Having enjoyed watching the History of Scotland on BBC2 recently I've decided to explore the history of the island of my birth. So I'm now reading A New History of Ireland by Christine Kinealy. Its not a happy tale, there is abundant prejudice, neglect and ethnic cleansing, with Ireland the pawn of the Kings, Queens and governments of England.
A Clergyman's Daughter by George Orwell. I really wanted 1984 but they were all checked out at the library. Revealing if not a happy book, I kept confusing the book's period setting of the 1930s with the Victorian age due to the callous treatment of the poor and destitute. George Orwell wrote from his own personal experience, in many respects the poor are still treated as badly today.
In 2007 I was taken by a cover version of Numb by Jamelia when Radio 1 celebrated their 40 years of broadcasting. I checked out the original from Linkin Park and then bought Meteora from Zavvi a few weeks before they closed for business. At about 38 minutes its not the longest album, but the quality of the songs are great.
And just when you think winter was waning, more snow.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Film recommendations (January)
First of all 2 films set in Japan. Memoirs of a Geisha - set in the 1930/40's its a beautifully shot story of a young girl raised to become a Geisha. It reminded me of The Hidden Blade a film I'd seen sometime in 2008. Both stories are about honour, service and obediance, and of course love. Of the two I prefer The Hidden Blade - its story is more subtle.
The Reader - Kate Winslett earned a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress award for her role in this new release. At one point in the film she asks the question 'What would you have done?' which has made me think about my attitudes to the world around me.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster - a fascinating documentary from 2004 about the near breakup of the band, its recovery and return to touring promoting St. Anger.
The Reader - Kate Winslett earned a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress award for her role in this new release. At one point in the film she asks the question 'What would you have done?' which has made me think about my attitudes to the world around me.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster - a fascinating documentary from 2004 about the near breakup of the band, its recovery and return to touring promoting St. Anger.
Friday, 2 January 2009
Latest recomendations
Brick Lane - a film that pleasantly surprised me as it was not what I was expecting.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - I've never read any Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and as he died this year I thought I'd try this novella. I couldn't have picked a better book to start on.
Wallace & Gromit - A Matter of Loaf and Death - another cracking episode from Nick Park, its the way he captures English/British charm that I love.
The Big Bang Theory - along with House these are the best American TV series at present, and the best alternative comedy since Green Wing.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - I've never read any Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and as he died this year I thought I'd try this novella. I couldn't have picked a better book to start on.
Wallace & Gromit - A Matter of Loaf and Death - another cracking episode from Nick Park, its the way he captures English/British charm that I love.
The Big Bang Theory - along with House these are the best American TV series at present, and the best alternative comedy since Green Wing.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Family highlights of 2008
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.
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.
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.
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