Day 186: Happy Birthday!

Today's soundtrack: Stevie Wonder - Hotter Than July

Son No 1 is 22 today, so a quick phone call to wish him a happy one - I couldn't get through to him initially, turns out he's been sitting (and passing!) literacy and numeracy tests as a precursor to an interview next week with the Civil Service. Good for him, at least one member of the Waring family is having some success on the job front!

I left him to ponder on his plans for the evening and turned my thoughts to the day's activities. However with a stone of tomatoes provided yesterday by the aged parents, I had some cooking to do - pay attention, recipe fans!

I'd already done a quick supermarket run first thing to pick up the other ingredients I wanted for today's recipe - a sweet pepper and tomato soup, basic recipe courtesy of the New Covent Garden soup company - included in their cook book, which Mrs W has kindly bought me at Christmas. The site's got plenty of recipes, but not this one - but no matter, this is how it breaks down:

Take six red peppers, cut in half and de-seed. Place cut side down on a baking tray (or probably two).

Skin your tomatoes by putting them in a bowl of boiling water for a minute or two. If you then pierce the skins with a knife, they will come away easily from the tomato. (Really - I had my doubts about this process but it does work like a dream).

Now the recipe calls for eight tomatoes, but I ignored that. Quite apart from the fact I had twenty-odd tomatoes to get rid of, eight tomatoes vs. six red peppers just didn't seem like the right ratio.

So all twenty-odd tomatoes went onto the baking trays with the peppers, cut in half with the cut side up, this time.

Splash of olive oil over the veg, spoonful of sugar too, salt and pepper. Oh, and a scant handful of fresh basil leaves and stems, chopped.

Stick in a hot oven (190 degrees C) for about an hour. Bits will go black but don't fret.

In the meantime, chop up an onion or two, a garlic clove or two, and fry gently in your big soup pot for about 15 mins. You want them to go soft, but not brown.

When your veg are roasted, throw the red (and black) gloopy mess on top of your onion/garlic mixture. Bring to the boil then take off the heat for a while. Whizz them up with your whizzy tool of choice into a smooth paste. Add a litre of vegetable stock (proper ready made stock please, not a couple of Vegetable Oxos) and stir thoroughly. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for a while and serve or freeze as you choose.

Some more fresh basil added at this stage would also be very nice.

Apparently you can serve this stuff cold, but really, it's crying out to be eaten hot, with lots of white crusty bread dipped in, isn't it?

There are very few people who really deserve the epithet of 'genius', but in my humble opinion, Stevie Wonder is one of the people who does. Almost twelve months ago to the day, I saw Stevie in Manchester. He was magnificent, as you would expect, despite a penchant for audience participation I could have done without. I came to hear you sing, Stevie, not 14,000 tone deaf Mancs!

Hotter Than July my be Stevie's last great album, coming off the back of a run of albums that just might be the greatest series of albums ever - from Music of my Mind through to Songs in the Key of Life. Hotter...is not quite up to that standard, but would be most other artist's best ever.

Master Blaster (Jammin') is the track the album is probably best known for, although every track is a winner really. However on my son's birthday, the only track I can really give you is 'Happy Birthday'. Credited with introducing a national holiday on Martin Luther King's birthday (and so not really that appropriate for a personal birthday celebration!) it is possibly one of the few songs that has actually had a real impact on the 'real' world.



But that's not all the Stevie you're getting today. I can't take the chance on 'Talking Book' coming up anytime soon on the soundtrack, so here's a bit of 'Superstition' for you.

Not just any old Superstition though. Superstition played live on Sesame Street. I came across this on another blog (the excellent Dust on the Stylus) some time back, and can do no more than copy the original poster's comments before playing you the track...

"It's the song as we know it but with - is it possible? - even more funk. Then it goes into an uber-funky jam for two minutes, then a false ending. Then - you fucking what? - a minute of Stevie singing 'Sesame Street'! Over Superstition! Bear in mind that, ten years into a career of classics, the guy was only 22 or 23 here; he has the kudos, the track record, the long-term immersion in music that make it seem to be something he breathes. Set free from the bonds of this earth, he's adrift in funk heaven. At the same age 'young' pop stars like Noel Gallagher and Morten Harket were still years away from making their first records."

Go on - play it - all the way through. It is the funkiest seven minutes you'll have all year!

Day 185: Know Who You Are At Every Age

Today's soundtrack: Cocteau Twins - BBC Sessions

Sound advice indeed for the birthday boys today and tomorrow, from today's cover stars the Cocteau Twins, about whom more later.

Spent most of today out of the house, finishing off yesterday's chores - but being a good son, I spent the first part of the morning slaving over the breadmaker, making a loaf of bread for my mum.

Showing off, basically.

Then it was off out, first stop the Post Office to post Son No 1's birthday card and to - finally - get my Latitude pics sent down to Simon. Got there in the end mate! I have such a busy life at the moment, as you'll appreciate...

Then back to Bathers, to collect my new tyres. Now I'm not one of those people who insists on using small independents to the exclusion of major high street chains, but it is nice to be able to support a small, long established local business - especially when they do offer a great level of service. I turned up, tyres were there, two guys working together replaced both front tyres, checked pressures in the back tyres and I was sorted and on my way within fifteen minutes. Coupled with a decent price for the tyres - still not cheap, but less than I've paid elsewhere - and I'll be back there next time.

After the tyre service, it was off to my folks, to drop off my nephew's birthday present (a new England shirt) and my freshly baked loaf, still warm from the oven. Naturally my mum had to cut the loaf for lunchtime sandwiches (method in my madness, you see!) and I came away with a big bag of home grown tomatoes, ready to be turned into soup of some kind (recipe tomorrow, foodies!)

Then back home to see what havoc, if any, the cat had wrought. Thankfully, no corpses or indoor interlopers that I could see. I think he saves up his naughtiness for the weekend, when Mrs W is around. He's good as gold with me!

And so The Cocteaus on the soundtrack today. Another group that helps put the lie to the notion that the '80s were a barren period for good music. Wispy, ethereal, unintelligible, but ultimately incredibly beautiful music with layers of guitars and effects, topped with one of the most idiosyncratic (in a good way) voices in popular music.

Today is yet another of my BBC session albums, but the quality is as good as on any of their wonderful studio albums. Cocteau Twins produced many good sessions for the Beeb, on Peel of course, but also for David Jensen and Richard Skinner, and this album perfectly complements their even more polished studio work.

Where to start with the Cocteaus? Probably 'Heaven or Las Vegas' is their most accessible album, although 'Treasure' or 'Head Over Heels' might be the better albums. The compilation albums are good, but really their albums sit better as complete works for me.

Here's 'Heaven or Las Vegas' - absolutely beautiful. And no, I've not a clue what she's singing about. And I don't care either.

