Congratulations to my dear friend TinTin and her husband Buddy on the news of the birth of their baby daughter Molly on the 21st August (last Thursday).
posted by Gina Snowdoll 9:48 AM[edit]
What is the deal with this Luther Blissett character? I recall a couple of years ago someone set up the URL http://easy.to/lutherblissett to link through to this Blog. I never did understand why, but I contacted the easy.to people and asked them to remove it.
posted by Gina Snowdoll 12:25 PM[edit]
Guitarz
Doesn't time fly? Already, my Guitar Blog has reached its first blog birthday. And to think that when I started it, I wasn't sure if I was going to be abble to find enough things to write about. Actually during my illness earlier this year, I found it much easier to write on the Guitar Blog than on this blog. I suppose that was because the subject matter is detached from me, and this blog (the Gina one) does tend to be about me.
By the way, if any other guitarists/guitar enthusiasts would like to start contributing to the Guitar Blog, please let me know. I'd like the site to grow, and opening it up to other regular writers might well be the way forward.
posted by Gina Snowdoll 9:02 AM[edit]
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Breaking the chain
Anyone who knows me well will know how much I loathe email circulars and chain letters. I even have a note in my email signature asking people not to pass on whatever "jokes" are doing the rounds, urban legends, chain letters, etc.
Well, today I received an old fashioned chain letter in the post! I was livid. Are people really that stupid that they think they'll be served up a big dose of bad luck if they break the chain? They surely can't believe they're going to get any money out of it.
And whilst I don't believe any of that "it's bad luck to break the chain" crap, it makes me really angry to think that someone is threatening me with bad luck. How the fuck dare they! I've had a shit year, thank you very much. How DARE you wish bad luck upon me.
The letter was postmarked Guildford, by the way. I don't think I know anybody in Guildford, so I don't know how they got my address. I hope that none of my friends would be responsible for this.
Needless to say, I tore it up and binned it. And if people are going to wish me bad luck then I shall CURSE WITH EXTREME MISFORTUNE all the people who were stupid enough to perpetuate the nasty thing.
Apparently the planet Mars is the closest its been to Earth in 60,000 years. Has anyone had a good look? I tried last night, but it was too cloudy. However, when I was coming home from the Wreckless Eric gig last week, there was a really clear sky in Didcot and Mars looked enormous. And that was a week ago, so I was wondering what it'd look like now.
posted by Gina Snowdoll 3:20 PM[edit]
Jamie Oliver vows never to say pukka again
Jamie Oliver is ditching his 'pukka' catchphrase because even he finds it annoying. He has vowed not to use the word again because it had turned him into a bit of a joke.
"I've always said it," he told London's Evening Standard. "But I try to avoid it now because I felt like I was becoming a cartoon of myself. It's weird because when you go to other countries, especially America, they keep asking you to say it and it drives you mad. 'Oh go on! Say pukka, pukka, pukka! Say easy peasy'. No!"
Oliver made his name with the Naked Chef series in which he referred to his recipes as "wicked", "lovely jubbly" and "pukka tukka". He revealed a more serious side in the Channel 4 show Jamie's Kitchen, which saw him turn a group of disadvantaged youngsters into chefs at his London restaurant Fifteen. Eight of the original 15 teenagers graduated recently from trainees to proper chefs and Oliver admitted he had mixed feelings about it.
"I didn't deal with it very well," the 28-year-old said. "I was a bit down about it because, bizarrely, the students have become my mates and they're not a weight on the kitchen any more - they're running it."
Oliver is taking a year-long break from his TV and publishing commitments to concentrate on Fifteen and spend more time with wife Jools and their daughters Poppy Honey, 17 months, and four-month-old Daisy Boo. Ananova
posted by Gina Snowdoll 12:54 PM[edit]
This is an aide memoir for myself of gigs that I'm going to in the next few months:
Saturday, 13 September - Penetration (with support from Teasing LuLu), Shepherd's Bush Empire
Saturday, 27 September - The Cramps, Astoria
Saturday, 18 October - Super Furry Animals, Carling Academy Brixton, 7.00 PM
Tuesday, 28 October - Goldfrapp, Carling Apollo Hammersmith
Wednesday 26 November - Blondie, Shepherd's Bush Empire
Hopefully there'll be a Damned gig in December too.
posted by Gina Snowdoll 2:51 PM[edit]
Bank holiday weekend and a flakey cat
I have to confess that I did virtually nothing this bank holiday weekend. Yesterday I watched a few DVDs including Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but that was about it. To be honest I started feeling depressed again.
