| Music |
[Aug. 5th, 2004|06:50 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  accomplished | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Beastie Boys - "Gratitude" | ] |
I think it should also be mentioned that the Hybris demo (i.e. Me, Edo, Eugenio & David) is in the final mixing process... |
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| Ironic |
[Aug. 5th, 2004|06:47 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  morose | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Beastie Boys - "Alive" | ] |
Thought I'd read some LJs for the first time in ages... looked back at my first ever post on 8th Jan 2004 and realised that I've gone full circle!
"Then" I had no job. Now I do have a reasonable temp job, but I am really wanting to move on and get a decent permanent job. Not had many positive responses so far.
"Then" I was pretty miserable and sick of singledom. Now I'm just about coming to terms with the idea again.
"Then" it was raining. Now the house is flooding.
On the positive side, at least I can look at my posts and see that things really do get better! |
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| Total and utter carnage |
[May. 9th, 2004|06:16 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  groggy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Kill Bill Vol. 1 Soundtrack (appropriately) | ] |
Birmingham Carling Academy on a Saturday night..... not quite the same as O-Ren Ishii's pad with the Crazy 88 (or parts thereof) decorating the floors and walls, or so one might think......
It was Jo Hughes' birthday and, to her surprise, quite a few people came out to celebrate: her boyfriend Guy, myself, Elsa, Martin, Naomi, Rick, Jimmy and a special guest appearance by John and Alison. Of course, the alcohol flowed freely, which probably didn't help our stabilities.
The morning after..... everyone has, at some point, sustained an injury in The Academy. Alison was rushed to hospital with a broken arm, Rick slipped and had his knee trodden on and the remainder of us have tripped and bruised or twisted something.
Was it a particularly violent night? A huge moshpit at a Slayer gig? No. The whole floor of the place was so saturated with beer that it resembled an icerink of pilsner. The stairs were most treacherous and surely it is only a matter of time before someone breaks their neck and the place is closed. What to do? Security making sure people don't carry beer between floors or on the dancefloor, of course. The cost will be offset by the fact that no-one will be able to sue the establishment for large sums of money.
Apart from the mishaps, we did all have a really good time. The drunken antics dancing to Love Rollercoaster on the stage, bucks fizz in hand, with Guy leading the crowd into the moves will remain in my mind for a long time! |
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| Confusing musing |
[Apr. 23rd, 2004|07:59 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  cheerful | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Jimi Hendrix - "Knock Yourself Out" | ] |
Damn again.... so long since I posted anything, but I guess that's because nothing inspiring happens in my life ;-)
Our Easter party rocked! The turnout was at least 100 people, about 25 of whom required to stay the night, but people were so drunk/stoned that they didn't mind resting their heads on beercans and fagends. 4 DJs played sets in the living room - DJ Zuul (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) paulhorse - Paul from Hunchbacks etc.), DJ Mouse (Charlie from Chicksdigchoons RIP), DJ Oeuf (richoeuf - Henry, also from Chicksdigchoons RIP) and a random appearance by Rich, who may or may not have a *wacky* DJ name. We also had some cool stuff going on in the techno/metal room and the chillout room that evolved metalwards, plus quite a few people braved the cold and attempted to form a small fire in the remains of the barbeque.
Goodbye paulhorse and richoeuf! They are off round the world for a year and we will miss them both... well maybe not both (*inspires paranoia of dislike*). Their LJs will hopefully blossom into purposeful and palatable prose.
Today was a good day. I am changing job - still staying as a temp at Certegy, but I'll be running accounts payable, i.e. I will verify and record purchases made by the company, staff expenses etc. I pointed out that I'd expect an appropriate rise in my pay and they agreed. The existing staff member currently responsible for this is leaving in a week and a half, so she's training me up in the meanwhile.
