genre: unknown

[freckles_and_doubt]

First, a rant. Grrrrrr. My Cherished Institution, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to rethink its attitude to internet usage on campus, taking for its model and archetype Orwell's Big Brother with a touch of bureaucracy from Kafka. Accessing any website outside of campus now requires the entry of one's username and password into a pop-up window. Initially Firefox was saving the login, meaning that any one web page only needed three to six enter strokes to get rid of the pop-up windows before loading. (I can't work out if this is because the system requires reassurance that I absolutely mean to load this particular page, or because it keeps finding new and interesting bits of sub-page, image or linkery upon which it feels impelled to comment with cries of glee). However, the pop-up window is set up in such a way that it automatically puts the active cursor in the login box, which means anything you're typing (and I type fast) overwrites your login before you can stop yourself, so you have to retype it each time.

I cannot sufficiently stress the extent to which this is driving me bats. Great, huge, flapping flocks of bats. And I don't see it being tenable in the long run - I actually have computer suss way above the level of your average humanities academic, and even knowing what's happening, it's maddening and dislocating. Given the extent to which my esteemed colleagues regard computers with a superstitous awe which will probably not lead them to try the "hit enter until the problem resolves or the key pops off and hits you in the eye" approach, this is going to reach an irritation threshold where hordes of maddened academics are going to descend on the IT building, waving pitchforks and demanding blood. (Memo to self: acquire pitchfork. And blood).

Of course, it doesn't help that I had about six hours of sleep last night, owing to over-eating, over-drinking (both jo&stv's fault, they claimed to be "full" and the Evil Landlord and I had to take up the slack) and a sudden demented need to research David Bowie for an hour and a half before I went to bed.

As my characteristic Sudden Mad Enthusiasms go, this one is going to occupy me for a while. Itunes categorises my David Bowie compilation primly as "Genre: Unknown", although I suspect a more accurate entry might read "Genre: Yes." Is there anything this man hasn't done? Early proto-Bowie is folky. Early seventies is solid, quirky, madly persona-driven rock (probably my favourite period of his work, and not just because half of it uses sf idioms or I'm currently obsessed with "Life On Mars"), and he seems to have more or less invented glam rock. Late seventies, he hits soul/funk/fusion sounds, with occasional forays into jazz and reggae. Then he sells out to cheesy electro-pop in the 80s (some of this is catchy, actually, and somewhat nostalgia-inducing). Then there's Labyrinth. Then there's the rock resurgence, and the electronica. Then my head explodes.

It's a weird experience, immersing myself in an artist whose work I only really enjoy about 50% of the time; the rest of it infuriates, irritates, alienates, confuses, occasionally revolts me. But it's never boring, the sheer chameleon nature of his expression endlessly fascinates. As does, in fact, the weird and wonderful range and breadth of tonality of which his voice is capable.

Also, early Bowie works surprisingly well as workout music. Go figure.

Comments

Scary monsters

[first-fallen.livejournal.com]

So, I take it you're enjoying the disk I cut for you? I like that collection, it has his best works and some you may not have heard before but really should listen to if only for self-improvement. I keep meaning to set Space Oddity as my cellphone ringtone.

Re: Scary monsters

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I'm loving the disk. It's an incredibly cool chronological sample, which is enabling me to categorise all these weird Bowie-stages and decide which actual CDs I want to buy. (Definitely Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory, and possibly, God help me, Let's Dance. You can take the girl out of the 80s, but you can't take the 80s out of the girl).

I love "Space Oddity", but my heart still belongs to "Life On Mars". I'm just a slut for piano.

[wolverine-nun.livejournal.com]

Hmm. The second time I had to put in the log in thing, I ticked the "remember me" (or whatever) box and since then it's been business as normal. I'm assuming my internet usage is being logged (although they assure us it's volume, not actual sites they're recording ...) but I have not again been asked for a log in.

I'm one of your skanky friends who uses IE, perhaps that's the difference. Sounds like it's not behaving as it's supposed to, so perhaps chat to ITS? Also, if IE is fine, then your technoprimate colleagues will be okay.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes? You mean this is not, in fact, My Cherished Institution Striking Back, but is rather Bride of the Return of the Revenge of the Techno-Jinx? Figures.

Thanks for the input, I'll go and fiddle when I'm next on campus. And the technoprimate colleagues are really not OK, there was an interesting selection of them swearing up and down the corridors on Thursday.

[dragonroost.livejournal.com]

David Bowie on my ipod, it will have to be scrubbed and washed and cleaned and rinsed and cleansed and disinfected and rinsed again and then burnt and rinsed some more and then buried in a peat bog for three months and then rinsed again.

OH CRAP
/checks other ipod for The Bowie
/finds The Bowie
/grin

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Scrubbing and cleaning and peat bogs are helpless in the face of Bowie. Every molecule in that IPod is now irrevocably shifting, chameleon, glam-infested, androgynous, subversive, complicated and outrageously camp. Relax and enjoy it ;>.