w.atching the w.orld unw.ind

Today's lyric:

"Gonna do just what I please, gonna wear no socks and shoes
With nothing to do but feed all the kangaroos."

Steely Dan: "Black Friday"
From the album: "Katy lied"

Yesterday's marriage of P and L went fantastically well, with Number One Son very smartly booted and suited and giving a fine Best Man speech, which most people listened to for a while, anyway - it was a somewhat raucous occasion.

The girls all failed to rise to the request for some human pole dancing, despite M. being 6' 7" and D. - by virtue of parentage - being a half-Pole.

Polaroids were taken, autographed and commented on during the proceedings - nothing too salacious. Weelllll...

Number One Son was gifted an inscribed hipflask and was appropriately touched. As the threat was to all go clubbing later, he was hoping for more physical contact than that (but we won't tell his Ma, eh?)

Enjoy your weekends, y'all

Today's lyric:

"There is nothin' fair in this world
There is nothin' safe in this world
And there is nothin' sure in this world
And there is nothin' pure in this world
Look for something left in this world.
Start again."

Billy Idol: "White wedding "
From the album: "Billy Idol "

Number One Son is today being Best Man at his Best Mate's wedding.

The couple are largely paying for the gig themselves, so a registry office and pub are cheaper on a Thursday than at the weekend and it'll be quieter all round (especially in London On The Coast)

Both of the victims have been regular visitors to our home over the years that NOS has known them and we've watched the lad grow from mischievous boy to mischievous man.

So we'll be down there, snapping away with all cameras blazing and trying to keep cool in what seems to be a building heat today.

If I can work out how to pixellate faces, I may post up a few pics. Anyone know how it's done?

Today's lyric:

"Well come on in, come on in and lay me down now
And relax, 'cause the world will collapse with you
Turn your red light into blue
Why do you keep running around like that?
Sit back, 'cause this is gonna take a while
There's no shame in going in out of style
Why do you keep running around like that?"

Gomez: "Here come the breeze"
From the album: "Bring it on"

Everyone looks more cheerful, brighter...

Today's lyric:

"I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky-high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free."

The Who: "Song is over"
From the album: "Who's next"

Apparently, after we left on Sunday, f.i.l. got up, had a bath and shave, drank some of that there 'beef tea' and a drop of ginger ale and felt much refreshed.

Too early days for dancing and celebrations, as there'll be much more sh1t treatment and reactions in the months to come, but hey, almost a Lazarus moment?

Today's lyric:

"Space may be the final frontier but it's made in a Hollywood basement
Kurt Cobain can you hear the spheres, singing songs off station to station
And Alderon's not far away, it's Californication."

Red Hot Chilli Peppers: "Californication"
From the album: "Californication"

Unless you're very jaded (in which case, you shouldn't be doing it) there must be a moment for every diver when they're sat on the side of the boat, just waiting their turn to topple back into the water, and you think "I'm about to enter an alien environment. What will I see? Will it be a good dive?"

Our first dive on Saturday was over the fossil beds just off the Sussex coast. Having courteously waited while the other ten divers kitted up and plunged in - then helped two back on board who'd had trouble getting down - we were told that our fifty minutes 'bottom time' was reduced to thirty. Bit of a pi55er, really, considering we'd paid the same as every one else for the dive? But in practice, the vis(ibility) wasn't that good (less than two metres) and there wasn't really that much to see anyway. It's decided us not to do that type of dive again. Leastways, in the UK.

Dive 2 was our old favourite, the Far Mulberry. In Bracklesham Bay, 1.3 miles off the coast and in only twelve metres of water, it's an easy, shallow dive with lots to see in a sheltered area, so vis is usually 2-3 metres. Good enough for what we wanted.

Hovering with neutral buoyancy in a bait ball of pouting, bib and bream is just surreal. They're so used to divers, they just let you pass through the shoal and regroup behind you. Fascinating. And we managed a good 64 minutes of bottom time. Hey, I may just Copy/Paste all this into my Dive Log?