Day 184: Tyres are Knackered, Knackers are tired...

Today's soundtrack: Lou Reed - Coney Island Baby

So, any chance of a quiet day today? Well, yes and no. I had a few things to see to that would keep me out of the house today, but I had no Exploding Plastic Inevitable in the kitchen to deal with today, and The Hunter spent most of the day in sleeping, rather than hunting, mode.

Even genocidal killers need their beauty sleep.

So it was out early, to pick up a birthday present for my nephew and birthday cards for him and for Son No 1. Their birthdays are a day apart, a source of great consternation to my Son just before Nephew was born, as he did not want to share his birthday with anyone! Luckily fate intervened and their birthdays are a day apart. Which also makes them easy to remember.

Birthday stuff sorted, a quick dive into M&S to give Mrs W a few options for tonight's tea, and after a very quick (and free) turn around HMV, it was off to Rock Ferry to sort out a couple of tyres for the car. I've been putting this off for way too long, to the extent that I'm pretty well driving round on 'slicks' at the moment, which is highly naughty and getting more unsafe by the day. Finally grasped the nettle and, eschewing the big tyre chains, took the car to Bathers, an independent (and cheap) tyre company that's been in business (although God only knows how) since I was a small boy, and probably for many years prior to that as well. They had to order them in, but they'll be waiting for me tomorrow at eleven.

Called in on the ageing parents since I was in their neck of the woods, but they were out...what's that all about? Turns out they were in my neck of the woods, over in Warrington - but hey ho. I'll call in tomorrow when I pick the tyres up.

So back homewards, but not before stopping off at the pet store to pick up some flea stuff. The animal kingdom is taking its revenge on Pedro by infesting him with a bunch of tiny critters dedicated to eating him. Fine, but not when the same critters think they can take chunks out of Mrs W and me as well!

So - Frontline for the cat, spray for the furniture and upholstery and - when the Frontline has worn off - a flea collar (plus bell!) for the beast. Maybe the merry tinkle of the bell will alert the frankly sluggish local wildlife that they ought to get their skates on if they don't want me chasing them round the bedroom with a Tupperware box...

A welcome spot of Lou Reed to listen to today. Coney Island Baby was released in 1976, and showcases Lou in relatively mellow mood, in stark contrast to the album that precedes it, 'Metal Machine Music', a contractual obligation album consisting of an hour of feedback and white noise. Coney Island Baby is a far more listenable piece of work, although some might find it a bit lightweight compared to the likes of Transformer, Berlin and Street Hassle. And they'd be right, but there are a few gems buried in the album, not least the title track.

Here's a stunning live version of Coney Island Baby, probably from the mid '80s. Lou's tinkered a bit - a lot more about the 'glory of love' than 'playing football for the coach' but some lovely guitar work towards the end.

Day 183: What Have I Done To Deserve This?!

Today's soundtrack: Prince - Emancipation

So after last night's excesses, I was hoping for a nice, quiet morning to recover gently, before the double header of the Grand Prix and the Everton game.

Not a chance.

Just got myself settled, when I get the call that The Hunter has struck again, trotting past Mrs W in the kitchen with a mouse between his jaws. I finally cornered cat and prey in one of the bedrooms, where my efforts to separate the two were hamstrung by the bed itself, underneath which cat chose to base his feline activities. Eventually, after haring round the bed and crawling underneath it, I managed to grab the cat and persuade him to let go of the rodent, which I was then lucky enough to trap underneath the Tupperware box that doubles as a humane mouse trap.

Rodent saved and released into the wild, cat grounded (again), Paul ready to resume the recovery position.

Not a chance.

One look at Mrs W's face told me there was something else to deal with. Something quite bizarre - there's been some sort of 'explosion' in one of the food cupboards. Tentatively opening the cupboard (How had this happened? Was there some sort of angry beast in here - chased in by the cat? What?) I discovered a spray of tomato salsa - everywhere. It looked, I kid you not, like someone had opened the cupboard and projectile vomited over every available space.

They hadn't. Honest. I didn't drink that much ouzo last night.

After a quick forensic review of the crime scene, this is what I think must have happened. Remember yesterday's barbecue? It was accompanied by a range of relishes, including a squeezy jar of salsa that we'd had for a while. It was the contents of this jar that had emptied itself over the cupboard - unaided by human or animal. I can only assume that the contents of the jar were 'on the turn' and had started to ferment in some way - leading to a build-up in pressure that had relieved itself by forcing the lid of the jar open and spraying the contents over the cupboard. Is this feasible? Has this ever happened to anyone else?

It's either that or we've got a poltergeist.

So, cupboard and contents cleaned and rearranged, I could now sit down and relax, no?

No.

Mrs W had retreated to the garden whilst the spring clean was under way, where she had discovered the remains of the squirrel who'd tangled with Pedro yesterday. Pedro (or maybe some other creature of the garden) had kindly dragged the stiffening beast up onto the lawn for us to find.

And for Paul to dispose of.

So, on with the gardening gloves, a couple of plastic bags, and Sammy Squirrel was given a rather undignified incarceration, leaving only the question of which recycling bin was designed for squirrels (no, he did not get a Christian burial I'm afraid). He ended up in the green one, largely on the basis that this was the next to be collected.

Finally, I got to sit down. For five minutes, before cranking up the barbie for the remaining burgers and sausages, not consumed last night.

Then it was time for the Grand Prix. An interesting race, the frontrunners risking a two stop strategy when a one-stop seemed to be the preferred option for most teams. And the one-stop proved to be the right one, with the two Brawns making the pace as the pitstop strategies unfolded. Hamilton, on pole and on a two-stop, pushed the two Brawns hard - too hard in the end, spinning off on the final lap. With the Red Bulls nowhere, the only twist comes with the finishing order, a resurgent Barrichello likely to push Button all the way to the end of the season.

And so to the football. We've struggled year after year at Craven Cottage, but a victory lat year had hopefully laid that bogie to rest. And that seemed to be the likely outcome after a first half in which Tim Cahill had given us the lead and we'd never looked under any real pressure.

Second half though, the gameplan unravelled as Fulham came out of the traps the stronger. After a very fortunate deflection they were level, and eventually took all three points following a fine goal from Damien Duff. Git.

We nearly forced an equaliser, but never really looked like we were going to come back into the game, resorting to hoofball at the death. So three defeats out of four, rooted in the bottom three and struggling.

But not panicking. Just yet. Despite a bit of knee-jerking on the forums and message lists, I'm not convinced we're actually playing that badly now - the season is still there to be turned round, although Moyes could do with blooding some of the new boys to freshen things up a bit, I feel.

Final crank of the barbie this evening to finish off the meat (some nice rump steaks and lamb noisettes) with salad, before the early evening chill sent us indoors to watch the end of Series 6 of The Shield (just one more to go), and finally to bed.

