Thoughts from the Bus Stop

The Power of Love: Frankie Goes To Hollywood

via YouTube.com

One of the music channels was showing the video for Frankie Goes to Hollywood's The Power of Love the other day and I found it really moving.

First, there's Holly Johnson's beautiful voice, and the tender lyrics, along with Godley and Creme's nativity-themed video, which (references to vampires and the Hooded Claw aside!) changed the meaning of the lyrics for me from a simple 'human to human' love song to one which speaks about God's 'undying, death-defying' love for mankind:

Feels like fire
I'm so in love with you
Dreams are like angels
They keep bad at bay - bad at bay
Love is the light
Scaring darkness away - yeah

I'm so in love with you
Purge the soul
Make love your goal

The power of love
A force from above
Cleaning my soul
Flame on burn desire
Love with tongues of fire
Purge the soul
Make love your goal

I'll protect you from the Hooded Claw
Keep the vampires from your door
When the chips are down I'll be around
With my undying, death-defying
Love for you

Envy will hurt itself
Let yourself be beautiful
Sparkling love, flowers
And pearls and pretty girls
Love is like an energy
Rushin' rushin' inside of me

This time we go sublime
Lovers entwine - divine divine
Love is danger, love is pleasure
Love is pure - the only treasure

I'm so in love with you
Purge the soul
Make love your goal

The power of love
A force from above
Cleaning my soul
The power of love
A force from above
A sky-scraping dove

Flame on burn desire
Love with tongues of fire
Purge the soul
Make love your goal

YouTube: Holly Johnson sings The Power of Love on Later...with Jools Holland
Official Frankie Goes To Hollywood Website
Official Holly Johnson Website

BBC2 Christmas Idents 2007

BBC2 Christmas ident, 2007. Via YouTube

I love the new papercut / pop-up book idents for BBC Two this Christmas - sort of Tord Boontje meets Rob Ryan. Intricate and atmospheric - beautiful.

See also:
Idents.tv: Cutting up Christmas on BBC Two
BBC: BBC Two Idents and Classic TV - BBC Two Ident Videos
BBC: In pictures: BBC Two's distinctive style
BBC: BBC Two Citizen Idents
BBC: BBC Two Idents Wallchart (pdf)

BBC2 Christmas ident, 2007. Via YouTube

I'm back

"I’m back and I’m bad! Obviously within certain sensible preset parameters."
Kryten, Red Dwarf

Green Wing: Stephen Merchant cameo

Stephen Merchant's cameo in series 1 of Green Wing

"Don't leave! I think I love you!" Comic perfection.

Dame Judi's Lobster for Film Four

Film Four advert for 'Film Free Is Free' campaign

I just love the 'Film Four is free' advert on the telly at the moment. It's a joy, full of beautifully-timed comic moments.

I love it when Lucy Liu mutters, "Muppets..." whilst observing Christian Slater and Ray Winstone's dodgy billboard pasting, I love Willem Dafoe's expression as he encourages Mackenzie Crook and I LOVE the moment when Dame Judi Dench, dressed as a LOBSTER for goodness sake, raises her pinchers aloft and trills, "FREE!" while Ewan MacGregor's confused tomato looks on.

The Convent: Sister Aelred on celibacy

The nuns and their guests at the convent of the Poor Clares, Arundel (c) BBC

I missed the first episode of BBC2's The Covent, but I've watched the second and third and found them both challenging and moving. The bit in last night's episode which really got me was the clip of Sister Aelred talking with her pupil Iona about the challenges of the celibate life, and then speaking directly to camera on her own (video clip here).

Sister Aelred became a nun at 18. Aged 31, she fell in love with someone who had come to work within the enclosure. She spoke about how hard it was to cope with and the understanding she came to later about why God had allowed her to go through this ordeal:

"The choice then began to mean something. You can't vow celibacy from the chin upwards..."

