FeStiVaL RaNdOmNess

Picture one is a recyclable pint pot which my mate Steve had great pleasure in ripping to pieces!! He then placed 10p on top as he felt a little guilty afterwards!!! Why would you go to a festival and spend the day picking up used pint pots? To get 1 pint you would have to pick up 36!! Whatever floats your boat!!Picture 2 is simply of Jesus who appeared when Ian Brown sang 'Fools Gold'..a second coming??? mwa mwa!! :-Dx

FestiVaL FooD - MMmmm?

 

 Festival food - Just thought I would take some pics of some of the food I ate at the festival!!! In a drunken haze pork and stuffing seems like a good option??? I wanted beef in my yorkshire pudding but they only had...pork!!!! I had a bit of a pork weekend!! My poor digestive system!!!Gillian Mckeith would be very interested in my bowel movements...I think I abducted an alien??? :-Dx

RaDiOhEad - LeeDS

Radiohead play epic Leeds Festival headline show

Thom Yorke and co bring new material and hits to Bramham Park

Radiohead played an epic headline set at the Leeds Festival tonight (August 29), playing new material plus fan favourites including 'Just', 'Paranoid Android' and 'Lucky'.

The Oxford band played a two-hour set to a large crowd at Bramham Park, with the stage decked out with huge lit-up cylinders and screens projecting live footage of the five band members behind and side stage.

They opened the set with '15 Step', from their most recent album 'In Rainbows', and 'OK Computer''s 'Airbag', before frontman Thom Yorke addressed the crowd.

"You might know this one," he said before 'There There', which features on their 2003 'Hail To The Thief' album. "I have no fucking idea which ones you know and which ones you don't know, to be honest." Guitarists Jonny Greenwood and Ed O'Brien flanked him, playing percussion for the song.

"This one is for when you want it but you can't have it," Yorke later said before 'Lucky'. "Oh, that's the wrong song," he added.

Following 'Nude', the frontman positioned himself behind an electric piano and introduced 'Morning Bell' as "from our record 'Kid A', I don't know if you know it?", prompting cheers.

"Where's the bastard now then?" he said, following '2+2=5', seemingly referring to former US President George W Bush.

Following '(nice dream)', the cylinders above the stage came into full effect, glowing with a green rain-style lighting effect during 'The Gloaming'.

Radiohead ended the first stint of their set with 'Idioteque', before returning to kick off their encore with 'Amnesiac' album track 'You And Whose Army?'.

Yorke stared intently into a camera as he played piano during the song, the lens zooming in to portray a close-up of his eyeball on the big screens.

"This is a new song, called 'These Are My Twisted Words'", he said next, introducing the track that they recently offered as a free download. "For which I need... chords," he added while a tech fiddled with wires at his feet. "It's alright, we can all get drunk later," he said as the problem was quickly sorted.

"We know you're all fucked," Yorke said before playing the opening bars of 'Paranoid Android'. "If you see anyone off on something tonight, this is for them," he added.

They then played 'Just', which Yorke described as a "change of plan" from the setlist. They followed with 'Everything In Its Right Place' to close the set, taking bows before leaving the stage to end the second night of Leeds Festival 2009.

The band now head to the Reading Festival to close events there with a headline slot tomorrow.

Radiohead played:

'15 Step'
'Airbag'
'There There'
'All I Need'
'Lucky'
'Nude'
'Morning Bell'
'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi'
'2+2=5'
'A Wolf At The Door'
'Videotape'
'(Nice Dream)'
'The Gloaming'
'Reckoner'
'The National Anthem'
'Bodysnatchers'
'Idioteque'
'You And Whose Army?'
'These Are My Twisted Words'
'Jigsaw Falling Into Place'
'Paranoid Android'
'Just'
'Everything In Its Right Place'

All I can say is that Radiohead were fooking amazing. The whole place was just buzzing. Wierd Fishes and Idioteque were stand out moments. You could feel the floor bouncing!!!People say'I saw the Beatles, The Stones, The Doors etc.. I can say 'I saw Radiohead'.. they were that good!!! Just sky+ the Reading set which they are going to play tonight!!BBC 3 from 9.30 onwards. The photos are ones I took last night from Leeds :-Dx Iceage a coming, Iceage a coming!!whoop whoop!!! :-Dx

SaMbUcA

Flaming Sambuca

Sambuca may be served in a shot glass and then set on fire for a second or two, in order to increase its flavour.

