Category Archives: Weird

Culture & coincidence

Yesterday we enjoyed more culture. My second in command had a conversation with a girl in Sloan’s the other day. Which resulted in us visiting Partick yesterday.

We quite liked Partick; we had our nails done and watched the Liverpool-Stoke match in the Deoch an Dorus.

We then had great curry.

Yesterday was also a day of coincidence; synchronicity even.

Yes, we saw the Shiverin Sheiks for the second time in two days.

Which might in itself not be unusual. But, in conversation with the front man, I was asked if I knew Ratty. That’s Ratty who runs the Mean Eyed Cat, the former owner of the Schooner anf previously manager of the Central and the Head of Steam.

Which was pretty spooky. Apparently, the band had played at the Schooner previously. They’re playing at the Sage this summer.

They’re well worth seeing.

Anyway, some pictures of cultural activities.

While in the 13th Note, we met up with some people who were also in Glasgow for the cancelled William McCarthy gig. We all went on to MacSorley’s to watch another band.

Sadly, we need to return to normality today.

Nails

I woke up this morning feeling really annoyed with my second in command. We’d been on a coach to Glastonbury with Karl and Michelle, when the bus stopped for a break at Pilton. We’d taken our bags off the coach and were sitting in the sunshine, when my second in command discocered that one of her bags was missing. The smaller one, with her iPad and hair straighteners, not her rucksack.

While I began a search for the bag, my beloved declared that she needed to have her nails done and, so, set off to seek a nail shop (is that what they’re called?). Michelle went with her.

While they were gone, the bus left. On their return, I’d still not found the missing bag, but we decided on a cab to the festival site. When one arrived, we found that we wouldn’t all fit in with our bags and camping gear. So I offered to stay behind and make my own way.

After waiting at a bus stop for a while, with no luck, I started walking. I was nearing the site when my second in command to ask where I was. I advised I was close, but that she should keep the call short since her phone backup batteries (we take several) were in the lost bag.

Within a few minutes I’d reached a point where I could view the festival site. The view was remarkably similar to my first ever sight of the festival, a long time ago. The scale was breathtaking.

I started walking to the entry gate, somehow bypassing the winding barriers which control the stream of festival goers.

And, then the alarm woke me up. I’m now on my way to work and still don’t feel quite right.

Christmas tree

The controversial Christmas tree in Peterborough has made a return. 

It’s been in use for several years now, so perhaps the high cost was justified. 

Still horrible, though. 

Extinction

Last year, when a Pterodactyl pooped all over me from a great height in Newcastle, I came to the realisation that dinosaurs were not actually extinct. 

Further evidence of this was discovered yesterday in the Central. When I observed a Tyrannosaurus Rex at the bar. 

Care should be taken when in Newcastle or Gateshead. 

Mr Shirt

Have you ever had problems with your shirt hanging out of your trousers?

Yes? Then Mr Shirt could help you.

Surprisingly, some men will sport upside down braces which hold their shirt down at all times. 

I stumbled upon the device while browsing new startups on indigogo. I need to make it clear that I didn’t purchase a set. 

One does wonder whether these could be dangerous in terms of limiting blood circulation. And just imagine the potential damage if one of those clips were to suddenly become detached. 

He who watches over us

After calling off at the College Arms, while my second in command was shopping, we’re now back in the Wortley Almshouses, where our guardian angel watches over us. 

My second in command finds him creepy, but I believe him to be our protector. 

He’s now looking right at you. 

2017

I’m hoping that 2017 will be a good year; this year hasn’t been the best and, to be honest, this Christmas and New Year rank pretty low. 

Never mind, though, next year will be better. 

Johnny Cash

While on the subject of the afterlife, I just heard Johnny Cash’s voice in my head. In a booming, godlike kind of way, telling me to have another Jakehead. 

Who am I to ignore the ghost of a legend. 

Joe Gideon

Joe Gideon is/are playing in the Cluny on the 27th. Which is a problem, since we’ll be in Glasgow to see Augustines. It seems that I have an historic Joe Gideon timing issue. Conversation about such things with Karl last night led to the discovery that he and I had once unknowingly stood within feet of each other, watching Joe Gideon and the Shark. At Glastonbury in 2009.

Of course, Glastonbury is a huge festival, with large, busy stages. However, this was under cover, at a small stage. And Karl and I were both standing at the barrier, where it wasn’t remotely busy. 

My excuse for not noticing my friend’s presence is that I’d rushed from the Pyramid stage, missing the early part of the set. Although, I do recognise that I’m not the most observant of people.