Sunday 30 May 2010 21:55

I've been a complete slob today; after a couple of late nights I was all achey and tired, so I couldn't motivate myself to do anything. Saying that, I've quite enjoyed today.

Went to see Detroit Social Club at the Cluny last night; they were pretty good, certainly worth making an effort to see them. There were a few other bands too, one of which was really impressive; Young Rebel Set. I'm not quite sure how they all managed to fit on the stage; I've never seen so many people playing guitar in a band before.

Some random pictures from last night.
 







I had to add this last couple from today. It's funny how a child can be full of energy one minute and then asleep the next.
 





Wednesday 26 May 2010 20:44

I'm looking forward to a long weekend; last weekend passed before I knew it and already it's more than halfway through the week. I was in Manchester today. I was supposed to have left the side passage door open so Peter could drop off tents for Download (Phil's going to set everything up since he's going early). It was a contingency really, since I'd expected to be home in time. However, halfway to Manchester, I remembered the door. Or rather that I'd forgotten to unlock it. Unfortunately, I was late and Peter was at my house before he saw the text I'd sent.

Since Peter was about to go on holiday, we needed to improvise. The takeaway next door was closed and my other neighbour, the axe murderer, is always busy doing whatever axe murderers do, so that left just one option. My rubbish bin. It's a bit scruffy and smelly, but there was no choice.

Fortunately, I don't live in an area where people rummage in bins and everything was safe until my return.


Wednesday 19 May 2010 21:31

I'm on a course this week, which means I'm not in the office. The course is going pretty well, but one major negative is the prospect of going back to a week's email on Monday.

Still, the sun was shining when we left today, so I was easily persuaded to join some of my colleagues at the Black Bull, near the office. It'd been almost thirty years since I'd last been there and it wasn't remotely as I'd remembered. Cold beer was a great idea though.

Unfortunately, my delayed departure meant that I was caught up in Metro delays due to a power line failure. It was running so slowly I decided to get off and walk from Jesmond. On reaching Central Station, I found that nothing was running from there and was directed to Monument. Since I'd already walked past that station, I walked across the High Level bridge into Gateshead. This inspired me to call off at the Central Hotel.

Sadly it's now closed for rennovation.


Monday 17 May 2010 21:06

I like bees; I find watching them both relaxing and fascinating. They're the good guys of the insect world.
 
















I should add that I find wasps distasteful. Without doubt, they are the evil bastards of the insect world. A wasp picture will never appear here.


Sunday 16 May 2010 23:23

I hope I die before I'm too old.


Friday 14 May 2010 23:59

It's 11:59. That's an old Blondie song, you know. It's been a funny evening. I'm not sure I can explain why, but it just has been. It hasn't been bad, or a particularly good. Just a funny one.

Anyway, within a few days, one of my children is doing a charity run. Apparently, she'll be running in a tutu. I don't run very often at all, but, when I do, I prefer shoes.


Monday 10 May 2010 23:10

Went with Phil to see Four Lions at the Tyneside Cinema this evening. It's wrong for so many reasons, but hilarious.


Sunday 9 May 2010 21:25

I seem to be settling into a new weekend routine, although today was probably more productive than I'd expected. I started the day off with some early gardening, finishing what I'd started before yesterday's strimmer fire. Stuff's starting to flower now, so one's eye is drawn away from the patch I destroyed with chemicals. For the first year since planting, the japonica's looking healthy.

 

After finishing in the garden, I combined a bike ride with some shopping. I'd not planned to buy much, so thought I'd get everything in the panniers. For some reason I took a couple of bungees; a just in case thing, but this did allow me to buy a nice big pan. It was just the thing I'd been looking for, although it made the return trip a little wobbly.

 

Some plant shopping followed, leading to a little more work in the garden. I really do need to make gardening a regular weekend thing; well, I've learned the hard way that I can't rely on chemicals. I did seriously think about going out this evening, but to be honest I just couldn't be bothered. Instead, I've played music and (influenced by a local Lloyds Bar) rediscovered Winamp plugins.

 

Regrettably, I have work tomorrow.


Saturday 8 May 2010 20:48

I've now added the Vaudeville Class to the music on my ipod. On doing so, I realised that I've quite a few unsigned bands' stuff. Anyway, theres's a Vaudeville Class video on youtube; it's worth taking a look.

 

I had a burst of energy earlier today, thought I'd tackle the garden. I'd pretty much nuked it with toxic chemicals a couple of weeks ago so thought it was time I removed the debris. Unfortunately, after doing so, there wasn't a lot of green left. Still, I decided to cut what was left of the grass. After a couple of minutes strimming, I noticed that the weather was quickly worsening, turning quite misty. And then I realised that there was a funny smell, seconds before I caught a flash of orange at the end of the strimmer. At least it didn't burn for long once I'd turned off the power.


Friday 7 May 2010 22:32

I've had quite a nice evening. And it still has some life left yet. I'm getting over my election disappointment; I guess I knew it wasn't going to be a great outcome.

Anyway,  I listened to the Vaudeville Class on the radio tonight; they did acoustic stuff since Karl's in Amsterdam, but they sounded so good. Laura talked about the time Karl wore her shoes on stage .... I'd completely forgotten him telling me about that. Prhaps we should engage in conversation when we're not drunk.

I do feel the need to say again that their single, devil at my door, is now on itunes. For just a few pence, why not give a band a break?

I've also been putting music onto my ipod tonight, in preparation for Download festival. I'm working on the basis of the experience being less painful if I brainwash myself with bad music in advance. I still don't know what possessed me to say I'd go.  Marriage break-up insanity I presume. I may have to sleep a lot while I'm there.

Right, I know it's a bit sad, but I've felt tired all week (I blame hayfever), so I'm off to bed now.


Thursday 6 May 2010 20:05

I've avoided thinking too much about the general election of late; I'm more than a little disillusioned with politics and it's hard to look beyond the (generally) plastic front men. Still, I may have to stay up to see whether Sunderland's result comes in first again. Or have an early night.

While in a positive frame of mind, I'll mention that my eldest child is 31 today. Do you realise how ancient that makes me feel?


Wednesday 5 May 2010 21:41

I must be getting old, I'm shattered. Of course, having only three hours sleep on Monday didn't help; or the late one last night. Still, Phil and I introduced Matt to some quality establishments and, although my memory's a little patchy, we had a pretty cool time. A return visit to Glasgow is planned.


Monday 3 May 2010 01:01

A new month. Ok, so I'm a little late, but I've been busy. April ended on Friday with the Vaudeville Class at the Cluny. The band, their new single  and the beer (Erdinger) were great, though the evening ended on a low. Anyway, have a look on itunes for Devil at my door. Go on, it's very good.

Thursday had passed in a blur; maybe Preston has that effect on me, but it was a long, full day. I'm back there this week too. Jumping forward, Saturday was very productive, with all shopping completed within both timescale and budget. Well, within budget, but I'll finish it off in the morning.

Today I had a mate round, then this evening I finally got round to fixing my leaky bath. Tomorrow I'll have a house guest for a couple of days. Don't jump to conclusions though, he's a bloke. Or is that today?




older

back to current