Observations

So, after a couple of days in Bristol I am now back in the smoke and attempting to resume normal life.

Meanwhile, one of the things I enjoy about living in blighty is the sheer volume of interesting things. One of these is Question Time. The ABC tried an Australian version but it didn’t go down too well, probably because very few people watch the ABC any more.

Anyway, last night’s edition was a cracker, in one corner we had Jeremy Clarkson and in the other we had Ken Livingstone. The debate was fast, furious and funny. But I was slightly suprised to find myself agreeing with the Mayor on virtually every point.

Almost as suprised as when I found out that the 70’s throwback has recently had a drive in a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8. Git.

Homecoming

We have returned. Over the past two weeks we have been fed, watered, rested and most of all, warmed. We did nothing spectacular, but everything we did do was very nice indeed. Thanks to all of you who spared us some hospitality.

Oh, and I bought a new gadget as well.

I now feel very, very cold.

Festive Wishes

Seasons greetings to you. We have just returned from our festive trip around the country visiting relatives and doing all of the Christmassy things that one does at this time of year.

Tomorrow though, we are off to Heathrow to climb aboard the paraffin budgie for a couple of weeks in sunny Sydney. Bliss. An escape from the English winter and into the Australian summer is definitely required. There will be less than the usual number of posts here, because I will be busy enjoying myself.

So make sure you behave whilst we are gone and I would appreciate it if you don’t come round and burgle our house. Thanks.

Thirty One Rock Songs

I’ve done it. Probably too late, but why should that bother me, everything I do is late. Anyway, it is coming up to the end of the year and what kind of blog would this be if I didn’t produce some kind of top ten list?

For those with short memories, back in November Mr Buck asked me for a list of thirty one rock songs. I asked for help and the contributions, well, dribbled in. From the comments on that post I have taken the first eight tracks in my list. The others are all my own work. The only limitation I placed on myself was a maximum of one track per artist. I cheated a bit with Ben Folds (solo vs group), Marillion (first and second vocalists) and Francis Dunnery (because I can), but other than that there are some cracking tunes. Enjoy;

  1. Bryan Adams. Everything I Do (I do it for you)
  2. TISM. Greg the Stop Sign
  3. Daddy Cool. Eagle Rock
  4. Ramones. The KKK Took My Baby Away
  5. Celine Dion. My Heart Will Go On
  6. Pink Floyd. Another Brick In The Wall
  7. Phil Collins. In the Air Tonight
  8. Paul Weller. Into Tomorrow
  9. Chris Difford. No Show Jones
  10. Francis Dunnery. American Life in the Summer Time
  11. Glenn Tilbrook. Parallel World
  12. Squeeze. Up The Junction
  13. Coldplay. Amsterdam
  14. Prefab Sprout. Jordan – The Comeback
  15. Slade. Merry Xmas Everybody
  16. Neil Finn. Rest of the Day Off
  17. Crowded House. Kare Kare
  18. Dodgy. Staying Out For The Summer
  19. Francis Dunnery. I’m In Love
  20. Ben Folds. Zak and Sara
  21. Ben Folds Five. Song For The Dumped
  22. Beatles. Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
  23. Sting. Fortress Around Your Heart
  24. Supergrass. Moving
  25. The Jam. Butterfly Collector
  26. The Smiths. This Charming Man
  27. The Style Council. Blue Cafe
  28. The Wonder Stuff. Swell
  29. Turin Brakes. Emergency 72
  30. Marillion. Just for the Record
  31. Marillion. Afraid of Sunrise

Not a lot Doing

A pleasant weekend was had by all. On Saturday we visited the International Half Man, Half Fish of Tax and his family for a festive feast (well, I had a curry and Bobo had chicken chow mein). Yesterday we had lunch with the Christmas-mad-Mahoneys, although what Jo does with her wedding dress on her anniversary needs careful attention and probably therapy. We then went to see the Turners and had a lovely bit of afternoon tea.

Which is all very nice. I am feeling more festive now, even if the weather in London isn’t (think not too cold but very, very, wet). With a couple of mince pies and the odd glass of port tomorrow I may even really get into the swing of things.

Mind you, we are staying at Perry mansions on Christmas Eve and I for one am not looking forward to HP and Charlie Perry being full of Christmas fun at some unfeasibly early hour of the next day. Unless they accompany the pre-dawn wake up call with a cup of coffee of course.

Oh and a perhaps a recitation of "You can’t really dust for vomit", or perhaps "It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever."

Wild Boy

Its Friday night, its 8pm and I am at home. The lovely Bobo isn’t though. So let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy festive season.

I, meanwhile, am keeping up my seasonal tradition of being grumpy. Bah, humbug. I love yous all.