UK Watercooler Twenty-Twenty-Twenty-Four Hours To Go: I Wanna Be Sedated

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I worry about it being too sunny in Belgium. Surely all the chocolate will melt??

― C J, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:05 (seventeen years ago) link

Do I have to do everything myself? Sigh.

http://www.kadu.demon.co.uk/media/archives/umbrella.jpg

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:09 (seventeen years ago) link

Errr... Ed, can you have James make us some of these?

"I've designed new speakers in chromium boxes which gives us a metallic appearance more in keeping with the group's image," Barnet told me, "And we've painted various areas in apposition to the Pythagorean musical scale."

DO -MARS - RED
RE - SUN - ORANGE
MI - MERCURY - YELLOW
FA - SATURN - GREEN
SO - JUPITER - BLUE
LA - VENUS - INDIGO
TI - MOON - VIOLET

"All the speakers and boxes in that area will be painted those colours and the musicnauts Del, Dik, Simon, Lemmy and Dave will stand in those positions relative to their signs."

Or is that just getting way too far into Spinal Tap territory?

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:11 (seventeen years ago) link

I mean, even my "ooh, I know everything about modern indie music, me!" colleague had never even heard of Secret Machines.

This is one of the strange things about hanging around ILx -- you start think these are the people who like music, and the stuff that people talk about here is what other people are listening to. In fact (I think - correct me if I'm wrong because I live in SOVIET RUSSIA) we are all pretty far ahead of the curve/out on the margins.

― mitya, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:28 (seventeen years ago) link

I bet the russians are still listening to Hawkwind;)

I bet you see lot and lots of Metallica fans, mitya.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:31 (seventeen years ago) link

I dunno. I always think that I'm so far behind, because so many of my friends are music writers and they know *everything* about music, and I know so little compared to them.

But then compared with 12-CD people... except this dude isn't even a 12-CD person! He's a music lover. There's just no intersection at all. Thing is, I've at least heard of most of the bands he listens to - just feel a bit sneery about them.

So I guess we are further out on the curve than I thought.

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:34 (seventeen years ago) link

Since when did music writers know anything? *Runs*

What music is this guy into then?

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:36 (seventeen years ago) link

(OFF TOPIC: I have an interesting moment from work today that I want to ask one of you in a corporate environement about, but would prefer to post from home, in an hour or two. Actually, does anyone besides Kate work in a corporate environment?)

― mitya, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:41 (seventeen years ago) link

(Yup, but prolly won't be here post-5)

― peteR, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:43 (seventeen years ago) link

i'm in corporate purgatory (although it's quite nice) and will be around for another two hours. now intrigued!

― CharlieNo4, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:46 (seventeen years ago) link

TBH, I think most people here (except Pash and Kerr and Nath and maybe Emsk) work in corporate environments!

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:50 (seventeen years ago) link

I don't know what this all makes me -- I have no idea what Mika sounds like but I know exactly what Thee More Shallows sound like, for example.

― Grandpont Genie, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 14:52 (seventeen years ago) link

I have not heard Mika either.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 15:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Am I missing much?

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 15:40 (seventeen years ago) link

I wouldn't know.

I used to have a penpal called Mika when I was a teenager. I wrote some songs with her, but they were just teenage goth folk type stuff, and I doubt that's what they mean.

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 15:42 (seventeen years ago) link

What did everyone vote for on the best band from birmingham poll on ILM?
I voted Black Sabbath.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 15:56 (seventeen years ago) link

Me? dEUS. haha

Mika is the one that does that horrendous Grace Kelly song, right? Urgh! YUCK! B.A.R.F.

― nathalie, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 15:58 (seventeen years ago) link

I was torn between Black Sabbath, Dexys and The Move. But I forgot to vote anyway. The Sabs are worthy winners.

― Dr.C, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:00 (seventeen years ago) link

I don't read ILM much. Especially not threads by Dom "flaming misogynist" Passawhotsit.

The best band in the history of Birmingham was clearly Duran Duran anyway.

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:01 (seventeen years ago) link

Blimey, Keith Emerson was once Kate Bait.

http://www.united-mutations.com/n/nice.jpg

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!

http://www.guitarhero.com/images/KeithEmerson_side.jpg

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:18 (seventeen years ago) link

OK, I'm bored and I've done enough work for the rest of the day. I'm going to post pictures of Keith Emerson's increasingly ridiculous keyboards for the rest of the day...

http://www.britannica.com/psychedelic/images/opsyroc148p1.jpg

WHEN KEYBOARDS ATTACK!!!

http://www.hammond-organ.com/Artist/image_directory/ELP_B_29Acrop_hammond.JPG

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Duran Duran was from Birmingham? Didn't know, but if so, then YES probably best band to hail from B.

