Aug 31: Pics-els

Sweet!

Boulder session (my fingers and hands are aching already ) followed by a coffee with a view, then a bimble around Calshot Spit – ideal for getting familiar with a new camera…

Here is some of the output;

 

Reflections, shadows and clouds – The Solent, 10-18 Wide Angle lense.

A Matter of perspective. 18 – 135 Zoom lense.

Tres Rapid (that’s French), 75-300 Zoom lense (full zoom)

Bird Yoga, 75-300 Perv lense

Papperflapsy, 75-300 Zoom/Perv lense.

I am absolutely delighted with the versatility of the camera/lenses. For the first time I have a lense that can handle macro photography, so I’ll be no doubt regaling you with some of the insect/creature/plant life around and in my house in the near future, but for now the above shots are showing me that it’s all systems go for my usual blend portraits and moments that comprise of my favourite style of photo taking. Only now, the quality and versatility of the camera I can use is levels above what I’ve had access to in the past….I feel some experiments coming on, oh, and had I mentioned? There’s a climbing holiday coming up in some of the most beautiful forest land in the world, nothing to take pictures of there then….

All that, and it’s the last day of Abstinence August…SMELL THE CHEESE!

Aug 30: Lion-in

Oooohhhhhh yeah – got myself a proper lie in this morning!

Had a very pleasant late-evening catching up with some friends last night (Happy B-Day T!)  in which I learned a great deal about Bhaji’s…and their capacity to act as treat, main course, competition-food, source of significant after-pub food, and, the ability to act as a Beer Sponge. We also theorized that the word ‘Bhaji’ could potentially, be directly translated into the words ‘Beer Sponge’, but that requires follow up work.

Strangely; went to the pub but felt no compulsion to drink, didn’t drink, and had a rib-cracker of a laugh! Cool! A nice experience and an unexpected perk of Abstinence August 🙂

In other news; I was sorting though a few bits preparing to do some updates to the Band website…I stumbled upon this;

I need a MULLET!

 This was my take on the “Real Men of Genius” ad, shot by Samwise during the recording of The Other Side of Nowhere. We recorded the majority of the album over 3 days in a real life studio in Reading. It was proper dreams come true stuff, but as important it is to share shots of awesome things, it is just as important to share shots of complete idiocy (see above) This is a large aspect of my value system; There is simply not enough messing-about going on in the world. Things get awfully serious, awfully quickly, so we must never forget to indulge our childish glee regularly…If you don’t, you should… here endeth the lesson…

 Now Go Forth! And do something stupid! Just don’t do anything that might hurt others 🙂

Aug 29: Master-y

Man, am I glad to see Friday evening. I won’t go into the details, but it’s been an eventful week and whilst some aspects are very positive indeed, the net result is the same: My brain feels like it’s about to melt out of my nose.

However, 2 very exciting things happened in the early evening, of which neither require me to have my whole brain active to enjoy – win!

Fistly; After an extended period of research (6 months), a number of small set backs, a large setback, some bargain hunting and an extended game of “Hunt the Parcel” with UPS, I have finally picked up my new camera!!! Photo’s will most definitely be wending their way to this fair blog….which on reflection, I’m probably significantly more excited about than anyone else, but hey – I might capture something worth sharing, who knows…

Secondly; I had a cup of tea with Vincento, the Master Git-tar maker. What a fantastic way to shed the week’s tension. Now, granted, some of you might not be thoroughly engaged in a conversation about Wood <phrasing!>, even less discussing the relative positioning of (according to the grain) Bocote wood on the side and back panels of a OOO or Dreadnought guitar, odd, but there you go… This was followed by a discussion around a “Wedge” shaped guitar, which is specifically shaped to allow a changed perspective whilst playing sat down. I could go on, no seriously, I could go on for hours, but perhaps more interesting for any fair readers would be a picture of the legend in his lair;

Vincento, and The Wedge experiment (not a Golfing term).

You can probably understand why I’m like a kid in a sweet shop;

Many works in progress… I *might* be investigating the opportunity for a Dreadnought shape…you know, because I need one.

 Like I said – end of a long week. I’m going to try and get some energy up to nip to the pub and not-drink again. This is my last weekend of abstinence, and I will confess, this evening I am feeling the burn in terms of not being able to have a glass if Vino Colapso, I’m certain Arbe will have stern words for me when I next see him, but I remain resolute…just one…last….weekend….

