Whatever doesn't kill you, makes your stronger.

...so they say, but I think I should be entering the world strongest man competition. The above photo has absolutly nothing to do with this blog, I just found it amusing and thought i'd share it. Like sharing the love, but with photos.

Firstly, a great shock it was on Sunday to find out that local musician Dave Blackman had died. A well liked bloke who i'd have the opportunity to not only work with on numerous occasions but also to see live, a great stage presence and a pleasure to work with. At least he died doing what he loved. He will surely be missed by a large number of people, especially among the local music scene. RIP Dave.

It's very nice being back at Hospital Radio and entertaining the ill again. Something I have missed, not sure the listeners have, but I know I have. So if you're ever in the Conquest on a Sunday, have a listen, it might make you feel better....or worse, but we hope better.

It's 00:35 and i'm off to Edinburgh tomorrow, guess I should consider starting to pack, stupid me didn't put my washing in until 9pm, now i've got to wait for it to go through the Tumble Dryer too. Doh! Yes, Edinburgh Playhouse...back to the lovely Live Nation which is always a pleasure, no seriously it is...most of their venues are well looked after with excellent backstage facilities. Then off to New Brighton, which I frankly never even knew existed and even google maps had issues finding it, so that'll be an experience. And then into the lovely Derbyshire hills to the quaint town of Buxton. I think it will be a nice time away, and then return for my 19th on Monday. Yes I know, 19 years on this planet, one more year of my teens....

Gordon's Secret Identity

Gordon's been busy lately, no not seeing what other messes he can get this country into, but in fact commenting on Cristiano Ronaldo's £80m transfer to Real Madrid;

PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN

"He's one of the most brilliant players in the world. I think people will be sad that he's lost to the game in England.

"At the same time, I know Sir Alex Ferguson well, and I know he'll have plans that will be rebuilding and renewing his team. And I would expect that Manchester United and English football will emerge not weaker, but emerge in a new way and probably stronger in the long run".

Ah, it is great to know that despite the recession, Westminster being thrown into crisis, ructions in the Labour Party and a broken Britain, our Prime Minister is busy dealing with trivial football transfers. Do you think that maybe Gordon Brown wishes he could be Sir Alex Ferguson and be the boss of Manchester United, or maybe Sir Alex can just handle money better?

In other news, I've had a great week, went to the gym the other day and had a damn good workout which was followed by a swim and a chill out in the Jacuzzi. I was unbelievably relaxed, sort of made me feel better for the amount I pay Duncan Bannatyne each month to use his facilities. It's always nice to have a few days off when you've been working for so long, you enjoy them more. Lots to look forward to, the next year could be very interesting...who knows what I'll be doing this time next year, I guess that is the beauty of life. Talk about beauty, I'm in Plymouth tomorrow at the Pavilions, a very nice part of the country that I've never had the privilege of visiting so I am very much looking forward to it. That is then followed by Crawley, which isn't quite the same, been there before.

You only live once

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

Time to see the country...

I'm thinking about next year, and I plan to do a quick tour of the UK, set off in the car with my camping stuff with a basic itinerary. I just need suggestions now of places to go...Probably going to have about 10 days, maybe more. Be nice to see scenery and maybe smaller towns, don't really want to go into the whole inner city hustle and bustle. Just a relaxing driving and camping holiday seeing some of the UK's best bits. Suggestions wanted for places to visit.....

There really is a group for everything...

There seems to be a trend of "police" related topics on here at the moment. I've just come across this group on facebook of "who hates Hastings Police?", it comes under the "Politics" category but really should be in the "Utter Pointless" category.

Now, i'm not one for being the happiest of people with Sussex police lately but I still think they do an excellent job in Hastings, and Sussex. Not one person in this group has come up with a valid reason for hating sussex police, unfortunatly them locking your mate up for 4 years doesn't count. Here's a list of a few comments:

Anthony Tindall wrote
at 11:50 yesterday

hastings police hahaha u fuckin dickeds!! Beter luck next time !?! [||(",)||]

Ashleigh Carpenter wrote
at 23:42 on 29 May 2009

Hastings police r muggy c**ts haha

Chris Marsh wrote
at 00:16 on 27 May 2009

yes people good stuff keep it going

I happen to notice the excellent spelling and grammer of the first two comments. Anthony seems to be basically admitting to breaking the law, hopefully it will be better luck next time. Ashleigh seems to think Hastings Police are humid vaginas...whatever that is? I just thought i'd point out also that the creator of the group interests are: women, women with sexy boobs, laughing at people falling down stairs and get the polish out of england.

This country allows people their freedom of speech, and I for one think thats brilliant, but for heaven sake if you're going to have an argument, have a reason to back it up. Oh and the group also points out that Hastings Police are "skanky swine flu spreading scum bags", how that works out I have no idea. Unfortunatly another sign of a lack of respect for a person in authority in todays society.

Signs of the Times

Just been reading the news online and came across this story. Unfortunately, I have been on the end of such an incident so I don't think this is isolated to just Northamptonshire.

During the 12 months between April 2008 and last month, 11.7 per cent of all crimes reported - more than 7,000 in total - were judged not to be worth investigating and did not require police attendance

Surely the word "crime" would indicate that it is worth investigating. These "crimes" included burglary, robbery and drugs offences. I think this probably comes down to the large amount of Bureaucracy and paper work. More police officers back on the beat fighting crime, not more PCSOs, Yes they offer a visible presence and reassurance to the public but unfortunately anti social youths and other criminals know that they have no powers. We need the old fashioned community bobby on the streets fighting crime, that officer of the law that every kid in the area used to be scared of. But this cannot be done without targeting the routes of these issues.

Once again, let me encourage you to vote in the June 4th elections, the time has come for every citizen in this country to make a strong point to Gordon Brown and this Labour government that we've had enough, and it's time they let the public choose their government. Allow us to go out and bring new life into British Politics, which frankly at the moment is in the gutter because of this government. It's time the public had their say, and make your vote count on June 4th. Vote for Change, Vote Conservative.

Black Horse Bonanza

Currently sitting here, wearing my t-shirt, recovering from a great weekend out at Telham for this year's Black Horse Festival. Another great weekend, a truly great tribute to John Shotton, who is no longer with us but spent so much time on the festival. However, in his absence what a truly great job the current organisers did, with such a great turn out and a fantastic atmosphere every night on the trot.

There were so many bands, but among the best have to be Aynsley Lister, Achanak, Uiscedwr and of course Blair Mackichan and his band...who as always get the crowd pumping.

Another great festival, bring on 2010!