Time flies when you’re having fun

You may have noticed a rather large gap in the entries on this website. Well it comes from laziness, lack of a computer and being a little bit busy over the last couple of months to get around to updating. Rest assured that the obligatory yearly enthusiasm will return come the autumn.

Well since getting back from South-East Asia, there was Glastonbury (an abridged review appears below but the rest of the weekend is a blur – a messy muddy blur) – I keep finding mud on items of clothing and boots and stuff.

Then there was the week post Glastonbury when we really had to find somewhere to live but things didnt really happen cos there weren’t really any nice places so a month was spent living in Jess’ house (thanx Jess!)… where much beer was drunk and dominoes were played outdoor in the warm evening air.

I started a new job at the University of Sheffield where it’s been a month and a half of learning lots of new stuff, settling back into a very nice 9-5, having lunch in the Interval and places down on West Street and negociating the steep hills by foot (OK) and bike (an absolute nightmare!). It takes 4 downhill minutes to get to work in the morning and a very sweaty and lung destroying 8 minutes back. Still it’s good exercise. I’ve only once resorted to watching Neighbours when I get home, it’s just not the same these days!…

There’ve been a few free festivals in Sheffield (Peace in the Park, Sharrow and the excellent Earl Jam – where I djed). All were a great success. Otherwise, been camping, raving and generally having a good time – I’d forgotten how much fun Sheffield is.

Now we’re in the house, up in Crookes. Its great 😉 Finally things are sorting themselves out. The wireless broadband is installed, the shower works(!) and the rabbit will soon return. It’s all good. Plus the “mixing room” is a little cosy music venue in the heart of Crookes where a host of famous DJs have graced the wheels of Steel. If you can find it you might like it. Capacity 10, no attitude, wear a hat.

Whats coming up? Notting Hill, Spanish and photography courses, some more DJig (tinnitus permitting) and maybe holidays in Eastern Europe and hopefully Japan. And much eating of cottage cheese and other healthy organic produce. More on that another time I think.

The summer hasnt been up to much but Sheffield is quality. You can get out to the Peaks in 15 minutes and have the mountains to yourself! Everyone should try it once.

Well thats it – watch this space as they say….

Glastonbury 2004

Now that the mud has dried, multiple loads of washing have been rinsed and my brain has returned to Planet Earth, it’s time for my Glastonbury review!

The night before we went to the Peaks for a pub meal and the weather was like mid-winter, gusting winds and non-existant visibility. I didn’t fancy spending a few days exposed to the elements.. 5 minutes was enough. Anyway as we pulled away from Sheffield at 6am on Thursday morning the rain was still beating down. As we headed south the blue skies came out.

As the Radio Glastonbury presenter warned us not to cook food inside our tents we meandered slowly through Street and Glastonbury before eventually hitting the car parks and our first view of some glastonbury “mud”… (not much though).. The site is huge and lugging lots of bags and rucksacks is not the easiest thing. Plus we decided to have some luxuries this year so travel pillows and a double airbed added to the weight – not forgetting the packs of lager and wine boxes.

We found a spot very near to last year and attempted to put the tents up. The wind was making life pretty difficult for us but I’m sure a dozen monkeys could erect my new tent. Who needs guyropes?

Thursday night seems a long time ago now but suffice to say we got very drunk and watched the England match along with 60 thousand others and felt a huge spectrum of emotions and liquids flying above our heads during the 120 minutes… The crowd was in a somber mood at the end… and my head hit the pillow soon after with sounds of drumming at the stone circle in the distance.

So the “real” festival doesn’t start until Friday, but as I’ve said many times it’s not just about the music – infact it’s probably not about the music much at all. Well ok.. a little bit. But you could live 100 different Glastonburys and never do the same thing.

Friday was a scorcher and there were some red foreheads and necks by the end of the day.

Here’s what I remember seeing anyway, although now it was nearly 2 months ago it seems a bit of a blur.

I Am Kloot
The Rapture
Franz Ferdinand
Goldfrapp
Lamb
Oasis

Saturday

Sister Sledge
Gwen Dickey’s Rose Royce
Lamb (special)
British Sea Power
Macca

Sunday

Zutons
When Worlds Collide
James Brown
Supergrass
Morrisey
Orbital