What a terrible excuse for a football match that was last night, let alone a world cup final!
I actually began supporting the Dutch as spa ins tippy tappy football gets on my nerves, but after the first half hour of bad challenges, I started to go for Spain. But then I lost the will to live and went to bed.
Nigel de long even tried to replicate fat gazzas assault on Garry Parker from the 1991 cup final. At least he got booked but that was a straight red card. Howard Webb had a fabulous game in my opinion and the only reason the Dutch are moaning about him this morning is because they played shit. They are even worse losers than England.
I'm so glad the cheat that is robben hasn't got his hands on a winners medal. He typifies everything that is wrong about the modern footballer - constant whining at the ref, diving, niggling dirty fouls and regular arguing about decisions.
So Spain are world champions. Yes, they do pass it well but most of the time it goes nowhere. I'm not suggesting hoof ball that england play is superior or favourable, but you can pass it with purpose rather than for e sake of it like the Spanish. As a forest fan, I've been privileged to see Brian cloughs teams play some of the best passing counter attacking football ever played. We passed it but not for the sake of it.
I still maintain that the Germans were by far the best team and hopefully they can be the first European side to win it in south America. England certainly won't, that's for certain. Hopefully though it will be goodbye lampard, gerrard, Terry et al and we can blood some younger players.
Can we have a break from football for a bit now? At least for a couple of weeks.......
S
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, 12 July 2010
Friday, 9 July 2010
At last a ride,
A lovely day for a bike ride and finally I've managed one.
My first post holiday last week was terrible, no power in my legs and lungs ready to explode. Today I wasn't back to how I was pre hols, but I certainly felt better. Managed 18.65 miles at a reasonable (for me) 11.7 average speed.
I really need to step things up now to regular 25 mile routes but I think I'd need to get out more to build strength up. We'll see how that pans out :-/
On a positive note, the asbestos sheets dumped off the A610 have finally been removed. It seems the council or Severn Trent have finally pulled their fingers out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
My first post holiday last week was terrible, no power in my legs and lungs ready to explode. Today I wasn't back to how I was pre hols, but I certainly felt better. Managed 18.65 miles at a reasonable (for me) 11.7 average speed.
I really need to step things up now to regular 25 mile routes but I think I'd need to get out more to build strength up. We'll see how that pans out :-/
On a positive note, the asbestos sheets dumped off the A610 have finally been removed. It seems the council or Severn Trent have finally pulled their fingers out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
To gig or not to gig
Hello
It's now over 8 years since my band, 3 ring circus, started playing. We got rid of our old pain in the arse drummer who made the whole thing little more than an annoyance towards the end. After we finally did that, I thought things would improve.
In many regards they have. We did the best album we've done so far, played some great shows and now have lots of new songs coming.
But I'm not feeling it at the moment. I still enjoy playing and writing but if I'm honest, gigging has become a bit of a pain. Admittedly it is better now I don't have to lug amps etc about and we do probably sound better now it's not all through a wall of noise.
But gig "getting" is becoming more difficult and when you do get shows, the promoters start demanding straight away that you bring along 500 people on a Wednesday night! Plus there is the age old problem of knob heads talking all the way through your performance, when you are trying to play delicate acoustic/folk songs. We have a gig on Saturday where I know we will not be heard at times but it will be good exposure.
I just wish audiences were more like they are in the states where they actually sit and listen without feeling the need to talk loudly over you to make their conversation about who is shagging who, audible over the music. Idiots.
So what is my conclusion? At the moment I suppose I'll have to keep gigging but could we become a recording only band? That could be e way forward as I'd love to be more prolific with our recorded output.
So if you are in derby on Saturday night, come to the showcase in the west field centre and come and hear some great music. Do not come for a conversation though. ..........
S
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It's now over 8 years since my band, 3 ring circus, started playing. We got rid of our old pain in the arse drummer who made the whole thing little more than an annoyance towards the end. After we finally did that, I thought things would improve.
In many regards they have. We did the best album we've done so far, played some great shows and now have lots of new songs coming.
But I'm not feeling it at the moment. I still enjoy playing and writing but if I'm honest, gigging has become a bit of a pain. Admittedly it is better now I don't have to lug amps etc about and we do probably sound better now it's not all through a wall of noise.
But gig "getting" is becoming more difficult and when you do get shows, the promoters start demanding straight away that you bring along 500 people on a Wednesday night! Plus there is the age old problem of knob heads talking all the way through your performance, when you are trying to play delicate acoustic/folk songs. We have a gig on Saturday where I know we will not be heard at times but it will be good exposure.
I just wish audiences were more like they are in the states where they actually sit and listen without feeling the need to talk loudly over you to make their conversation about who is shagging who, audible over the music. Idiots.