In other news, f.i.l. is recovering from his first dose of chemo, to try to stem the lung cancer aided and abetted by 60 years of smoking. He's in danger of seriously dehydrating because he can't hold down fluid, but we'd spoken to others who've gone through it and ginger ale was recommended. So we just left a bottle behind and apparently it's going down well. Maybe it really is a stomach-settler?

He also 'fancied' beef tea, so we traipsed off to Morrisson's and bemused the butcher with our request for prime meat to make tea with. I'm sure he thought I was some kind of nutter. And his second 'fancy' was - with the nurse's approval - brandy with lovage. Also apparently a soother for tender tums?

The young lad we approached and asked "Lovage?" also backed off, muttering "I've only just started working here - leave me alone!" So we managed to find it unaided and left that behind too.

I'll let you know whether it was such a good idea or not...

Today's lyric:

"I was halfway home - I was half insane,
And every shop window I looked in just looked the same
I said send me a sign to save my life
'Cause at this moment in time there is nothing certain in these day's of mine."

The Style Council: "Shout to the top"
From the album: "Cafe Bleu"

Tomorrow, wind, weather and vis(ibility) permitting, we will be drifting over fossil beds and through baitballs of pouting, several meters down in the 'oggin.

First dives of the year.

In other news, The Ginger Whinger is busily flushing the contraceptive pill out of her body by yarming at full tilt at non-existent male cats out of the windows.

We have to let her call this one out, then the next time she starts rolling lasciviously around on the carpets, she'll get taken off for another session of Wham, Bam, Thankyou Mam.

And maybe this time the little bugger'll get up the duff...

Enjoy your weekends,y'all

Today's lyric:

"Yes you got a smile, makes me wow for you baby
Yes you got a style that turns me on, man
Please don't be late, no, don't hesitate
Cos in a while, the morning will come."

Spirit: "Morning will come"
From the album: "The 12 dreams of Dr Sardonicus"

The hire car I had for Tuesday was still sat on my drive yesterday evening. The owners having failed to collect it during the day, getting the ignition key from my neighbour who stayed in all day expecting them.

I just rang them to say my neighbour will not be around today (and neither am - I'm at work) so what was their plan?

"But you were supposed to leave the key under a bin or a plant pot."

"I don't know who on earth told you that (I could live in a top flat or something?) and I don't have a (secure) bin and there are dozens of plant pots. I'm certainly not going to advertise which one it might have been under, just to return home and find that I'm responsible for the theft of a 15k car because you didn't collect it during the appointed day. And anyway, clearly no-one came because there was a note behind the windscreen saying 'Key with neighbour. Please prove identity for collection'. Surely a much more secure hand-over?

I'll be home around 6:30 if you want to pick it up then?"

"We don't collect that late and we only have one ignition key - the other's at Head Office."

"1. What if I'd lost it, then?
2. That's an odd statement, because it was delivered to me at 8:30 p.m. (I was just beginning to panic that it wouldn't have been there for the early start I had next day)"

"Erm."

"Well, you've lost the use of it for another day, then.

No wonder car theft is rife...

Today's lyric:

"Away! The jokers's closing in
Reform and they will win
The light is fading fast.
I know, you know, they know, we all know
Everybody's gonna burn down.."

Electric Light Orchestra: "Poker"
From the album: "Face the music"

Sorry for the absenteeism, mes amis, but have been doing a gap analysis on some veeeerrry sexy software and am drained of blogworthy topics today.

Except to say that Number One Son looks very nice in his new Best Man Suit.

Today's lyric:

"You can spend all your time making money
You can spend all your love making time
If it all fell to pieces tomorrow
Would you still be mine?"

