The Good Stuff Of... September

September. That transitional month that's not quite autumn but the summer is still hanging around too.

New York
It started with me in New York - I'll finish those blog posts soon. There's still Central Park and the Jeff Koons at the Whitney Museum to show off. So, yeah, me in New York was a great thing of September. Check back later...

Music
I go through phases with music (as I do with most things in my life). I listen to music for months then not much for weeks. This month high in my playlist priority have been George Ezra (that voice!) with Blame It On Me. On repeat most days for me that song. Next up is Blame from Calvin Harris feat. John Newman. For me there is no one out there that can produce tune after tune like Calvin Harris. I still regularly listen to the 18 Months album. Plus he is ageing very nicely indeed. Hashtag HotScot. Other tunes very much in my ears are Zombie from Jamie T, Iron Sky from Paolo Nutini and All Of Me John Legend. What's in you ears this month?

New iPhone!
No Photo. You'll have seen one by now...
I can hear the android device people groaning from this far. But it had been three years since I had a new iPhone. I know, first world problems. However, I ordered it online and it was delivered by O2 on launch day. Within an hour i had it set up, number transferred and everything. I have to say, going from a 4S to a 6 is a big leap. Although the device is larger I cannot tell you the last time my 4S battery lasted more than 13 hours. In fact i don't think i ever did. On my 6 I have had a fe times this month that it has lasted me 1 day and 4 hours or more. I can tell this from the battery usage. I even think the novelty of having my battery at 5% and not flaking out on me will not wear off for a while. It's a revelation to me. The Phone itself is nice. I didn't opt for the larger 6 Plus device. It was a step too far for me. I made an actual cut out of the size and dimension of the two versions of the phone before i ordered it. The 6 barely fits in a pocket and the 6 Plus certainly wouldn't have fitted in my pockets. There's been talk about phone bending when you sit on them. Well, what donkey would put a £500 plus item in their pocket and sit on it? I mean really people, come on. Plus if you're wearing jeans that have pockets large enough to fit a 6Plus hen you should be having a word with yourself. I joke, but seriously! Anyway, so far i've got no complaints with the phone. I really love it. In depth review there, huh?

Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Netflix
I've expressed before how much I love Netflix, butler me just reiterate it. I LOVE NETFLIX. This month i've overdosed on the whole Series 1 of The Originals (the Vampire Diaries spin-off), then i went and started watching The Vampire Diaries from the beginning. Two weeks in and i'm on series 3. I'm really enjoying it. Binge watching is the way to go with programmes. Why wait a week when you can hit go on the next episode. Gotta be done.

Having said that I started watching The Leftovers when I was in New York and it had only just started when i came home so i've been watching that weekly on Sky. Not least because Christopher Ecclestone is in it, as well as Jennifer Aniston's absolute hunk of a man Justin Theroux. Dreamboat. The story is decent too. Haha, at the story being an afterthought! Jeez.

Le Labo body products
Oh Em Gee. Have you ever smelled a Le Labo product? In particular Santal 33? It is absolute heaven to the senses. I first used these products back in March when I first visited New York and they were the toiletries at the swish Refinery Hotel I stayed in. When I stayed this time I made sure I brought some products back with me. Shower gel, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner. They're only tiny bottles so I'm trying to ration them for special occasions but every now and again i'll just open the body lotion bottle and take in a huge giant sniff of that scent. It's warming, it's homely, it's masculine and feminine at the same time but most of all it reminds me of two fabulous trips to New York.

2014, what a mighty fine year you've been so far.

Angela x

On Repeat

Having donated my giant Technics stacking hi fi system to the charity shop a few months ago, I haven't really listened to the radio for a while. Music is mostly listened to on my phone or iTunes, and occasionally at work. One day, while at work, a song came on and I was mesmerised by it. It had me. I'm a sucker for a sweet tune and haunting voice. This is it. It's been on repeat ever since.

London Grammar - Strong

Enjoy.

Angela x

My night at the Mumford's (and Sons)

On Wednesday night i set off to Glasgow to see Mumford and Sons play at the SECC. I'd been wanting to see them for aaaages and when the tour was announced i snapped up a ticket straight away. The gig sorta came around pretty quickly but i couldn't wait to see them.

I'd seen a few performances on TV and liked what i saw. I like a band who can play 'live' and still sound the same - hello Kings of Leon!

I like this style of music. I won't label it as some people are really persnickety about these things, but folky rocky pop might just about do it some justice. They played hard for about an hour and a half and I swear it sounded just as good as it does on the cd. Various other musicians came on stage at certain songs; trumpets, violins, drums... GREAT!

