tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-11-12:/International Bear of MysteryMokoFeed2009-11-12T14:36:28+01:00tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-10-15:/2009/10/15/where-did-abe-go-7174192/Benjamy2009-10-15T12:42:30+02:002009-10-15T12:42:30+02:00 <p>where ever you went Abe be happy... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/where-did-abe-go-7174192/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-09-15:/2009/09/15/and-the-next-stop-is-6969888/Benjamy2009-09-15T15:36:25+02:002009-09-15T15:36:25+02:00 <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/100/3898100_5b3339a3e3_s.jpg" alt="SANY0020"></p> <p>it chugs away late into the evening, and on this occasion i sit there AWAITING ITS ARRIVAL AT FINAL DESTINATION.</p> <p>But hang on wait a minute, how many of you have seen the film sliding doors ? gwyneth paltrow two lives depending on catching the Tube or not catching the tube?</p> <p>anyway, sat here on this carraige awaiting my journeys end and looked around; who were these people what were thier daily lives , why where they on this train and where were they going? so pick a life and imagine.</p> <p>the rather drunk and tired man immeadiatley to my left; did he mean to go this far or has he fallen asleep only to wake up at the end of the line and missing the last train back.</p> <p>the rather nice girl with the extra long legs; how did she get that scratch down her thigh?</p> <p>well were you on this train ? do you recognise the carraige number? well look ! tell me your story and i will tell mine </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/and-the-next-stop-is-6969888/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-09-10:/2009/09/10/all-is-peacefull-in-suburbia-until-6935960/Benjamy2009-09-10T11:36:43+02:002009-09-10T11:36:43+02:00 <p>Progressive rock, prog rock, underground whateever you wish to lanbel it it’s the 70s defining sound for me. Memories of siting there with a “herbal cigarette” and chilling to the sounds emanating from the bunch of hairy hippies on stage….</p> <p>Lots n lots n lots of memories every one a corker imean it was soooo gggrrrrrrrrooovy.</p> <p>However I did widen my horizons as to more genres and as i remember Caravan then led me onto Coloseum and the jazz rock fusion which eventually lead me to Black Widow and their album Sacrifice; now that was a memory.</p> <p>Not sure how many of you will remember or even know about Black Widow but in brief I will leave you to google them yourself but as a starter for ten </p> <p><a href="http://www.blackwidow.org.uk/">http://www.blackwidow.org.uk/</a></p> <p>well the memeory is quite simple and more than a little bit mischeveous </p> <p>on Sundays in my leafy little bit of suburbia, ( well it was the inner circle in Birmingham actually with no leaves) in the afternoon (after already having done my stint as a Acolyte at the church) the congregation of the Elim Pentecostal form a nice little group and begin happy clappy ohhh lordy lordy singing , well parents away and possessed by the demon of Sunday drinks at the country girl, I just couldn’t resist mowing the speakers of my Van Der Molen Hi fi system to the open windows approximately fifteen feet from the joyous bunch and placing the vinyl on the turntable, selecting the required track and blasting out at the fullest of volume the track Come to the Sabbat from the above mentioned album a contest had begun and in true Spinal Tap Fashion…my volume control went all the way to Eleven….</p> <p><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Black+Widow/_/Come+to+the+Sabbat">http://www.last.fm/music/Black+Widow/_/Come+to+the+Sabbat</a></p> <p>I will now go and seek repentance ………</p> <p>Nahhhhhhhhhhhh bols to that</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/all-is-peacefull-in-suburbia-until-6935960/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-09-07:/2009/09/07/how-to-end-a-day-6913565/Benjamy2009-09-07T17:55:40+02:002009-09-07T17:55:40+02:00 <p>bottle of rioja and a nice relaxing Radox bath ...</p> <p>guess thats it then planned made bath to run...now just to deal with the journey back from here to the bath..... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/how-to-end-a-day-6913565/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-09-07:/2009/09/07/im-not-a-name-im-a-number-6911179/Benjamy2009-09-07T12:10:08+02:002009-09-07T12:10:08+02:00 <p>Been off grid for a short while, and its been great, free from stress and strains with simple folk doing simple things and not missing contact with the hub of society and technology one bit. Then; back to reality and it just starts all over again. First faced with a questionnaire, well a security clearance form, required for security clearance to work for our dear old government on their buildings. Now what the FERK have my co-habiting habits got to do with leaky downpipes and the like ???</p> <p>That’s it I’m off again my favourite soapbox “ our surveillance society” well mr security clearwer check your ferking screens and database, you will see that I drove my car 127.8 miles this morning 32% in traffic jams (so you had plenty of time to read the regiastration number on you ANPR cameras, check my average speed for at least two junctions, and not forgetting scan my tax disc numerous times to see if my insurance mot and tax were up to date , therefore you have my entire history of home ownership as well as details of my debit card payment for the last lot of car tax.