Barely any idea on how I'll spend today.
Possibly a visit to Morrisons to buy the stuff needed for the bol
I plan to make later on. Not sure what sort of pasta I'll use,
I always want it to be some sort I've never tried before.
That aside I'm pretty certain that many will be reeling in
celebration on finding out that John and Edward have been dropped
by their record label after just one single.
To me that's not a surprise as to be really honest, they aren't the
most quick witted of people if you've seen them in interviews
and beyond their appearances on X Factor they more or less dried up.
One duo I'm more excited about, happen to be Dan Le Sac
and Scroobius Pip who released their second album as a duo yesterday
and the current single "Get Better" is definitely one of my
current favourites around.
It's not as funny as "Thou Shalt" but lyrically it's still fitting
for how things are, and hopefully will be in the long run.
I'd best get stocking up on stock cubes.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
"Simple Entertainment For Simple Minded People"
I've been looking over the exhibits list for Monday's job fair and have
more or less decided that what's on offer isn't really for me in terms
of the jobs that are on offer.
As they're only really offering high calibre managerial jobs and self employed
positions, it would look really bad if I made my way over feeling
out of place not knowing what I would want to ask the stall holders.
Therefore I won't be making the visit over on Wednesday
which should save me some money with regards to train fares.
On a more positive note I made a visit over to Chaucer Homecare
where a really nice woman signed me up to their scheme to help
people who have been through mental health get back into work
either paid or voluntary.
With regards to the latter I'm sure there's something I can
lend a hand to, especially when Summer arrives.
Although I've abandoned my outing for Wednesday, Thursday
is still definitely on where I will head via Stratford to Liverpool Street
to meet up with Sarah Thompson from my "old year" of the radio course
who I don't think I've seen since before I fell ill.
We've arranged to go to a nearby Italian restaurant and it's just
going to be amazing, considering there's barely anyone else from
that year who I have spoken to on that great a level, due to either
too much drink, or them preferring to provide others with wet bottoms.
And this is why quality in television in radio is becoming average
and middle of the road as barely anyone cares.
They're more than happy to consume the same dull rubbish everyday
in the same way as a daily meal of beans on toast.
That's certainly the idea I got after watching Simon Cowell's interview
on Piers Morgan's Life Stories earlier tonight.
The rest of tonight's schedule includes the re-viewing of a short lived
Channel 4 comedy/chat show "TV Heaven Telly Hell" as hosted by
Sean Lock and ran for two series during the earlier part of my
time at University.
What you could call "Room 101 with swearing" although at the
right times of course as this fantastic clip with Omid Djalili
demonstrates.
Oddly enough that episode was actually transmitted the weekend
I got admitted into St Martin's Hospital and along with the series
of Mock The Week that was airing, I barely took notice of the fact
that the telly was dominated by belly laughs that summer.
To use another food analogy, a comedy show without swearing
(in the right places) would be like a meat stew or a spag bol
without a stock cube.
more or less decided that what's on offer isn't really for me in terms
of the jobs that are on offer.
As they're only really offering high calibre managerial jobs and self employed
positions, it would look really bad if I made my way over feeling
out of place not knowing what I would want to ask the stall holders.
Therefore I won't be making the visit over on Wednesday
which should save me some money with regards to train fares.
On a more positive note I made a visit over to Chaucer Homecare
where a really nice woman signed me up to their scheme to help
people who have been through mental health get back into work
either paid or voluntary.
With regards to the latter I'm sure there's something I can
lend a hand to, especially when Summer arrives.
Although I've abandoned my outing for Wednesday, Thursday
is still definitely on where I will head via Stratford to Liverpool Street
to meet up with Sarah Thompson from my "old year" of the radio course
who I don't think I've seen since before I fell ill.
We've arranged to go to a nearby Italian restaurant and it's just
going to be amazing, considering there's barely anyone else from
that year who I have spoken to on that great a level, due to either
too much drink, or them preferring to provide others with wet bottoms.
And this is why quality in television in radio is becoming average
and middle of the road as barely anyone cares.
They're more than happy to consume the same dull rubbish everyday
in the same way as a daily meal of beans on toast.
That's certainly the idea I got after watching Simon Cowell's interview
on Piers Morgan's Life Stories earlier tonight.
The rest of tonight's schedule includes the re-viewing of a short lived
Channel 4 comedy/chat show "TV Heaven Telly Hell" as hosted by
Sean Lock and ran for two series during the earlier part of my
time at University.
What you could call "Room 101 with swearing" although at the
right times of course as this fantastic clip with Omid Djalili
demonstrates.
Oddly enough that episode was actually transmitted the weekend
I got admitted into St Martin's Hospital and along with the series
of Mock The Week that was airing, I barely took notice of the fact
that the telly was dominated by belly laughs that summer.
To use another food analogy, a comedy show without swearing
(in the right places) would be like a meat stew or a spag bol
without a stock cube.
Unintentional Causes Of Sleep
Well this isn't a good start to the week with Becks suffering
yet another injury, possibly meaning a no show in South Africa this summer.
I ended up going to bed earlier than normal after attempting to watch
the film "Scum" set in a prison and starring a young Ray Winstone
and Phil Daniels.
I ended up getting rather depressed as a result and was
pretty knackered anyway so lying down was the answer.
And luckily there weren't any thoughts going round me to stop me
from falling asleep.
As mentioned many times I can never feel tired by watching a film
or television programme I know I'm going to find boring, it has
to be one I'm genuinely interested in.
There's tons of yet unwatched music documentaries I have on my
hard-drives and DVD-Rs which may end up as unintentional cures.
One forthcoming programme due to air on BBC Four that won't
have me falling asleep is this one off drama about who the man who
many will agree was arguably the most creative radio presenter to
have lived, Kenny Everett.
Definitely one for the diary.
As for today, a Job Centre visit as always, then I have an appointment
at Chaucer Homecare with further help with finding employment.
And I'll definitely fit in a shopping visit as we badly need
wholemeal bread and other staples that are missing.
Well, my staple products at least.
yet another injury, possibly meaning a no show in South Africa this summer.
I ended up going to bed earlier than normal after attempting to watch
the film "Scum" set in a prison and starring a young Ray Winstone
and Phil Daniels.
I ended up getting rather depressed as a result and was
pretty knackered anyway so lying down was the answer.
And luckily there weren't any thoughts going round me to stop me
from falling asleep.
As mentioned many times I can never feel tired by watching a film
or television programme I know I'm going to find boring, it has
to be one I'm genuinely interested in.
There's tons of yet unwatched music documentaries I have on my
hard-drives and DVD-Rs which may end up as unintentional cures.
One forthcoming programme due to air on BBC Four that won't
have me falling asleep is this one off drama about who the man who
many will agree was arguably the most creative radio presenter to
have lived, Kenny Everett.
Definitely one for the diary.
As for today, a Job Centre visit as always, then I have an appointment
at Chaucer Homecare with further help with finding employment.
And I'll definitely fit in a shopping visit as we badly need
wholemeal bread and other staples that are missing.
Well, my staple products at least.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Unfairly Unpleasant
Tonight's show went fairly well although I'm starting to worry
about whether my anti-Canterbury comments may have gone too far
with station members.
My Facebook fan page for the show has been taken off, and
I'm beginning to feel bad about what I have said to an extent.
Fair enough, in my own honest opinion Canterbury is not
the most exciting place when it comes to night life.
In fact it's more likely you'll get mugged if you head down the wrong places.
But in no way would I want to upset anyone who has come specially
to UKC or Christ Church to study and especially if they've joined
the station.
It's probably best if I don't discuss this any further as it's got
as much chance of finding a positive ending as one about
whether the BBC is better than commercial radio.
Or vice versa.
I'm quite possibly going to do my best to make every day this
week count in the most positive manner.
And that does not included watching tomorrow night's episode of
Glee as I've pretty much come to terms that it's fallen into
"A-Team territory" or should that be "Total Wipeout territory"
I.E the majority of the episodes having identical plot-lines to each other.
Although they're costly, visits back to London really help to sustain my
sanity, and the majority of them are always different in terms of who
I'm meeting there.
I'll do my very best to assure that it remains this way.
about whether my anti-Canterbury comments may have gone too far
with station members.
My Facebook fan page for the show has been taken off, and
I'm beginning to feel bad about what I have said to an extent.
Fair enough, in my own honest opinion Canterbury is not
the most exciting place when it comes to night life.
In fact it's more likely you'll get mugged if you head down the wrong places.
But in no way would I want to upset anyone who has come specially
to UKC or Christ Church to study and especially if they've joined
the station.
It's probably best if I don't discuss this any further as it's got
as much chance of finding a positive ending as one about
whether the BBC is better than commercial radio.
Or vice versa.
I'm quite possibly going to do my best to make every day this
week count in the most positive manner.
And that does not included watching tomorrow night's episode of
Glee as I've pretty much come to terms that it's fallen into
"A-Team territory" or should that be "Total Wipeout territory"
I.E the majority of the episodes having identical plot-lines to each other.
Although they're costly, visits back to London really help to sustain my
sanity, and the majority of them are always different in terms of who
I'm meeting there.
I'll do my very best to assure that it remains this way.
"It Just Happens"
Social networking websites could pretty much be responsible
for my impending downfall.
Seeing statuses or photos of others enjoying themselves when I'm
not in the best of moods can be really disheartening and
it can look as if they're doing it at someone else's expense.
Then again I can't really say that with regards to my drunk
photos I post here and to make things fair, I normally
end up feeling really poorly after a booze up.
But at the same time, I've been told by many people not to think
about others doing well and concentrate on what I'm doing myself.
Which is even more true when trying not to think about those who
are in jobs or living conditions they wouldn't want to be in and
are struggling to reach their preferred choice of career.
It may help to speak to others who I haven't spoken to for a long
while and that will certainly be the case on my visits to London
next week.
Although with the Job Fayre on Wednesday it will be a case of
those who I may have never spoken to before and finding
the right steps to go about finding the right money earner
that fits in with how I want to live.
As for tonight, it's probably best to forget about developing
bonds with anyone at the station as quite frankly, I'll never fucking
see anyone there apart from when I do the show,
with them going in and out all the time and taking no notice
of what I'm doing.
If I want things to change I'm going to have to go the route of
having guts and proving that I really do want them to happen.
for my impending downfall.
Seeing statuses or photos of others enjoying themselves when I'm
not in the best of moods can be really disheartening and
it can look as if they're doing it at someone else's expense.
Then again I can't really say that with regards to my drunk
photos I post here and to make things fair, I normally
end up feeling really poorly after a booze up.
But at the same time, I've been told by many people not to think
about others doing well and concentrate on what I'm doing myself.
Which is even more true when trying not to think about those who
are in jobs or living conditions they wouldn't want to be in and
are struggling to reach their preferred choice of career.
It may help to speak to others who I haven't spoken to for a long
while and that will certainly be the case on my visits to London
next week.
Although with the Job Fayre on Wednesday it will be a case of
those who I may have never spoken to before and finding
the right steps to go about finding the right money earner
that fits in with how I want to live.