Another alternative is to catch the fumes in a snifter, and then drink the heated shot, after which the fumes are sucked up from the snifter through a straw, this method is similar to the controversially named Sambuca Gas Chamber, where a measure of Sambuca is poured into a low but wide glass, it is then set on fire using a long match, then it is left to burn for no more than 3 seconds before it is extinguished, the Sambuca is drunk, the glass is turned upside down and tilted upwards so the fumes can be enjoyed through a straw!!


I am currently in Leeds chasing the Sambucca Dragon!!!
Happy in the haze of a drunken hour!!!!! :-Dx

NeW OrDeR - FiRsT GiG

Eureka moment - the first gig I went to with my mates, New Order at Preston Guild Hall 22nd of October 1985. The princely sum of £4!! :-D I still vividly remember the night, even after all these years and I kept the ticket, a bit of a habit!! 5 of us crammed into a friends car, a Peugeot 205 if I recall, the height of chic at the time! 30 minute drive to Preston, park up and then walk up to the Guild Hall. I was consumed by the whole atmosphere, people trying to flog tickets, t-shirts and tapes as you approached the entrance. The crowd consisted of a whole plethora of different types of people of all age groups, teens to middle aged. The play list from the gig was as follows;

Ceremony, The Perfect Kiss, Love Vigilantes, As It Is When It Was, State of the Nation, Broken Promise, Subculture, 586, Sunrise, Your silent Face

We went down to the front in the 'mosh' and as the gig started with Ceremony there was some crazy Ian Curtis dancing (the former lead singer of Joy Division now New Order after he had committed suicide, who used to have fits on stage which he disguised with his dancing, check Youtube) as the set progressed there was an increasing vibe that something was going to kick off in the audience, then all hell broke loose, about 20 lads dressed in combat gear and newly bare chested started to shout and give Nazi salutes. Blackburn Youth a right wing group had turned up in force. New Order were plagued with association with right wing groups due to their name. Joy Division-a group of German prostitutes during the war and New Order with it's German connotations. The audience scattered to leave a core of Blackburn Youth stood in the middle saluting and shouting abuse at the rest of the crowd. It wasn't long before the Preston lads started to wade into them and for about ten minutes a series of rucks occurred until it was all cleared. I of course had got well out of the way but watched fascinated by the spectacle before me. Once the trouble was sorted the gig continued. I still remember how it felt to feel the power of the speakers rushing through my chest as Subculture boomed out of them. I felt alive in a way I had never experienced before,(I felt so extraordinary as the song goes) like a new drug, I was happy here, I knew I wanted more of this, the buzz, the atmosphere, the thrill of live music pumping through my veins. The gig finished and excitedly we talked about what had happened, our favourite song etc...I got home tired, sweaty but couldn't wait until I got into my bedroom, and got my New Order and Joy Division records on the turntable. I barely slept that night....a Eureka moment!! I still love live music, comedy, theatre and dance, it is part of who I am...I best go and get the rest of my stuff together for Leeds Festival!!! I think I will ask people about their first gig experiences see what sort of response I get!! :-Dx

InGLouRiouS BaStErDs - 2

The two stunningly beautiful actresses from Inglourious Basterds!!
They both portray really strong and powerful characters in the film not just typical weak Hollywood females. Tarantino has a real eye for beautiful and powerful women, eg.Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. I will qualify this by example. I went to see Coco before Chanel at the cinema a couple of weeks ago. I was tricked!! I thought I was going to see Mesrine!! It starred the beautiful Audrey Tautou of Amelie fame. The Coco Chanel story is an interesting story but they have made the story all Hollywood friendly. She was obviously a very strong person but the over riding feeling you get from the film is that she was reliant on men. It feels as if the filmakers have over emphasised the romance element of the film to appeal to a certain audience ie. mainstream. You come away with the impression that she was seeing a married man so how strong a female could she have been? Unless you believe in the notion that you only truely love one person ever? If that is the case then why didn't he love her the same way? Again, you should go and see the film yourself as it is beautfully shot but if I had to give it a mark it would be 3/10 for me. I went and got another pint half way through!! :-Dx

InGLouRiouS BaStErDs

Tarantino has stated that despite it being a war film, Inglourious Basterds is his "Spaghetti western but with World War 2 iconography." In addition to spaghetti westerns, the film also pays homage to the World War II "macaroni combat" sub-genre (itself heavily influenced by spaghetti-westerns), as well as French New Wave cinema. This is re-affirmed with the soundtrack which contains 4 tracks from Ennio Morricone.

