Best Album - The Temperance Society Chronicles, Chip Bailey
Best Gadget - Apple AirPort
Best Drink - Kozel beer
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Curse This Pasty Skin
It has been sunny today. Not, really hot, or even baking, but nevertheless Claude was left reaching for the after-sun after an hour spent walking the mutt.
I only have to look at the sun and my arms, face and neck turn a lovely shade of red and start to feel like someone is rubbing them with sand paper.
My dearest is the exact opposite and starts to go a lovely brown colour, while complaining that it could be "a little warmer".
This is just the start - the rest of the summer awaits and I will be covered up from now on.
I only have to look at the sun and my arms, face and neck turn a lovely shade of red and start to feel like someone is rubbing them with sand paper.
My dearest is the exact opposite and starts to go a lovely brown colour, while complaining that it could be "a little warmer".
This is just the start - the rest of the summer awaits and I will be covered up from now on.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
They Always Let You Down
I have heard this sentiment expressed many times before about the Blades.
Sadly it was true once more on Monday, when we succumbed very weakly to an average Burnley team.
The day itself was OK - apart from having to share Wembley Way with a bunch of inbred, BNP supporting, neanderthal Lancastrians.
Yes, Claude is bitter.
Sadly it was true once more on Monday, when we succumbed very weakly to an average Burnley team.
The day itself was OK - apart from having to share Wembley Way with a bunch of inbred, BNP supporting, neanderthal Lancastrians.
Yes, Claude is bitter.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Tickets Bought
Arrived at the ground at 7.45am and queued for three and three quarter hours, but managed to get the tickets.
The rain did commence, but only briefly and I managed to stay dry.
Here's hoping for a red and white triumph on the 25th.
The rain did commence, but only briefly and I managed to stay dry.
Here's hoping for a red and white triumph on the 25th.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Duck Weather
Flippin' 'eck, what a downpour we have had today.
It caused me major delays on the M1 - two hours to get home. Then I got soaked getting to the Chinese for dinner (very nice chicken chow mein) and then I had to take the mutt out and got drenched again.
I am now sat drying out, hoping the rain stops before I have to go and queue for tickets tomorrow to see the Blades at Wembley.
It caused me major delays on the M1 - two hours to get home. Then I got soaked getting to the Chinese for dinner (very nice chicken chow mein) and then I had to take the mutt out and got drenched again.
I am now sat drying out, hoping the rain stops before I have to go and queue for tickets tomorrow to see the Blades at Wembley.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Mad Mutt
Making my daily trip up the M1 this evening, I was once again faced with non-moving traffic for a good 15 minutes.
"What the hell is it this time" I raged to myself, flicking the travel news on to find out.
Was it an accident - heaps of twisted metal and burning bodies littering the highway? Was it a tanker that had spilled a load of oil all over the road?
Nope. According to BBC Radio Leicester it was "a dog running loose on the carriageway". The crazy canine was holding up both sides of the motorway, which is quite a feat when you probably only measure a metre long.
"What the hell is it this time" I raged to myself, flicking the travel news on to find out.
Was it an accident - heaps of twisted metal and burning bodies littering the highway? Was it a tanker that had spilled a load of oil all over the road?
Nope. According to BBC Radio Leicester it was "a dog running loose on the carriageway". The crazy canine was holding up both sides of the motorway, which is quite a feat when you probably only measure a metre long.
How Old???
I was at the checkout of Tesco yesterday, patiently waiting for my items to be scanned through. The till lady, probably well into her fifties, suddenly stopped when scanning in a nice bottle of wine I had put in my basket.
She looked at me, then the wine and then back at me, before asking: "Have you got any ID?" I thought I misheard, so asked her to repeat. "I need to see some ID before I can let you buy this."
I was unsure if she was joking or not, so obediently handed over my driving licence. As she looked it over thoroughly, I commented "I turned 33 last week." She seemed satisfied that the licence wasn't fake and let me purchase the wine.
I am still unsure whether to feel insulted or flattered.
She looked at me, then the wine and then back at me, before asking: "Have you got any ID?" I thought I misheard, so asked her to repeat. "I need to see some ID before I can let you buy this."
I was unsure if she was joking or not, so obediently handed over my driving licence. As she looked it over thoroughly, I commented "I turned 33 last week." She seemed satisfied that the licence wasn't fake and let me purchase the wine.
I am still unsure whether to feel insulted or flattered.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
London Calling?
Maybe the London gig is on. But, maybe not...
The final interview seemed to go OK and I have been told to expect a decision on Tuesday.
Feels like my life is at a crossroads right now. Which way it goes depends on a 'phone call I will be (hopefully) receiving.
Watch this space...
