...where you just want it to end but it goes on forever. It's unbelievable how sucky our place can be sometimes. I'm pretty busy at the moment but there is definitely something missing!
There are jokes about piles of dirt starting to appear in the atrium but are they really jokes? It's a tower of cards and when one goes the whole lot will. Morale is not running through the misty heights at the moment, it's crawling along in the gutter.
Let's hope some people take note and try and make some changes otherwise (cue the music) there could be trouble ahead!
After work I scooted off to Eltham to spend the night with Toni. Jade popped round for dinner, Toni made spaghetti bolognaise and Jade made a lovely apple crumble (both gluten free) which was well received :o)
Shaun Of The Dead rounded off the evening quite nicely.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Busy doing nothing.....
..... again!
It was nice chilled weekend doing absolutely bugger all. Sometimes it's just nice to kick back and relax.
Lots of snuggling was involved and Toni and I watched the rest of Scrubs season 8, some Spaced, The Social Network and then had abortive attempts at watching Plan 9 From Outer Space and The Sorcerer's Apprentice but gave up on both.
It was nice chilled weekend doing absolutely bugger all. Sometimes it's just nice to kick back and relax.
Lots of snuggling was involved and Toni and I watched the rest of Scrubs season 8, some Spaced, The Social Network and then had abortive attempts at watching Plan 9 From Outer Space and The Sorcerer's Apprentice but gave up on both.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Last.FM listening post
Here's last week's top picks music lovers!
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Crap nights, The Social Network and busy days
Last night was a crap one!
I won't bore you with the gory details but I got hardly any sleep due to various ailments :o(
Ended up watching The Social Network as I couldn't sleep. Pretty good film even if the facts have been changed somewhat to protect the truth! Certainly worth a view.
Dragged my arse into work even though I felt terrible but thankfully the ailments from the night slowly drifted away so I could at least bury myself in the mass of work that I have to complete at the moment. It's all good though as I like getting stuck into meaningful tasks and despite feeling shattered I did feel like I am achieving things.
After work it was off to Eltham to see Toni, chicken soup and chilling before some lovely snuggles :o)
I won't bore you with the gory details but I got hardly any sleep due to various ailments :o(
Ended up watching The Social Network as I couldn't sleep. Pretty good film even if the facts have been changed somewhat to protect the truth! Certainly worth a view.
Dragged my arse into work even though I felt terrible but thankfully the ailments from the night slowly drifted away so I could at least bury myself in the mass of work that I have to complete at the moment. It's all good though as I like getting stuck into meaningful tasks and despite feeling shattered I did feel like I am achieving things.
After work it was off to Eltham to see Toni, chicken soup and chilling before some lovely snuggles :o)
Monday, 24 January 2011
Little Big Planet 2
Little Big Planet 2 arrived today. What can I say? Awesome doesn't really do it justice. A fantastic fun game has been made a million miles better, who'd have thought it could be possible. Stephen Fry's voice overs are genius as ever and the whole thing is purely magical. Sam and I put the first couple of levels to the test and had a real blast!
If you own a PS3 then it would be irresponsible of you not to go out and buy a copy. If you already own the first one then prepare to be blown away!
If you own a PS3 then it would be irresponsible of you not to go out and buy a copy. If you already own the first one then prepare to be blown away!
Sunday, 23 January 2011
A grumble at Race For Life
Some friends have organised a Race For Life participation at Regent's Park on World Goth Day. It's a goth bolt on to the official Race For Life event.
I was all geared up for this, even got Toni and Sophie on board to do it too only to find out that I can't actually participate as it is "women only". WTF is all I had to say to that.
Taken from the Race For Life website:
Q: Why is Race for Life for women only?
A: Race for Life is the only women-only event of its type organised by Cancer Research UK. We restrict entry to women due to the wishes of our participants. It is one of our most successful events because it is a unique opportunity for women to come together in a non-competitive and celebratory atmosphere.
So, do they poll ALL of their participants EVERY year to check their wishes or is this just some lame cop out to try and justify things? I would probably be more sympathetic to this stance if they were doing things in aid of breast cancer only but they aren't, they support Cancer Research UK.