As for tonight, it's probably best to forget about developing
bonds with anyone at the station as quite frankly, I'll never fucking
see anyone there apart from when I do the show,
with them going in and out all the time and taking no notice
of what I'm doing.
If I want things to change I'm going to have to go the route of
having guts and proving that I really do want them to happen.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
And I Don't Even Like Wine Itself...
This has had me thinking.
As far as music in the present day goes, I'm really out of my depth
and am longing for something to return that never will on that
great a scale.
An interesting series of blog posts from talkSPORT producer James Masterton
looking back at a Top 40 rundown from around this time 16 years ago
in March 1994.
One of the records dissected is "Forever Now" by Level 42 and it's
pretty evident that James wasn't really a fan of the band, mentioning
that they split (first time round) at the right time as music was slowly changing
and "wine bar harmonies" weren't really in place.
It prompted me to make a jokey comment below on the post,
but as far as brass and piano chords go, it's very similar in style
to "Everyday" released a year later, and in today's current pop climate
it would sound a bit out of place.
I'm sure they could have evolved mind, but when thinking about it I was
born right in the thick of the "sophisto pop", "dance/house/pop" phases
present when purists (if you can call them that) were longing for
proper instruments to return and with acts like Oasis, and Radiohead
(makes spitting noise) on the rise, many saw this as a return to form as far as
music was concerned.
I just saw the latter as a load of steaming musical manure and
could never understand how people got pleasure out of depressing shite.
Do I regret being born during such a time period?
No I don't, even if it does mean that things can sometimes be awkward
on a social level when talking enthusiastically about such artists.
I imagine everyone at school hated that sort of stuff anyway with regards
to Level 42 and Incognito, and as I've mentioned before, at secondary school
you were either a fan of the Spice Girls, or Oasis.
There was no room for Rosie Gaines, or Ultra Nate.
None of the above should suggest that I would listen to records
with "wine bar harmonies" all the time.
There's still a load of booze anthems from the likes of The Killers,
Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal, and the Black Eyed Peas that do the
job on a night out in London although I wouldn't have their albums
on constant repeat during my own time.
One things for certain, I'm more likely to find fans of the former nearer
the "big happy city".
As far as music in the present day goes, I'm really out of my depth
and am longing for something to return that never will on that
great a scale.
An interesting series of blog posts from talkSPORT producer James Masterton
looking back at a Top 40 rundown from around this time 16 years ago
in March 1994.
One of the records dissected is "Forever Now" by Level 42 and it's
pretty evident that James wasn't really a fan of the band, mentioning
that they split (first time round) at the right time as music was slowly changing
and "wine bar harmonies" weren't really in place.
It prompted me to make a jokey comment below on the post,
but as far as brass and piano chords go, it's very similar in style
to "Everyday" released a year later, and in today's current pop climate
it would sound a bit out of place.
I'm sure they could have evolved mind, but when thinking about it I was
born right in the thick of the "sophisto pop", "dance/house/pop" phases
present when purists (if you can call them that) were longing for
proper instruments to return and with acts like Oasis, and Radiohead
(makes spitting noise) on the rise, many saw this as a return to form as far as
music was concerned.
I just saw the latter as a load of steaming musical manure and
could never understand how people got pleasure out of depressing shite.
Do I regret being born during such a time period?
No I don't, even if it does mean that things can sometimes be awkward
on a social level when talking enthusiastically about such artists.
I imagine everyone at school hated that sort of stuff anyway with regards
to Level 42 and Incognito, and as I've mentioned before, at secondary school
you were either a fan of the Spice Girls, or Oasis.
There was no room for Rosie Gaines, or Ultra Nate.
None of the above should suggest that I would listen to records
with "wine bar harmonies" all the time.
There's still a load of booze anthems from the likes of The Killers,
Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal, and the Black Eyed Peas that do the
job on a night out in London although I wouldn't have their albums
on constant repeat during my own time.
One things for certain, I'm more likely to find fans of the former nearer
the "big happy city".
"Struggling To Make Sense Out Of Life"
Very empty Saturday and I'm certain tomorrow will be pretty much the same.
Save for an uphill struggle to Eliot College to attempt to present a radio show.
The Let's Dance For Sport Relief final killed time to say the least
although everyone knew that Rufus Hound would win with his
superb Cheryl Cole routine.
If I was still a University student I'm more than certain that
"Fight For This Love" would be one of the anthems of the academic
year although I'd still say it's one of the strongest pop songs
of the last 6 months.
I just hope I don't end up in a job that requires me to hear
music played at me ad nausea on an hourly (possibly half hour)
rate as that would lead to insanity or to use a tired pun; "soul destroying".
On a sort of related note, it's worth sparing a thought for fellow
alumni Ross Powell who's returned to a job at ASDA in hometown Frome.
It's a case of making ends meet I guess, but good on him for having
a lot more balls than I do.
To be subjected to their in-store station ASDA FM Live on a daily basis
really would be a comedown and barely inspiring at all, but hey,
the customers are only likely to be in there for less than an hour
so it does it's job right?
I hope I get to see Ross at some point and would love to visit
Frome myself just for a drink or whatever.
When I get a realistic idea of my money situation I'll see what can be
done although it may be an idea to only go on train journeys
when it's actually necessary.
But that's the problem and choice I have to make, should it actually arrive;
Either be on the dole and make multiple visits to London leading to
possible debt, or be stuck in a dead end job which doesn't even
give you any fucking time to have fun outside work.
At times like this I should be grateful of the current conditions I'm
living in, and that Mum and Dad are possibly doing a lot more to help
than I think they are.
Save for an uphill struggle to Eliot College to attempt to present a radio show.
The Let's Dance For Sport Relief final killed time to say the least
although everyone knew that Rufus Hound would win with his
superb Cheryl Cole routine.
If I was still a University student I'm more than certain that
"Fight For This Love" would be one of the anthems of the academic
year although I'd still say it's one of the strongest pop songs
of the last 6 months.
I just hope I don't end up in a job that requires me to hear
music played at me ad nausea on an hourly (possibly half hour)
rate as that would lead to insanity or to use a tired pun; "soul destroying".
On a sort of related note, it's worth sparing a thought for fellow
alumni Ross Powell who's returned to a job at ASDA in hometown Frome.
It's a case of making ends meet I guess, but good on him for having
a lot more balls than I do.
To be subjected to their in-store station ASDA FM Live on a daily basis
really would be a comedown and barely inspiring at all, but hey,
the customers are only likely to be in there for less than an hour
so it does it's job right?
I hope I get to see Ross at some point and would love to visit
Frome myself just for a drink or whatever.
When I get a realistic idea of my money situation I'll see what can be
done although it may be an idea to only go on train journeys
when it's actually necessary.
But that's the problem and choice I have to make, should it actually arrive;
Either be on the dole and make multiple visits to London leading to
possible debt, or be stuck in a dead end job which doesn't even
give you any fucking time to have fun outside work.
At times like this I should be grateful of the current conditions I'm
living in, and that Mum and Dad are possibly doing a lot more to help
than I think they are.
The Fight To Save Stoddart
A campaign group has recently arose on Facebook against the forced retirement
of Wesminster journalism lecturer Patrick Stoddart who under University
guidelines has to retire from teaching at the end the year.
My thoughts on the issue will pretty much echo those posted on there
and although I didn't actually take the journalism course, there was no
other lecturer I have known on the media course who had enthusiasm
impressive knowledge within the subject and could actually make you
want to listen to what he was saying.
No other lecturer (possibly apart from David Gauntlett) has ever managed
to achieve that at Westminster from a personal opinion and I probably
had more respect for him than any of the practical lecturers.
Others could suggest this could be a love in but I was genuinely
interested as Patrick was used a lot by radio students for voicing features
with a delivery similar to that you would find on local television adverts
in the 70s and 80s with a raspy but well spoken delivery.
Unsurprisingly he was an actor in addition a journalist and had done
projects at Yorkshire, Anglia, and ITN.
With someone of that wealth of experience over a long period of time,
it's not surprising that students are opposed to losing him as a lecturer
and that unlike most of the others, I could talk to him about anything
within related television interests from someone who had been there.
And such a modest fella too as proven at the Dissertation deadline dos
especially as he was always the only lecturer who would be bothered
to celebrate with us.
Many BAMS students who are graduating this year are feeling unmotivated
from their courses and to remove one of the only inspiring
and memorable lecturers from the course will only make things worse.
And if I had taken journalism I'm pretty certain I'd be one of many who
would actually look forward positively to attend one of Patrick's
lectures because believe me, I never felt that way to that extent
on the radio course.
That's my own thought on the issue and I'll let those still
at the University continue their campaign.
of Wesminster journalism lecturer Patrick Stoddart who under University
guidelines has to retire from teaching at the end the year.
My thoughts on the issue will pretty much echo those posted on there
and although I didn't actually take the journalism course, there was no
other lecturer I have known on the media course who had enthusiasm
impressive knowledge within the subject and could actually make you
want to listen to what he was saying.
No other lecturer (possibly apart from David Gauntlett) has ever managed
to achieve that at Westminster from a personal opinion and I probably
had more respect for him than any of the practical lecturers.
Others could suggest this could be a love in but I was genuinely
interested as Patrick was used a lot by radio students for voicing features
with a delivery similar to that you would find on local television adverts
in the 70s and 80s with a raspy but well spoken delivery.
Unsurprisingly he was an actor in addition a journalist and had done
projects at Yorkshire, Anglia, and ITN.
With someone of that wealth of experience over a long period of time,
it's not surprising that students are opposed to losing him as a lecturer
and that unlike most of the others, I could talk to him about anything
within related television interests from someone who had been there.
And such a modest fella too as proven at the Dissertation deadline dos
especially as he was always the only lecturer who would be bothered
to celebrate with us.
Many BAMS students who are graduating this year are feeling unmotivated
from their courses and to remove one of the only inspiring
and memorable lecturers from the course will only make things worse.
And if I had taken journalism I'm pretty certain I'd be one of many who
would actually look forward positively to attend one of Patrick's
lectures because believe me, I never felt that way to that extent
on the radio course.
That's my own thought on the issue and I'll let those still
at the University continue their campaign.
Friday, March 12, 2010
"Flame Throwin"
After seeing a tweet from Matt Deegan on Twitter about trying
not to use the phrase "Hot Rocking" on air, it immediately brought
this to mind;
Yes, one of my very early JAM jingles which anyone who went to Westminster
after 2006 probably won't recognise as I'd stopped using that on my
show by the time I started using the more soulful sounding ones.
It was originally done for Z100 New York and with the bomb noise
at the beginning, I'd love to get that redone for Oli P, possibly
with the sonovox voice going "WAAAAAN!".
And I shouldn't really be one criticising the overuse of Autotune
in this day and age if the above's anything to go by.
Judging by other responses on Twitter, it's probably a good thing
that I'm missing Pete Waterman's Eurovision search on BBC 1
where from what I understand they've got Bruno Tonioli from Strictly
Come Dancing as a judge.
Says it all really.
Luckily there's episode four of The Bubble on BBC 2 later on with guests
to include Marcus Brigstocke and newspaper columnist/eyesore
Julia Hartley-Brewer.
The last time I saw her on television was on the edition of HIGNFY after
the expenses scandals broke out and Rolf Harris was hosting.
