smells like teen spirit

I was reminded today of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain who played a blinding set at Greenbelt - though I couldn't find any greenbelt footage here is a clip from their DVD - Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights



and their classic performance of Smells like Teen Spirit



Happy Days!

frustration

I have had quite a frustrating day:

• essay writing has been tricky - not getting into it quickly enough and finding more things that I wanted to include. My essay plan is bonkers. Really bonkers - my mind exploded onto a piece of blue paper
• people - just not getting the vibe today (I include myself in this)
  
• food - I was flummoxed by an orange at lunch - couldn't unpeel it and was visibly disturbed by it - it was noted and commented on by a member of staff
• emails - apart from the entertaining email exchange with Paul Roberts who is at Synod and was emailing from his debating chair, there were only difficult emails to write. Sometimes I really hate the email because it is a cold and unfriendly way to communicate difficult things. Easy stuff is fine, chatty stuff is great, but serious or potentially politically sensitive stuff is tricky. However, sometimes one has no choice but to return a message - particularly if the other person is offering no other option for communication.
  
• no car - I hate not being independent. I find it difficult to be dependent on other people and this week having to ask Mark to run me about has been hard. I know I could walk to college but it is at least a 45 minute walk and I feel really pushed for time and so unfit that I would probably need to rest for most of the day once I got there.
  
• food (again) - having just got in I am very hungry. But I have no tea! I am too tired to cook. Mark has had his tea. I am having pitta bread with red pepper in it (see picture above - not great is it!).
• Life on Mars isn't on tonight - just football! Why oh why do boys get priority on the TV? Why does girls TV have to give way to football?
  

The best thing for days like these is a nice early night. Wake up fresh as a daisy and be warm and loving to humanity and all creation in the morning.

billy bragg

Thanks to Adam for pointing out that Billy Bragg is playing and speaking at Greenbelt. What a treat. I am getting really quite excited about Greenbelt already. This has just added to the anticipation.

blogging

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

I really am too busy to blog; but it doesn't seem to stop me. Today I have done three bits of blogtastic blogging. I have written a small posting for re:jesus, I have uploaded a posting about last nights Foundation service led by Steve, and now I have written this. Consequently I now have to spend the rest of the evening reading for my essay which I have planned but needs some serious content before I start to write it. If I am a bit skimpy on the blogging over the next few days it is because I am concentrating on other things. The things I should be concentrating on.

who said variety was dead

only on prime time Saturday night BBC TV do you get a bagpipe band and a human slinky going head to head. It was great to be home in time to catch it 'live'. Variety is a beautiful thing.

home

We are all home in Bristol now. Thanks to my very generous mother who not only looked after Eva for the week but has made it financially possible for Mark and I to have a holiday. It really was a treat. The only downside being that I have eaten too much pasta and fancy cakes! So it is salad and cottage cheese for me in March.

While we have been away the insurance claim on mums car has finally been settled and it is now being fixed. But, it will take a while because it is so complicated and parts have to be ordered etc. I will have to walk! Perhaps I could walk off the fine Italian food?

We also have a replacement washing machine. Let's see how long this one lasts.

This week is a block week at Trinity and I am not taking a module so I have the week to write a couple of essays - one on creation and salvation, the other on the theology of evangelism. My brain isn't too happy about working - I think it wants more pasta and fancy cakes - I keep telling it 'no, no more fancy food for you. Porridge and apples only', I hope it doesn't go on strike. Anyway, I had better go and read some more stuff about the psalms.

stuck

We are Heathrow Airport. Stuck. Nothing is going to Rome so we have had to be redirected to Milan and then onto Florence. So, we have to wait here until our plane is made ready for us. So far we have had a nice lunch (care of Alitalia), read Heat magazine, I have bought a digital camera and we have tried to find pyjamas for Mark - there are none in the airport (due to heightened security no doubt). We are starting to get a bit bored - hence the blogging.

It is very quiet here. Not much going on at all. Oddly they are planing Echo and the Bunnymen. What's that about? Have we gone back in time? Which reminds me I am going to miss Life on Mars this week. Can someone record it for me?

Going to shop for chocolate and a nice cup of tea. I hope I will not have the necessity to blog until Sunday!

over and out!

off on a jolly

Mark and I are off to Florence, Italy tomorrow and Eva is staying at her Nanny Virginia Water. So, there will be no postings for a few days. Have a mighty fine half term.

belfast

We haven't been able to get over to Belfast to see our family for ages. In fact the last time we were over was for Susie and Gus' wedding. Which was ages ago...really ages ago. We missed out on last summer's family trip to Portstewart because it coincided with our move to Bristol. despite Richard and Angela coming over to see us just before Christmas we feel a bit out of the loop.

This is about to change! Ema and Stephen are getting married in May so today we have been planning a few trips - one for a dressing fitting for Eva (who is going to be a flower girl and is having a dress made by her Nanny Belfast) and one for the wedding itself. In addition Susie, Gus and Hannah are planning to visit us at Easter.

