There goes 2005 ...

OK, it's not quite the end of the year but I feel it's time to give it a comprehensive review:
There was some good stuff and some bad stuff all round.

So that's that all dealt with. Next up is 2006 apparently. Let's see what that one brings.

A very happy New Year to all readers and I really do hope to see you soon.

Richard Pryor, John Spencer RIP

Ever seen Richard Pryor's stand up DVD where he does the "Pryor on Fire" thing? Relating the story of an aborted suicide attempt high on crack cocaine when he first set himself alight and then jumped out of his hotel window and ran along the road before being put out. Incredible. Incredible to have done this in the first place (30% body burns he gained for his troubles) and then to be able to relate it to an audience in such a fashion that I was crying with laughter just watching the film of it. This man LIVED (raised in his grandmother's brothel, abused as a kid, etc) and he became a peerless, groundbreaking, breathtaking comedy genius as well as a huge Hollywood star. And he endured 20 years of MS to top it all off. Read his autobiography and be humbled.

John Spencer died last Friday of a heart attack. He played Leo in The West Wing, and was one of the best things in this fabulous TV programme. I have only ever seen him in TWW but I believe he was also in LA Law and several other US TV shows. Apparently he was a great man in person and had, like his West Wing character, lived through alcoholism. He stated that he used acting as his therapy - his 'other drug'.

(Hmmm - two post about deaths, and one about a marriage split - maybe I should lighten things up a bit soon eh :-).

It was 25 years ago today

Today is the 25th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. I remember the morning he was shot being woken up to the news on Liverpool’s Radio City. It was very sad that he was murdered so tragically but as for the outpouring of grief after he had gone... it seemed to me that the Americans idolised him to a far greater extent than we did, and to be honest I can’t say I ever liked the bloke's music or his attitude. With the Beatles, although they were a fabulous band, I’ve always thought McCartney’s songs were better and even George Harrison outshone him musically after their split. As for Lennon being a “Working Class Hero” ? Loud mouthed, aggressive drug addicted yob more like it. The fact that the Gallagher brothers pratically worship the guy says it all.

What it takes...

The anatomy of the end of a relationship... Nothing to it really - you have trouble, you stop communicating and you, somewhere along the way, reach the point of no return. And there you have it. Blame may well be apportioned somewhere along the way. Anger? I guess so. Guilt? Not really. Sadness? Much.
The result - the split. Her as a single mum with the kids and the nice new house and me with my rented little house to move into very soon, a car of my own and the kids every so often, and a life to put back together again.
See you on the other side once again folks.

Liverpool

Got to go out in Liverpool for the first time in AGES on Saturday. It used to be a great city to go drinking in during my yoof in the 80's but now it's miles better! There's an incredible amount of bars and clubs open and the area we were in around Hardman Street and Wood Street 'up' town is just jumping. Even though the weather was appalling (it hailstoned at one point) there were masses of people out and about. The Concert Square area looks fantastic, but it was not really the weather to be outside with your beer.
Oddly enough though the pubs I used frequent back then are still exactly the same. The Swan in Wood Street pleasingly refuses to change from being a dingy bikers rock pub even though all around it is now plush offices, bars and a there's even a cinema next door but one. The Philharmonic will I hope never change and it's still a stunning place (we saw CraigCharles in there and boy were he and his mates pissed!). The same high nostagia value goes for Ye Cracke and the Pilgrim, when I managed to remember where they were. Shame to see that Kirklands has changed hands, but being the trendiest place on town cannot last for 20 years I guess...
Excellent stuff, and the mad thing was that as we were heading back over the water at 11-ish there were people getting of the trains just gong to start their night out, so I guess that's down to the new extended drinking hours.
'Tis a great city. Hopefully I'll be back out there in January if the planned trip to the Spurs game at Anfield comes off.

In the Buff

Many pieces of 'technical' kit in my view deserve 5 out of 5 for being simply perfect at doing what they are designed for such as Rab down jackets; Gore cycling wear; Ron Hill Tracksters, Merrel approach shoes etc etc. However, my current favourite bit of kit is the marvellous Buff. A simple tube of elasticated cotton which is fabulously useful for all manner of situations: as a head warmer (esp. under a bike helmet); as a sweat band; as an ear warmer; as a neck warmer. It then can be put round your wrist when not needed (where it of course becomes an excellent nose wiper!). Available from all reputable outdoor shops...