It's easy to forget that it was broadcast on my birthday with the Smoke
stuff taking place the week after, but luckily this year should be a bigger priority
with a Facebook event pretty much sorted.
For the benefit of those who aren't on that labyrinth, I'm planning a
"Stratford To Central Silver Birthday Crawl" which is essentially a pub crawl
from stopping off at all Central line stops from Stratford to Oxford Circus,
and then it's a spree round Central, no holds barred.
I'm a tiny bit nervous about it being the same day as the FA Cup
but as quite a few possible attendees are Manchester United fans
it's not too big a worry.
(Sorry to rub it in again)
Others such as Sami plan to meet up later on in Central, so whatever
happens it will be an amazing day, and weekend as such
with the George Duke gig the night before.
I'll contain myself OK as I'm sure something will go balls up before the
event's meant to take place.
not to use the phrase "Hot Rocking" on air, it immediately brought
this to mind;
Yes, one of my very early JAM jingles which anyone who went to Westminster
after 2006 probably won't recognise as I'd stopped using that on my
show by the time I started using the more soulful sounding ones.
It was originally done for Z100 New York and with the bomb noise
at the beginning, I'd love to get that redone for Oli P, possibly
with the sonovox voice going "WAAAAAN!".
And I shouldn't really be one criticising the overuse of Autotune
in this day and age if the above's anything to go by.
Judging by other responses on Twitter, it's probably a good thing
that I'm missing Pete Waterman's Eurovision search on BBC 1
where from what I understand they've got Bruno Tonioli from Strictly
Come Dancing as a judge.
Says it all really.
Luckily there's episode four of The Bubble on BBC 2 later on with guests
to include Marcus Brigstocke and newspaper columnist/eyesore
Julia Hartley-Brewer.
The last time I saw her on television was on the edition of HIGNFY after
the expenses scandals broke out and Rolf Harris was hosting.
It's easy to forget that it was broadcast on my birthday with the Smoke
stuff taking place the week after, but luckily this year should be a bigger priority
with a Facebook event pretty much sorted.
For the benefit of those who aren't on that labyrinth, I'm planning a
"Stratford To Central Silver Birthday Crawl" which is essentially a pub crawl
from stopping off at all Central line stops from Stratford to Oxford Circus,
and then it's a spree round Central, no holds barred.
I'm a tiny bit nervous about it being the same day as the FA Cup
but as quite a few possible attendees are Manchester United fans
it's not too big a worry.
(Sorry to rub it in again)
Others such as Sami plan to meet up later on in Central, so whatever
happens it will be an amazing day, and weekend as such
with the George Duke gig the night before.
I'll contain myself OK as I'm sure something will go balls up before the
event's meant to take place.
Ending On A High. The Fourth Floor In Fact
Today was definitely my most adventurous day at SE and no better way to
finish my time there.
The morning involved helping to set up a video interview with
urban vocalist Bashy where I had to sit in his place as the "dummy"
before his arrival so the guys could alter any possible reflections or
shadows that could get in shot when not wanted.
Bashy was a really top guy and a lot more intelligent than most
UK urban performers where he told us about how he progressed
from being a bus driver to one of the uprising acts in the scene
with an appearance on the Gorillaz latest LP to boot.
We recorded the interview in a boardroom at Lucid, a PR company that
are a stones throw away from BBC Radio 1's studios.
Or should that be a window smash away from 1Xtra as they
were quite high up.
The afternoon saw me literally going back and forth with visits
to Somerfield, the Nat West on City Road and a camera shop to hire
out a camera lens.
The visit to Somerfield was to buy the weekly supplies for Ronnie Wood
which coincidentally (or so I believe) included brown sugar.
Overall it made me feel more useful, and after delivering the mail just after
5 I was allowed to leave earlier than usual, bumping into Ronnie himself
having a cigarette outside the entrance.
Unlike Brandon Block however, he didn't ask "who's that c-..."
regardless of how deserved it was.
I'd pretty much say that the internship at Somethin' Else really has been
worthwhile, especially today as it allowed me to help out
with a practical task.
That and the positive comments from those I have helped out on have been
really useful so now I guess it's a case of going steady and finding out
how to take what I've gained from there elsewhere.
For now though I'll attempt to have a laid back weekend, until up
to Sunday's radio show where I'll be able to extract my revenge,
nothing nasty mind, on the CSR awards that took place on Monday.
Awards dos and Blamires just don't mix, especially if you consider
that ridiculous acceptance speech I made at last year's Smoke Awards.
finish my time there.
The morning involved helping to set up a video interview with
urban vocalist Bashy where I had to sit in his place as the "dummy"
before his arrival so the guys could alter any possible reflections or
shadows that could get in shot when not wanted.
Bashy was a really top guy and a lot more intelligent than most
UK urban performers where he told us about how he progressed
from being a bus driver to one of the uprising acts in the scene
with an appearance on the Gorillaz latest LP to boot.
We recorded the interview in a boardroom at Lucid, a PR company that
are a stones throw away from BBC Radio 1's studios.
Or should that be a window smash away from 1Xtra as they
were quite high up.
The afternoon saw me literally going back and forth with visits
to Somerfield, the Nat West on City Road and a camera shop to hire
out a camera lens.
The visit to Somerfield was to buy the weekly supplies for Ronnie Wood
which coincidentally (or so I believe) included brown sugar.
Overall it made me feel more useful, and after delivering the mail just after
5 I was allowed to leave earlier than usual, bumping into Ronnie himself
having a cigarette outside the entrance.
Unlike Brandon Block however, he didn't ask "who's that c-..."
regardless of how deserved it was.
I'd pretty much say that the internship at Somethin' Else really has been
worthwhile, especially today as it allowed me to help out
with a practical task.
That and the positive comments from those I have helped out on have been
really useful so now I guess it's a case of going steady and finding out
how to take what I've gained from there elsewhere.
For now though I'll attempt to have a laid back weekend, until up
to Sunday's radio show where I'll be able to extract my revenge,
nothing nasty mind, on the CSR awards that took place on Monday.
Awards dos and Blamires just don't mix, especially if you consider
that ridiculous acceptance speech I made at last year's Smoke Awards.
"I Ain't Lookin' At Your Backside, It's Lookin' At Me"
Throughout the last week or so it has been impossible to stop raving on
about the latest offering from Professor Green which is really catching
on to the extent that we will possibly be sick of it by the time of official release.
I must have watched the video about 50 times now and I still end up
laughing at 2.08 due to vocalist Ed Drewett's striking resemblance
to almost alumni Pete Cooper.
That aside it's probably the second best video I've seen this year
apart from Owl City of course.
On a related note it's worth mentioning the video for one of Stephen's
earlier tunes "Hard Night Out" which has prompted a similar reaction
due to the bit at the beginning.
Yes, shouting and swearing in a "rough boy" accent will do it for me
any time.
It looks like the sort of thing the most popular boy in school would be
watching with his mates gather round the computer and I would be
laughing sheepishly in the background finding it hard to stop for at
least 10 minutes.
It reminds me of Russell Howard's "calculator banging" gag come to think of it.
Anyway, no time like the present and it's best to let the last day at SE
go by and see what it has to offer.
Even though it's finishing, I've signed up to a careers fayre in Russell Square
this coming Wednesday for university graduates so I'd best spend
the weekend writing down questions to ask in advance rather than being
put on the spot.
I may go on a cheaper train this time round. Best start going steady.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Keeping Your Foot Inside
It's amazing how a train journey can change all initial thoughts for
a blog post by changing my overall mood and perception around what's
happening around me.
I felt rather down this morning after reading a load of online newspaper
articles about graduates having to resort to menial jobs after University
and the increasing number of them that have to do so, employment gaps
making things potentially worse etc.
All of this made me forget that for almost the last two weeks I have
been on an internship that has required me to get up at stupid o'clock
without feeling any reluctance whatsoever.
Best to start looking at other similar opportunities, in the hope I will
find a paid job, ideally in the happy city.
Well, happy compared to where I am now.
And with tomorrow looking potentially good fun, I hope to finish it off
well.
I was particularly pleased when the producer for the Brit 40 said he
was very impressed with the facts I wrote for each artist in this week's
chart and that it was the highest standard for quite a while.
I'd love to do that sort of thing as part of a proper radio
or music related job and I'm sure readers of the blog will understand
why I gave crazy enthusiasm into finding out such random stuff.
The plan for tonight is to finish last night's chicken stew with freshly
made pasta, and to see Alan Carr interview Frankie Boyle on Chatty Man.
As it's on Channel 4 there's guaranteed to be no holds barred so it
should be a rollercoaster of sorts, with a bit of innuendo.
a blog post by changing my overall mood and perception around what's
happening around me.
I felt rather down this morning after reading a load of online newspaper
articles about graduates having to resort to menial jobs after University
and the increasing number of them that have to do so, employment gaps
making things potentially worse etc.
All of this made me forget that for almost the last two weeks I have
been on an internship that has required me to get up at stupid o'clock
without feeling any reluctance whatsoever.
Best to start looking at other similar opportunities, in the hope I will
find a paid job, ideally in the happy city.
Well, happy compared to where I am now.
And with tomorrow looking potentially good fun, I hope to finish it off
well.
I was particularly pleased when the producer for the Brit 40 said he
was very impressed with the facts I wrote for each artist in this week's
chart and that it was the highest standard for quite a while.
I'd love to do that sort of thing as part of a proper radio
or music related job and I'm sure readers of the blog will understand
why I gave crazy enthusiasm into finding out such random stuff.
The plan for tonight is to finish last night's chicken stew with freshly
made pasta, and to see Alan Carr interview Frankie Boyle on Chatty Man.
As it's on Channel 4 there's guaranteed to be no holds barred so it
should be a rollercoaster of sorts, with a bit of innuendo.
Searching For The Perfect Screw...
Today so far has been stressful where I found out that when it comes
to getting hold of bolts (that you screw in) Old Street is rubbish.
I was sent out to get a load of bolts at a specific length and ended up
having to go all the way to Clerkenwell Screws in Clerkenwell Road
although in no means is this a moan at those asking me to do the task.
No, it's directed at hardware stores who are dreadfully disorganized.
Tomorrow however looks pretty exciting as I've been asked out on
a video shoot for Orange's music show, part of one of the extensions
outside of radio for SE so I'm definitely up for that, even if it just
involves setting up cameras lighting etc.
I can just about remember the technique for screwing tripods,
I.E. "Righty tighty, lefty loosey" so hopefully it will be good fun.
The crew need to leave at 9:45am so I'll probably need to get another
early train from Canterbury but overall, the last day's going to be a good one.
Petty Public Transport
Another poor start to this morning caused by the buses refusing to go to the
University before 8am.
Knowing that there are bigger priorities than hastily written
spoof headlines I decided to get an earlier train to St Pancras
which missed out Ebsfleet this time round for some reason.
On arriving I decided to take the same walking route from Grays Inn
to Clerkenwell Road and I hope today's going to go well in terms
of doing more than my fair share of tasks.
Well, a bigger share of tasks overall.
In the last couple of days after Monday's comedown I'm starting
to consider my future at CSR as it's a struggle to even speak
to those involved with the station on a social level.