</p> <p>Ohh not forgetting the swipe of my card as I entered your cctv strew public transport system where you log my ins and outs on trains and tubes. Why on earth would I wish to fill in the information you require just to add to another database link.</p> <p>And the question on financial status…put your own ferking house in order first !!!!</p> <p>Ahh well one day perhaps I will dissolve and remove the links in one swoop and live simply and happily …</p> <p>That reminds me the next John Twelve Hawks novel is out tomorrow….more anti establishment posts may follow …. Oh and theres the other question have I ever been a member of …… and have I ever had a budgie that supported CND…..</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/im-not-a-name-im-a-number-6911179/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-08-24:/2009/08/24/brain-baffelled-bloggers-block-6806570/Benjamy2009-08-24T09:17:09+02:002009-08-24T09:17:09+02:00 <p>as im suffering from the above, im heading off grid to recuperate the damaged brain cells not sure for how long but a couple of weeks at least, so enjoy and look forward to catching up when i get back... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/brain-baffelled-bloggers-block-6806570/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-08-19:/2009/08/19/pantano-de-los-bermejales-6758207/Benjamy2009-08-19T12:34:48+02:002009-08-19T12:34:48+02:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/pantano_de_llos_bermejales/3802589" title="Pantano de Llos Bermejales"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/589/3802589_a1356f8453_m.jpg" alt="Pantano de Llos Bermejales"></a></p> <p>1952 saw the creation of the dam and the village around it; the water cristal clear and Azul a watersports, fishing, camping haven, and yet Sad, empty and shut devoid of people; this may be just because its August, but it had no signs of the vibrant life you would expect at such a location.</p> <p>a pool and model of the valley to the left of the entance to the dam road lies in dis repair and looking like a broken up pond un loved uncared for and in the process of destruction, yet closer inspection shows it to be a model of the dam and something that would have been quite impresive , like the dam itself.</p> <p>looking past this tryptch frame and seeing the beautiful scene would have been a window to an idylic and beautiful destination ; yet all you can see is corrosion and lck of maintenance, exposed rusting metal and spalling concrete. amazing for such an impresive and once majorly important facility in a water starved community.</p> <p>were it in the United Kingdom, it would have been heaving with people on such a day and full of people making every possible use of every possible facility ohhh the difference in the attitudes of two different countries.</p> <p>still i gave good photo opportunities rather than the fight to grab a clear moment that would have been the UK </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/08/19/pantano-de-los-bermejales-6758207/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-08-12:/2009/08/12/silence-and-freedom-6705715/Benjamy2009-08-12T10:05:29+02:002009-08-12T10:05:29+02:00 <p>It is such a part of our lives now, meshed into everything we do, far from its original purpose and its grown to invade every part of our lives, relied on for so much, expanded to meet the ever growing demands we place on it.</p> <p>The mobile phone; long gone are the days were we relied on the house phone and the phone in the office,. It became mobile; originally derided fro its size and bulkiness, it’s use grew and grew as it got smaller and more powerful, with added features. Now its<br> A phone,<br> Calendar,<br> calculator,<br> diary,<br> spread sheet,<br> email,<br> music,<br> games,<br> computer,<br> camera etcetc</p> <p>even when we are not speaking on it , texts, emails, twitter, facebooks, all come pinging in. our lives almost revolve round the social contact it tempts us with (instead of just meeting and talking etc)</p> <p>well having lost mine, the sense of freedom was immense, first a sense of quiet, no calls, nothing to distract, then almost an elation at the possibilities of not having one; not being contactable, going from A to B without that constant communication; its so easy for someone to call and distract you , delay you with requests to make alternate visits and appointments, with a “can you just call in at ????? on your way back to the office” that stretches your day and distracts your purpose, oh the complete sense of freedom after work when travelling home or going out for the evening without having to explain where you are or where you will be to the caller who wishes to distract and misdirect you from your purpose…. Ahhh the joy of a solitary glass of wine in peace and without interruption…</p> <p>waiting for the replacement, at least it was insured, 6 days freedom about to close…do I really want it back????