 Monday! Monday my Wine Rack and Whiskey Rack protectors (Ted and Leslie) will stand aside, and I will once again delve into the world of sweet sweet deep red nectar, very likely alongside some ridiculous selection of cheese….oh so sweet cheese, Wookey Hole, Targ, Somerset Brie…..mmmmmmm….

Oh – sorry, zoned out for a bit there…The Cheese Madness is almost upon me…Almost!

Now then – Vincento has very kindly adjusted “The Walnut”…. As if I need an excuse to play 😉

Aug 28: Draft-y

The Game of Throws league has commenced!

How?

Well, there in lies a story… Firstly, one needs to have a team. In order to do that, one needs to draft in players – so, a Draft;

Drafty!

Then, you need some Teams and Managers;

 

Note: Davey checking out the awesome spread…

Then, sort the draft order (I.e who picks first);

I got Pants on Fire, the nag came in 7th,  7th! I pick 6th…we have 11 teams and no one picked ‘Goldencents’…

Then, we picked;

Drafty Done!

 It was fantastic! Banter, mis-direction (Kickers are important, no, they are… Really…), time pressure, bye weeks, and perhaps most importantly: favourite players.

We did all try to get the best players we could, and over all, I think we are all happy with our teams. I am – I mixed some of my faves, with a couple of bankers, and a couple of gambles… The games start proper on the 4th of September. The League works by each week, a team plays another team, the next week a different other team in a round robin style. Each player in one’s team gets a score based on their actual game results (Yards run, throws received, touchdowns, sacks etc etc) making up your Teams score for the week. This is compared to your opponents score to see who wins; 3 pts for a win, 1 each for a draw, none for a loss….and thus, the league will progress…

 

Let battle commence – CROP DUSTERS HOOOOOOOOOOOE!

Aug 27: Snerberdin

Blimey – bonkers day number 2, 2 more to go…

2 major aspects for discussion this evening… Firstly, NFL Fantasy League draft tomorrow evening. I have done virtually no homework, and alongside prep for tomorrow, I will draft up my list of wants.

I’ve never done this before, but thankfully, nor has anyone else! I avidly followed last season right through to the Super Bowl. Having selected New Orleans Saints as my team (Noo Orrlins is number 3 on my most want to visit list), I was privy to some fantastic games. I used to watch NFL games as a youngun’. My mate Lee was into the 49ers in a big way, but the primary motivator for me was the just excuse to stay up late on a Sunday watching the highlights with Gary Imlac! Awesome. The difference now is that after a season and some reading, I kinda understand the strategic aspects of the plays, deployments and players. To say it’s a complex is an understatement, the decisions that get made in split seconds, the covers, feints and audacious moves are fantastic once one understands the subtleties…

So, given this minimal knowledge, and a passion for watching the games on Sundays, we started up an NFL fantasy league and we will have at it tomorrow evening with our live draft pick for our teams. I’ll no doubt reveal more as the weeks progress, but right now I need to get my head down to get stuck into some stats!! The Crop Dusters will go into battle on the 4th of September. CRY HAVOC!!!

Secondly, caught up over the phone with Chris today. Chris is a legend! It was great to catch up a little bit and I very much look forward to a 40th birthday celebration in the near future. We agreed to sort out a festival to go to next year, and also loosely discussed snowboarding…..ahhhhhhh yes…..Snowboarding…

I must confess, on the drive home I had a little reminisce. Even a little reminisce provides some truly brilliant memories… I’ll share on occasion, but for some random reason, the trip to Are in 2012 dropped into my mind. I’d never been to Sweden before, and on that trip, myself, Farmer Dan, Benny and Nadine were treated to 3 powder days (not deep, but oh so sweet), a completely empty and uncut section of mountain to ourselves for a whole afternoon, 3 evenings of Night-boarding and lovely beer! Benny had organised everything with an impressive efficiency, and lazy bastard that I am, I just turned up in Winchester and basically got transported to Are (via Swedish train which was awesome) via Hell (it’s a real place!), and bombed around the place with Dan all week!

I do get asked why I board, and why I get so excited about it. There are obvious reasons; adrenaline, technique, funtimes, apres Boom, friendship, stories, all sorts of things really, but I will be honest…. One of the primary reasons is the shit you get to see! Breathtaking views which backdrop speed, skills, scares and sanctuary;

End of day run, sunset jibbing!

