Wednesday, July 20, 2011

COUNTRY


Once again I've neglected this blog. One reason is because I've recently got really into NBA basketball, despite the season just ending and the next one in jeopardy and I've been spending a lot of time reading about it and playing NBA2K11. Pathetic I know.

I might try a bit harder to update.

Monday, June 13, 2011


Phrases from How I Met Your Mother which are awesome:

Awesome
Suit Up!
A gentleman's agreement
Legen - wait for it - dary
Challenge accepted

Phrases from How I Met Your Mother which are not awesome:

Lawyered

I am a big fan of football, and this has increased since working on it. There are many minutes of downtime and although the internet is my oyster at this time, I tend to veer towards football sites as it doesn't look too untoward doing that when working on England and Manchester United.

Here is my assessment on the forthcoming season (this should really happen at the end of July but it's interesting to do it before the transfers start)

Arsenal: I like Arsenal, in particular Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere (please stay out of trouble). They need a centre back and for Fabregas to both stay and want to stay. If not, promote Aaron Ramsey and get a cheap midfielder as back up. They should probably buy a £20m striker too.

Aston Villa: It go to shit this year. Ashley Young is going, Stuart Downing wants to go and Darren Bent won't be too happy if they both leave. Hiring Alex McLeish will be a mistake. The fans should have shut up and let them hire Steve McLaren. I think he's alright.

Blackburn: Going down. Steve Kean will last about 6 games tops. They'll need to ditch him before the transfer window shuts.

Bolton: If they don't get Daniel Sturridge back they might struggle. Kevin Davies is aging and Gary Cahill should go to Arsenal if he knows what's good for him.

Chelsea: They'll do well if they get Hiddink. I really want Torres to come good. Get rid of Drogba but he is their best players. Not sure Neymar will really help. They need to look at bargains in the Rafael Van der Vaart vein.

Everton: Same old, finish about 8th. Moyes needs to kick around so he can become Man Utd manager in few years.

Fulham: Martin Jol is alright. I like Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey. I like Fulham. Here's hoping they do ok.

Liverpool: Could be a 4th place push this year. Carroll is great as is Suarez. Keep them fit and with Gerrard returning could be a big season. They need a centre back though.

Man City: If Tevez goes they could be screwed. Adebayor coming back might be ok but Tevez runs that club. He's a selfish player but he's amazing. I don't tip them for greatness this season but they will be a better unit than last season. I hope Balotelli comes good. We need players like that.

Man Utd: Booo! Stopped having any feelings for them since the Wayne Rooney debacle of last year, and don't get me started on Ryan Giggs. They need a central midfield quick smart and to start winding Rio Ferdinand down.

Newcastle: They'll need to spend that Carroll money wisely.

Norwich: Probably going down but we'll see what they bring. Don't really know anything about them.

QPR: The team to watch, on and off the pitch. Expect some marquee signings (probably the +30s) and Warnock to not last until Christmas. I hope they stay up and do well.

Stoke: Same old but Might have to stop relying on Delap as he's about 50.

Sunderland: It will be good if they get that Man Utd trio of Brown, O'Shea and Gibson. Gibson might come good in the hole left by Henderson. He's not United quality but he's better than a lot of the exits in previous years, namely Jonathan Greening.

Swansea: Who knows. Apparently they play quick attacking football.

Spurs: Might have to get a striker and ditch Crouch. Pavluychenko has shown he's the best striker there but you can't rely on Van der Vaart. And for god's sake, play Kyle Walker instead of Assou-Ekkoto, possibly the worst full back in the league.

WBA: Woy's steadied the ship. Good on him. Here's hope they stay up.

Wigan: Martinez may regret his decision. He'll get money from N'Zogbia but another dogfight is on the cards.

Wolves: Surely going down.

Friday, June 10, 2011


Today I finished my latest work stint. During the week I learned about who the captains of four international cricket teams are and wrote a brief history on the hat-trick in one-day international cricket.

As I was leaving I was given by the editor, Colin; a man whose face resembled that of Bret Mackenzie and wore his bald head with the most panache I have ever seen. He told me that NFL was his favourite thing in the world, and I respected him for that.