Despite the improved employment, I am still in the "what to do now" dilemma - do I follow what I was brought up to do by our capitalist culture, that is go into the most gainful employment and earn as much as possible, or do I do something which is more soul satisfying (and risk hardship)? Live to work or work to live? I think this is a question for Mr Long...
It's also becoming increasingly urgent to make serious decisions because I don't particularly want to part from Iris, throwing away something which is so good, just because we end up moving to distant areas. Damn, this is where a small town mentality would be most beneficial (tha(rrrr)t John Smith once left our town and was never seen again, but on a summer's evening you can still hear the sound of his mobile phone ringtone in the wind). |
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| Splutter |
[Mar. 27th, 2004|10:33 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  enthralled | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Zero 7 - "When It Falls" | ] |
John and Alison are here! Hurrah! Chris may be joining us today, depending on if it's worthwhile getting the coach up as his car failed its MOT.
I have been ill for about three weeks now. This is completely out of character for me: I've had three very different colds in a row. Feeling a lot more human (or duckish?) today, but I had to retire to bed quite early last night.
Didn't get into the BBC, which is a shame, but I did my best. Fingers crossed for my patent attorney applications.
Things went all wrong for my girlfriend yesterday as she lost two days' work for her assignment just before the deadline. She is a bit upset, but seems to be coping ok. Considering she hadn't slept since Wednesday (apart from two hours), things should be a bit more in perspective today.
We are having a phat party on 10th April (Easter Saturday). It will be our last convention before Paul and Henry go round the world for a year. If anyone would like more details, please send me an e-mail because I'm not going to post them on the internet. |
|
|
| Welcome to the crumple zone |
[Mar. 15th, 2004|06:30 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  cranky | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Bob Dylan - "61st Highway Revisited" | ] |
Huzzah!
*collapses in a heap*
Matt Boas was up for the weekend, as was his girlfriend Ariadna, whom I had never met. Lots of crazy shenigans were afoot, mainly because Ari is one of my girlfriend Iris' best friends and their first year flat was reunited for the first time in 14 months. There was much screaming, singing, dancing and malarky from the girls. Came downstairs on Sunday morning (after Eddie's the night before) to find Edo and Matt looking rather comfortable tucked up in the living room sofa bed, so I'll have to post Iris' photo when she's developed it!
The tapas and paella at La Tasca on Broad Street (opposite ICC) was very good, plus we got a reduced rate of ?10/head by leaving out a few of the tapas dishes on the set menu. A worthy alternative to a balti!
For anyone who's looking for an alternative to RockSoc night this Tuesday (tomorrow), Edo (from Maj) and Eugenio are playing some songs for Multicultural Week at the Guild in whatever Berlin's is now called. Not sure on the timing, but I believe it's ?3 to get into the whole event. |
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| Yuk |
[Mar. 9th, 2004|12:07 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  sick | ] |
| [ | music |
| | DJ Format - "Music for the Mature B-Boy" | ] |
I hate taking days off ill..... it means I lose out on a whole day's pay while I sit around feeling like crap.
On the plus side, I have stacks of things to do, such as complete a job application and sort out a photos website for John and Alison. Hopefully, my bro will appear on Messenger later when it's evening time in Korea. It was nice to spend 13 hours in bed too. |
|
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| The obligatory lazy weekend post |
[Mar. 7th, 2004|08:06 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  lazy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Jane's Addiction - "Strays" | ] |
I succeeded in taking it quite easy over the weekend.
Friday was a bit of a headf**k... I had only had about four hours sleep (again), but agreed to go along "briefly" to a random party on Winnie Road. That party was crap, partly owing to a group of drunken rugby types, so we moved on to another one, which was, quote, "not far away".... About an hour later we finally got there and only managed to stay a further hour before walking home, by which time my head was spinning and I was losing my grip on reality. Luckily, we arrived in enough time for me to comfortably pass out in Iris' bed.