M n’ Danny-Boy took a boardage day trip to the other side of the resort, to have lunch, and ride “Englands Lift”…it seemed appropriate… I also took some time to relax on said lift, splendid!

 Good times, and I can’t help but already be excited about next season, time to start looking for deals.

 Here is Dan;

and Hell does exist….

It actually wasn’t that bad in Hell. Ironically it was -20, but the train service and toilet facilities were excellent.

Aug 26: Random fantastic

I have learned a very useful and interesting fact today, and it may serve me well in the future…here it is;

The rotation of the Earth, more specifically the “Coriolis Effect”, needs to be factored in for long range sniper shots. It basically allows for the fact that the Earth is technically moving/spinning…

That’s going to be useful in the Zombie Apocalypse.

 

In other news, I’m a currently buried deep into some Judge Dredd Graphic Novels (Thank you j0nnymac). I’ve dabbled in Dreddy now and again, but found it a little straight forward for my taste, but great fun none the less. The recent stuff J0nnyMac has lent me hints at a far darker experience (and therefore, more my kinda ball game) altogether. In particular, the current read takes place after the Day of Chaos. Without ruining things, effectively, this is a much older and seasoned Dredd. Bitter experience has tempered his black and white approach which had previously frustrated me, as well as making me chuckle on occasion. Basically, a more dramatic and real Dredd who is showing signs of not only age, but wisdom of experience as well… Great stuff!

I’m looking forward to more as I have a pile to read (shweeeet!), but I also have a couple of new novels to read, alongside a few continuing saga’s that I’m engaged in. A truly inspired source of entertainment that is truly pushing the boundaries of story telling, and letting loose some brilliant imaginations – get in!

To test your knowledge, how many of these character can you name in this Marvel-ous (see what I did there?) collection;

I named 33 without t’internet, but I’m not a particular Marvel Fan, and I might be able to guess a couple more. Whichever way, just looking at those profiles reminds me of some properly good characters….and…well…Deadpool, legend 😉

Aug 25: Climb on

Fantastic session today! Lots of mileage, and really pushed into more challenging territory. I’m still a way behind Tony and Anna, but definitely getting nearer and today, I was able to attempt some of the harder climbs they push on, managing to get past the first couple of moves – ace!

Here’s a taster;

 

Same climb, different blokes, different approach.

I have a mental week coming up this week, work will dominate, but I look forward to next weekend. I’m aiming to get some decent sessions in climbing wise, and that always helps to reduce tension. It doesn’t get old – whilst climbing, everything else drops off the radar whilst mind and body focus on the tasks in hand. It can range from ensuring proper technique and strategically planning out moves, thru to “DON’T LET GO OR YOU WILL DIE!!!”. Strange what we find relaxing 🙂

 In other news, Elsie B my littlest sister did the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS….and the little fiend challenged me to it too… Needless to say, I have obliged;

Good work Dave – short notice nomination delivered on!

 

…my forearms ache.

Aug 24: Chasing Scores

I love games.

Interesting, imaginative, competitive, mind-expanding, intelligence based fun times!

I make sure not to limit myself to just xBox, or iPad, or phone, or table top, or family, or sporting, or board based…you get the idea. My favourites are always ‘Us against the Game’ style. I enjoy the Player vs Player, don’t get me wrong, but uniting as a group to defeat a really tough enemy is fantastic.

In xBox terms, the Mass Effect series (in particular – Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer) has provided hours and hours of entertainment, not just for me, but for hombres Gannet15, GarnyBoy, Van Holmandoink, SirAssClown, LegacyCode, MrMrKill and Blueso. With most folk my age having significant others, and sometimes, small people, going out and doing loads of stuff in the evening is difficult – so we put on headsets, connect up via xBox, and shoot aliens in the face. This evening, I will very likely complete the final challenge in the game so I am pausing to enjoy the last few waves of Aleins that we will take on because very likely, in early September, we will all pick up a new game and ME3 will never again grace our consoles… That probably doesn’t mean anything to most people, but it’s brought so much banter, joy and bonding, I guess I just don’t want it to pass into nothing.

To the uninitiated, it’s a simple setup;

4  person team. Each selects a preferred class/race. Armed with guns and powers specific to class/race, the group take on increasingly numbers and strengths of Alien Menace that come in waves. After 11 waves, the team extract (assuming they have survived). The make it more interesting, waves 3, 6 and 10 have objectives to achieve. Simple huh?

