Wake up and start rocking!

Good afternoon dear readers, this week you happen upon me in a sorry state. I have a sore throat which means I am of no use to anyone. This is also my excuse as to the lateness of this week's post, sorry. You might think that this week I would be posting a review of the fine medications available to individuals with sore throats, but you would be wrong. This week I'm going to post my top five songs to energise me in the morning and get me ready for the day to come.

Music is of great importance to me in my life, I have decided that writing about it and its effects is how I'd like to spend my time, ergo, I'm sure you understand that I listen to music most of the time. I rarely drive or walk anywhere without some music to listen to. It is ever present when I run and I sometimes listen to music whilst cycling (although not on the roads as I'd like to stay alive).

Within minutes of waking up in the morning I, like millions of others, listen to music. So here we are with today's list of MY TOP 5 SONGS TO ENERGISE ME IN THE MORNING!

5. Descendents - Mass Nerder

From their 2004 album Cool to be You, a punk song about being good at school and getting good grades! A great album.  After not releasing an album for years the Descendents released this album and nothing had changed, in a good way. The band still had that trademark sound and the critics agreed. This was the band's first album on Fat Wreck Chords, due to them being one of Fat Mike's favourite bands. I started listening to them after hearing references to them and their songs in NOFX songs. I'm glad I did, Cool to be You is a great album.

4. Black Sabbath - The Wizard

In 1970 an album was released which is often credited as developing a genre! That album was Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath! Upon its release the album was panned by critics who failed to see the world's first true heavy metal album for what it was... a monumental achievement which would shape much of the music to come for decades. Now the album is seen for what it is: ground breaking and the critics who dismissed it as "like Cream! But worse" look like utter idiots who aren't fit to even listen to the music of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward! Like with much of the music I talk about today I struggled to decide on which track to include in the list as I often listen to an album as a whole, not just selecting tracks.

This has always been one of my favourite Sabbath songs so that is why I picked this song to include here from an album of giant songs, BEST ALBUM EVER!

3. The Smashing Pumpkins - Freak

I have been a Pumpkins fan since the '90s, I've seen them live (back in the day with the old line-up) and I bloody love them and would like to thank them for all the musical enjoyment they have given me over the years. They provided the soundtrack to my college years! This song is from their current album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. The album is free to download from www.smashingpumpkins.com.

Back to heavily distorted guitar sounds and Billy's distinctive voice, a catchy chorus and overdubbed vocals makes it totally Pumpkins. The only thing missing is a balls out guitar solo which would make it classic Pumpkins! Awesome song, from an awesome song and to make it even better it is all gifted to you for free!!! You couldn't ask for more. I am now currently listening to Try, Try, Try (Alternate) from Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music, which was also free.

2. Frank Zappa - I'm the Slime

I have three versions of this song: the first is from the epic 1973 album, Over-Nite Sensation, the second is the brilliant live version on The Eyes of Osaka, and the last is another live version on the fantastic album You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol. 1 (disk 1). The vocal styles in each version are different, as are the guitar solos. A great social commentary about the filth, lies and negativity that the mass media pumps into our homes via our TV sets. It took me a long time to choose to include this song as Frank Zappa has released so much great music. I've got most of his albums on CD, or mp3 where no CD is available. I might write a piece about how great his music is and how influential his music has been in shaping modern music in the latter part of the 20th Century. If you've never listened to Frank Zappa then I suggest you go and listen to some as soon as you finish reading this blog.   

1. Less Than Jake - The Science Of Selling Yourself Short

Bloody great song from the brilliant album, Anthem. I could have easily have filled this Top 5 list with songs from this album, utter brilliance. The Science Of Selling Yourself Short is somewhat more chilled out than much of Less Than Jake's earlier work, but rocking all the same. In my opinion one of the finest ska-punk songs of all time, this song is also number one in my list of all time great songs.