Karen is away in Greece at the moment and will be for the next week and a half. Even though I find her a bit of a pain and difficult to get on with at times, it's horrible being in the house with no one else there, except for my li'l kitty of course.
Anyway, it was too hot and sticky to do anything. The poor li'll kitty was suffering. Look at him all flaked out, the poor thing:
The other day I received in the post a rather fabulous CD of Goldfrapp live in Berlin earlier this year, in excellent straight-from-the-soundboard quality. It's helping to get me in the mood for seeing them (or more accurately the lovely Alison) again in October.
Included on this CD is a bizarre cover version that they did for an encore, namely "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie", the original of which was by a spanish female duo by the name of Baccara. I remember first hearing the original version on the radio when my sister and I were staying with a family in France, way back in 1977. My sister and I thought it was a hilariously bad song and agreed that it would never be a hit in the UK, and that these European types really have no idea what constitutes good music.
We obviously spoke too soon, for about a month after we had returned to the UK the bloody song followed us and climbed the charts right up to the pole position of Number 1. Luckily we didn't have any witnesses to make us eat our words.
(Sorry, link expired - please email me if you really want this MP3)
The Goldfrapp Live In Berlin version of the song is somewhat different (Alison describes it as a "fuck up") but is still quite entertaining. They have now re-recorded the song in the studio and will be releasing it as a bonus track on their forthcoming "Twist" single.
Also, in one of those spooky coincidences, I have noticed that the original Baccara version is currently being used on a TV advertisement for something or other. Such is the power of advertising (upon me, at least) that I can't remember what the actual product is.
posted by Gina Snowdoll 11:21 AM[edit]
Incidentally, according to the Beeb Beeb Ceeb, Joe Meek was:
"Britain's first independent record producer, sonic innovator and eccentric uncle to studio geeks everywhere. From a chaotic flat on London's Holloway Road he made futuristic tunes that caught the imagination of the not-quite-swingin' 60s. A true original."
So, if that french guy is looking in, there you go!
posted by Gina Snowdoll 4:14 PM[edit]
Noooooooooooooo...
In The Guardian's Weekend magazine there is a regular column rather pretentiously called "How To Wear Clothes" by Jess Cartner-Morley. In this weekend's edition she writes:
"People say English summers aren't what they used to be, but in one crucial way they've improved: the flip-flops are so much better..."
and she goes on to extoll the virtues of "minimalist black suede versions, cute sequinned and beaded cheapies, and glamourous diamante numbers..."
How am I supposed to take seriously a "fashion" journalist who likes - even dare I say it - promotes flip-flops?
Flip-flops are vile, evil things. There is no such thing as a "glamourous" pair of flip-flops. They are ugly, exceedingly un-sexy, and make the wearer walk like a pregnant duck, with that severely unnattracive flat-footed gait and that vomit-inducing slapping noise they make.
BAN THE FLIP-FLOP!!!!!
posted by Gina Snowdoll 4:02 PM[edit]
Friday, August 22, 2003
Wreckless Eric at the 100 Club, London, 21 August 2003
The idea was to leave work early, and this I did, but not early enough so that I could actually get to the station in time and buy a ticket to London. I had to dive straight through the barrier (it let me through because I have a Didcot-Oxford weekly pass) and onto the train which was just about to leave. Perhaps I could buy a ticket off the ticket inspector on the train I told myself. However one never materialised, although I can't say I was overly disappointed by this.
At Paddington (I notice they have a new statue of Paddington Bear there, by the way. Good call as on the occasions when I've arranged to meet people there it is hard to decide on a landmark. Now it'll be easy, "Meet me by the statue of Paddington Bear," I'll say) I took a Bakerloo line train to Oxford Circus and then started making my way down the east end of Oxford Street surveying the shop fronts for some sign of a number so I could work out how far it was to number 100. But hardly any of the shops had numbers displayed, so this was a much harder thing to do than it should have been. Thankfully it wasn't too long before I found number 100 Oxford Street, being the venue of The 100 Club. Actually the clock outside with "100 Club" on it was a dead giveaway, but no-one had suggested this as something to be on the look-out for.
