Daddy T has a Blog

Well, my brother has succumbed and started a Blog. He is heavily into Reggae and has an excellent sound system on which he plays his extensive collection of CDs and has gigged at several establishments in Brighton. He gigs under the name Duppytune. A Duppy is a Jamaican name for ghost. Visit his Blog (Daddy T's Reggae Shack) and say hi. www.duppytune.blogspot.com

Collage

It's been a busy week, what with work and other things, so I have not had much time to post here.
Put together a collection of photos, CDs, BJ tickets as a collage. When I think back on all the good things that have come out of Blogging, like the friends we've made, the fun we've had, the music and performances we've seen it really makes me feel great. And it's all thanks to RF. Lovely lady!!
PS See some of my photos of Rachel etc. on Rachels MySpace site, here is a link http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=47158448

A Happy New Year

Another year goes and another comes. 2005 was a lovely year for me. What made it special was the new friends I have made through Blogging. You really are a lovely bunch. Special thanks to the lovely Rachel Fuller for getting me into Blogging and the great times I've had through it. It was four o'clock when we finally got into bed this morning so I'm a little tired. Have a great 2006 everyone and may it be good to you all.

PS Oh yes, the other thing that made 2005 special was that I married Jill in February.

One of the photos is of me taken on New Years Eve and the other is of revellers at the gig we did the same night. If you enlarge the photo you will see the bubbles we float into the party.
I don't normally wear earrings, I was getting in the party mood.

Happy Christmas Bloggers

Guess what arrived via the postman today? Our tickets for Basement Jam!! They were posted on November 24 and have taken a month to reach us. Must have got lost 'In The Ether' . Have a great Christmas everyone! Enjoy yourselves, don't overdo it and spare a thought for those less fortunate. Have fun!!

Spooky Photo

I took these photos whilst at a friends wedding reception about eighteen months ago. Opposite where the reception was being held was a circus. I was taking some photos of the big top when I noticed the moon behind the clouds. I thought it would make an interesting photo. I aimed the camera and just as I did I saw what appears to be a face. It lasted a second and it was gone. Spooky!!

Stu

Just seen a post from Claire Eliza asking if I have a photo of Stuart from Rachels band. Yes I have, here it is.

The Vibrants @ The Pleasure Unit

Another excellent set from The Vibrants!! These guys are going places! The Pleasure Unit is not a patch on The Halfmoon in Putney as a venue, but it doesn't matter if you have The Vibrants to watch. Met the band members after and they are really nice guys. Here are a few photos of the guys in action. Their EP is available on www.thevibrants.com Buy it!!!

Basement Jam (Part Two)

I took 120 photos at BJ here are a few more of them. I haven't bothered to explain who they are of, as you all know them.

Basement Jam - An Incredible Experience

Rachel and Me
Mikey and Me
Rachel and Mikey
Pete
Rachel
Simon

Mikey

Left to right - Me, Koos, Jim, Debby C
Stephanie, Gary, Jillytee, Marietta.
I do not know how to describe the experience of Basement Jam. This post would be full of repeated adjectives if I tried. There we are, about one hundred and twenty of us, mostly Bloggers, sitting in Oceanic Studios waiting for an intimate show to begin. Other Bloggers have described the event elsewhere (Garys, Mariettas and Jillytees Blogs) so I will just describe the special 'to me ' bits and post some photos. I met Mikey and Rene again and they are a fantastic couple. Mikey is such fun and did an excellent set, he also signed my photo of him that I bought from photographer Cat Stevens. I prefer Mikey to Foy Vance. I don't know why, but I do. Mikeys great!! Simon stormed through his set. Rachel , as normal , was perfect. Pete, well, what can I say. Well that's the short version of BJ. It was all a million times better than my description, just fantastically incredible. So I met Mikey and Rene, Simon T and now for the very special bit, not that Mikey and Rene and Simon aren't special, 'cos they are, very. But this next bit was surreal. During a break I am walking past Rachel and she is talking to Marietta. Jill is behind me and I hear Rachel mentioning smoking, so I say something like ' you must give it up Rachel' and Rachel says that she is going to see Alan Carr on Tuesday. We speak a little more as we walk along the corridor. Rachel leads us into a production room. Matt Kent is sitting to my left. Others are sitting around. In front of me in the middle of the room is, well it's him isn't it, Pete, the man whose music has been my inspiration in life for the past forty years. Now I am in dreamland, I take a couple of paces and say' Hi Pete, I'm Mark'. 'Hi Mark' he replies. I introduce him to Jill. Ask for a photo with him and he suggests I take one later on. 'Come this way Bloggers' says Rachel. We go through a door up the stairs (they are very steep) and there we are In The Attic. By this time, I'm thinking F**k me!! This can't be real!! We chat with Rachel, who is adorable, and after a few minutes she says we best get back to our seats as the show is about to start again and she needs a wee!! Down the stairs, holding onto the handrail, past Pete and into the corridor. How I got along the corridor with the widest grin in the world on my face I don't know. After the show I chat with Rene and she tells me they are driving back to Southend that night. I buy Simons CD and shake his hand and have a quick chat. After a couple of false starts I get my photo taken with Rachel (WOW!!!). I give Mikey and Rene a hug goodbye. We say goodbye to everyone and drop two americans Debby (Debby C) and Jim to Heathrow and drive home. Finally, I'd like to say Hi to all the Bloggers I met, especially Gary and Stephanie, Marietta, Debby and Jim, Koos, Delbut and lots more whose names I forget. And lastly a BIG thank you to Rachel, Pete, Mikey, Rene, Simon, Foy, Rachels band and all the production crew for a truly wonderful evening. Thanks!!!!! PS I said at the beginning of the year that it was my ambition to shake Petes hand before the end of the year. Idid it!!! Next year my ambition will be to have my photo taken with him as I didn't get it this time.