I know I should give it time, but this is Canterbury I'm talking about.
I'll attempt to stay at it until the Lounge On The Farm festival arrives
and hopefully I'll get a chance to be involved there.
And if that falls through, well, I probably won't be renewing my
membership card.
I know Laura from college is attending Lounge with her boyfriend but
with the exception of them, there's no one else in this rain gutter
of a city to turn to.
I guess the next step is to start "innovating" if that's possible.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Desperate For Practicalities, and Last Night's Photos
With two more days at Somethin' Else I'm beginning to feel weary about
what happens next and where to go and so on.
Apart from sending e-mails etc there's not really a lot else that can
be done although I'd like to make myself useful in the next couple
of days, ideally by being given even the tiniest of editing jobs
as despite hints, it hasn't really surfaced due to me being involved in other jobs.
Not that I didn't enjoy them, but I would like to make my internship
as varied as possible.
As an aside, when I was walking past one of the computers, it was
playing "Stand" by R.E.M. and it immediately reminded me
of this not so impressive knock off by Jake Franks from
many moons ago...
We both saw the funny side and it should have been used more.
I'm looking forward to seeing him and hopefully Oli and a few
of the other soon to be alumni when I return to Harrow in two weeks
for what will be a pretty long stay in London spanning two nights.
I really will have to cut down in April although my only real
priority is a drink with Joe near the end of the month.
He's still doing well as one of the guys answering the phones
for The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, and a few fellow alumni from
his time at Uni are going even further too.
Moving on to the current crop, a few photos from last night;
Two blues for the goals against Stoke on Sunday.
Manish, Luke and Nicola.
Bundling on the tube.
The legend that is. That's what happens after
too many bottles in terms of photos.
Jamie spots a spillage.
Bit of an in joke around a well known
Harrow venue.
I'm starting early tomorrow as I need to record my dry stuff at
Eliot College for the spoof news which will be more straight
and less sketchy this week due to all the goings on.
That's not to say I won't be picking on any deserving targets, oh no.
For now though I'd best get as much me time as possible.
what happens next and where to go and so on.
Apart from sending e-mails etc there's not really a lot else that can
be done although I'd like to make myself useful in the next couple
of days, ideally by being given even the tiniest of editing jobs
as despite hints, it hasn't really surfaced due to me being involved in other jobs.
Not that I didn't enjoy them, but I would like to make my internship
as varied as possible.
As an aside, when I was walking past one of the computers, it was
playing "Stand" by R.E.M. and it immediately reminded me
of this not so impressive knock off by Jake Franks from
many moons ago...
We both saw the funny side and it should have been used more.
I'm looking forward to seeing him and hopefully Oli and a few
of the other soon to be alumni when I return to Harrow in two weeks
for what will be a pretty long stay in London spanning two nights.
I really will have to cut down in April although my only real
priority is a drink with Joe near the end of the month.
He's still doing well as one of the guys answering the phones
for The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, and a few fellow alumni from
his time at Uni are going even further too.
Moving on to the current crop, a few photos from last night;
Two blues for the goals against Stoke on Sunday.
Manish, Luke and Nicola.
Bundling on the tube.
The legend that is. That's what happens after
too many bottles in terms of photos.
Jamie spots a spillage.
Bit of an in joke around a well known
Harrow venue.
I'm starting early tomorrow as I need to record my dry stuff at
Eliot College for the spoof news which will be more straight
and less sketchy this week due to all the goings on.
That's not to say I won't be picking on any deserving targets, oh no.
For now though I'd best get as much me time as possible.
The "Not Even Half" Pub Crawl
Last night's plans took plenty of turns in more ways than one.
On arrival at Kings Cross there was a bloody long line outside the Shaw
Theatre for the recording of "The Unbelievable Truth".
It wasn't worth waiting for that long, only to be refused entry so I headed
straight over to the pub crawl which by that time had reached Monument.
It was so good to see plenty of "old, new faces" consisting mostly
of second years including Matty ID, Manish, Nicola, Lee Collins, and the birthday
boys themselves Jamie, Luke and Frank.
It was just as well I joined them early as people were bottling it as we went along
starting off with a really knackered Nicola at Enbankment, and then Matty,
Manish and Lee decided to call it off at Gloucester Road.
At this point I ended up losing everyone else and decided that in the boozed
state I was in, it was best to head back to Kings Cross, stopping
off at the Delice France at the station for the second mushroom slice
I had that night.
I'll get the photos up later as my camera's batteries have run out,
and I'm minus the USB cable, but I hope to see most of those from
last night again in a couple of weeks where I will be returning to Harrow
after another recording of "The Unbelievable Truth" which this time I hope
to get into.
I may have to head over to Kings Cross for 3pm in order to have a
good chance.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
A Possibly Unsober Stop Over?
I found it difficult getting to sleep and had a rather irritating dream
about possible consequences that could have happened last night.
If anyone reading this is going to the pub crawl, I'm really looking
forward to mentioning things that I probably couldn't mention here.
It's just a case of me feeling out of place of proceedings yesterday, and
today's going to make up for that, even if it's a bit overcast outside.
The plan is a normal day at Somethin' Else until around 5pm where
I will travel to the Shaw Theatre where two recordings of David Mitchell's
"Unbelievable Truth" are to be made for the new series being broadcast
on BBC Radio 4 later this month.
As I've got a ticket for another set of recordings in two weeks as part of
quite a long stay in London, i.e two nights I'll probably just attend
the one show so I can get to the pub crawl quicker.
It will be so good to see so many faces that I don't think I've seen
since the Student Radio Awards. of which regards CSR still feel bitter
about losing to Smoke in the O/B category.
I doubt I'll be going this year, especially as LSR Leeds will probably be
there and all.
Anyway, that's in the past and today looks set to be a lot
more chaotic, yet productive at the same time.
about possible consequences that could have happened last night.
If anyone reading this is going to the pub crawl, I'm really looking
forward to mentioning things that I probably couldn't mention here.
It's just a case of me feeling out of place of proceedings yesterday, and
today's going to make up for that, even if it's a bit overcast outside.
The plan is a normal day at Somethin' Else until around 5pm where
I will travel to the Shaw Theatre where two recordings of David Mitchell's
"Unbelievable Truth" are to be made for the new series being broadcast
on BBC Radio 4 later this month.
As I've got a ticket for another set of recordings in two weeks as part of
quite a long stay in London, i.e two nights I'll probably just attend
the one show so I can get to the pub crawl quicker.
It will be so good to see so many faces that I don't think I've seen
since the Student Radio Awards. of which regards CSR still feel bitter
about losing to Smoke in the O/B category.
I doubt I'll be going this year, especially as LSR Leeds will probably be
there and all.
Anyway, that's in the past and today looks set to be a lot
more chaotic, yet productive at the same time.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Another "Out Of Place" Occasion
Again I'd rather not write about what's happened tonight as it will
just get me down even further.
If I end up writing a follow up to my "Uni Biog" when I get back
to living in London, I'll tell you all then, unless you happen to bump
into me in public.
With the exception of a really nice Spanish woman who wants to
get involved with the station, I barely had any proper conversations
with fellow CSR members which had me questioning as to whether
I really do feel part of the team.
Adding to that the pub had none of my preferred drinks made things worse
and a lot of the awards themselves went to heads of departments
who in their own respect put in a lot of effort and in no way has
it dented my determination to carry on with the show.
Let's wait until I don't get given the chance to help out with
the Lounge outside broadcast, then I can start worrying.
I ended up leaving around 10pm and hoped to drown my sorrows
at the Beercart but on just nearing the entrance, I could hear them
playing what sounded like an awful obscure Iron Maiden track at full blast
so I decided to give it a miss.
Yes, Canterbury's the place to go out on a Monday night for sure.
Everything will hopefully improve tomorrow as I've got
a day at Somethin' Else, a recording of The Unbelivable Truth
in the evening and the the birthday pub crawl from Jamie, Frank,
and Luke Shasha.
It will be good to see so many familiar faces and make the
insecurities of tonight vanish.
Best get a lie down now.
just get me down even further.
If I end up writing a follow up to my "Uni Biog" when I get back
to living in London, I'll tell you all then, unless you happen to bump
into me in public.
With the exception of a really nice Spanish woman who wants to
get involved with the station, I barely had any proper conversations
with fellow CSR members which had me questioning as to whether
I really do feel part of the team.
Adding to that the pub had none of my preferred drinks made things worse
and a lot of the awards themselves went to heads of departments
who in their own respect put in a lot of effort and in no way has
it dented my determination to carry on with the show.
Let's wait until I don't get given the chance to help out with
the Lounge outside broadcast, then I can start worrying.
I ended up leaving around 10pm and hoped to drown my sorrows
at the Beercart but on just nearing the entrance, I could hear them
playing what sounded like an awful obscure Iron Maiden track at full blast
so I decided to give it a miss.
Yes, Canterbury's the place to go out on a Monday night for sure.
Everything will hopefully improve tomorrow as I've got
a day at Somethin' Else, a recording of The Unbelivable Truth
in the evening and the the birthday pub crawl from Jamie, Frank,
and Luke Shasha.
It will be good to see so many familiar faces and make the
insecurities of tonight vanish.
Best get a lie down now.
The Non-existent Skin Of Steel
I really am losing my bottle and starting to wonder whether I have ever
had a skin of steel or such.
None so has been proved more than my outing to just outside Herne
Bay where I had to walk a bugger of a journey to the Links
Business Park due to taking the Reculver bus route, instead of the
Triangle route that goes through Whitstable.
When I got in there things were made worse as I was constantly
asking questions about why I wasn't given a job description
and I was explained that the way the Future Jobs Fund
works is slightly different and more lenient that other ways of
being interviewed.
I was given the choice of wanting to apply for the job but I then
gave in as I had no idea what I was doing, and was advised to
bring it up at my next advisory meeting at the Job Centre.
I may end up resorting to the option offered of having someone
with me as it may make things easier to understand what's going
to happen, but it is going really too far now.
If there was ever a dent to confidence, motivation, and supportive encouragement, than living here in Canterbury is the perfect
example.
But when options are limited what else can be done?
It will probably be best to forget about it, enjoy the CSR Awards
tonight followed by four more days at Somethin' Else from tomorrow.
And possibly a birthday pub crawl if Jamie gets back to me with his
mobile number which I don't seem to have.
had a skin of steel or such.
None so has been proved more than my outing to just outside Herne
Bay where I had to walk a bugger of a journey to the Links
Business Park due to taking the Reculver bus route, instead of the
Triangle route that goes through Whitstable.
When I got in there things were made worse as I was constantly
asking questions about why I wasn't given a job description
and I was explained that the way the Future Jobs Fund
works is slightly different and more lenient that other ways of
being interviewed.
I was given the choice of wanting to apply for the job but I then
gave in as I had no idea what I was doing, and was advised to
bring it up at my next advisory meeting at the Job Centre.
I may end up resorting to the option offered of having someone
with me as it may make things easier to understand what's going
to happen, but it is going really too far now.
If there was ever a dent to confidence, motivation, and supportive encouragement, than living here in Canterbury is the perfect
example.
