richmond racecourse and grandstand

Top of the world ma!

Well, not really, but after finishing work this afternoon, l was harassed straight out of the house by the FPO to go and visit her family at the caravan park outside Richmond.  After putting in my shift there, we drove to the top of Richmond, and had a walk up to see the old Richmond racecourse and grandstand, as, although l have lived in the area since 1975, l had never been up there.  I was told last week that the views were spectacular, which is the reason l wanted to go, but l was also curious about what shape the old grandstand was in (very poor).  I did have a quick go at climbing on top of it, but l only had shorts on and there were stinging nettles everywhere, so after the first few stings, l gave up to fight another day. It must have been pretty impressive when it was up and running (so to speak), and it's funny to think that it was still going about the time Everton football club was formed (amongst others).  The only trouble with the place is that on the way back to the car, my eyes started itching like mad, and l started sneezing, as it really bought on my hay fever, which l haven't really had for ages.  Maybe it's  because l was also tired after work (I had hardly any sleep the night before), was still getting over my flu, and more importantly, l am a big girls blouse.  I even had to put a cold flannel over my (really red and itching) eyes when we got back, and have a lie down for half an hour.  You know who l blame?  A mixture of God (for creating the hay fever) and my parents (for giving me the genetic malfunction that makes me suffer from it).  Good job l'm pretty much indestructible, as this would have killed off a lesser man.  Long trousers and dark glasses will be essential for my next visit, maybe topped off with a peg on my nose (if l bring the FPO again).


toodle pip

the word has ceased to be

The Word staff

 Richard Hawley in his local

 Seasick Steve in his mobile

 Marco Pirroni at home

Nick Cave emoting

The Word magazine, my favourite of them all, has ceased to be.  The magazine's last edition was the August one (which l managed to drop in the bath), and the website is no more. It was also the only magazine l have ever subscribed to.   Luckily the 'Massive' who frequented the website have started an alternate one, which is splendid, so l can now get me fix there.  I've changed the 'Word' link  (on the right hand side) to 'The Afterword' link, but if it doesn't work, try here.
The above photos are all by Muir Vidler, and are of the Word team, plus some shots he took for the Word itself (and his site has some interesting stuff).
Adios old chums, it's been a blast.

toodle pip

status quo - coles advert in australia

The mighty Status Quo have just done an advert for Coles supermarkets in Australia (extended version of Down Down above).  I have long since given up on them being anything like 'cool' again, so the advert was no surprise (unlike the new haircuts).  What did please me, was that it sounds like the Status Quo sound of many years ago, not the crappy sound they went for after their classic run of albums (Dog of two head, Piledriver, Hello, Quo, One the level, Blue for you).  The sound changed on 'Rocking all over the world' and got worse as the years went by.
I'm still not looking forward to the film they are making.  More embarrassment ahoy.

And here's an extra from the shoot.



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george orwell on waiters

From Down and out in Paris and London

A controversial view of waiters attitudes by the usually reliable George Orwell.  I can't say l agree with his sentiments myself, as the waiters l come into contact with despise me and look at me like l am an overfed lout.  It shows that have got brains at least, because l would do the same in their shoes.  Maybe times have changed (or l am just especially obnoxious).

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the original jamie

Although it is spelt in a different way, this is where my name came from.  It's hard to believe now, but when l was younger l was really fit, playing football and running all the time, (with some tennis thrown into the mix for good measure).  After a kick around one night, l wanted to continue playing, but the other (soft) lads were too knackered, whereupon one of them said  "It's alright for you- you're bionic".  Another one (Big Scall) said ''Yeah - Jaime Sommers, Bionic Woman" as l had long hair (and looked like a pretty girl).  As everyone around these parts has nicknames, l was happy to adapt to being called Jamie, but wanted it spelling the way l just did.  Most people think it is my real name now, and if people see my original first name on a bank card or something, l just say Jamie is my middle name and l prefer that.  It's strange, as l now feel that Jamie is my real name, and my first one sounds weird to me.  Mind you, this changing of the name was a long, long time ago, but l did used to have some blue overalls when l worked in a garage (and they were made to measure by the garage). Stylish even then.