The Eagles: "Take it to the limit "
From the album: "One of these nights"

That had to be one of the best gigs ever. The sound was waaaay better than when we saw them at Earl's court, the horn section was tight, tight, tight and the Eagles themselves seemed to be really into the gig this time around.

All four of us were glad for:
The beautiful, cooling breeze wafting around the back of the North stand of Twickenham's rugby stadium; and
The two sisters and their partners - who arrived way too late to see the Dixie Chicks who were supporting, and farted about getting seated in front of us when they should have been well in place in time for the main gig - leaving before the first encore, thereby sparing us from the blokes' over-the-sisters'-heads conversation about how much the tickets had cost etc. etc. etc.

I was on the point of yelling "Just shut the fcuk up and listen, if you want your 60 quids' worth!!" and they shot out to 'beat the rush'. Missing the three encores which had the world standing and yelling for more. T1ts, all.

Here's a quote from Ol' Sparky. "They opened with 'Take it easy' and 'Witchy Woman' but the highlight for me was that there Joe Walsh belting out 'Life's been good' (Oh Yeah!)"

And from Mrs.D: "When they finally encored with 'Desperado', the hair on the back of my neck stood up. We may never see the like again."

And from Mrs Ol' Sparky: "Timothy B. Schmidt (the bassist) knocking out 'Love will keep us alive. Killer track."

And me? "Seeing Joe Walsh running the length of the stage, wearing a hard hat with a webcam mounted on it. And that lyric up there never fails to bring a tear to my eye. And it didn't fail last night, either..."

The running order: (approx)

Oh sorry - you'll have to wait - brekkie's here...

Munch.

Ok. Back.

Take it easy
Witchy Woman
Tequila sunrise
In the city
Take it to the limit (cue damp eyes 1)
(Number One Daughter asked if I thought of her when they sang it. Yes. Yes, I did.)
New kid in town
Lyin' eyes
The long run
Boys of summer
Dirty laundry
One of these nights
Sunset Grill
Heartache tonight
No more cloudy days
Life's been good
Love will keep us alive
Get over it
Rocky mountain way
Peaceful easy feeling
Already gone
Best of my love
Hole in the world (for 9/11 - killer song)
Hotel California
Desperado (cde2)

Tromped back the mile to the school playground where we'd parked the car* and picnic'ed before wandering up to the venue, exited smartish and were home within the hour.

Bramah.

* pre-paid a tenner to the PTA and the funds raised sends the pupils on various trips, so everyone profs?

Labels: gigs, Music

Today's lyric:

"Relax" said the night man, we are programmed to receive.
You can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave.

The Eagles: "Hotel California"

Number One Son heads off today for his best mate's stag weekend. As the Best Man, he's organised transport and accommodation for 17 blokes to Wales, for two days of paintballing and general malarkey. I'm greatly impressed.

Yesterday, he went down to that there Brighton and toured the charity shops for something fitting for the groom to wear during the festivities. The other 15 are doing the same, as the condemned man is not going to be allowed to bring any of his own clothes.

Much to the bemusement of the old biddies also roaming the rails, he fetched up with a shocking pink halter neck dress (which clearly would never fit his gangling 6' 2" frame).

I swear that although he's now 23, he's grown since being in Kernowland. Must be being back in sea air?

Anyway, this dress is going to:
a) make the victim stand out in the paintball arena like a Cyclops' eye; and
b) offer absolutely no protection against close-up shots. It's gonna sting like a bitch.

Photos to be posted later.

So with him gone, that leaves a hot-bunking opportunity for Ol' Sparky and Mrs Ol' Sparky to weekend with us and see these good ol' boys on Saturday night.

But before then, ullage will be consumed and stars will be gazed at...

Enjoy your weekends, y'all

Today's lyric:

"And I need little Margaret, out here again
Scr scr screwing some traffic from the shaven insane
With thumbs like a dragnet, she pulls like a train
And she looks like a magnet
And she comes like a warm rain."

Roy Harper: "Highway blues"
From the album: "Lifemask"

One of the plus points of having absolutely no interest in the on-dragging World Cup whatsoever is that:

a) I don't have to be involved in endless post mortems about how good/bad/bl00dy dreadful last night's game was; and
b) the traffic is much reduced at going home time and the train less like a cattle truck.

Yes, I'm greatly enjoying the footie.

Today's lyric:

"When my fist clenches, crack it open, before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news, before I laugh and act like a fool

And if I swallow anything evil, put your finger down my throat
And if I shiver, please give me a blanket, keep me warm, let me wear your coat."

The Who: "Behind blue eyes"
From the album: "Who's next"

I remember (and yes, it was a very long time ago) playing that track and a girl who was also listening commented that the lyrics were disgusting.

"But it's a request for help, not actual physical invasion" I rounded?

Anyone else know any ambiguous lyrics?

Today's lyric:

"You could have a steam train, if you'd just lay down your tracks
You could have an aeroplane flying, if you bring your blue sky back."

Peter Gabriel: "Sledgehammer"
From the album: "So"

I'm guessing that Witchy's request for an anti-thunderstorm dance didn't reach fruition, because it's lashing down over much of the country, according to the Met.

(that's the Meteorological Office, btw, not the Metropolitan Police)

so please send kind thoughts (or tilers, or "blue sky" lyrics, like the one above)

Today's lyric:

"I'm just about glad that I knew you once
And it was more than just a passing acquaintance
I'm just about glad that it was a memory
That doesn't need constant maintenance
There are a few things that I regret
But nothing that I need to forget
For all of the courage that we never had
I'm just about glad."

Elvis Costello: "Just about glad"
From the album: "Brutal Youth"

Alfie was just about right.

We managed to get a standing spot at Copse (at the end of the first straight/pit lane) but it's such a fast corner that they really are just a blur.

So after the off, there's a gap of about two minutes until they all come buzzing back, then, as pitting starts, there's someone coming past pretty much all the time so you can't hear the commentary above the deafening roar of those monstrously powerful engines. And you end up relying on the (largely silent) large screens - through binoculars - which is effectively like watching the telly with the sound turned right up?

Without the benefit of a beer to hand or being able to pee without queuing for two days?

The Red Arrows were good, though. We missed the intro to the pilots because some inconsiderate git in the pits was revving up. At a race-track. I ask you.

But it seemed they had a woman in charge of the manouevres. "Ssssss. Break - LEFT"
(At this point, I'll resist the cheap and easy temptation to add that she then said "No, wait, RIGHT. No. No. Hang on. Which hand is my wedding ring on. Left. Yes - LEFT. Oh. Bugger. They've all gone.")

Absolute precision flying. More skilful and dangerous than the racing we'd actually gone to see, although those guys do earn their crust for the manic speeds they throw those cars around at.

But we shan't be going again, thankyou.

Today's lyric:

"When I'm cutting up the road, with a sports car on my tail
Frankenstein's inside my mind and the wind's inside my sails."

Rod Stewart: "Let me be your car" (lyrics by Bernie Taupin)
From the album: "Smiler"

On Sunday, I will mostly be watching live my first ever British F1 Grand Prix with a blagged ticket (plus a cheque to pay for the Park&Ride, wouldja believe?)

And while I'm no big fan of Jenson Buttocks, it would be good to see a Brit win on home turf (or should that be tarmac?)

Anyhoo, enjoy your weekends, y'all!

Today's lyric:

"Bentley said to Craig "Let him have it, Chris"
They still don't know today just what he meant by this?
Craig fired the pistol but was too young to swing,
So the police took Bentley and the very next thing let him dangle.

Bentley had surrendered - he was under arrest -
When he gave Chris Craig that fatal request.
Craig shot Sidney Miles - he took Bentley's word -
The prosecution claimed as they charged them with murder
"Let him dangle"

They say Derek Bentley was easily led -
Well what's that to the woman that Sidney Miles wed?
Though guilty was the verdict and Craig had shot him dead
The gallows were for Bentley and still she never said "Let him dangle!"

Not that many people thought that Bentley would hang
But the word never came, the phone never rang
Outside Wandsworth prison there was horror and hate
As the hangman shook Bentley's hand to calculate his weight - Let him dangle!"

Elvis Costello: "Let him dangle"
From the album: "Spike"

I've often averred that, given the opportunity, I'd be prepared to assist in capital punishment if it was absolutely proven beyond any doubt that the accused was guilty. (and I know, saying's one thing, doing's another.)

But listening, really listening, to Costello's damning tirade against "an eye for an eye" in the lyrics above, I wonder whether in those circumstances - unusually an almost public act of murder - I would have been capable of pulling the lever for someone who didn't actually commit the crime but was charged with it?

Anyone else vehemently for or against?

Today's lyric:

"She's real good looking, she makes me sigh
Blue jeans and leather, her heels are high
She's real good looking, she makes me sigh."

The Stranglers: "Princess of the streets"
From the album: "Rattus Norvegicus"

I do begrudge paying exactly £3k for an annual season ticket, to stand (or sit in the luggage rack) all the way from home to capital.

/rant

Today's lyric:

"Can I isolate your gene?
Can I kiss your dopamine?
In a way I wonder if she's living in a magazine
I dont want to say it if it isn't so
I dont want to weigh it but I've got to know
This is my calling."

Red Hot Chilli Peppers: "This is the place"
From the album: "By the way"

This view from the Brighton seafront webcam shows what we old salts know as a 'millers' i.e. the sea is mill-pond flat.

Just the sort of weather and conditions to say "Stuff work, let's go fishing/diving"

What's the betting it won't be as good as this when we dive here on the 24th?

Eh, Buddy1?

Today's lyric:

"Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
Tryin' to make a livin' and doin' the best I can
And when it's time for leavin' I hope you'll understand
That I was born a ramblin' man."

The Allman Brothers: "Ramblin Man"

Now I know why I never considered a career with Pickford's.

I asked Number One Daughter how many flights up her flat was.

"Two" she said.

Yeah, two floors. That's four flights and three bends to negotiate bed, mattress (double) and gurt, heavy boxes around.

But she's ensconced, with black-out roller blinds fitted and one "made in China" self-assembly wardrobe built.

The roof terrace is nice, though...

Today's lyric:

"Well, I'm sorry girl but I can't stay
Feelin' like I do today
It's too much pain and too much sorrow,
Guess I'll feel the same tomorrow."

The Rolling Stones: "The last time"
From the album: "Out of our heads"

Many thanks to all who contributed to yesterday's 'competition' - well, I laughed, anyway. Feel free to carry on contributing.

Tomorrow, I become White Man Van for perhaps the last time, when Number One Daughter moves out. Down to that there Hove, actually. And this time, possibly, for good.

We've brought both her and Number One Son up to be independent free-thinkers, so we're quite proud that they are both pretty self-sufficient (although it's great fun when they are chez nous). So it's a move tinged with a little sadness too.

Anyway. Enough maudlin nonsense.

Enjoy your weekends, y'all.

Today's lyric:

"Skype, Skype me do
You know I Skype too
I'll always Skype you
So ple-e-e-eeease
Skype me do."

The Beatles: "Skype me do"

Witchy's comment yesterday (and wasn't it heartwarming to hear her burst into song amidst all her trials and tribulations?) prompted a mini competition for youse all.

Build the word/name Skype into the lyrics of a song and post it in my Comments?

I've started you off (see above) but you could also have something like

Diana Ross:
"Skype me in the morning
Then just talk away"

or

Madonna:
"Like a virgin
Skype'd for the very first time
Like a vir-er-er-er-virgin
With your mouse-mat, next to mine"

Get the idea?