Don't get me wrong, I think the work that they do is fantastic but I think this exclusion policy that they have sucks big time. I want to be involved, I want to run/walk it with all my gothic friends but I can't. I don't want to be involved by showing my support, I want in! They would raise a shed load more money if they didn't have such a silly policy.
Ho hum, grumble over now, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK LADIES!
I was all geared up for this, even got Toni and Sophie on board to do it too only to find out that I can't actually participate as it is "women only". WTF is all I had to say to that.
Taken from the Race For Life website:
Q: Why is Race for Life for women only?
A: Race for Life is the only women-only event of its type organised by Cancer Research UK. We restrict entry to women due to the wishes of our participants. It is one of our most successful events because it is a unique opportunity for women to come together in a non-competitive and celebratory atmosphere.
So, do they poll ALL of their participants EVERY year to check their wishes or is this just some lame cop out to try and justify things? I would probably be more sympathetic to this stance if they were doing things in aid of breast cancer only but they aren't, they support Cancer Research UK.
Don't get me wrong, I think the work that they do is fantastic but I think this exclusion policy that they have sucks big time. I want to be involved, I want to run/walk it with all my gothic friends but I can't. I don't want to be involved by showing my support, I want in! They would raise a shed load more money if they didn't have such a silly policy.
Ho hum, grumble over now, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK LADIES!
Friday, 21 January 2011
RIP The Gaff
It was with great sadness that I received the news today that The Gaff, a fine music venue in London, will be closing it's doors for good on Sunday. The Gaff was one of the best small venues in London and I have seen loads of great gigs there (as well as performing a few as well). Sadly another great London venue bites the dust.
The only slight positive is that they are trying to move as many of their scheduled gigs to The Dome in Tufnell Park so it's not a complete disaster but it won't be the same and I'm not sure if the same opportunities for new and up and coming bands will be there as there were at The Gaff.
The only slight positive is that they are trying to move as many of their scheduled gigs to The Dome in Tufnell Park so it's not a complete disaster but it won't be the same and I'm not sure if the same opportunities for new and up and coming bands will be there as there were at The Gaff.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
A smile is all it takes....
..... But sometimes two are better!
- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Hollywood Doll @ Barhouse
I was delighted to get back into gigging mode again tonight as Hollywood Doll hadn't played live in over a month which is WAY too long!
Tonight we were appearing at Barhouse in Chelmsford. Sadly there was a very disappointing turn out despite us advertising like mad before hand. Turned out there more people watching the live stream than were actually there!
UP
I really enjoyed Up. Although their style didn't really match the other two bands they put on a great set. They had a very 80s vibe about them but came out with some killer tunes.
See all the UP pics here: 190111UpBarhouse
HOLLYWOOD DOLL
It was good to be back and gigging and we added two new songs to the set tonight which went almost as planned! It felt like we played a good set and it was very enjoyable to be playing live again and getting back into the swing of things.
See all the HOLLYWOOD DOLL pics here: 190111HollywoodDollBarhouse
SOME WERE SATELLITES
SOME WERE SATELLITES put on a good show with some alternative rock tunes that had quite a My Chemical Romance feel about them in places.
See all the SOME WERE SATELLITES pics 190111SomeWereSatellitesBarhouse
Tonight we were appearing at Barhouse in Chelmsford. Sadly there was a very disappointing turn out despite us advertising like mad before hand. Turned out there more people watching the live stream than were actually there!
UP
I really enjoyed Up. Although their style didn't really match the other two bands they put on a great set. They had a very 80s vibe about them but came out with some killer tunes.
See all the UP pics here: 190111UpBarhouse
HOLLYWOOD DOLL
It was good to be back and gigging and we added two new songs to the set tonight which went almost as planned! It felt like we played a good set and it was very enjoyable to be playing live again and getting back into the swing of things.
See all the HOLLYWOOD DOLL pics here: 190111HollywoodDollBarhouse
SOME WERE SATELLITES
SOME WERE SATELLITES put on a good show with some alternative rock tunes that had quite a My Chemical Romance feel about them in places.
See all the SOME WERE SATELLITES pics 190111SomeWereSatellitesBarhouse
Last.FM listening post
Here's last week's top picks music lovers!
