scrutineer n. a person that scrutinises; someone that examines with great care, especially when rigorous oversight is required. An insight into the highly critical mind of a twentysomething man, deconstructing and analysing the world around us. Then blogging about it. Got something to share? Contact me at hello@thescrutineer.com or click the links at the top of the page.Tumblr (3.0; @laurencegiles)http://thescrutineer.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly1qmqjxyu1qg21sdo1_r2_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://gocookyourself.com/post/16114023425/happy-birthday-to-us-1-today-lets-have-a" class="tumblr_blog" target="_blank">gocookyourself</a>:</p> <blockquote><p><strong>Happy Birthday To Us! 1 Today!</strong></p> <p>Let’s have a competition to celebrate!</p> <p><strong>WIN</strong> a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Multi-touch-Display-Wi-Fi/dp/B0051VVOB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326977154&sr=1-1" title="Win A Kindle Fire - Go Cook Yourself" target="_blank">Kindle Fire - worth $199</a>!</p> <p><strong>PLUS</strong> a sweet <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/gocookyourself/works/8306838-down-to-cook" target="_blank">Go Cook Yourself: Down To Cook T-Shirt</a></p> <p><strong>RULES;</strong></p> <p><strong>FOLLOW </strong>us on <a href="http://gocookyourself.com" target="_blank">Tumblr</a></p> <p><strong>REBLOG </strong>this post</p> <p><strong>WINNER </strong>will be chosen at random from reblogs who follow us</p> <p><strong>ENTER</strong> by January 31st, 2012 for your chance to win!</p> <p><strong>GOOD </strong>luck!</p> <p><strong>SAY </strong><a href="http://facebook.com/gocookyourself" target="_blank">Happy Birthday on Facebook!</a></p> <p><a href="http://twitter.com/robcookyourself" target="_blank"><strong>TWEET</strong> us too</a>!</p> <p><strong>GO COOK YOURSELF</strong></p></blockquote>http://thescrutineer.com/post/16168558309http://thescrutineer.com/post/16168558309Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:58:30 +0000<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DwHoh2vNdiA?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Wild Beasts - Hooting & Howling (2009)</strong></p> <p>Possibly the Lake District’s only indie-rock export (so far), Wild Beasts have quickly garnered critical acclaim since their first live performance on BBC 6 Music in November 2006. This track is taken from their 2010 Mercury Prize nominated second album Two Dancers.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6361010619http://thescrutineer.com/post/6361010619Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:52:41 +01002009wild beastshooting and howling<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/35MeZ1wP6vU?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Stereo Total - Aua (1997)</strong></p> <p>As featured in Adam Curtis’ BBC 2 documentary All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153874183http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153874183Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:53:41 +0100stereo totalauaadam curtistv1997<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tM4FyCL4tjo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>The Kills - Monkey 23 (2003)</strong></p> <p>As featured in Adam Curtis’ BBC 2 documentary All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153805455http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153805455Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:51:11 +0100the killsmonkey 23adam curtistv2003<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rOh6WEmTryU?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Burial - Forgive (2006)</strong></p> <p>As featured in Adam Curtis’ BBC 2 documentary All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153733822http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153733822Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:48:54 +0100burialforgiveadam curtistv2006<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hhBG1ilB3ao?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Kraftwerk - Radioactivity (1975)</strong></p> <p>As featured in Adam Curtis’ BBC 2 documentary All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153643040http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153643040Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:46:05 +0100kraftwerkradioactivityadam curtistv1975<iframe width="400" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T6R8GCX_wSs?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Nine Inch Nails - 2 Ghosts I (2008)</strong></p> <p>As featured in Adam Curtis’ BBC 2 documentary All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153553348http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153553348Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:43:16 +0100nine inch nails2 ghosts iadam curtistv2008<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bFV1JNgJA7s?