Outside I found Paul from the Yahoo!Groups Eric list, and we chatted a while before going down inside into the club proper.
Quite quickly quite a small crowd had gathered. These were all the privileged people who had invites to the before-gig book-launch party (of whom we were included of course) and mostly came from the publishing world, although there were one or two minor celebrities there such as Lene Lovich who used to be a labelmate of Eric's on Stiff Records.
We also met up with other people from the Eric Yahoo!group, namely Jeremy, and Tony and his wife Cindy.
There was a free bar, and on every fourth or fifth table there was a box of battered "things" which looked as if they should be edible, only neither Paul or I wanted to be the first to take a bite in case something vile was contained within. Jeremy was nowhere near as squeamish as us (although I don't think he could see the battered "thing" on my side of the box, that was shaped disturbingly close to a human ear) and he went on to prove that they were indeed quite edible by successfully demonstrating that he could eat them without keeling over and dying.
Eric was flitting about the place; to be honest I hadn't recognised him to start with; he looked somehow different although I couldn't put my finger on why? Perhaps he'd lost some weight? Paul and Jeremy were alarmed by the hat he was wearing (see above photo) and made some quite rude comments about it. I thought it suited him, although it did have this aura of "flowerpot man" about it.
Eric was encouraged to take the stage and address the assembled folk. He did a reading from his book - A Dysfunctional Success - and having such a talent for telling amusing stories, he soon had the entire place in hysterics. He also performed two songs - "Reconnez Cherie" and "Same".
Eric then singed books for people, I duly nipped in line and grabbed a book for Eric to sign for me. Eric commented on my Goldfrapp t-shirt, and I asked him if he liked them and we talked about that briefly. Then I asked if he remembered me as being TinTin's friend (we met at a gig at the Sanctuary Cafe in Brighton in October 2001) and then recognition dawned upon him, and in the excitement he nearly forgot to sign my book. (However, I wasn't going to let him get away with it that easily).
After a break (the free bar was no longer free by now), the general public were allowed into the Club for the gig itself.
First up were an eclectic little group called Venus Ray who were loud, swapped instruments and had a penchant for songs about space travel, and who were very entertaining. (I was mightily impressed and have sent off for their album via their website). As an aside, which probably won't mean much to you, their drummer Rob (who we thought looked like Morrissey) is the son of recording artist Kevin Coyne, although perhaps if you never listened to the John Peel show you wouldn't know who he was.
After Venus Ray had their set cut short by The Management ("Oi, we were enjoying that"), and after another short break, Eric took the stage again, and treated us to the following selection of songs:
Joe Meek
Lureland
Final Taxi / Grandma in Oldham (book reading)
Reconnez Cherie
Continuity Girl
Same
So sad about us
Laurel Tree / Denim & Lace
Local
Whole Wide World
Sign of the Chicken
After "Joe Meek" the guy sitting to my right started asking me in a french accent who Joe Meek was. He was quite persistent and seemed to want a potted history of the man, and I wanted to watch the gig. I told I only knew what Eric had said, that he was the guy who produced The Tornadoes.
For "Reconnez Cherie" and "Final Taxi" Eric was joined on stage by Slim on accordion. Mid-way through "Final Taxi", Eric read to us from his book once again, a poignant yet hilarious chapter concerning his Grandma in Oldham. whilst Slim softly played "Final Taxi" in the background. However, isn't it typical that at times like this, there was an interruption as someone's bloody mobile phone went off. Grrrrrr... But-- red face alert - it was Slim's phone that had gone off! We laughed and laughed...
Eric was joined by Andre on bass guitar for "So Sad ABout Us", and Andre returned on guitar at the end for the final three songs, and on the encore - a fantastic version of "Sign of the Chicken" - Slim came back on accordion too.
A great gig - fab songs and amusing readings and inter-song banter as ever from Eric. Great support band. Great music played by the DJs between the sets (no Paul, that version of "Can't Get No Satiusfaction" wasn't Devo - I've checked). Also: great beer.
Not too sure about the things in batter that resembled mangled human ears amongst other things.
Then it was time to make a run for it, and catch the train home so as not to be too late back (I eventually made it home by 01:10 a.m.). Hell, even the train journey was not uneventful, as I had an encounter with the looney on the train (which is a whole other story and perhaps I'll tell it another time).
