2023 in review
16 Jan 2024
Another year, another year in review post! In many ways, this year has been a good one. Fit and healthy, a loving family, some personal goals hit. What more could you want?
23 entries posted with 'review' tag
My first 3 months doing the 5x5 workout as a runner
7 Jan 2024
My primary goal of 2023 was to start the 5x5 workout program: 5 exercises total, 3 workouts a week, consisting of 3 out of the 5 exercises (alternating with each workout). I had aspirations to create a modest home gym setup in my garage since moving into my current house at the end of 2020. In the autumn of 2023, I finally decided on some gym equipment and eagerly began my 5x5 journey.
The brilliance of The Bear
10 Oct 2023
I’m a big fan of the Hulu/Disney show The Bear. It’s a food comedy/drama about a dysfunctional sandwich shop in Chicago. To appreciate it, you truly have to embrace the entertaining but ofttimes chaotic and jarring interaction of the characters.
The disappointment of Black Mirror Season 6
3 Jul 2023
I’ve always loved Black Mirror. In some ways it feels like my perfect mix of a television show. I love the dark storylines and topics it seldom shies away from. I love the dystopian view of technology and its potentially hazardous effects on society. The shock value and quality of the writing. The ingenuity of the twists always leave you feeling like you’ve been through a thrill ride. Black Mirror manages to sow a seed in your brain that slowly percolates into your consciousness long after the episode finishes.
Book Review: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
30 Jan 2023
I found this book to be so relatable and ridiculously readable. The very definition of a page-turner. I finished it in 13 days, reading most evenings, a considerably quicker pace than is typical for me. In this review are a few of my highlights from the book, with some of my commentary alongside.
2022 in review
3 Jan 2023
This past year has been a good one for me. A few hastily-made goals for the year turned into this very blog; a project conceived out of not a lot else. I’ve steadily chipped away at the functionality for this site over the past 12 months, using the On The Side Slack community for motivation along the way.
Book Review: Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson
13 Dec 2022
An eye-opening book, however some of the recommendations and values are a little heavy handed, so I would recommend a healthy dose of self-moderation when reviewing the suggestions. There was definitely enough in here to spark my creativity and realign my compass as to how I live my life, and more pertinently, how I consume.
How's your Health?
20 Nov 2019
A common line of conversation vegans are asked about is health, or more specifically, nutrition. How on earth do you get the protein you need when protein comes from animals?
Gousto: A review
13 Sept 2019
My exploration and teardown of the food meal plan delivery service Gousto. Judged on sustainability, conveniance and how it fairs for a vegan lifestyle. Complete with discount code if you fancy giving it a go.
What did you expect from an album review?
19 Jun 2011
The Vaccines' debut offering, What did you expect from The Vaccines? came a little early on in the year to be dubbed the sound of the summer, but I'd say the London 4-piece's 11-track, 36-minute album is a strong contender for the title. I'm often a little hesitant throwing the world 'pop' around, but I can safely say this is one of the best pop records I've heard this year.
The Social Network
21 Oct 2010
I haven't been looking forward to a film as I have The Social Network for quite some time. From the moment I first saw the familiar white lettering on the blue background I was intrigued. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Facebook junkie; sure I blog about it now and again and I'm on it every day (but who isn't these days). But I think it's more the awe-inspiring story of the 26-year old billionaire that had the idea that gets me.
Arcade Fire
14 Sept 2010
I've never been able to decide how much I like Arcade Fire. After hearing Rebellion (Lies) back in 2005 I bought the album Funeral. Despite enjoying a handful of tracks of it, I never really gelled with the album as a whole. Arcade Fire, in my opinion, have a particular style that I think you either like or you don't; and in that respect, I suppose I'm in the former category.
My iPhone 4
6 Sept 2010
Two posts within a week with an Apple tag - I'm at risk of being dubbed a fanboy - although it seems I may have already adopted that status. Don't get me wrong though, I love reading comments, whatever the content! I intend to keep this iPhone 4 review succinctly short, as it is late, and because I really can't bare to read (let alone write) reviews that go on and on and on and on and on and on. I digress...
Inception: The Dream World
31 Jul 2010
I write this blog entry for several reasons. Firstly, the last time I blogged was the 13th July - well over 2 weeks ago. To say I've become a bit lax is an understatement.
30 Seconds to anthemic pop rock goodness
6 Apr 2010
It has to be said, I've grown a little partial to the band 30 Seconds to Mars. It's not something I'm ashamed of, but equally not something I will be shouting from the rooftops. If, after this revelation, you doubt my sanity and musical taste, before you judge, you must check out their collection of hits they're racking up. Their current single, This is War, is the latest song from the band to catch my attention. And it's 30 Seconds to Mars doing what they do best.
The Only Revolutions you'll need
2 Apr 2010
A while back now, I raved about Biffy Clyro's single release, The Captain. Since then, I've had the pleasure of acquiring the album Only Revolutions, providing me with 11 more tracks to sink my teeth into. Hold onto your hats people, this album will rock your socks.
Kick Ass
31 Mar 2010
I saw this film a few days ago now. After watching it I decided I'd wait a few days for it to sink in as, to be quite honest, it caught me off guard a little. This is a strange film. On first impressions it looks like a light-hearted super-hero comedy, with average chumps attempting to beat up bad guys but inevitably getting their asses handed to them. And, as a brief summary, that's what the film is. But let's just say there's a lot more besides.
Phrazes for the Young
4 Dec 2009
I mentioned the sounds of Julian Casablancas in this post. It wasn't much of a review post as I hadn't heard much of the song at that point. Since then, I've bought his album - Phrazes for the Young - and I thought now would be a good time to review it.
The Invention of Lying
16 Oct 2009
Lamefest. Seriously. What was Ricky Gervais thinking with this film? It is rather hard to pick something about this film that I actually liked. That's how bad it was.
Thanks Biffy, The Captain is it!
28 Sept 2009
Biffy Clyro have a new single out, The Captain. It's the follow up to That Golden Rule and features on their upcoming album Only Revolutions. I never really got fully on board with That Golden Rule, but The Captain, in my opinion, better represents the sound that Biffy hinted at in That Golden Rule. It's like they've made the perfect rock/pop fusion track. And I love it!
Undisclosed Desires - the Muse Magic
14 Sept 2009
I have to admit, I wasn’t looking forward to the new Muse album much after hearing the first single off it. Uprising didn’t really do anything for me. It was the Muse we’d come to expect, but it just had no kick to it or anything to make it stand out. Then I heard another song off the album: Undisclosed Desires.
MY KZ, UR BF
8 Sept 2009
I want to post about a band that interested me from the moment I heard this particular song (pronounced my keys, your boyfriend - in case you were wondering). It's one of those songs that I just can't decide if I like or not. Regardless, the band Everything Everything has definitely caught my interest.
(500) Days of Summer
5 Sept 2009
I’m not a film critic, so I’ll keep it brief. I went to see 500 Days of Summer last night at the cinema. I was intrigued by the description "The romantic comedy for people who don't like romantic comedies". And I was actually pretty impressed by the film. Although it managed to avoid the clichéd predictable plot of your average romantic comedy it was still fairly easy to guess how it would play out. Still, I found it refreshing.