/</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/08/12/silence-and-freedom-6705715/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-23:/2009/07/23/gargoyle-challange-6571386/Benjamy2009-07-23T09:39:54+02:002009-07-23T09:50:48+02:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sany0003/3713481" title="SANY0003"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/481/3713481_048743fb05_m.jpg" alt="SANY0003"></a></p> <p>I set the challange to all on the Blogship and here is my Gargoyle</p> <p>he lives in Ealing Broadway on one of the gothic spires of the church opposite marks and spencers. hes a fine example of a decorative gargoyle and each of the four gargoyles to each of the spires is in traditonal fashion different.</p> <p> i snapped him on my way back from work, having set the challange i could only find the more functional examples of gargoylishness used as they are for disguising water spouts, on a lot of buildings they are of the same mould and pretty much the same fairly bland but at least of decorative interest.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/gargy/3713503" title="GARGY"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/503/3713503_c501f31515_s.jpg" alt="GARGY"></a></p> <p>how many of todays buildings can seem bland in comparrison but of interest in an architectural shape and form manner or just sheets of mirrored glass, though this can provide interesting chances for shots and pictures .</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sany0059/3713504" title="SANY0059"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/504/3713504_d0837641e8_s.jpg" alt="SANY0059"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/gargoyle-challange-6571386/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-17:/2009/07/17/show-and-tell-and-heres-how-you-do-it-6532387/Benjamy2009-07-17T11:58:41+02:002009-07-17T11:58:41+02:00 <p>I read a small article today in “the Metro” it made me smile; it was just a small article about Demi Moore and a comment she made on Twitter, But the subject that caused her to Twit… it was a reference to a teacher by the name of Crystal Defanti in California USA who gave her pupils a DVD of school memories to mark the end of the year, it apparently contained a six second snippet of her pleasuring herself…. My thoughts the same a Demi’s “show and tell was never that interesting when I was at school” there again the battle axe by the name of Miss Armstrong would have put everyone of sex for life and scared so many young minds ….. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/17/show-and-tell-and-heres-how-you-do-it-6532387/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/12-noon-6478193/Benjamy2009-07-09T12:22:33+02:002009-07-09T12:22:33+02:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/12noon/3669442" title="12noon"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/442/3669442_8edb280847_m.jpg" alt="12noon"></a></p> <p>well heres my 12 noon shot hot of the press today </p> <p>location : Tower Bridge London<br> what was I Thinking: well i was justabout to go to Starbucks and thinking mmmmm mozzarella and sundried tomato panini and a tall Latte.</p> <p>im a simple creature and Kapok brains dont hold much information, a bit like the fish dorothy in finding Nemo.... errr what was that again?</p> <p>Soundtrack: police sirens and tour bus comentary blasting out from Towerbridge road and that bloody van alrm constantly going off</p> <p>sodding noisy place london </p> <p>well thats 12 gone onto the next challange.. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/12-noon-6478193/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/pen-friends-6477768/Benjamy2009-07-09T11:03:06+02:002009-07-09T11:03:06+02:00 <p>Pen Friends; now there is something that seems to have faded into the past, in this Tele-communication & Data-communication based world where we Blog, Twitter, Facebook, my space, you tube, Instant messenger, chat and text; all from those little boxes in our pockets. If not those we get online on our lap tops, notebooks, Pcs and palms etc etc. are there still such things as “Pen Friends”?</p> <p>Does anyone out there still actually write a letter to anyone other than for business or official reasons? Well I got to thinking about this, in a ponderous moment; well one tinged with a bit of delving into the past. You see its like this: I am trying to learn Spanish (have been for quite some time) I speak a little (not as much as I would like or should) but I do understand more (although unfortunately not in the dialect I need), anyway, I started remembering back to my days at the comprehensive and learning French, each of us was given a name of a French counterpart and told to write a letter. The idea being that as our written French improved we would write in French , and the reverse for our counterparts in France. My counterpart Jacques became a Pen Friend and we wrote regularly; general discussions about likes dislikes etc etc but we wrote and I learnt a lot that way, and still can write and speak a bit (lack of use over many many years does tend to loose the knack). The pen friendship lapsed as time rolled on and the 11 year old became the 15 year old at work and no longer in school and finally by 16 the letters no longer exchanged. A bit sad really on reflection.