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escape from the planet of the apes (1971) - don taylor

I'm a sucker for the old 'Planet of the Apes' series of films, and 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes' is one of the best.  Three apes travel back in time (don't ask) and return to Earth, whereupon Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and  Zira (Kim Hunter) survive to be quizzed by the government and press, feted by everyone, and then feared because they have foretold of the time when the apes will take over, and the Earth will be destroyed.  When it is discovered Zira is pregnant, the apes have to flee to protect the baby, while being hunted by the president's science advisor, Dr Otto Hasslein.  It doesn't end well for anyone.  Great make up and acting (ape wise) and it's certainly very '1970's', in clothes, colour, attitude and script. It  also raises valid points about the treatment of animals, plus what is right for science and the law, so there's plenty to be mulling over afterwards if you have the inclination. A proper blast from the past.

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a happy sandwich

A happy looking cheese and tomato sandwich l made earlier today.  The smile didn't last long.

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blackout bbc 1 series

I love Christopher Eccleston, and will watch him in just about anything (even Dr Who), so when 'Blackout', a three part series from the BBC was announced, l thought it would be right up my street.  Sadly, l was wrong. There were some good performances, and Eccleston (Daniel Demoys, a corrupt council officer) was his usual excellent self, but the storyline was unbelievable. Demoys is an alcoholic who kills a man but has only limited memory of it, due to blacking out. He then feels remorse and hate, looks for redemption, saves his sister from a shooting, and becomes mayor, due to the public 'believing' in him. Will his secret come out? Will he be corrupted as he tries to do good? Will he go back onto the sauce that he has had to quit? After the second episode, l couldn't care less, as l could not relate the story to any kind of reality l am aware of. Demoys  drives around in his big black car, parking all over the place, meeting strange people (including an ex prostitute he was seeing), but no-one really recognises or follows him, there are no press hanging about taking pictures, he's always dropping things to chase after phone calls, and no one sells a story about him. I watched the last episode with the FPO because we had been watching them together, but it was a huge disappointment script wise. If that was meant to be gritty, life like and realistic, I'm a banana.
(c) Private Eye.

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old bootle postcards

Sorting through some crap in the house, l found an old book of Bootle (Liverpool) postcards (by Peter W Woolley) that belonged to my mother. It's pretty interesting to me (and my family) as l was born in Bootle and spent many formative years there. The book is going to be gifted to my sister (I'm a generous lad), so l thought l would take some scans from near to where we lived (in Markfield road, just down from Johnson's Dyers and Cleaners factory). The Google scans show my entire universe when l was a nipper. Happy days indeed.

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a bright star surrounded by gas

A new image from the NASA Hubble Space Telescope this week. It's a bright star surrounded by gas (sounds like me).

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2012 magic art special, china

This show looks pretty good. You can get your photograph taken in front of the 3D artwork (with hilarious results), which is at the 2012 Magic Art Special Exhibition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China.
All l need now is the money to get there and the time off work.

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the answer me jesus 8 ball

The 'Answer me Jesus' 8 Ball has sold out, but if you want to ask Jesus any questions, go here.

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a church up a tree

A church up a tree. This would usually be followed by 'only in America', but the tree/church hybrid is actually located in France in a small farming village called Allouville-Bellefosse. It's called Chene Chappelle (chapel oak), and the tree is about 800 years old. The chapel was first built in 1696, after the tree was hit by lightening and two monks thought it would make a good sanctuary to the Virgin Mary.  Now I'm not religious in any way, shape or form, but it's one of the many places l would like to visit.

#Sings#  'If l only had more time (and money)'

Those crazy French monks etc

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reformed hippie advert

I'm still waiting for my Carling lager and Jack Daniel's intake to have this effect on me. Maybe l should switch ales and start on the Colt 45.

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john uslie about to take a dive

Picture the scene. It's July 28th 1922, and John Uslie, who, let's not forget from looking at the photograph, is armless. He is also about to dive  into the water.  It looks like a lot of people were curious to see how he got on, and despite not knowing how far down he was going to dive, l'd have been pretty interested in seeing it for myself (only l'm not that old).
He could probably still swim better than me, as l am crap at it (I blame my parents).

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the desperados (1969) - henry levin

If you want to check out a classic old western, make sure you give 'The Desperados' a miss, as it's crap. The Gault family and their followers maraud and pillage, until one of the sons, (David - played by Vince Edwards), turns his back on it, and tries to lead a normal life, until (of course) his past catches up with him. So far, so stereotypical, but there's nothing in the film to excite or stimulate (and Lord knows l need both). Jack Palance gives a stupidly over the top performance as Pastor Gault (the father and leader), but apart from that comedy aspect, forget it (and Vince Edwards has no screen presence at all). What a farce. If you want to check out a decent Jack Palance performance, 'Shane' is the place to look, where he plays the hired gunslinger Jack Wilson. A proper, menacing and cocky role.

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