Disco and Basement Jam

A late start to the day, we finally got up at 1100 as we did a Disco last night. By the time we packed the gear away it was 0130 and we chilled out 'til 0245. It was a strange gig as no one appeared to want to dance until we played a request for The Music Man by Black Lace and then the dancefloor was full and it was 'cheese' for an hour. It's hard work setting up and for a four and a half hour gig which last night we started at 1630 picking the van up and finished at 0130. Nine hours work. Seriously need to look at the finances of running this 'hobby' as it is costing us money, but that's a decision for the New Year. Basement Jam tonight and we're really looking forward to meeting all the Bloggers and seeing Mikey, Rachel, Pete, Simon and Foy again. Got to get ready now. Will post later after the BJ.

Just for Molly (BallerinaGurl)

A few more pics of Sam, just for Molly. Sam is her cabana boy.

A Lovely View

As many Bloggers are posting nice views, I thought I would join in by posting this one taken on Sunday of the view from Richmond Hill. This is probably the best view in London. The photo looks better enlarged. About fifty yards from where the photo was taken live a very famous couple. She is an excellent singer songwriter and Blogger. He is a singer songwriter rock superstar. My ears are still ringing from The Vibrants gig on Saturday.

A Vibrant Weekend

Well, what can I say about The Vibrants at The Halfmoon on Saturday night. F***ing brilliant springs to mind. They are one excellent band. Full of energy and fascinating to watch. You must see them. I could go on and on but they are just so good. For me Sam stole the show (not just because I met him after their set) his guitar playing is second to none. He has a lot of attitude on stage and plays his guitar aggressively as well as singing backing vocals. Must not forget to mention the singer (don't know his name) who is also very good and works hard. Add the other three members of the band and you have one tight group. We stayed at The Richmond Hill Hotel for the night which just happens to be right opposite PTs and RFs house. Took a really nice photo of the house which I may post later in the week. Anyway, my ears are still ringing from the gig as we stood at the front. Don't forget to see The Vibrants!!!! www.thevibrants.com

The bottom photo is of Sam and myself after the gig. Sam is on the left. Thanks to Sam for taking the time to chat and for his patience with the photo. He knows what I mean. I must remember to keep my head down when having my photo taken. I've more chins than China.

Sore Fingers

I've been practising two chords C and G. Have not quite got it right but it's coming on slowly. Still get the odd string not sounding completely clear. I'll get there in the end. My fingers are sore but it will be worth it. A message to a former Blogger, my door is open, is yours?

My Guitar

I bought a guitar last Saturday with an effects box and practice amp. I just need to learn how to play it now. I have tried a couple of times during my life, so this is my final attempt. Gary asked me to post a photo, so here it is.

In The Attic

The last episode in the current series of In The Attic tomorrow. I've really enjoyed all of them and it has been very entertaining. So thanks to Rachel, Mikey, Pete and Simon plus all the guests for giving me so much enjoyment.

The Weekend So Far

The weekend so far has been excellent. Went to see Zero Stars on Friday evening. It was only their second gig but they were very good. Will see them again when they next gig. The photo of them was taken on my mobile phone, so once again not very good quality. The other photo is of two boys busking in Brighton. They were playing The Kinks number 'Sunny Afternoon'. The guitarist wants to get enough money to buy an amp. He is only nine. A star in the making! Highlight of the weekend was a chat with Molly (BallerinaGurl) on the phone. What a lovely lady!!! You rock Molly!!

In The Attic

On tonights In The Attic, Rachel mentioned that she would have a Blogger on the show next week to be interviewed. Well, I've put my name forward and fingers crossed. Tonights show was great, as usual, Mikey, Simon, Pete and Rachel. Marvellous!! Chatted with the lovely crowd in Mollys (BallerinaGurl) chat room. Last ITA next week, apart from the Christmas special. The weeks will not be the same.

A Feeling

I feel like someone from my past has stopped watching me. Nothing specific, just this feeling of not being watched. Anyway, apart from that nothing much to report. Busy at work with interviews to do tomorrow. I need two additional staff and have to interview nine people to get the two. Been out to see friends tonight so not much time to look around Blogland. Sorry Bloggers.

Disgrace

He calls for you, You call for me,
You cried 'cos you wanted to see me,
And it's OK for a short while,
We're all happy, we all smile,
Then a change of heart takes place,
Disgrace.