So what is my conclusion? At the moment I suppose I'll have to keep gigging but could we become a recording only band? That could be e way forward as I'd love to be more prolific with our recorded output.
So if you are in derby on Saturday night, come to the showcase in the west field centre and come and hear some great music. Do not come for a conversation though. ..........
S
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Test from my shiny iPad,
Testing, testing!
This is my first posting from my new iPad (ooh, get me!)
I aim to now be more active with my blog as the iPad will let me do it on the move.
I'll also have my thoughts on the iPad ready in the next few days.
I bet you can't wait :-/
S
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This is my first posting from my new iPad (ooh, get me!)
I aim to now be more active with my blog as the iPad will let me do it on the move.
I'll also have my thoughts on the iPad ready in the next few days.
I bet you can't wait :-/
S
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, 28 June 2010
Lost in France!
Bonjour!
Well its not bonjour now as I'm back from my nearly 3 weeks in South of France. Unfortunately the weather was shocking as we got the tail end of the storms that had hit Nice, further down the coast from where we were. 1800 mile trip in a brand new car and with a 11 month old probably wasn't a great idea, but we survived it.
I will try and keep this thing more regulalrly updated from now on. A. because its a good outlet for my rantings and B. because I've bought this:
(Copyright Engadget)
The mighty iPad! This means I can publish utter rubish, for no one to read, whenever I want (much like my music). Particularly as I have the 3G version so I can get on the internet when away from wifi.
Going back to France, I discovered the following:
- The streets are paved with dog shit. Its like an obstacle course when steering a pushchair. The French must be too stylish to pick it up.
- The toll roads are great. No hold ups, pretty cheap and lovely service to drive on.
- However, the French are the worst drivers I've ever encounted. No signals, up your arse when there is no traffic on motorway, can't drive correctly at round abouts etc etc.
- Going to the South of France doesn't guarentee good weather :-/
- Holiday reps are wankers
- The dutch are very noisey and their children don't go to bed until after 10pm apparently, keeping my little one awake
- It is the worst country in the world for vegeterians! Bread and cheese every day and no vege options at any restaurant. Poor show Frenchies!
And as for my music.... well Russell and I have some more great songs including some ukulele ones which will be interesting. Is anyone bothered? probably about 10 people. But you have to keep going whilst you have songs coming, don't you.........
So I look forward to publishing my ramblings to anyone who will read them. 2 of you then!!
BFN
S
Well its not bonjour now as I'm back from my nearly 3 weeks in South of France. Unfortunately the weather was shocking as we got the tail end of the storms that had hit Nice, further down the coast from where we were. 1800 mile trip in a brand new car and with a 11 month old probably wasn't a great idea, but we survived it.
I will try and keep this thing more regulalrly updated from now on. A. because its a good outlet for my rantings and B. because I've bought this:
(Copyright Engadget)
The mighty iPad! This means I can publish utter rubish, for no one to read, whenever I want (much like my music). Particularly as I have the 3G version so I can get on the internet when away from wifi.
Going back to France, I discovered the following:
- The streets are paved with dog shit. Its like an obstacle course when steering a pushchair. The French must be too stylish to pick it up.
- The toll roads are great. No hold ups, pretty cheap and lovely service to drive on.
- However, the French are the worst drivers I've ever encounted. No signals, up your arse when there is no traffic on motorway, can't drive correctly at round abouts etc etc.
- Going to the South of France doesn't guarentee good weather :-/
- Holiday reps are wankers
- The dutch are very noisey and their children don't go to bed until after 10pm apparently, keeping my little one awake
- It is the worst country in the world for vegeterians! Bread and cheese every day and no vege options at any restaurant. Poor show Frenchies!
And as for my music.... well Russell and I have some more great songs including some ukulele ones which will be interesting. Is anyone bothered? probably about 10 people. But you have to keep going whilst you have songs coming, don't you.........
So I look forward to publishing my ramblings to anyone who will read them. 2 of you then!!
BFN
S
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
UKULELE AGO GO!
I'm rocking out on a new laka ukulele!
http://www.jhs.co.uk/New%20Products/lakaukes.html
Its even got a fishman pickup to use it live and it has a cutaway
Sounds lovely and I already have a few ideas sketched out. Feels very strange to play at first given the narrow neck but it will be nice to play live and add some different sounds.
The holiday park in France won't know whats hit it ;-)
S
http://www.jhs.co.uk/New%20Products/lakaukes.html
Its even got a fishman pickup to use it live and it has a cutaway
Sounds lovely and I already have a few ideas sketched out. Feels very strange to play at first given the narrow neck but it will be nice to play live and add some different sounds.
