It's my son's 19th Birthday today. It's the first birthday he hasn't been at home. Mixed emotions are running in the house. We spoke to him briefly this evening. He was in the Pub with his mates.This,I suppose, is how it should be. As always with children the parents miss them more than they miss us. So we are simply getting on with it and adjusting to being peripheral to his life.
My daughter is in love with her Blackberry- her upgrade phone on her mobile phone contract. I must admit I think I would have fallen in love with a Blackberry when I was her age.It's very sci-fi and Star Trekkie.
On her contract she has 600 minutes, unlimited texts and Internet for £30 per month- reducing to £20 a month in September. It's a two year contract from the Carphone Warehouse. The added advantage is that with the Blackberry Messenger you can communicate with other Blackberry users free of charge by Pinging them. It's a bit like Instant Messaging. And you can follow your emails on your phone, play music, take pictures, videos, games and even make phone calls.I think I'll get my son one when his contract expires later this year.Apparently my daughter tells me that at least amongst her friends the Blackberry phone is more popular than even the iPhone. I'll stick with my work Nokia.
Music wise it has been quiet, I am still mostly listening to the Radio. I've got it on now as it happens, listening to Radcliffe and Maconie on Radio Two.
Thursday 25 February 2010
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Time of the week
It's that Tuesday posting time again!
Saturday's Toon match was poor in quality and excitement and a subdued crowd saw Newcastle comprehensively beat Preston 3-0. If the team could have been bothered it could have easily been six or seven. Blackberry Internet reception is very good at St James Park which gives you an idea of just how unexciting the match was. It was nice though to see so many youngsters in the 45,000 crowd- the next generation of the Toon army.
There was a jaw dropping moment however in the second half when out of the Leazes Corner came a low sound of "There's only one Chris Hughton" .According to my Boss- a season ticket sufferer- this was the first time this had been heard at the ground.The first song of a new dawn perhaps??
Otherwise an uneventful weekend.
My wife started a temporary two week assignment doing some recruiting for a Government Agency relocating to the North East. It's boring work and not a great deal of money but it does get her out of the house. She has an interview this week for a year long contract in another part of the NHS.Fingers crossed again.
It was my daughter's birthday yesterday. She is now 17. How did that happen? Where has my baby girl gone? It was a quiet affair. She had some plans but as nearly always they came to nothing. She might, she tells us, go out at the weekend.
Saturday's Toon match was poor in quality and excitement and a subdued crowd saw Newcastle comprehensively beat Preston 3-0. If the team could have been bothered it could have easily been six or seven. Blackberry Internet reception is very good at St James Park which gives you an idea of just how unexciting the match was. It was nice though to see so many youngsters in the 45,000 crowd- the next generation of the Toon army.
There was a jaw dropping moment however in the second half when out of the Leazes Corner came a low sound of "There's only one Chris Hughton" .According to my Boss- a season ticket sufferer- this was the first time this had been heard at the ground.The first song of a new dawn perhaps??
Otherwise an uneventful weekend.
My wife started a temporary two week assignment doing some recruiting for a Government Agency relocating to the North East. It's boring work and not a great deal of money but it does get her out of the house. She has an interview this week for a year long contract in another part of the NHS.Fingers crossed again.
It was my daughter's birthday yesterday. She is now 17. How did that happen? Where has my baby girl gone? It was a quiet affair. She had some plans but as nearly always they came to nothing. She might, she tells us, go out at the weekend.
Friday 19 February 2010
UFO
Wth all the release of the declassified information regarding UFO sitings in the UK earlier this week, I was reminded that I had promised in an earlier post to put up The Wedding Present's version of the theme tune of the TV show UFO.
Here it is. UFO- The Wedding Present
This was the B side of the November 1992 single. The A side was Queen of Outer Space, probably my least favourite of their twelve singles that year.
I can well remember going into the local Virgin or HMV in Newcastle each month to get the single before going to work. I was there at 9am on the Monday, before the staff had even unpacked the deliveries. I managed to get each of the singles and of course, I bought the two compilation CDs that came out as well, and the compilation video Dick York's Wardrobe of all the promos. Gedge had his moneysworth out of me that year that's for sure. Willingly given, I hasten to add.
I have been tempted to buy the repackaged DVD but I have resisted that one, so far at least.
I'm off to St James Park tomorrow with the wife to see The Toon play Preston. It will be the second time I have seen Preston play this year. The first time was their 1-0 defeat of the Posh in January which I wrote about earlier. It will also be Darren Ferguson's second visit to the Toon this season. He quit Posh after his last visit, probably in a small part due to the comprehensive thrashing Newcastle gave his team that day.