All this is a preamble for the a remarkable cartoon that will appall, enthral and entertain you. Thanks for Stephen for sending this to the Loudon's of Bristol. Just to cheer us up.

For years many people - including politicians, religious leaders, and ordinary peace loving members from various communities - have been working toward peace in Northern Ireland. But, according to this cartoon, none so fearlessly as Captain Planet. Don't expect miracles, expect Captain America!

Please note the wonderful Irish accents (part Bengal, part Jamaica)

So, get yourself a cuppa, a nice biscuit, put your feet up and relax - see how real peace is achieved in a complex world. Ladies and Gentleman I give you Captain Planet!

We haven't been able to get over to Belfast to see our family for ages. In fact the last time we were over was for Susie and Gus' wedding. Which was ages ago...really ages ago. We missed out on last summer's family trip to Portstewart because it coincided with our move to Bristol. despite Richard and Angela coming over to see us just before Christmas we feel a bit out of the loop.

This is about to change! Ema and Stephen are getting married in May so today we have been planning a few trips - one for a dressing fitting for Eva (who is going to be a flower girl and is having a dress made by her Nanny Belfast) and one for the wedding itself. In addition Susie, Gus and Hannah are planning to visit us at Easter.

All this is a preamble for the a remarkable cartoon that will appall, enthral and entertain you. Thanks for Stephen for sending this to the Loudon's of Bristol. Just to cheer us up.

For years many people - including politicians, religious leaders, and ordinary peace loving members from various communities - have been working toward peace in Northern Ireland. But, according to this cartoon, none so fearlessly as Captain Planet. Don't expect miracles, expect Captain America!

Please note the wonderful Irish accents (part Bengal, part Jamaica)

So, get yourself a cuppa, a nice biscuit, put your feet up and relax - see how real peace is achieved in a complex world. Ladies and Gentleman I give you Captain Planet!

dirty washing

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Today Eva and I have had to do a lot of washing at the laundrette.

The washing machine has been written off and the new one won't arrive until next Sunday. I am sick as a dog about the whole thing.

The only good thing about going to the laundrette is meeting people. Today I spent ages helping a woman to negotiate the complexities of the coin operated machine washing system. I showed her three times how to do it, but in the end she asked me to do it for her. I chatted to a woman about the pros and cons of ironing (it is my opinion that there are no pros, she however presented a strong case in defence of ironing and even recommend some good equipment). I also sat chatting to a woman who, despite the fact she smelt of wee, was doing a lot of washing. She was very friendly and knew a great deal about small change. It took ages to get everything dry and Eva and I spent our time watching my stripey knickers go round and round the dryer. Hey ho!

the brits

Here are some lovely moments from the brits - though Joss Stone's appearance was just plain bazaar - too many sherberts me thinks!
I watched the brits with Philly J - despite the miles between us (he Southport and me in Bristol). We kept in touch via the land line and texts. I wish we could have been in the same room. The first 'live' Brits for ages and was without my pop buddy. Go to PJ's pop blog for info on how well we got on with our predictions.

washing machine

If only our washing machine did go wishy washy! Having had the same washing machine for 5 years it breaks so we get a new one and it lasts 10 days! I am sick as a dog about it! Do you know what? I am so peeved I can't explain how cross I am. I hate white goods. They are stupid and ugly.

I have had to do my washing at college this week. Which would be ok if I hadn't got so much else on. It has been great to see Sophia (who seems to live in the wash-room - why is she in there every time I am?) but I nearly dropped the basket of clean white bed clothes on my way up the drive to my car. If that had happened I don't know what I would have done. I tell you, there would have been big trouble. The biggest trouble there could be!

Anyway, I feel that only the brit awards can cheer me up (nothing like a laugh at the pop freaks to put a smile on my face). For Brit predictions do take a look at PJ's pop site. Lots of pop predictions here - look hard enough and you'll find mine!

decemberists

The Decemberists are our unlikely pop heroes of the week. Their album - The Crane Wife - arrived in the post on Saturday and have kept us amused since.

This is a film made by a fan for a competition to make a video for the song Oh Valencia! Seems to be a popular version.

cats

I am so glad that Farli's mum's cat has come back. It is always good when cats find their way home. Benny has been doing some quite nasty things of late...the nastiest of which is weeing in the bath. Why oh why? It stinks and is horrid. Yellow and quite difficult to clean. Really horrid. He has also been biting my feet whilst I am asleep. I wonder if he doesn't love me any more?

At least he doesn't look like Hitler (see Kitler opposite) - there are many cats that do on this site.

glam rock

As you know I am writing a PhD on music hall. So, I need to read books about popular music as well as theology stuff for my work at Trinity. Lately this work has been held up by a minor scuffle with the University of Liverpool about my fees and status - they wanted more money (which I don't have), and hadn't moved me to 'thesis pending'. It is nearly all sorted now but it has been a bit of a hassle.

