It's become my 'thing' to quote lyrics or names of songs as my titles to my blog entries. The title of this one isn't a complete quote because, ironically (given the subject matter!) I don't know the actual quote. It's from a new song by Jet Heeled Striker which was played as part of tonights set at Hamptons in Southampton. Given that this is my third review of seeing them play, I guess I can now call it one of my 'things' - writing about how they were when I see them live. So here goes....
Tonights review is starting with me telling the truth about me and music. It's quite a sad admission (sad stupid, not sad upsetting) that when I hear music live that just feels right and touches something inside me in a way I can't really explain in words, I have what I can only describe as a chemical reaction to it that makes me cry. It's my belief that I cry because the music gets to me and for that space in time everything else falls away and it's like the music is in sync with my soul. The first time I remember it happening was when my parents first played me The Doors. I didn't love it instantly, I thought it was okay if not a bit loud and bangy - but I was only about 7 at the time. I did well up though and I felt an immenseness from it that I couldn't and can't explain. I do remember that day moment like it was yesterday though. Now, I'm not comparing Jet Heeled Striker to The Doors - as much as I love JHS, even I can't justify that comparison just yet. But tonight I did cry though. It was during a song which previously I've enjoyed but wouldn't class as one of my favourites, for that matter I don't even know it's name. It was a love song. Not a gushy blah blah love song, but one written for and about the disaffected Generation X that we are a part of. It was not a rock ballad, I can only describe it as being what it was. Which is one of the things I love about this band; they're not one thing or another, they're them.
Tonight I took with me two friends who are a little older than people I've previously gone with, and who are both well into their music. I was keen to know what their take on JHS was. On one of our many fag breaks of the evening, I voiced my concern to one of them that although I try to be objective about Jet Heeled Striker and how good their music is, that I can't ever really get that objectivity. She was very quick to assure me that they were indeed in her words "pretty awesome" and individual. She took a real shine to Generation X, and was more excited when she realised she could listen to it again on the way home on my i-pod! She then made me promise to take her along next time they were playing as she would love to see them again.
One of the things I've mentioned in both previous reviews is how cohesive they are as a unit. This really came through again tonight, they play like a band rather than five individuals who happen to be playing the same song. They are not dominated by one member more than the others, you can hear Adams beautiful voice clearly but he does not hog the lime light, there are plenty of times throughout when the deep pulse of the base guitar becomes the focal point, or some time is given to a drum solo. But it doesn't feel like it's a show-casing either, or an orchestration but together purely to make sure everyone is noticed. It is there because these guys are intelligent enough to create songs that they are all a part of. As I said, they're a band in the truest sense and it's working.
I'm ending this blog with a thank you: Thank you Jet Heeled Striker for making me cry. That's the best reaction I can give to music, and it comes totally from my soul.
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
I actually have about 3 things I want to write about, but instead, tonight, I am not going to write about any of them. I am going to write about my best friend instead.
I love her, she knows that, I love her enough to even go to Frankfurt and be holed up in a hotel room for 48 hours poorly and enjoy it! That's not what I'm writing about though. It struck me when sat in a very long, very cold, very boring line of frost bitten cars on the way to work this morning how totally proud of her I am. She's had a very busy and rather tough past twelve months in many ways and she's come out of it unscathed and as headstrong and positive as ever!
I was thinking about this because she's just taken on her bosses job at work - which is enough on it's own, but this she is doing this alongside planning her wedding which is in just 16 weeks and 4 days! On top of this, she finished her masters in November, as well as worrying about and supporting family through issues. Lesser people would have fallen way before now.
One of the most surprising things about her though is that she has no idea how strong she really is. She has more than one rather screwey friends (I am including me in that number!) who she is a constant life line and support too which is unwavering and immense. It takes a strong person to handle one such friend like me, but to support several takes a special person.
So given the stresses and pressures she's dealt with over the last twelve months from her friendship, masters, family, health, wedding and work - as well as the pressures she puts on herself anyway - I think I'm justified in saying I'm proud of her.
I love her, she knows that, I love her enough to even go to Frankfurt and be holed up in a hotel room for 48 hours poorly and enjoy it! That's not what I'm writing about though. It struck me when sat in a very long, very cold, very boring line of frost bitten cars on the way to work this morning how totally proud of her I am. She's had a very busy and rather tough past twelve months in many ways and she's come out of it unscathed and as headstrong and positive as ever!
I was thinking about this because she's just taken on her bosses job at work - which is enough on it's own, but this she is doing this alongside planning her wedding which is in just 16 weeks and 4 days! On top of this, she finished her masters in November, as well as worrying about and supporting family through issues. Lesser people would have fallen way before now.
One of the most surprising things about her though is that she has no idea how strong she really is. She has more than one rather screwey friends (I am including me in that number!) who she is a constant life line and support too which is unwavering and immense. It takes a strong person to handle one such friend like me, but to support several takes a special person.