Having already seen his new team I can't see them troubling Newcastle much, but you know, the thing I love about football is ... etc etc.
Here it is. UFO- The Wedding Present
This was the B side of the November 1992 single. The A side was Queen of Outer Space, probably my least favourite of their twelve singles that year.
I can well remember going into the local Virgin or HMV in Newcastle each month to get the single before going to work. I was there at 9am on the Monday, before the staff had even unpacked the deliveries. I managed to get each of the singles and of course, I bought the two compilation CDs that came out as well, and the compilation video Dick York's Wardrobe of all the promos. Gedge had his moneysworth out of me that year that's for sure. Willingly given, I hasten to add.
I have been tempted to buy the repackaged DVD but I have resisted that one, so far at least.
I'm off to St James Park tomorrow with the wife to see The Toon play Preston. It will be the second time I have seen Preston play this year. The first time was their 1-0 defeat of the Posh in January which I wrote about earlier. It will also be Darren Ferguson's second visit to the Toon this season. He quit Posh after his last visit, probably in a small part due to the comprehensive thrashing Newcastle gave his team that day.
Having already seen his new team I can't see them troubling Newcastle much, but you know, the thing I love about football is ... etc etc.
Thursday 18 February 2010
The Beautiful Game
I suppose one of the reasons I love football is the sheer unpredictability of the game. After Saturday's miserable performance, Posh only go and beat Ipswich 3-1. What happened in the three days between games to change an abject performance into a winning one? Perhaps Jim Gannon is as good as some people have said he is. Perhap Roy Keane's Ipswich really are shite.Anyway that is the beauty of football its unpredictability.Just when you think that your team will never win another match, could never win another match , they go and win and win well.
Talking of the Beautiful Game one of my long time favourites Billy Franks ( he of Faith Brothers fame) has posted on his website that he is recording an unofficial World Cup theme song called The Beautiful Game.It's going to be recorded with an African gospel choir and full band so I am interested in this.
Although I am, as you know a major fan of Embrace I wasnt that impressed with World At Your Feet their official England World Cup song four years ago so I am hoping for something better from another of my favourite performers. Here's hoping. I will post links to it when it is released in May.
All profits are going to a charity- this one
My wife has been in a good, positive mood all week, due in part to my son being home at the weekend, the offer of some temporary work and two interviews coming up.It's half term week and I was a bit worried that my wife and daughter would clash but so far, so good. My son went home on Tuesday so the house is quiet again.
Music wise it has been quiet too. I am currently using my portable DAB on the way to and from work mostly listening to Radio 4 or 5Live.Must go- work to do!!!
Talking of the Beautiful Game one of my long time favourites Billy Franks ( he of Faith Brothers fame) has posted on his website that he is recording an unofficial World Cup theme song called The Beautiful Game.It's going to be recorded with an African gospel choir and full band so I am interested in this.
Although I am, as you know a major fan of Embrace I wasnt that impressed with World At Your Feet their official England World Cup song four years ago so I am hoping for something better from another of my favourite performers. Here's hoping. I will post links to it when it is released in May.
All profits are going to a charity- this one
My wife has been in a good, positive mood all week, due in part to my son being home at the weekend, the offer of some temporary work and two interviews coming up.It's half term week and I was a bit worried that my wife and daughter would clash but so far, so good. My son went home on Tuesday so the house is quiet again.
Music wise it has been quiet too. I am currently using my portable DAB on the way to and from work mostly listening to Radio 4 or 5Live.Must go- work to do!!!
Saturday 13 February 2010
We're Going Down... Posh are going Down
Another away match in another shithole and another defeat. Middlesbrough's Riverside is quite a nice ground very similar to The Stadium of Light, Darlington's stadium, etc etc. Prices were ridiculous and £5 for 2 teas and two Kit Kats is taking the piss. We did get to see the Transporter Bridge though and the train from Newcastle went through Sunderland, Seaham, Hartlepool, Stockton and Billingham, hugging close to the coast for a large part of the way which was a minor plus.
We played with one man up front- Aaron Mclean. I moved in my seat more than he did on the pitch.Boyd was poor and we only woke up and played decently when Mackail Smith came on for the last 15 minutes. Even then we missed a sitter. The Smoggies were not much better.For us Reid looked good (but a bit too "chunky" for a professional footballer). Lewis made some good saves and Jim Gannon (our latest Manager) looked the part in a suit and big gestures with his arms at appropriate times. All in all though a poor match.Hard to believe the smoggies were in the Premiership last season but I got the feeling that Strachan's scottish invasion of the team would work for them in the long run. The former Celtic players did look good.
There was a heavy Police presence at the ground and train Station, videoing the Posh fans. Once again football fan = criminal in the mind of Plod.