On the plus point, I didn't have to get a ticket for the return journey either. I dunno, I'm turning into a right criminal these days (only last week, I accidentally came back from shopping at Tesco with two baking trays that I hadn't paid for - a genuine accident, I promise you).
posted by Gina Snowdoll 3:43 PM[edit]
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Eeeeeks! There is no way I am descended from THAT!
posted by Gina Snowdoll 1:27 PM[edit]
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Now if I was still doing my Deer of the week feature, then I could have linked to this story about tiger dung being used to prevent deer from straying onto an Indian airforce runway...
Perhaps I should re-start that feature. I mean, you've all been really seriously missing it, haven't you?
posted by Gina Snowdoll 7:26 PM[edit]
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
A sad farewell to Lofty
Poor ol' Don Estelle... I hadn't even realised he had died. (It was his funeral today).
I saw him once many years ago, in his now legendary pith helmet, singing his little heart out outside of Woolworths in the centre of Oxford (and it must have been years ago, as there hasn't been a Woolworths there for about twenty years now).
posted by Gina Snowdoll 2:28 PM[edit]
More Hurrah!
I've just bought tickets to see Goldfrapp in London in October, which means I'll get to see the lovely Alison again... (Drool).
posted by Gina Snowdoll 2:15 PM[edit]
Hurrah!
At last the window cleaner has come and cleaned my window at the office - and more importantly - got rid of that great big streak of bird shit. I've been having to put up with that for months.
posted by Gina Snowdoll 8:32 AM[edit]
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Back home
I'm back at last, which is good as I was missing the comforts of home and the little kitty and all that, but which is also bad because it means I'm back at work on Monday.
I don't have a great deal to report about my holiday in Wales. Just took it really easy and chilled out really. Well, I tried to, but at times it was hard with the kids fighting. Truth be known, and my sister won't thank me for saying this, but my nephew (8 years old next month) was acting like a complete little turd what with all his tantrums. As far as he is concerned the world revolves around him and he can't care less about anyone else. Grrrrrrr... I did try. He was best when he was on his own with me, and was actually quite well behaved, but bring other people into the equation and it's tantrum time.
One of the most magical things that happened was when one morning the nephew and I walked down to the beach and were strolling about on the sands when I heard some woman say "dolphins" and so we looked out to sea, and sure enough there were dolphins jumping and leaping in and out of the waves. It was certainly something you don't see everyday, and I quickly ran up to the house to fetch the others. (My niece, for one, would never have forgiven me if I'd let her miss that!)
The beach was fabulous. At low tide you could walk around the rocks to a second beach (also accessible from a path over the cliffs), or if you were impatient you could wade or swim around when the tide wasn't quite so low. And there was also a third "secret" beach that you could wade around to through quite deepish water from the second beach, although the chances of being cut off here were greater as there was no other way in or out other than the sea, so if you were to spend too long there and the tide came in you'd be stuck. A pity really because this beach was the biggest and the most gorgeous of all three - the water was lovely and warm too.
I managed to get my legs totally sunburnt, which wasn't clever (must have been all that paddling!) and they are now at the yucky skin-flaking-off stage.
However, you can have too much of a good thing, and I'm glad to be back home.
The big news back home is that the cat now has a collar! He has never had a collar before in his life so at first it looked a bit odd on him, but actually it is quite smart (a purple velvet-looking thing) and complements his appearance. (My kitty is a very attractive kitty, I'll have you know).
Apparently what happened was that when I was away, there was a bad flea problem in the house (must have been the hot weather hatching them all out) and Karen had to powder the carpets and put a collar on the cat to combat the whole issue. She said that he hated the collar at first and was running around the place trying to get away from it and meowing a lot. He seems to be quite happy with it now though, I'm glad to report.
Thanks are also due to Sherri for looking after the kitty - and the house - last weekend when Karen was also away at some biker bash. I hope it wasn't too boring for you. (And did you enjoy the "Hedwig" DVD I left for you to watch?)
posted by Gina Snowdoll 9:00 AM[edit]
Friday, August 01, 2003
No, I won't be wearing sodding flip-flops
Well, I think I'm all packed now at last. I'll be away for the first two weeks of August, so sorry but there'll be no more blogging until I get back. Hopefully I'll come back refreshed and with a will to get on with lots of exciting things! Squeak to you all then!
