Danielle Ward is one of the UK's hidden comedy treasures, from her involvement in the excellent Dave Gorman show on Absolute Radio, to her occasional appearances on Radio 4's News Quiz she is always a brilliant contributor.
Do the Right Thing is a panel show featuring some of the best comedians on the British circuit, but unusually for a panel show this is not available on TV or Radio, it is only available as a podcast, and is not affiliated to any station or organisation.
This freedom means that the boundaries are pushed rather further than they could be on the radio, yet it is still well produced and edited.
Martin White provides the brilliant music to introduce rounds and a host of comedians take part, as well as regulars Micheal Legge and Margaret Cabourn-Smith panelists have included Jon Holmes, Shappi Khorsandi and Al Murray.
The format of the show is kind of irrelevant, it is the interaction between regulars and guests that really matter, and mostly Danielle's excellent hosting of the show.
Download at the British Comedy Guide here.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 22 - Righteous Indignation
Ghosts, UFOs, miracle cures, yetis, monsters and more ghosts. No, this is not the line up of documentaries on ITV3, these are some of the topics covered by the podcast Righteous Indignation.
I will admit that I am catching up with old ones (in December 2010 at the moment), but I really enjoy this podcast. The topics are tackled from a broadly skeptical viewpoint, but with plenty of 'believers' interviewed in a balanced and human way. Even if the person being interviewed holds the craziest views in the world this podcast will always treat them as a real human being, and also discuss the positive side of the persons opinions.
Hayley Stevens, Trystan Swale and Micheal Marshall are your regular hosts, but with other brilliant contributors (usually from Liverpool or Manchester skeptics, or Ladies who do Skepticism). There is much silliness and messing about, and also some serious content that makes you think about the extraordinary claims that some people make.
This is not an academic look at the subjects it covers, it is for the average thinking person, and will inspire people to think critically about things that their friends of colleagues may say at work or in the pub.
Download at the RI website, or follow on Twitter.
I will admit that I am catching up with old ones (in December 2010 at the moment), but I really enjoy this podcast. The topics are tackled from a broadly skeptical viewpoint, but with plenty of 'believers' interviewed in a balanced and human way. Even if the person being interviewed holds the craziest views in the world this podcast will always treat them as a real human being, and also discuss the positive side of the persons opinions.
Hayley Stevens, Trystan Swale and Micheal Marshall are your regular hosts, but with other brilliant contributors (usually from Liverpool or Manchester skeptics, or Ladies who do Skepticism). There is much silliness and messing about, and also some serious content that makes you think about the extraordinary claims that some people make.
This is not an academic look at the subjects it covers, it is for the average thinking person, and will inspire people to think critically about things that their friends of colleagues may say at work or in the pub.
Download at the RI website, or follow on Twitter.
Monday, 19 December 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 21 - Mark Kermodes Film podcast
This was probably the first podcast I ever downloaded, and has been running for years and years, way before podcasts were common. It must be the flagship podcast of BBC Radio five live.
Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo are an unlikely pairing, Mark is emotional and opinionated, Simon is calm and professional, but this combination seems to work well.
Not only is a great round up of films released in the UK each week, but it also makes great entertainment (or Wittertainment as they call it), Mark's rants about certain films have become legendary bits of radio, just search YouTube for "Kermode rant" and you will get a good taste.
Sometimes the in-jokes get a bit much, but recently they have addressed this problem and they are kept to a minimum.
It's become a long podcast (90 minutes) but is great entertainment each Friday. Whether you like film or not its worth a listen.
Download at the BBC Podcasts website here.
Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo are an unlikely pairing, Mark is emotional and opinionated, Simon is calm and professional, but this combination seems to work well.
Not only is a great round up of films released in the UK each week, but it also makes great entertainment (or Wittertainment as they call it), Mark's rants about certain films have become legendary bits of radio, just search YouTube for "Kermode rant" and you will get a good taste.
Sometimes the in-jokes get a bit much, but recently they have addressed this problem and they are kept to a minimum.
It's become a long podcast (90 minutes) but is great entertainment each Friday. Whether you like film or not its worth a listen.
Download at the BBC Podcasts website here.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 20 - 7 Day Sunday
7 Day Sunday was a show on BBC Radio 5live, presented by Chris Addison, with random visits from Al Murray, Sarah Millican, Andy Zaltzman, Andrew Collins and other occasional guests.
It was the basic BBC model of discussing the weeks news with comedians, but Chris Addison brought a flair to it that other shows in this slot have failed with. He is just astonishingly quick witted, sometimes getting himself in trouble as his wit is quicker than his appropriateness filter!
Sadly this show seems to be on a long break, and I am not sure if it will be back, but it was fun while it lasted.
If it is back then you will find it here.