I am not going to go into lots of detail about the film as I am sure there are lots of reviews out there! I am just going to say what I thought made the film unique;

1) The detail Tarantino puts into the characters- Hans Lander the Jew Hunter!!(fave)
2) The dialogue - Hans Lander the Jew Hunter, say no more!!
3) The violence - scalping(should I really laugh at this!!)
4) The beautiful but strong females he portrays in the film(all his films) Melanie Laurent - hot!!
5) The famous stand off scene he has in all his films(bar in the basement)
6) No character is safe from being killed-there are always surprises
7) The humour - some serious inappropriate belly laughs
8) The soundtrack - spaghetti western tastic
9) The concept behind the film - the sociological battlefield at that time with the racism and barbarism on all sides
10) When the film finished there was a buzz of people talking about it as they walked out of the cinema!!! A thought provoking film!! Not sanatised American pap!!
11) If you loved Pulp Fiction and Resevoir Dogs you will love this - Defo a 9/10 fim!!! Go and see it....make your own mind up. I am sure you will love it!!! :-Dx

LeEdS FeStiVaL

OOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo - Sambucca and wellies packed!!!! :-Dx
My fave festival I have to say!!! I love going to Leeds every year!! Always have a great time and this year the line up looks amazing. I am really looking forward to seeing Radiohead again! The Maccabees and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I am sure there will be lots more to talk about by the end of the weekend!!I might even go on the dodgems...lol!!! fun times with friends!!! Can't beat them!! :-Dx Checkout House of Cards in the Video Bar below....excited...excited..whoop whoop!!! :-Dx

WNC - LiVEsTrOnG

I have been in training for the Nottingham Marathon where we are going to run a relay for charity. Had a really quick run tonight. 9.5miles in about 1hr 3mins with the first 2 miles being fairly slow. I am losing a little bit of the beer gut and feeling more like a runner again. I have organised for the team to do a 5k race next week so we can make the final selection. Hopefully raise about £250 which is £50 each for Cancer Research and also raise awareness of testicular cancer amongst the students. I want the team to run under 3 hours which should be possible!!

wHy X FaCtOr iS ShiTe!!

X Factor - Where to start...I detest this programme with a passion. I don't understand why anyone with any taste in music or compassion for other humans could watch this and enjoy it? Not to mention Simon Cowell!! T.W.A.T.!!
Let me qualify what I mean...

1) This programme reinforces bullying by humiliating people who sometimes have learning difficulties for others entertainment.
2) It is designed to patronise so called working class people with the dream that they can escape their own lives by winning this competition. Another example of this is the Lottery which is a tax on the poor. (this has been proven by research-demographics etc)
3) I would have no problem with this programme if they showed people who had already qualified beforehand eg. they could sing.
4) The people they pick have been watched 2 or 3 times before they are put on TV so they know exactly how bad they are..They just want to humiliate them for entertainment.
5) I use this as a lesson I teach and I am shocked at the reactions that I get from students, how cruel they are...What sort of society do we want to create? Remember this is one of the most popular programmes on TV.
6) Saturday night TV X-Factor, Lottery - lets create a society that doesn't need to work hard because they can win the Lottery or X-Factor? Lets not think about working hard...Bands have to learn how to play instruments and play gigs and work hard to be successful..Life is tough for most people.
7) When you are sat on the sofa with your glass of wine on a Saturday night does it make you feel better about yourself watching people who are clearly talentless, desperate and willing to humiliate themselves in front of millions of people to give you a laugh?
8) If a group of kids were humiliating one child would you stop them? Would you think it was wrong to encourage such behaviour? What if your child was one of the group humiliating and bullying one child? I have no idea how people would answer these questions but I would like to think most people would think it was wrong!!

I like every person have a choice not to watch this programme and I choose not to. If people choose to watch, then they are more than entitled to if they enjoy watching this s##t!!! I don't understand why anyone would watch this programme with an ounce of compassion in them??
I have much better things to do on a Saturday night.