So given the stresses and pressures she's dealt with over the last twelve months from her friendship, masters, family, health, wedding and work - as well as the pressures she puts on herself anyway - I think I'm justified in saying I'm proud of her.
This Is The Dawning Of The Age Of Aquarius
Aquarius
20 Jan-19 Feb
In ancient Rome the Aquarius was responsible for civic plumbing, for rich and poor alike - a role that fused practical and social engineering. Modern astrology likewise sees the Water Bearer as a dispenser of social and technological innovation - Aquarius is tied to the advent of human rights, television and the internet.
In 2009, Aquarians have the chance to exhibit their humanitarian qualities, their inventiveness and creativity (we'll pass over their stubborn refusal to listen to advice). The passage of Jupiter through one's skies is a 'lucky' omen - this is the planet of nobility and abundance - but its meeting with Neptune promises you inspiration on a grand scale. Moreover, this once in a lifetime event means you're tied into the collective zeitgeist of 2009.
1997 and 1985, your previous Jupiter years, may provide clues to your outlook in 2009, while anyone born in 1962 (a mega Aquarian year) looks in luck.
Barack Obama's phrase 'The audacity of hope' neatly sums up the meaning of Jupiter (boldness) and Neptune (idealism); indeed, the conjunction ties helpfully into Obama's own horoscope (a Leo with Aquarius prominent) and that of Sarah Palin (born 11 Feb 64), who shows that the glamorous touch of Neptune often comes tainted by scandal and bluff. Palin also illustrates that there's a thin line between Aquarius's readiness to march out of step and being what one aide termed 'a whack job'.
Whatever your agenda, the four months following the new Moon of 26 January are the time for boldness and vision. Travel, education and publishing (Jupiter's traditional associations) are all favoured, as are digital and internet ventures. As the image you project to the world tends to stick, scheme accordingly.
The tiny planetoid Chiron, also in residence in your skies, lends you a healing touch - good for the salving of old emotional wounds. The midsummer solstice signals a few months of consolidation for business and career affairs. The mechanics of work - office, studio - may need fine tuning, while the omens are strong for the flush of summer romance and croquet on velvet lawns.
With September set to be unobliging (and with a financial twist), you may like to postpone your push for world domination until October. Thereafter your energies find a ready response and long-term traction, a following wind that blows you through to the steadier climes of 2010.
From The Observer (thanks Jenn!)
20 Jan-19 Feb
In ancient Rome the Aquarius was responsible for civic plumbing, for rich and poor alike - a role that fused practical and social engineering. Modern astrology likewise sees the Water Bearer as a dispenser of social and technological innovation - Aquarius is tied to the advent of human rights, television and the internet.
In 2009, Aquarians have the chance to exhibit their humanitarian qualities, their inventiveness and creativity (we'll pass over their stubborn refusal to listen to advice). The passage of Jupiter through one's skies is a 'lucky' omen - this is the planet of nobility and abundance - but its meeting with Neptune promises you inspiration on a grand scale. Moreover, this once in a lifetime event means you're tied into the collective zeitgeist of 2009.
1997 and 1985, your previous Jupiter years, may provide clues to your outlook in 2009, while anyone born in 1962 (a mega Aquarian year) looks in luck.
Barack Obama's phrase 'The audacity of hope' neatly sums up the meaning of Jupiter (boldness) and Neptune (idealism); indeed, the conjunction ties helpfully into Obama's own horoscope (a Leo with Aquarius prominent) and that of Sarah Palin (born 11 Feb 64), who shows that the glamorous touch of Neptune often comes tainted by scandal and bluff. Palin also illustrates that there's a thin line between Aquarius's readiness to march out of step and being what one aide termed 'a whack job'.
Whatever your agenda, the four months following the new Moon of 26 January are the time for boldness and vision. Travel, education and publishing (Jupiter's traditional associations) are all favoured, as are digital and internet ventures. As the image you project to the world tends to stick, scheme accordingly.
The tiny planetoid Chiron, also in residence in your skies, lends you a healing touch - good for the salving of old emotional wounds. The midsummer solstice signals a few months of consolidation for business and career affairs. The mechanics of work - office, studio - may need fine tuning, while the omens are strong for the flush of summer romance and croquet on velvet lawns.
With September set to be unobliging (and with a financial twist), you may like to postpone your push for world domination until October. Thereafter your energies find a ready response and long-term traction, a following wind that blows you through to the steadier climes of 2010.
From The Observer (thanks Jenn!)
It's All Over But The Crying
This week has been pretty shit. That's it. That's all I have to say: it's been a shitty week.