And, finally, some peace and quiet.

Oh, some Prince on the soundtrack today, although not Prince at his most inspiring, I'm afraid. Emancipation is a three-CD set, released by Prince at the end of his 'Slave' phase (hence 'Emancipation' - you see what he did there?)

Freed from record company control, Prince chucked everything he had lying around onto this three hour set, turning what could have been a half decent single album into a bit of a sprawling mess. That said, even indifferent Prince has plenty to recommend it. This album is partially saved by a couple of decent tracks, including two excellent covers. This is the old Stylistics number, 'Betcha By Golly Wow' and (cheesy video notwithstanding) it's ace. Enjoy.

Day 182: Barbie Girl (and Boy!)

Today's soundtrack: The Waterboys - This is the Sea

Ouzo.

I blame the Ouzo.

A long day today, but hugely enjoyable too. For once, the sun shone at the weekend so we decided to go ahead with the plans for a mini-barbecue in the early evening. Mrs W was up early to get the final few essentials - bread buns, spring onions for the salad - and lemonade for the Pimms!

While she was out, I knocked up a quick loaf for our brunch - BLTs on fresh squidgy white bread. Yum!

Mrs W then chased the sun round the garden, while I made a start on cleaning up the tiles salvaged from the bathroom. In the meantime Pedro launched a campaign of shock and awe on the neighbourhood's wildlife. Firstly, he managed to catch another small vole and disappear down the banks with it before we could catch it. This, however, was a mere appetiser for his piece de resistance.

I was indoors, updating this thing. Mrs W was outdoors, iPod on, eyes closed. Completely oblivious to the carnage happening but a few feet away. Pedro had - somehow - caught a squirrel and was busy going medieval on its ass. Now, to be fair, the squirrels in our garden are a cheeky bunch and have systematically taunted all our cats over the years, always escaping by the skin of their teeth.

But not today. Pedro got one back for the felines. Sadly, this state of affairs could not be tolerated by the grownups, so we chased cat and squirrel around the garden for a while and finally got them separated. Cat grounded, squirrel cowering under the ivy and ultimately disappearing under its own steam.

So no barbecued squirrel today, just some burgers, sausages and chicken. Happily the barbecue was in pretty clean shape, so it was just a case of chucking the charcoal on, getting it alight and cooking the food.

But first the Pimms. One big jug, sliced fruit and cucumber, loads of ice, Pimms and lemonade. The bottle suggests a ratio of 1 part Pimms to three of lemonade. Yeah right. Ours might have been a tad stronger, I suspect.

Slipped down nicely, neither of us feeling any pain.

That is, until I decided to fiddle with the flames. Now let this be a warning to you. Just because a lump of charcoal is sat away from the growing fire, and looks black and cold, do not assume said lump is capable of being picked up by hand and placed on top of the pyre. I did, and I have the blisters to prove it.

Ouch.

But anyway, food was delicious, as was the wine we drank while we were cooking and eating. The shadows lengthened, so it was back indoors for a spot of TV and a drop of Ouzo. At which point it all gets a bit blurry, as I settled down in front of the computer, headphones on, listening to Beatles and typing the rubbish you can see below. At some point Mrs W came down from the bedroom to complain about my singing, and later - much later - I turned off and crawled into bed.

But the Ouzo was to blame, not me.

The Waterboys were, briefly, one of the Next Big Things in the '80s. This is The Sea was their third album, and the last of their 'Big Music' phase, before they got all rootsy and raggle taggle with Fisherman's Blues.

'The Whole of the Moon' was the Big Track on the album, and it sounds as good now as it did then.

Day 181 and a half: The Beatles...

Today's soundtrack: Everything from Please Please Me up to Let It Be

With the reissue this week of all The Beatles' albums in mono and stereo, I've taken the opportunity to re-listen to the music I grew up with, listening to not only the new versions of the classic albums, but also the 1987 CD versions and the original vinyl LPs.

I have come to a clear conclusion.

The Beatles are the greatest band ever.

No debate about this, it is self-evident. They are so far ahead of the competition as to be untouchable.

My earliest memories centre around The Beatles. She Loves You. The best pop single - ever. Closely followed by 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'.

Was that enough? Oh no. We soon had the Liverpool medley of Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. The best two tracks to be combined on one single ever? Oh, I think so.

Whatever they did, whatever album they released, it raised the bar. The Stones, The Beach Boys - great bands - but all they could do was follow, not lead. There was only one band to follow - one Beatles.

The new releases - yes, they are fine. But they do not change the fact that the original songs are perfect, whatever the remastering or platform they are released on. The youth of today may choose to revisit the Beatles' legacy by pressing coloured buttons on a plastic toy - but at the end of the day...it's the fucking Beatles, isn't it?

One example. 'For No One'.

Buried on Revolver, overshadowed at the time by Eleanor Rigby, Here, There and Everywhere, And Your Bird Can Sing (another example of a song that would have been any other band's "best song ever").

But despite its lack of profile, one of the most beautiful love songs ever released?

Oh yes.

Their throwaway songs would be better than the best songs their contemporaries could aspire to.

I love all sorts of music - you can see that from the stuff that hits the soundtrack to this blog - but, ultimately - nothing touches the Fabs.

As I type - Macca is singing 'Got To Get You Into My Life'. It gets no better.

The Beatles - probably - prove the existence of a God. If they do, it's a God I choose to believe in.

Day 181: Drive on

Today's soundtrack: Pet Shop Boys - Very

Today was spent out front, finishing off the driveway cleaning. A job that took most of the day, having unfortunately underestimated the halfway point yesterday. It's actually quite therapeutic - at least the 'washing' bit is...the 'shovelling up the crap' bit is just backbreaking!

Still, by about half three, the bulk of the work was done, all the dirt that had wedged itself in the cracks had been dislodged, swept up and redistributed in the flower beds (I've convinced myself it's really fertile stuff - we'll see about that) and I was showered and freshened, a significant amount of the dirt had found its way beneath my clothes somehow, as well as lodging itself in my hair and beneath my fingernails - ugh!

With the promise of good weather continuing across the weekend, I'd persuaded Mrs W that this might be the opportunity to crank up the barbie. Not that she took a great deal of persuading. So it was off to the farm shop to get some essentials - burgers, beef, lamb and salad - to go with the marinaded chicken that's been lurking in the freezer for a goodly while. Oh, and to pick up a few bottle of wine as well.

I really ought to check out the barbie itself - I've a horrible feeling there may still be some cremated ribs lurking on the grill from last time we cranked it up...over twelve months ago...

Then back home to put my feet up after my day of hard labour - until my services were required in the kitchen! A nice spag bol tonight, rich of sauce and piquant with herbiness. Eaten whilst watching The Killing Room on Sky, in the absence of any really rubbish films on DVD to watch.

