Once again, two weeks of.my summer is spent looking after Niamh’s pets. This year, Darcy and Hermione!
Pet Sitting
Finest Run Of Singles
I was sat watching OMD’s Greatest Hits DVD and started to think, what is the finest run of singles by any artist (80s only). One of my favourite runs started in 79 (Roxy Music: Dance Away, Angel Eyes, Over You, Oh Yeah) so sadly I’ve not included it. I decided the run had to also epitomise the group/artist. Most of all they had to mean something to me (so as good as they were no Madonna, Michael Jackson).
OMD: Messages, Enola Gay, Souvenir, Joan Of Arc, Maid Of Orleans
Thompson Twins: Hold Me Now, Doctor Doctor, You Take Me Up
Soft Cell: Say Hello Wave Goodbye, Torch, What
Madness: Our House, Tomorrow’s Just Another Day, Wings Of A Dove, The Sun And The Rain, Michael Caine, One Better Day, Yesterday’s Men
Marillion: Kayleigh, Lavender, Heart Of Lothian, Incommunicado, Sugar Mice
Ultravox: One Small Day, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Lament, Love’s Great Adventure
2016 Thoughts on a Grim Year
Where do you start when looking back at 2016? From the very beginning (Alan Rickman – forever Professor Snape to Niamh) to the very end (George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds in the space of 48 hours) it has been one of mourning, pain and a fear for the future. Having a daughter starting high school and being a high school teacher I am all to aware of the challenges she faces in years to come. And it is her future I fear for, along with every child I teach and every child across this tiny rock orbiting an insignificant star.
Post Script…
Hmm, just noticed that this wasn’t posted. So, on February 13th I am now publishing this post.
Big Country -The Seer 30th Anniversary Tour
Superb concert tonight in Blackburn. First time I have seen them in about 25 years and they are still amazing.
Last day at Primary School
Friday was her last day at Primary school. Although this photo was taken on Thursday as Friday was a non uniform day. I can’t believe the last seven years have gone so quickly ??
Springsteen Live
Another amazing concert of more than 3 hours again by Bruce last night in Manchester. When I have time I will post a bit more on this as well as some photos and maybe a couple of videos. What happened to disc 2 of the River though?
Eve of the Cup Final
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, United being in the FA Cup Final was a highlight of the year and by the Friday before I would be as high as a kite. The thought of all Saturday being devoted to the build up. Swap Shop/Saturday Superstore would get in on the act, followed by reports from the hotels and coaches heading to Wembley. The weather always seemed to be great (although it probably wasn’t). Me and my Dad would have a “front room picnic” whilst my mum and sister stayed out of the way. It was basically Christmas in May for me. Even if United weren’t in the final I would find a reason to cheer for one or the other. (Of course now days I would hope for both sides to have 7 players sent off and them both to be disqualified).
The FA Cup Final was an event! Now it is an after thought to the season squeezed between meaningless Internationals (bring back the Home Internationals – I loved seeing Scotland beat England!) and the League Play Off Finals.
It is not even played at 3pm these days – Why???
So, come 5 O’clock tomorrow I will be in front of my TV (enjoy my ticket Lynne) hoping Niamh does not talk through it the way she did the semifinal, and praying we absolutely batter the Stripey Nigels (as Adrian Durham @TalkSportDrive calls them)
⚽?⚽?
Too many sad days…
2016 has been a pretty sad year for losing loved ones, famous and not so famous…
Last week we lost another musical legend. Here is my hero Bruce, paying tribute to the genius that was Prince…
A second request played…
On Wednesday 23 March Leona Graham played I’m On Fire as part of ‘Quiet Songs’on her Absolute80s show. It was my request ?
Forgotten80s
Had my first ever request played on a national radio station yesterday. Thanks to @MatthewJRudd on @Absolute80s for playing the marvelous Tantalise by Jimmy the Hoover. And just to prove it listen here…
I am still beaming about it!