The pretty Canadian girl, who is always impeccably well dressed, was not so well dressed today. Her outfits are amazing and puts any woman who wears jeans and a top to shame. I feel as though I should dress up more myself.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011


'Discovered' the new Eisley album. It goes into the new playlist alongside City & Colour.

After three days working on the cricket programmes, I might be actually alright at what I'm doing at the moment. Add that to being asked back to FA and a good 8 weeks work set up, I might actually have found myself a new career. Whoopdedoop.

Had a dream with JS in it. I was a writer (am I?) and had to do a feature in The Sunday Times style section about her. She was some sort of domestic goddess and was being photographed in a kitchen but I was told she categorically had to wear yellow and it had to be in the pictures. We put her in a yellow 50s style dress and she posed a lot. Then I woke up.

Sunday, June 05, 2011


Went to the England game yesterday courtesy of PF. Took TM and I think he enjoyed it. England looked knackered. I would say to ditch the two centre-backs, especially Ferdinand, but there isn't anyone strong enough to go in there who you wouldn't think would be always liable to make a mistake. Ferdinand, Lampard and Gerrard will probably all retire after Euro 2012 so we might as well let them play on.

I like the Coldplay single, although I know they are capable of so much more. It's a bit Strawberry Swing, which was my least favourite song off the last album.

Haven't used my cheese grater yet.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011


I've awoken this morning very excited about things.

I'm excited about not working for the rest of this week.
I'm excited about the new Coldplay single.
I'm excited about my new cheese grater.
I'm excited about seeing Jerry Seinfeld on Friday.
I'm excited about seeing X Men First Class tomorrow.
I'm excited about being single.
I'm excited about getting back to my book.
I'm excited about buying some new clothes.
I'm excited about finding out which Olympic tickets I got.

Pic from Ira

Wednesday, May 25, 2011


Can't even remember where I got up to.

Had a great Quaite session on Sunday. A whole script edited and recorded with zero fuss. Just took about 5 hours that's all. Now we see what OR comes up with on the edit. It will be great to see/hear a rough cut.

Got some fortuitous work yesterday. Going to be at Four Four Two magazine for three weeks. JK said to try and get more week for the time in between but I'm looking forward to the time off.

I found out the Jim Fletcher died this morning. Very sad. DR sounded pretty heartbroken as you can imagine. I will be seeing him on Saturday.

Friday, May 20, 2011


I've had a weird feeling in my right ear since Sunday. I thought it was an infection but I went to the doctor yesterday and he said it was bunged up behind the ear drum. Hearing's been a bit shit all week but the Sudafed and ear drops seem to be working. If only the bloody ringing would stop. That's 20 years of gigs for you.

Speaking of gigs, went to see Grant Lee Buffalo on Wednesday. Not nearly busy as it should have been. After a slow start, they played a good set culled mainly from the first two albums. I would have loved it if one of the lesser songs was the killer but hands down it was Fuzzy.

I did next to no work today. One spread about the Under 21 Euros and wrote an opener for the Man Utd yearbook. Other than that, just sitting around looking at the internet. Don't tell anyone.

Another Friday in but the weekend looks quite busy so I'm not that bothered. And my ear is still giving me jip.

Moan moan moan.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011


Went to see the Uncaged Monkeys lecture show last night courtesy of AM. It was almost ruined by the nerd behind us trying to preempt everything that Brian Cox said but thankfully I resisted the opportunity to politely lambast him. If I had it could've ended up with one of two scenarios. Firstly he could have talked back to me and created a scene or, more likely, secondly I could have ruined his evening as he went inside himself. As he was having such a good time I didn't want to ruin his evening.

Anyway, the highlights of the evening were Brian Cox telling us about his favourite photographs, including the Pale Blue Dot and Ben Goldacre being angry.

Sunday, May 15, 2011


Got pretty drunk last night - so much so that I have no recollection of how I got home. I must have had enough of my wits to have got to the station and got on the train. I do remember watching the TV when I was home. Strange. Let's just hope I didn't do anything to upset anyone.

Got a haircut yesterday too, and a damn fine one at that. Well done Jeffrey's of Brentford.