Petties on the soundtrack again, with what is probably their strongest album. It is, quite literally, Very Pet Shop Boys!

I seem to remember buying my copy in Dublin, or maybe Cork, on one of my work trips over there. In any event, I got the album in its rather posh orange 'dimple pack' livery, which I'd like to think is some kind of rare 'special edition' but which is no doubt as common as muck.

Whatever. The Petties really hit their stride with this album. Go West was the big single, but the other singles off the album - 'Can You Forgive Her' and 'I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing' - are archetypal PSB.

Here's the video for 'Can You Forgive Her?' - nice headwear chaps!

Day 180: Drive, She Said

Today's soundtrack: David Bowie - Bowie at the Beeb

Actually, she didn't, but why let the truth get in the way of a convoluted song-title-based pun?

Having started to re-tile the bathroom, in true male fashion I have chosen to leave that job unfinished and start another one. To wit, the cleaning/de-weeding of the driveway at the front of the house. We've got one of those brick-laid drives, which look great when clean and well-maintained, but which look a mess when they get dirty and clogged with grass, moss and weeds.

Guess what ours looks like?

And it looks even worse when the neighbours have just cleaned theirs up...

So suitably shamed, it was on the list of things to do. And with the sudden onset of decent weather for a few days, I thought best do the drive while the sun was shining and save the tiling for the rainy days that will surely return soon.

So it was on with the wellies, out with the pressure washer, and away we went. I actually really enjoy half of this job - the pressure washing itself, blasting away at the moss and leaves, and sending a mucky river of sludge down the driveway, pristine bricks behind me. Unfortunately this sludge has got to be disposed of somehow - and it's wet, heavy and smelly.

Anyway, half the drive was successfully cleaned today, leaving the other half for tomorrow.

Oh, the convoluted song-title based pun? Surprisingly, I've two completely separate songs with the title 'Drive, She Said' - one by John Cooper Clarke, the other by Julian Cope. Unsurprisingly, neither refer to the singers' spouses ordering them to scrub the pathway...

So not much else to report today. While I was out breaking my back in the name of good neighbourliness, I was downloading the latest version of iTunes, which was launched with great fanfare by Apple the previous day. No major changes, other than an interesting 'Genius Mix' feature that analyses your music collection and prepares 'mix tapes' based upon specific music types. I suspect a few teething problems, since it gave me a 'Female Singer/Songwriter Mix' that was based upon 'Crowded House, Edwyn Collins, Scouting For Girls and others'.

Mrs W returned home in a nice Lexus tonight - her boss is changing his company car and she's got the use of his old car for a week or so. Very nice it is too, albeit with a tiny boot, and not something she ought to be getting used to any time soon! Not that I'm jealous or anything!

She brought home a couple of Salmon steaks, which I baked in the oven in foil parcels - I marinated the salmon in some sesame oil and maple syrup, with some chopped garlic and seasoning, than baked in a hot oven for 20 minutes or so. Served the salmon on a bed of fried brown rice, combined with a melange of stirfried vegetables.

Oh yes.

The Dame on the soundtrack today. Is this for the first time? Can't remember him coming up before. Bowie at the Beeb is, unsurprisingly, a compilation of songs recorded in session for the BBC, mainly from his pre-Ziggy period, with a 'bonus' disc recorded for the Beeb in 2000. I've quite a selection of BBC session discs, and by and large the quality is pretty high. I'd particularly recommend the Zeppelin sessions, the Hendrix sessions and, naturally, The Beatles at the Beeb as well.

Bowie is on the cover of this month's edition of Word as well, which turned up today. To be read in the garden this weekend when the sun is shining, bottle of cider on the go, cat at my feet!

And here's the Dame on the Beeb - actually on the Whistle Test back in 1972, in his satin and tat!

Day 179: Chips Ahoy!

Today's soundtrack: The Hold Steady - Live at Lollapalooza 2006

Chips ahoy in the bathroom today, as I started my re-tiling project. Today was about taking off the ill-fitting tiles, salvaging as many as I could for re-tiling, and preparing the underlying wall ready for re-tiling.

I don't know who did the original tiling, whether it was the original builders (my guess) or people who owned the house before us, but whoever, it was a botch job even I would have been ashamed of. One section of tiles had bowed out away from the wall, creating a ridge above the sink that was looking more and more unstable. My solution - to take out all the unstable tiles and to re-tile, using as many of the original tiles as could, avoiding the need to find matching tiles somewhere. Inevitably some of the tiles were going to break in the removal process (although not as many as I thought would, I managed to salvage most of the tiles I took off) so the plan is to put up some mirror tiles above the washbasin, to replace the frankly cheap looking mirror that's been hanging there since we moved in.

My main concern was the state of the wall underneath the tiles. Re-tiling I can cope with - levelling and replastering a sagging wall is a step too far for me. Happily, the wall underneath looks sound, flat and dry - it is just the tiles that are (were) a mess.

Having got the tiles off - I needed to remove around thirty tiles in total - I got the sander ready. I've got one of these Black and Decker Quattro things, which really is the ultimate boy's toy - drill, saw, screwdriver and sander all in one bright orange battery-driven thing. On with the sander attachment and the next thing, I'm whipping up a dust storm in the bathroom. I'm still staggered (and secretly quite proud) just how much mess I managed to make! Of course, I forgot to take all the stuff off the bathroom shelves before starting, so everything got completely covered in the plaster dust (including me - any one would have thought I had grey hair...).

Having got the wall into a satisfactorily flat, loose plaster-free state, it was time to get the Dyson out. Happily the beast coped admirably with all the dust, tile chips and general detritus I'd created and I'm now ready for Phase Two of Project Retile - cleaning up the 'saved' tiles, removing all traces of old grout and adhesive before sticking them back up again. Oh, and trimming the tiles where necessary so they actually fit on the wall this time!

Note the quality of the shower rail, by the way...

However, we've a couple of days of nice weather forecast, so Projects Mow The Lawn and Clean The Driveway might have to take precedence...

Next, it was on with the breadmaker to make the dough for tonight's pizzas, to be consumed whilst watching the England game. I'm not quite sure why, but it's become customary to eat pizza when watching football on the telly at Waring Towers.

Not that I'm complaining, you understand.

And bugger me if England don't do a demolition job on Croatia. It would be tempting to assume this was because Croatia were awful - and they were - but I have to say that England went about their business efficiently and effectively. Robert Green played well in goal (when he had to), Aaron Lennon made the right side of midfield his own, Gerrard and Lampard proved they can play together if they re told what to do and are disciplined enough to do it, The Boy buzzed around and Barry held it together in front of the defence. If I was being picky, I would point out that Emile still couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo, and Glen Johnson is a decent winger but a crap full back - but you can't argue with 5-1 and a place at the World Cup with two games to spare.

