… my musings on, er, "stuff"
Track of the week 19/11/17
A foray into the ’90s with this foot-tapper.
No particular reason for its inclusion as TotW, other than it somehow popped onto my radar and I’ve been playing it a bit of late.
Enjoy.
Pic of the week 19/11/17
Perhaps it is a sign of getting old that you begin to appreciate such things. Or perhaps its just that its taken me 48 years to realise that winter can be quite a long time and a few months of a bleak, barren landscape have nothing to commend them. Or perhaps this is just a “good year” for leaves.
Whatever the reason, I’ve been making a mental note to look at and enjoy the trees in all their splendour as their leaves turn a classic golden hue. We’re now well into mid-November, and the trees at school are gamely hanging on to their foliage and producing a quite spectacular show. They’ll soon be devoid of leaves for a long time, so I’m making the most of them while I can.
I think I am getting old!
Track of the week 12/11/17
Growing up, The Specials were my second favourite band, after The Jam.
Not sure that this is my favourite song of theirs, but is certainly good enough (if a little downbeat) to make it as track of the week.
Pic of the week
And so we’re now in the thick of it, routine rumbles on. The weather is starting to turn colder, the nights are darker, a lull between the “two birthdays.”
Options evening at The Blue last Thursday for Sam – that is still to be decided: Blue or Strode. Looks like Maths & Chemistry are penciled in, to be joined by Physics if he stays at the Blue, Physics and Computer Science if its Strode.
Refereed a lot over the weekend – 110 minutes yesterday in a “three-way” between Millfield U16s, Newport County & Yeovil U15s; and Wessex and Wells City U15s today. Really enjoyed all of them (although if I’m honest, the last 30 mins on Saturday was for me, perhaps, a physical mile too many). Have a niggling tweak on my hamstring – did it last Sunday playing for the vets, aggrivated it playing 5-a-side on Tuesday, all good yesterday, but twinged it again in the first 5 mins of today’s game. A little sore and irritating.
Nice pick above from our bedroom window of the Tor and a rainbow.
Not a lot else to say, the routine rumbles on …
Track of the week 5/11/17
I’d like to think that I’d thought long and hard about this week’s TotW before deciding on this, but no, it’s just one of those happy coincidences.
I’ve been listening to this a lot this week and resolved to make it track of the week when I realised there was a certain synergy, what with it being Sophie’s 18th Birthday weekend, and reaching the age of consent.
I love the high tempo and energy of this track. I’ve never seen a video for it, but in my head throughout the song we watch someone running – from what and to where we don’t know, but just an ever changing vista as our running runs through fields, urban landscapes, the beach – ever where and nowhere.
Have bought the track on iTunes and have added it to my running playlist – where will it take me?
Pic of the week 5/11/17
It is hard to believe, but Sophie turned 18 yesterday.
Where did the years go?
For eighteen years she has brought us joy, happiness, pride, occasional worry(!), more joy and love. I knew the day she was born that life would never be the same. I wasn’t wrong. The world was enriched on the 4th November 1999 when our little bundle of love arrived.
I can’t find the words to do her justice. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
Maybe we need the lows to make the highs seem so good. Maybe it was wearing an unfamiliar kit that bought us out in a matching blue mood, or maybe, just maybe, we weren’t quite good enough, disciplined enough, fit enough.
Whatever the reasons, after a stunning start to the season, today was a frustrating return to losing ways. The first twenty minutes saw us survive a few scares, but also produce a few openings of our own. It was hard to see who would break the deadlock, although perhaps the writing was on the wall when Peabody was required to head an Oakhill corner off the line to keep the scores level. Moments later a misplaced pass 10 yards outside our box was seized, and struck sweetly, oh, so sweetly, by an Oakhill midfielder into the top corner. It was a retirement goal – if I ever get close to scoring a goal like that I shall hang up my boots and retire immediately: it ain’t ever going to get better than that.
Still in the game, the second half saw us push forward to seek a score and the chances came, the woodwork rattled, but our defence was left dangerously exposed and the hosts bagged another two goals, both following crosses from (their) right, to leave the final score an unflattering, and undeserved, three nil defeat.
Time moves on, frustrations fade, our squad continues to grow. A great turn out of 13 today, despite a number of injuries. A month to prepare for the toughest test of the season – an away trip to Street on December 3rd.
Final Score:
Oakhill 3 Millfield Legends 0
Track of the week 29/10/17
I knew the name “The Go Go’s” back in the day, but didn’t really know anything of them – probably just an ace before my time? I was more aware of Belinda Carlisle (a guilty pleasure – it is only in recent years that I have come out as a fan!) and Jane Wiedlin’s “Rush Hour” was a big hit in ’88 when I was in the constant rush hour that is London who both began their careers in the Go Go’s.
Anyway, (re)-discovered the Go Go’s as I had “My lips are sealed” floating around in my head and turned to trusty YouTube. Was expecting the Fun Boy Three to pop up, but The Go Go’s was the number one result. Listened to it and, through the magic that is YouTube, it then suggested I listen to this – Head over Heels which is a fantastic bit of frothy punky pop.
Pic of the week 29/10/17
Friday saw us all up early, on our adventures.
Becky & Sophie hopped on the train and went up to London for the day and had a wonderful time in the capital. A far better account – and more pics – can be found at Becky’s blog here.
Sam & I also got up early (too early for a holiday?) and went up the Poldens before sunrise. It was a beautiful day – my photography skills do not do it justice – the leaves turning into their beautiful autumn colours.
Home for breakfast, I then spent a pleasant morning sat out in the garden in wonderful October sunshine, reading, before nodding of for delightful 30 minute snooze basking in what may be the last sun for some months.