Woke up at 3.45pm on Saturday.... almost like getting a week's sleep in one night. Iris had gone to work, so I assumed her house was empty, but then Edo appeared as I emerged from the shower. I had protected my modesty just in case of such a situation! Turned out he'd been sleeping in an unoccupied bed. This was fortunate as Edo inevitably considers food soon after waking, so we rolled down to Woodstock where I partook of a fine Mexican Special baguette with fresh guacamole.
Rhys was expected to visit this weekend, and did, but it was a surprise to see Paul too. He's playing a gig next weekend (presumably with The Hunchbacks), so will be back then. We all went to O'Neills followed by Poppy Red in the Arcadian and had our fill of silly dancing and overpriced "dancing juice".... GBP2.90 for a bottle of Sol, including lime, is not unusual, but three is never enough! The festivities continued for a while at home before people inevitably started retiring.
Today was a day of perfect nothingness, apart from my extreme catering mission.
Starting to think a lot about music that I want, have or have made. I have cobbled together a demo of some chill-out stuff, borrowing from the influences of Zero 7, Morcheeba, Portishead, Massive Attack, Aphex Twin etc. I am eventually going to send it to Ultimate Dilemma, Zero 7's record label. If anybody wants a copy, drop me a line because I'd love a test audience!
More on music.... buy the album that I am currently listening to because it is ace. I'm sure I've put this in a post before, but Jane's Addiction really are back with a vengeance. Next on my shopping list are the new albums by Zero 7, Norah Jones and Nitin Sawnhey.
Well, I'm sure that nobody could actually be arsed to read this far, but if you have then I bid you farewell. |
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|
| Beeb yourself |
[Mar. 4th, 2004|06:42 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | optimistic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | A Tribe Called Quest - "The Anthology" | ] |
The BBC interview went really well yesterday...
There were three parts: firstly, we had individual interviews. I was generally pleased with how I answered the questions and the interviewers kept nodding their heads in approval. The only vaguely technical question was asking how you might implement a system for automatically redubbing movies into a foreign language. Digital speech synthesis and recognition was one of my pet topics for my final year at uni (got 82% in the exam), plus I've also done post-A-Level French, so naturally I answered the question with gusto! Speaking to the other interviewees afterwards, none of them knew excatly how to answer that question and they were generally saying that they were frequently stuck on other questions.
The second part was a group exercise. We had a portfolio of stats and other info regarding an IT support desk in a broadcasting company. We had to make recommendations to the management about how they could improve on the failing service. I was quite startled by the weaknesses of the some of the other group members: most weren't at all objective, some made many null points or lacked persuasive argument and some didn't say much of value at all. There were definitely a couple of candidates who were better than the rest, but I think I came through very well in the discussion.
Finally, we had a brainstorming session. In this, we each had a booklet with various scenarios. For each, we had 4 minutes to make as many suggestions or points relevant to the scenario as possible. The assessment is based on number, variety and originality of responses. I noticed that most other peoples' pages seemed to be a bit fuller than mine, but I tried to be varied and original, so I think my score will be ok.
It wasn't until I was on my way home that it sunk in that I'd actually done quite well, especially so, considering the 4 hours sleep I had had the night before!
Still sleepy today... also a bit annoyed at myself for misunderstanding a text message earlier, but it couldn't be helped considering I hadn't been given all the facts. OMG, I really do need to chill out this weekend! Bring it on.... |
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|
| Jibber Jabber |
[Mar. 1st, 2004|07:07 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | hopeful | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Radiohead - "Kid A" | ] |
Not posted in a while, so...
I have an interview at the BBC on Wednesday! The post is Research & Development on the Graduates for Technology scheme. It sounds like some scary shit... an interview in the morning, followed by an afternoon filled with group activities and a brainstorming session.
Went to Nottingham for my ickle sister's 21st birthday over the weekend. All us kiddies are now grown up, which is quite astounding. She had a great time and definitely ruled the dance floor!