Of course all the commentators and media are beginning to talk up our chances of winning the whole thing, thereby putting the pressure onto the team that will ultimately be self-defeating - although you do feel that Capello is less bothered with what the media think, or demand, than any of his predecessors. And that might just be the difference this time.

Hark at me. I'm doing it now.

I make no apologies for The Hold Steady coming up on the soundtrack again - I love this band. This album is an eMusic download that I think is unavailable elsewhere, a live performance recorded in between Separation Sunday and Boys and Girls in America. And it's as sloppy, shambolic - and uplifting and joyous - as any other Hold Steady performance. You must see this band live - they will change your life. You will run away to Minneapolis, drink too much, get high too often and ultimately drown in the Mississippi River.

Probably. Don't say I didn't warn you though.

'Your Little Hoodrat Friend' is one of their best 'early' songs and ticks all the boxes - getting high, self-harm, unfulfilled sexual needs - and the obligatory mention of the Mississippi.

And as Craig says - "Damn right I'll rise again!"

Day 178: Grin and Bear it, Paul...

Today's soundtrack: Elton John - Madman Across The Water

Jobcentre day today, signing on augmented by an 'interview' with a consultant to check that I'm doing all I can to get a job. This is my second such interview, and means that I've been on the job hunt for just about six months now.

Six months! Where has the time gone?

Anyway. As always, the Jobcentre staff have treated me with the utmost courtesy and respect, but it's a painful process. There's never been any suggestion that I'm doing anything less than I ought to on the job hunt, but there are certain things they have to push my way to 'encourage' me to get a job. This time, there was some (quite useful, actually) information on becoming self-employed, and some (probably counterproductive) financial 'inducements' I can offer to potential employers to persuade them to employ me. Five hundred quid up front if they offer me a job! Another five hundred quid if I actually stay in the job!! A contribution to any LSC retraining costs they may incur in training me up to do the job!

I know it's easy to be flippant, but we all know that five hundred quid from the Jobcentre is not going to swing any job decision at my level my way. And to be fair, they know that as well. But they have to follow the rules and offer it to me. Fair enough, I suppose.

One thing rankles, though. One of the other 'opportunities' offered to me today was a workshop, to advise me on the quality of my CV and my interview technique. Which, of course, I have agreed to undertake. Whilst it's presented as optional, I suspect I would have to have a pretty good reason not to accept. And you never know, there may be stuff I'm missing, that could help.

But that's not the issue. My interviewer called the agency running the workshop to arrange my attendance, and referred to me as one of her 'customers'.

Sorry love - whatever I am, I'm not your 'customer'. You're not selling anything, and I'm sure as hell not buying.

Now I'm sure it's terminology that all Jobcentre staff have been told they must use in referring to us doleys, but it's just wrong on so many levels. And it shouldn't annoy me - but it does.

Rant over.

Following the above shenanigans, I strolled over to Homebase and picked up some basic tiling kit, and a batch of mirror tiles for the bathroom. Now I've spent the money, I'm committed to doing some DIY - but not today, I feel.

More adventures with the pussycat today - rescuing the bird he dragged into the house today. Thankfully this one was sparrow- rather than pigeon-sized, making it easier to separate cat from bird and to free the bird.

Catching the bird was made a lot easier by its apparent deadness, although when I took it outside it perked up suddenly, and after a few seconds flew off of its own accord. Presumably it was only playing dead, hoping Pedro would lose interest and go.

A tricky one, this. Pedro goes out to play. If we leave the back door open, as often as not, he'll bring a bird or a rodent into the house. If we don't, he can't. But he tends to bring them in alive, meaning I've got a chance of catching the thing and releasing it, still alive. If he can't bring them in, then we don't see them, and they'll invariably end up dead. What's better?

A moral maze, that one.

A bit of Elton John today. Now most of you, when you think of Elton, will think of the 'flamboyant', hissy-fit queen, conspicuous overconsumption and over the top Vegas-style shows. Not the music, so much.

But there was a time when Elton was a very hip, credible performer, seen as a sort of English Randy Newman. And he produced a run of albums in the early Seventies that are worthy of anyone's attention, and are as good an example of piano-driven singer-songwriter material as anything produced by anyone in the last forty years of so. I'm talking about Madman Across The Water, Tumbleweed Connection, Honky Chateau in particular.

When Elton was good, he was very, very good. And this track is one of the best. The lead-off track on Madman, Tiny Dancer is just sublime. You may know it from the film 'Almost Famous', or from the Ben Folds version, but Elton's original performance is the best.

Day 177: Can We Fix It?

Today's soundtrack: Various Artists - Armageddon Soundtrack

Yes We Can!

A bit of bathroom handiwork required today, so I had to drag the toolbox out of the garage, dust the cobwebs of the electric drill and get my hands dirty.

We've a shower curtain around the bath that has been sagging more and more in recent weeks, to the extent that it's beginning to cause the tiling to crack. The rail has never been perfect, the layout of the bathroom means that the rail has to go through a 90 degree bend rather than being straight, and any engineer out there will appreciate that this makes the rail far more unstable than if it was simply a straight run from end to end. Add to this the fact that the tiling in the bathroom has been a bit of a botch job from day one, and we had a disaster waiting to happen.

So I took the rail off, shortened the 'long' run by a foot or so, reassembled and re-drilled. It looks now like I've got a more stable frame, with far less chance of the rail sagging or the tile loosening.

Which is good. What is not so good is the state of the rest of the tiling, particularly over the sink area. Looks like another project to undertake - no bad thing, while I'm sat here counting the days. Strip off the loose tiles, salvage what I can, replace any broken ones with some mirror tiles over the sink. Got to be worth a go.

Now I do have some previous on this - I have re-tiled a bathroom, many years ago - so I think a trip to Homebase tomorrow for a bit of research could well be in order.

Otherwise it was a pretty uneventful day today - Mrs W is back at work, the phone has been quiet and the jobsites are relatively bare. I did get a call from one of my contacts - the business case exercise I mentioned last week will most likely start coming through on Friday - but in the meantime there's not a lot more I can do than wait.

So straight on to today's soundtrack - the soundtrack album for the film 'Armageddon'. That's the one where Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck singlehandedly (doublehandedly?) save the world from a big eff-off asteroid that's about to bang into it. It's a while since I've seen it, but I think it involves landing some spacecraft on the asteroid and planting some explosives, after riding round on some big caterpillar track truck things they managed to get up there.

A load of old rubbish really, but at the same time hugely entertaining, in an over the top, dials turned up to eleven, brain candy sort of way. A lot like the soundtrack, which includes contributions from Bob Seger, Jon Bon Jovi, ZZ Top...and of course Aerosmith, who provide the album (and film) with its blockbuster track, 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing'.