But when options are limited what else can be done?
It will probably be best to forget about it, enjoy the CSR Awards
tonight followed by four more days at Somethin' Else from tomorrow.
And possibly a birthday pub crawl if Jamie gets back to me with his
mobile number which I don't seem to have.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Only Just Playing Out
If this morning wasn't stressful enough, tonight's radio show was just
as chaotic.
The reason being was that the techies at CSR had cut off the phones, the internet and Myriad playout from Studio 1, meaning that a pre-rec had to be
postponed until early Wednesday morning, and I ended up having to use
an old CD I had burnt for the show months ago for the first hour and 20 minutes.
I don't know how I managed but I ended up doing all my features back
to back although luckily it didn't sound rushed.
Hopefully things will be a lot more smoother next week where hopefully
I'll get to play the Professor Green track that's doing the rounds at the
moment, and has made fantastic use of the INXS tune.
I'm just a bit confused as to his voice and whether he's suffering from
Darth Vader/Danny Dyer syndrome.
And I'm 100% that it's Pete from last night's birthday do on
vocals in the chorus.
As is always the case I will always visualise a giant colourfully
written "EXCLUSIVE" in the first few seconds of the video, with
one letter of the word in it's own balloon.
That's my imaginative sense, get over it.
A 6:45 start is the plan for tomorrow as I'm only heading as far as
Herne Bay for an interview at the Kent Enterprise House.
The only problem is that the Job Centre didn't give me a bleeding
job description which is fucking helpful, but I'll say that in a more
polite manner tomorrow.
As for the rest of tonight, I'm not setting foot any further.
as chaotic.
The reason being was that the techies at CSR had cut off the phones, the internet and Myriad playout from Studio 1, meaning that a pre-rec had to be
postponed until early Wednesday morning, and I ended up having to use
an old CD I had burnt for the show months ago for the first hour and 20 minutes.
I don't know how I managed but I ended up doing all my features back
to back although luckily it didn't sound rushed.
Hopefully things will be a lot more smoother next week where hopefully
I'll get to play the Professor Green track that's doing the rounds at the
moment, and has made fantastic use of the INXS tune.
I'm just a bit confused as to his voice and whether he's suffering from
Darth Vader/Danny Dyer syndrome.
And I'm 100% that it's Pete from last night's birthday do on
vocals in the chorus.
As is always the case I will always visualise a giant colourfully
written "EXCLUSIVE" in the first few seconds of the video, with
one letter of the word in it's own balloon.
That's my imaginative sense, get over it.
A 6:45 start is the plan for tomorrow as I'm only heading as far as
Herne Bay for an interview at the Kent Enterprise House.
The only problem is that the Job Centre didn't give me a bleeding
job description which is fucking helpful, but I'll say that in a more
polite manner tomorrow.
As for the rest of tonight, I'm not setting foot any further.
29 And Bolder
From now on I will do all my best to avoid using public transport from
London to Canterbury on a Sunday.
With all the fucking rail replacement buses, engineering works etc
my journey back was awful, but I got it off my chest in front of Mum and
Dad so I'd rather not repeat everything all over again as
that would just make me feel a lot worse.
Especially as last night's do was amazing where myself and Tudor reserved
a table for 10 at the Nando's in Eailng Broadway (not Ealing Common)
where those in attendance were Pete, Siobhan, Crush co-host Dan,
their mate Mark who I think looks like Scott Mills, Chris, Steven, and Caroline.
After what had to be the most taboo meal discussion I've ever been
through, we headed over to O'Neils where it was on top form with
a live band playing some raucous metal anthems ranging from the Beatles,
to The Killers and even some Blink 182 and Limp Bizkitt thrown in.
Pete's personal highlight was when they playing "Killing In The Name" which
I wouldn't say was the best ever rendition of the song as that was
at Band-E-Oke at the Undercroft three years ago, which resulted in
an actual mosh pit.
By the end of the night it was just myself with Pete and all of his
mates and their signifcant others but it proved that the elder statesman
of the radio lot, definitely knows what makes a superb night out,
regardless of anything that's happened before.
Here's a few photos of the goings on;
Chris and Pete in boozy surroundings.
With partner "Vaughan"
Tudor gives us a smile, i.e prompted.
Mark AKA Scott Mills' stunt double.
Me stood with Caroline who really does look like Sarah Millican
in this photo, sans specs.
The good news is that I don't have any weekend visits to London lined
up in the near future until around possibly mid May as that's when I
turn 25.
I may sort some sort of crawl in London rather than in Canterbury
as it will be more convenient for everyone living within the area
and it makes sense considering I'm seeing George Duke at Ronnie Scott's
the night before.
I'll have the invites sorted out by next week on Facebook.
London to Canterbury on a Sunday.
With all the fucking rail replacement buses, engineering works etc
my journey back was awful, but I got it off my chest in front of Mum and
Dad so I'd rather not repeat everything all over again as
that would just make me feel a lot worse.
Especially as last night's do was amazing where myself and Tudor reserved
a table for 10 at the Nando's in Eailng Broadway (not Ealing Common)
where those in attendance were Pete, Siobhan, Crush co-host Dan,
their mate Mark who I think looks like Scott Mills, Chris, Steven, and Caroline.
After what had to be the most taboo meal discussion I've ever been
through, we headed over to O'Neils where it was on top form with
a live band playing some raucous metal anthems ranging from the Beatles,
to The Killers and even some Blink 182 and Limp Bizkitt thrown in.
Pete's personal highlight was when they playing "Killing In The Name" which
I wouldn't say was the best ever rendition of the song as that was
at Band-E-Oke at the Undercroft three years ago, which resulted in
an actual mosh pit.
By the end of the night it was just myself with Pete and all of his
mates and their signifcant others but it proved that the elder statesman
of the radio lot, definitely knows what makes a superb night out,
regardless of anything that's happened before.
Here's a few photos of the goings on;
Chris and Pete in boozy surroundings.
With partner "Vaughan"
Tudor gives us a smile, i.e prompted.
Mark AKA Scott Mills' stunt double.
Me stood with Caroline who really does look like Sarah Millican
in this photo, sans specs.
The good news is that I don't have any weekend visits to London lined
up in the near future until around possibly mid May as that's when I
turn 25.
I may sort some sort of crawl in London rather than in Canterbury
as it will be more convenient for everyone living within the area
and it makes sense considering I'm seeing George Duke at Ronnie Scott's
the night before.
I'll have the invites sorted out by next week on Facebook.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
"Atishoo" In Acton
I'm well grotty and bunged up this morning with an exploded throat
to match so anyone who's going to Ealing tonight won't have
to suffer my talking nonsense for as long as I usually do.
Definitely looking forward to Nando's as I don't think I've
been to one since last year at Uni although I'll probably
stay safe and opt for a lemon and herb chicken with 'la riz'.
Chris has even been persuaded into going as he will avoid even
the tiniest hint of spices at all costs.
One infamous incident took place in the first year of University
where he couldn't even manage a lemon and herb chicken
and opted for a helping of chips on their own instead.
After that it's over to O'Neil's where I hope it won't be too crowded
and on the premise that it is, I hope we move over to somewhere where
it's less so.
I've got quite a lot to take with me as I'm staying over at a hotel
in nearby Acton, but one thing that won't be packed into
my holdall will be a bucket of mud.
Although having said that, if any verbal splattering takes place,
then I may end up joining in.
I guess all I need to worry about now is finding what would be
the ideal present for Pete.
to match so anyone who's going to Ealing tonight won't have
to suffer my talking nonsense for as long as I usually do.
Definitely looking forward to Nando's as I don't think I've
been to one since last year at Uni although I'll probably
stay safe and opt for a lemon and herb chicken with 'la riz'.
Chris has even been persuaded into going as he will avoid even
the tiniest hint of spices at all costs.
One infamous incident took place in the first year of University
where he couldn't even manage a lemon and herb chicken
and opted for a helping of chips on their own instead.
After that it's over to O'Neil's where I hope it won't be too crowded
and on the premise that it is, I hope we move over to somewhere where
it's less so.
I've got quite a lot to take with me as I'm staying over at a hotel
in nearby Acton, but one thing that won't be packed into
my holdall will be a bucket of mud.
Although having said that, if any verbal splattering takes place,
then I may end up joining in.
I guess all I need to worry about now is finding what would be
the ideal present for Pete.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Booing And Back And Forth
First of all a couple of Audio Boos, them being the latest Humidity News
Headlines from last week and this week which are not for the easily
offended.
In fact with regards to one of the sketches, I felt rather gutsy
dealing with the sort of joke that I'd otherwise shy away from.
In fact "shy" is too kind a word.
I've ended up having to do them all at once because of the chaos
but there's no signs of stopping.
Already I've found a story in the Metro about Leona Lewis
getting a tattoo which is in much need of a ribbing on next
week's bulletin.
Somethin' Else is looking good for next week where Tuesday sees the
possibility on working on prep for Trevor Nelson's Radio 2 which
I would be more than up for.
It would be good to meet the producer or anyone who's involved with
the programme so it's really a case of right place at the right time.
Then again there's quite a few shows within the SE stable that
I wouldn't mind lending a hand to where the opportunities are
possible so as always it's best to get on with it and be lucky.
But just because it's the weekend, it doesn't mean things
won't be getting busier.
I've got a cheque to cash in, an interview form for my Herne Bay visit
on Monday, and Pete's birthday do tomorrow evening starting off
at the Nando's in Ealing Broadway.
I must get a lie down as soon as I can although I'll have a few extra hours
in bed until about 9am.
As long as I get the cheque in my bank account before Fighting Talk
on 5 Live, I'll be happy.
Good Night.
Headlines from last week and this week which are not for the easily
offended.
In fact with regards to one of the sketches, I felt rather gutsy
dealing with the sort of joke that I'd otherwise shy away from.
In fact "shy" is too kind a word.
I've ended up having to do them all at once because of the chaos
but there's no signs of stopping.
Already I've found a story in the Metro about Leona Lewis
getting a tattoo which is in much need of a ribbing on next
week's bulletin.
Somethin' Else is looking good for next week where Tuesday sees the
possibility on working on prep for Trevor Nelson's Radio 2 which
I would be more than up for.
It would be good to meet the producer or anyone who's involved with
the programme so it's really a case of right place at the right time.
Then again there's quite a few shows within the SE stable that
I wouldn't mind lending a hand to where the opportunities are
possible so as always it's best to get on with it and be lucky.
But just because it's the weekend, it doesn't mean things
won't be getting busier.
I've got a cheque to cash in, an interview form for my Herne Bay visit
on Monday, and Pete's birthday do tomorrow evening starting off
at the Nando's in Ealing Broadway.
I must get a lie down as soon as I can although I'll have a few extra hours
in bed until about 9am.
As long as I get the cheque in my bank account before Fighting Talk
on 5 Live, I'll be happy.
Good Night.
Squiggly Scruff
As is always the case, insecure problems tend to disappear fast
which is probably caused by just getting on with the job in hand.
It's still rather quiet here and I've had to move to a different part
of the ground floor due to the table with my computer
terminal being taken upstairs to make room for a lounge area.
Another one?
