I've been here over a month now, without my trusty Nikon but with my phone camera. And of course it's Amsterdam so of course surrealities abound.
Should I blog them? Or carry on like all the other cloggies like this stuff is normal?
Vote now!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Not sweary enough apparently
Mingle2 - Online Dating
I'm deeply disappointed. Given that I was the sweariest person on #london.pm for a long time I need to cut the bullshit and get the fucking lead out on my blog.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Google knows all
Googling to check that an old colleague's address was the same, the top hit was acutally a list of emails and addresses that looked like a direct dump from a mailer. Clicking on a link on that page brought me to a PDF of a dump from an Outlook address book. Which includes credit card numbers, assorted utility account numbers and PIN codes and so on.
For a lawyer.
Not good, folks.
For a lawyer.
Not good, folks.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
5 hour sunset
Flying out of LHR at 2030, there was a purty sunset which lasted 5 hours as we chased it across the Atlantic. Worringly, it was out of the right (starboard!) window which I'm assuming was the North. I guess I could work out the geometry of it if I could be bothered.
Still, it was lovely.
Still, it was lovely.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
KLM suck
Just registering a point on the suckometer.
0755 to LCY cancelled for "technical reasons". Shyeah. Routed onto 1015 to LHR.
Luggage going via Miami presumably.
0755 to LCY cancelled for "technical reasons". Shyeah. Routed onto 1015 to LHR.
Luggage going via Miami presumably.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Stupid Blogger language default
Just because I'm *in* Holland, doesn't mean I want the Blogger interface in Dutch. Especially as my gmail login knows damn well who I am and where I'm from.
This also leads to weirdness like the popup over "BERICHT PUBLICEREN" being "Now Blogger saves your drafts automatically!"
Sorry Billy, please re-post your comment on the 7 ages of rock blog!
Shame on you Blogger losing Billy's comment.
This also leads to weirdness like the popup over "BERICHT PUBLICEREN" being "Now Blogger saves your drafts automatically!"
Sorry Billy, please re-post your comment on the 7 ages of rock blog!
Shame on you Blogger losing Billy's comment.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
BBC Seven Ages of Rock: Heavy Metal
An entertaining romp through the history of metal, touching on all the important stuff from Sabbath, Purple of Course, Priest, Maiden, Motley Crue and Metallica.
One BIG gripe: metal did NOT end with Metallica. It might have gone through one if its regular dormant periods in the 90's while grunge had a quick play, much like punk was allowed to in the 70's, but since the turn of the millenium, metal has exploded again with genres and subcultures drawing from the original roots. I should know, I've been involved with a load! From Goth-metal through Metalcore to epic Scandi-metal, the genre is completely alive and well. The Download festival I'm missing is testament to that.
See you at Wacken Open Air in August!
One BIG gripe: metal did NOT end with Metallica. It might have gone through one if its regular dormant periods in the 90's while grunge had a quick play, much like punk was allowed to in the 70's, but since the turn of the millenium, metal has exploded again with genres and subcultures drawing from the original roots. I should know, I've been involved with a load! From Goth-metal through Metalcore to epic Scandi-metal, the genre is completely alive and well. The Download festival I'm missing is testament to that.
See you at Wacken Open Air in August!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Wet
It's been horribly sweaty today, even more so on the train back from Utrecht which got diverted via Hilversum and was packed and sweaty and ended up at the Central Station. As I was walking from the tram stop to my flat, the heavens opened with a huge electrical storm. In a hundred yards, I was drenched to the skin. Hopefully it's cleared the air!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Do I look like a local then?
Wandering around Amsterdam this evening, I've been asked directions no less than THREE times by lost tourists.
I suppose I should be flattered.
I suppose I should be flattered.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
My last hurrah in London, seeing some old friends in a new incarnation: Furyon. Previously, they were mildly AOR. Now they rock big stylee.
Check it out.
Good to catch up with Matt, July and Jamie for one last beer too.
Update: Pics on flickr as usual!
Check it out.
Good to catch up with Matt, July and Jamie for one last beer too.
Update: Pics on flickr as usual!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
That's it, I'm off.
Off from this sceptic Isle at least.