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Pizzicato Five - Baby Love Child (1991)</strong></p> <p>As featured in Adam Curtis’ BBC 2 documentary All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153436783http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153436783Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:39:39 +0100pizzicato fivebaby love childadam curtistv1991<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm85weFb0u1qh4nogo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace</strong></p> <p>The award-winning British documentary film maker Adam Curtis, well known for his previous BBC series The Power Of Nightmares and The Trap, covers familiar social and political topics with an often controversial viewpoint. Curtis’ genius lies in the judicious illustration of his films with a mixture of archive footage and obscure, though fitting, music.</p> <p>His latest three-part series, All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace, first aired on BBC 2 on Monday 23rd May 2011. It claims that “computers have failed to liberate us and instead have distorted and simplified our view of the world around us”.</p> <p>In homage to Curtis’ choice of music for the new series, I will be posting a selection of my favourite tracks…</p> <p><a title="Wikipedia: All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Watched_Over_by_Machines_of_Loving_Grace_(television_documentary_series)">All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace’s Wikipedia page</a>.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153195715http://thescrutineer.com/post/6153195715Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:32:05 +0100tvbbc 2documentaryadam curtis<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K6GyJBgBk2o?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>The Chemistry of Cadbury Creme Eggs</strong></p> <p>Staff at the University of Nottingham have some Easter-related fun. Nuff said.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4905001228http://thescrutineer.com/post/4905001228Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:26:18 +0100cadburycreme eggchemistryeasteruniversity of nottingham<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dl1jPqqTdNo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>MC NxtGen - Andrew Lansley Rap (2011)</strong></p> <p>Leicestershire-based MC NxtGen’s rap against the Lib-Con coalition’s plans to <strike>privatise</strike> reform the NHS has had over 345,000 hits on YouTube so far and has gathered plenty of national media attention.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4807368317http://thescrutineer.com/post/4807368317Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:25:54 +0100mc nxtgenandrew lansleynhs2011<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3_BN7gm4SLA?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Train meets busy marketplace, Bangkok</strong></p> <p>So who fancies sampling the wares on sale at this particular market in Thailand, especially after a diesel train has just passed through? Thought not.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4806428359http://thescrutineer.com/post/4806428359Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:41:44 +0100trainmarketbangkokthailand<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljn984aS051qh4nogo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Webwatch #1 - Burgerac</strong></p> <p>Aimed at finding the ‘finest burger in town’, Burgerac is a blog dedicated to showcasing reviews of the best (and worst) burgers in ‘London, New York and beyond’. Warning: may contain mouthwatering images.</p> <p><a title="Burgerac" target="_blank" href="http://burgerac.blogspot.com/">Burgerac website</a>.<br/><a title="Twitter: Burgerac" target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/burgeracblog">Burgerac on Twitter</a>.</p> <p>Webwatch rating: Like.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4610697953http://thescrutineer.com/post/4610697953Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:51:14 +0100webwatchburgerac<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljlqlfmH0M1qh4nogo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Hot celebrity that I fancy of the day #2 - Karen Gillan</strong></p> <p>I couldn’t care less about Doctor Who, but when the long running series returns to our screens next week I, like many other hot blooded males up and down the UK, will be eagerly anticipating this flame-haired beauty rekindling her role as The Doctor’s assistant Amy Pond.</p> <p><a title="Wikipedia: Karen Gillan" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Gillan">Karen’s Wikipedia page</a>.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4609973260http://thescrutineer.com/post/4609973260Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:09:47 +0100hot celebkaren gillandoctor who<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HXU5Rxc3vBQ?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Orbital - Chime (12” version) (1990)</strong></p> <p>The late 1980s to early 1990s were a golden age for dance music in the UK. Fact. This track is one of the best from this era, the first single of many released by dance music masters Orbital.