Still it's a nice building so it's probably best to use it to it's full,
and the building's probably got more than enough terminals.
As I type I've got Mr Scruff playing and his "Mrs Cruff" album
as re-released in 2005 which I've never heard before in full.
They're not the sort of tunes I'd get instantly excited about, but
the chilled nature of them helps to make things flow within
an office environment and there's normally guaranteed to be
at least one, well, not "belter" but a stand out track at least.
I hope that I get round to hearing the latest LP from Groove Armada
which has had me realising that it actually was quite a long time
since "Get Down" and "Song For Mutya" were storming the charts
and fast paced television inserts.
According to a review in the London Evening Standard,
it appears that the duo are far from their chilled persona
especially with "At The River" forever associated with the M&S ads.
At the right time and right mood, listening just a tiny bit out of my
"ecstatic zone" can have a positive effect.
Easily Made Mess Ups
I'm starting to realise that the simplest of mistakes I'm making out of
common sense are having an effect on me in this position and could
be a potential threat when wanting to get even further in a professional
work atmosphere.
Already today I misread a list of things I needed to get from the nearby
Somerfield and made a bit of a mess up when trying to take a table
into a lift when not understand what a colleague meant when she asked me
to lift it.
I'm pretty certain that there's only one solution, that being to ask whoever
it is wanting me to undertake the task to explain in great detail, regardless
of urgency.
It really doesn't hurt to do so and it's the only way of getting a job done.
And if I play my part in equal measure it will get better
and things can run a lot more smoothly.
To be fair however, there's not really a lot going on today work wise
as most of the shows I helped out on for Wednesday and yesterday
are absent, although Jez Nelson himself is sorting out his Radio 3 jazz show
and Ronnie Wood who's recording a show playing classic rock tracks this afternoon.
I had to buy a dark Dundee fruit cake earlier for him earlier on so I hope
I'm within his presence when he arrives, to see if it was worth it.
As for now, I really hope that everyone (and that includes outside my work placement) will start to be more understanding over the fact that
I can't always get things right.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Not Just High Speed Trains...
I'm pretty tired now after arriving back and sorting out my own cooking.
I'll probably stay up to watch a bit of Question Time before lying down
although thankfully I won't have to make an early journey
to the UKC campus at 7am like I did this morning.
Although it's possible that it may become a regular habit as the
Thursday evening CSR schedule has been altered so that Andrew Venning's
Soundscapes show has been moved back to an earlier timeslot and has
returned to being a two hour show between 7 and 9pm which works better
in length whilst still suited to Thursday nights.
I'm actually up against Andrew in the category for Specialist Newcomer
although I think he's got an unfair advantage considering he's actually
head of the Specialist Music department.
Hopefully he won't have a say in who wins.
There will be a lot of drinking for sure even if I do have to be up
at an early hour the next day, but luckily I will be staying over in London
on Tuesday at a hotel in Argyle Square which is fast becoming a popular
stop off point whenever I need to stay over in my favourite
part of the city.
The reason being because of the radio recording, and Jamie and Frank's
21st birthday pub crawl which will be a great time to catch up on.
I don't think I've spoken to Jamie properly since the Smoke Awards
last May as he was working during the SRA Nominations, and I left
early from the awards themselves.
Although I would prefer to forget that night altogether
as it was a fucking shambles, save for the two golds.
Thankfully that seems like a long time ago now, and with so much
going on in the next week or so, it could be next Thursday
in just two seconds away.
Good Night.
I'll probably stay up to watch a bit of Question Time before lying down
although thankfully I won't have to make an early journey
to the UKC campus at 7am like I did this morning.
Although it's possible that it may become a regular habit as the
Thursday evening CSR schedule has been altered so that Andrew Venning's
Soundscapes show has been moved back to an earlier timeslot and has
returned to being a two hour show between 7 and 9pm which works better
in length whilst still suited to Thursday nights.
I'm actually up against Andrew in the category for Specialist Newcomer
although I think he's got an unfair advantage considering he's actually
head of the Specialist Music department.
Hopefully he won't have a say in who wins.
There will be a lot of drinking for sure even if I do have to be up
at an early hour the next day, but luckily I will be staying over in London
on Tuesday at a hotel in Argyle Square which is fast becoming a popular
stop off point whenever I need to stay over in my favourite
part of the city.
The reason being because of the radio recording, and Jamie and Frank's
21st birthday pub crawl which will be a great time to catch up on.
I don't think I've spoken to Jamie properly since the Smoke Awards
last May as he was working during the SRA Nominations, and I left
early from the awards themselves.
Although I would prefer to forget that night altogether
as it was a fucking shambles, save for the two golds.
Thankfully that seems like a long time ago now, and with so much
going on in the next week or so, it could be next Thursday
in just two seconds away.
Good Night.
An Utter Gaggle
Day 2 at Somethin' Else is almost at an end where I reckon it hasn't been
too bad save for a slightly annoying cold that I hope doesn't get
any worse before tomorrow.
too bad save for a slightly annoying cold that I hope doesn't get
any worse before tomorrow.
Amongst the things I got done today included transcribing an interview for
Selector with Debra Coughlin, the founder of anarchic East London choir Gaggle which could be the perfect antidote to New Directions, god help me for mentioning
them on my blog for the umpteenth time.
Definitely something different and what really makes the placement exciting
when listening to acts I wouldn't normally listen to, or never expect to arise
to such peculiarity.
The single "I Hear Flies" can be seen here, but a personal favourite is
"Crows" which has an even raw feel to it as performed at Maida Vale for
BBC Radio 1.
The fellow intern has been lucky enough to go with Jon up to Koko
to assist with an interview as I type which I'm not too peeved about
but I'm hoping to do similar stuff later on within the next week or so.
Basically I just want to get around London, although that
plan may be solved through the pub crawl on Tuesday for second year
radio students Jamie and Frank who have kindly invited me over
on knowing that I'll be in London next week.
Not too many familiar faces have popped in today, the closest being Joel Hogg/Ross from the ever infamous JK and Joel, now currently
hosting breakfast on Radio Aire in Leeds as well as a syndicated
Saturday night show across the Bauer network.
In spite of the travelling, and the fact that I've got the first of two
spoof news pieces to edit tonight, I'm enjoying definitely enjoying my time here.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Back Into A Habit?
The second half of today involved sorting CDs into jewel cases rather than
having them in cardboard or plastic sleeves for "Selector with DJ Goldierocks"
a programme syndicated over many countries showcasing the best
in the latest British music.
It makes sense from an archival sense of things although I'm concerned
as to why they want to give a more shabbier treatment to the
Gilles Peterson shows I had to empty this morning.
And I've got to do the same tomorrow this time for Jazz on 3, as hosted
by company director Jez Nelson.
It makes sense as to why Trevor Nelson and Gilles Peterson are within
the Somethin' Else stable as they both appeared on Jez's older radio
stations and I had know idea how prolific a production company
they are in radio.
Jez of course being the same fella who used to appear on Tomorrow's World
and "It'll Never Work", the latter being one of the best
children's factual programmes from an earlier age that showed up Blue Peter.
I didn't see too many familiar faces today, only Gemma from 1Xtra who was
wearing a lovely rainbow jumper.
More importantly a couple of Westminster alumni were about
them being "Northern Monkey" Jon Lamb, and Phil Harris who both
work as BAs for various shows in the SE stable.
Although they'll be long days travel wise, I'm definitely looking
forward to it and luckily they've given me Monday off to attend
my job interview in Herne Bay.
I really need to get some shut eye before 5:55am tomorrow morning.
having them in cardboard or plastic sleeves for "Selector with DJ Goldierocks"
a programme syndicated over many countries showcasing the best
in the latest British music.
It makes sense from an archival sense of things although I'm concerned
as to why they want to give a more shabbier treatment to the
Gilles Peterson shows I had to empty this morning.
And I've got to do the same tomorrow this time for Jazz on 3, as hosted
by company director Jez Nelson.
It makes sense as to why Trevor Nelson and Gilles Peterson are within
the Somethin' Else stable as they both appeared on Jez's older radio
stations and I had know idea how prolific a production company
they are in radio.
Jez of course being the same fella who used to appear on Tomorrow's World
and "It'll Never Work", the latter being one of the best
children's factual programmes from an earlier age that showed up Blue Peter.
I didn't see too many familiar faces today, only Gemma from 1Xtra who was
wearing a lovely rainbow jumper.
More importantly a couple of Westminster alumni were about
them being "Northern Monkey" Jon Lamb, and Phil Harris who both
work as BAs for various shows in the SE stable.
Although they'll be long days travel wise, I'm definitely looking
forward to it and luckily they've given me Monday off to attend
my job interview in Herne Bay.
I really need to get some shut eye before 5:55am tomorrow morning.
A Production Company Living Up To It's Name
I'm almost halfway through my first day at Somethin' Else where so far I
have done quite a fair bit, i.e buying the refreshments from the nearby
Somerfield, transcribing an interview with Tiesto to be used online and
rather reluctantly on my part, throwing a load of archived Gilles Peterson
shows on CD into a recycling box.
I hope that they don't get disposed of, although I'm told that BBC Radio 1
has archived their shows for at least the last decade or so.
This afternoon should be just as fun and although I don't exactly know
what I'm doing and where it's definitely something to prove myself
with in terms of adding rungs to the ladder.
My only real concern is getting the train back because I have literally 10 minutes
to get from here, to St Pancras International, otherwise I have to get the bleeding 18:40 train back to Canterbury.
Only one solution.
Avoid thinking about that, and show more determinism in hope of
getting a money earner anywhere London where I don't even have to think
of returning to that dull-hole of a place.
have done quite a fair bit, i.e buying the refreshments from the nearby
Somerfield, transcribing an interview with Tiesto to be used online and
rather reluctantly on my part, throwing a load of archived Gilles Peterson
shows on CD into a recycling box.
I hope that they don't get disposed of, although I'm told that BBC Radio 1
has archived their shows for at least the last decade or so.
This afternoon should be just as fun and although I don't exactly know
what I'm doing and where it's definitely something to prove myself
with in terms of adding rungs to the ladder.
My only real concern is getting the train back because I have literally 10 minutes
to get from here, to St Pancras International, otherwise I have to get the bleeding 18:40 train back to Canterbury.
Only one solution.
Avoid thinking about that, and show more determinism in hope of
getting a money earner anywhere London where I don't even have to think
of returning to that dull-hole of a place.
An Early But Far From Reluctant Wake Up
Getting up wasn't a problem so should this end up becoming
more recurrent (although probably not for much longer) I won't feel
as if I need to go back to sleep.
Having said that, with the CSR studios being empty tomorrow morning
I'm planning to take the advantage of recording this week's
spoof news bulletins.
Well, this week's and last week's.
Having 5 Live switched on during the night itself definitely helped
and waking up half an hour earlier at 5:55am was also an advantage.
I've no idea what will be on offer at Somethin' Else, but whatever
the scale of work is involved it will definitely be a chance to
prove myself as more active giving me a better chance of
getting hired again.
Although at the same time I'm attempting to do my best
into finding the role I'm happy with and in a place where I'm happy
with it.
