alex james - bit of a blur - signed

Now this is how l end up with stuff that l had forgotten about.
As well as a load of other books and bits of crap, I bought Alex James' autobiography  'A Bit Of A Blur' in a charity shop recently, and it was only when l went to read it that l noticed it had been signed at Waterstone's by Alex himself.
In the past, this would then have been stashed away by me, unboxed years later, and then l would be left desperately trying to remember going to Waterstone's and meeting Alex.
No wonder l confuse myself

toodle pip

the spaced house is up for sale

If you are a fan of the comedy series 'Spaced' and have a lot of spare cash lying around, then it might be your lucky day, as the house from the series (At Carlton Road, London N7) is up for sale. At a mind boggling asking price of 4 million of your English pounds.
Slightly out of my price range I'm afraid.

toodle pip

priscilla queen of the desert

Had a gay old time last week at Darlington Hippodrome watching the 'Priscilla - Queen of the desert' musical. It was actually quite fast paced, loud, and pretty bright, and a lot better than l was anticipating. Often, I've often seen enough when it comes to the interval, but not in this case. Recommended, even if like me, you are not even bisexual (worst luck!).

toodle pip

iron man and iron gran

This is a blurry picture of Joe, a mate of mine who we know as Iron Man, because he does Iron Man challenges.
Watching the TV recently, l think  l've found him a partner - Iron Gran!
Then again, l've never seen them in the same room together, so maybe Iron Gran is his alter ego.

toodle pip

everyone was young once - part 34 - my parents

When l was around at my sisters yesterday, she showed me a wedding album from our parents marriage day in sunny Bootle that she had dug out. Someone is doing our family tree, so l wanted some pictures of our grandparents mainly, but while l was scanning them, l thought l might as well do copies of the ones from the wedding as well.
It's hard to believe our parents were ever that young, and l don't recall seeing my father that skinny ever.
Both are dead now, so l am officially an orphan, and therefore demand sympathy!!

toodle pip

the datsuns and the polyphonic spree

Christ on a bike - time flies. I was looking at some old N.M.E's the other day and saw these adverts for a 2003 tour featuring The Datsuns, The Thrills, Interpol, and The Polyphonic Spree. I went to the Newcastle gig, but can't believe it was just over 15 years ago. I loved the rowdiness of The Datsuns, but prefered The Polyphonic Spree on the night. A mate said they sounded like Beatles psychedelic out-takes. He wasn't impressed.

toodle pip

another trip to ikea

I was out and about in Richmond yesterday, and was just about to drive home when l crumbled and headed to Gateshead Ikea to buy some more record storage. Of course l then had to build and erect it (Fnaaaarr) as soon as l got back, but l am now chuffed that l made the effort, as l'm very pleased with it. Plus l was there and back in no time, as it's dead easy when you live by the A1. 

I'll be on one of those hoarding programmes in a few years. It's only a matter of time.

toodle pip

another fine day out in the boro

Myself and Robbo went out a couple of weeks or so ago in the Boro to watch the football. Here's two of the sights from that day. Possibly the best toilet in the land, and a toilet door that someone has obviously taken out their frustration on.
Another fine day for all the family.

toodle pip

seriously thick bleach

Now this seems a bit harsh. I blame the class system and probably a poor education.
Looks like it's a hard worker though, according to the statistics.

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rare records cartoon

I can certainly relate to this, although l don't like the way he is manhandling the record.

No wonder l have ended up with Mr Parrot!

And to be extra pedantic - here's what the 1969 RCA pressings looked like (I'll get my own coat).

toodle pip

the living wage and businesses

Here's another tweet, from Kayla O'Brian on Civic Action, stating what l have been banging on about for years.

Right on brother!! (or Sister!!)

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pete evans' food and drink for the day

Obviously taken from Matt Berry's twitter feed, and, as he says, a writers gift. You couldn't make this sort of crap up. Who the hell would want to live like that? I'd rather enjoy myself and die tomorrow, rather than fussing about everything l ate or drank, especially to that extent.

Life's meant to be for living (maaaaaaannnnnnnnn). Enjoy it while you can. 

Time for some cheese on toast. Anger is an energy, and using energy means refueling is needed.

So l'm allowed.

toodle pip

arnold corns set for stardom

David Bowie was a fantastic musician and a pretty impressive visionary when it came to the pop world, but he made a bit of a boo boo with this. 

Arnold Corns, featuring Freddie Burretti ('Rudi Valentino'), were to be the next big thing in 1971 according to David, especially as The Rolling Stones were (in his words) finished. He put the band together, wrote the songs, and Rudi was the front man. Obviously he was wrong about the Stones and the chances of success for Arnold Corns, but he was pretty close (but no cigar), as a lot of the songs were top notch, and re-recorded and used afterwards by Bowie himself, which made him into star when Ziggy Stardust came out.

Sometimes, fame can be so random.

Arnold Corns - Hang on to Yourself and Moonage Daydream





toodle pip

students first hand job experience

Come on!! Either Gale Rose who wrote this article, or maybe whoever did the header, must have known what they were doing with this headline.

