So I went ot the brother in laws this afternoon to help errect a swing contraption thing for my nephews 2nd birthday. Good times, good laugh and put up fairly quick.
Unfortunately thats when the drinking started. Had a beer or three deep now and being such a light weight these days I am struggling slightly to find the keys!Ha!

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downloaded and amended the iPod today with a load of new music...

Listening to relics at the moment which goes rather nicely with my slightly lesss than coherent state! Looking forward to a Major ipod shuffle playing tomorrow on a long run of indetermined length!?

Am slightly obsessed with Hazards of Love at the moment as its not left the car audio for some time now...the Bowie is always a goood choice (back me up here texasts  ?) Pablo Honey is an album which I've never had (is it any good dr_rush  ?) The other bizarre claim is the jethro tull album that I DON'T have, so we'll see. All the better music being made around the time I was born. Simply a child out of time (like Mr Gillan said) I would have loved to have been a teenager/ young adult within the 70's rock music scene...would have been so cool! Mind you, probably wouldn't have appreciate dit at the time...

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 Went running again with the kids yesterday after already doing 4.2 mesel. The Biggun is really beginining to surprise me with his stamina...the SM is not! He was just annoying yesterday! As usual, fancied the idea then was a pain doing it!

Anyroad, gotta go..had me summons....try to sober up perhaps..!?!??

I have a cold. Or at least the start of one.
This is 'man-flu- obviously, but more seriously its just come on this afternoon after I fell asleep in a draught post run. I seriously don't need this, this close to the Stratford race. I am determined to do well in the race and to run hard.
From experience I know I can train through this cold, and it is approaching taper time so no worries there. It's just the general feeling of 'crapness' that it brings on that concerns me.

If only i didn't detest oranges! And pretty much most fruit in general except the obvious god given fruit of runners - the banana!

Anyroad, gotta go...off to 'band' practice.
Yes.
Me.
Will explain more a little later, tomorrow perhaps.

But early days and softly softly!
*sniff!*

[Valley for 7.40 miles in 54:00 faster pace]

Hurray - no perverts in the Valley! Always good in my book...
Hurray - 'Hazards of Love' the Decemberists first listen was excellent!
Hurray - Run went well exactly at race pace (small 'but' - it does need to be faster on the 26th!)
Hurray - it didn't rain.
Hurray - no walking.
Hurray - I remembered to make my fave iso Cranberry drink and put it in the fridge..it goooooood.

I have a lot to be thankful about...

(Any intentions on copying excellent celebratory post layouts from cadona  are entirely meant to be flattering!)

I have it! I have it! I have it! I have it! I have it! I have it! I have it! I have it! I have it!

The Decemberists' 'The Hazards of Love ' is here!

First listen tomorrow morning around 7.4 miles!
Night night!

...that illicit early (5pm) Friday night beer tastes much better than later on in the evening?

Had a tough week training this week. Done a lot of miles and feeling it a little. Had early nights (9.30 ish) been careful with the routes (hilly/ not so hilly) but still - tired.
So tonight with the knowledge that tomorrow I have a lie in and then home alone'ness with the Small Monstrosity, I am drinking Guiness- the necar of the Irish..oh, and me!

Enjoy your Friday night all...

(BTW the inspiration for this post, apart from the demolished pint already, is the one American {bought when I was over there} album I bought by Eric Church, particularily the track 'How bout you?' Good ol' boy C and W Cheese! And I love it!)

Easy laps in the rain this morning, but at a bit of a lick! trying to push the pace through the week a little, seems to be working slowly. Like most of my running, everything seems to come in time and takes a while.

Distance took a while, speed was pretty quick to arrive...

Off to the NEC today to 'Music Live' a big expo/ music show. Can't wait!
Gonna hook up with the Zebra Boy as well! That's Mr dr_rush  to you..

And unfortunately a rather nice cheque arrived yesterday for some 'work' that I did a while back! Very bad, or good, timing depending on your point of view! Report later.

This especially with nozferatu46in mind but hey all of you may like...?

Bullet for my Valentine are a welsh band (but we don't hold that against them) who I don't think have had much of a show in the US yet and I think that you, noz , in particular will like them. 
Their latest album (admittedly the only one I have) is called 'Scream Aim Fire' and is quite good, gotta say. Wished I'd gone and seen them really.
Their web site has their two main vids on it from this last album. All good!