It's not often you get the chance to turn the clock back ten years but, wrinkles and minor beer belly situation nothwithstanding, that's exactly what I'm doing.
As of Monday I'm off to Utrecht to lend Dave-fu to the Market Risk group at Rabobank; a team I was consulting at before joining the web 1.0 rush.
This came about totally by chance. I pinged one of my former colleagues to see what he was up to. That led to lunch. He described how some of the original team had been moved back on to the project, but they needed someone to bridge the business and IT and give the IT folks some leadership. "Sounds like you need me". Pause. "OK". A day trip to Utrecht to seal the deal and I'm packing boxes. Eat your heart out "six months to hire" Goldman Sachs. *That's* the way to do business.
I'm *really* looking forward to this: great people, really interesting project and of course, fantastic location. And it's long-term too: everything needs to be in place by 2010 and there's a lot to do. With luck, there should be some travel too.
There's also a good chance we'll be hiring more bodies and the Dutch tax system is awesome for expats. So watch this space.
I'll miss Camden. It's been an amazing six months of friends, gigs, emos and even some work in between!
Now the path to hell paved with good intentions:
1. I'm going to learn Dutch properly this time. Despite the protestations of the IT manager: "Noo! We need to improve our English!".
2. I'll get a two-bed apartment in Utrecht or Amsterdam so y'all can visit. I expect it to be booked out most weekends (and weeks!) when I'm not on the road.
3. On successful completion of the project I'll take a year and get that photography MA. For now, I'm retiring from serious photography.
If I sound full of it, it's because I am. This is going to be great.
It's not often you get the chance to turn the clock back ten years but, wrinkles and minor beer belly situation nothwithstanding, that's exactly what I'm doing.
As of Monday I'm off to Utrecht to lend Dave-fu to the Market Risk group at Rabobank; a team I was consulting at before joining the web 1.0 rush.
This came about totally by chance. I pinged one of my former colleagues to see what he was up to. That led to lunch. He described how some of the original team had been moved back on to the project, but they needed someone to bridge the business and IT and give the IT folks some leadership. "Sounds like you need me". Pause. "OK". A day trip to Utrecht to seal the deal and I'm packing boxes. Eat your heart out "six months to hire" Goldman Sachs. *That's* the way to do business.
I'm *really* looking forward to this: great people, really interesting project and of course, fantastic location. And it's long-term too: everything needs to be in place by 2010 and there's a lot to do. With luck, there should be some travel too.
There's also a good chance we'll be hiring more bodies and the Dutch tax system is awesome for expats. So watch this space.
I'll miss Camden. It's been an amazing six months of friends, gigs, emos and even some work in between!
Now the path to hell paved with good intentions:
1. I'm going to learn Dutch properly this time. Despite the protestations of the IT manager: "Noo! We need to improve our English!".
2. I'll get a two-bed apartment in Utrecht or Amsterdam so y'all can visit. I expect it to be booked out most weekends (and weeks!) when I'm not on the road.
3. On successful completion of the project I'll take a year and get that photography MA. For now, I'm retiring from serious photography.
If I sound full of it, it's because I am. This is going to be great.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Meet my tailor*
...he's called Tee. I've just blown a not insignificant amount of money on a couple of sharp suits, dressy shirts, ties and stuff. I just want to give a big up to my man "Tee" down in the basement of Moss Bros at the TCR end of Oxford Street. He knew exactly what size I was, immediately picked out the right suit and got exactly the shirts to go with it.
Recommended!
* Ian Dury. What a loss.
...he's called Tee. I've just blown a not insignificant amount of money on a couple of sharp suits, dressy shirts, ties and stuff. I just want to give a big up to my man "Tee" down in the basement of Moss Bros at the TCR end of Oxford Street. He knew exactly what size I was, immediately picked out the right suit and got exactly the shirts to go with it.
Recommended!
* Ian Dury. What a loss.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Yesterday, Sunday 6 May, I was pootling up the M4 back to London having taken a small detour to Swindon to get some beer and nibbles for my "Leaving London" party. About a mile from the Chievely exit I saw a puff of brown dust and then what appeared to be a car going end over end.
It was.
