I didn’t think that I would have to working as a waiter this late in my career, but then again it was all for a good cause.
Good friends of ours were having a combined birthday party for two of their three young girls (Mum Carole, eldest and middle daughters Paige and Sophie all have their birthdays within a few days of each other). This year one of the girls presents was a trip in a limousine and a fully catered (Carole and Sue in the kitchen, Chris and me front of house) meal for friends.
Nine pre-teen girls were chaperoned by Chris in a stretch limo tour of the local (not very well chaperoned as they were pulled over by the police after a couple of girls leaned out of the windows (all adding to the excitement of the trip).
The girls were all dressed to the nines as were Chris and I in our bow ties and waiter outfits. They were treated like ladies with a (non-alcoholic) cocktail reception, before being announced into the dinning room for a full three course dinner (in French – mostly). They all played along wonderfully and had an enjoyable meal.
When dinner was over the fun continued with roulette, a playstation dance-mat game and karaoke in the back room. I made a discreet exit at this stage and went into the front room to watch TV.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Out on a school night…
We were out at another musical event this week.
On Tuesday we went to see Ray Lamontagne play at Bush Hall. The venue is small and intimate, just how we like them (I get a bit claustrophobic in a large venue, and I think you miss something in the performance). It has a faded grandeur and has plenty of character. Luckily we were there early as only the first few managed to get a seat at the tables. The rest of the audience either sat on the floor at the front or stood near the bar at the rear.
The opening at was Rachael Yamagata and her all girl band. The difference amplification can make to acoustic instruments is amazing, they totally rocked the place. Her very passionate lyrics, mostly about relationship troubles, were very moving.
Ray Lamontagne is another unlikely star; bearded and quietly spoken it is hard to believe that he can produce such heartrending and powerful songs. He was occasionally accompanied by the best double bassist ever. They totally had the place rocking to there bluesy, country rock.
It was great fun apart from the necessary hours of public travelling to get there and back. Oh and it was so hard to get up in the morning.
On Tuesday we went to see Ray Lamontagne play at Bush Hall. The venue is small and intimate, just how we like them (I get a bit claustrophobic in a large venue, and I think you miss something in the performance). It has a faded grandeur and has plenty of character. Luckily we were there early as only the first few managed to get a seat at the tables. The rest of the audience either sat on the floor at the front or stood near the bar at the rear.
The opening at was Rachael Yamagata and her all girl band. The difference amplification can make to acoustic instruments is amazing, they totally rocked the place. Her very passionate lyrics, mostly about relationship troubles, were very moving.
Ray Lamontagne is another unlikely star; bearded and quietly spoken it is hard to believe that he can produce such heartrending and powerful songs. He was occasionally accompanied by the best double bassist ever. They totally had the place rocking to there bluesy, country rock.
It was great fun apart from the necessary hours of public travelling to get there and back. Oh and it was so hard to get up in the morning.
Monday, November 15, 2004
The silly season starts…
We have been out and about again and it sometimes feels like we are getting too old for it.
We went out to a concert recently at a fantastic venue. Although the concert was through the Barbican it was actually held at the LSO’s St Lukes
Before the ‘gig’ we stopped in at the Museum of London. Often overlooked this smaller museum, like its name suggests, is London-centric and has an amazing collection of artefacts all held in a lovely space, small enough to wander around in a few hours.
We then had a bite to eat at the Barbican's classy little Bistro before heading off to the venue.
We went to see a couple of artists that feature in my new collection; Iron & Wine (Sam Beam on guitar and lead vocals, his sister on tambourine and backing vocals, and his friend Patrick on banjo and guitar). Supporting them was Micha P Hinson singing and playing the guitar with a friend on the accordion.
The venue is great, open and airy but still intimate with contrasting architecture of the old church and modern seating arrangement. Both of the acts were fantastic, pared down to their basic elements they nevertheless managed to convey so much passion that comes from their mutual strength of good writing.
