Buying Music

As I contemplate middle age (from the comfort of my sofa with a nice cup of coffee and a biscuit) one of my wishes is to expand my music collection. Back in the mother country it is quite an easy thing to do; you listen to the radio and for any single or song that sticks in your head you go out and buy the accompanying album. In these parts of the world it is a little trickier, mainly because the radio stations are very genre specific and not at all amenable to change. For instance the station that the 70’s throwback favoured when he visited 10 years ago hasn’t changed it’s playlist since, apart from adding the occasional new Jimmy Barnes single. I yearn for a decent radio station and until I find that mythical beast in these parts I’m stuck with the bands and artists I’ve been listening to since I was a teenager.

Which is just a long winded way of saying that I’ve just ordered some CD’s by some quality 80’s and 90’s bands. In about a week’s time I’ll be saying hello to the latest opus from Supergrass, a new album by Chris Difford, a remastered version of Steve McQueen and a couple of early albums by the mighty Squeeze.

I’ll get onto the trance and techno next week, honest.

Ahoy There Land Lubbers

20080315-IMG_1303 We had a company picnic last Saturday and I took the boys along. The venue was KMYC so as well as the usual attractions – nice weather, sausage sizzle – there were a couple of boats to play on. Needless to say JFGP and MIGO were in the thick of the action and spent a fair amount of town piloting my Boss’ boat around Pittwater.

A fun time had by all I think.

A Long Weekend Down South

20080302-IMG_1281 This last weekend was our annual escape to Jervis Bay with associated ex-school friends of SWMBO.

A lovely time was had by all, with sun (and rather a lot of wind) on Friday and Saturday enabling some quality beach time and associated salt water swallowing.

We appear to be setting some traditions on this trip already, and we managed a full set this time. Ben flew his kite, everyone had chinese take away on Friday night (except SWMBO and I who tucked into a Mexican), we went to the beach on Saturday and in the evening the essential meat burning skills of Mr Reeve and I brought about a fine repast. At least I think it was, because by then I had consumed a glass or two of wine.

Then on Sunday morning the sky turned grey and water started leaking out of it. So we took the team photo and scarpered sharp-ish. The Todd party ended up in Kiama at lunch time and we had took JFGP and MIGO to see the famous blowhole. Pictured above is their reaction to a particularly fine eruption.

Birthday Magazine Covers

My Mum has always said that she wished she had kept the daily newspaper from the day each of her children was born. If you wait long enough the lazyweb will fulfil your most private wishes. Luckily the good people who run the global information store haven’t got round to the Daily Fascist yet so we are spared that particular publication. But a dedicated team has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

What was on the cover of Radio Times when you were born? In my case it is Val Doonican. Oh dear, I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t looked.

Water Rugby

IMG_0862 A correspondent has written to inform me that my photo a day project is falling somewhat behind. It would appear that I haven’t posted a picture since October last year. I’d like to apologise for my slackness. Perhaps I should rename the feature to ‘Somewhat occasional photos’. What do you think?

To start to make amends here is MIGO in full flow during our festive season break in Port Stephens. As you can tell from the photo he had a terrible time.

Pink

I’m sitting at my desk applying after sun to my face every half hour. I went to the cricket with Mark and Ben on Friday and because we were sitting in the shade all day I didn’t wear a hat or any sun screen.

Cue my worst case of sunburn for quite a number of years. What makes it bad is that because I don’t normally expose my face to the sun, unless it is under layers of factor 30+, it is the part of my body the worst affected and the most visible. They’ve started calling me the beetroot around the office.

After nearly twelve years in this country you would think that I would learn, wouldn’t you.

Review of the Year

It is now 2008 and in keeping with the tradition at this early part of the year I thought I would waste some web space with a review of the last twelve months.

Here, in no particular order, are the highs (and lows) of the year;

  • Best Album: Lloyd Cole – Live at the BBC. Not so much at the BBC, rather a recording of one of the dates his last electric tour (in 1995) at the Hammersmith Odeon. With honourable mentions to Time on Earth by Crowded House and Somewhere Else by Marillion (sorry chaps, its a step back from Marbles).
  • Best Gig: Lloyd Cole – at the Basement, Sydney. As I was watching this gig I realised that Lloyd Cole has soundtracked the last twenty five years of my life. Either that or I’d had one Stella too many. He can still write and perform some amazing tunes though. Honourable mention – Francis Dunnery at the Fleece in Bristol. Cracking gig but where was the bonhomie Frank?
  • Best Book: Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials. Technically it’s three books but it is my list so I can put what I like. Now this is proper fiction, unlike that Harry Potter tripe that all of the young people are reading. Smart, intelligent and thought provoking with a ripping story line and some interesting ideas about, amongst other things, parallel universes and religion. A very close runner up in this category was Robert Harris’ Imperium. Get hold of a copy and read that as well. If you want to see what I’m reading you can always take a look at my LibraryThing catalogue.
  • Best Film: The Simpsons Movie. Despite a weekly dedication to Dr Kermode’s podcast my recollection is that we only went to the cinema three times last year. Must try harder in 2008.
  • Best Job: Last year I officially had more jobs than I saw films. Without denigrating any of my marvellous employers the time I spent in Pymble between March and October last year was some of the most interesting of my working career. I shall be looking forward to a slightly less crazy and more rewarding experience in the coming year.
  • Best Holiday: Keeping up with the tradition of taking the good weather with us our trip to the UK in October was full of good weather and happy times. Thanks to everyone who was so hospitable and accommodating. Next time though, can you ease up on the presents for the ankle biters? Thanks awfully. An honourable mention needs to be made to our trip down South with the Lewis/Perry party at Easter.

Oh, and of course family of the year goes to SWMBO, JFGP and MIGO.