christmas and Halloween. But yes, I am sure if you asked children under 7 what Easter is about, at least a third would say it was about the Easter bunny (not to be confused with Nesquik bunny or the Energizer bunny).

Personally I have no problem with this. I know some Christians will complain and say that it is "taking away the meaning of Easter" but in all honesty, I do not see what the big problem is. I'm sure they wouldn't say no to a Cadbury cream egg if they were offered one.

And that brings me on the my next point; Cadbury Cream eggs. when I was about five, i used to be told that my cream egg contained a real chick, and that by eating it i was killing it. So whenever I was given one, I would hand it to my brother straight away. I now realise how foolish that notion is. I mean, a real chick in chocolate? Not only would that be impractical, you would also have to question Cadburys' morals.

Now for another type of Easter egg. The media variety. I may get many raised eyebrows at this comment, but hear me out. See, in media terms an Easter egg is "A hidden feature in computer software, a DVD, or a video game." For instance, many may or may not have noticed, but if you have watched "Austin Powers In Goldmember" there are Pokemon in it! http://www.eeggs.com/items/51843.html

Also, if you use Macromedia products, you have probably found many an Easter egg. We used to sit in IT with one of the program's Easter eggs (I think it was Dreamweaver or Flash but not sure) and it was like 6 little games you could play. Another egg was almost like pong, except when you missed, you screen would flash pink and would erupt in a god awful noise. Those were the good old days.

And finally, what did you guys get for Easter? see, I ask for money because at least then I don't end up stuffing my face with chocolate and end up making myself ill. I always steal my brother's though so it's all good :)

Anyway thanks you reading my blog, and may the rest of your Easter be merry.

Andy*