I pulled over with a few other cars expecting the worst and called 999 to scramble everything. Two adults had been pulled from the car and were laying on the grass ,and a toddler was being cradled by a fellow passer-by. After checking that there were no more people in the car, I grabbed a little girl as she was about to wander into the traffic. As I carried her up to the verge and tried to calm her, there was some activity further up the bank as some cries had been heard. After a few moments searching, another child was found in a tree having been thrown completely clear.
It took at least 20 minutes for help to arrive but fortunately, two doctors had stopped and got to work with the triage, pulling first aid kits from cars and performing basic first aid.
Once help arrived, it arrived in force: two or three fire engines, several ambulances and plenty of police. The Eastbound M4 was closed, followed half an hour later by the Westbound to allow the air ambulance to land.
According to the traffic police, the car had been in the overtaking lane, so doing at least 80mph, wandered into the drainage gulley, overcorrected, crossed all three lanes, mounted the bank, flipped and touched down at least three times before coming to rest on its roof.
As a skeptic, I don't use words like "miraculous" very often but it certainly verged on it in that no-one was killed in this: either the occupants of the car or any of the cars whose path it crossed.
After an hour or so, I put the little girl into the ambulance complete with space blankets, firmly gripping a new teddy bear given to her by a fireman and donated by the local Lion's Club (I think!) and waved her goodbye. She had hardly a scratch on her, just a bruised finger.
Now the angry part: anyone carrying children in their car without proper restraint should be prosecuted immediately. In this case the parents could well be once they are out of hospital: the police were taking a very strong interest in whether the children were buckled in and the absence of child seats. This is too little, too late. [* Update: the father was driving while disqualified *]
On a personal note, the whole thing was completely surreal. Firstly, this stuff never happens to me, I really hope it's not the start of a trend. I was also frankly impressed with myself and everyone else who stopped, the situation was dealt with calmly and efficiently. It was only when I stopped at Reading searvices and had a cup of tea that the enormity of what had happened sunk in. On the subject of tea, and I realise this is totally trivial, but everyone involved could really have done with a cup of tea while the paramedics were going about their work. What's happened to the Blitz spirit, eh?
Lastly, and I don't know whether it's just the way I am, but I felt very sad that the connections that had been made in that brief time, the bond between the helpers themselves and particularly with the little girl would be so transient. After I file a pro-forma statement today, that'll be it, all over. We'll never know whether the endng is happy or not. Life isn't like TV after all.
[* Update: OK, I've got some closure now. Everyone is fine, the worst injuries were a fractured skull on the youngest child and a broken collarbone on one of the adults. All's well and all that, but it should never have happened in the first place *]
It was.
I pulled over with a few other cars expecting the worst and called 999 to scramble everything. Two adults had been pulled from the car and were laying on the grass ,and a toddler was being cradled by a fellow passer-by. After checking that there were no more people in the car, I grabbed a little girl as she was about to wander into the traffic. As I carried her up to the verge and tried to calm her, there was some activity further up the bank as some cries had been heard. After a few moments searching, another child was found in a tree having been thrown completely clear.
It took at least 20 minutes for help to arrive but fortunately, two doctors had stopped and got to work with the triage, pulling first aid kits from cars and performing basic first aid.
Once help arrived, it arrived in force: two or three fire engines, several ambulances and plenty of police. The Eastbound M4 was closed, followed half an hour later by the Westbound to allow the air ambulance to land.
According to the traffic police, the car had been in the overtaking lane, so doing at least 80mph, wandered into the drainage gulley, overcorrected, crossed all three lanes, mounted the bank, flipped and touched down at least three times before coming to rest on its roof.
As a skeptic, I don't use words like "miraculous" very often but it certainly verged on it in that no-one was killed in this: either the occupants of the car or any of the cars whose path it crossed.
After an hour or so, I put the little girl into the ambulance complete with space blankets, firmly gripping a new teddy bear given to her by a fireman and donated by the local Lion's Club (I think!) and waved her goodbye. She had hardly a scratch on her, just a bruised finger.
