Hawaii by the high llamas

Sean O'Hagan is now an interviewer for the Observer newspaper. Back in 1993 I went ot see the high llamas on tour in a tiny pub in Leicester. They were just about to release "Hawaii", a home recorded epic double album influenced by the beach boys, vandyke parks, scott walker and stereolablab.

My first, and only attempt to talk to a band I admired ended in humiliation, as mr. O'Hagan couldn't work out what I was trying to say. My friend Gary had introduced me and instead of saying something cool, I babbled inarticulately about how much I loved the gig. Given that the pub was so small the brass section had to play in the dressing room, and I imagine they came out of it significantly out of pocket I don't think he was impressed.

When I meet musicians I like now I tend to just stick to "Hello" and maybe some idle chat, after all... they've just finished work and probably want to relax.

Sony Nex-5N and my shiny new iMac

Over the Christmas period that is to be forever known as Christmukkah... (O.C. fans only I guess) I was lucky enough to purchase a new iMac. I had barely got to know it when I bought a Sony NEX-5N. This has been a family tradition for some time now, as apple don't make cameras, and i love iMacs. I guess nothing is perfect but it'd be great if these two companies products worked better together!

A new one on me

Tonight, carrying the remnants of a frankly dreadful cold, I went to see a friend of mine perform at the place.

I've been many times before, but only ever accidentally seen one person I knew there. I had a great night and got the opportunity to see a friend in a different light. I'd seen them perform in war horse, but that's a big production and it's not quite the same.

When Matt did his piece about a close relative of mine I was moved by the way the story was told and by the emotional closeness to the material. With this I had a little trouble seperating my knowledge of the performer and the performance as a whole...

More on that another time...

Anger

There is a time and a place for everything, and I am learning the hard way that those who have no natural authority enforce it most irrationally.

I think that deep down we each know that the only way to be happy is to fend for ourselves. It's in our nature to provide for family or friends, but that we would rarely extend that courtesy, under normal circumstances.

When one is employed we complain about our bosses. If we sell then it is our customers or suppliers that are the bane of our lives. When we have enough food and clothing it is our partners or spouse that enjoys the the brunt of our dislike.

Never ourselves.

 

New year's eve.

Well here we go for 2012.

Bob gig and weekend stuff

It's been a long time since I last wrote. Life has been busy, full and mostly happy.

This Thursday the Buskers on Bikes will play the Albany on Great Portland street in London. It's nearly four months since we all got back from our LEJOG trip and so we have had a busy two weeks of practice and planning. Here's hoping it all goes well.

On Thursday I'll be playing the banjo ukulele, mandolin and guitar. I've only been playing the mandolin for the period since we got back from the trip so it'll be a first in public for me.

Eek!

At the weekend we had miss s's friends down for the weekend for much drinking and chatting. We also popped along to the Tate modern to see the Tacita Dean installation.

Photobooth app

Commuting...

Kit reviews from my LEJOG ride

 Kona Honky Tonk 2009 model

As an overall package this is fantastic all round bike. It held up without any real problems through rough road, high speed riding, light off road riding, hill climbing and riding in torrential rain on flooded roads. The gearing is a little high, and I found myself envious of Dan’s Charge Juicer with 3 front rings and mudguards, on a number of occasions. As complaints go that’s not really much is it. The bar tape and seat feel cheap, but do you know what, they work and are comfortable and hardwearing. I only needed to change the pedals and mount extras (pump, cages, saddlebag) to turn this into a proper lightweight tourer.

Shutt VR – Merino Cycling Jersey

I ended up wearing this for about 12 of the 17 days we were out. In the rain it kept me warm, in the sun it kept me cool. I had a backpack’s worth of stuff in the pockets, yet it still kept it’s shape. Mine was a gift from Shutt (we asked for kit and they kindly gave us a selection of samples as they were between seasons) and would have cost the same as my other shirts put together...however... In the end I could have managed with just this and a long sleeved top.

Bontrager Hard Case All Weather tyres 700x28

I pulled six shards of glass out of these the day before we left, numerous stones and thorns on the trip and not one puncture. Quite a hard ride but I had as much grip as I could ever expect in all conditions, on and off road. 1400 miles without a puncture. Enough said

Bontrager Classic Caps

A black technical one to wick the sweat from my head and keep the sun out of my eyes. A white merino one to keep my head warm in the rain. Both worked a treat. My trip would have been less comfortable by far without these.

Shimano – Sora Drive train, Pedals, Shoes

The only components I had problems with were all Shimano. The rear derailleur bent and the cleats in my right shoe broke when the pedal release mechanism seized. All fixable, nothing permanently broken. I was very unhappy at the time, but this is all entry level kit asked to do a 1,000 mile tour. Things break

B-twin bib shorts

£29.99 and the reason I still have a working bottom. A head and shoulders above the other shorts at this price, and the cheapest bibs I found.

My shiny new mandolin...