Also this week we caught up with quite a few of the Kiwi contingent as Gary and Mary and the kids breezed through town. We had dinner and a chat on Monday night and got the lowdown on Mary’s exciting kids clothing venture with the re-branding of her new shop Mesamis. Later in the week we met them again, this time in town with Dean and Michelle, Derek and Kate, and Marc and Heather. It was Heather’s birthday and so we were not short of an excuse to have a drink or two.
Sue, unfortunately, came down with a cold which has worn her out. So while she prepared a warming soup I did a little bit of work on the allotment to get it ready for the frosts to come. We harvested our bumper crop of chillies that, now we have brought into the warmth of the kitchen, are all turning a fiery red.
We went out to a concert recently at a fantastic venue. Although the concert was through the Barbican it was actually held at the LSO’s St Lukes
Before the ‘gig’ we stopped in at the Museum of London. Often overlooked this smaller museum, like its name suggests, is London-centric and has an amazing collection of artefacts all held in a lovely space, small enough to wander around in a few hours.
We then had a bite to eat at the Barbican's classy little Bistro before heading off to the venue.
We went to see a couple of artists that feature in my new collection; Iron & Wine (Sam Beam on guitar and lead vocals, his sister on tambourine and backing vocals, and his friend Patrick on banjo and guitar). Supporting them was Micha P Hinson singing and playing the guitar with a friend on the accordion.
The venue is great, open and airy but still intimate with contrasting architecture of the old church and modern seating arrangement. Both of the acts were fantastic, pared down to their basic elements they nevertheless managed to convey so much passion that comes from their mutual strength of good writing.
Also this week we caught up with quite a few of the Kiwi contingent as Gary and Mary and the kids breezed through town. We had dinner and a chat on Monday night and got the lowdown on Mary’s exciting kids clothing venture with the re-branding of her new shop Mesamis. Later in the week we met them again, this time in town with Dean and Michelle, Derek and Kate, and Marc and Heather. It was Heather’s birthday and so we were not short of an excuse to have a drink or two.
Sue, unfortunately, came down with a cold which has worn her out. So while she prepared a warming soup I did a little bit of work on the allotment to get it ready for the frosts to come. We harvested our bumper crop of chillies that, now we have brought into the warmth of the kitchen, are all turning a fiery red.
More of wot I have read…
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, by Roddy Doyle
I had finished this book some time ago now, but I have been unable to write about it. It is a very difficult book for several reasons. The cultural references and language are hard to follow as Roddy Doyle writes in a particular late 60’s Irish vernacular. But, for me, the most difficult thing was that I found the main characters very troubling, almost alien. They are not necessarily evil, but they do exhibit the worst elements of children; bullies and cowards. If you like a challenging read go ahead, but I caution you there are parts of this book that are very haunting and desperately upsetting.
‘It is 1968. Patrick Clarke is ten. He loves George Best, Geronimo and the smell of his hot water bottle. He hates zoos, kissing and the boys from the Corporation houses. He can’t stand his little brother. He wants to be a missionary like Father Damien. He coerces the McCarthy twins and Willy Hancock into playing lepers. He never picks the scabs off his knees before they’re ready.
Kevin is his best friend. Their names are all over Barrytown, written with sticks in wet cement. They play football, knick-knack, jumping to the bottom of the sea. Shoplifting. Robbing ‘Football Monthly’ means four million years purgatory. But a good confession before you died and you’d go straight to heaven.
He wants to know why no one jumped in for him when Charles Leavy had been going to kill him. He wants to stop his da arguing with his ma. He’s confused: he sees everything but understands less and less…’
I had finished this book some time ago now, but I have been unable to write about it. It is a very difficult book for several reasons. The cultural references and language are hard to follow as Roddy Doyle writes in a particular late 60’s Irish vernacular. But, for me, the most difficult thing was that I found the main characters very troubling, almost alien. They are not necessarily evil, but they do exhibit the worst elements of children; bullies and cowards. If you like a challenging read go ahead, but I caution you there are parts of this book that are very haunting and desperately upsetting.