Eddie Vedder was/ is the lead singer of Pearl Jam. Their 'Ten' album is one of my all time favourites for many iconic reasons...time, location, songs - so much! So when I saw that he had a new solo album out - 'Into the wild', and with the lure of the fact that he's a ukulele fan as well, I got it.
Its great if you like his voice and a bit more imagination past a 'standard' rock sound. That sounds bad, not that I think Pearl Jam are a 'standard' but you get what I mean?

So take a look, pop a YouTube and do a download.

Let me know...

 Also titled...'Here's one for the Texan!'

I have a couple of new acquisitions...

We bought a new printer as the old gave up the ghost after many years valuable service. I like Canon Printers as the ink always seems more reasonable for them, compared to the others. This particular one is the iP4500 and it's very quick and very quiet, so all good really!

This is amazing! It is the very best thingy on the market at the moment for portable hand held digital recording. I know this as I have one! And I trawled round a recent trade fair looking for summat better that never came! The Zoom H4 (follow the link, it's good Tom!) can run on 2 AA batteries! It records to CD sampling quality and can cope with a 2Gb card. It will also multi track, okay only 4 tracks but the built in mics are what it's all about. They are AMAZINGLY good! Sensitive and rugged (just like me! HAH!). I have been using it for 3 days now and recorded all sorts of different stuff on it, get home in the evening and dump it all onto the comp as evidence for the days work! Just absolutley brill. And I aint even started using it myself yet...but i will dear friends and you will be the first....

This week I am on a schools tour with the 'Contemptabiles' (aka Rock n Pop dept) and we had the great pleasure of visiting
actasanctorum at his school!
The bleedin show off even got up and played 'I'm a Believer' with us as well! He did well, and played nicely on a guitar that looked like it was gonna strangle him, it was so high up his chest on somebody elses strap!

I'm playing Ukulele and electric violin this week with a varied set list to include:

All Blue
How Sweet it is
Route 66
Willie the Pimp (although we don't exactly call it that!)
What's the ugliest part of your body

And some other stuff that falls under the title of 'What ever grabs our fancy!' Be on your toes!

It's fun, and the first of the workshops are tomorrow with the older kids so that will be challenging but pretty cool hopefully. We wait and see...

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In other news...my new CD arrived today finally! Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison. And how about this for spooky. When i was growing up I used to go to this folk club at my friends dad pub (used to get served!) and one of the songs I remember to this day was about miners. I liked it cos you used to get to sing 'buggers' legitimately! Anyroad, having searched for this song lyric all over the internet to no avail...guess what turns up on the CD?
'Dark as the dungeon' as sung in a more laid back style by Johnny Cash!

Guess what I'm re-learning later?!

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In case you're interested..take a look at this post in runners by me...then have a giggle at todays entry...even if you're not a runner might make you smile.
Also have a look at how many people bothered to reply to me - how cool is that?!

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 Talking of 'how cool is that?' I'm off to take Biggun to bell ringing tonight, then out to Rock School with the BIG Bigguns...should be nice, I hope.

Take care all..

Okay, so not much making music (although did start sketch on 'Simplest Things,' a song thingy that really did convince me that as much as I'd like to believe it I really can't  sing. Boo!) but have been listening to some new which I'd like to share and gather opinion on!

First up is the new Prince Album. Not a huge fan. Purple Rain is about the only album I own, but with the advent of decent downloads thought I'd try it!

'Planet Earth'
 I bought it mostly out of interest and based on his purpleships great guitar playing! and...it's not bad! Bit R n B for me in places but s'ok for an easy listen. Great track 'Guitar,' Immortal line
"I love you, but not as much as I love my guitar" like it!

Next on the top recommendations is the new (ish!) Manic Street Preachers album. I know this has been around a while but they've just brought out my favourite track on the album as a single over here...
'Send Away the Tigers'
 The new single is 'Autumn Song.' Tried to embed the video for you but nowt happening. So check out the player on the Manics Myspace site. Click here... Just think it has a great riff!!

Also whilst I was topping up the ol' download credit i downloaded this, cos I was too lazy to brave the loft and get the CD down from amongst the rubble and spiders!

'Script for a Jesters Tear'
 Talk about life shaping music. I grew up with this band, first 12"  I owned, first gig I went to, First picture disc I bought and have their artwork eternally etched upon my person. As i said, life shaping.