― nathalie, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:38 (seventeen years ago) link

Were Yes from Birmingham? I thought they were from OUTER SPACE or something. I was just listening to Yes - GIS brought up a picture of Rick Wakeman's amazing keyboard setup so I had to hear it.

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:39 (seventeen years ago) link

Oh wait, I just totally misunderstood you. Ha ha ha.

Yes, Duran Duran were from Birmingham. The band Yes were from ~~outer space~~, I mean London.

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:40 (seventeen years ago) link

Wait, a minute - Chris Squire was in The Syn? As in the "Created By Clive" Syn?

Whoa small world. I've got to dig out all my Nuggets and Freak Beat comps.

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 16:44 (seventeen years ago) link

Where should I eat in Camden?

Ah, why am I asking here anyway, everyone else has gone home...

― Masonic Boom, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 17:31 (seventeen years ago) link

I work in an entrepreneurial rather than a corporate environment.

― Ed, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 17:51 (seventeen years ago) link

Yes, he was in The Syn. Who knew anyone had ever heard of them.

So anyway, here's my tidbit, although everyone really has gone home now. The issue is basically this. In my company people get paid an annual bonus, usually right around now - once the company has a clear idea of how they've done for the year and therefore how much "profit" they have to distribute. And the way it is usually announced to you is in percentage terms (x% of your salary) at least as far as I understand. In theory, having worked for only part of the year, my bonus would be pro-rated for the time I was there. But:

1. When the time came, my boss gave me an actual number as opposed to a percentage.
2. When the money showed up in the bank, it was exactly that number.

The problem is that this is really out of proportion. Troublingly, but not impossibly so.

Not that I'm going to run out and spend it all, but I guess my question is, How concerned should I be that someone will come up to me next week or next month or next year and say, "Ooops sorry, we just realized that we made a mistake and we'd like our money back. Now." Do mistakes like this one happen? If it is a mistake, can they actually expect to get the money back?

― mitya, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 18:35 (seventeen years ago) link

kate, the country gentleman is for you

― Ed, Thursday, 5 April 2007 06:54 (seventeen years ago) link

Keith Emerson was interviewed on Today on Radio 4 the other year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the invention of the Moog, and related tales of keyboards so large he needed a stepladder on stage to reach some of the controls.

I am in a mildly corporate environment, but it isn't really very corporate compared to most people on this thread.

― Forest Pines, Thursday, 5 April 2007 08:14 (seventeen years ago) link

I have only heard of The Syn because I was heavily into the mod/freakbeat/garage psych scene in my day. My ex-boyfriend absolutely loved the song "Created By Clive" and used to play it all the time.

re: your bonus. If it is exactly the number that your boss told you, chances are they haven't made a mistake. Then again, part of this department's job is to work out bonuses, and yeah, sometimes they make mistakes and have to take the money back. If you're really concerned, a passing visit to your finance department might not go amiss - couch it in not very obvious terms, like, ask if tax has been taken on the bonus, or if you are responsible for additional tax. That way you can bring the amount to their attention without going OHMIGOD DID YOU REALLY MEAN TO PAY ME THAT MUCH?!?!?!??!?!!!11 - if it's really wrong, someone will hopefully speak up and go "oops, we stuck an extra naught on that" - if it's not wrong, well, be especially nice to finance. They appreciate it, as most people aren't, as they never come to visit unless they're complaining about it.

Oh god, that Country Gentleman is gorgeous. I wonder what the reserve price is.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 09:50 (seventeen years ago) link

ANyway, I am sleepy this morning because despite planning a lie-in, my old boss texted me at 8AM to say happy easter. Nice of her, but still. I could have done with the extra sleep.

My ears are still slightly ringing from last night. Kontakte were really super-amazing-good. They were really LOUD and the sound was ever so slightly DIRTY in a way that really suited them. Sometimes they can err on the side of being slightly too pristine and Germanic, but they really rocked the house down last night.

The other band... Electric Koolaid or whatever they were called. Disappointing, because they ticked so many of my boxes, and I should have loved them, but I just didn't. Despite having EIGHT dirty dronerock boys (one of whose job was simply to Bez out on maracas) they didn't really do much with all that sound. Most of the time it just seemed like a BJM/Dandy Warhols tribute band. Which should have been great, but it just... I dunno. They were very good at what they do, and they were doing a thing I really like, but I'm just sick of tribute bands. But then suddenly on the last song, they seemed to flip out, and started making feedback and odd noises and suddenly turned into a good band. If they'd sounded like THAT the whole set, they would have been my favourite band on earth.

Ah well. It was a fun night. I liked the psychedelic projections, though, that was good.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 09:55 (seventeen years ago) link

I haven't clicked the link but I assume it's not an auction for a husband for Kate.

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Thursday, 5 April 2007 09:58 (seventeen years ago) link

No, I'm bidding on this one for my future husband:

http://a778.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01050/77/79/1050289777_l.jpg

It is the most beautious guitar I have seen in a long time.