‘It is 1968. Patrick Clarke is ten. He loves George Best, Geronimo and the smell of his hot water bottle. He hates zoos, kissing and the boys from the Corporation houses. He can’t stand his little brother. He wants to be a missionary like Father Damien. He coerces the McCarthy twins and Willy Hancock into playing lepers. He never picks the scabs off his knees before they’re ready.
Kevin is his best friend. Their names are all over Barrytown, written with sticks in wet cement. They play football, knick-knack, jumping to the bottom of the sea. Shoplifting. Robbing ‘Football Monthly’ means four million years purgatory. But a good confession before you died and you’d go straight to heaven.
He wants to know why no one jumped in for him when Charles Leavy had been going to kill him. He wants to stop his da arguing with his ma. He’s confused: he sees everything but understands less and less…’
Sunday, November 07, 2004
New Music. From the sublime to the ridiculous…
I have been spending some money (umm… well… quite a lot actually), on new music. Again it is an eclectic mix, not to everybody’s taste, but I don’t think there is a dud amongst them.
New-Folk
Kings of Convenience – riot on an empty street,
This band is my new favourite. They are so laid back and chilled; it is hard not to listen to them without nodding off. The track ‘I’d rather dance with you’ is as fast paced as it gets – and even that won’t over stimulate. This album has beautifully crafted songs, simple music, and heartrending harmonies. It is absolutely sublime.
Willard Grant Conspiracy – regard the end,
With a slightly more ‘country’ feel this band are high up my scale of great music. Slightly rough around the edges but still beautiful.
Micah P. Hinson – and the gospel of progress,
New on the scene with his debut album it is a great offering that draws on his troubled past. Worth keeping an eye on.
Ray Lamontagne – trouble,
Another artist I hadn’t heard of before. I will be watching out for more from him too. Love the title track.
Country-ish
Jim White – drill a hole in the substrate and tell me what you see,
More ‘country’ than the others above. His songs initially appear to be a little less ‘serious’, but the message is still there, even if it is disguised in tracks like ‘if Jesus drove a motor home’.
Mex-Tex
Calexico – black heart,
Having fun in a foot-stomping sort of way. More of an EP than a full blown album this is a taster of the style and energy that is Calexico.
Folk-Indie
Elliot Smith – from a basement on the hill,
The posthumous release from Elliott Smith is a grower rather than the instant delight that was his XO album. A troubled artist that has inspired many others.
Earlimart – treble & tremble,
Definitely one artist inspired by Elliott Smith, so much so that this is basically a tribute album to the man.
Smog – knock knock,
Great stuff. I absolutely love the track ‘cold blooded old times’.
Rilo Kiley – more adventurous,
Beautiful and charming with a sense of humour and certain amount of edge. Jenny Lewis’s voice is sparky and haunting.
The Postal Service – give up,
Another great album. The band gets its name from the way the album was created. The members of the band would send partial completed tracks to each other.
Wilco – a ghost is born,
A big name in this genre and deservedly so. More mainstream than the others but still very much with thier own sound.
Electronica
Flunk – for sleepyheads only,
A contrast to the more paired down music of the new folk scene the electronica groups are full of rich and heavily processed sounds. Still on the mellow side but ever so slightly dancey.
Her Space Holiday – the young machines,
New to me, but that’s what I look for in my music. Good stuff here, well worth a try.
Neotropic – white rabbits,
Not so heavily processed. Somewhere between Indie and Electronica. Sweet sounding.
Sigur Ros – ( ),
Definitely towards the weirder end of the scale. This album has no title, track listing, bio notes, or anything that could be construed as information. Still I guess it’s all about the music, and that at least is complete and interesting.
Mainstream
The Zutons – who killed…,
Slightly ‘comic strip’ at first glance, but in deeper investigation it is full of great rousing pop tunes. Great party music.
Scissor Sisters,
Again, don’t be fooled be appearances. They may look like the modern day Village People, but they sure know how to write a good pop song.
Groove Armada – the best of,
Nothing new here, but if want the best of this band then here it is. Well polished and serene.
Blur – the best of,
All of you favourite tracks from the best Brit-Pop band of them all.