Now the purist rock snob in me tells me I should hate this track, but there are times when an overblown rock ballad is just what you want - and as overblown rock ballads go, this is the daddy. I love the way Steve Tyler plays it completely straight - no knowing winks or asides to the camera. Not sure about the way Liv looks at her daddy at the end of the video though...!

Turn all your mental faculties down to zero and enjoy!

Day 176: The best opening line...ever?

Today's soundtrack: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Boatman's Call

I had to get up relatively early today, to complete the Red Cross Parcel for Son No 2. On with the breadmaker then, to make a loaf of white (mixed with a bit of brown flour, to get some roughage into him), to go along with the lasagne I cooked him last night. While that was baking, I printed off the six copies of his CV that he'd asked for, and did some gift wrapping for Mrs W, who was busy shaking her booty down at the gym. Or whatever it is she does down there.

Off then, to Huddersfield, with CVs and emergency rations. On the way over, I listened to some podcasts on my iPhone from The Interface. If you've got iTunes, search for it in the application store. Loads of sessions/interviews with loads of bands, some purely audio, but the majority now video podcasts. Obviously I stick to the audio in the car(!) Sets from the likes of The Gaslight Anthem, The Hold Steady, Noel Gallagher, Mew, Of Montreal and many more. And all completely free.

The Student House is still looking in remarkably good trim, no dirty dishes in the sink and clean, well-stocked fridges and cupboards. Mind you, term doesn't start for another couple of weeks. Give it time, it'll soon look like an episode of The Young Ones (with Son No 2 in the Vyvyan role, I should think - look it up, son!)

Took Son and girlfriend (his - not mine) out for some lunch in a local pub, just catching the tail end of the Sunday Lunch crowd. Nice lunch, and a very pleasant Sunday all round.

Back home, and a quick chat with Son No 1 on the phone. He's picked up some contract work between now and Christmas - factory work, and not at all what he wants to do long term, but it'll give him some cash and some experience that will stand him in good stead when it comes to finding the 'real' job. Grin and bear it son - it'll be worth it in the long run!

Some more Nick Cave on the soundtrack today. The Boatman's Call is Nick at his most mellow and contemplative, largely comprising piano ballads based around a brief but intense affair with Polly Harvey (of PJ Harvey fame). It's probably my favourite Bad Seeds album, although I understand Cave himself finds it a bit too personal - which it certainly is.

Oh, and that opening line....

"I don't believe in an interventionist God"

How cool is that? Doesn't it just make you want to know what comes next - where can such an opening line take you?

Happily, it gets better.

I don't believe in an interventionist God
But I know, darling, that you do
But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him
Not to intervene when it came to you
Not to touch a hair on your head
To leave you as you are
And if He felt He had to direct you
Then direct you into my arms

Isn't that beautiful?

And so's this performance of the song - just Nick and his piano.

Day 175: Hope You Like My New Direction!

Today's soundtrack: Scritti Politti - Songs to Remember

So - you like the new look? 175 days in, and I got bored. Plain blue is just soooo yesterday, darlings, and spots are where it's at in the brave new blogosphere. Unfortunately now I've started to tinker, the layout will probably change on at least a weekly basis, until I get fed up and revert to the original look.

But for now at least, you've got spots.

Up early today to man the kitchen, churning out rashers of bacon and the odd sausage for our overnight visitors, before they headed back off to Birmingham for the inevitable post-holiday decline. That's the only thing about holidays - you have to come home.

Oh, in all the excitement, I forgot to tell you all about my latest baking experiment...I made brioche the other day - very yummy it was (and still is) too! Baked like a normal loaf, but with four times the butter, and eggs and milk making up the liquid content rather than water, it is as sweet and rich as it sounds. As much cake as bread, it's not a loaf you'd eat with ham and cheese and I can't imagine it toasted, but simply spread with a thin smear of butter it was delicious! A special occasion loaf, I think.

International weekend for the football, so no club matches in the big divisions. I had to get my fix by watching the England friendly. Slovenia the opponents, presumably to prepare the team for the 'real' game on Wednesday against Croatia. And a strange game it was too, some bizarre refereeing and some even more bizarre defending.

If Robert Green is the answer, then the question can only be 'Can we find a keeper even more eccentric than David James?' What possessed him, in the first few minutes of the match, to catch a ball two yards outside his penalty area? And what were the officials doing, that they missed it?

They spotted the England penalty though. It now appear penalties are given to the attacking side if you fall over whilst trying to break a defender's ankle. A boon to our attackers, but a bit of a pisser for the poor defender!

So 1-0 at half time due to a spawny penalty. Lead doubled after the break by Jermaine Defoe, scoring quite a cute goal after coming off the bench. He's now scored hatfuls in the last few internationals,all after coming on as a second half substitute. Cue inevitable calls from the 'experts' for him to start up front in the next game. Now I may be missing something here, but the common thread in all his recent England goals is that he scored them all after coming off the bench in the second half. Now this tells me that he is probably most effective as an impact player, coming on fresh when defences are beginning to flag, rather than as a starting forward.

But what do I know, eh?

Oh, and Slovenia sneaked a soft goal right at the end due to some awful England defending. From two defenders, one who cost £17m, the other £24m. Best defender in the country? He wasn't even the best defender at Everton. Not that I'm bitter. Oh no.

I watched the footy whist cooking tonight's lasagne. Or rather, whilst cooking two lasagnes. One of the perils of this blog is that it actually gets read on occasion. On this occasion by Son No 2, who spotted yesterday my intention to cook lasagne tonight. So I get a text from him - "if you're making lasagne can you make one without mushrooms and bring it over with you tomorrow?" Cheeky sod. I'm already printing off a load of copies of his cv to take over for him, and he's also asked me to bake him a loaf of bread as well!

Got me on the soft.

Nice to be typing this with a bit of Scritti Politti in the background. Originally a bunch of squat-dwelling Situationists with cod-philosophical posturing to the fore, they evolved into one of the most melodic and enjoyable bands to come out of the late 70's. 'Songs to Remember' is their first album, and contains their breakthrough single, The "Sweetest Girl". (The quotation marks, often ignored when quoting the song title, were deliberate - supposedly to make the title 'ironic'.) Not your typical soppy love song, the lyrics include the lines:

"Politics is pride too
Vagaries of science
She left because she understood
The value of defiance"

No, I don't really know what it means either - but it's not your usual moon/June stuff, is it? Best not to overanalyse - just listen:

Day 174: Don't Call Me Shirley!

Today's soundtrack: Joe Walsh - The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get

Supermarket Sweep this morning, picking up all the bits and pieces needed to get us through the weekend, before Mrs W's return to work. Nothing too fancy required, we're on Mexican tonight, with a big fat lasagne planned for Saturday. No supermarket meat though, it was off to Coward's in Frodsham for some decent mince for both tonight's chilli and the lasagne. Good lean mince, reduced rate for buying five pounds, all bagged up in individual pound bags (oh yes, good old imperial measurements as well!) - and oh, a couple of their pork pies fell into my bag as well!