I know people will say it is just a bit of fun but it isn't in my opinion. This programme is endemic of the society we live in. Sad indeed!!! :-(

MoViNg - AgAiN

Moving - I seem to be permanently on the move at the moment!! I am just sorting out moving for the seventh time in just over a year and a half. They say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in your life..I must love the stress??? I am also moving office at work as well, which came out of the blue... fun fun fun. The thing I find hardest about moving is what to keep and what to throw away. Slowly but surely I am getting less and less possessions...easier to move..but what should you keep ? For example, Mr Bully in the picture. Somebody went on holiday and they bought me a wind up bull as a silly present. I never really knew the person that well at the time so it was a little bit of a nice surprise that they had thought of me on holiday, enough to buy me a silly present. Knowing this person a lot more now I know they would have put alot of thought into this. Everytime I wind the bull up I think of that person. So even though to most people it is just a wind up bull to me it is something that somebody bought me when they were thinking about me in a nice way and it makes me smile and think of them. I think from my experiences over the last couple of years we keep things that have meaning to us as individuals, whatever they are. e.g. my Accrington Stanley hat, I never really wear it any more but my mother bought it me so I have it in my office as a reminder of her. Reading this makes me realise what a sentimental person I am.This can be a good and bad trait but I quite like the fact that such a small thing can make me think of someone that I don't see very much, so I will be keeping Mr Bully a little bit longer...I have just wound up 'Bullseye' and he still works a treat!! It has made me think of the person that bought it me and made me smile..I am a dick!!! :-Dx

A GrAnD - mOnEy DoNt CoMe FoR FrEE?

I have just sold a couple of Banksy prints and have got paid in cash!! how old fashioned. I should be happy but I can't escape the feeling of loss. The prints I have sold for nearly £1500 cost me £180!! I should be jumping up and down! But, I still remember the first time I saw the Napalm print in 2004 in the Observer and thought 'what the fuck' that is amazing. I then researched Banksy and bought his artwork before he became mega famous. The Flag print I had to queue up for overnight in London. Al the money from the print went to help with eye operations in Africa. Limited edition print of 1000 = £100,ooo pounds in one morning..nice one Mr B!! :-D
Anyway, the point of this!! I get paid a fair salary as a lecturer but I don't actually physically see real money of this amount anymore. It just gets paid into an account. You don't physically see money in such amounts these days. When I first started working I got paid in cash every week, I was always skint by Tuesday!!lol! To actually handle money of this quantity felt quite odd! Where should I hide it? I couldn't get to the bank until Monday!Under the bed?I felt like a bit of a drug dealer with a wad of cash!! lolol!! It made me feel uncomfortable..a bit like when you lose your mobile phone..I feel much safer these days with plastic..except when somebody might hack your account or steal your I.D. from the bin!!! I felt rich for all of 10 minutes before I looked at my overdraft!! Like a big red monster it swallowed it, except for a couple of treats maybe. It would be stupid and naive of me to think that money doesn't make life easier etc..but it's far from everything and I am glad I have a career and ethos that doesn't revolve around money. :-Dx

ThE FuTuRe iS UnWriTTeN - JoE StrUmmEr

Along with the Sex Pistols the Clash are one of the most influential bands ever to come out of the UK. I had a basic knowledge of the Clash before watching this biopic of Joe Strummer. The film itself shows just how huge and influential the Clash were at the height of their fame. They influenced people such as Martin Scorsese, Bono and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to name a few. The film is no romantic vision of the band and doesn't hold back from showing how the band disintegrated because of fame, drugs and alcohol. The film is beautifully shot and has both positive and negative or shall we say honest opinions of Joe Strummer because after all he was only human. He would be the first to accept this opinion as being realistic and honest. However, the one thing I will take away from this film is near to the end, just before his sudden death, Joe and Mick reformed after years of not speaking to each other to do an impromptu gig in aid of the Fire Service who were on strike at the time. He still stood up for what he believed in...A rare trait these days. RIP Joe. Watch this if you love music, you will not be disappointed 8/10
Checkout Train in Vain in the video bar..One of my fave Clash tunes. :-Dx

FaVe ALbUmS ThiS yEaR - sO fAr

ALBUMS OF 2009 (so far)

Kasabian -
Temper Trap -
Wild Beasts -
The XX's -
The Maccabees -
Friendly Fires -
Noah and the Whale -
The Horrors -
Yeah Yeah Yeahs -
Pete Doherty -

If I had to say which was my favourite album so far this year it would have be The Maccabees, then Kasabian and The Horrors close by!!It is only August so things might change!! :-DX

SuPeR FuRRy AniMaLs

Going to see the Super Furry Animals today/tonight!!
The View as well!!Supergrass... Can't wait!!
The weather is sunny for once, thankfully, as it is open air and in a forest??