Now the angry part: anyone carrying children in their car without proper restraint should be prosecuted immediately. In this case the parents could well be once they are out of hospital: the police were taking a very strong interest in whether the children were buckled in and the absence of child seats. This is too little, too late. [* Update: the father was driving while disqualified *]
On a personal note, the whole thing was completely surreal. Firstly, this stuff never happens to me, I really hope it's not the start of a trend. I was also frankly impressed with myself and everyone else who stopped, the situation was dealt with calmly and efficiently. It was only when I stopped at Reading searvices and had a cup of tea that the enormity of what had happened sunk in. On the subject of tea, and I realise this is totally trivial, but everyone involved could really have done with a cup of tea while the paramedics were going about their work. What's happened to the Blitz spirit, eh?
Lastly, and I don't know whether it's just the way I am, but I felt very sad that the connections that had been made in that brief time, the bond between the helpers themselves and particularly with the little girl would be so transient. After I file a pro-forma statement today, that'll be it, all over. We'll never know whether the endng is happy or not. Life isn't like TV after all.
[* Update: OK, I've got some closure now. Everyone is fine, the worst injuries were a fractured skull on the youngest child and a broken collarbone on one of the adults. All's well and all that, but it should never have happened in the first place *]
Friday, May 04, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Three Deep Purple gigs in three days is always hectic and this particular hurtle round the sea-sides and metropolis was no exception.
First stop Bournemouth in time for Purple's set. It's an all-seater, but the security clearly were on to a loser trying to stem the rush to the barrier, a nice little crowd-let formed and I spent the whole set on the rail dead centre. This is always a mixed blessing since it's nice to be up close but the sound is always dreadful, all drums and guitars, little bass and no keys. Most noteworthy though was the lighting: the biggest production The setlist had a disappointing two songs from the current album, but they're goodies and the rest of the set rattled along with the usual mix of classics and the occasional slight rarity. Afterwards we repaired to a nearby Wetherspoons for friendly libations with old and new friends.
Next up, Wembley Arena. Historically, Wembley arena has been a hateful venue: an echo-laden, soulless concrete barn with ignorant goons as stewards. Amazingly, only thing remaining are the goons. As part of the redevelopment of Wembley, the arena has been flipped so the back is now the front and vice-versa; somewhat disconcerting as the corridors are vaguely familiar yet disconcertingly veering off into
unfamiliar room and stairwells. The house staff were as lovely and helpful too. And as a bonus, there are now wandering minions with backpacks of cold lager for sale!
This time I made a point of seeing Thin Lizzy. Or should that be White Lizzy, what with Aldridge and Mendoza in the band? Either way, a jolly good rock and roll romp provided you leave your Lynott nostalgia at the door. John Sykes is a good front man and almost has the vocals
covered. His sparring with Gorham is great fun too. Recommended! Saw a fair chunk of Styx too, I can see they're very good at what they do but not having any history with the band, I found it tough to get
interested.
Finally, ten minutes early, the main act. Gillan introduces the show with "welcome to the shit-hole Wembley" or somesuch. I'm hoping he got to eat those words. He even went walkabout as the goons try to suppress the enjoyment but finally the crowd is allowed to get to its feet and jump around. Pretty much a sell-out and a GREAT show. I took a wander to see what the sound was like around the hall and it was amazing. Even Mr. Sykes in the sound area enjoyed a good chunk of the show.
Best. Deep Purple. Wembley Show ever.
Finally got back to my place at about four (thanks for the lift!) and up again at ten for the tortuous trek down through the Southern suburbs to the "Southern tip of Wardour St" aka Brighton.
Back on the rail for this, enjoy Lizzy hugely, stoke up on coffee during Styx then on snapping duties for the main event. Again, very, very good. Tight show, smiles all round, lots of dancing in the crowd. Some cheeky chop-stealing side-stage from a couple of members of the other bands. Bad Marco! Bad Lawrence!
All in all, possibly the best clutch of Purple shows I've ever seen. The production was excellent, performances tight, band relaxed and smiling and a good selection of friends old and new to sit and have *one* with afterwards. Special mention to the crew with "Bad Roadie! No Red Bull!" t-shirts.
Still smiling.