</p> <p>Anyway snapping back to the present, what I really need is a Pen Friend a Spanish Pen Friend to stop me blogging inane rubbish and assist in my quest to be truly bi-lingual …</p> <p>And Just because I would like to rekindle the excitement of receiving a letter that is not a bill, circular, postal spam or readers digest offer, or marketing from some obscure company I actually brought a memory stick or something trivial from (oops I was heading for a postal rant there) and sit down and read and learn …</p> <p>So the search begins …</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/pen-friends-6477768/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-07:/2009/07/07/evoking-memories-6465246/Benjamy2009-07-07T13:00:22+02:002009-07-07T13:00:22+02:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/the_ruin/3663611" title="the ruin"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/611/3663611_f60de6c0b0_m.jpg" alt="the ruin"></a></p> <p>I came across this ruin, whilst walking in the hills and campos around my village, it evoked a few daydreams and thoughts of its possible history. And coming across the jpeg again this morning it reminded me of another ruin. so I thought mmm I feel a blog post coming on .</p> <p>The ruin obviously has a history and the valley it lies within has a history, some of the stories we have heard whilst sitting in the bars around town and some we found out by talking to the local historians (ex-pats who know everything about the village etc etc ) maybe in a future post I will weave a blog story around this ruin and what II have learnt of the history of the village. But, for know, I will jump back to the thoughts it provoked this morning…</p> <p>And back way back, in the seventies on a cold Thursday night; just leaving my college I passed a small record shop, dodging in out of the rain, I began to flip through the LPs whilst listening to the tracks playing in the shop. There an album caught my eye; it looked like the old wall-papered wall of a derelict building with an old picture hanging upon it, no title no name just a picture, open it out and you could see it was indeed the wall of a ruined cottage. Inside a poster style drawing of an old man atop a hill holding a lantern, and far below a young man climbs the hill. (now I know that Eggbod will have the name of the album by now) eagerly I purchased the album and left the shop, just as he closed. </p> <p>The journey back from Sparkbrook to my home in Alum Rock was by the number Eight Bus (the inner circle)and the wait seemed endless until the buss arrived. There on the back seat of the top deck of the number eight; I withdrew the album and read the lyrics to the song on one side and viewed the cover, scrutinising every inch. I swung by Chrissos on the way back and chatted briefly arranging for him to come and listen later.</p> <p>Chrisso and I went to the Outdoor and obtained supplies then back to my house to listen, drink and smoke. As the room filled with smoke and we listened in the dim light of the room whilst the rain thundered down out side I heard track after track that would stay with me for the rest of my life, four outstanding tracks I have heard covered over and over, and my love affair with the band continues to this day. There is a track that when you get there you will Know. However, my thoughts go to the final track as I also have the original version on the same memory stick I saw the Jpeg on so tonight I will listen to the original and the re-work by the ultimate band. </p> <p>I'll name that tune in ?....... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/07/evoking-memories-6465246/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-03:/2009/07/03/just-where-did-the-word-come-from-6443223/Benjamy2009-07-03T16:46:21+02:002009-07-03T16:46:21+02:00 <p>part of a brief discussion/ overheard conversation </p> <p>so for your merriment i pose the same question </p> <p>where did the word FUCK come from?</p> <p>when did it first become offensive?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/03/just-where-did-the-word-come-from-6443223/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-03:/2009/07/03/snippets-of-life-6441754/Benjamy2009-07-03T11:58:19+02:002009-07-03T11:58:19+02:00 <p>Just pondering on just how much the mobile phone has become such a big part of peoples lives; how nearly every single person has one and how the use of telecommunications has changed. </p> <p>Remembering back to my teenage years and how, to make a call I had to go to the telephone box on the corner of Ludlow Road and Alderson Road (we did not have a telephone in the house; as was the case with a greater proportion of the homes around that area) the phone box actually was quite a meeting point; where we could actually call the few mates with phones to arrange the next meeting point. My how things have moved on as I sat there i the car calling ahead (hands free on voice dialling) to say I would be about ten minutes late in !!! and as walking from the car to work noticing the amount of people walking and talking. I actually found myself wondering, just what was everyone talking about, so I listened as I followed or walked along aside heading to the office and of the five snippets of conversation I heard five snippets of life.</p> <p>One .. a trip to Brighton apparently leaving a t 5:ish should be in the room by 8</p> <p>Two .. johns coming round… 7ish….get a few cans …. You know what he likes</p> <p>Three … I don’t care…you shouldn’t have said that …</p> <p>Four …. Mom said she will have the kids…yes please….seven…okay </p> <p>Five … can you get me the number….its along here somewhere…say again… sorry the lines bad here</p> <p>Its like people watching only with a element of being a snoop. Wondering what the other side of the conversation is and what the entire subject matter was..