Meanwhile my super supervisor (Sara Cohen) and I have been able to get down to some proper work. I have written a new introduction which has shifted the thesis into another place and hopefully on to another level. I am planning to get a load more work done after Trinity 1/2 term and over Easter (as long as I get all my theology essays done efficiently). So, my hard work should start to bear some good fruit soon. With this in mind I had renewed energy to do some additional reading. Yesterday I read Auslander's Performing Glam Rock: Gender and Theatricality in Popular Music which may appear to be not about music hall but actually is all about the theatricality of popular performance. It ties so well into my work - not only in terms of the way he discusses the performative of the popular but also the way in which popular performers create stage personae. It really is a cracking book. Well worth a read.

Unfortunately, I think I have put too many ideas in my head again. Stuff is swimming around. Mad dreams about the psalms, Walter Brueggemann, glam rock and Bob Marley. Hey ho!

bob marley - redemption song

This is my first attempt at creating a video montage. On a Tuesday evening I am taking a doctrine course as part of my ordination training. We were asked to prepare something on the theme of redemption for a seminar last night. I had some ideas floating about in my head about how creation is redeemed by God though Jesus, that salvation continues to be 'worked-out' in creation and that we need to somehow respond to this in the way in which we inhabit our world. Not new ideas I know but I wanted to be able to assemble something that might reflect this. So, this little film is what I ended up with - images from Living Planet and the music is Bob Marley - Redemption Song.

I was pleased to note that Charity had remembered Bob's birthday. A happy coincidence indeed.

buttons - 2

I have been wearing my piece of velvet today. Tucked into my trousers. I have to say that, despite the fact that it is a bit of an odd thing to do, it has actually done the trick. I am not itching and it is nice and soft. A number of people have either spoken to me, emailed me or commented about their experiences of buttons. If you have a similar problem then please do feel free to use my idea.

buttons

I am allergic to buttons. This is a new allergy. Recently I have found that the buttons on my jeans (trousers, skirts etc) are causing a rash on my belly. It is very annoying and itchy. Today I have decided to wear lounge pants instead of anything with a button.Which is OK but can't continue forever. I will have resolve my issues with buttons. Someone (Becky) suggested I paint the back of the button with nail polish. Which I did. But this hasn't worked.

I am thinking that I might make a little button cover out of a piece of velvet and place this over and under the button. Unless I give up on buttons and buy a load of clothes to wear on my lower half that are button-less.

Any further ideas would be welcome.

washing machine dies

A terrible domestic disaster has occurred. The washing machine has died. I had a feeling to was coming - just could feel it in my waters. It has been looking at me all wrong since we moved to Bristol. It was like it didn't approve of the move or something. Just never settled. Now it has left us. Well not actually left us yet. Its dull and lifeless frame is sitting like a useless piece of junk in the out-house (I guess now it really is a useless piece of junk - no metaphor required).

This was my first and only ever washing machine, and whilst I obviously have no feelings for it, it does represent a thresh-hold. I never wanted my own washing machine - it seems so decadent and quite strange for everyone to have their own washing machine (I mean, what is the logic of us all having a machine that costs at least £200 that only gets used twice a week an costs a fortune to use). I would rather use a public wash-house, the laudrette or have servants who cleaned for me (that is obviously the best option). But, this is 21 century and it is the done thing to own your own house, have a washing machine and an inside toilet. When we moved out of the Grange (hippy commune for those who missed the Loudon's hippy phase) we bought a washing machine. I was the done thing. We did it. So, this 'the first Loudon washing machine' has died.

So, we have to buy another one. With invisible money. The cheapest one I could find that spin fast enough, is reasonably efficient and can be delivered when Mark is in is this one!

Wizards of Twiddly

The last time we were in Liverpool Eva's Godfather - Andy Delamere - gave Mark a copy of the live Wizards of Twiddly album which was recorded Live at The Zanzibar, Seel Street, Liverpool. Which was kind and has brought great pleasure. If you haven't heard the Wizards then I can recommend that you take a listen on the Wizards of Twiddly my space site.

Andy is the drummer, and can be seen in the band picture - he is sitting down, playing the drums! We are missing him. Hope to see him soon.

england's dreaming

Just got on a bit of a Clash tip this week. So, I have been searching out punk stuff and remembering some MA Popular Music Studies seminars where we argued the toss over The Sex Pistols vs The Clash (the Clash always won - on account of their moral high ground - though respect was always given to Johnny Rotten for forming PIL). Well, whilst on my trip around the world of punk I discovered that Jon Savage (of England's Dreaming fame sold his collection of punk memorabilia - which is cunningly referred to as England's Dreaming Punk Archive to none other than John Moore's University, Liverpool. I would love to get my hands on this lot. It is described as:

This eclectic collection - fanzines, ephemera, posters, original letters and documents, photographs, notebooks and much more - covers the history of the punk phenomenon. Purchased from Jon Savage in 2002, this collection has only basic contents listings available.


The archive is just sitting there and no-one seems to have done much with it. It hasn't even been archived electronically. Please please could someone follow this up and get it out in public. Just because Jon Savage did such an amazing job of documenting, summarising and commenting on the impact of punk in England doesn't surely mean the story should end there. I would love to do this job myself but I am afraid I am a bit busy just now writing a PhD about music hall and doing a Theology degree.