I'm not really a fan of the SECC as a venue. It's just a big warehouse really and that night it did stink a bit from the chicken stall. Frying fat smell... eeuww.

The gig was really great. They played new songs and old and the crowd were pretty into it. I did wish i was in the standing area until i was reminded why i'll never buy anything other than a seated ticket to a gig - the stupids who throw beer tumblers and it goes everywhere. Why people, why?!

Anyway, it was a good gig nonetheless and i couldn't but think that I wished I was sharing these moments with someone...

Here's a few photos. iPhone shots so they may be 1) blurry or 2) quite far away. Enjoy.

Angela x

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Five Things on a Friday #16

yes, yes, on a Monday! I know, I'm late, again....read on.

1) This song. This version of this song. That is all.




Ok, so it's American Idol. But this guy has got it. His name: Phillip Phillips, what's not to love! I like that the music seems to flow through every part of his whole being. I love his raspy tone. I love his little shoulder shakes and that he reminds me of Chris Martin. I like this a lot. Oh and the girl is pretty decent too. I'd kinda missed this song when it was big and at number one in some chart for ages. But on hearing it lots lately I decided to hunt it down and found this version. I realised I hadn't really listened to all of the words and when i did I found they resonated. So, this has been on constant playback.

2) I saw Salmon Fishing in the Yemen yesterday. Yes, yes, nice little movie. Ewan McGregor's character is a bit weird, but nice all the same. I spent half the film wondering if his character was meant to act like he had asberger's or was this their way of portraying a backward thinking scientist from Scotland. hhmmmm. anyway that's not what number 2 is about. It's all about ZAC EFRON. Oh Yes! I know he's a baby but my goodness have you seen the trailer for The Lucky One. He appears to have aged (a little bit) and grown into a bona fide hottie. Check, it, out!....

3) Will.I.Am... I have to admit i thought Will.I.Am was the least person I'd like off of the Black Eyed Peas. The only thing i remember him for is on XFactor miming badly with auto-tune-a-plenty. But, cue The voice (on BBC1). It's really good and a much better version of a reality TV show. Then i heard about the coaches (they're not judges on the Beeb you see). Jessie J, Sir Tim Jones, Danny Whathisface off of The Script and William. I wasn't too eager but then i saw the first show and when they all sung I gotta feeling on the first night i was hooked. They all work well together and I actually like them all on this show. But Will.I.Am is excellent. Really knows what he's talking about and is usually right when going with his gut instinct. His little facial features and cool personality have really changed my opinion of him. I want to be his pal! I think a lot of people are surprised by how much of a nice guy he seems. I say seems because you never can really tell from a TV screen can you. Also, he seems pretty tiny. Can anyone clarify this? Fanks.

4) Light nights. The street lights aren't coming on now until about 8.50pm. We timed it. I love the light nights. I love the sunsets on a day when it's been showering with rain one minute and bright sunshine the next. You get lovely cloud formations and we all know i live a nice cloud formations. Here's one I took five minutes ago (9.10pm).

5) my mum and dad. I may not have a close circle of friends but these two share everything with me. I'm so lucky to have such a great set of parents. Sometimes i wish they'd give out more hugs, some hugs. Hugging is not big in this house you see but you know when you just know... You know that hands down, life or death they'd be there, fighting my corner. We don't say the love word that often either. Truth be told i can;t remember the last time i heard it but, like i said, you just know. Don't you...

Angela x

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Five Things...

So I opened up twitter this morning and there was the usual mix of morning/breakfast/exercise/travel/weather tweets. If you can navigate your way through this river of greige, you can always find a few gems hidden. Like, there was also the much tweeted link to the little ditty played by Zoe Dechanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I decided to watch it and it was sweet and nice. I've followed both people here, well over on Twitter, for a while. They're quite good value.

In addition there was a post over here by @Whatleydude. Have a read. I decided that I'd try the five things list on this blog, after all, yesterday in my Mission 2012 post I did say that I'd like to get this blog going again, make it huge, and we all know I like a list! So here it is... Except it's not quite five things, it's from the past year so it'll be a little longer than five. Next week will be the five things list. Ok enough. Let's go...

