Extras - what Gervais is really doing

The second series of the hyper-clever, self-referential Extras finished last week. It's a comedy series for Hofstadter fans, with enticing self-referential layers deposited weekly - here's a good discussion of what went on.

But if the series is as clever as that, why the increasing use of childish dirty jokes (viz the not-really-very funny masturbation scenes in Episode 6?) Why is Gervais sometimes like the four-year-old shouting 'bum' for comic effect?

Here's why... Gervais is having a laugh at us (Having a laugh? Is he having ... etc etc)

How's that? Well, one of the exquisite pleasures of Extras is marvelling at the things he persuades the celeb guests to do... the 'How on earth did he get him to say that??' moments, as guest stars are carried along by the tsunami of Gervais's own celebrity into portaying themselves as racist, or sex mad or just plain unpleasant.

Well, guess what? Gervais is doing the same with us, the audience (..and also the critics!).
Watch the last episode again, but this time have in mind the thought 'How on earth did he get me to laugh at that?'

Feel a bit silly now?

Garmin GPS Basemap

Got a new GPSr Legend Cx, which is good fun.
It comes with a built in 'basemap' which is about 200m adrift of the real world. phones Garmin and they confirmed that it's meant to be like that and agreed with me that it's actually useless.

Ma Mignonne

In Douglas Hofstadter's extraordinary book Le ton beau de Marot he presents multiple translations of a 16th century french poem, and challenges readers to try their hands at their own translation.
You can find many attempts on the web, here's my mine (if any one out there *ever* googles their way to this page, please let me know!)

A Une Damoysell Malade Clement Marot	To a poorly little girl Botogol
Ma mignonne, Je vous donne Le bon jour; Le séjour C'est prison. Guérison Recouvrez, Puis ouvrez Votre porte Et qu'on sorte Vitement, Car Clément Le vous mande. Va, friande De ta bouche, Qui se couche En danger Pour manger Confitures; Si tu dures Trop malade, Couleur fade Tu prendras, Et perdras L'embonpoint. Dieu te doint Santé bonne, Ma mignonne	Princess mine, Just a line t'say 'hello'; You're so low Jailed all day. That I say Get well soon! Leave the room Walk outside, - door is wide -. Run, even, Uncle Stephen Tells you so. Out you go Cure your ill have your fill of bread 'n' jam. Or - I am Warning you - If your flu Lingers on You'll be wan Pale and thin Haggard skin. Trust in me God will see You'll be fine, Princess mine.

Here's a great discussion of Hofstadter and his works

Getting Started

There are two sorts of 'first posts' that people make to their blogs:
- postings that self-consciously refer to themselves as being a 'first post'
- and postings that don't.

It would be intersting to create a list of all first-posts that don't refer to themelves.