Still filling my other days with work at Certegy and seeing my lovely girlfriend most evenings. It's good to be busy again and I'm enjoying it! I seem to get on well with the folks at work, although it is fairly quiet. I am trying to earn a surplus of brownie points so that they don't get annoyed so much if I'm 5 minutes late. They had no problem with giving me the day off for my interview, even though I'm supposed to give two weeks' notice.
Rhys should be coming up this weekend, so no doubt he will be accompanied by the inevitable drunken debauchery that infects us on each visit - all in high camp fashion, of course.
I will end with a joke, even though I'm sure it's quite well-known by now:
Q. At what time to they go to bed in Michael Jackon's house?
A. When the big hand touches the little hand...
Sha-mon! |
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|
| Yawn |
[Feb. 19th, 2004|07:50 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Royksopp - "Melody AM" | ] |
Man, what a hectic few days...
Started work on Monday, only achieving 3 hours sleep the night before, which doesn't bode well... I was amazed I didn't pass out at Brumfest last night and, in fact, I was positively chirpy. I was even further amazed when I went to work today and was functional. Maybe I have just got used to being horrendously tired, but I'm sure it's not doing me any good.
I am working for Certegy/Transax in Five Ways on the top floor of Tricorn House. You can see the various bits of the uni and most of Brum from up there, so I never feel far from home. The job is cheque processing; not the stuff of dreams, but it pays well. Iris finds it amusing because cheques became redundant in Finland decades ago. Although I spend most of my time filing and unfiling cheques, I have a sideline helping a manager-type, who seems particularly impressed with my IT skills, so hopefully I'll have more distractions from the filing cabinet.
Still going from strength to strength with Iris :-) Never a dull moment...
Plenty to do this evening as I have to plan a dinner party. Very highbrow! I should really clean certain areas of the house, but I also need my rest.
*stomach rumbles* |
|
|
| La joie de vivre |
[Feb. 14th, 2004|12:11 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | accomplished | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Sublime - "Sublime" | ] |
I think yesterday will undoubtedly be my luckiest Friday 13th of all time, so I shall record it here for posterity!
Number 1: I have a job starting Monday morning. It's a filing and admin job at Certegy in Five Ways. No more lazy mornings for me!
Number 2 (and far more important): I have a girlfriend. I am no longer the eternal singleton (3 years and 2 months!). She is everything I could have hoped for.... beautiful, clever, kind, witty, sensitive and downright cool. There has never been an awkward silence in the time we have spent together. Furthermore, she is reciprocal in her feelings for me. It's been a long haul, but I never gave up hope that there must be a special someone somewhere and it's just a matter of time. |
|
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| More positive ramblings |
[Feb. 12th, 2004|01:44 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  ecstatic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Radiohead - "OK Computer" | ] |
I've only been up an hour and it's already a good day!
Aforementioned young lady will be meeting me later. Could 3 years of singledom be drawing to a close?
Edo and Giulia are now an item. He is over the moon, so good for him.
The Department for Work and Pensions casted doubt on my Jobseekers' Allowance application, but after a review they have re-approved it. I would rather have a job, but at least this helps a lot.
We have Anne staying for a couple of nights. Always good to see the bitch! Shame I woke up too late to "do lunch" in town with the ladies, but I fear it would just effeminise me... |
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|
| Happy Days |
[Feb. 11th, 2004|11:53 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  jubilant | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Best of The Doors | ] |
I am a happy bunny. :-)
Firstly, the Maj gig was great fun and I think we played well, despite the fact that I completely lost it during "Gentle Art" because the Grolsch kicked in. Thanks to everyone who turned up.
Secondly, I spent the whole night talking to a fantastic girl. It started at about 9pm with "did you enjoy the first band?" and finished at about 5am having covered some very abstract topics! She was so intelligent that I felt stupid at times. I am a sucker for Scandinavians with blonde hair and blue eyes (even though a bad experience tells me to stay away) and she is rather gorgeous ;-) The best bit is that she's single... Will I have a Valentine this year???