Here's hoping I don't start to feel knackered by the time I arrive
after 9am.
more recurrent (although probably not for much longer) I won't feel
as if I need to go back to sleep.
Having said that, with the CSR studios being empty tomorrow morning
I'm planning to take the advantage of recording this week's
spoof news bulletins.
Well, this week's and last week's.
Having 5 Live switched on during the night itself definitely helped
and waking up half an hour earlier at 5:55am was also an advantage.
I've no idea what will be on offer at Somethin' Else, but whatever
the scale of work is involved it will definitely be a chance to
prove myself as more active giving me a better chance of
getting hired again.
Although at the same time I'm attempting to do my best
into finding the role I'm happy with and in a place where I'm happy
with it.
Here's hoping I don't start to feel knackered by the time I arrive
after 9am.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Tragic Traffic?
After viewing Human Traffic, I'd say that in terms of a plot there wasn't
a great deal of substance.
Just a group of people in Cardiff who are either unemployed or stuck in dead end jobs who choose to go out clubbing on a Friday, attend a house party
and get smashed.
As expected, the style of shooting was identical in a way to Trainspotting
with character introduction freeze frames at the beginning and it did look
like the sort of thing better suited to television rather than the big screen.
However it really gives me an idea of how back in the late 90s
club culture was insane with the likes of Carl Cox and Paul Oakenfold
being treated like "messiahs" if that's how they were referred to
and the film's soundtrack definitely lives up to that time period.
However one tune started sticking in my mind, even if it was only
used as background in a couple of scenes, that being "Cookies"
by Jacknife Lee.
Very similar in style to David Holmes and Bentley Rhythm Ace, I.E.
their tracks may not be heavily succesful sellers, but very popular
bed tracks on television.
"Cookies" in fact was heavily used for trailers on T4 throughout
the summer of 1999 in the days when Ben Sheppard and Dermot O'Leary
were hosting and I watched the strand religiously every Sunday morning.
In the days when it was all done live from Channel 4's lovely
entrance on Horseferry Road and the presenters actually sounded
like they enjoyed the shows they were broadcasting.
Back to Human Traffic and as always, my anorak was well and truly fastened
as I managed to spot a poster towards the left of the image below...
Yes, it's good ol' Berk from The Trap Door.
It's definitely worth mentioning Danny Dyer, who in this film plays
Moff, and that's not a typo.
Considering this was one of Danny's earliest film roles,
I'm convinced that they dubbed the voice of a cockney actor
over his scenes, in a technique not too dissimilar for Reg,
sidekick of the late Mark Speight on the mid 90s ITV Saturday morning series "Scratchy And Co". (0.20)
On a similar note when it comes to looks, I'm pretty certain that Danny
is the direct stunt double of "Showbiz Mitch" from Live And Kicking
who's voice graced the show for 6 series.
And to prove it, his appearance on the Priory in 2000, reunited with
the show's rock and roll presenting duo.
Whilst the film may not be 100% perfect, it's the sort of thing that has me longing for many a rowdy Friday night in London.
Only I'd swap the noisy nightclubs for the more sleazier offerings of a venue
such as The Shunt Lounge where Jane from Oz had her reunion.
Or with regards to the Jacknife Lee record, a drive in the bright sunshine
accompanied by The Stereophonics, Sixpence None The Richer,
The New Radicals, anything that defines that summer music wise.
I'm getting far too drawn in...
a great deal of substance.
Just a group of people in Cardiff who are either unemployed or stuck in dead end jobs who choose to go out clubbing on a Friday, attend a house party
and get smashed.
As expected, the style of shooting was identical in a way to Trainspotting
with character introduction freeze frames at the beginning and it did look
like the sort of thing better suited to television rather than the big screen.
However it really gives me an idea of how back in the late 90s
club culture was insane with the likes of Carl Cox and Paul Oakenfold
being treated like "messiahs" if that's how they were referred to
and the film's soundtrack definitely lives up to that time period.
However one tune started sticking in my mind, even if it was only
used as background in a couple of scenes, that being "Cookies"
by Jacknife Lee.
Very similar in style to David Holmes and Bentley Rhythm Ace, I.E.
their tracks may not be heavily succesful sellers, but very popular
bed tracks on television.
"Cookies" in fact was heavily used for trailers on T4 throughout
the summer of 1999 in the days when Ben Sheppard and Dermot O'Leary
were hosting and I watched the strand religiously every Sunday morning.
In the days when it was all done live from Channel 4's lovely
entrance on Horseferry Road and the presenters actually sounded
like they enjoyed the shows they were broadcasting.
Back to Human Traffic and as always, my anorak was well and truly fastened
as I managed to spot a poster towards the left of the image below...
Yes, it's good ol' Berk from The Trap Door.
It's definitely worth mentioning Danny Dyer, who in this film plays
Moff, and that's not a typo.
Considering this was one of Danny's earliest film roles,
I'm convinced that they dubbed the voice of a cockney actor
over his scenes, in a technique not too dissimilar for Reg,
sidekick of the late Mark Speight on the mid 90s ITV Saturday morning series "Scratchy And Co". (0.20)
On a similar note when it comes to looks, I'm pretty certain that Danny
is the direct stunt double of "Showbiz Mitch" from Live And Kicking
who's voice graced the show for 6 series.
And to prove it, his appearance on the Priory in 2000, reunited with
the show's rock and roll presenting duo.
Whilst the film may not be 100% perfect, it's the sort of thing that has me longing for many a rowdy Friday night in London.
Only I'd swap the noisy nightclubs for the more sleazier offerings of a venue
such as The Shunt Lounge where Jane from Oz had her reunion.
Or with regards to the Jacknife Lee record, a drive in the bright sunshine
accompanied by The Stereophonics, Sixpence None The Richer,
The New Radicals, anything that defines that summer music wise.
I'm getting far too drawn in...
My Mad March Plan
It's been a nice couple of days outside hasn't it?
Whether it will last tomorrow for my venture into London is pretty
doubtful, but should I fall into that day to day regime, I'd have to take
any atmospheric conditions and try and remain lively.
With so much happening this month, I'm going to turn into a magpie
again and borrow something that's normally seen on Steven McIntosh's
monthly Facebook notes.
Only this time round it's a list of things planned for March rather
than looking back at them.
06/03: Pete's "Near To Thirty" Birthday Do in Ealing
Once again I've been invited over to celebrate yet another coming of
age for the elder but not maturer statesmen of those who will
always have something to say if it's radio related.
Pete Cooper, his newly engaged partner Siobahn will be present
at a nearby O'Neils as well as Chris, Steven, Tudor, Aoife, and Caroline.
I really hope it doesn't get too heated as it would be a shame to ruin
a birthday like that.
The booze will be flowing mind, even if O'Neil's aren't perfect
on the "soft booze" side of things so it may save some money.
And more so for this next event;
08/03: The CSR Awards and Elections: The Parrot, Canterbury
I knew something along these lines was being planned but I didn't realise
it was all going to be taking place in March. In all fairness
exams take place around late Spring for the Christ Church/UKC students
so it makes sense to get all the admin stuff out of the way now.
I'm pleased that the awards themselves appear to be a less than formal
event than those I went to at Smoke, and even if I leave with nowt,
a night of boozing will be the main priority.
For some bizarre reason, I've been nominated as one of four specialist
newcomers which I guess proves that the commitment pays off at least.
But as for the night itself, it will hopefully be an excuse for letting hair down.
09.03/23.03 - BBC Radio 4: The Unbelievable Truth Audience Recordings
I've been lucky enough to have been sent two separate tickets
for the comedy panel show hosted by David Mitchell, so if I end up arriving
too late for one, I'll know how to avoid doing so second time round.
I'm gutted I didn't order more than one ticket for each show, but I've
got things planned for afterwards on both nights so they should be
enjoyable.
24/03 - Meet up in Central/Jerry Sadowitz at the Leicester Square Theatre
As a warm up to the outbursts from the shocking Scottish stand up/magician
I plan to meet up with his son, alongside partner Caroline for a second
time this month at somewhere in Central London we haven't been to before.
We haven't sorted anything 100 percent but I'd love it to be
a restuarant of sorts, maybe along the lines of Pizza Express
or Zizzis.
Anything goes.
As for Jerry himself, if Frankie Boyle is an extra strong mint, then Jerry
can reduce him to a Polo.
I've only seen snippets of him in action but if they were
enough to have me in hysterics then a full show is bound to be just
as entertaining from the man who I very much doubt could get
away with such coarse material on a television screen.
The plan for tonight is to have a gander at a film which features
someone who in the last year or so, I've laughed at for being the subject
of many a coarse joke out of his favour.
Him being Danny Dyer, and the film being Human Traffic.
Steven recently saw this and was gutsy enough to give it a big fat zero, with this being the reason;
"Jesus, I can't even begin to describe how shit this film is. It's about a collection of twenty-something idiots who drink and take drugs and go clubbing and rebel against society BLAH BLAH BLAH. Awful."
That would be like me giving similar treatment to an Elaine Paige musical
for the sake of it.
Seriously though, Human Traffic was one of many films that
was trying to cash in in the wake of Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and other
similar style films which would actually fall in my favour,
so I'll attempt to give this one a good go.
Here's hoping Danny Dyer's acting abilities are better than those
at TV presenting.
And I won't have to list him alongside Elaine Paige and John Barrowman
as those in "the biz" who think they're masters of all trades,
but are surprisingly average in all attempts away from the stage.
Whether it will last tomorrow for my venture into London is pretty
doubtful, but should I fall into that day to day regime, I'd have to take
any atmospheric conditions and try and remain lively.
With so much happening this month, I'm going to turn into a magpie
again and borrow something that's normally seen on Steven McIntosh's
monthly Facebook notes.
Only this time round it's a list of things planned for March rather
than looking back at them.
06/03: Pete's "Near To Thirty" Birthday Do in Ealing
Once again I've been invited over to celebrate yet another coming of
age for the elder but not maturer statesmen of those who will
always have something to say if it's radio related.
Pete Cooper, his newly engaged partner Siobahn will be present
at a nearby O'Neils as well as Chris, Steven, Tudor, Aoife, and Caroline.
I really hope it doesn't get too heated as it would be a shame to ruin
a birthday like that.
The booze will be flowing mind, even if O'Neil's aren't perfect
on the "soft booze" side of things so it may save some money.
And more so for this next event;
08/03: The CSR Awards and Elections: The Parrot, Canterbury
I knew something along these lines was being planned but I didn't realise
it was all going to be taking place in March. In all fairness
exams take place around late Spring for the Christ Church/UKC students
so it makes sense to get all the admin stuff out of the way now.
I'm pleased that the awards themselves appear to be a less than formal
event than those I went to at Smoke, and even if I leave with nowt,
a night of boozing will be the main priority.
For some bizarre reason, I've been nominated as one of four specialist
newcomers which I guess proves that the commitment pays off at least.
But as for the night itself, it will hopefully be an excuse for letting hair down.
09.03/23.03 - BBC Radio 4: The Unbelievable Truth Audience Recordings
I've been lucky enough to have been sent two separate tickets
for the comedy panel show hosted by David Mitchell, so if I end up arriving
too late for one, I'll know how to avoid doing so second time round.
