Stuff 

Monday 26 May 2008 22:58

Well, I made it out on my bike this morning; even riding further than the last couple of times. Although the weather was great today, the wind was a little strong so I really felt as though I'd actually done some work. And then I had a walk into town with Rhiannon. So I felt quite pleased with myself. Of course I've done almost nothing since; well, apart from looking at Lucy's CV.

Early start in the morning, so this is a short one (in other words, I didn't have a lot to write).

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Saturday 24 May 2008 21:22

After another 11 hour day with an 8 o'clock finish, all I could manage to do last night was slump on the sofa and watch tv. And today was pretty much the same; well, apart from a trip to my mother's.

I did fit a very nice new rack to the back of my bike. Not that there was anything wrong with the old one of course; it was actually quite nice. However, the minor modification I'd made with a hacksaw to make it fit the bike resulted in it leaning to one side.

Hopefully, I'll actually have the motivation over the next couple of days to use the bike.

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Thursday 22 May 2008 19:54

Not a lot has happened this week; well, certainly not a lot that'd be of interest to anyone. Work's been really hassled, but things should get better soon I hope, after a silly deadline has passed (technically speaking, it passed two weeks ago), but I've now until the end of this week. Again, I'll not bore anyone with the detail; suffice to say work's busy.

Went to see the Mosaics in Sunderland last night; as alwys they were pretty good, even doing some new stuff. On the down side, the bloody football running late meant that the band didn't start playing until after 10:30. Which, in turn, led to one set rather than two and a rather late cab home. I'd developed a cold yesterday and had really wanted to get to bed a sensible time. Still, it was worth it.

Which reminds me. I should mention again that I have a cold. The all-day workshop today was a nightmare to get through and I'm sure my sneezing was getting on people's nerves. Never mind though, I'm not one to complain.

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Sunday 18 May 2008 19:54

Heather Mills used to live in my flat. Yes, she really did. Well, my old flat, since I've not lived in a flat for years.

Ok, well, maybe she only lived in the same block. That's a relief.

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Sunday 18 May 2008 1:39

Aside from listening to Aynsley Lister and the Animals tonight, I also listened to some Kings of Leon, the View, the Fratellis. Eels, Lisa Germano, the Kinks, Richard Hawley, Elbow, Maximo Park and the Decemberists. There's a lovely Elbow song though that sticks in my mind right now, called Audience with the Pope; it goes something like:

I've an audience with the Pope
I'm saving the world at eight
But if she says she needs me
She says she needs me
Everyone else can wait ...

I should add that women probably don't understand this.

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Saturday 17 May 2008 23:44

Peter forced me to go to the Academy the other night to see some dodgy old bloke playing a guitar. I went to see Robin Trower at the Academy the other night with Peter. I'd been looking forward to it for ages. Anyway, although I usually don't bother with support bands, Peter had an early start in Edinburgh (how did he get to go to Edinburgh when I was stuck with Preston?) the next day, so we turned up in time for the support rather than have a drink.

There's a reason I don't usually bother with support bands; they tend to be rubbish. However, this one, Aynsley Lister were an exception. I'm not particularly a blues/country fan, but they (he really, with a band) were really good. It was impressive stuff, all original and no covers. I've downloaded a few tracks today and intend to buy the latest album. It's worth a listen. They're playing at the Cluny in November, so we plan to see them again. It was worth the pain of seeing Robin Trower. They weren't as good as Robin Trower though.

Talking of the Academy, the Animals are playing there in August. Since I live a couple of doors away from the former residence of an Animal (John Steel, the drummer), and since I grew up listening to them, I feel I should go to see them. I realise there'll be a maximum of two original members (one's dead and two probably don't need the money), but it's something that shouldn't be missed. I mean, what would the 60s have been without the Animals?

Oh, I'm not sure whether it's relevant, but my sister once peed on Alan Price (he was the keyboard player for anyone too young to know). I should add that she was a baby at the time. Actually, I'm not even sure that she knows this; I'll have to make a note to ask her.

And, (loosely) talking of my childhood, it was my mother's birthday today. She's 71. I only mention this because she doesn't remotely look her age. And I guess that she's also kind of cool for her age. I'm actually quite proud of her.

There's actually a connection between all of this; my dad used to manage a band (or was it two?) in the 60s. I have very vague memories of being a young child at band-related parties. It was all very exciting at the time ... I have fond memories of the Union Jack watch and bowler hat given to me by some long forgotten bearded guitarist.

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Tuesday 13 May 2008 21:31

A few weeks ago, after a few days without shaving and catching a glimpse of my reflection, I noticed that I'm going grey. It made me feel older than I'd felt just a few seconds earlier. Then it was Deb's birthday last week. She's 29. This brought home the realisation that my eldest child will be 30 next year. I remember approaching 30 myself and wondering whether it'd be downhill from that point. Thankfully it wasn't, but I can't escape the fact that I've a child in that position. Add to that my eldest grandchild's rapidly approaching the age of 7. Hell, I'm getting old.

One unfortunate side effect of my advancing years is that my recovery time following a night out has increased directly in proportion to my age. Which means I'm only just beginning to feel human again following an (unplanned) afternoon and evening in the company of my children on Sunday.

Although (I think) we had a good time, I was shattered all the following day. And today.

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Saturday 10 May 2008 10:45

I'd hoped to be taking the best part of next week off work, but a deadline crisis and a string of meetings quickly changed that. So, I made the most of a gap yesterday and managed to fit in a day. It was only one day, but I'm sure I'd have gone insane without a break. The weather was lovely so I went out for my first bike ride of the year. I only went as far as the Angel of the North, but I knew it'd be uphill all the way back. I was so glad I'd not been over-ambitious though, since my legs were all wobbly by the time I was home again. I really need to do this more often.

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Tuesday 6 May 2008 22:40

Well, another long weekend has passed so quickly it was a complete blur. Eventful though; a couple of text messages I received from Paula in the early hours of Monday morning:

00:12  We are in hospital. Hong

01:26  I dislocated my shoulder. Ow. They put it back. Double ow. I is in lots of pain ...

Although I was fast asleep and didn't see these until yesterday morning, I'd earlier been woken up by a phone call from Paula's mate, Rachel, to say I shouldn't worry, but they were in hospital. They'd only gone out to see a film! Life with Paula is certainly one big adventure.

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Sunday 4 May 2008 22:40

Hey again
I thought that you were my friend
Take the dream glasses off and see again
Like before, when I opened the door
Let the happiness in, closed again
Some day someone
Is gonna see you
Someday someone
Is gonna come through ...

Hey again
I thought I was this friend
I took the dream glasses off, and saw again ...

I'd forgotten how lovely that song is. Lisa Germano; dream glasses off

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Sunday 4 May 2008 22:03