First stop Bournemouth in time for Purple's set. It's an all-seater, but the security clearly were on to a loser trying to stem the rush to the barrier, a nice little crowd-let formed and I spent the whole set on the rail dead centre. This is always a mixed blessing since it's nice to be up close but the sound is always dreadful, all drums and guitars, little bass and no keys. Most noteworthy though was the lighting: the biggest production The setlist had a disappointing two songs from the current album, but they're goodies and the rest of the set rattled along with the usual mix of classics and the occasional slight rarity. Afterwards we repaired to a nearby Wetherspoons for friendly libations with old and new friends.
Next up, Wembley Arena. Historically, Wembley arena has been a hateful venue: an echo-laden, soulless concrete barn with ignorant goons as stewards. Amazingly, only thing remaining are the goons. As part of the redevelopment of Wembley, the arena has been flipped so the back is now the front and vice-versa; somewhat disconcerting as the corridors are vaguely familiar yet disconcertingly veering off into
unfamiliar room and stairwells. The house staff were as lovely and helpful too. And as a bonus, there are now wandering minions with backpacks of cold lager for sale!
This time I made a point of seeing Thin Lizzy. Or should that be White Lizzy, what with Aldridge and Mendoza in the band? Either way, a jolly good rock and roll romp provided you leave your Lynott nostalgia at the door. John Sykes is a good front man and almost has the vocals
covered. His sparring with Gorham is great fun too. Recommended! Saw a fair chunk of Styx too, I can see they're very good at what they do but not having any history with the band, I found it tough to get
interested.
Finally, ten minutes early, the main act. Gillan introduces the show with "welcome to the shit-hole Wembley" or somesuch. I'm hoping he got to eat those words. He even went walkabout as the goons try to suppress the enjoyment but finally the crowd is allowed to get to its feet and jump around. Pretty much a sell-out and a GREAT show. I took a wander to see what the sound was like around the hall and it was amazing. Even Mr. Sykes in the sound area enjoyed a good chunk of the show.
Best. Deep Purple. Wembley Show ever.
Finally got back to my place at about four (thanks for the lift!) and up again at ten for the tortuous trek down through the Southern suburbs to the "Southern tip of Wardour St" aka Brighton.
Back on the rail for this, enjoy Lizzy hugely, stoke up on coffee during Styx then on snapping duties for the main event. Again, very, very good. Tight show, smiles all round, lots of dancing in the crowd. Some cheeky chop-stealing side-stage from a couple of members of the other bands. Bad Marco! Bad Lawrence!
All in all, possibly the best clutch of Purple shows I've ever seen. The production was excellent, performances tight, band relaxed and smiling and a good selection of friends old and new to sit and have *one* with afterwards. Special mention to the crew with "Bad Roadie! No Red Bull!" t-shirts.
Still smiling.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Bobby Anderson, Fortune Drive, The Fly, London
What can I say? Fantastic little show. Something like the the 15th time I've seen them (half as many times as I've seen Deep Purple but with fewer lineup changes!) and every time they get better in one way or another.
They also have this amazing personal chemistry. I've never seen a band act more like a family.
Lovely, lovely band.
They also have this amazing personal chemistry. I've never seen a band act more like a family.
Lovely, lovely band.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Camden Crawl
Was 99% bollocks. Of course you had to queue for five hours, or camp in a venue where a can of Red Stripe was £3.50, to see the teaser headliners, and the rest were camp NME poster boys. I could name names but I'll spare their blushes. Just to say, for crying out loud, learn to play your instruments and playground chants do not a song make.
BUT!
There was one salvation.
I never thought I would see a rap act at the Underworld much less like it. But it was so good I went to see him again the next night. Who provoked such madness? He's bad. He's Angry. It's....Akala.
It's bullshit.
Was 99% bollocks. Of course you had to queue for five hours, or camp in a venue where a can of Red Stripe was £3.50, to see the teaser headliners, and the rest were camp NME poster boys. I could name names but I'll spare their blushes. Just to say, for crying out loud, learn to play your instruments and playground chants do not a song make.
BUT!
There was one salvation.
I never thought I would see a rap act at the Underworld much less like it. But it was so good I went to see him again the next night. Who provoked such madness? He's bad. He's Angry. It's....Akala.
It's bullshit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