•  Multicolour trousers - mostly from Topshop. Awesome. 
• Ryan starting school and getting on fine, what a relief. 
• Meeting Miss Laura Woods. An amazing person and friend. Also on that same trip south in February I met lots of Twitter people who really we're lovely. It can happen. 
• Getting fitter and losing weight. 
• Hello size 8 little black dress. Okay dresses. Plural. I bought two! 
• Three beaches in one day with Surfpunkian. Awesome awesome day. Thanks dude. 
• Finally meeting MisAKis. Fun, bubbly and lots of great stories about social media 'darlings'. Haha laughed so much. 
• My first Illegal Jack's. I'll be back. I did. A few times. 
• Loving painting my nails. With glitter! Me! Glitter! WOWSERS how times have changed. 
• Cycling 55 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Fantastic feeling. 
• Giving blood for the first time. 
• Becoming unofficial aunty to baby Kai. Gorgeous. 
• Weekend cinema trips. A sanctuary. The cineworld card has been a godsend for me. 
• Favourite movies: Drive. Sherlock Holmes. 50/50. The Hangover part II (obviously). 
• Elemis skin nourishing body cream. Smells gorgeous and keeps my skin soft and err nourished. 
• Twitter. My love affair with it will never end. Not for the foreseeable future anyways. 
• Baking cupcakes. Several good attempts. 
• Seeing brilliant Twitter friend @pyllon finish one of his races. I was going to say "for the first time" but what I'd mean is I saw him race for the first time. He's raced loads. And done very well, thank you very much. These are no ordinary races, oh no, they're across tracked up and down hills and are usually never any less than about 50 miles!! No mean feat. 
• Meeting Miss Karlie MacGregor. A wonderful person. Damn straight. 
• My love of spin bike class. I can't miss any now. Except I am right at this minute missing one, but you get what I mean. 
• Seeing Mr Neil Fox (@drgonzolives) perform at the Edinburgh Festival with his fab Great Brain Robbery comedy mates. What a laugh! 
• Finding fabulous blogs to read, like Whatleydude's. I've nearly finished reading all the away back James!
• New Red Converse. Only my second pair in two years. I think I deserve another and I think I found them today! 
• Buying my iPad 2. Finally. Although it may be going on sale soon. I love it but... The screen thing still irks me a little. 
• The joy I had doing my walk with Instagram back in October. Me, my iPhone and Instagram. Walking around Edinburgh. Good day. 
• Taking the boys and my sister to the National Museum in Edinburgh. They had a ball. 
• Seeing Kings of Leon at Murrayfield in June. Sounded just like the cd. Great gig. 
• The Killing (Danish version). I love that programme! 
• My trip to London in April. Three days exploring that fab city. The weather was brilliant too. I'll be back.
• My trip to Philadelphia in August. Ok ok it wasn't the real Philadelphia but Glasgow. The film set for a new Brad Pitt movie. Hope it's good when it comes out. 

So that's a few of my most memorable good things from the past year. Next week it'll be just five things from the week. It'll hopefully be a regular post. If not, shout at me!

Angela x
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Music and Words

Music. Music plays a big part in my life as I'm sure it does for you too. I've never been a trend setter going out and searching for new bands or anything. I'm more of a hear a song and kinda like it person. I tend to get a cd and listen to it for months on the car and then change to another one. With the little deviational detour in between times.

It's only when things happen in your life and you really start to listen to the words of songs that they take on new meaning. I have a cd in the car that i made up myself from iTunes, it's relatively recent songs that i liked and i swear to whatever god you pray to that the songs have taken on new meaning in the past few months. It's strange. I find myself driving along singing these words and it hits me that some of these words i should be saying out loud to people (or persons), various.

I won't rhyme off the reasons why I should be saying the things that I should. If only I could, then perhaps the words would mean something totally different. Does that make any sense at all? I hope so.

Music can trigger feelings inside you that you forgot were there. Last week I saw someone played a jokey spoofy one hit wonder song on Spotify and i remembered wee John liked it so very much and it made me smile with love remembering him. I hear the name of an artist and i'm taken back to a great day out and a lot of laughs since. I hear a guitar riff and i think of a good friend who plays guitar. All of this is what music does to you. Elation. Emotion. Heartache. Belly laughs. Shivers down your spine. Wry smiles of remembrance. And above all a good old fashioned sing along in your car, music blaring no one can hear you and you're lost in that 3 or 4 minutes. Bliss.

Here's one of the songs... I like it.

Angela xx

Music. Sweet Sweet Music

This weekend just past saw Glastonbury take place. There was rain mud and eventually sunshine. I'm not really into the idea of muck and camping and all that palaver but love watching on telly. I caught some of Friday's musical menu which ended with U2 on the main pyramid stage. It rained and it poured but, to my surprise, Bono was actually singing not too bad. His outfit was a bit debatable though - what looked like a rubber trouser affair. It was probably some eco friendly faux leather thing come to think of it. Anyway U2 were ok. I'd kinda wanted to see them 'live' at some point but to be honest I prefer their earlier music to the latest offerings so seeing them on Friday night was enough for me.

