2nd album blues

You know what they say about the 2nd album or film (sequel - more likely unsequel) - new word for a shit follow up to a one (s)hit wonder?

Even I am appalled by the above sentence. I hope a certain English teacher never gets to see it or I go down even further in her guesstimation.

I think what I'm trying to say is that whilst my first blog lacked content - anyone reading this rather weak follow up certainly wont lack discontent.

I havent really had much to say recently - demise of hips? - seems like ancient history now. Selling the flat? - I am taking the money and running. Gloating over Spurs season? - pride comes before a fall. World cup? - no chance (please prove me wrong!).

Off to Donington for the heavy rock festival on Sunday - one of life's 'must do' experiences to tick off. Porcupine Tree are on early (5.30) so I should just about make it with a couple of packs of paracetamol.

New word and an old favourite:

Le Pétomane, was the stage name of the French flatulist (professional farter) and entertainer Joseph Pujol (June 1, 1857 - 1945). He was famous for his remarkable control of the abdominal muscles, which enabled him to fart at will. His stage name combines the French verb péter, "to fart" with the -mane, "-maniac" suffix, which translates to "fartoholic". The profession is also referred to as "flatulist", "farteur", or "fartiste". Obviously fartiste is a wonderful word which should be in much more common usage. I remember a tv drama (I think called le petomane, starring Leonard Rossiter of Reginald Perrin Fame. Perhaps a (weak) link can be made between wind inducing food like condensed milk and Sun(don't)shine desserts.

On to the more challenging word: synecdoche (rhymes with dosh and synec sounds almost the same as sine - Latin for without - so synecdoche could be used to mean penniless - ie, sorry mate, I'm synecdoche - guaranteed to procure a free drink in a pub) - somehow I dont think its likely to catch on, except amongst the glorious few: meaning: me).

It really means a kind of metaphor in which a part is used to mean the whole; for instance, we use the expression "ten hands" for ten working men, or ten sails for ten ships - those were on the internet so I take no credit - though no doubt I shall be up all night trying to think of another way of slipping the word into conversation. Of course, I could just say: 'Have you seen the Charlie Kaufman film Synecdoche New York? - its sooo overindulgent and hollow, whilst simultaneously audacious and provocative', although that line cant be repeated indefinitely without seeming like a pretentious twat.

For the time being I'll stick with the line 'I may be synecdoche, but I am a great fartiste'

I bid you good night.