</p> <p>Voyeuristic ? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/03/snippets-of-life-6441754/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-07-01:/2009/07/01/for-the-blogship-oh-what-a-beautifull-day-post-6429950/Benjamy2009-07-01T10:12:09+02:002009-07-01T10:12:09+02:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sany0075/3646270" title="SANY0075"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/270/3646270_987292e4e0_m.jpg" alt="SANY0075"></a></p> <p>Why did i choose this picture?</p> <p>well the Gaudi dragon in Parc Guell, Barcelona, Spain, is a work of art in its own right, though generally covwered in tourists having a picture taken etc etc, it does represent to me some beautifull architecture and the philosophy of Anton Gaudi, the parc originally intended as a housing area (though only two were ever built) the thought behind this piece and the rest of the areas of the parc is beautiful , the parc , beautifull and i have wonderfull memories of my self and Benjamina on a beautifull day .... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/07/01/for-the-blogship-oh-what-a-beautifull-day-post-6429950/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-30:/2009/06/30/tuesday-12-00-just-behind-oxford-street-6426327/Benjamy2009-06-30T17:12:22+02:002009-06-30T17:49:35+02:00 <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/201/3644201_1219d552dc_m.jpg" alt="SANY0001"></p> <p>well I said I would so I Did </p> <p>here we have one of many I have seen dotted around London and it just happened to be in my way as 12 noon approached ... so I took the picture and sat opposite for a while to take a moment and think about my surroundings; people watchings great, then just as I was musing on life and the state of undress of the ladies sashaying past the cafe i was sitting out side of, a work colleague walked past so i called her over and we talked work instead so </p> <p>Picture - as above<br> Location - just behind Oxford Street London<br> Thoughts - nice legs (no not refering to my colleague) quickly turning into hows your training going!</p> <p>and for Eggbod - the cafe was actually playing a track by Bebel Gilberto which i was quite enjoying ... from the Tanto Tiempo Remixed Album as i recall (I have it just cant recall the track title )</p> <p>Now did anyone rise to the Challenge?? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/30/tuesday-12-00-just-behind-oxford-street-6426327/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-30:/2009/06/30/i-challenge-you-all-6424163/Benjamy2009-06-30T09:28:39+02:002009-06-30T09:28:39+02:00 <p>Our world, our daily journey, our time at work, play, etc etc etc ; we go about this in a matter of fact way, but do we stop to take a moment and take in the surroundings?</p> <p>Not to long ago following a post by Usky, I stopped and took a picture, and put up a post. BDA took the time to post pictures from around her. Today in the Metro as I went about my journey in, there was an article, a review of a theatre production. A line caught my eye, can’t remember exactly but it was along the lines of we do not notice the world around us.</p> <p>So Today I’m going to pay a bit more attention and at midday (give or take a second or two) take a picture and take the time to think about and take in my surroundings.</p> <p>So here is a challenge to the few readers and possible blog droppers who happen upon my little slice of ether. <strong>At 12 noon today Take a picture (or just take a moment) and do a post about that few seconds of your day .</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/30/i-challenge-you-all-6424163/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-30:/2009/06/30/love-the-morning-sun-6423973/Benjamy2009-06-30T08:48:31+02:002009-06-30T08:48:31+02:00 <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/156/3643156_9dd30fa450_m.jpg" alt="tedzzzzzz"></p> <p>nowt better than lying in bed as the sun rises and dawn turns into day; that slightly sleepy time where there are no worries and every day is new and a fresh challange... so what shal we do today ??? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/30/love-the-morning-sun-6423973/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-25:/2009/06/25/junes-almost-out-6389592/Benjamy2009-06-25T17:44:47+02:002009-06-25T17:44:47+02:00 <p>Its been a reflective month, many memories sparked by the simplest of things, and just as im coming to the last weekend , i get an email from a old school chum, upshot, School re-union..... now thats interesting </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/25/junes-almost-out-6389592/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-25:/2009/06/25/yea-though-i-float-through-the-seas-of-the-dead-6387083/Benjamy2009-06-25T12:16:58+02:002009-06-25T12:16:58+02:00 <p>As part of a journey over the weekend, Benjamy junior junior and I spent 26 hours on a ferry crossing. Perhaps a little respite to the driving and chance to relax during the drive.