It’s not.

It has provided challenge aplenty.

It has also provided swearing (mostly me I admit) aplenty.

Gaming rocks!!

 

In other news, had a surprisingly good gig today. Most afternoon charity gigs involve playing to a few interested folks, but generally speaking it’s folks chatting and it can be hard to get an atmosphere going. Not so today at the Shooting Star. Very engaged audience and some fantastic musicians, we had a ball! The guys just before us were superb to watch, and the tunes they played got me right in the mood to blast;

Open Mic geezer nailing it!

 Great stuff.

 Tomorrow; Climbing training! I’m hitting Calshot to stretch my aching bones….but for now, time to shoot some Aliens right in their faces!

BIG MACHINE!!!

Aug 23: Wise Man

A Wise Man said to me today; “it’s a bad day when you stop learning”… It’s easy to trot out cliche’s, but as Jack O’Niell (one of my favourite characters) will say, “It’s a cliche, but a valid one…”. I happen to agree with the wise man on this one.

The wise man happens to be Vince Hockey, Luthier of the highest order. He makes fantastic guitars, both myself and Don have a couple for gig and session action. Mine’s a beaut! Loud with tonnes of attack…yeaaaaah 🙂

Custom Hockey; Spruce Top, Mahogany Back/Sides, Ebony Fretboard, Martin Gold Pickup – name: Blaster.

I’m a little pumped up right now. We just did a great 45 mins at the Rockstone in Bouvois….Beaver…Bovver…Beavis Valley gig. It was truly one of the best taglines for a charity event; “Cancer is a Dick – Fuck you Cancer!”. We played in the corner of the pub, and had a ball with the folks there. The only problem? A short 45 minute slot…I’m used to 2 hours…I appear to have some energy left over…

The band also observed that at the last couple of gigs I have behaved differently. They apparently prefer me when I’m drinking, the diet coke is probably not helping, but as JoJo’s Dad (Colin) said “I’ll be happier when Jezz is back on the beer, he’s a lot more….more <flaps arms and leans backwards>, get him back on the beer!”. Ha! I cracked up. I know exactly what they mean, I feel significantly more bouyant, with a childish desire to mess about…well, mess about more than usual anyway. I’ve learned that today; Alcohol brings a different balance to gigs, a tangible behavioral difference – interesting eh? Got another one tomorrow, likely to be a more intimate affair with just me and JoJo singing some tunes. I won’t be as hyped so I’m really keen to see if there are any differences at a less pumped gig.

The experimental side of Abstinence August doth proceed apace… 🙂

 

Aug 22: Show-and-YAY!

I have a new song rampaging around my head, inspired by recent actions, activities and shared frustrations (not for the faint hearted);

<To the tune of Team America>

Bee esS Cee!

‘uck Yeah!

Plumbing along to save the mutha’uckin’ Day Yeah!

Bee esS Cee!

Fuck Yeah!

Plumbing fixed, and showers sortid!

Shit supplies your time is through, your gonna have to answer to..

Bee esS Cee!

‘UCK YEAAAAAAH!!!

(That’s an official testimony for your website Al, it will be a differentiater against your competition…song based testimony…it’s like money in the bank)

Look at this thing of beauty;

Well chuff my nuts – I can get sweaty again!!!

Alex, thank you Sir!

Elsie, I thank you Sis!

It is deeply pleasing and deeply satisfying to have shower facilities again. Tomorrow, I will thoroughly test this cubicle by…well…showering really…uhm…yeah…

 In other news; Abstinence August remains in tact. Light weight wraps of ham and salad tonight, with the scales and mirror this morning showing a continued and steady decline in midriff lard. I am stronger, and very much looking forward to a Monday clambering session in which I will push my mileage ability – Bonza!

 In addition, 2 gig weekend, Woooh! Playing at the Rockstone in Buvois? no, Beaver? no, Bovver? no, Beavis (Yes!) Valley! Thassit – phew! Also playing in Bevis, no, Beavis Valley at the Shootin’ Star on Sunday. It’s a full band line up with some of the newly played tunes in there – BOOM!!!

 …and I’ll be able to do it all, clean! Such relief, very shwoer, many non-sticky-balls, wow…