The final interview seemed to go OK and I have been told to expect a decision on Tuesday.
Feels like my life is at a crossroads right now. Which way it goes depends on a 'phone call I will be (hopefully) receiving.
Watch this space...
Birthday Boy
'Tis that time of year again - birthday, one year older and not a penny richer...
My 30s seems to be blurring into one, 31, 32, 33 just don't feel any different to one another.
The only thing that makes me feel "old" is the thought that if I was a footballer I would be getting ready for retirement. As it is, I don't feel any different to when I was mid-20s. If anything, I feel fitter and trimmer than I did then.
My 30s seems to be blurring into one, 31, 32, 33 just don't feel any different to one another.
The only thing that makes me feel "old" is the thought that if I was a footballer I would be getting ready for retirement. As it is, I don't feel any different to when I was mid-20s. If anything, I feel fitter and trimmer than I did then.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Home From Czech
We are safely back in the land of wind and rain after our 10 day break to Czech.
It was an enjoyable time, as always, and we enjoyed some very nice weather. We took a day trip to Prague which was fun - albeit packed out with Italians and English.
Most of the people in the capital seemed at ease in the warm temperatures, laughing, drinking and looking healthy. All except one bedraggled English couple we met, who were struggling to find Prague castle.
This in itself is quite a feat, as the castle is huge and situated in top of a hill - you really can't miss it. The poor guys were not only lost, but red, sweaty and looking terribly uncomfortable in the sun. I took pity on the poor souls and resisted the urge to send them somewhere in the wrong direction. I hope they found it and then had an enjoyable evening applying after-sun lotion to each other...
It was an enjoyable time, as always, and we enjoyed some very nice weather. We took a day trip to Prague which was fun - albeit packed out with Italians and English.
Most of the people in the capital seemed at ease in the warm temperatures, laughing, drinking and looking healthy. All except one bedraggled English couple we met, who were struggling to find Prague castle.
This in itself is quite a feat, as the castle is huge and situated in top of a hill - you really can't miss it. The poor guys were not only lost, but red, sweaty and looking terribly uncomfortable in the sun. I took pity on the poor souls and resisted the urge to send them somewhere in the wrong direction. I hope they found it and then had an enjoyable evening applying after-sun lotion to each other...
Sunday, 29 March 2009
London? Work in London???
Hmmmm. Claude has an interview on Friday for a job in London. Has he gone completely mad? Maybe...but it is a good opportunity and means we could live in an area we are really taken with.
It would mean another long commute, but at least on a train and not driving. Some of it would be on the Tube, which I find quite romantic to be honest. I might change my mind doing it twice a day, every day, but I just love the names of the stations. It seems so magical to hear the names and all the history associated with them: Swiss Cottage, Elephant and Castle, Baker Street, Waterloo, Oxford Circus and even the lines: Bakerloo, District, Jubilee, Piccadilly - there is wonder and adventure in these names.
It would mean another long commute, but at least on a train and not driving. Some of it would be on the Tube, which I find quite romantic to be honest. I might change my mind doing it twice a day, every day, but I just love the names of the stations. It seems so magical to hear the names and all the history associated with them: Swiss Cottage, Elephant and Castle, Baker Street, Waterloo, Oxford Circus and even the lines: Bakerloo, District, Jubilee, Piccadilly - there is wonder and adventure in these names.
Off to Czech
We are driving to Czech once again on Saturday. It still feels weird when I saw we are "driving" as it seems quite ludicrous.
But driving we are and, in all honesty, it has worked out well in the past.
I am looking forward to the trip - it will be a break and we are going to take a day trip to Prague, which is a wonderful city.
But driving we are and, in all honesty, it has worked out well in the past.
I am looking forward to the trip - it will be a break and we are going to take a day trip to Prague, which is a wonderful city.
Band Tales #2
So, the band had its first rehearsal yesterday.
It went very well considering it was the time we have played together. We worked through four songs, which were sounding pretty good.
Got a two week break now as we are off to Czech on Saturday. Then we will work on a few more songs and we will start to get some gigs booked.
Still need a name...
It went very well considering it was the time we have played together. We worked through four songs, which were sounding pretty good.
Got a two week break now as we are off to Czech on Saturday. Then we will work on a few more songs and we will start to get some gigs booked.
Still need a name...
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Band Tales #1
The band is rehearsing for the first time next Saturday.
I am going to be busy running through songs to make sure I am up to scratch.
No other ideas for names yet...but that will come later
I am going to be busy running through songs to make sure I am up to scratch.
No other ideas for names yet...but that will come later
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Band Born?
Been admiring and playing the amazing new Gibson Les Paul lately. She is a beauty!