Saturday saw one of my all time favourite bands EVER! Coldplay. They divide a lot of people and some people are quite frankly snobbish about it but for me they are still one of the best live bands i've seen. And i've seen them 5 times now. The show has gotten better through the years and they can still bring out the old favourites like Yellow and Politik that get the crowd going. Saturday night saw songs from an as yet unfinished album but the Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall EP sounds good so far. Granted, Chris Martins vocals and piano playing can go a bit off when he's caught up in the moment but i don't mind that. The show is good, the songs always make me smile (yes even the slow ones some folk might find dull) and I couldn't care less. I love Coldplay, just like someone trying to be trendy might like the latest new young hip band that I've never heard of. I was hoping that  Jay-Z might've made an appearance during Lost like he did at the hampden gig a few years back but it wasn't to be this time. This time Jay-Z and his wife were spectators. Nice.

Sunday night saw me attend the Kings of Leon gig at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. I set off from a drizzly but clammy Stirling and headed on the train. I figured the train would be a safer bet than trying to find a parking space. I was right. When I got there the area was swarming with people sitting on pavements, walking to the stadium and generally having fun before the gig. I arrived just as White Lies were coming on. I'd heard of them before but not taken much notice. After their 30 minutes set i was right. They were nothing special. The singer reminded me of Spencer who was on Celeb Big Brother and married Chantelle. Ha!

taken with Hipstamatic app on iPhone (Dali film)

Anyway, at about 8.45pm the headliners came on. It was great. The singing was almost cd-ish in that it sounded just like it does on the cd ie. note perfect. The music was great. I loved the grimy guitar riffs, the banging bass drum tempos and the chit chat between songs.

Here's a thing that annoys me at gigs though. I was sitting on the second tier of the West stand. Two rows from the front in a row of about 1) and I guarantee you these two women didn't sit next to each other for more than 20 minutes of the 2 hour show because if one wasn't away buying wine, the other one was and vice versa. In and out, in and out. What is the actual point in going to a gig if you are going to spend at least half of the gig at the toilet (allowable) or at the effing bar. I mean, seriously! That totally annoys me.
Plus, there was a couple who were sat next to me. They seemed ok. But they never budged, I mean the hardly clapped or tapped their feet until Sex on Fire came on one song from the end!! Fuck sake.

Anyway back to the music. I'd wanted to see Kings of Leon for a while and was glad I did. They were ace and I'd say one of the best live bands i've seen. If you get that chance, go and see them, but not if you're not really into their music. I remember going to see Red Hot Chilli Peppers at Hampden a few years ago. They were good and played the favourites but there was absolutely no interaction with the crowd. I don;t think they knew where they were. The lead singer just sang the songs and nothing more. Disappointing. However, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Hampden in 2009 was totally awesome. I went with my Dad and he loved it too. They played for a good 3 hours solid and totally had the crowd in the palm of his hands. So glad I saw him. Now all i need is the Rolling Stones to do one FINAL FINAL tour and I'll have seen all who i want to see.

Well that was until I came home and caught up on Beyonce's set at Glastonbury on iPlayer. Oh my goodness can she work a crowd. Flawless singing and dancing (how does she do it?!). An amazing singer with routines I want to learn to do :)  She will be added to my list of must see live music as well as the Gaga. Can't forget her. Even my mum warmed to the Gaga after watching her on Paul O'Grady show the other week.

Oh and my train journey home was an ordeal. Or rather getting back to HaymarketHaymarket for the 23.04 train...or so i thought. I ran most of the way. This wasn't too bad as i;m pretty fit now but by the time i got to the station i was sweating like a bad one and...and...AND it turns out there were extra trains put on to Glasgow, Linlithgow and Stirling. They had neglected to put signs up at the station to this effect when i arrived. Bad Scotrail. I mean seriously, let passengers know in advance so they don't panic and run two miles for no reason. The platforms were chockablock but i got on the train fine. I was home just after 12 midnight. It's lucky I had a holiday from work the next day :)

Phew! that was some weekend there for music. Are there any bands you think I should see? hit me with it.