I'm gutted I didn't order more than one ticket for each show, but I've
got things planned for afterwards on both nights so they should be
enjoyable.
24/03 - Meet up in Central/Jerry Sadowitz at the Leicester Square Theatre
As a warm up to the outbursts from the shocking Scottish stand up/magician
I plan to meet up with his son, alongside partner Caroline for a second
time this month at somewhere in Central London we haven't been to before.
We haven't sorted anything 100 percent but I'd love it to be
a restuarant of sorts, maybe along the lines of Pizza Express
or Zizzis.
Anything goes.
As for Jerry himself, if Frankie Boyle is an extra strong mint, then Jerry
can reduce him to a Polo.
I've only seen snippets of him in action but if they were
enough to have me in hysterics then a full show is bound to be just
as entertaining from the man who I very much doubt could get
away with such coarse material on a television screen.
The plan for tonight is to have a gander at a film which features
someone who in the last year or so, I've laughed at for being the subject
of many a coarse joke out of his favour.
Him being Danny Dyer, and the film being Human Traffic.
Steven recently saw this and was gutsy enough to give it a big fat zero, with this being the reason;
"Jesus, I can't even begin to describe how shit this film is. It's about a collection of twenty-something idiots who drink and take drugs and go clubbing and rebel against society BLAH BLAH BLAH. Awful."
That would be like me giving similar treatment to an Elaine Paige musical
for the sake of it.
Seriously though, Human Traffic was one of many films that
was trying to cash in in the wake of Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and other
similar style films which would actually fall in my favour,
so I'll attempt to give this one a good go.
Here's hoping Danny Dyer's acting abilities are better than those
at TV presenting.
And I won't have to list him alongside Elaine Paige and John Barrowman
as those in "the biz" who think they're masters of all trades,
but are surprisingly average in all attempts away from the stage.
The Online Status Explosion
The digital social networking world has gone insane in response to the
BBC's announced plans to shut down 6Music as part of a series of cutbacks.
For me it's just another example of the BBC trying to please the government
and a possible Conservative government at that, rather than putting the
viewers and listeners first.
But having looked at the "editorial priorities" on the BBC's website,
it appears that one of them is to produce "Outstanding Children's Content".
This isn't going to go down well with many people I know well,
but I have had an interest in that area of the media longer than radio
and although it's not really aimed at me, it could definitely put
more ideas back into the heads of younger audiences.
After all, they'll be running the corporation in 30 or so years and if
ideas don't buck up, television and radio will be in a worse shape than it is now.
However I'm not sure where to draw to conclusions on this issue.
A good majority I have spoke to from University who isn't within
a close radio circle have mentioned that they listen to 6Music and
can actually relate to specific shows or presenters.
That's something that I've not known to happen with a single music
based radio station for sometime outside of Radio 1.
Mark Thompson on the other hand mentioned in an interview on the
BBC News Channel that 6Music wasn't value for money considering it's
small audience size and that the content would be split over Radios 1 and 2,
and the Asian Network likewise for BBC Local Radio.
A risky move to take with regards to 6Music because as a listener, I wouldn't want to sit through tons of crap being uttered getting in the way of
music that's played in a designated timeslot with less informed
presenters.
Well that's what I'm worried about anyway as I'd much rather have
Lauren Laverne switched on than Fearne Cotton who tries too hard.
With regards to BBC Switch suggesting that Channel 4 does teen programming
better than them, you only have to watch an episode of "Skins"
followed by BBC Switch's "Off The Hook" to prove so.
And you wonder why the Harrow Campus, sorry, site, gets such a ribbing.
I'll take a break from this until around 6pm but it is exciting you have
to admit.
BBC's announced plans to shut down 6Music as part of a series of cutbacks.
For me it's just another example of the BBC trying to please the government
and a possible Conservative government at that, rather than putting the
viewers and listeners first.
But having looked at the "editorial priorities" on the BBC's website,
it appears that one of them is to produce "Outstanding Children's Content".
This isn't going to go down well with many people I know well,
but I have had an interest in that area of the media longer than radio
and although it's not really aimed at me, it could definitely put
more ideas back into the heads of younger audiences.
After all, they'll be running the corporation in 30 or so years and if
ideas don't buck up, television and radio will be in a worse shape than it is now.
However I'm not sure where to draw to conclusions on this issue.
A good majority I have spoke to from University who isn't within
a close radio circle have mentioned that they listen to 6Music and
can actually relate to specific shows or presenters.
That's something that I've not known to happen with a single music
based radio station for sometime outside of Radio 1.
Mark Thompson on the other hand mentioned in an interview on the
BBC News Channel that 6Music wasn't value for money considering it's
small audience size and that the content would be split over Radios 1 and 2,
and the Asian Network likewise for BBC Local Radio.
A risky move to take with regards to 6Music because as a listener, I wouldn't want to sit through tons of crap being uttered getting in the way of
music that's played in a designated timeslot with less informed
presenters.
Well that's what I'm worried about anyway as I'd much rather have
Lauren Laverne switched on than Fearne Cotton who tries too hard.
With regards to BBC Switch suggesting that Channel 4 does teen programming
better than them, you only have to watch an episode of "Skins"
followed by BBC Switch's "Off The Hook" to prove so.
And you wonder why the Harrow Campus, sorry, site, gets such a ribbing.
I'll take a break from this until around 6pm but it is exciting you have
to admit.
Monday, March 01, 2010
An Unsteady But Hopeful Opportunity
As I type I'm in a mellow but rather nervous mood.
Which to be honest is a lot better than being in a spiteful and
rude persona.
I'm rather downbeat because this Wednesday I'm making a visit to Central
London and Somethin' Else where from what I understand I start an internship
having approached them just over a month ago about what sort of things
are on offer at the company.
And they're definitely one of the most prolific in radio, currently producing
606 on 5 Live, Ras Kwame, Judge Jules and Daniel P Carter on BBC Radio 1,
and long runners (pardon the pun) such as Gardners Question Time on BBC Radio 4.
I could be given absolutely anything to work on and even if it's
a challenge, I'm sure I'll pull through and it will add to my list of
practical radio experience.
The initial plan for Wednesday was to get the stuff for this week's
Humidity Headlines recorded although I may have to postpone
that until Thursday as that's when there's most likely to be spare
studio time in the CSR building.
I may actually end up recording them mid week and upload on Friday
as with the Now Show on Radio 4 restarting this week, I'm worried
it may cover similar subjects and inevitably be an unfunnier equivalent.
It's quite likely that I'll upload two bulletins this week within
all the chaos, and technical faults from last week.
However it's best to think about Wednesday and it will be interesting
to see how I adapt into a new working environment.
And whether I'll manage...
Which to be honest is a lot better than being in a spiteful and
rude persona.
I'm rather downbeat because this Wednesday I'm making a visit to Central
London and Somethin' Else where from what I understand I start an internship
having approached them just over a month ago about what sort of things
are on offer at the company.
And they're definitely one of the most prolific in radio, currently producing
606 on 5 Live, Ras Kwame, Judge Jules and Daniel P Carter on BBC Radio 1,
and long runners (pardon the pun) such as Gardners Question Time on BBC Radio 4.
I could be given absolutely anything to work on and even if it's
a challenge, I'm sure I'll pull through and it will add to my list of
practical radio experience.
The initial plan for Wednesday was to get the stuff for this week's
Humidity Headlines recorded although I may have to postpone
that until Thursday as that's when there's most likely to be spare
studio time in the CSR building.
I may actually end up recording them mid week and upload on Friday
as with the Now Show on Radio 4 restarting this week, I'm worried
it may cover similar subjects and inevitably be an unfunnier equivalent.
It's quite likely that I'll upload two bulletins this week within
all the chaos, and technical faults from last week.
However it's best to think about Wednesday and it will be interesting
to see how I adapt into a new working environment.
And whether I'll manage...
Switching In Spring
Pretty amazing outside this morning, clear skies as such.
Could be a bit brighter but it's only the first of March so plenty of
time yet.
Going to bed before midnight was also pretty helpful as I'm not feeling too
reluctant so I reckon I should take a similar sort of agenda tonight.
First of all between 8 and 10pm will be a rundown of this week's
Sweet Rhythms Chart on Solar Radio which is really something
I should be listening to every week.
I bet there's tons sugary stuff out there even if most of it
is on import.
Straight after that I plan to listen to my final GRP compilation
that I happen to own, this time from 1992 but as for individual
artists from the label, still a lot more to come thank goodness.
As I type, Moyles is switched on where they're playing the appallingly
self indulgent "Where Am I" game where pre-recorded clips
of Tim Westwood are used to give clues to places around
the world.
I can remember someone texting in to the show when one of
Comedy Dave's competitions was failing miserably on air
and the text message read "Can't you do this in your own time?"
Not just side-splitting but very true.
If anyone's old enough to remember the early days of Chris Moyles
on breakfast, I'd suggest bringing back "Buzz Off", where Chris
would attempt to play a record he'd brought from home without
the rest of the team buzzing him.
Normally it would be once a week that Chris actually managed
to play a record in full.
But while it's easy to dismiss Moyles, his show can be redeemed by
the shockingly bad breakfast shows on other local commercial radio
stations that I wouldn't say were lead balloons, more a case of burst.
With Moyle's act admittedly showing signs of age, there must be
tons of presenters who want to do more than just bog
standard traffic upates, movie reviews and "lyrically challenged" games.
And I ask myself why I'm getting fed up with radio.
What started off as a fun source of entertainment, has ended
up being uninspring, passe, and in some cases bloody nasty.
Could be a bit brighter but it's only the first of March so plenty of
time yet.
Going to bed before midnight was also pretty helpful as I'm not feeling too
reluctant so I reckon I should take a similar sort of agenda tonight.
First of all between 8 and 10pm will be a rundown of this week's
Sweet Rhythms Chart on Solar Radio which is really something
I should be listening to every week.
I bet there's tons sugary stuff out there even if most of it
is on import.
Straight after that I plan to listen to my final GRP compilation
that I happen to own, this time from 1992 but as for individual
artists from the label, still a lot more to come thank goodness.
As I type, Moyles is switched on where they're playing the appallingly
self indulgent "Where Am I" game where pre-recorded clips
of Tim Westwood are used to give clues to places around
the world.
I can remember someone texting in to the show when one of
Comedy Dave's competitions was failing miserably on air
and the text message read "Can't you do this in your own time?"
Not just side-splitting but very true.
If anyone's old enough to remember the early days of Chris Moyles
on breakfast, I'd suggest bringing back "Buzz Off", where Chris
would attempt to play a record he'd brought from home without
the rest of the team buzzing him.
Normally it would be once a week that Chris actually managed
to play a record in full.
But while it's easy to dismiss Moyles, his show can be redeemed by
the shockingly bad breakfast shows on other local commercial radio
stations that I wouldn't say were lead balloons, more a case of burst.
With Moyle's act admittedly showing signs of age, there must be
tons of presenters who want to do more than just bog
standard traffic upates, movie reviews and "lyrically challenged" games.
And I ask myself why I'm getting fed up with radio.
What started off as a fun source of entertainment, has ended
up being uninspring, passe, and in some cases bloody nasty.
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