I used to listen to this song an awful lot whilst I was doing my Masters degree - on my walk or cycle into University I would listen to this song at least once a week. It holds a special place in my heart. I think I'll end with the chorus of the song:

I'll sing along,
Yeah with every emergency,
Just sing along,
I'm the king of catastrophes,
I'm so far gone,
That deep down inside I think it's fine by me,
I'm my own worst enemy.


So there we go, my top five songs to energise me in the morning at the moment, this might all change next week but for now this is THE LIST!


Quote of the Week:
"Those chillies will make you wish you didn't have an arse!"

A short note.

I once again sit down to write my blog with any idea what I'll talk about. Thankfully I can always find something to talk about.

Last weekend I went down to London for the weekend. My main reason to be there was the FA Cup final. My team, Stoke City where playing the worlds richest club Manchester City. Sadly we lost 1-0, but I still had a great weekend. On the Sunday I visited the Natural History Museum.

The Natural History Museum is an amazing place and guess what it costs... Nothing! It is all free.

Unfortunately we didn't get to the museum until after 1 pm so we had less than four hours to look around a museum which you could easily spend two or three days looking around.

There isn't a great deal of point in me telling what is in the museum. All that information is on their website, I will recommend that you go through the main entrance rather than the side entrance despite the slight wait to get into the front door. This way you will see the museum's iconic deplodicus as you walk in.

There is so much to see that you will need at very least a full day there as an afternoon, like I had, isn't enough. I'll just have to visit again in the near future to see the rest.

That's about it for now, I'd write more but I'm writing this on my iPod touch as my MacBook has been hijacked by my sister.

Quote of the week:
"if it is in your way move it"


Sent from my iPod

Time for Tea

Because I enjoyed the list format used last week in my blog I thought I'd use it again, however this week I intend it to be a lot more positive. This weeks top 5 is the most British topic I could think of... Top 5 teas I've drunk this week!

I've been drinking loads of tea recently and I thought I'd inform you with regards the top 5 cups of tea I've drunk this week. Before it all kicks off let me reassure some of you that I still bloody love coffee but I feel that sometimes if I limit my coffee drinking it makes every cup a wonderful treat.

5. Twinings - Jasmine Green Tea.

Simply wonderful. This mild and refreshing tea is as tasty as it is fragrant. Another great green tea from those master blenders at Twinings! I would 100% recommend this tea to anyone!

4. Make us a brew! - Mint & Chilli Tea.

Delicious!!! With 48% Peppermint, 40% Spearmint and 12% Chilli this tea is super refreshing! The small amount of chilli adds a little kick without overpowering the mint and without adding too much heat. All the chilli seems to do is add extra freshness! A must tea for any mint tea fan as well as those of us that enjoy chilli and spice. Don't worry about the heat and leave the teabag in a little longer as the chilli and Peppermint do take some time to release their warmth into the water. Be brave, give it a try.

3. Clipper Nettle Tea.

The first sniff of this tea will put you in mind of the garden, to my nose it is the scent of gardening. Again this is a calming tea, a delightful liquid bliss in a cup which will brighten up any day. I find this tea to be perfect in the afternoon or late at night to refresh but not awaken. These days nettles are known as that painful stinging weed, but they have been used for centuries both as a food and to purify, cleanse and restore. The first uses of nettles can be traced back to the bronze age. So get a brew on and enjoy some fine nettle tea.

2. Twinings – Everyday Tea.

A tea for any time, any where! I don't think I could explain this tea any better than Twinings, “It’s the drink that warms you up, calms you down and makes every occasion better.” This is basically your standard tea, perfectly crafted and exquisitely balanced, you could add milk and sugar if you like but this tea is perfect with none of that gunk added.

1. Tick Tock – Rooibos (Red Bush Tea).
   
   
   
   
   
   Fantastic flavour! I really don't know how to explain how lovely this tea is. I have been enjoying this naturally slightly sweet tea as it comes simply adding boiled water, brewing for a few minutes then drinking it down. Ideal any time of the day or night, although there is no caffeine in rooibos it will wake you in the morning and due to its caffeine free nature is the prefect bedtime drink. Take a little risk and buy yourself a box and enjoy this fine tea for yourself, if you don't like it I'd be happy to come around and drink some of it for you.
   