It has inspired me to start getting a band in place. I was in a band at uni and we got reasonably good - but never really good. I have also been in a couple of covers bands with mixed results.
I reckon this is the chance to put something together that could be really good. I am taking lead vocals (which I haven't done before) and guitar, bass player sorted and I am meeting a potential drummer on Monday. Keep it simple, three members, some covers, some original songs and we will see.
Then comes the really hard part. Choosing a name. Always a very, very difficult task. I have already considered some, but front runner at the moment is Velvet Revolution. This could change.
It has inspired me to start getting a band in place. I was in a band at uni and we got reasonably good - but never really good. I have also been in a couple of covers bands with mixed results.
I reckon this is the chance to put something together that could be really good. I am taking lead vocals (which I haven't done before) and guitar, bass player sorted and I am meeting a potential drummer on Monday. Keep it simple, three members, some covers, some original songs and we will see.
Then comes the really hard part. Choosing a name. Always a very, very difficult task. I have already considered some, but front runner at the moment is Velvet Revolution. This could change.
Friday, 27 February 2009
End of a Crazy Week
Glad to see the back of this week. Work has been busy and the M1 even busier.
Also, had to say goodbye to my parent's dog, who had reached the grand old age of 16, but had come to the end. Rest in peace, old fella.
Hopefully, the weekend will be a relaxing one. Can't remember the last time that happened!
Also, had to say goodbye to my parent's dog, who had reached the grand old age of 16, but had come to the end. Rest in peace, old fella.
Hopefully, the weekend will be a relaxing one. Can't remember the last time that happened!
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Friday, 20 February 2009
The Story of the Guitar
Sad Claude has mixed feelings about tomorrow.
I have decided to splash out on the guitar I have always dreamed of. I found a very nice one (online) at a shop on the south coast, so am making the long trip there tomorrow.
The guitar is a 1959 Custom Shop Reissue Gibson Les Paul. These are not cheap. To part fund it I am trading in my old Gibson Les Paul Standard - a wine red version from 1996. I bought this from a shop in Luton in January, 1997 and it has been used on recordings and many gigs I have played.
So, while I am very excited about getting the guitar I have always aspired to, I am sad to say goodbye to my old axe.
I have decided to splash out on the guitar I have always dreamed of. I found a very nice one (online) at a shop on the south coast, so am making the long trip there tomorrow.
The guitar is a 1959 Custom Shop Reissue Gibson Les Paul. These are not cheap. To part fund it I am trading in my old Gibson Les Paul Standard - a wine red version from 1996. I bought this from a shop in Luton in January, 1997 and it has been used on recordings and many gigs I have played.
So, while I am very excited about getting the guitar I have always aspired to, I am sad to say goodbye to my old axe.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Snow? In England?
Yes, 'tis true dear readers. Heavy snowfall hit England today and Claude was not spared travel disruption.
We do seem to struggle in this country, with major traffic jams and panic when even just a few flakes land. However, today was genuinely quite bad and my journey to work was slow and tricky at times.
Before lunch time it was getting worse, so with encouragement from colleagues I decided to set off for home and work from there. The journey back was OK and it was nice to be able to spend some time building a snowman and throwing snow balls at the mutt.
Tomorrow looks to be even worse - so I may well be stranded at home once more. Please, no need for sympathy.
We do seem to struggle in this country, with major traffic jams and panic when even just a few flakes land. However, today was genuinely quite bad and my journey to work was slow and tricky at times.
Before lunch time it was getting worse, so with encouragement from colleagues I decided to set off for home and work from there. The journey back was OK and it was nice to be able to spend some time building a snowman and throwing snow balls at the mutt.
Tomorrow looks to be even worse - so I may well be stranded at home once more. Please, no need for sympathy.
Monday, 26 January 2009
That's Special, Duke
Claude and good lady took in an evening's entertainment at Sheffield's Leadmill club last Saturday night.
The gig was the amazingly-haired Duke Special, who delivered an excellent show. He creates an amazing sound, especially taking into account that his "band" was just himself on vocals and piano accompanied by a rather insane drummer.
What made the experience even more "special" was that on several occasions he took to playing a piano positioned right in the middle of the audience. Also, after he had finished performing he gladly spent time in the bar with his fans chatting, signing autographs and having his photo taken.
He is an exceptional artist and a top guy.
The gig was the amazingly-haired Duke Special, who delivered an excellent show. He creates an amazing sound, especially taking into account that his "band" was just himself on vocals and piano accompanied by a rather insane drummer.
What made the experience even more "special" was that on several occasions he took to playing a piano positioned right in the middle of the audience. Also, after he had finished performing he gladly spent time in the bar with his fans chatting, signing autographs and having his photo taken.
He is an exceptional artist and a top guy.
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