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ken dodd's death

I've always liked Ken Dodd when growing up. Not keen on a lot of the songs, and can't stand the diddymen, but l loved the non stop jokes, and his single 'Happiness' was one of the first songs l remember. I still like it and it's a fine motto to live by. Loved the fact he stayed in Liverpool, rather than moving south as soon as he became famous, unlike The Beatles (although l also love them).
I was tickled by him years ago (with his tickling stick) when he opened a shop in The New Strand in Bootle, and myself and some friends were planning on seeing him live later this year, ironically, to catch him before he died. That's now out of the window, but at least l've got this little beauty below, signed by him later in life.
We won't see his like again.

toodle pip

mr parrot unscrewing his climbing frame

To say that Mr Parrot is a clever little sod would be an understatement. He watched me putting his climbing frame together, and here he is is taking it apart again. Since then, the screws have been tightened up so he can't manage to do it again, but he is now pissed off.

toodle pip

the new chip shop in catterick and jethro tull

Well, l finally managed to drag myself in and try out the new fish and chip shop in Catterick (149 at 36 Richmond road). It was nice enough (fish, chips and curry sauce), and l got another menu for the collection, but l am bought to my (what little there are of them) senses every time l buy stuff nowadays, as l still expect fish and chips to be about £2.50.
That's what you get for being an old git and living in the past (as Jethro Tull would say).
Also, l know they probably think the foods cooked better if they do it to order, but if l go into a fast food place for a takeaway, l want it ready immediately, which wasn't the case here. Fast food should be the giveaway clue.
I'm not just an old git - I'm an impatient one.

And here's Jethro Tull - Living in the past



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pot growers given away

This made me chuckle.

From JB Barrington's twitter feed (obviously).

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'spider' on the settee

This certainly freaked me out the other night. Mr Parrot had been pulling at the throw on the back of the settee while l was watching football on the TV, and it made it look like there was a big spider on it when l turned around.

To say l nearly crapped my pants would be an understatement. 

toodle pip

diversion in the snow

Snow has arrived again around these parts, but let's hope it's not as bad as it was last time for the people who live in Penrith or Threlkeld. This is the diversion they had to take about a month ago when the road between them was unpassable.

Bit of an inconvenience if you had to travel between them to work.

toodle pip

mmmmm........onions

When l make a cheese and onion sandwich, l don't go easy on the onions!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

toodle pip

bob taylor 1981 testimonial programme

I know l've collected a lot of crap over the years, but sometimes l amaze myself.

Found this while sorting some old boxes out. A programme for Bob Taylor's 1981 testimonial year, signed by him on the front.

Two things about this. l don't like cricket at all, and l have no idea where l picked this up from.

I've also found  a signed snooker programme which l might put up later, and l also have no clue where that's from.

Methinks l may need some help.

toodle pip

family guy's great job

Family Guy still has the ability to make me laugh out loud at some of their madder moments, and this is an fine example from the other day.
Probably the best job in the world.



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dulwich football club, blake morgan and greendales - plus pressdram v arkell

I've got no affiliation with Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, but they have been going for 125 years and are in dispute with their landlords, who would probably like them to bugger off so they can sell the land (all praise capitalism!!).

So, in comes a solicitors letter from Blake Morgan, saying that Greendales IP LLC (The Company) have gone and trademarked Dulwich's name and website names, and they should stop using them when promoting themselves online or in print.

What a bunch of fucking bastards to do such a thing, even if it will be hopefully thrown out when contested, and Blake Morgan should be ashamed of themselves for taking the case on.

As a football fan and supporter of 'The little people', l say "Rise up!!!!  Direct action!!!!".  Make the bastards regret doing this. But obviously in a non violent way, as l would never condone such tactics.

They should use Private Eye's Pressdram v Arkell defence (below)

toodle pip

sex dolls

I've nicked this from one of my niece's (Hi Hayley) Facebook posts, as l found it pretty funny.

Remember - the sex dolls are coming!

toodle pip

old school football

I was flicking through some old football magazines and annuals the other day, and thought about this front cover of Charles Buchan's Soccer Gift Book, featuring Bobby Charlton of Manchester United. Look at the determination to get the (old leather) ball, despite being blocked off. Nowadays someone in his shoes / boots would be writhing around on the floor, clutching their face and pretending they had been elbowed, trying to get the other player sent off.
Pah! Modern bleeding footballers with their fancy coloured boots, beats headphones, tight shirts etc.
Don't get me started.

Also, despite me not liking Liverpool football club, here's the annuals back picture, featuring Billy Liddell. who used to play for them. He was my father's favourite player, and despite my advancing years, it was well before my time so I am unable to bear witness to how good he might have been, but l have heard others praising him over the years.

toodle pip

don letts confirms l was ahead of my time - plus skinhead reggae music

Many moons ago when l was out and about in New York, l often used to wear a green hat that looked a bit like a tea cosy. l was mocked by some of the people l was with for wearing it, but what can l say - l had style.
This has recently been confirmed when watching a Don Letts programme on the BBC about Skinhead culture. It was interesting and well presented by Don, but the main thing that stood out for me was that he was wearing exactly the same kind of green hat l was wearing back in the day.
A man of good taste obviously.

Also, l've often argued about the original skinheads love of reggae and their openness towards blacks at the time. This obviously changed for later skinheads, but here's some top reggae tunes that the skinheads used to like that l used to play constantly when driving my sister and her daughters about (and no - l'm not a skinhead or racist).

John Holt - Ali Baba



Dave and Ansell Collins - Double Barrell



Toots and the Maytals - Pressure Drop



toodle pip

the washing machine is fixed!

Hurrah!
After my post on Feb 15th about breaking the door of the new washing machine, l purchased a replacement part from ebay (below), and managed to dismantle the door and fit the new catch myself - with no instructions. Looks as though it would be easy, but it took a while, and was trickier than expected, trying to get my small rod into the hole (fnaaaar!!).
Works like a dream now, but l have had to throw away the chopstick l was using to open the broken door, as it snapped in half while trying to do so.
It was a decent one with patterns that l have had for years so it is a bit of a shame, but being a sad bastard, l will keep the remaining one as a souvenir.
Just what l need, more bleeding junk / interesting items around the house.

toodle pip

keith richards funeral

I will never get to go to Keith Richards' funeral (if he ever dies), but at least l've got close.
Hence the evidence from Monday.

toodle pip