I'm totally with her on that. When I became a Christian, aged 18, I took on celibacy as part of my faith, but my resolve wasn't really tested until I fell for someone hook, line and sinker in my mid-twenties (I'm now 31).

It wasn't that I ever got into a situation with this guy where I almost went to bed with him, but the strength of my feelings for him - and his confusion at finding someone who welcomed his attentions but wouldn't sleep with him - made for a painful couple of years. You can't help who you fall for, and if they seem to reciprocate, it's incredibly tough keeping your distance.

I'm not saying that celibacy has no value if it's untested, but having mine put to the test has certainly reaffirmed my decision to remain celibate outside of marriage (and also not to even date non-Christians). I just love that quote - it sums up things up brilliantly. Sister Aelred, you are one astute lady!

Also:
Convent of the Poor Clares, Arundel
Poor Clares 'The Covent' mini-site
Glandscape Hardening: The Celibate FAQ - "A light-hearted survey of perspectives, links, books on sexual abstinence from a secular perspective."

Sheila's Wheels

I do love the Sheila's Wheels ads - an Aussie girl group in pink sequins driving a fab pink car and singing a catchy tune? What's not to love?

"For ladies who insure their cars
Sheila's Wheels are superstars
Women make the safest drivers
You could save a bunch of fivers
For bonzer car insurance deals
Girls get onto Sheila's Wheels

Girls are bored beyond indurance
Paying too much for car insurance
For bonzer car insurance deals
Girls get onto Sheila's Wheels"

Sure, it's been done by evil capitalists trying to flog car insurance, but I've never even had a driving lesson so am immune to their attempts to sell me their product. I just like the song, and the ad in the bar ("If your name was Florence, and you needed car insurance...") makes me laugh.

According to the press release, the ads were directed by the creator of the Hamlet ‘photo booth’ ads. "

Sheilaswheels.com: Peter Wood and HBOS launch ‘Sheilas’ Wheels’ brand to shake-up car insurance for women

A Kiss Is Still A Kiss

If you're suffering from Green Wing withdrawal symptoms, quick fixes can be found at YouTube - loads of clips and compilations on there now and more appearing every day as Green Wing fans upload their particular favourite scene.

Here's a lovely Casablanca-inspired compilation of Mac / Caroline clips set to As Time Goes By, put together by elledoll. To be taken three times daily. If hot flushes occur, lower dosage.

Barclays: Great idea, Todd

Stills from Bartle Bogle Hegarty's Brainstorm ad for Barclays, 2005

It's rare that a bank advert appeals to me, but I love the Barclays ad which is on the telly at the moment - the one with the staff brainstorm (or 'ideas stew' as the facilitator calls it).

Young Todd arrives late for the meeting, still trying to get his tie on straight - just in time to catch his snooty blonde colleague putting forward her idea for a hover phone.

Put on the spot, Todd suggests, "10% interest on our Regular Saver account?" and is met with snorts of derision from his colleagues, particularly Snooty Blonde.

The facilitator, however, loves it, and the ad closes with a hover phone appearing in shot, intoning, "Great idea, Todd" to the pleasantly surprised young man.

It's a great script and the little visual touches and comic timing are perfect. I love the disgusted look on Snooty Blonde's face as Todd is congratulated and her hair is blown about by the air from the hover phone.

Barclays Newsroom: Barclays Launches New Brand Positioning with National Advertising Campaign

Becks: Four Steps

Becks 'Four Steps' TV advert, 2006. Directed by Dougal Wilson for Leo Burnett Agency

I love the new Becks beer ad on the telly. It's the one with four men doing a dance routine in a dark, grotty street - a marionette, an animation (who reminds me of Phil Daniels), a stop-motion figure and a real person. The music works brilliantly too - It Overtakes Me by The Flaming Lips.

It delights me every time, and yes, sometimes I join in the dance. But I still don't like beer.

Brand Republic: Beck's 'four steps' by Leo Burnett
The Publican: Beck's back on TV with £12m campaign