Angela x

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Born This Way

March has arrived. I love March. Not only is it my birthday month but it's the month when we see new colours blossom on the tiny flowers and the days are much longer and lighter at nights. I love it. During March I have decided to try, try so very hard, to do a blog post each day! (I know, mad eh). If not each day then certainly every other day. I'm not promising long in depth posts but just one thing each day. Are you with me? yes? cool. Let's begin.

I've just come back from a very lovely little day trip away down south. Blog to follow, but don't worry Carly I will not blog the taxi ride, haha. Anyway, that wee day trip and those lovely people have kind of inspired me to think more of myself. You know, with a little more confidence. A song came on the radio and I was curious to see the new video. For Lady Gaga's new song Born This Way as I really quite like the song. No matter what you think of her she lives the way she wants and she is who she is. I'm not sure she's that comfortable in her own skin. I think she is? Anyway the song is very catchy and so what if it sounds similar to a Madonna song. It's fab. I looked up the lyrics and found that some struck a chord. So I decided to watch the video. Wowsers. It's amazing. She looks fantastic in it. Jealous. Here it is. And the YouTube link in case it doesn't work... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1FrqwZyKw

I'm beautiful in my way, 

'Cause God makes no mistakes 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Don't hide yourself in regret, 

Just love yourself and you're set 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

(Born this way) 

Angela (and Lady Gaga) :) xx

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Thursday Three... pt2

Three songs that have personal meanings to you.

Number One

The Slim Shady LP

Ok so it's not one song but an album. An album I stumbled across when visiting Florida in 2000. I got it on tape and listened to it all holiday on my walkman. Yes you heard that right... a Walkman! Anyway it was like nothing I had heard before and I bought the subesequent albums until he went into that dodgy phase. I think lyrically he's genius. The songs mostly told the story of his struggles with his mum, about his love for his daughter and the on-off relationship with his wife Kim. Explicit and violent at times but with jovial tunes, mostly. I just liked it instantly and then the second hotly anticipated The Marshall Mathers LP came out. Blew me away too. Eminem is polarising. Love him or hate him, he was different.

Number Two

Coldplay - Yellow

The song in which I found my love for Coldplay. A song that came out at a transition period in my life. A simple song about a colour, Yellow. Or is it. But I just simply love it. How could you not like the line "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you". I know some of the cool kids think Coldplay are rubbish but I really don't care. I've seen the four times live and to date they are one of the best live bands i've seen. Granted Chris Martin gets a but carried away and the vocals are a but dodgy at times but the band, Will, Johnny and Guy, even Chris are excellent musicians. So there, Yellow, one of my favourite songs.

Number Three

I'm gonna cheat a bit here and list a few songs that i have grown in recent years to love for various reasons but if nothing else they can move me to stop in my tracks and just listen to them and i think that's as gooda reason as any. So here they are:

The Sacrifice - Lisa Gerard




One day like this - Elbow




Vladimir's Blues - Max Richter




Oops sorry how could i nearly forget this little masterpiece by the brilliant Hans Zimmer....

You're So Cool (as used in the True Romance soundtrack)



So these aren't my only favourite songs but songs or albums that meant something to me at the time. But if you know me you'll know i like lots of songs and can't really call any one song my favourite. I have lots. So tell me your Thursday Three...

Ange x

Hello...

Having recently installed some cyberspace spies on this blog (or maybe its cos I’m not actually a secretary and I do in fact work for the Secret Government!), I now know that at least 10 folk pop by every now and again to take a wee look at this blog. Hiya to all of you readers / listeners (what should I refer to you as?). It’s funny though as you don’t leave any comments.

Why not settle in, have a read through some postings, and leave me a comment or two? go on, go on. I’m keen to know what people think of this place I call my blog.

Ange xx

PS I don’t work for the Secret Government and there are no spies (well not in this blog), it's a sitemeter counter (see, I can't lie!) :o)

PPS musical update:
A Rush of Blood to the Head album from Coldplay
A Greatest Hits album from The Beatles
Only By The Night album from Kings of Leon
Sunny Side Up album from Paolo Nutini
Bulletproof song by La Roux
Various songs from the man they call Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters

It's a colourful life!

Why do you blog? It's a question I've asked a few folks recently and there are different answers from each. Mostly though the reply is because it's like a diary. A diary, a record, a log. Of events that are perhaps more signifcant to the writer than the reader. Or perhaps the reader quite enjoys the insights the writer gives them into their lives.

For me this blog started off as an account of the journey of the biggest and bestest thing I had done in my life up to that point. The EBC trek of course. With a few snippets of other events thrown in for good measure. I wanted it to be recorded and for it always to be there so that i or others can go and read it in their own time. On return from the trek it has turned into what I suppose you might call a diary - without the personal stuff of course!! I mean I could never let you into the deepest thoughts I have hidden away in some corner of my imagination that only ever come out to play occassionally, could I?...