Thirdly, I am happy for Edo because he got together with a girl called Giulia who he hasn't stopped talking about since he met her on Saturday. She is possibly his ideal woman. He was stressing before our gig because she hadn't appeared, but she turned up in time and was obviously impressed by his fretboard "wizardry" (I can think of other words to describe it too) and metal machismo!
Fourthly, I have moved the last of my stuff into my house, so I have my hi-fi to comfort me in my hangover. |
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|
| Strange head |
[Jan. 23rd, 2004|03:56 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | crazy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Buena Vista Social Club | ] |
I had an Existenz moment last night...
I was dreaming that a team of highly trained burglars had stormed my parents' house, only it was just me and some friends there. They had locked us in and were being brutal to us whilst systematically stealing all our possessions. I think I managed to escape, with some of the evil chaps chasing me. Whatever happened, I can remember it all being rather scary.
Next thing, I woke up and I was relieved to find that I had just been dreaming. Everything was peachy again.
Shortly afterwards, surreal things started to happen and it all went rather crazy and scary! I hadn't actually woken up, but had a "dream within a dream".
I think this freaked me out more than the original dream and I woke up panicking and hyperventilating.
Are we still in the game? |
|
|
| Random points of note |
[Jan. 20th, 2004|02:05 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Kyuss - "...And The Circus Leaves Town" | ] |
I made a cunning observation last Friday that I felt I should include:
My band name MAJ was originally coined because, for want of a better name, there were two Matts and two Jameses. Very lame, really.
However, it was actually a name of amazing foresight!
The current members of the band are Matt, Adam, me (Duckhead), James and Edoardo.
Spotted it yet?
Here's a good Brummie joke I heard at the Glee Club on Saturday:
"I couldn't figure out which came first: Kentucky Fried Chicken or Mr Egg." |
|
|
| The Midas touch |
[Jan. 15th, 2004|05:07 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | groggy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Spinaca - "Angelic" | ] |
Don't want to speak too soon, but looks like my laziness has paid off and I am lined up for a job! The pay is good, but it's in Small Heath, so a double bus ride to get there. Ironically, the agency also tried to offer me a "better" job, but it turned out to be at Fujitsu Telecommunications, with whom I had a tiff a few years back... I signed a contract which entitled me to 25 days leave and they later tried to get me to sign a slip of paper reducing it to 15. Of course, I was under no legal obligation to do this, so I told them to stick it.
I think my cold is *finally* subsiding... I want to come out and play this weekend! Like the Queen, my housemate Simon is having an "official" birthday, so we should be off to Eddie's tomorrow (after Hybris practice) and there's a secret surprise for him on Saturday which is so secret that I can't even post it on the internet for the whole world to see.
As for Hybris, I think Edo is like the Metal Midas..... everything he touches turns to METAL. Eugenio plays stuff on his acoustic guitar and sings like a pro, then Edo comes in with a screaming riff full of palm mutes and artificial harmonics! |
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| The hills are alive with the sound of music |
[Jan. 12th, 2004|04:33 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  creative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | DJ Format - "Music for the Mature B-Boy" | ] |
I've had a couple of practices over the weekend with a new band, Hybris, with Edoardo (guitarist from Maj) and Eugiano (guitarist/singer).
What kind of music we will come up with is a mystery... at the moment it sounds like Radiohead meets Tool and Pantera!
*** MAJ gig on 10th February at Joe's ***
Today is a "reality" day... I need to find a job and I am suffering a random unpleasant illness. |
|
|
| Taking stock |
[Jan. 10th, 2004|04:34 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  pensive | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Herbalizer - "Something Wicked This Way Comes" | ] |
A night of mystery, intrigue, balti, beer, pool, metal, cheese, confusion and clarity.
A morning of sleep, laziness, coffee, groaning and reflection. |
|
|
| Errrm |
[Jan. 8th, 2004|05:36 pm] |
This worries me slightly...
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