</p> <p>The ferry was well appointed with café, restaurant ,cafeteria, piano bar, shops , etc etc; in-fact, a mini cruise ship with on board entertainment. Well, okay so its not mine or Benj jr jr’s sort of thing, in fact I t got worse as groups of certain holiday makers/travellers displayed to their very best, the ”Brits Abroad” attributes and proceeded to get drunk and drunker and drunker…. Que the dodgy dancing flirting, arguments, etc etc, well its their want; and everyone should enjoy life to the full. So we escaped to the serene world of the piano bar …mmmmm lets see throw into the mix</p> <p>One very bad cabaret artiste with very bad and unfunny jokes whose style it was to stop halfway through a song , crack a joke, and launch back into vocally murdering a tune.</p> <p>The escapologist and assistant who obviously hated each other , also another I really want to be a comedian so ill crack a few unfunny jokes.</p> <p>Mine host and assistant who were well just Dire</p> <p>The band !! well man at key board and lady “vocalist”</p> <p>So we did what comes naturally and found the quietest corner and drank a few beers and a few JD’s and retired to the cabin to sleep as long as possible for the remainder of the journey.</p> <p>Though at one point we took a walk around the decks and a thought struck me as I looked around at a dark black sea against dark black sky no visible stars due to the light pollution of this solitary object churning a line of froth behind it as it travelled from darkness into darkness…. And I thought there’s no escape; absolutely no escape; here I am plucked from my life and deposited in what to me is Hell.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/25/yea-though-i-float-through-the-seas-of-the-dead-6387083/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-17:/2009/06/17/think-someone-should-have-done-thier-research-6322337/Benjamy2009-06-17T09:23:38+02:002009-06-17T09:23:38+02:00 <p>The meoorie evoked and subject of last post was in part due to the Metro, the paper had a mock front cover dated back to 1985 to promote the new show on TV calle the Take or something like that and the fake news items included a brief item on Live Aid ...unfortunaltye its a month ahead of the actual event that year.</p> <p>if your going to pretend to be from that year , month and day , at least get the items right, though i am raking my brains now thinking of the main items in the news on that day ....anyone remember???? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/17/think-someone-should-have-done-thier-research-6322337/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-17:/2009/06/17/a-bit-previous-but-hey-6322312/Benjamy2009-06-17T09:18:38+02:002009-06-17T09:24:48+02:00 <p>It truly has been a reflective month so far. Many small triggers setting a flurry of memories in progress, to be honest, its not taken much to set me of down memory lane. Perhaps its because this time last year my eldest; Benjamy junior, was over from New Zealand with his fiancée for the months and we went off grid to see the new homestead (he had not seen the place before) and for my youngest son Benjamy Junior junior’s birthday. And also we were preparing for moving the remnants of our life’s in a van over to the rental place in the off grid home (he’s still there). So it’s a bit of a reflective month for me anyway… what with me having an impending Birthday soon as well (no that’s not a plug) anyway; background info over. Now let me transport you all back in time to 13th July 1985 (thanks metro and the over the top advertising for a new TV show I’m not likely to watch)</p> <p>What a Saturday that was not just because of this never before event and all the hype, but for the atmosphere that invaded all walks of life and everything anyone did that day (well certainly in my neck of the woods) I was a self employed contractor at the time, and the event coincided with a rare weekend off for me, so the day began with a slow wake up and as a remember a nice lye in with Thex, up to make breakfast and on went the TV (I used to watch more back then); background really and it kept the kids amused as they dashed around generally causing mayhem.</p> <p>Then on the TV and radio simultaneously as I remember was good old Francis Rossi and The Qou Live Aid; had begun .. </p> <p>It was a glorious day and as we went about the day there was some fantastic music and you could feel the atmosphere. Later in the afternoon some friends came round and one thing led to another and pretty soon a Barbie is on the go and a party began; friends and their kids with the background of this event, radio on , TV, as was every TV and radio in the street! One big Party, one big spontaneous party happening in the gardens and homes of my street and into the houses to join the American leg after the UK finale…</p> <p>Yes it was a day to remember.</p> <p>SO, WHAT DID YOU DO ON THAT DAY?? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/17/a-bit-previous-but-hey-6322312/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-11:/2009/06/11/whos-next-6282959/Benjamy2009-06-11T12:33:32+02:002009-06-11T12:33:32+02:00 <p>Okely dokely its all Eggbods fault. She put me in this frame of mind.