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Promoting Hollywood Doll - fans needed!!!!!
Promoting Hollywood Doll is almost becoming a full time occupation these days in an attempt to grow awareness and a fan base.
If you haven't already (and assuming you are interested) please feel free to come to any of the following websites and sign up, follow or "like" us etc.
Email Mailing List (enter email and join up)
Monday, 17 January 2011
Dear Mr Cameron......
...... I am just writing to congratulate you on such an amazing start to your term as Prime Minister as part of the Con-Dem coalition (the thing you form when not enough of the country actually have enough faith in you to run the country). You do know the meaning of condemn I assume?
Your wide ranging cuts to public services are a worthy attempt at reducing our national debt with people being downgraded on their services so they can enjoy a slightly worse quality of life. Once some of you plans have been implemented to make these savings you can then revel in the delight of more people being unemployed and on benefits as they are axed once the savings plans are complete. Still, I guess that's not so bad as they can always find another job right?
Well done also for tying to reduce the benefits that those awful disabled people get. Nasty layabouts should get up off their arses and get a job and stop being a burden on the tax payer! Oh no, hang on, I think I've missed something there, have you?
I'd like to close with a big thumbs up for your investment in our youth, education and the future. Increasing the cost of degree courses was a stroke of genius as we don't want all the great unwashed having a chance to better themselves now do we. My son would also like to thank you for your economic diligence as he was delighted to hear that he cannot complete his Diploma Course at his college next year due to their adult education budget being slashed. It looks like he'll have to start looking for a job a year early and hope that he has a fighting chance going out into the world with incomplete qualifications in his chosen vocation rather than fully qualified and at the top of his game.
I guess I should count my blessing as I still have a job and am not really impacted by your savings other than seeing the various increases in VAT and taxes and general uplifts in the cost of living leaving me less to play with each month. Did I forget to mention the shit service on trains and outrageous fare increases? I know that the trains are not strictly your fault but are merely a legacy of your dear old Iron Lady Thatcher!
Now about all those companies and corporations that still owe billions in taxes.......
I look forward to hearing your reply
Disgruntled of South Woodham Ferrers!
- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone
Your wide ranging cuts to public services are a worthy attempt at reducing our national debt with people being downgraded on their services so they can enjoy a slightly worse quality of life. Once some of you plans have been implemented to make these savings you can then revel in the delight of more people being unemployed and on benefits as they are axed once the savings plans are complete. Still, I guess that's not so bad as they can always find another job right?
Well done also for tying to reduce the benefits that those awful disabled people get. Nasty layabouts should get up off their arses and get a job and stop being a burden on the tax payer! Oh no, hang on, I think I've missed something there, have you?
I'd like to close with a big thumbs up for your investment in our youth, education and the future. Increasing the cost of degree courses was a stroke of genius as we don't want all the great unwashed having a chance to better themselves now do we. My son would also like to thank you for your economic diligence as he was delighted to hear that he cannot complete his Diploma Course at his college next year due to their adult education budget being slashed. It looks like he'll have to start looking for a job a year early and hope that he has a fighting chance going out into the world with incomplete qualifications in his chosen vocation rather than fully qualified and at the top of his game.
I guess I should count my blessing as I still have a job and am not really impacted by your savings other than seeing the various increases in VAT and taxes and general uplifts in the cost of living leaving me less to play with each month. Did I forget to mention the shit service on trains and outrageous fare increases? I know that the trains are not strictly your fault but are merely a legacy of your dear old Iron Lady Thatcher!
Now about all those companies and corporations that still owe billions in taxes.......
I look forward to hearing your reply
Disgruntled of South Woodham Ferrers!
- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Warhammer 40K: Eldar v Dark Eldar v Death Lords
Despite still feeling slightly under the weather Toni and I agreed to take on Sam in a Warhammer 40K battle in what turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable affair.
Sam's new Death Lords are reasonable well balanced now and do need a few tweaks.
Toni loved playing with the Dark Eldar who proved to be a very formidable force and walked away with victory at the end of the game.
Sam's new Death Lords are reasonable well balanced now and do need a few tweaks.
Toni loved playing with the Dark Eldar who proved to be a very formidable force and walked away with victory at the end of the game.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Damn lurgies...