There are a few clandestine stories in posts here somewhere. Some may have read them and thought "what?!" with a confused look, others may have read them, nodded and said "ah yes!".

So here's what i'll write about today...
Dad started his new job today with a local company Recyke-a-bike. It's a community run project where they fix and repair/recycle old bikes. I say old bikes but he's assured me there a good few Trek bikes in stock just now, waiting for a new home!! Get in! This is his second job since being made redundant after 35 service!! Luckily he can turn his hand to pretty much anything. A timed-served mechanic to trade he worked as a maintenance engineer in the local tile factory for 35 years then they decided they needed someone 'more experienced in electrics' to do both jobs. He graciously accepted their word and has not looked back to be honest. He's one of those people who just can't bear to sit and do nothing and all credit to him for that. He's been biding his time with a part-time delivery drivers job for Brammer engineering and he quite enjoyed that. It got him out of the house for half the day at least and now he's got this full-time job. I am quite proud actually. There are people half his age living around about us and there's a warrant out for their working jaickets!! Lazy so and so's... Anyway I'm searching the web for a decent bike and he's going to keep an eye for me at anything that comes in. There are apparently thousands of bikes in their main storage shop and his job will be to fix them up/repair them and get them ready for selling again. So in a few weeks, if anyone wants their bike serviced, he's the man!

I've been to the gym a few times over the week and tonight's session was pretty good. I tried a different running program and it was fun and felt great. Knees still got sore but i've been stretching it all out regularly and i hope that gets better soon. Tips anyone??

Work is.... well work. Same old problem of being too quiet without all the fab students so motivation and focus just now is not quite 100%. Tasks and work is still being done but with a little less enthusiasm. It will be rememdied soon though as I'll be off on hols and 2 weeks time. Bliss!!! Cannot wait. That's all the motivation i need really to get the job done.

Oh, oh, another thing I can't wait for... Bruce 'the Boss' Springsteen at Hampden Park next Tuesday night!!! Don't know what to expect really but i did eventually watch his Glastonbury performance and man he gives it his all for nearly 3 hours! Apparently the set list changes when they go on stage at each gig so i'm hoping a few of my favs will be played next week. I have a spare ticket if anyone fancies it?? Let me know. :o)

Got a new camera the other day and it's really great. I'm loving the pictures it's giving me already (below) and can't wait to get out into the hills with it. I've even managed a pretty good panorama shot of Stiring with it. It's well cool!!



Ok that's all the non personal stuff sorted, now for the personal things...
Aye right, you didn't honestly think i'd write that down here did you??...

Ange xx

Musical update: (cool tunes I quite like indeed)
Stornoway - Zorbing
Fleet foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Bruce Springsteen - Jacobs Ladder
Paolo Nutini - Candy (love, love, love this still)
Ray Lamontagne - Burn
Blur - Tender
Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
Coldplay - Life in Technicolour ii
The Jam - Town called malice
Arcade Fire - Keep the cars running
The Killers - All these things I've done

A wee cheeky midnight post

'Tis the season of the festival...

Glastonbury is on the telly just now but I'm not liking Neil Young. Sorry any fans of his out there. I remember sitting watching Glastonbury in 2007 and being mesmerised by Arcade Fire. It was a great performance they gave. The music just seemed to build up to a great crescendo and there were about 15 musicians on the stage such is the size of he band. Here it is incase you don't know who Arcade Fire are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq6M4PWKvq4

Bruce Springsteen headlines the pyramid stage tomorrow night and I'm undecided whether to watch it or not. You see I'm going to see him at Hampden in a few weeks and don't want to know the set list in case it's the same... dilemma!

I've not been to many concerts in my time but have to say that Coldplay are still one of the best bands I've seen live. They are also one of my favourites so does that make me biased? Saw them three times now and the best had to be November 2005 Palau St Jordi, Barcelona. It. Was. Amazing!!! Went to SECC in December to see them and they were ace too but perhaps I don't like that huge hall. Or maybe our seats weren't that great... something was just missing.

Snow Patrol are another favourite and I was lucky enough to go to an intimate gig in Edinburgh last year for their album launch. Gary Lightbody's voice just melts my heart! aaaahhhh....