   
   

   
   

   There have been many excellent teas drunk this week which didn't make it onto todays list, like the cheeky little green tea with roasted brown rice or the lovely roasted twig tea my wonderful girlfriend lovingly prepared for me, plus all the cups of standard Tetley, PG and whatever else people make me when they offer tea. I am grateful for every cup, thanks.

   
   

   Quote of the Week:

   “I bloody well love that stupid twit” - On the subject of friends.

   
   

   Proof bread by B. Johnson

    

Driving me crazy!

This week I noticed that the only time I am ever really angry, annoyed or have the feeling that I might actually lose my temper and beat someone to death with their own stupidity is when I'm driving.

I have what I believe people are calling “road rage”. However, unlike the popular press, I do not see my “road rage” as a negative thing. Some people are arses, utterly terrible drivers, and they need informing of this as loudly and aggressively as possible. They are, after all, in charge of a motor vehicle which has the potential to kill! Ergo, when they do something stupid and/or dangerous they should be scolded for it.

This is why I decided, after a suggestion from Anthony, to make a “Top 5 things that annoy me whilst driving list”. Here goes:

5. Driving too close to the car in front.

I can only drive as fast as the car in front of me, I cannot just ram it off the road (not legally anyway) and driving dangerously close to me will just annoy me so I'll eventually stop and beat you which will mean it takes you even longer to get were you need to be. Also you have to remember my car is small and light, if I slam my breaks on you will not have time to react no matter how fast you think you are. Just back off!!!

4. Driving too slowly.

The road sign indicates you may do 60mph it is a clear beautiful day and there is no traffic, what speed do you think is acceptable? Well the idiot I was behind the other day thought 25mph! 35mph slower than is suggested. I am not saying that you should always drive at the limits, but use some sense. If you cannot for any reason travel faster than 25mph then don't go out, in fact stay in and place a plastic bag tightly over your head and wait for the icy touch of death you ridiculous human being. Slow drivers cause normal humans to take extra risks, like overtaking, when they would otherwise not need to thus causing accidents! GET A GRIP SLOW DRIVERS!

3. Cutting in at the last second.

So you know you need the next exit, but there is traffic queueing, what do you do? Wait at the back like a sensible person or drive to the front and bully your way in? Well if you are a total fucking arse you might like to try to bully your way in, be warned however that I will crash into the side of your Audi/BMW when you try this as I have been waiting with all these other people. Manners cost nothing, use them wait your turn or join the slow drivers in their plastic bag. WAIT IN LINE!

2. Talking on the phone whilst driving.

This isn't just about phones here, I've seen people doing all kinds of stuff whilst they should be driving, but it is the phones which I see most. These idiots will cut you up, be on the wrong side of the road and not have control of their vehicle. There is a reason it is against the law to hold your phone to the side of your head whilst driving, it is dangerous! You might not give a shit about your own life but I quite like mine you jackass, hang up and drive or pull over and finish your chat whilst not moving. There are also loads of bluetooth things you could get so you can talk hands-free, get one of those if you have to talk to someone whilst driving.

I have a theory that someone on the other end is talking them through how to operate a motor vehicle and that is why they are so bad at it.

1. Stopping at a give way junction!

NO IT IS NOT A FUCKING STOP LINE! KEEP MOVING! THERE IS CLEARLY NOTHING COMING! I bloody hate this with a passion. Some people ALWAYS stop at a roundabout, without question actually STOP! It is not a stop line, it is an instruction that you should give way to traffic coming from the right (UK). When the road is clear you should keep moving. Why do so many people stop? I hate them so much! They are also usually the slow driver (see number 4.).

Quote of the week:
"What sort of world do we live in where a man would steal another man's battle ostrich?"

How's my driving?