Kick Up The Backside!

Well my mate Carl has reminded me that I havent 'blogged' for ages, so here is a short post to say that I will be posting shortly! I know you avid readers (all three of you) cant wait..

Keane

This is Keane! They were amzing last Friday at a one off gig at The Astoria, London. They were really good, and played a great set from the old and new albums. I'll definitely try and see them live again. Got the new album from iTunes too, though I'd rather have the CD I was seduced by the video and digital booklet malarky. it sounds great so far.

Keane-o !

Warning: It's a long post!

I've been away from here, quite literally, as I've been to Florence for a few days! I cant begin to describe how amazing it was and what a great time I had. My friends and my sister have both been there before and recommended it to me as somewhere to go, so off I went! I dont mind travelling on my own but the whole thing was made all the much better for meeting Liz and Jenny on the plane over, and spending some time with them throughout the trip.

Florence itself is really, really stunning, its is in fact almost so overwhelming you cant take it all in. If you stopped to stare at it all you'd stop forever, every view is a picture, and pictures dont do it justice. It was busy, loads of Americans (that's a whole other thread but i'll only get annoyed so best to ignore it and move on, though it did provide some amusing moments) and street sellers, but in fairness they dont really hassle you.

The Ponte Vecchio:


I thought I'd take the first day easy but in fact I spent the whole day out, walking to the other side of the Ponte Vecchio, up to the Boboli Gardens (amazing), through a gallery and back into town in the evening for a late meal then onto a bar till about 3am with the above mentioned company. It was a great start, and the next day Liz & I visited the Duomo. I'm running out of words that you havent heard before to describe everything. The fresco in the dome was a real eye opener, the experience bettered by the view from the top of the dome once you get outside. There you have a 360 degree panorama of, well, everything. I'm glad I didnt queue for the rest of the cathedral (there are seperate entrances and charges) as the dome was really the bit I wanted to see. However the whole building is the only place I've seen, having walked around a corner to be confronted by it, that was such an amazing sight that I spontaneously swore.

I walked in the evening over to the Piazzale Michelangelo which offers stunning views over the City. I ate there, then walked back via a bar for a few drinks and some unwinding, where I could sit and continue reading 'Pink Floyd - A Personal History' by Nick Mason. Its very good.

View from Piazzale Michelangelo:

I stayed out till about 1am and there was an amazing storm, really quite ferocious, but I sat in the arch on the steps of the Duomo cathedral watching it all go by, the heavy rain and thunder, and sudden fork lightning. Aided no doubt by the 5 beers and 4 glasses of port, together with listening to 'Echoes' (from Meddle, by PF) on the iPod, it was all actually a bit intense, especially being in such a religious place it was like seeing the power of God but the protection of God all at the same time, as I sat in the Arch completely dry and feeling very safe and relaxed.

Well alcohol usually seems like a good idea at the time until the next day (Tuesday) where I felt rubbish till the best part of the afternoon.I stayed local and started to feel that I hadnt done or seen enough as i knew I was going back to London the next day. It rained a little, but not much, and I visited the Vecchio Palace (home of the Medici family) which was ok, but I'm not a great one for spending ages looking at rooms or paintings I have to say. I did the necessary postcard writing and gift obtaining, and walked the rest of the city for a good while. Now that implies I really just wandered around and that was about it, but in actual fact I did do alot that day, and everywhere you walk you are assaulted by some part of Rennaisance history or amazing buildings and scenery. Statues of Dante, Neptune, a copy of David, numerous churches, piazza's and general history were all incorporated in my wander about. So it wasnt just a trip into town, as they say!

Felling much better in the afternoon and having made plans for going out later I went back over the Ponte Vecchio, via somewhere to eat, and up again to the Piazza Michealangelo, this time with new camera batteries. I got there to watch sunset over Florence on my last night there, and took some pictures which have come out quite well. Coming back into the City for about half ten there are a couple of guitar players that seem to perform on the Ponte Vecchio each night. It's abit of a tourist trap there I suppose but they were quite good, and for €2 played 'Wish You Were Here' continuing on the Floyd theme. I met up with the girls after that and we went out to Bar Slowly again. This is apparently the best bar in town and though not as busy then as when we went a couple of nights before, it was a good night and we had a wander about after. I got back to my hotel about half three, to be up at 7 to pack and get out to go to the Ufizzi.