</p> <p>Music and bands have been quite a part of my life as my tastes and interests developed there was always a theme or an anthem of sorts that was there in the background, a concert to match a memorable moment, one I posted earlier the Sensational Alex Harvey Band 1973. there are many more along the way<br> Black Sabbath when Ozzy first left and then re-joined and walking out of a pretty dire concert … the Pat Travers Band where the support act Van Halen were far better…etc etc . well Eggbod set me off with a reference to “Alright Now” which set me going to Paul Rodgers, then to the Firm with Jimmy page and so on then, I remembered the Rock Family tree thing and found this site so had a little play over coffee</p> <p>Go on give it a go </p> <p><a href="http://www.bandtoband.com/">http://www.bandtoband.com/</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/11/whos-next-6282959/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-11:/2009/06/11/oh-bouy-6282357/Benjamy2009-06-11T11:18:37+02:002009-06-11T11:18:37+02:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sany0083/3586580" title="SANY0083"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/580/3586580_9b369698a0_m.jpg" alt="SANY0083"></a></p> <p>just remembering, not so far back in time as my previous post, but working through my pictures i came across this ... </p> <p>anyone know where it is? (usky style question) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/11/oh-bouy-6282357/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-11:/2009/06/11/what-a-year-6282089/Benjamy2009-06-11T10:30:35+02:002009-06-11T10:30:35+02:00 <p>1973 Birmingham Odeon and Vambo Roools </p> <p>a throng of black and white stripped tee shirts torn levis with red hankies hanging out of pockets curly wild hair and headband/scarf’s ; all bouncing in unison and chanting as one “VAMBO VAMBO VAMBO VAMBO” on stage the man in the original style sprays a mock wall with VAMBO ROOLS. Yes it’s the man and they are The Sensational Alex Harvey Band..</p> <p>it was a hell of a concert a high energy show that left you buzzing and wanting more, as the mass left and for the remainder of the night in the rock clubs around town there were sporadic chants of VAMBO VAMBO every one on a high.</p> <p>Now ive been to some pretty bloody fantastic concerts but this particular one remains in memory as one that lingered; not just in my memory but around Brum, in the clubs and pubs there was a SAHB effect, more Black and White stripped shirts must have been sold that week than in the whole of the year. It would be quite some time before the band hit the top of the charts with a cover “Delilah” which was such a pee take classic. But for me there are three songs that always bring back the memories.</p> <p>The first SAHB I heard –NEXT</p> <p><a href="http://www.kovideo.net/lyrics/s/Sensational-Alex-Harvey-Band/Next.html">http://www.kovideo.net/lyrics/s/Sensational-Alex-Harvey-Band/Next.html</a> </p> <p>From a later album - Faithhealer </p> <p><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Faith-Healer">http://www.last.fm/music/Faith-Healer</a> </p> <p>And the song played by Alan “Fluff” Freeman as he announced the death of Alex Harvey on his Saturday show – Anthem</p> <p><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/The+Sensational+Alex+Harvey+Band/_/Anthem">http://www.last.fm/music/The+Sensational+Alex+Harvey+Band/_/Anthem</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/11/what-a-year-6282089/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-10:/2009/06/10/will-it-ever-stop-6274819/Benjamy2009-06-10T09:13:04+02:002009-06-10T09:13:04+02:00 <p> The changes, the progression, the regression, the side ways jumps, the learning, the forgetting and at the risk of repeating all the start over again....</p> <p>sheeesh it must be a reflective memory recalling month...at the risk of becoming and advert WAZZZZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP </p> <p>was reviewing my CV for work, needed to provide a client to show full experience etc, and I actually re-read it rather than just update and send.</p> <p>Its in the recalling all the changes and a chart of a career, spanning leaving school at 15 with no qualifications and a desire to - get laid, have fun, listen to music, drink, smoke and be a grown up (well that’s we thought would happen at the time-all with no consequences; after all it was the seventies) well things don’t quite turn out that simple (things have consequences) not just the career changes but the social changes that fill the chart. major events</p> <p>marriage<br> children<br> redundancy<br> self employment<br> the last crash/recession<br> back to employment<br> back to school (well tech college)<br> divorce</p> <p>to name just a few ....</p> <p>Then the moves bed-sit, flat, house, house, flat, homeless (well not really homeless it’s just off grid)</p> <p>Well life is definitely a rollercoaster, its been a hell off a ride so far, but bloody hell looks like it’s a fantastic loop the loop ahead…..</p> <p>And to be honest its all just an excuse to sing along to Frankie </p> <p><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Frank+Sinatra/_/My+Way">http://www.last.fm/music/Frank+Sinatra/_/My+Way</a> </p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/10/will-it-ever-stop-6274819/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-05:/2009/06/05/so-reliant-on-it-6242647/Benjamy2009-06-05T15:11:54+02:002009-06-05T15:11:54+02:00 <p>As i sit here in the office able to play on the internet and while away the hours doing bugga all, but unadle to access the files on the intranet and central server, rendering what i have to do totaly impossible, you just have to realise how reliant we are on these networked servers and laugh at how much it can cause a company to grind to a halt...