I hope they play my favourite song which is Fire in my Heart!!
Checkout the videobar at the bottom of the page.
The first one on the left is the oficially video.
It is such a beautiful song and goes like this:

Fire in my Heart

I've got a fire in my heart for you
I've got a fire in my heart for you
I've got a fire in my heart
'Though I'm falling apart
Still I've got a fire in my heart for you

I've got pins and needles for you
I've got pins and needles for you
You've got needles and pins
And the seven deadly sins
Still I've got a fire in my heart for you

I've a butterfly stomach for you
I've a butterfly stomach for you
And as the cars fly by
I just break down and cry
Still I've got a fire in my heart for you

Well the monkey puzzle tree
Has some questions
For the watchdogs of the profane
And I ask is it sad
That I'm driving myself mad
As this fire in my heart turns blue?

I've got a fire in my heart for you (X4)

WriStBaNds

Why Keep festival wristbands on?
It is a good point!! Why?
Well for me it is just a reminder of the good times I have had.
When I am having a crap day at work or I am feeling a little cheesed off I can look at my wristbands and think of the great times I had at Latitude, Leeds and the Why Not festivals.
Like having a photograph on your phone etc.. I have a reminder on my arm!!

1) Latitude - Went with my mates, first time I have camped at a festival for years, Pink Sheep!!
2) Leeds - Went with the x and stopped in the Hilton.Had an ace time and went on the Dodgems.
3) Why Not - Met some really nice people who have become friends.

It also lets other people know that I like going to festivals. I have had loads of conversations with people I don't know because of my wristbands..they might have been to the same festival or just ask what I thought of them.
People spend alot of money on jewellery, watches etc...this has never interested me in the slightest. I like people to know I go to festivals because festivals and music play a big part in my life so the wrisbands are part of my identity.
How many is too many though??? I think 3 or 4 are enough, so I will start to cut them off after Leeds this year.
Less than a week to Leeds!!! excited!!
Looking forward to seeing Super Furry Animals tomorrow too....exciting times!! :-Dx

LeEdS FeStiVaL

Officially very excited!!!!
Really looking forward to seeing;

Radiohead
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Maccabees
Xx's
Ian Brown
Prodigy
Passion Pit
La Roux
Artic Monkeys

To name a few!!!!
Also whatever else I might stumble on!!!!! yeah baby.. bring it on :-Dx

MaNchEster 2

Had one of those days in Manchester were you just see loads of things to buy..
Going for the retro look at the moment....

1) 70's and 80's ties...love the brown one made out of Terylene
2) record bag with a cool buckle made out of a leather jacket...how coolio
3) authentic 80's watch...it has a green circle thing and a flashing stopwatch..it's ace

All these for £60..I bought some other stuff but these are my favourites.
My new identity as retro man!!! :-Dx

LyRiCs Of LiFe

CHAIRLIFT - BRUISES

I tried to do handstands for you

I tried to do headstands for you

Everytime I fell you on yeah everytime I fell

I tried to do handstands for you

But everytime I fell for you

I'm permanently black and blue, permanently blue for you

I tried to do handstands for you

I tried to do headstands for you

Everytime I fell on you yeah everytime I fell

I tried to do handstands but everytime I fell for you

I'm permanently black and blue, permanently blue for

You-ooo etc...

For you-ooo etc...

So black and blue-oooo etc...

For you-ooo etc...

I grabbed some frozen strawberries so I could ice your bruisy knees

But frozen things they all unfreeze and now I taste like

All those frozen strawberries I used to chill your bruisy knees,

Hot July ain't good to me I'm pink and black and blue

I got bruises on my knees for you

And grass stains on my knees for you

Got holes in my new jeans for you

Got pink and black and blue

Got bruises on my knees for you

And grass stains on my knees for you

Got holes in my new jeans for you

Got pink and black and blue for

You-ooo etc...

For you-ooo etc....

So black and blue-ooo etc...

For you-oooo etc....

Do-doo-do-do-do

Bruised - a good description...permanently blue for you!!! just an addictive melody which makes you smile!! :-Dx

LyRiCs Of LiFe

kASABIAN - FIRE

Shake me into the night and I’m an easy lover

Take me into the fight and I’m an easy brother

And I’m on fire

Burn my sweet effigy I’m a road runner

Spill my guts on a wheel I wanna taste ah huh

And I’m on fire, and I’m on fire
And I’m on fire, I’m on fire

Wire me up to machines I’ll be your prisoner

Find it hard to believe, you are my murderer

I’m on fire behind you

Heads a falling sky

I’m on fire, I’m on fire

And I’m on fire, I’m on fire

Move on, You got to move on

Im gonna get you real good

So you can shake on

Move on, You got to move on

I’m gonna get ya real good

So you can shake on

When I heard this song driving home on Monday night it summed up exactly how I feel at the moment..on fire!! yeah baby :-Dx

EurEkA mOMEnTs - StEphEn HaWkiNg

I have been reading about Stephen Hawking and his theories. Hawking is known to have used mental pictures in order to gain insight into the surface area of black holes. What started as a esoteric problem in black hole dynamics, eventually led to one of the greatest discoveries in physics. He visualised in his mind that the surface area of a black hole can never decrease, by considering the paths of light rays hovering just at the event horizon of two black holes. This idea came into his mind as he was getting into bed. He had a EUREKA moment!