Anyway I digress, the festival music season is here. I love music. I love nice songs. I'll listen to anything once, just to see what it's like. Music i suppose has always been in my life from early on. Dad being a drummer in a band in his youth - no he wasn't a Beatle ha ha. New Year was always spent at my granda's house where there'd be more than a few sing-songs with tunes of old and to this day they are still sung at our house at New Year. Old classics. Music can bridge the age gap, it unites. Why is that?...

Oops, this was meant to be a wee cheeky midnight post and it's way past the hour of 00:00.
Must dash, up early tomorrow, Ben Starav...

Ange xx

One step, two step, three step, four step...

BBQ at work this fine evening was grand! Nice to get everyone together that don't normally come out of the offices. Granted... there were a few missing, quite a few in fact but one day harmony will be bestowed upon DASS and people will actually make the effort to attend such all too infrequent social functions. It was graduation day today for the students from my department and I am so proud of them all. We had a great year this year, i just hope they can all go on and live to their potential. Some are returning to do postgraduate study in September, some are heading to postgrad studies at other Universities and some are being very brave and stepping into the big wide world to get a job. Good Luck to them all!!

Brigitte is off on her summer holidays from today so it'll be Linda and I left in the office for the next few months. To sit and yap the day away like a pair of old fish wives (if only people could hear what we talked about!! oh no we couldn't share it - Excuse me!! Excuse me!! ha ha), to hide behind our desks pretending to be working by 9am when really we're checking t'internet for any blog/social networking updates (oh I do hope Douglas doesn't read my blog, ha ha, we do work hard Douglas - honestly!!).

I can't talk for Linda but I am really struggling to motivate myself recently. Don't get me wrong, work is great, I really enjoy my job, love working with the fab students and wouldn't want to work anywhere else. I think the reason is it's because this time last year I was busy planning my BIG adventure, buying kit, climbing my first munro, meeting new people, finding my feet on the hills... you get the drift. Now there appears to be some sort of hole... something's missing... what I need is a new adventure to plan. Or loads of mini adventures, I'm still undecided. Never mind, I'm sure it'll hit me like a ton of bricks one day, just like Everest did... hopefully! There have been a few discussions about different things. I thought I had it settled and then I was looking at other things, and back to the first idea and round about again. I will decide.

Ange xx

Thanks idmoore.

Max Richter rocks! as does Paolo...

"So let us change what we can and

Accept what we can't

Impart some of the wisdom

From that tried and tested man..."

Just give me some candy before I go

The sun is out, Wimbledon is on the telly and graduation is this week at work - it must be the summer then!

Had my first appointment with my new physio today and i knew as soon as i set my eyes on him he'd be my saviour. Regular readers (all 5 of you!) will know about my dodgy knees. It's taken a while to get here and this was my appointment just coming through from the hospital since January! NHS... but, it's here and i left feeling really really positive that the pain might be better and *whispers, might even disappear in the future. Things are looking up indeed.

I'd been through the routine, 3 times in fact. "Put your shorts on....stand there... hhmmm..." after much looking and me walking up and down the corridor a few times he decides my feet do over-pronate but not that much. Only a little bit more than the average neutral foot.

"You have orthotics?"
"aye"
"any good?"
"nah no really, they don't fit in my trainers or walking boots and i only get the pain when i run or walk!"
"no they don't work for everyone"

After another look at my knees, a few stretches and holds on the table he pronounces... "I'm going to cure this problem for you..." cue the bright lights and a halo appearing above his head!!! :o) I could have actually hugged him!! I hope it works. He gave my legs a stretch, moved them in all directions and then said i have really really tight quads, hamstrings, hip flexors and IT bands. He done this almighty stretch that brought tears to my eyes but afterwards he said it made a big difference. So now i have even more stretches that I'm to do before my next appointment. To be honest i really haven't done the ones the other physio gave me to do for ages... oops! But, this time, it will be done. Every night. Religiously. Cos i am going to beat this pain, right where it hurts, and kick it into last year!!

This is good new as I have plans for this summer, big plans for more adventures and perhaps even some long distance running (that being quite a while off yet though). The fear of the pain has kinda stopped me from going all guns blazing into doing stuff but not for much longer. Holidays will soon be upon me and I cannot wait. First is a long weekend this weekend which was meant to be a trip to the Lakes but that fell through. Still have the days booked off though - result! Then it's my July holidays. Only one week booked at the minute but that will change. It culminates with a trip to London to see Roofus and Fernie. Cannot wait for that and yes I will be doing the tourist thing.