Quiet on the job front - I checked on progress following last week's interview with the recruitment consultant...nothing to worry about - internal machinations taking place so it will be next week before we hear what the plans might be for second interviews - so watch this space!

So yes, a bit of a Mexican feast tonight, chilli served in taco shells alongside a big bowl of Nachos. Nachos involved the best part of a big bag of tortilla chips, layered with some of the chilli, grated cheese, sliced red and green chillies and topped with salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Oh yes indeed. Messy as hell, but so tasty!

Settled down to watch a crappy Saturday film, but tonight's film was too crappy, even for us! So we gave up after an enforced break for me to rescue another vole/shrew (successfully!) that Pedro managed to bring in and take upstairs into the bedroom. A quick flick through the Sky schedules, and we ended up watching Airplane! for the nth time, laughing at all the jokes we'd laughed at hundreds of time before, and being annoyed by the camp air traffic controller yet again - the one character that really jars with the flow of the rest of the film.

Stayed up late to welcome back our holidaymaking friends, who were flying into Manchester this evening. Intensely jealous of them, all tanned and happy, but our turn will come...oh, and there was a bottle of Ouzo in it for Paul as well!

Now I like Ouzo, but there have been occasions in the past where I've liked it just a little too much, if you get my meaning. So moderation will have to be my watchword this time I feel...

A real blast from the past on the soundtrack today! '...Smoker...' dates from 1973, not long after Joe Walsh went solo from The James Gang, but well before he joined The Eagles. It's dated a fair bit, but 'Rocky Mountain Way' is still a hell of a good rock track, especially if you can get past the talk box bit in the middle. Rifftastic stuff!

I like Joe Walsh. Even when he became an Eagle, he seemed to retain both a self-awareness about the ridiculousness of it all and a strong sense of humour, while the other Eagles became more and more po-faced and aloof from the masses. Plus he's a hell of a guitarist!

Here's Rocky Mountain Way performed with The Eagles a few years later, in 1977, in Houston, I should think, from the changed vocals....

Day 173: We 'Sing' for our supper (well, lunch, actually)...

Today's soundtrack: The High Llamas - Gideon Gaye

Up and out early today, to take Mrs W shopping. The Trafford Centre again - I'm becoming a regular! It was another filthy day though, and we didn't want to be stuck at home indoors, so a bit of indoor shopping seemed in order.

Once we got to the Trafford Centre, we split up. Luckily for me, Mrs W is not the sort of woman who expects me to trail round after her while she goes clothes shopping, looking and acting like a spare part and nodding non-committally when she asks me what I think about this dress or that pair of shoes. Of course she knows that I'd be as much use as a chocolate fireguard anyway.

"That's nice, dear. No, your bum doesn't look big in that at all. If you like it, you buy it."

So we went our separate ways, meeting up later for some chuck. I was given a project though - Mrs W had decided that we needed some steak knives, so I had to find some. That gave me the opportunity to wander over to the new 'home' bit of the centre, on the far side of the road but connected by an ornate walkway to the main shopping centre. And I managed to find some - cheap and cheerful (it's not like we have steak every night) and not a million miles off being a match for the rest of our daily cutlery (not that we have the silver set in the big box 'for best', you understand).

Then it was off to the 'boy' shops to pick up a couple of cheap dvds (no cds - music shopping has become almost exclusively an on-line process now). The shops are all gearing up for the launch of The Beatles' 'Rock Band' game (and not for the reissue of the remastered cds, interestingly - the game has a higher profile than the 'real' music it's based upon, seemingly).


The 'Rock Band'/Guitar Hero' thing has passed me by a bit - I'm aware of what it is and how it works, but it strikes me as a bit of a shame that kids would prefer to press buttons on a plastic guitar rather than plucking strings on a real one. I'll admit I've been tempted to explore further, but if I'm going to learn the bass lines to 'Day Tripper' I'd rather do it on my *real* bass than on a plastic copy.

Mind you, the 'Rock Band' drum kits look like they could be fun...not sure about the singing bits though!

Anyway, come lunchtime and we met up just outside the food court. Mrs W was hankering for some Chinese food, and the Trafford Centre is well served, by an outlet of the famous Manchester Chinese Restaurant, the Yang Sing. The Yang Sing is widely regarded to be one of the best Chinese Restaurants in the country - certainly I've never had a bad meal there. So how was the shopping centre experience? Well it was pretty damn fine, actually. We had a range of lunchtime options to choose from, eventually going for the ten quid-ish option, which included a dim sum platter and a decent choice of 'mains' served with fried rice.

Oh, it was goood - and great value for money too. Neither of us could finish our meals (which, if you know Mrs W and myself, is not that common) and the quality was great.

Leaving me to pay the bill and lug around everything she'd bought thus far, Mrs W went off to finish her shopping. I meandered round for a while, then when she'd finished it was back home to feed the cat before he decided to gnaw his own paw off.

The High Llamas are an Irish band, formed out of the ashes of Microdisney. While Cathal Coughlan went on to form the acerbic (and quite wonderful) Fatima Mansions, Sean O'Hagan indulged his Brian Wilson obsession and formed The High Llamas. Gideon Gaye is their third album and is probably the best album The Beach Boys never recorded, full of sumptuous melodies and harmonies.

This is 'Giddy and Gay' from Gideon Gaye (do you see what they did there?) - enjoy!

Day 172: Of Mice and Men(sa)

Today's soundtrack: Modest Mouse - This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About

Up early for a meeting in Manchester with a firm of accountants about a potential role with them. This is my second meeting - the first took place on Day 96, when we talked about the possibility of something opening up post-September.

Well, the upshot of today's meeting is that something may well be available, subject to the submission and acceptance of a coherent business and personal case for my appointment. I agreed with my contact that, although there were no promises, it was definitely worth the two of us working together to produce and submit the case for the appointment, as it were. It will be a long, drawn out process - these things often are - but it's encouraging to know that, at the very least, there is a willingness in the firm for them to even consider such a submission.

Took the opportunity while in Manchester to get one of Mrs W's watches re-repaired - after changing the battery a fortnight ago, the new seal was too thick for the watch, causing the back to pop off. While that was being fixed, I picked up a few books from Waterstones - the pile of reading material is declining rapidly with my increased leisure time and I needed to stock up!

Back home for a late lunch, and out again in the evening with Mrs W for a meal - she treating me, this time. We went to Oswald's in Frodsham, above the Helter Skelter real ale pub, which is well worth a visit if you like your ale authentic, chewy and with bits of twigs in. I jest - in fact there's a good, cheap selection of well-kept beers in a single-bar pub with a really nice atmosphere.