Paul Weller – studio 150,
The Godfather of soul interprets some old standards. An interesting selection of tracks done the way only Paul Weller can.
And now for something completely different…
William Shatner – has been,
Oh yes! You better believe it. If you haven’t heard this you are in for a treat. Mostly his own material (with the obvious exception of Pulp's – Common People) and with the help of big names like Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins, Ben Folds, Lemon Jelly and more this album is a revelation. Not to be taken seriously it can surprise you more than you would expect. The raging rant that is ‘I can’t get behind that’ is fab. A cult classic.
New-Folk
Kings of Convenience – riot on an empty street,
This band is my new favourite. They are so laid back and chilled; it is hard not to listen to them without nodding off. The track ‘I’d rather dance with you’ is as fast paced as it gets – and even that won’t over stimulate. This album has beautifully crafted songs, simple music, and heartrending harmonies. It is absolutely sublime.
Willard Grant Conspiracy – regard the end,
With a slightly more ‘country’ feel this band are high up my scale of great music. Slightly rough around the edges but still beautiful.
Micah P. Hinson – and the gospel of progress,
New on the scene with his debut album it is a great offering that draws on his troubled past. Worth keeping an eye on.
Ray Lamontagne – trouble,
Another artist I hadn’t heard of before. I will be watching out for more from him too. Love the title track.
Country-ish
Jim White – drill a hole in the substrate and tell me what you see,
More ‘country’ than the others above. His songs initially appear to be a little less ‘serious’, but the message is still there, even if it is disguised in tracks like ‘if Jesus drove a motor home’.
Mex-Tex
Calexico – black heart,
Having fun in a foot-stomping sort of way. More of an EP than a full blown album this is a taster of the style and energy that is Calexico.
Folk-Indie
Elliot Smith – from a basement on the hill,
The posthumous release from Elliott Smith is a grower rather than the instant delight that was his XO album. A troubled artist that has inspired many others.
Earlimart – treble & tremble,
Definitely one artist inspired by Elliott Smith, so much so that this is basically a tribute album to the man.
Smog – knock knock,
Great stuff. I absolutely love the track ‘cold blooded old times’.
Rilo Kiley – more adventurous,
Beautiful and charming with a sense of humour and certain amount of edge. Jenny Lewis’s voice is sparky and haunting.
The Postal Service – give up,
Another great album. The band gets its name from the way the album was created. The members of the band would send partial completed tracks to each other.
Wilco – a ghost is born,
A big name in this genre and deservedly so. More mainstream than the others but still very much with thier own sound.
Electronica
Flunk – for sleepyheads only,
A contrast to the more paired down music of the new folk scene the electronica groups are full of rich and heavily processed sounds. Still on the mellow side but ever so slightly dancey.
Her Space Holiday – the young machines,
New to me, but that’s what I look for in my music. Good stuff here, well worth a try.
Neotropic – white rabbits,
Not so heavily processed. Somewhere between Indie and Electronica. Sweet sounding.
Sigur Ros – ( ),
Definitely towards the weirder end of the scale. This album has no title, track listing, bio notes, or anything that could be construed as information. Still I guess it’s all about the music, and that at least is complete and interesting.
Mainstream
The Zutons – who killed…,
Slightly ‘comic strip’ at first glance, but in deeper investigation it is full of great rousing pop tunes. Great party music.
Scissor Sisters,
Again, don’t be fooled be appearances. They may look like the modern day Village People, but they sure know how to write a good pop song.
Groove Armada – the best of,
Nothing new here, but if want the best of this band then here it is. Well polished and serene.
Blur – the best of,
All of you favourite tracks from the best Brit-Pop band of them all.
Paul Weller – studio 150,
The Godfather of soul interprets some old standards. An interesting selection of tracks done the way only Paul Weller can.
And now for something completely different…
William Shatner – has been,
Oh yes! You better believe it. If you haven’t heard this you are in for a treat. Mostly his own material (with the obvious exception of Pulp's – Common People) and with the help of big names like Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins, Ben Folds, Lemon Jelly and more this album is a revelation. Not to be taken seriously it can surprise you more than you would expect. The raging rant that is ‘I can’t get behind that’ is fab. A cult classic.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Family weekend…
This weekend was spent at home. Saturday morning the Pete-the-plumber came around to change the shower so now we don't have to run a cold tap to ensure the shower runs hot.