Theory: The rays of light that form the event horizon, the boundary of the black hole, can never approach each other. Consequently, the area of the event horizon(i.e. the black hole surface) might stay the same or increase with time, but it could never decrease. Otherwise, it would mean that at least some of the rays of light in the boundary would have to be approaching each other..which is not possible!!!!

I quite like the idea of EUREKA moments...maybe not as significant as Stephen Hawking but I think you can apply eureka moments to your life. Where you have made a decision or done something that has changed your life!! I can think of three;

1) Going to see New Order at Preston Guild Hall

2) Deciding to go to University as a mature student

3) Travelling around the world

I think I have had the third one this week but I am not sure yet?? The two eureka moments I have had may not seem that significant to other people but these events have both had massive impacts on my life and have changed the direction of it without a shadow of a doubt! I am going to ask people I know to tell me about their eureka moments. I think it will be really interesting to find out what people consider their eureka moments!!! I think this could be a new project!! Who turned my light on.. crazy days!! :-Dx

LaBeLs - WhO dO yOu ThiNk i aM?

What we wear has a massive bearing on our identity. What I wear gives people an opinion of me without even knowing anything about me. Everyone likes to feel good about themselves and a major part of that is about feeling comfortable with how we look. It doesn't matter sometimes what other people think, it is more about ourselves. This is because someone might say 'you look good in a suit' but if you feel more comfortable wearing jeans and a t-shirt then ultimately that is what you will choose to wear most of the time. While one person feels comfortable in a shirt and tie another would feel stifled and undo the tie at the first opportunity.Some people like to be clean shaven, some like to grow a beard. These are just two examples how people might judge us without knowing anything about us.

eg. suit and clean shaven = ?

jeans and t-shirt unshaven = ?

suit and unshaven = ?

jeans and t-shirt clean shaven = ?

Each option might make people think of someone in a different way. I mean, why wear and suit and tie and not be clean shaven? Is that person saying I have to wear a suit but really I would rather just be wearing jeans and a t-shirt? Either purposely or not we think about what we wear everyday. To some people this is far more important than others but everyone does it.

Also, clothes or the way we look can be a way we identify with others e.g. Mods, SKA, Punks, Goths, Emo, New Wave. If people are into a certain type of music they will dress in a certain way that lets others know. They can then identify with others who have the same interests without even knowing them. Other examples of this are Rival gangs who use different clours to identify each other and football hooligans 'casuals' who have a certain way of dressing and wearing certain labels synonymous with football such as Stone Island. Just like being a supporter of a football club identifies people as wanting to belong to a certain group, choosing to wear certain clothes is someone telling the rest of the world this is who I want you to think I am!!It was good to get some feedback in the pub tonight!!! We can also alienate ourselves from people if we dress in a certain way!! good point H!!

MaNcHeSteR

Manchester - I fookin love it!! Always have..From the age of 14 I have visited Manchester on a regular basis. From the music scene, gigs, nightlife, fashion, attitude and the people it is the place I identify with the most. The way the city has redeveloped over the last 10 years is amazing. If you have never been to Manchester I would highly recommend it. The Northern Quarter is just the best place to spend a day/night. It is full of independent bars and shops. One of my favourite places to go to when I visit Manchester is the Vintage Cafe on the top floor of Afflecks Palace. Described as

'Afflecks is an emporium of eclecticism, a totem of indie commerce and above all else a fantastic place to SHOP for any thing from Top hats to tattoos.'

I love to just sit in the cafe and pass the time of day while doing a little people watching. the strangest people pass through. Makes me feel soo normal. The place itself is going through a renaissance and is the liveliest I have seen it in a long time. I purchased some great stuff yesterday!! Some of the best ties ever at a fraction of the price and an authentic 80's digital watch!very nice.