It was the basic BBC model of discussing the weeks news with comedians, but Chris Addison brought a flair to it that other shows in this slot have failed with. He is just astonishingly quick witted, sometimes getting himself in trouble as his wit is quicker than his appropriateness filter!
Sadly this show seems to be on a long break, and I am not sure if it will be back, but it was fun while it lasted.
If it is back then you will find it here.
Favourite Podcasts - 19 - In Our Time
Melvyn Bragg is a national treasure, very few people know such a huge amount about a huge amount of topics, and can speak about them passionately and eloquently.
He can also be a very, very grumpy man.
Which is the combination that can make Radio 4's In Our Time a great listen. Melvyn and three experts in their field talk about a topic. Topics are drawn from history, science, philosophy, culture and religion.
Some of my favourite topics in the last year have been Dave Hume, The Hippocratic Oath, Cogito Urgo Sum, The Moon, and free will.
At it's best the conversation is lively and your head will explode with ideas, Melvyn makes sure that no one contributor dwells on a detail too long, and is not scared to tell them to shut up!
At it's worst it is very dull, but I am not scared to turn it off and delete the episode anymore! A lot is dependent on the topic that week.
Download at the BBC Radio 4 website.
He can also be a very, very grumpy man.
Which is the combination that can make Radio 4's In Our Time a great listen. Melvyn and three experts in their field talk about a topic. Topics are drawn from history, science, philosophy, culture and religion.
Some of my favourite topics in the last year have been Dave Hume, The Hippocratic Oath, Cogito Urgo Sum, The Moon, and free will.
At it's best the conversation is lively and your head will explode with ideas, Melvyn makes sure that no one contributor dwells on a detail too long, and is not scared to tell them to shut up!
At it's worst it is very dull, but I am not scared to turn it off and delete the episode anymore! A lot is dependent on the topic that week.
Download at the BBC Radio 4 website.
Favourite Podcasts - 18 - Sidepodcast F1 debrief
I have already featured one podcast from these guys (An Aside With Joe) a few weeks ago, but Christine and Mr C also produce a general F1 podcast every few weeks or so.
The F1 debrief consists of 'Good week, Bad week', a guide to what is going well and badly in F1, a brief review of the last practice and qualifying sessions and an analysis of the race itself.
For the the best bit the listener feedback section at the end, the Sidepodcast community is a geographically diverse, but passionate group of people. From screaming rants about an aspect of F1, to a well crafted poem or song - you never quite know what the Sidepodcast listeners are going to send in next.
It is great fun, and not to be taken seriously, but you will learn one or two things about the sport along the way.
Oh, and Christine may just randomly talk about Pandas for a section. Something for everyone.
Download here at Sidepodcast.
The F1 debrief consists of 'Good week, Bad week', a guide to what is going well and badly in F1, a brief review of the last practice and qualifying sessions and an analysis of the race itself.
For the the best bit the listener feedback section at the end, the Sidepodcast community is a geographically diverse, but passionate group of people. From screaming rants about an aspect of F1, to a well crafted poem or song - you never quite know what the Sidepodcast listeners are going to send in next.
It is great fun, and not to be taken seriously, but you will learn one or two things about the sport along the way.
Oh, and Christine may just randomly talk about Pandas for a section. Something for everyone.
Download here at Sidepodcast.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Things I have seen around Aylesbury (Part Nine)
The Jazz band is in fact so reserved that they appear too shy to show their faces..
Not that they missed anything at Aylesburys pitiful excuse for a Christmas market.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 17 - Utter Shambles
There is nothing more satisfying in life than meeting up with friends, chatting randomly about the big issues in the world, the small detail of our lives and the food, music, books, TV and films we have recently consumed. This is a good night out, and gives us a fantastic feeling of being connected with others, our community and the world.
This is what Utter Shambles gives you in podcast form.
I may have overstated that a little, but Robin Ince and Josie Long in this podcast create that feeling, it is spontaneous, random, but endlessly interesting. It may be the only podcast I have reviewed that has no format, none at all. It is just them and guests chatting about whatever comes to mind.
The quality of guests helps, Billy Bragg, Jon Ronson, Mark Gatiss and Terry Jones to name a few. Just being in a room with these people is going to be an amazing experience, and after you listen to Utter Shambles you feel you will have been in the room with these people, and that you know them, as if you had just met them down the pub.
Robin and Josie have a huge part to play in creating this feeling, they are both natural to the extreme, no acting or egos get in the way, and the guest must feel very at ease which means they will talk about things that they might otherwise not.
Robin was kind enough to come onto my podcast (you can hear it here), but it is nothing compared to Utter Shambles, which is like a shining jewel in the podcasting world, and a new episode (released whenever one is ready, 1 week apart or 6 months...) always excites me!