After that comes the dilemma... I still have 12 days holiday to use before the end of September. See I carried some over for the trek this year but didn't really need them as it fell on the Easter weekend and didn't have to use some days for that - another result! So... what am I to do with the 12 days of holiday?? I could book a cheap package deal holiday to some godforsaken place with pale British folk, football tops aplenty and white socks and sandals... eh no, I don't think so. I'll wait and see, I'll wing it, I'll try to be spontaneous and go with the flow, see what happens.

so... my 12 days - all suggestions will be greatly appreciated??

Ange xx

PS a long overdue musical udpate:
PAOLO NUTINI - 'nuff said.
In fact not 'nuff said, as I cannot stop playing that new album of his. Brrrrrilliant!!

"just give me some candy, after my hug" - gorgeous song.

"and the sun sets the scene, while the rain misses me, and all the time I'll be growing, growing up beside you" - just lovely...

A brief musical interlude, books and my new challenge...

Hey everyone
I realised it's been a while since I've updated with a song of the day/week to go along with blog posts. Well I won't lie by saying I've bought new music or heard new songs but I'll say that in the past few weeks these songs have been the soundtrack to my life.

I have to say I am STILL loving Kings of Leon album Only By The Night. Love nearly all the songs on it but favourites include Use Somebody, Revelry, I want You, Cold Desert ('I never ever cried when I was feeling down, I've always been scared of the sound') and Be Somebody ('given the chance, I'm gonna be somebody...'). Ace.

Life in Technicolour II is fast becoming a favourite Coldplay song. Life for me this past few months has been in technicolour. The sights, smells, tastes, sounds of Nepal were a vivid and lasting memory that will stay with me forever. I know, I know that was a bit corny but allow me this one time.

Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles was a much loved song on the trek and i can't wait to see the final cut of our trek video to see how Peter has managed to shoehorn all of our songs into it.

Those songs have been peppered with a few smatterings of Snow Patrol (A Hundred Million Suns), Bruce 'the boss' Springsteen's Seeger Sessions album, Dizzee Rascals 'Bonkers' (lovin' it!), as well as a few renditions of Bob the Builder and The Wheels on the Bus go round and round courtesy of Ryan and his magical plastic guitar!! Brilliant...

Here's a question: what is the song that would best define the past few months of your life??? Answers on a postcard to me at somewhere close to Stirling (alternatively a wee comment will do).

Now for books. I've been having a bit of a clearout of late. Time to get rid of old rubbish and stuff i don't use and truth be told probably haven't looked at since I bought it. In other words - waste..(I'm ashamed). Anyway there's a pile of books and various other bits accumulated over the years that are going to the car boot sale on Sunday. But i've been getting back into reading lately. If I pick up a book it has to grip me for me to continue reading it. Last book I read and was gripped were the Lance Armstrong books, It's Not About The Bike and Every Second Counts. But I've been given a book by one of my fellow trekkers and so far it's keeping me gripped. It's called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'd never heard of it before but she (the author) seems to be writing about me!!! (she's actually writing about herself). I'm going to continue reading and perhaps find some enlightenment.

Today I bought The Man Who Cycled The World by Mark Beaumont - available in all good book shops near you (or even dodgy online ones) now! He's off on another mad-cap crazy ass adventure on his bike. Not sure if it's the same bike? This time he's off Cycling the Americas Starting off in Anchorage, Alaska next week and cycling to Southern Argentina taking in a couple of wee jaunts up some hills called McKinley and Aconcagua!!! Mental... but blooming fantastic too. God speed Mr Beaumont!... be safe.

Anyway if you're a regular reader of this blog you'll know that along with one or two selected others Mark was a huge inspiration to me when he cycled around the world on his pushbike in 2007/2008. Here he was living out a dream and letting us all know that we can do something if we really want to, you just have to go for it. It gave me the kick up the erse that i needed back then. That's why I took up the trek challenge and it is now the reason why I'm currently to-ing and fro-ing between taking up or not taking up a whole new bigger challenge of a wee 'hill-walk' in a foreign land! No decision has been made yet but those pesky two trekkers from London threw me a curve ball last week and hit me with this sooper dooper exciting challenge. Oh you guy's!!! I'm on the swither big time so need some advice? anyone?

I'm off now as I'm currently on Everest Summit Watch. A few teams are near the top, a few are just starting off. http://www.alanarnette.com/alan/everest2009.php

I'll leave you with this insight into my musical taste, iTunes is playing in the background and the song playing just now is 'Come What May' by Ewan Mcgregor and Nicole Kidman singing on Moulin Rouge soundtrack (stop laughing, it's a good song!).

Ange xx