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There, see? Real proper lovely nice smashing snow
Those Finns know how to have a decent winter to call a winter. Minus 22 Celsius and neck-high snow. I know I shouldn't be jealous, but I am. All we seem to manage in this country is a couple of slushy days and maybe one awful afternoon when no-one actually makes it home.
If we had proper snow then....etc. etc.
You know.
In a low-key and relaxed way, Ad.Lib Radio is returning, albeit for just one show on a Wednesday night. I'll be on air between 10pm and 11pm if you fancy tuning in live and, hopefully, joining us in the chat room to talk about almost anything bar the music.
If you fancy listening, just pop down to http://www.adlib.co.uk for full details.
For those of you who prefer your music less fresh, a podcast will also be available soon after the show from the same web site.
This Wednesday - Oldies but Goodies, mostly from the 80's
I look forward to your company.
Immediately after the gig Ben's road crew take the rig down.
I sit here in my little house, with my ears still ringing with the beautiful noise created by Ben Folds and his tiny 3-piece band. It's been a tiring trip, but one that I have very much enjoyed. The chat on the way down and up was rarely boring and the music was sublime.
Piano, bass and drums don't often sound this good or, indeed, this loud. That said, my ears didn't hurt once in the entire show so it couldn't have been too loud really. Ben's tiny frame was a picture of enthusiasm and energy for the full 90 minute show - he stayed on stage the whole time.
All of this to a backdrop of committed fans who really did know all the words. Ben seems to attract young and old into his fold, and there was a good representation from most age groups there. Ben sings emotionally, with large crescendos from very quiet passages a common motif in his music. Nor was it all samey and predictable - not by a long shot.
His humour was apparent throughout, right from the playing of Europe's "The Final Countdown" at the start. He teased us with his little synthesiser and did unmentionable things to his very tasty grand piano, ending up by despatching his piano stool at the keyboard from about ten feet away. I actually winced on behalf of the piano.
I feel a bit guilty that I am not a better Ben Folds fan, but I certainly enjoyed what I heard. All three of them sang perfectly tuned harmonies to many of the songs, making the sound fuller and more impressive. At one point, all three of them were singing and Ben was playing synth and piano at the same time - a sound which would leave some bands needing seven people.
It was also clear that Ben's passion for the music enabled him to allow himself a few bum notes in the great and noble cause of "really going for it". Amen to that. Nevertheless,I shall be practising a few of his tunes on the quiet to see if I can get close to what he plays. Don't be misled by that comment, he is a very gifted keyboard player indeed. I'll be lucky if I can make my renditions just sound slightly like him.
Thanks to all of my fellow travellers for putting up with my lewd double-entendres for the entire afternoon and evening. It was a lovely, and we were the luckiest.
| Your Personality Profile |
 Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming! |
This took me 2 seconds to complete! Accurate? Not sure. Maybe.
| You Are 14% Evil |
 Just remember, you may need to turn to the dark side to get what you want! |
Secretly, I wish I was a little more evil. I may only be evil in a small number of areas, but within those narrow corridors of evil I am VERY evil. Honest. (Thanks to Ian for starting this off)
This is where the gatekeeper of nowhere lives, or at least she/he should.
(Amazing picture, click to enlarge to really big and smashing size)
The Gatekeeper's Lament
Here I stand, or sit
Waiting for lost souls to approach
Sometimes I watch TV, but the reception is terrible
And the satellite man can never find my little shack
He has no idea where he's going
And I know that I'll see him soon
Because he is really going nowhere.
I see what is happening down there
And I never closer the gate.
Coming home to NBTS from Hartburn today I found myself in that magical moment, that leaning back on a dining chair wondering whether it will topple over or not moment - that special moment of wondering whether we were going to have "proper" snow or not.
Deep down I knew that it was not to be, but I wonder if you, like me, find yourself half wishing that it would be a real deep proper snow. Of course, we also know how awful snow is after the first fall, we know all the problems - the chapped hands, the cold, the mess, the filthy salted roads, the difficulty getting around - but it's somehow worth it for those glorious moments of being wonderfully snowed in.
Suddenly out comes the Dunkirk spirit. It's wartime again. Neighbour helps neighbour to dig themselves out. Those who can make it to the shop fetch things back for those who can't. All of us watch the skies for the next fall and eagerly exchange conversations about the previous times of heavy snow.
Naturally, there's always a bore from Scotland or Siberia or somewhere who has seen it much worse/ had it far colder/ seen the actual sea freeze, but we try to ignore such people as we luxuriate in our temporary snug haven of snow. With luck, some plucky fellow from the other side of the village will make it through the drifts to visit - with epic tales of long and difficult journeys home.
Everyone will agree that the gritters didn't come out until it was too late, and that any downside of the whole affair will broadly be the council's fault.
So, as I drove home, almost mesmerised by the little snowflakes rushing past my windscreen, these thoughts came crowding in. In actuality, by Pegswood the flakes had turned slushy, and by Ashington itself they were merely rain.
For a moment, I was almost sad.
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