So there you go! The current round up of music news....

On the request front...the new Velvet Revolver album 'Libertad' anyone got? is it any good?!
Also, Queens of the Stone Age and Smashing Pumpkins new albums. Any good? Worth a cheapy download?!

Let me know!

Here in the wet wet wet wet wet wet wet Uk we have just had announced the contenders for the Mercury Music Prize...

Always entertaining and very rarely predictable I was wondering if anyone wanted to make a prediction?!

Especially the more informed amongst us dr_rushI speak of thee!? Oh and perhaps Mr Acta...spose!

My money?

...is staying in me pocket!

BUT please don't let the bleedin Arctic Monkeys win!! Owt but them! Even Amy!

The week of 5 concerts has finally finished...

And what a week of surprises it was!

On Thursday I did an open Air performance of the Lion King with other stuff and oh, about 500 kids of 7 - 11 yr old!It was great. Unashamedly not too rock n roll just great! I was only playing Acoustic gtr, so nowt flash but I had a great time! The sound was good and the children all sang wonderfully! Even the band held it together! Surprising considering we had 3 pieces presented on the day to play and had never all met together before, like ever!  The things you do...

Also, good people in LJ Land...there was a reunion! Myself and the good Dr surprisingly met across a sea of children after 5 years! dr_rush as she is better known was in attendance with a whole host of adoring little cherubs (!) and none were more surprised than when we saw each other! It was very cool! So we chatted, and smiled as much as you can with various children sniggering happily behind yourback and wondering whether to go to the porta loos AGAIN just to see if they've changed as you're getting a bit bored waiting for the stage call...ANYHOW..it was good. All good. The sun shone the encores lasted and the audience was considerable.  Yay for me and the good dr!

And then we came to today.........

I was back again in the park, open air for the Rock School etc.

One word - rain!

As lovely as it was yesterday it was disgusting today! I had me waterproofs for the himalayas on today and the kids (mostly teens - so far to tough to wear anything remotely suitable!) were damp.
The stage was wet, the sound was hit and miss today and generally a real shame.
The weather, audience and event just didn't justify all the work that friends of mine had put in with the kids involved. I do feel very sorry and disappointed for them...maybe next year.

So after all that, a heavy pizza dinner, I'm off to tidy up, get slightly merry on something unsuitable downstairs (last tin of Guinness in fridge!Serious folks - send supplies!) and sit on me ownsome as the Boss is out...



...again. Just hope the small monstrosity don't wake up again as he did last night and COMPLETELY freak me out! Strange child!

I blame his father - no, wait that's

Went to bed a bit late last night...

Stayed up for the Boss coming back, romantic ol' sod that I am! The TV was terrible!

However I found the Glastonbury Festival being aired on BBC  3 I think it was. I started off on BBC 2 (bear with me here people!) with the Glastonbury Festival LIVE but with The Killers on. 

Sorry, not a big fan, even less of them live!

However with searching out the more obscure channels they were airing the second stage with John Fogerty on initially. Well he sounded good and played well, with a cool band behind him. So together with me book ( That I read in a day yesterday!) I half watched him.

Then the footage cut across LIVE (again) to another stage where the one and only IGGY POP was on! Now I'd seen this bloke on the TV a few times and knew that he was most famous for flashing his bits about, or so it seemed!

What a performance! What a body! What a band!

AND HE'S 60!?

I am now a convert and off to download some Iggy albums!

Addendum:T if you fancy 'Lust for Life' you know where to go!

So. There was this game ol' bird Anneka Rice. Well famous on British TV for ages running around and diving out of helicopters on game shows etc.
Anyroad apart from all our dads tuning in to watch her behind in various attractively 80's coloured track suits, she didn't really do a whole lot else!

HOWEVER...

Recently she did a 'Challenge Aneeka' program where they recorded a CD and produced it inside a week to raise money and awareness of the state of funding for terminally ill children's Hospices in the UK. The CD is dead easy listening and really inoffensive (apart from Lesley Garrett, and McFLy doing a dodgy version of 'You're the one that I want!') 

SO BUY IT PEOPLE!  Or at least consider it please. £2 from every sale is off to the children's hospices, so no pirating and copying! Have to say it's the first CD that I have 'bought' for ages!