The last day, Wednesday, was like a bonus. Before, I was concious that I was going back that day and that it all had to come to an end etc (ever the optimist) but it was amazing, a real free day and the most relaxed I've been for a long long time. I met with Liz to go to the Ufizzi gallery and we really went round in our own time. I'm really grateful to her for coming to the Duomo and the Ufizzi and being a bit of a guide, I dont know a great deal about art and history whereas she does, which helps! So instead of walking around and missing things, I had a much better idea about what was going on and why. So I'm now more interested in finding out about the paintings we saw and the stories behind them. We also were talking alot or sitting down waiting for the crowds to go and I dont think I looked at the watch once. The gallery has a nice terrace cafe overlooking the city, well worth a sit down and a coffee. Having met Jenny for something to eat and chatting for a bit, it was a nice end to the day and after saying goodbye, I had to make a move to head back to London.

It was quite a thing to leave Florence in the end, especially having had such an unexpected 'extra' day at the end. Some time away makes you rethink alot of things (and I dont think Ive thought like that for a long time), and Ive also got a bit of a better appreciation of things like art, and a brighter view on life - I hope I can keep hold of that to spur me on a bit when work is hard or I feel in a rut. Honestly I go away, and suddenly the whole worlds changed! A great place is also harder to leave when you've had great company, and there are more memories about Florence than this post can give justice to, and considering you're probably bored already I think it's the right moment to stop!

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My car looks perfect thanks to my best mate Rob spending hours cleaning, polishing and waxing it whilst I was away (unbenounced to me), plus practically bringing the wheels back to brand new. Cheers man!

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I'm going to see Keane tonight! Woohoo!

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World Cup starts today, going to a barbeque tomorrow to watch England's first match, should be good!

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Stop typing I'm running on!

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Well its been a while and there must be something thats happened (other than work).. Meanwhile, heres some pictures..



and

Busy times!

Blimey. If I havent got something to worry or moan about Im not happy, but I have to say the past couple of weeks have been jam packed with events I have hardly had time to catch up with myself or realise where I am! Ive had an awesome ride in a helicopter which considering this time last year I had never ever flown before, Ive done quite well having gone to Italy in the summer in one of those plane thingys. The helicopter journey was absolutely out of this world and the more I look back on it was one of the highlights if my time on planet earth, amazing.

Nearly 30..

11 days to go for me. My friend Carl had his on the 27th so we're all getting older!

Depeche Mode..

On the second I went with my mate Rob to see the MIGHTY DEPECHE MODE!!! at Wembley Arena. It was absolutely awesome, I cannot overstate that enough. Im watching the One Night In Paris DVD as a reminder of seeing them live, what a fantastic gig. They did plenty of older stuff, which was suprising in a way but very well received. Highlights from me were Walking In My Shoes (which must be my all time favourite DM song), from Songs of Faith and Devotion - a note about that album, its a must for any spiritual journey - and Home, from Ultra, they were really, really good. The set and show (directed by Anton Corbijn) was really excellent. Got a T shirt, and Programme. Im wearing it now (the T-shirt, not the program)

I saw Pink Floyd live, which was my first ever gig, which is hard to beat. Favourite band? Right now, DM, all the way.

Back to work..

Im starting to think I have it easy, the second three day week. Its hard work, but Im starting to realise the work life balance is as much about me putting effort into the life side of it as I do work. Of course if I had my way no one would have to work to live, but considering thats probably a vaguely Communist sentiment, I cant see that happengin in this day and age.

Old friends..

This week Ive seen two old friends, one I havent seen for a while and one I havent seen for three years! It was good to see both.

Well Ive typed a fair bit, might have to write some music later. Im itching to get on the synth I feel there is so much more I can do but its about being in the right frame of mind. Im also trying to prolong the time before tomorrow comes and I have to go back to work. Dammit.

But so far so good today. Thats enough typing for now, you can tell when Ive had a drink.

25 Days Later

Well its been a while (about 25 days..) and its one of those moments where I think I havent got much to write about, so I probably havent.

Work has been very busy so thats where most of my time has gone, it seems. Went to see The Canaries play Sheffield Utd, which we won 2-1. I was treated with some freinds to the Top of The Terrace experience, which included a three course meal ( really nice) and indoor seating for the match, and it was a great experience. You are a bit deprived of the sound from outside but it being really cold that day too, I wasnt too bothered about being indoors! Great day, thanks to Tony and Carl.

London Zoo was great, had a fantastic day with my Niece Bekky who seemed to enjoy it too! It was really good there, I felt a bit sad for caged animals though at times. Ive not been to a proper zoo like that before. The giraffes were awesome. Here's one.



I've bought the new Dave Gilmour album which seems pretty good. Ive also downloaded Gnarls Barkley - Crazy, and Embrace - Nature's Law. These are choons wot I like.

Im also going to see Derren Brown in April!

My mate Carl's 30th do is soon, should be a good night out.

Bye for now..

This week..

Highlights of this week so far, included:

A video iPod (cool).

A message from an old friend.

Beth Orton, at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Really, really good, intimate venue, honest, kooky performance, spurious encores, very nice company, the journey home (might be a song later).

Japanese food, at Mile End, new experience, and a very pleasant one at that. Must find out more! I feel culturally naive at times, note to self: must expand horizons.

Lack of sleep, and work, not much change there then.

To come: a visit to a friend in hospital, breakfast, the zoo. More thoughts that may or may not be relevant.

This is the news..

There is much happening chez Canary, and in a sense nothing is happening all at the same time. Im moving soon, if only I had time to move - Im surrounded by half packed boxes and the like, which I do not like. Im sure it will all get done by Monday when I actually go. Ive been here three years renting a life in this flat, which now Ive got to leave is a bit of a shame, theres plenty of room see.

Anyhow, things meander on. Work is busy and often hard. No one ever said it was going to be easy!

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Things that are new:

Going to see Beth Orton at the end of the month, looking forward to that. Downloaded her new album which I hope will grow more on me. Some of the songs are short and sweet.

City won 3-0 against Brighton. Worthy In.

Couresy of Lauren LeVerne (XFM) Ive been hearing Short Short Stories by David Eggars. They are quite different, poignant and blatant, yet unexpected all at once if that all makes sense. The Guardian have a page of his stories, some are good, some excellent, others Im not keen on, but its something new.

Here's one.

The Accident


You all get out of your cars. You are alone in yours, and there are three teenagers in theirs, an older Camaro in new condition. The accident was your fault, and you walk over to tell them this.
Walking over to their car, which you have ruined, it occurs to you that if the three teenagers are angry teenagers, this encounter could be very unpleasant. You pulled into an intersection, obstructing them, and their car hit yours. They have every right to be upset, or livid, or even violence-contemplating.

As you approach, you see that their driver's side door won't open. The driver pushes against it, and you are reminded of scenes where drivers are stuck in submerged cars. Soon they all exit through the passenger side door and walk around the Camaro, inspecting the damage. None of them is hurt, but the car is wrecked. "Just bought this today," the driver says. He is 18, blond, average in all ways. "Today?" you ask.
You are a bad person, you think. You also think: what a dorky car for a teenager to buy in 2005. "Yeah, today," he says, then sighs. You tell him that you are sorry. That you are so, so sorry. That it was your fault and that you will cover all costs.

You exchange insurance information, and you find yourself, minute by minute, ever more thankful that none of these teenagers has punched you, or even made a remark about your being drunk, which you are not, or being stupid, which you are, often. You become more friendly with all of them, and you realise that you are much more connected to them, particularly to the driver, than possible in perhaps any other way.

You have done him and his friends harm, in a way, and you jeopardised their health, and now you are so close you feel like you share a heart. He knows your name and you know his, and you almost killed him and, because you got so close to doing so but didn't, you want to fall on him, weeping, because you are so lonely, so lonely always, and all contact is contact, and all contact makes us so grateful we want to cry and dance and cry and cry.

In a moment of clarity, you finally understand why boxers, who want so badly to hurt each other, can rest their heads on the shoulders of their opponents, can lean against one another like tired lovers, so thankful for a moment of peace.

David Eggers in The Guardian

Martha Wainwright

You have to check out Martha Wainright. Ive downloaded her self titled album from iTunes and its really, really good. I only got to hear of her through a free CD on the cover of Esquire magazine, which had the track 'Factory' on it. Of course this being the age of the internet nothing is too far away from you, so I checked out her website and of course the Music Store.

Every track has the explicit marking which if you can get by doesnt really dent the enjoyment of the album, its hardly noticeable (apart from the track Bloody Mother F*****g A******e which you might want to forward if youve got children).

Anyhow, it really is a fantastic listen. Honest, raw lyrics which still require some thought, an intruiging voice, and a melodic and well recorded sound. Comparisons with Emmy Lou Harris arent without warrant.

It does require some staying power towards the end if only that 16 tracks is a fair amount to absorb all at once, but the first 5 or so are a great opening and draw you in to the rest of the recording invitingly.

I like the tone and style of it, its personal and observant. She is the brother of Rufus who appears on a later track and comes from the family of Loudon Wainwright III so she clearly has a particular talent within her family.

One word of warning the download from iTunes had some pops and clicks in it which they refunded me for and asked me to wait a fortnight before I redownloaded. Caveat Emptor until they get it fixed!

Anyway its here: iTunes

and here: Website

There is other news but thats for another day. Depending on how I feel.

mY fIrSt PoST

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, just as 2005 is finishing. Who knows what the New Year will bring! Maybe another 'blog' entry.