</p> <p>about 20% of the staff here can actually do something</p> <p>no files<br> no printers<br> no faxes<br> no telephones (all thropugh the particular server system.</p> <p>but internet lol </p> <p>i feel an early visit to the pub coming on ..... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/05/so-reliant-on-it-6242647/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-04:/2009/06/04/one-of-those-days-6234908/Benjamy2009-06-04T09:16:48+02:002009-06-04T09:16:48+02:00 <p>Today is one of those days, fo some reason i've been i a reflective mood all week, but especially this morning.</p> <p>I supose thinking back to the carefree days of at the end of school and the start of work during quite a free thinking period back in the seventies. I left school, to the anthem from Alice Cooper... Schools out.. the music was wonderfully experimental, with album long tracks and even in the case of Yes tripple album long tracks. there was a certain Joy in buying and album and relishing the cover art and contents, and the listening was an event. friends would come round the album would go on and we would listen; interupted only by the banging on the wall from either (A) parents in next room (<img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"> nieghbours; as the music got that bit loud.</p> <p>Yes listening was an event, as was socialising with your friends, a drink, a smoke, a toke and chat. yes chat! we actually used to talk about the music and the album. </p> <p>today; i sat on the train listening to two youngsters who would be about the age I was talking about music.</p> <p>spotty 1 "great tracks man"<br> spotty 2 "whozit"<br> spotty 1 "Spirit spider; Downloaded last night"<br> Spotty 2 "i tunes?"<br> spotty 1 "yeah"<br> Spotty 2 " I will give a t go tonight then"</p> <p>and the vision of these two spotties siting alone in thier respective rooms plugged into a pc downloading music with out ever getting to feel the anticipation of an album release and queing to obtain the prize on the realease day; walking back with the beautifull cellophane wrapped piece of 12" by 12" art work, organising a listening with a group of friends ( no call on mobile ;we actually knocked on doors and spoke face to face; shock horror sometimes even to parents to leave a message!!) then some hours later taking this wonderfull piece of vinyl out of a pristine inner sleeve sometimes with additonal pictures , words, placing the vinyl on a turntable and listening, reading the cover, admiring the art, passing on to friends...</p> <p>I brought a CD for Benjamy Junior junior yesterday even that had a little bit more excitment, I visited a HMV, not ordered of Amazon. iut was a new release, it was a band i had not heard of before. and yes the above meories came flooding back this morning.</p> <p>I think we had the better deal. meories todays Spotties may never encounter </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/04/one-of-those-days-6234908/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:benjamy.blog.co.uk,2009-06-02:/2009/06/02/gong-6221480/Benjamy2009-06-02T14:57:31+02:002009-06-02T14:58:29+02:00 <p>Certain things trigger memories - Fact (well especially for me)<br> items, keepsakes, momentos, songs, pictures, etc etc all can spark a memorie as per my earlier post (theancient picture) a trigger starts many memories, in this case style and fashion</p> <p>lets see in past incarnations in my formative years ive worn</p> <p>the denim uniform (piccie)<br> Loons and split nee Loons<br> Kharman Ghia baggy pants<br> baggy pants with patch pockets<br> Oxford Bags<br> bleached shrink fit Levis with red braces<br> trutex and Ben sherman button down collar shirts<br> Crombie with red hankie in top pocket</p> <p>the list endless and indicative of the times in the seventies</p> <p>hell i even had the ground hugging trench coat levis and white pump combination topped of with extra long doctor who scarf...</p> <p>but we form our style and generally stick with it (well i did)</p> <p>but i did recall following a comment from Usky A particular outfit - Bright canary yellow hipster Loons, cheesecloth shirt; extra baggy generally left undone to expose the numerous sets of Love beads many many rings including the cheap puzzle rings that turned your fingers green. and with all that the memory of nights out at Bogarts in Birmingham and a particular night when we went to see Gong and Hatfield and the north play the Town Hall wearing the above said enseble finished of with the Afghan Coat, it was quite a night and im remembering now the music and the company of the friends i was out with and laughing quite heavilly remebering thier out fits?</p> <p>Happiness (Andy)- satin kimono top and white loons, sandals<br> Chrisso - split knee loons and blue satin shirt with peace symbol patch, clogs<br> Dougal (Adam) - Green Satin Loons, Indian style embroidered top with more love beads than you would believe possible and pumps</p> <p>and when all this was drifting through my memory i sudddenly realised we were all wearing Headbands to keep the hair out of our eyes as we "freaked out" to the cosmic sounds of Gong</p> <p>now where is that clip ...</p> <p><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Gong/Camembert+Electrique">http://www.last.fm/music/Gong/Camembert+Electrique</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://benjamy.blog.co.uk/2009/06/02/gong-6221480/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>