We were concerned with a bad smell in the dinning room (not good when people are coming around for a meal). We thought it might be the old carpet so we took that out, but unfortunately it was worse than that. One of the cat's trophies was slowly decomposing under the cabinet (ugh! …shudder).
I spent a little time in the garden and allotment, planting garlic (the left over bulbs from our meagre crop - apparently garlic around roses helps keep the bugs away), tidying the green house, and preparing chicory for forcing-on. Sue came down later on and we picked some crops for dinner.
Sue, again, made a fantastic meal for us (my Aunt and Uncle and neighbours Deb and Dave). We had nibbles to start (pastry croutons with sun-dried tomatoes & cheese or Italian wild boar spread), then, when we got to the table, we had scallops in Parma ham on fresh herb salad to start. Andalucean pork (stuffed with dates and dried-apricots) with dishes of cabbage & lardons, roast potatoes, ruby chard, and celariac mash for the main meal. A choice of either (or both) puddings, apple & quince tarte tartin or a pinole (pine nut) cake. Of course there was also the cheese board. All liberally washed down with a choice selection of New Zealand (thanks Mum & Dad), Spanish, French and Italian wines.
On Sunday we had a lazy start and after breakfast (yes, we were still eating), we took Liam (my Aunt and Uncles dog) for a walk in the park. While we were there we noticed that there was an abundance of fungi everywhere. Normally Sue and I would ignore them, but Joyce and terry are more familiar with collecting food-for-free and identified some of the mushrooms as edible, so that was lunch sorted. Sue had some dried pasta that we brought back from Italy. While that was all cooking we did an olive oil taste test between oil we had also brought back and a bottle of my Mum & Dad's own Fylde Fields brand. The colour and taste were both very similar.
It was a very pleasant weekend.
We were concerned with a bad smell in the dinning room (not good when people are coming around for a meal). We thought it might be the old carpet so we took that out, but unfortunately it was worse than that. One of the cat's trophies was slowly decomposing under the cabinet (ugh! …shudder).
I spent a little time in the garden and allotment, planting garlic (the left over bulbs from our meagre crop - apparently garlic around roses helps keep the bugs away), tidying the green house, and preparing chicory for forcing-on. Sue came down later on and we picked some crops for dinner.
Sue, again, made a fantastic meal for us (my Aunt and Uncle and neighbours Deb and Dave). We had nibbles to start (pastry croutons with sun-dried tomatoes & cheese or Italian wild boar spread), then, when we got to the table, we had scallops in Parma ham on fresh herb salad to start. Andalucean pork (stuffed with dates and dried-apricots) with dishes of cabbage & lardons, roast potatoes, ruby chard, and celariac mash for the main meal. A choice of either (or both) puddings, apple & quince tarte tartin or a pinole (pine nut) cake. Of course there was also the cheese board. All liberally washed down with a choice selection of New Zealand (thanks Mum & Dad), Spanish, French and Italian wines.
On Sunday we had a lazy start and after breakfast (yes, we were still eating), we took Liam (my Aunt and Uncles dog) for a walk in the park. While we were there we noticed that there was an abundance of fungi everywhere. Normally Sue and I would ignore them, but Joyce and terry are more familiar with collecting food-for-free and identified some of the mushrooms as edible, so that was lunch sorted. Sue had some dried pasta that we brought back from Italy. While that was all cooking we did an olive oil taste test between oil we had also brought back and a bottle of my Mum & Dad's own Fylde Fields brand. The colour and taste were both very similar.
It was a very pleasant weekend.
Fall back…
The clocks went back an hour this Sunday so we had a lie-in.
Every year it happens, but still it doesn’t get any easier.
Sunset tonight is 4:30pm!
Every year it happens, but still it doesn’t get any easier.
Sunset tonight is 4:30pm!
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