As far as identity is concerned the music that has come from Manchester is by far the most important of the last 30 years in my opinion. From Joy Division/New Order, The Stone Roses and Oasis they have had a massive cultural impact on England not just Manchester. I'm not interested in that football club but I guess a few people are!!

I miss spending time in Manchester and after this weekend I will be rectifying that as much as possible. :-Dx

AccRinGton StAnLeY

Been home this weekend...back to Accrington. Maybe because I'm in a strange situation at the moment I am evaluating/reflecting on everything? Going back to Accrington feels quite odd these days because it doesn't actually feel like home anymore. It actually feels like another life I used to lead. What I mean by that is, I haven't lived there for 14 years now and when I go back even though my family and old friends are there it just feels so different to the life I lead now in Nottingham. The place just seems so small. Not much has changed, if anything it has got more run down. Which is sad because I have had some great times there. Even though I know that I will never live there again it is always nice to catch up with old friends over a beer or two on a Sunday afternoon. :-D

How does this link to identity? Well, when I left Accrington to go to University I deliberately went far enough away so that it would stop me going home. The first university I went to was Worcester which mean't I had a three hour drive if I wanted to go home. I remember to this day my mother crying as I left to go to Worcester as she said that she knew I would never come back to Accrington to live again..As a leaving gift she bought me an Accrington Stanley hat just so I never forgot where I came from. I wore this at football practise every week during the winter!! In fact I now have it in my office at work as it reminds me of my Grandad who used to take me to the Stanley matches as a child. I occasionally go to see them when I am back home and always follow their results. The Stanley motto is 'the club that wouldn't die', it is a truly amazing story,not just about football. It shows how important football is to people and to there identity. I will never forget where I came from!! I am proud to say that I was born in Accrington. Even though to be honest, it is a bit of a shithole !! :-Dx

Jeff Aerosol

Randomly strolling through Brussels on a Sunday morning and came across this vinyl/cd store covered in Jeff Aerosol artwork...coolio baby!! :-Dx

ArTwOrK FoR SaLe

Checkout my Banksy's!! I am selling off a large proportion of my art collection over the next month! Planning on doing another around the world trip next year so need to get some funds. The first one is called 'Napalm' and the second is called 'Flags.' Both have different stories. The Napalm print is the reason I got into Banksy quite a few years ago after I saw this image in the Observer. The second image Flags I queued up for over night in London. It was a special one off print that Banksy did that raised money for eye operations in Africa. I will be sad to see them go but that's life. Both look amazing in the flesh and are framed to archival standards and are great investments. Make an offer!! I will be selling other prints from Obey Giant, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Insect, Nick Walker, Spradio etc...to name a few!!! :-Dx

2000 TrEEs FeStiVaL

Festival toilets??? just in case you haven't seen one!! ;-D
I quite liked the fact this one had a joystick!! and it was clean!!
It was like being in my very own space ship!! :-Dx

LyRiCs oF LiFe

Noah & The Whale - Blue Skies

This is a song for anyone
With a broken heart
This is a song for anyone
Who can't get out of bed

I'll do anything
To be happy
Oh cause blue skies are calling
But I know that it's hard

This is the last song
That I write
While still in love with you

This is the last song
That I write
While you're even on my mind

Cause it's time to leave
Those feelings behind
Oh cause blue skies are calling
But I know that it's hard

I don't think that it's the end
But I know we can't keep going
I don't think that it's the end
But I know we can't keep going

But blue skies are calling
Oh yeah blue skies are calling
Oh blue skies are calling

I remember going to see these at the Social before they got relatively big!!!
They were/are ace live!! Happy days..sometimes it is just time to say goodbye :-Dx

RoMaNiA

Special White - she is a special lady indeed!! Flew back to the Uk just to see us!! I am not sure where she is hiding at the moment? I think Mr Ridgill might have her in his office? :-Dx

RoMaNiA

I love this picture!!! Lizz drew it when we were in a massive cellar bar in Cluj in Romania!!It is the bar where Vlad and Jo met!!We stayed in the bar all afternoon/night and it was one of the best nights of the holiday!!Can't wait for the next adventure in Krakow :-Dx

UCU

Being a Union Rep has been interesting to say the least!!!!The College I work at has been going through redundancy procedures.It is not as bad as other colleges but still some friends have been involved.Had some really good news this week as it looks like my intervention in a case will mean that a good friend of mine won't be made redundant!!!!!!I had been wondering long and hard whether or not to carry on so...it's nice to get some positive news!! yeah :-Dx

