demolishing the johnson's factory, bootle

Many happy memories of my childhood are ingrained with the Johnson Factory in Bootle, as l lived on Markfield Road, and if l looked left on leaving my front door the top picture is what l would see. I no longer live in Bootle, and to some people it may be an eyesore, but to me it's part of the history of the place, was opened in 1910, and in my eyes it looked magnificent. However, it had been derelict for a while, and is now half demolished (or by now maybe has been completely demolished), but l think it's a shame, and it's a pity it couldn't have been repurposed for flats or some kind of apartments, which l know was (or still is) an idea (see bottom pictures).

Toodle pip

the waterboys - under the skin magazine

I put this magazine together years ago and sold it at The Waterboys gigs around 1989 / 1990. I gave a lot of the left over copies away for free at a Liverpool Waterboys gig a few years later, but looking at these listings that are currently on ebay and a Japanese site, maybe l should have saved a load to booster my pension. Then again, l don't really think any fortune awaits there, and life's way too short.

The whole magazine has been scanned here

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KT Tunstall - Tangled Up In Blue

KT Tunstall - Psycho Killer at the House of Blues 2023

tory corruption part 867647658767

 This was a while ago, but it's good not to forget these things.

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george best at the world cup final 1966

I either didn't know, (or must have forgotten) that George Best was at the World Cup Final in 1966 at Wembley, watching England defeat West Germany 4-2. I've certainly never seen a photograph of him at the game. 

Until now. 

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Ministry - Jesus Built My Hotrod (Official Music Video) | Warner Vault

Layla (original version) - Eric Clapton & Rita Coolidge 1970

james blunt being funny (again)

I haven't got much time for James Blunt's music, but he can be funny and self deprecating on twitter. Here's a recent example that made me laugh.

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living in a minimmalistic way

This was in a recent style magazine (I forget which one) extoling the virtues of minimalist living, but l immediately thought 'How can anyone live like this?'  I know my house is cluttered and full of junk, and the room in the picture would be a lot easier to clean, but it looks like a hotel room or lounge, with no character. If l went back to someone's home and it was like this, l would go into serial killer alert and make my excuses to leave as soon as possible. It's just not right. Minimalism my arse (as Jim Royale would say).

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Johnny Thunders and Patti Palladin - Crawfish (12" extended Version)

keith richards is unwell

Much as l love Keith Richards and his devil may care attitude, it's easy to forget how addicted to Heroin he used to be and the detrimental affect it had on him. Here's an example of Keef  looking like he's not had many cottage pies in the recent past.

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rip franz beckenbauer

I had the pleasure of living in Germany for a few years back in the day, and although l preferred Borussia Monchengladbach featuring the magnificent Gunter Netzer, the Bayern Munich team at that time was something to behold, with Der Bomber Gerd Muller up front, and the sublime Kaiser himself, Franz Beckenbauer pulling the strings.  Another great now sadly gone, but never to be forgotten by the likes of me.

When football was better.

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UUTAi Olena - Blessing of Nature. Благословение ПриРоды

What the Hell?  Once this gets going and builds up more and more, it's amazing.  So good it brought a ear to my eyes for some reason l can't explain (maybe l'm going senile).

Mr Parrot certainly looked a bit startled listening to it.

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inheritance tax cuts - a reminder

 The inheritance cuts will certainly help his own family and his rich friends, but not many others.

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Jacob Lusk & Jools Holland - Lord Don’t Move the Mountain (Later with Jools Holland)

Jimmy Reed - Too Much

The Waterboys - Beverly Penn (2004 Remaster)

A reminder this was unreleased for years. That's how good The Waterboys were at that time.  Lyrics below.

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Howlin' Wolf - If I Were A Bird

watching darlington and manchester united years ago

When l finished my last exam and moved Oop North to the North East, this was the ground l went to the most often, as l was only on an apprentices wages and couldn't afford to go to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United every week, much as l'd liked to have done. Therefore, l went to every home game of Darlington, whose old ground (Feethams) is in the picture.

Also, when l did go to to see Manchester United, despite being on crappy wages, l could afford the bus to Darlington, a train to Manchester, a ticket on the gate to see the game, another train to Liverpool to visit relatives and stay over, a train back to Darlington from Liverpool, and a bus back from Darlington. And all of that is without buses and trams in Manchester and Liverpool, plus food and drink (and a matchday programme). Those days have long gone.

Toodle pip 

I'm old enough to remember ....Liverpool 1954

I'm old enough to remember when this was still a thing. Women (and it was always the women) scrubbing and cleaning the front steps. I'm not old enough to remember when this was taken although l do remember the place.  This is from Liverpool, 1954, which even for me, was before my time.

 Toodle pip

galactus gets my vote

As it looks like there is going to be (at long last) a General Election in the UK this year, l'm throwing my considerable weight behind Galactus*.

* Not really - It's Labour all the way. Mind you, l live in Rishi Sunak's constituency, and if l thought the Lib Dems had a chance of ousting him and his Tories, l would vote tactically and for them.  We should however have proportional representation to give all votes a meaning.

Toodle pip 

Rolling Stones - Under Review 1975-1983: The Ronnie Wood Years | Amplified

Worth some of your time if you're a Rolling Stones fan like myself.

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the jeffrey epstein files - prince andrew is sweating

Prince Andrew.  Sweating a lot as the Jeffrey Epstein files are released.   Rather sadly, certain people are above the law, and he will probably never be held responsible for any crimes he may have committed, as money and power can make pretty much anything go away.