.... still haven't gone away.
Another day off of work with high temperature and feeling like crap.
Really not impressed with this now. I just want to be better and get back to things!
Another day off of work with high temperature and feeling like crap.
Really not impressed with this now. I just want to be better and get back to things!
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Hollywood Doll rehearsal & new songs
Awesome Hollywood Doll rehearsal tonight.
Two new songs were completed and locked down and we will be ready to unleash them on the world at our next live gigs.
Speaking of which, the next live gigs are:
19/01/11 Barhouse, Chelmsford CM1 1NZ
04/02/11 The Fat Surfer, Grays RM17 5YF
16/02/11 The Dublin Castle, London NW1 7AN
13/03/11 Chinnerys, Southend SS1 2EJ
Two new songs were completed and locked down and we will be ready to unleash them on the world at our next live gigs.
Speaking of which, the next live gigs are:
19/01/11 Barhouse, Chelmsford CM1 1NZ
04/02/11 The Fat Surfer, Grays RM17 5YF
16/02/11 The Dublin Castle, London NW1 7AN
13/03/11 Chinnerys, Southend SS1 2EJ
Last.FM listening post
Here's last week's top picks music lovers!
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Terrible fews days
Well that was a rotten few days. I have been ill since Wednesday although I have at least improved enough to consider going back to work tomorrow. Toni is on day 10 of her illness and has now reluctantly agreed to go to the GP tomorrow as it just doesn't seem to get better.
Here's hoping this is the last of the lurgies and that we can enjoy a healthy 2011 from here on.
Here's hoping this is the last of the lurgies and that we can enjoy a healthy 2011 from here on.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Thursday, 6 January 2011
The Bizz Suxx! A sad statement from a band...
...a gig that I was planning on attending has now been postponed. The Facebook event had the following statement added to it, it's a very sad read...........
Dear all,
We're very sorry (and gutted and pissed off and sad) to have to inform you that our upcoming 21st january show in London will be postponed.
Insufficient promotion and low post Xmas internet presales on their channels have resulted in the promoters asking us for a guarantee deposit of £625 pre gig to cover their potential financial risk. Now we know that many of you were very eager to attend, and we cannot thank you enough for that support, but here are the facts. Everybody around is talking about how bad music industry is going at the moment, and well, truth being told, everybody is damn right.The situation gets even worse for emerging bands as obviously, because of illegal download, these bands cannot count on CD sales to support them. As far as gigs are concerned, promoters, venues, bookers, don't wanna take risks with emerging bands anymore, because they , too, suffer heavily from the economical downward spiral. The result of that is that most bands must nowadays pay to play. They buy on their right to share the stage with bigger artists, play festivals for free, produce their albums, get themselves into neverending indebtment in order to play their songs for you. You only see the tip of the iceberg, but reality is that very often, to play a single show in those conditions has desastrous financial consequences for your bands.
None of the bands, neither DJ's were to get paid for this gig, because we wanted to be able to offer you a very cheap entry price (as we are fully aware that economy has probably been a whipmaster to you as well lately), but with that £625 deposit and only 2 weeks left to sell tickets, the whole amount of this entire operation would have cost us, The Veil, about £1000.
Consequently,we weighed down the pros or cons, and decided that it would be more clever to spend this money on the preproduction of our new album at the moment, because, dammit, let's not forget our true purpose here, to pass on songs from our souls to yours.
This gig will therefore be postponed, with the same bill, to a further date this year, in order to make it a real success for everyone involved.
We cannot stress enough that now more than ever before in the history of rock, YOU, fans, have got all the power in your hands to make the bands you support bigger, Your belief in us is more powerful than any banknote in the world, so, I think we speak in the name of all as we repeat : SUPPORT YOUR EMERGING BANDS !!
Music and and art in general are the last windows between our soul and this material world, don't let the dream fall down like birds from the sky.
+Viva Nokturna+
The Veil
Not a pretty read but sadly very true. We'll all keep plugging away though as we love making music!
The bizz suxx, but we don't care!
Dear all,
We're very sorry (and gutted and pissed off and sad) to have to inform you that our upcoming 21st january show in London will be postponed.