FasCiNatEs

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. Andy Warhol

I am so angry with myself at the moment...... Grrrrrr

GoOd ThiNgS

If you don't do things that challenge you as a human being life would be far less interesting!! :-Dx

LyRiCs oF LiFe

Fear

For each a road
For everyman a religion
Find everybody and rule
For everything and rumble
Forget everything and remember
For everything a reason
Forgive everybody and remember

For each a road
For everyman a religion
Face everybody and rule
For everything and rumble
Forget everything and remember
For everything a reason

You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)

Final eternity arouses reactions
Freeing excellence affects reality
Fallen empires are ruling
Find earth and reef

Fantastic expectations
Amazing revelations
Final execution and resurrection
Free expression as revolution
Finding everything and realizing

You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)

(Fantastic expectations
Amazing revelations
Finding everything and realizing
For everything a reason)

F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
F.E.A.R. (You got the fear)
You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear
You got the fear

Listening to the Monkey Man a bit at the moment!!! For everything a reason...doesn't feel like that at the moment but I am sure that what has happened to me over the last 3 weeks will make sense one day!! :-$x

MeTaMoRphFaCe 7

hALF Beard Half Clean..I am A RoBot...A mAn mAchIne
Split Personality
To beard or not to beard?
Just been to the Co-op and the checkout person couldn't look at me properly!!!
That is the funniest thing I have done in ages!!the look on her face!! It took all my will power not to laugh as I paid for the bottle of wine. :-Dx

REaD BeTwEEn The LiNeS !!!

By far the best programme on TV!! :-Dx

A brief synopsis of the 5 series;

Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. They are, in order: the drug trade, the port, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals, and how whether you're a cop, a longshorman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge [or a] lawyer, you are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution you've committed to."

It is just unreal, each individual series builds up to a climax and the next series then deals with the ensuing chaos and fallout. The Individual characters, such as McNulty,Bump,Omar and Marlow are legendary.... miss it at you peril.... :-Dx

LyRiCs oF LiFe

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

sweet disposition never too soon oh reckless abandon like no one's watching you
a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a moment, a love a dream, a laugh
chorusjust stay there cause i'll be comin over and while our bloods still young it's so young it runs and we won't stop til it's over won't stop to surrender
songs of desperation I played them for you a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a moment, a love a dream, a laugh
chorus:just stay there cause i'll be comin over and while our bloods still young it's so young it runs and we won't stop til it's over won't stop to surrender
a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs (won't stop til it's over)a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs(won't stop til it's over)a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs (won't stop til it's over)a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a moment, a love a moment, a love (won't stop to surrender

This song is looping around my head at the moment....love the part.

a moment, a love a dream, a laugh a kiss, a cry our rights, our wrongs (won't stop til it's over)

:-Dx

SNuFF - ChuCk PalAhNiuK

I have just finished reading Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk...A typical Palahniuk book with marginalised characters who react with self destructive and aggressive behaviour..What the author likes to call 'transgressive fiction. In a similar vein to Bret Easton Ellis of American Psycho fame.
The storyline...Cassie Wright lies on a bed in front of a camera, waiting to have sex with 600 men. Consecutively. In one day. It is going to be sold as "the biggest gang-bang in history" – and Cassie wants it to end with her death, live on camera. Among the Viagra-guzzling men queuing excitedly at the door, there is one who first introduced her to porn – by drugging and raping her. Oh, and a boy who fervently believes he is the son she gave up for adoption 19 years ago.

The book questions...A queue of 600 men waiting to screw a Barbie-woman to death seems a bleak meta-phor for porn. If you knew getting your quick orgasm would harm a woman, would you carry on? In Palahniuk's vision, they do, with barely a disinterested shrug.

Cassie's "son", waiting in the queue, seems like another metaphor still. He's a "porn baby", conceived on camera, thrown away like a used condom. He discovered who his mother was when his adopted parents caught him masturbating over her image and howled "That's your birth-mother!" He carried around sex-toys modelled on her breast and vagina like "religious totems of the mother [he'll] spend the rest of [his life] trying to find." The first generation of porn babies, who have grown up with the most extreme porn on their bedroom screens, are now teenagers. Palahniuk forces us to peer at them, and to ask what this industry is doing to us, and its "performers".

Overall..the book is a good if not fantastic read. If you like Chuck's style of writing you won't be disappointed! The book is full of crazy factoids and debauchery and is very funny in parts..I love the use of film titles such as Chitty Chitty Gang Bang, Wizard of Ass, The Twilight Bone 6/10 :-Dx