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a reminder fans used to sit down

Everyone seems to have forgotten now that music events have been swamped by the well to do that at one time, they were for outsiders, and a lot of the time, people used to sit on the floor at festivals.  This is Eddie and The Hot Rods at Reading Festival.

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now this is a tattoo!!

Clapping of (tiny) hands everywhere for this effort.

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the juniors doctors strike and the nhs waiting list

As the misleading term of Junior Doctors (they are qualified Doctors) go on strike again, remember the Conservative Government do not support the NHS and would privatise it all if they could (and will if they are not removed from power)

 Toodle pip

seinfeld characters as victorians

These Seinfeld mock ups as Victorian characters look excellent. They should do a show based in Victorian times, dressed like this and in sepia. Comedy gold.

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mo salah and krusty the clown

 This is harsh but pretty funny. Separated at birth.

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smoking animals are cool

If this is meant to put someone off smoking, they are going about it the wrong way, as these animals look cool.

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nudity is strickly forbidden

Once again, l wish l had been informed before some of the Christmas and New Year drinking events l went to. Would have saved some blushes all around.

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How To Make a Bob Dylan Type Beat

And I'm back! Bring on 2024.

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another brexit benefit

I know l despise he Daily Mail and the right wing press, but come on!  This is exactly the sort of thing that happens when you are not part of the European Union any more, in part because papers like this campaigned so vigorously to  persuade their readers to vote 'Leave' (and reap all of the 'benefits'). Fingerprint checks do not apply to the European Union members.

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robert peston strikes a pose

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!  Something my poor eyes will never unsee.  Also, his mannered way of speaking whenever he is interviewed really annoys me, so l may be slightly biased.

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reality strikes in the pub (again)

As usual on a Wednesday when l'm off work, l headed to the local.  As usual, my expectations were shattered by the slap in the face of reality. Still had a good time though.

What l was hoping to find in the pub

What was actually in the pub.

Toode pip

why we pay taxes

Sounds like a perfect answer to me.  Go to the top of the class.

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unusual sight in the morning

If this doesn't alarm you when you open your blinds / curtains, l don't know what will. The cat looks more worried than the owl.

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michelle and michael mone on tv this morning

I've said it before and l will say it again.  These two need locking up. They are currently under investigation for the PPE fraud and have been on TV this morning defending themselves, as well as being in a so called documentary (they funded it) earlier this week, also defending themselves. During the interview this morning, Michelle Mone denied buying a yacht from the profits (her husband probably bought it), despite the suspicious looking photograph of her below, and it is incidentally named 'Lady M'. Remember the firm that was awarded 65 million had been newly formed, fast tracked, and had hardly any money in its accounts, and no experience of producing PPE wear. They have also taken out lawsuits trying to cancel journalists and denied any links until now.

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a warning to mr parrot in ye olde cheshire cheese pub, london

I show this picture to Mr Parrot whenever he is being a pain in the backside, as a reminder that this could be his fate, and rather sooner than he would like. A stuffed African Grey Parrot in Ye Olde Cheshire Chees pub in that there London.

I am of course joking, as l love my little buddy, but l do know someone who does taxidermy, so he'd better be careful.

Toodle pip

my local pub gets trashed

 My local pub after a night of mayhem this week. It's all fun and games around these parts, but normal (or as normal as it can be) service has been resumed, and l'm off down there soon for the Liverpool v Manchester United game.

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a wall goal in bootle

This takes me back to when l was a young whippersnapper (a long time ago). Chalked on wall goals, and this one happens to be from my old stomping ground, Bootle.  Happy days.

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derren brown artwork

Most people know Derren Brown as a great illusionist through his TV shoes, or through his self help books, but not many know he also produces artworks that are both magnificent and kind of surreal.  I'm a fan.

More artwork can be viewed and purchased at his site.

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the real enemies of free speech

 Compare and contrast

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The Jesus & Mary Chain - Sidewalking (Video)

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Head On (Official Music Video)

gary lineker plays a blinder

After getting some more stick from the right wing press and Conservatives for expressing his views, Gary Lineker plays a blinder with this tweet, as every time it is remarked upon in the news it will have to be with context, highlighting the immoral Grant Shapps.

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a man after my own heart

A man (let's face it - it's bound to be) who has the same outlook as me.  Plenty of time to go out accumulating more music, but with very little time left over to clean up the clutter. I will admit he's still tidier than me.

Toodle pip

dean martin bamboozling us

 It certainly works for me. I've always liked his singing, but didn't realise he was a wizard.

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the royals post cards for children

How about sharing some of the vast wealth with the poor children instead.  This is just a propaganda exercise. 

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the inside of a spacesuit

Ever wondered what the inside of a spacesuit looked like?  Wonder no more. It looks like a lot of things that could break down to me.

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When football was better part 8676 Denis Law and George Best

The happy days of following Manchester United.  Denis Law and George Best celebrate a goal (against Arsenal by the look of it), although to be fair,  few years later they were relegated to the then Second Division, and then had to tolerate Liverpool's supremacy throughout the 1970's and 80's, so it wasn't all plain sailing. As everyone is getting older or dying, l thought that pretty soon l would be one of he few people alive who could boast about watching them play in a lower league, but the way they are currently playing it might happen again* shortly and I'm certainly not looking forward to the Liverpool game on Sunday.

*  Joke - they're not that bad (at the moment).

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