The holiday park in France won't know whats hit it ;-)
S
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Its been a while....
Hello world
Not updated this for a while, not sure why. Well I am, I'm a. lazy and b. I forgot I'd got this blog!
What have I been doing?
Trying to write some new songs
Not sleeping
Being miserable
Nothing new then.
Russell and I have some shows coming up to play sone new tunes. It does all feel like its going nowhere though. We've been disappointed to not get on at a local festival we played before. Last year, we played to 400 odd people there and got rid of loads of cds. We're an acoustic band who sound great but the festival is obviously putting on bands who lick arse. They will also be acts who play electric normally and who have no idea how to write acoustic songs. They will be shit in other words. Being one of the "best 4 or 5 bands in Derby" obviously doesn't help. Oh well, fuck em. I'd like to say we'll have the last laugh but I'm not sure about that anymore.
Also seeing really poor acts we've played with, getting on at venues we can't get on at, is really starting to grate with me. Nothing I can do about it and worrying about it won't change anything, but it really pisses me off. I wish I was brave enough to name names but I wonder why The Bedford supposedly has high standards in relation bookings and then gives a poor act a gig. Someone who isn't as good as me and R and who has done nothing. Arse and lick.
I must stop moaning. Its just I used to enjoy being under the radar when we were doing well, we didn't need anyones help. Now, I want some recognition as to how good we are. I am not big neaded, I just want more of a chance. Yes I know we will never sign a mega deal with a label, but I just want someone to have a bit of faith in me.
On a positive note, the wife and I went to see the fabulous Tom Mcrae and Brian Wright in Sheffield on Easter Sunday. What a show. Brian was first introduced to us on the Hotel Cafe tour and he was even better than I remember. Tom was fabulous as usual and the new songs came accross really well with the full band. He should definitly have been in the big room though.
I have a new guitar too! A lovely Gibson J45 Standard in sunburst. Its got some thump and sounds great plugged in. It will be interesting to see how it goes at these few gigs we have coming up.
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Round-Shoulder/Gibson-Acoustic/J-45-Standard.aspx
What a beaut!
Can't wait to start recording these new tunes. I think we'll get em down just guitar and vox to start with and then build round them.
Election - ruined ballot paper. None of the above would win every time.
Its good to have this outlet to vent a bit. I'll try and update it more often. Because so many people read it don't they
Cheers
S
Not updated this for a while, not sure why. Well I am, I'm a. lazy and b. I forgot I'd got this blog!
What have I been doing?
Trying to write some new songs
Not sleeping
Being miserable
Nothing new then.
Russell and I have some shows coming up to play sone new tunes. It does all feel like its going nowhere though. We've been disappointed to not get on at a local festival we played before. Last year, we played to 400 odd people there and got rid of loads of cds. We're an acoustic band who sound great but the festival is obviously putting on bands who lick arse. They will also be acts who play electric normally and who have no idea how to write acoustic songs. They will be shit in other words. Being one of the "best 4 or 5 bands in Derby" obviously doesn't help. Oh well, fuck em. I'd like to say we'll have the last laugh but I'm not sure about that anymore.
Also seeing really poor acts we've played with, getting on at venues we can't get on at, is really starting to grate with me. Nothing I can do about it and worrying about it won't change anything, but it really pisses me off. I wish I was brave enough to name names but I wonder why The Bedford supposedly has high standards in relation bookings and then gives a poor act a gig. Someone who isn't as good as me and R and who has done nothing. Arse and lick.
I must stop moaning. Its just I used to enjoy being under the radar when we were doing well, we didn't need anyones help. Now, I want some recognition as to how good we are. I am not big neaded, I just want more of a chance. Yes I know we will never sign a mega deal with a label, but I just want someone to have a bit of faith in me.
On a positive note, the wife and I went to see the fabulous Tom Mcrae and Brian Wright in Sheffield on Easter Sunday. What a show. Brian was first introduced to us on the Hotel Cafe tour and he was even better than I remember. Tom was fabulous as usual and the new songs came accross really well with the full band. He should definitly have been in the big room though.
I have a new guitar too! A lovely Gibson J45 Standard in sunburst. Its got some thump and sounds great plugged in. It will be interesting to see how it goes at these few gigs we have coming up.
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Round-Shoulder/Gibson-Acoustic/J-45-Standard.aspx
What a beaut!
Can't wait to start recording these new tunes. I think we'll get em down just guitar and vox to start with and then build round them.
Election - ruined ballot paper. None of the above would win every time.
Its good to have this outlet to vent a bit. I'll try and update it more often. Because so many people read it don't they
Cheers
S
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