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4557127485http://thescrutineer.com/post/4557127485Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:19:31 +0100orbitalchimedance music1990<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PjckqAU8IkM?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Masterchef The Professionals 2010 - the final</strong></p> <p>If I was lucky enough to appear on Masterchef, these are the sort of gastronomic delights that I would prepare. Haute cuisine, indeed.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4556986131http://thescrutineer.com/post/4556986131Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:11:00 +0100mastercheffood<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljehzgs0qe1qh4nogo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Carwatch #1 - Lotus Carlton</strong></p> <p>The name of this feature was originally going to be ‘Rare, exotic or crap?’ as the featured cars would fall into one (or more) of these catagories. Normally the cars would be gems that were spotted on the street, but let’s start with one from the archives…</p> <p>Take a boring German four-door saloon, bolt a pair of turbochargers onto the engine, fit a new six-speed gearbox and embellish with a subtle aerodynamic bodykit to produce a modern classic. That’s what <a title="Wikipedia: Lotus Engineering" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Cars#Lotus_Engineering">Lotus Engineering</a> did to the Vauxhall Carlton, known as the <a title="Wikipedia: Vauxhall Carlton/Opel Omega" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Omega#Omega_A">Opel Omega</a> in mainland Europe, back in 1990. Standard Carltons were delivered straight from the production line to Lotus’ factory where the cars were stripped and the engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes were heavily modified. Finally they were painted in bespoke Imperial Green before being delivered to eager customers across Europe. Only 950 examples were produced over two years and today low mileage, well maintained examples are very rare and highly sought after. This is no wonder, as for many years this was the fastest four-door saloon in the world, outclassing contemporary performance cars such as the <a title="Wikipedia: BMW E34 M5" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmw_m5#E34_M5_.281989.E2.80.931995.29">BMW M5</a>.</p> <p>For full specifications <a title="Wikipedia: Lotus Carlton/Omega" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Carlton">click here</a>.</p> <p>Carwatch rating: Like.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4475584733http://thescrutineer.com/post/4475584733Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:57:18 +0100carwatchlikelotuscarlton<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljefmjnYi61qh4nogo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Hot celebrity that I fancy of the day #1 - Lee McKenzie</strong></p> <p>Formula 1 fans now have one more reason to be early risers: The BBC’s pitlane reporter is guaranteed to banish those early morning Grand Prix blues. Although not a regular fixture on our TV screens, Lee often fronts pre-race features and interviews drivers and crew. The saucy Scot is also occasionally seen on other BBC sport shows and on Sky Sports.</p> <p><a title="Twitter: Lee McKenzie" target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/leemckenzief1">Lee on Twitter</a>.<br/><a title="Wikipedia: Lee McKenzie" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_McKenzie">Lee’s Wikipedia page</a>. </p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4473306745http://thescrutineer.com/post/4473306745Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:17:00 +0100hot celeblee mckenzieformula 1<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljdy0qKOcG1qh4nogo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><strong>The Scrutineer - now on Twitter</strong></p> <p>As well as having a Facebook page (see <a title="The Scrutineer - now on Facebook" target="_blank" href="http://thescrutineer.com/post/4464875334/now-on-facebook">previous post</a>) The Scrutineer is now also on Twitter.</p> <p>To follow The Scrutineer on Twitter click the Twitter logo above or <a title="Twitter: The Scrutineer" target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/thescrutineerUK">click here</a>.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4464994065http://thescrutineer.com/post/4464994065Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:44:21 +0100twitter<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljdt5nMHpK1qh4nogo1_r1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><strong>The Scrutineer - now on Facebook</strong></p> <p>Yes, folks, you read that right. In addition to being a great website The Scrutineer is now also a great Facebook page, packed with the same great content. Great.</p> <p>To join The Scrutineer Facebook page click the Facebook logo above or <a title="Facebook: The Scrutineer" target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Scrutineer/176418349074709">click here</a>.</p>http://thescrutineer.com/post/4464875334http://thescrutineer.com/post/4464875334Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:35:25 +0100facebook