We played with one man up front- Aaron Mclean. I moved in my seat more than he did on the pitch.Boyd was poor and we only woke up and played decently when Mackail Smith came on for the last 15 minutes. Even then we missed a sitter. The Smoggies were not much better.For us Reid looked good (but a bit too "chunky" for a professional footballer). Lewis made some good saves and Jim Gannon (our latest Manager) looked the part in a suit and big gestures with his arms at appropriate times. All in all though a poor match.Hard to believe the smoggies were in the Premiership last season but I got the feeling that Strachan's scottish invasion of the team would work for them in the long run. The former Celtic players did look good.
There was a heavy Police presence at the ground and train Station, videoing the Posh fans. Once again football fan = criminal in the mind of Plod.
Friday 12 February 2010
Friday's Post
The week is ending on a (relative) high. My son is arriving home on the Mega Bus (he has texted me to say it's like travelling on buses in Africa - he should know he spent a month in Tanzania. My wife's job interview went well and she is through to the final round in a couple of weeks.I have been pretty active today and sorted out a lot of long standing stuff on my desk.
Tomorrow its down to Teeside for Posh v Smoggies with my son.I've not been to The Riverside before so I am looking forward to the trip. We will probably lose but what the hell I didn't expect us to stay up this season so it's not so bad. League 1 is probably where we belong for a season or two. I just hope we don't lose our stars (Boyd,Mackail Smith and Lewis).It probably means the ground move is off but at least we have had a season in the sun and it's still possible for us to get back up in few years and even make Darragh's 7 year plan for Premiership football.... Maybe not and anyway I am not that bothered about top flight football for Posh.This is proper football, proper English football with high balls up front and everyone chasing after the big kick up the pitch from the keeper, the crowd standing in crap terracing and buying ket from even worse catering facilities and don't mention the toilets- stuff I remember from when I was young not the poncey Premiership stuff. A new ground would be nice though.
Tomorrow its down to Teeside for Posh v Smoggies with my son.I've not been to The Riverside before so I am looking forward to the trip. We will probably lose but what the hell I didn't expect us to stay up this season so it's not so bad. League 1 is probably where we belong for a season or two. I just hope we don't lose our stars (Boyd,Mackail Smith and Lewis).It probably means the ground move is off but at least we have had a season in the sun and it's still possible for us to get back up in few years and even make Darragh's 7 year plan for Premiership football.... Maybe not and anyway I am not that bothered about top flight football for Posh.This is proper football, proper English football with high balls up front and everyone chasing after the big kick up the pitch from the keeper, the crowd standing in crap terracing and buying ket from even worse catering facilities and don't mention the toilets- stuff I remember from when I was young not the poncey Premiership stuff. A new ground would be nice though.
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Wednesday Week
It's a week since my last post. What has happened since then? Not much really. My wife is still unemployed(but has an interview this Friday). I still have a cold. It is still freezing cold. It snowed again yesterday.
Work wise , there has been a bit of a surprise as a member of my staff has decided to take early retirement. This came out of the blue and I wasn't expecting it. She is new to my office (but not to the organisation) and has a reputation of being difficult. She has been OK for me but I can't say I am too disappointed she has decided to go as her previous managers have all had run ins with her about something and I could do without that.
I have come across a website devoted to my most loved band ever The Distractions
Here is the link. Its worth checking out especially for the songs from 1995. I have written about this band before here but it is hard to convey in words how good I think this band were. Their music is unavailable , long deleted apart from Time Goes By So Slow on the Factory Box Set. Here is a song from their exquisite LP Nobody's Perfect which I hope will convince you to investigate them further.
Stuck In A Fantasy- The Distractions
Work wise , there has been a bit of a surprise as a member of my staff has decided to take early retirement. This came out of the blue and I wasn't expecting it. She is new to my office (but not to the organisation) and has a reputation of being difficult. She has been OK for me but I can't say I am too disappointed she has decided to go as her previous managers have all had run ins with her about something and I could do without that.
I have come across a website devoted to my most loved band ever The Distractions
Here is the link. Its worth checking out especially for the songs from 1995. I have written about this band before here but it is hard to convey in words how good I think this band were. Their music is unavailable , long deleted apart from Time Goes By So Slow on the Factory Box Set. Here is a song from their exquisite LP Nobody's Perfect which I hope will convince you to investigate them further.
Stuck In A Fantasy- The Distractions
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Compilation
I was sorting through my hard drive over the weekend and I came across this CD I put together last year for The Wedding Present Forum Speed Date Round 10.I thought it was quite good reflection of my musical tastes. See what you think. It's a Zip file.
Compilation
Compilation
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