Insufficient promotion and low post Xmas internet presales on their channels have resulted in the promoters asking us for a guarantee deposit of £625 pre gig to cover their potential financial risk. Now we know that many of you were very eager to attend, and we cannot thank you enough for that support, but here are the facts. Everybody around is talking about how bad music industry is going at the moment, and well, truth being told, everybody is damn right.The situation gets even worse for emerging bands as obviously, because of illegal download, these bands cannot count on CD sales to support them. As far as gigs are concerned, promoters, venues, bookers, don't wanna take risks with emerging bands anymore, because they , too, suffer heavily from the economical downward spiral. The result of that is that most bands must nowadays pay to play. They buy on their right to share the stage with bigger artists, play festivals for free, produce their albums, get themselves into neverending indebtment in order to play their songs for you. You only see the tip of the iceberg, but reality is that very often, to play a single show in those conditions has desastrous financial consequences for your bands.
None of the bands, neither DJ's were to get paid for this gig, because we wanted to be able to offer you a very cheap entry price (as we are fully aware that economy has probably been a whipmaster to you as well lately), but with that £625 deposit and only 2 weeks left to sell tickets, the whole amount of this entire operation would have cost us, The Veil, about £1000.
Consequently,we weighed down the pros or cons, and decided that it would be more clever to spend this money on the preproduction of our new album at the moment, because, dammit, let's not forget our true purpose here, to pass on songs from our souls to yours.
This gig will therefore be postponed, with the same bill, to a further date this year, in order to make it a real success for everyone involved.
We cannot stress enough that now more than ever before in the history of rock, YOU, fans, have got all the power in your hands to make the bands you support bigger, Your belief in us is more powerful than any banknote in the world, so, I think we speak in the name of all as we repeat : SUPPORT YOUR EMERGING BANDS !!
Music and and art in general are the last windows between our soul and this material world, don't let the dream fall down like birds from the sky.
+Viva Nokturna+
The Veil
Not a pretty read but sadly very true. We'll all keep plugging away though as we love making music!
The bizz suxx, but we don't care!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Sick, not impressed
Was I'll today and didn't make it to work. Hope this isn't the start of the real flu that Toni has.
Played some PS3 and slept a LOT while battling hot and cold flashes and hot watery eyes. I have a feeling this will continue tomorrow too.
Seriously unimpressed!
Played some PS3 and slept a LOT while battling hot and cold flashes and hot watery eyes. I have a feeling this will continue tomorrow too.
Seriously unimpressed!
Last.FM listening post
Here's last week's top picks music lovers!
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Top weekly tracks:
Top weekly artists:
Overall top tracks:
Overall top artists:
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Hollywood Doll band meeting
Very productive Hollywood Doll band meeting tonight.
We have started to set out our initial goals for 2011. Very exciting plans are afoot! More soon......
We have started to set out our initial goals for 2011. Very exciting plans are afoot! More soon......
Monday, 3 January 2011
Last day before the first day
Sadly, today was the last day off before my first day back at work :o)
It's been a good break although it has gone far too quickly and I'm not sure I actually feel like I've had a break. Toni being ill since New Year's Eve hasn't really helped things as she was out of action completely for a couple of days but at least she is on the mend now.
Spent the day chilling, playing Little Big Planet and Red Dead Redemption on the PS3 and basically avoiding doing things that I really know I should have been doing LMFAO
TV, wine and paella brought the day to a close.
It's been a good break although it has gone far too quickly and I'm not sure I actually feel like I've had a break. Toni being ill since New Year's Eve hasn't really helped things as she was out of action completely for a couple of days but at least she is on the mend now.
Spent the day chilling, playing Little Big Planet and Red Dead Redemption on the PS3 and basically avoiding doing things that I really know I should have been doing LMFAO
TV, wine and paella brought the day to a close.
Saturday, 1 January 2011
.....and hello 2011 - Happy New Year!
So here we are on the other side!
Happy New Year to all my friends and family!
This will be the loudest year ever (as it goes up to 11 *grin*)
- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone
Happy New Year to all my friends and family!
This will be the loudest year ever (as it goes up to 11 *grin*)
- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone
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