I was playing along with "Space Is Deep" on my 12-string this morning. It sounds lovely. We should do a cover of that, I've been saying that for years.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 10:02 (seventeen years ago) link

I run a shop. I don't think I'll ever go corporate, unless you can lick stamps and sort mail. I don't have any qualifications to get me into that world.

I am currently baking a meatloaf! HURRAH! Hopefully it'll turn out okay. I noticed how different the method and length of baking is in different recipes. I worry. I wanna sink my teethies in a juicy scrumptuous meatloaf.

Also enjoying "Entourage" while I knit. I keep wanting to see Nicky Hilton pop up and slam Kevin Connely (sp?) into a wall for having fooled around.

― nathalie, Thursday, 5 April 2007 10:25 (seventeen years ago) link

I am currently baking a meatloaf!

I would do anything for love, but I won't do that.

― Grandpont Genie, Thursday, 5 April 2007 10:28 (seventeen years ago) link

Meatloaf? Blimey.

I can make a, uh, nut loaf. Does that count?

Aw, how cute. My 17 year old (actually I think he just turned 18) dirty dronerock friend is coming to London in the autumn to go to university. He's asking me where all the cool clubs are! Heh heh, I can totally corrupt him and take him to Sonic Cathedrals and Night of the Long Swords and stuff.

Note to self: Keep him AWAY from Ampy. ;-P

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 10:37 (seventeen years ago) link

Running a shop is good, I think. We're not really supercorporate (yet, anyway) but I haven't worked at any place this big for years.

Thanks for the feedback, Kate. My gut tells me that this is a little too good to be true, but I'm not really that concerned because I don't have any plans to spend the money now. I can happily park it in an interest-bearing account for at least a month and see if there's any fallout.

In any case, I am once again completely out of credit card debt, though. Yay me!

― mitya, Thursday, 5 April 2007 10:45 (seventeen years ago) link

GG, I wanted to make a Meatloaf ref but decided against it and invite others to do so.

Yes, Kate, a meatloaf! My first time so if it's a half-~~assed~~baked one, I don't mind. I am itching to bake and cook a lot lately. Been paging through my gazillion cook books for new things but also discovered that there are lots of recipes that I have neglected. (Courgette cream pasta! YUM!!!!1!!!!!)

― nathalie, Thursday, 5 April 2007 10:50 (seventeen years ago) link

He can introduce us to hot corruptible students.

― Ed, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:04 (seventeen years ago) link

TOO YOUNG FOR YOU, TOO!!!

Hey, what am I talking about, he'll probably end up joining the band since he's, like, a musicial prodigy and plays about 6 different instruments.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:06 (seventeen years ago) link

18 is not too young for me, I am a mere stripling.

― Ed, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:07 (seventeen years ago) link

OK, since your last girlfriend was 10 years older than you, your next one will have to be 10 years younger to make up for it.

But I will still mutter about cradle-robbing.

See, maybe this is where I go wrong. I don't see hott 18 year olds and go for HOTT SEXXX I just end up mothering them and telling them what kind of amps to get.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:09 (seventeen years ago) link

See, maybe this is where I go wrong. I don't see hott 18 year olds and go for HOTT SEXXX I just end up mothering them and telling them what kind of amps to get.

I thought you wanted to avoid the getting of amps.

― Ed, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:11 (seventeen years ago) link

ARGH. What kind of amplifiers. And stay away from Amp, she turning into a Cougar!

Meow! I am only teasing about the cougars if A is reading this.

He's doing Music at Goldsmiths, so I just know he's going to end up running around with a bunch of hott music students and I will just feel like Den Mother. Actually, that's not so bad. I already tried to smuggle him in to Sonic Cathedrals by telling Nat he was my son.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Dirty Den Mother?

― Brigadier Lethbridge-Pfunkboy, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:20 (seventeen years ago) link

We should take him to NOTLS at the windmill.

I have just got the freak boutique mailout, I should not read, it's worse than FOPP, so many cheap things and I have 5 unlistened cds at home, plus many cookies.

― Ed, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:22 (seventeen years ago) link

Nooo... this is why I have not signed up for the Freak Boutique even though they have things I want to order. I keep seeing things on the upcoming releases list like "Space Ritual Reissue Double CD with DVD" and going ARRRGGGHHHHH, NEEEEEEEEEDDDD!!!

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:24 (seventeen years ago) link

Am very much enjoying your comp, Ed (even though I already knew half the stuff on it - and half of that I sent you!) - any song where the music stops for someone to shout "SOCK IT TO ME" is automatically good. We should train Lisa to do that occasionally.

I really really need to get the Nuggets II box set.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 5 April 2007 11:27 (seventeen years ago) link

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