The restaurant is upstairs, and is quiet and spacious. The food was really nice - especially my starter - Bury black pudding on a potato rosti with a creamy apple sauce. Delicious, if a touch filling. My main course of rolled sea bass with a lime and cabbage filling, with new potatoes and salad was also very good, but defeated me. By going early on a Wednesday evening, we also benefited from two special offers on the food and on the wine, so it was also a relatively cheap night out as well. Especially for me, since the wife was paying!

Modest Mouse on the soundtrack today - indie band from the Seattle area who became marginally famous a few years ago when Johnny Marr joined them for an album and some gigs, that included an excellent, if windswept, Glastonbury appearance in 2007.

This is a Long Drive... is their debut album, recorded back in 1996, well before Johnny sprinkled some jangly golddust on their music. Not the most immediate of albums, it does repay a bit of effort to get past the band's idiosyncrasies. They have a jerky, tense way of playing, and coupled with Isaac Brock's 'yelpy' singing style, are most reminiscent of early Talking Heads or Pere Ubu. Interestingly, the album was produced by Steve Wold, who also played with the band live and in the studio around this time. Steve Wold later became far better known as Seasick Steve, performing solo blues and generally making the world a finer place.

Here they are on Letterman, with Johnny Marr, performing 'Dashboard'.

Day 171: F5 Day!

Today's soundtrack: Various Artists - The Best Cuban Album in the World...Ever!

F5 Day? What on earth are you talking about, Paul?

F5 Day! Otherwise known as Transfer Deadline Day - a day largely spent (at home, or in the office) pressing the 'F5' key on my computer on a regular basis - 'F5' being the key that refreshes the current web page, which today is the web page that shows all the transfer gossip and deals as they happen.

Wasn't it obvious?

Of course, nowadays most websites dealing with rolling news like this update themselves, to save you the bother of the manual refresh, but that's not half as much fun. Pressing the F5 key helps give the illusion that you control this process, somehow.

So what did this last minute flurry of transfer activity actually achieve? Very little, actually. Everton ended up doing one of the few 'major' deals of the day, acquiring Johnny Heitinga from Athletico Madrid. Johnny, who is an evil looking mother, can play both centre back and full back, which gives us plenty of cover at the back following Sylvan Distin's arrival last week. We could have done with spending a bit more of the Lescott money, but sadly that was our lot for this transfer window.

I didn't actually spend all day sat in front of the computer breaking my F5 key all day, you'll be pleased to hear. Oh no. That would have been too sad by far. Anyway, Mrs W is off work and we needed to be doing some 'married couple' stuff.

No, not that sort of stuff, you potty-minded bunch. I took her out for lunch, to one of our local pubs, the Riverside Inn just outside Weaverham, which had been recommended to me a while ago, but somewhere I'd never got round to trying out. Not so Mrs W, who I found out had been there at least twice before with work colleagues. But it's in a nice location, on the riverside (Duh!) and with a decent menu...and with a 'two for one' deal on as well!

I know how to show a lass a good time...

And very nice it was too, although it got pretty busy as lunchtime progressed. But popular is good, if it was rubbish there'd have been no-one there!

It's another of those 'Best Album...Ever!' compilations today, this one devoted to the sounds of Cuba. I wouldn't say this was my favourite style of music, but when it's good, it's very good indeed. My appetite was whetted by the 'Buena Vista Social Club' album and film, when Ry Cooder journeyed to Cuba, re-discovering a group of senior citizens - ex singers and musicians who had not played or sung professionally for decades. The film is the story of them re-discovering their muse, eventually touring and performing at Carnegie Hall in New York. It's a heartwarming film and some of the music is sublime.

This compilation was no doubt released on the back of the Buena Vista Social Club, and while it's not a bad compilation, the standard is a bit variable.

'Chan Chan' is one of the tunes featured both on this compilation and on the BVSC album - here it is being performed by Ry Cooder and a number of the original BVSC members.

Day 170: (Thorn Tree) in the Garden

Today's soundtrack: Various Artists - North by Northwest

August Bank Holiday, and, naturally, the weather is a bit crap. Luckily it was dry this morning, so whilst Mrs W took herself off to the gym, I grasped the nettle - almost literally - and got out into the garden. Three main chores - some weeding and hoeing, some planting and some lawn repair.

We've got ace neighbours on both sides, and George (on the left) seems to have decided to take me under his wing on the gardening front. Over the last couple of weeks he's taken to giving me lots of little plants in flower pots, for me to stick out in the garden. He did tell me what they were called, but I've forgotten. But they are flowers, basically. Green leaves and (in some cases) little purple flowers. That's all I know and, to be honest, all I think I need to know.

So a bit of turning over - we've essentially got one long flower bed running next to the fence that tends to get a bit overgrown, so I broke up the soil with this twisty soil-breaker-upper thing I've got, pulled out all the grass and weeds and planted the flowers. And I have to say it's an improvement.

Next job - try and persuade the grass to grow in the area that used to be under Mrs W's bird table. Over time, all the excess seed fell from the table and sat, rotting, underneath, killing off the grass that was growing there. I've had a couple of goes at sorting this out, involving the digging out of a lot of old seed and putting grass seed down, but it's been reluctant to take. I'm hoping that with the passage of time, the old birdseed has mulched down sufficiently into a form of super-compost that the grass seed will feed lustily on. If this doesn't take, I think come next spring I might have to do some re-turfing, but I'd rather get it to grow if I could. So we currently have a patch of muddy earth under the kitchen window that I am hoping will turn over the next couple of weeks into a patch of green lushness.

Right on cue, the heavens opened, saving me the bother of watering in all this planty stuff myself, but condemning us to an afternoon indoors. I called the boys, and was pleased to hear that Son No 1 has been picking up some work, an after visiting his girlfriend at the end of this week, is going to be working on a contract up to Christmas, which will get some cash in his back pocket, if nothing else! Son No 2 is just about to come back up North as term starts at Uni soon. He's been doing some more blogging, this time about the Oasis split, and mighty fine it is too - you can read it here.

Other than that, a quiet day. Late on, listening to some tunes, I was taken with the resonance of Mr Pete Wylie's thoughts on the Blues, hence the 'bonus' post late on!

Pete Wylie, of course, was one of the leading lights in the Liverpool music renaissance of the late '70s, and appears (in one of his many 'Wah!' incarnations on today's soundtrack, which is a three-cd collection of the best music released in Liverpool and Manchester in the immediate aftermath of punk. Some 'famous' bands (OMD, Echo & the Bunnymen, Joy Division) some not so famous (Those Naughty Lumps, Dalek I Love You, Ludus) but all well worthy of a listen.

John Cooper Clarke is also included on the album, which gives me the excuse to post this track - Health Fanatic, from the film Urgh! A Music War: