Some notable anniversaries and birthdays in 2008. Firstly Mum and Dad celebrated 50 years of marriage - a fantastic achievement. Then Dad was 75 in October and Mum was 70 in December.
In March the family came together for the weekend in Gloucestershire as my brother Keith, Sharon and Aaron visited our shores, and we travelled down from York. It was great to see everyone together and catch up, I can't remember the last time we did this.
The business venture started by my sister Caroline and her partner Peter has taken off. And as a result they have taken on more staff to cope with the demand and the paperwork. Congratulations.
Monday 15 December 2008
Friday 5 December 2008
Top 5 Gigs of 2008
1. Mostly Autumn (see entry below)
Andy told me this band were good a few years ago and I've listened to Catch The Spirit - The Complete Anthology several times. Its taken a long time for my first encounter and they were superb.
2. Black Stone Cherry at Fibbers on June 25th
Fitted between gigs as support to Whitesnake & Def Leppard on tour. Their crew spent about 30 minutes in a soundcheck and it paid off as both vocals and instruments were the clearest I've heard in this venue. Great heavy rock show from a band on the up.
3. The Yards at the Post Office Club on April 10th
A York band I've seen several times and were better for being in this venue. Today they were without their keyboard player and as a result their sound was heavier.
4. Jim Gipson & the Runaway Sons at the Duchess on August 8th
First time I saw this band was at The Yards gig above and Jim's voice caught my attention. As headliners they impressed again and I bought the CD.
5. Breathing Space (see entry below)
On a recommendation I'd seen them before and they didn't do it for me, so I was in two minds whether to bother. Glad I did as they were so much better.
Andy told me this band were good a few years ago and I've listened to Catch The Spirit - The Complete Anthology several times. Its taken a long time for my first encounter and they were superb.
2. Black Stone Cherry at Fibbers on June 25th
Fitted between gigs as support to Whitesnake & Def Leppard on tour. Their crew spent about 30 minutes in a soundcheck and it paid off as both vocals and instruments were the clearest I've heard in this venue. Great heavy rock show from a band on the up.
3. The Yards at the Post Office Club on April 10th
A York band I've seen several times and were better for being in this venue. Today they were without their keyboard player and as a result their sound was heavier.
4. Jim Gipson & the Runaway Sons at the Duchess on August 8th
First time I saw this band was at The Yards gig above and Jim's voice caught my attention. As headliners they impressed again and I bought the CD.
5. Breathing Space (see entry below)
On a recommendation I'd seen them before and they didn't do it for me, so I was in two minds whether to bother. Glad I did as they were so much better.
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Highlights of the week
Gigs - Breathing Space at the Roman Bath (Nov 22), and Mostly Autumn at the Grand Opera House (Nov 28). One free and one expensive (for York), both exceeded my expectations. Followed by collective musings and piss taking with my friends (Ian, Roger, Andy & H) on the pavement afterwards. Good times.
DVD - Atonement, a good adaptation of the book. I found Keira's lean body shape distracting me occasionally from the story, but overall I was engaged and would recommend a look.
Music - The Final Cut from Pink Floyd. I haven't listened to this for many, many months and I played it 3 or 4 times this week, yet its familiarity never wears me out. Also Winter Song by Emily Smith which I heard on Mike Harding's Radio 2 Folk and Acoustic show - I even sat in the car on my drive till it finished, beautiful.
Snowmen - my sons made some Sunday before last, as about an inch of snow had fallen overnight. I look back fondly at doing this in my childhood, I hope theirs is memorable too.
DVD - Atonement, a good adaptation of the book. I found Keira's lean body shape distracting me occasionally from the story, but overall I was engaged and would recommend a look.
Music - The Final Cut from Pink Floyd. I haven't listened to this for many, many months and I played it 3 or 4 times this week, yet its familiarity never wears me out. Also Winter Song by Emily Smith which I heard on Mike Harding's Radio 2 Folk and Acoustic show - I even sat in the car on my drive till it finished, beautiful.
Snowmen - my sons made some Sunday before last, as about an inch of snow had fallen overnight. I look back fondly at doing this in my childhood, I hope theirs is memorable too.
1
It was the best of blogs, it was the worst of blogs, it was the blog of wisdom, it was the blog of foolishness, ...
Whichever it is, its my blog of thoughts, rambles, anything that's important to me at the time. Its a practical way to remind me of the good stuff whilst its still fresh.
Whichever it is, its my blog of thoughts, rambles, anything that's important to me at the time. Its a practical way to remind me of the good stuff whilst its still fresh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
