Blog Archives

Changing places

5/18/2014

Out with the old...

Hello everyone!
Well, I hope you are enjoying the lovely weather. Sadly I haven't really been able to - because I have been busy moving into my new flat. And I say "my" because I bought the bugger! Yep, it finally happened! HURRAH!
I admit that the whole flat buying and moving situation has made me a little preoccupied - in life and online. For this I apologise, but I promise to write about something else next week. But, in the meantime...
Exciting fact number one: I have an abundance of storgae space (well, comparatively speaking!). Not only do I have

... and in with the sarong curtains!

three (yes - THREE!) drawers in my kitchen, I also have three large storage cupboards - one of which I have dedicated to my art, craft and music (yep, I still have my clarinet and sax from my younger days along with my recently acquired ukulele) and one that is tall enough to fit my easel in! And then there's the loft... Exciting fact number two: today I have bought a bargainous chest of drawers and washing machine from the British Heart Foundation - which, along with the fridge freezer I picked up from a cheapy shop in Holloway last week, means I am pretty much there with the bits I really need. Now I just need a plumber... And exciting fact number three: I am now free to decorate my own place how I really want - and can't wait until my summer leave to do so.
So there you go. I am officially one of those sad cases that is obsessed with their new abode... and their finances. Which reminds me, I better check when my first mortgage payment goes out...

0 Comments

Pack it in!

5/11/2014

0 Comments

Folks, I have made a decision.
After three days of packing, I have decided that, assuming all goes well next week, I am never going to move again. Ever - unless I am rich enough to pay someone to do my packing and cleaning for me. Not only am I bloody knackered, my flat is in complete disarray and my hands have gone from Fairy soft to those of a seasoned builder. As for my nails... one is not amused!
Ah! Which brings me nicely on to my night at the theatre on Friday night (my only real break from the mad house). I went to see Handbagged with my mate Marie and thoroughly enjoyed the rather tongue-in-cheek exploration of Maggie Thatcher's relationship with the Queen. It made me think about Madge's legacy - and how it has impacted on the lives and attitudes of people today. Nothing illustrated this better than, whilst waiting for the bus home afterwards, I witnessed a homeless guy beg another homeless man for some cardboard to sleep under. Whilst Maggie may have thought that we should all work to lift ourselves out of poverty, some people have absolutely nothing to do that with. Something that is still forgotten by the Tories today.
Anyway, minor political rant over, I'm gonna make this blog short and sweet - I think I need a nap before I venture out for my Scrabble date and want to finish Captain Corelli's Mandolin before I go out too - after seeing the movie years ago I was a bit put off, but am really enjoying it. Give it a go if you haven't already.
Oh, and wish me luck for the moving madness heading my way...

0 Comments

Life: Performing tonight - Live!

5/4/2014

0 Comments

Good evening!
Ah, don't you love that feeling we only ever get to indulge in a handful of times a year - you know, that one when it's a Sunday and you don't have to be up at the crack of dawn in the morning to go to work? Bliss!
I decided to take advantage of the long weekend and headed up to my hometown to see the folks - and catch up with an old school friend for her birthday. Her dad's band Moonshine were playing on the five year anniversary of their first gig, which I was apparently present at, so it seemed fitting that I tag along. They didn't disappoint, with covers of tunes from the sixties onwards, with a preference for rocky numbers with melodies that made full use of my mate's bro's ever-improving vocals. Needless to say I was impressed, and had a good old boogie too (anyone who doesn't dance to "Play That Funky Music," in my humble opinion, may as well be dead), much to the amusement of the band and the more conservative residents of Lincoln.

Pacha Mama

It seems that, despite my disappointment at not getting Glasto tickets AGAIN (yep, still not over that!), new, live music is cropping up in the most surprising of places. On Friday, after a quick glass of wine after work, I went home to make my Peru collage Pacha Mama whilst listening to the Global Psychedelic Sound-system, a very funky DJ I discovered at the Isle of Wight festival last year, courtesy of the island radio station's website. As always, I loved his set but, as it drew to a close and my collage became close to completion, I found myself at a bit of a loss as to how to spend the rest of my evening. After resorting to my fail-safe option (a bath with a glass of red on the side), I found myself listening to yet another talented musician, Jace Thompson, via the wonder of Twitter and YouTube. I was mighty impressed and, after nattering over social media for a bit, was delighted to hear that he has a gig in my hood next weekend. Well, that's Sunday night sorted...

You see, I do love my music - and I love discovering new artists who, behind all the popularist crap that plagues our airwaves, have something really important say - and real talent when it comes to saying it. Being an undiscovered "artist" myself, whilst I get why they do it and the joy that it gives them, I feel their frustration and celebrate their successes, which although often small in comparison to those headlining Glastonbury this year, are perhaps the things that keep them going.
Something I can wholeheartedly relate to.

0 Comments

Changing places

Pack it in!

Life: Performing tonight - Live!

THE JUICE

Archives

Categories