For the sake though that this would make another very short blog if I didn't write anything more, I will expand on it. On Wednesday I found out that one of the young people who makes use of the youth advice drop in centre I work at has died. I wasn't particularly close to him although I had know him for a few years. It was such a shock though. You don't expect someone who is only 21 to die. Of all the young people I have feared for over the years, he was not one of them - I've worked with several young people who I have often left on a Wednesday evening not knowing if they would survive the week such is the fragility of their mental state. That brings me to another thing about this young lad passing away, I was glad it wasn't someone else - my first thought went to this other person and when I found out it was not him I was relieved. Then the guilt kicked in, how could I feel relieved that this poor lad had died? He certainly did not deserve to have his life cut so tragically short, especially when he wanted to live, he wanted a full life.
Then yesterday I found out that a man I've known pretty much all my life has died. He worked with my Dad, and when he retired he used to pack bags at Sainsbury's, so I used to bump into him a lot. He was a very cheery, genial man who always seemed to genuinely care about the answer to the question 'how are you?'. I will miss him.
This then brings me onto my Gran. Bless her (said through rather gritted teeth to be honest - I'm so angry with her). She's poorly, again. Over Christmas, again. She could have helped herself with his, again. I don't really know what exactly is going on with her, so I won't waffle on pointlessly. What I do know is that my aunt and uncle were very concerned about her last weekend, and her doctor is very worried about her too. He wants her to go to hospital and have an ECG with a view to the notion that she may well need a pacemaker fitted. I could see her living it up on an 18-30s holiday sooner than I can see her agreeing to going to hospital and having a pacemaker. She's so bloody stubborn though that she has only just begrudgingly agreed to letting the nurse visit and do some blood tests. Plus, she misconstrued Mums comment on the phone the other day and thinks we are fed up with her and don't want her to spend Christmas with her.
So that's why, in a nutshell, this week has been pretty shitty.
On the plus side, Carl is home from uni today, this is a very good thing!
For the sake though that this would make another very short blog if I didn't write anything more, I will expand on it. On Wednesday I found out that one of the young people who makes use of the youth advice drop in centre I work at has died. I wasn't particularly close to him although I had know him for a few years. It was such a shock though. You don't expect someone who is only 21 to die. Of all the young people I have feared for over the years, he was not one of them - I've worked with several young people who I have often left on a Wednesday evening not knowing if they would survive the week such is the fragility of their mental state. That brings me to another thing about this young lad passing away, I was glad it wasn't someone else - my first thought went to this other person and when I found out it was not him I was relieved. Then the guilt kicked in, how could I feel relieved that this poor lad had died? He certainly did not deserve to have his life cut so tragically short, especially when he wanted to live, he wanted a full life.
Then yesterday I found out that a man I've known pretty much all my life has died. He worked with my Dad, and when he retired he used to pack bags at Sainsbury's, so I used to bump into him a lot. He was a very cheery, genial man who always seemed to genuinely care about the answer to the question 'how are you?'. I will miss him.
This then brings me onto my Gran. Bless her (said through rather gritted teeth to be honest - I'm so angry with her). She's poorly, again. Over Christmas, again. She could have helped herself with his, again. I don't really know what exactly is going on with her, so I won't waffle on pointlessly. What I do know is that my aunt and uncle were very concerned about her last weekend, and her doctor is very worried about her too. He wants her to go to hospital and have an ECG with a view to the notion that she may well need a pacemaker fitted. I could see her living it up on an 18-30s holiday sooner than I can see her agreeing to going to hospital and having a pacemaker. She's so bloody stubborn though that she has only just begrudgingly agreed to letting the nurse visit and do some blood tests. Plus, she misconstrued Mums comment on the phone the other day and thinks we are fed up with her and don't want her to spend Christmas with her.
So that's why, in a nutshell, this week has been pretty shitty.
On the plus side, Carl is home from uni today, this is a very good thing!
I Only Love You For Your Saville Row Boxer Shorts
For some reason I really love this:
http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=303
http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=303
And you snatch your rattling last breaths, With deep-sea-diver sounds, And the flowers bloom, Like madness in the spring
I feel shitty tonight. Admittedly I have such a bad headache that I'm struggling to focus properly and feel sick, but that's not why I'm low. It's been over a year since I last cut. I've not gone that long since before I started down this path. Sometimes I can't believe I'm the same person, other times I don't think I'm any different at all.
I'm dreading Christmas, I'm trying to be up beat about it to chivvy my family along and to convince them that it will all be fine. Truth is, I wish I could pick up a bottle of vodka and drink myself through from now to January. That's getting me down. I don't know. I'm rambling and I'm grumpy. All I know for sure is that I've not felt an urge like I've felt today for some time. And that's scared me.
I'm dreading Christmas, I'm trying to be up beat about it to chivvy my family along and to convince them that it will all be fine. Truth is, I wish I could pick up a bottle of vodka and drink myself through from now to January. That's getting me down. I don't know. I'm rambling and I'm grumpy. All I know for sure is that I've not felt an urge like I've felt today for some time. And that's scared me.
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