In football news I was glad that Man City won the FA Cup, but it was far from a classic final. The bottom of the Premier League is pretty interesting. West Ham could go down today. They need to win but I'd like to see their good players move to bigger clubs. I still want Blackburn to go down but I don't see it happening.


Friday, May 13, 2011


Got paid yesterday which is good but it's not like I was desperate for the money. That said, being that much better off is better than not.

I finished Bird Song. It was good, great in places but the whole 1978 bit was only there to tell us that Stephen ended up marrying Jeanne. Just another way of putting in the post script. I didn't care for the 1970s woman. Why would I? I have now started Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd. Started well and the first page made me jump out of bed to write something down as a note for my second novel - need to finish the first one though.

I jumped back into MSF too. It may just be a reaction to getting dumped but who knows if it will lead anywhere. Despite the amount of women on there I don't actually find that many attractive. But let's face facts, how else am I really going to find someone.

Another Friday night in. Life used to be a lot more dynamic.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011


This morning at work had very little banter and then this afternoon was laugh aplenty.

On the way home I say adult geese standing watch over their baby geese (goslings?). Nature at work.

The Apprentice was equally as funny as the night before. Not sure why AM is adamantly against it, it's entertainment. They aren't as stupid as that even though they are all wankers. it's cut to make them look as poor as possible.

Been reading the RHCP book I got for my birthday. Interesting to hear Frusciante's side of the story, and it's got me listening to the Peppers again.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011


Today I received a receipt, sort of, saying that I have been/will be paid soon. I also have the details for the next two invoices, so I should be in the money soon. Just need to find some more work now.

As soon as I've written this I will watch The Apprentice. I watch it for the wanker competition that it is. You may think these people only exist on the programme, but there are at least two working opposite me.

I decided last night that I'm through with Glee. I was going off it anyway but I sort of stuck with it this year so I had something in common with LP. Now that's over I have no need for it. Might not bother watching The Event too, but Downton Abbey will be watched when it comes back.

I thought my amp had blown last night. I put the mini jack into the computer and there was a bang, then every time I tried to turn the amp on there was a pop. Luckily I unhooked the speakers and then turned it on this morning and it was fine.

Monday, May 09, 2011


It really shouldn't hurt to write a couple of lines about what I've been doing. It's of no interest to anyone, but if machines really are going to take over the world then it's the same as keeping a diary.
I thought work would be slow today but I ended up finishing the report of the England - Ghana game, the blurb about Holland and the report of the England U21 - Iceland game, despite only watching the highlights. Sshh.

I haven't been paid yet for the first month so I sent an email about all that. I need to do a new invoice too.

Music-wise I can't stop listening to both Young The Giant and We Are The Ocean. Best two albums I've heard so far this year. Still reading Bird Song by Sebastian Faulks.

The above photo was found on Tumblr. It's Bill Cosby looking pretty cool.

Friday, January 07, 2011

ROCK OF AGES

I just bought tickets to the Grant Lee Buffalo reunion tour. It was meant to be happening next week but old Grant tore and achilles or something and it's been put back to May. How did I not know about this sooner? I have to say I haven't been excited about a band reuniting since Faith No More, but that was tarnished a little by having seen them before. Only the resurrection of Shannon Hoon for a Blind melon tour could top this.

Enjoy Mockingbirds from Mighty Joe Moon, possibly their finest album.


Thursday, January 06, 2011

BRAND NEW MUSIC

I tried to make some music discoveries at the end of last year by visiting the best of the year pages on Absolutepunk and Punknews. Punknews proved a bit disappointing, serving up gravelly voiced pop punk which at best was not as good as Hot Water Music and at worst a bad Paddingtons.

Absolutepunk didn't give me much I hadn't heard of, unlike last year when I got P.O.S. and The Dangerous Summer, but it did throw up The Republic Of Wolves, a Brand New-alike band from Long Island. The songs Greek Fire and Oarsmen are amazing and worthy of anyone's attention.


Tuesday, January 04, 2011

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS

Right, I'm bringing this blog back. Random links and videos that cross my path.




Let's start with the latest Funeral Party video. I might have to start spending my winters in Los Angeles.