 Here it is and here's the Amazon link..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Over-Rainbow-Various-Artists/dp/B000QGE75W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/026-1309357-8853265?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1181897695&sr=8-1

Or click the picture! (may work?)

Cheers!

I am in a 'snippet' mood today...

I am sure that there was a time and a place for 'Def Leppard;' but after listening to 'Let's Get Rocked' on Planet Rock (FM) I buggered if I can remember when (or why)  that was.

Currently trying to educate mesel with Norah Jones...1st track going well, especially for a Sunday Morning devoid of inspiration when I have to follow someone elses poorly artistic lead!

I'm back writing websites for people (pocket money) and the lead I have is very uninspiring!

It's a good day!

Weather is nice, had real music-enjoyment sess this morning. Played piano, Ukje and guitar all in succession for no other reason than I wanted to! Oh and the chord sequence for Bangles Eternal Flame was buggin me as it sits really nice on the Uke! New guitar still sounding nice!

And since we're on a muso scheme...my friend dr_rush 
(I am having such a hard time linking through to other people without corrupting the rest of my post!!!!!}:o( T I need some advice!?) 
has recommended a new TV prog over here called 'Seven Ages of Rock' I saw this prog (recorded it!) and was ever there a TV prog made for me?! Fantastic footage of Hendrix, The Who etc. I don't want to go too over board as it steals the thunder from her post, but a truly great, interesting and compelling, not to mention intellectual approach to the story of the kind of music that I love!! Can't wait for the rest of the series!

The Highlight of the program was a quote from Jimi himself. Apparently he had concerns over the standard of his voice, (not his guitar playing - there's a surprise!) but after hearing Bob Dylan sing he was convinced that if he could carry a song, so could Jimi! 
(Specially weird coincidence after conversation between mysel and Dr_Rush and ZB!!!)

Got back to a run today, after 2 days off and Sahlah..It was only 4 min 10! (The shame of it!) Mind you it was quick and covered ground! Still only 4 minutes though! Off to the Dr this week to see about all this nice gunk still around my chest and ears as its getting a little bit annoying now being muffled deaf! 

Mind you it's a help at times -"Sorry Dear? Which bit of the garden didn't you want me to attack?! No? Nothing? Ok!"

I'm not saying that it's raining a lot here at the moment - but the bloke next to us is stockpiling wood...and his pets have grown?! 

Right. The Boss took the day off and seemed to sleep most of it. Good. 

However, her tiredness doesn't seem to have effected her appetite! Bad! As it's moi who is now her personal chef and brow mopper! 

For goodness sake!

But thanks for all the kind wishes.

Anyroad, Back to the plot...

The backscene for the layout arrived last night. OMG I am going to havbe to pull something outta the hat for this layout. The art work on the back scene is amazing! What a great job! Really pleased it worked out and really happy that he did it for me, Just brill! Will post some pictures on the railway site soon.

Getting to grips with the digital multi track recorder this afternoon was fun now we have all the right leads in all the right places (always helps!) Did a funky little jingle esqe type of thing with one keyboard plugged into it!

Trawled all the way over to a shop tonight to get some more modelling stuff (woodland scenics Dan?! LOL!) and the bleedin place was shut! 
Do you have this strange thing in America where stores shut on a Wednesday afternoon? 
It seems so antiquated!? Bleedin annoying as well!

Anyroad, need to run in the rain again!

..take care

..a good day!

Work worked out and I discovered that I can play 'Jesus' hands were kind hands' on a clarinet! Bargain, never picked one up before! Just pleased I got a sound out!

Decided I shall be reincarnated as a clarinet player; just so I can play the Mozart concerto.

And the running regime started - again! Was a bit nervous about the ol' running thing as remember what it was like a month or three back when I started up again....Like packing in smoking, rough as 'ell at first but gets better and that's what you need to see.
But the short run to collect the monstrosity and the Biggun did me well. 

Keep asking people..it's only day one!

Also got a new web commission that looks viable.

I was knee deep in papier mache this evening doing things to the railway. Not posted the updated pictures from the papier mache yet. Love the stuff though.
Do you think that papier mache would ever have been invented if balloons weren't? Think on it?!

Tomorrow brings an afternoon of fun with one of these...
 FUN FUN FUN in the sun! (well rain, gonna be wet tomorrow)

And to round the day off..I'm going to this in November..caught the gig bug again! 

Yay for me!

..take care and good night.