Download at Comedy Central Here.
This is what Utter Shambles gives you in podcast form.
I may have overstated that a little, but Robin Ince and Josie Long in this podcast create that feeling, it is spontaneous, random, but endlessly interesting. It may be the only podcast I have reviewed that has no format, none at all. It is just them and guests chatting about whatever comes to mind.
The quality of guests helps, Billy Bragg, Jon Ronson, Mark Gatiss and Terry Jones to name a few. Just being in a room with these people is going to be an amazing experience, and after you listen to Utter Shambles you feel you will have been in the room with these people, and that you know them, as if you had just met them down the pub.
Robin and Josie have a huge part to play in creating this feeling, they are both natural to the extreme, no acting or egos get in the way, and the guest must feel very at ease which means they will talk about things that they might otherwise not.
Robin was kind enough to come onto my podcast (you can hear it here), but it is nothing compared to Utter Shambles, which is like a shining jewel in the podcasting world, and a new episode (released whenever one is ready, 1 week apart or 6 months...) always excites me!
Download at Comedy Central Here.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Things I have seen around Aylesbury (Part Eight)
A destroyed bus shelter on Walton Street. In fact the bus shelter I use each morning. The bus driver didn't know what had happened, but guessed it had been hit by a lorry or car.
It certainly brings to mind this photo I took a few year ago...
http://exeterblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/bus-shelter-demolition-in-south-street.html
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 16 - Guardian Science Podcast
More Science! On the back of the Naked Scientists podcast here is another science based podcast I listen to.
This is pretty much a big trailer for the Guardian Newspapers science coverage, and it's not as great as it was a few years ago, but still a good round up of science news from the week, with occasional longer features.
Being the Guardian they do have access to great guests to interview, and the production is very slick. Alok Jha is a great host. It gets you interested in a topic and leads you to want to find out a bit more, it also jumps on any scientific controversy almost with the relish of a tabloid paper... which can be fun!
Download at the Guardian website here.
This is pretty much a big trailer for the Guardian Newspapers science coverage, and it's not as great as it was a few years ago, but still a good round up of science news from the week, with occasional longer features.
Being the Guardian they do have access to great guests to interview, and the production is very slick. Alok Jha is a great host. It gets you interested in a topic and leads you to want to find out a bit more, it also jumps on any scientific controversy almost with the relish of a tabloid paper... which can be fun!
Download at the Guardian website here.
Favourite Podcasts - 15 - The Naked Scientists
Science is so trendy at the moment, comedians seems to be into it, Professor Brian Cox is a TV superstar, atheists seem to treat is as their religion sometimes, and people like Ben Goldacre are all over the newspapers exposing when science is done badly.
But science is not a flash in the pan fad, it has been critical for human development for years, and will continue to be so long into the future.
Despite this many people are still terrified of science, and think that it may bring down the downfall of the world, and other scary things!
The Naked Scientists is a podcast that provides an uplifting, positive view of science. It does not focus only on the bits of science that are currently fashionable (physics, astrophysics etc) but covers the whole range of topics.
The last few weeks podcasts have already covered cancer, stem cells, plant pests, seaweed, bio fuels and cheese.
Chris Smith heads up the team, who are based at Cambridge University and exist to communicate science clearly to the public. Thankfully they don't do this in a patronising way (like the embarrassing outside visitors coming into school that I remember), they credit their audience with intelligence and are not scared to go in depth with topics, even at the risk of losing some of the listeners (and I have not always understood everything they discuss)
The team are brilliant, Dr Chris Smith is already up there in my 'five people I would invite to a dinner party' list, Then there is Dave Ansell who is a physics expert (and also enjoys setting fire to things and blowing stuff up). Kat Arney who specialises in cancer related topics, and is all round nice person. Helen Scales, expert in all things in the ocean, Dominic Ford, who has his eyes firmly to the night skies, Ben Valsler who seems to know everything about everything and is a great host, and there are many others I have forgotten!
As well as the main podcast there are spin off podcasts about Astronomy, the Oceans, Archaeology and other occasional special podcasts.
If this podcast had been around when I was at school (which is of course impossible, podcasts did not exist!) then perhaps my science lessons would not have been so painful, and I might have got better then a grade D!
Download the main Naked Scientists Podcast here.
Wikipedia page about the podcast here.
But science is not a flash in the pan fad, it has been critical for human development for years, and will continue to be so long into the future.
Despite this many people are still terrified of science, and think that it may bring down the downfall of the world, and other scary things!
The Naked Scientists is a podcast that provides an uplifting, positive view of science. It does not focus only on the bits of science that are currently fashionable (physics, astrophysics etc) but covers the whole range of topics.
The last few weeks podcasts have already covered cancer, stem cells, plant pests, seaweed, bio fuels and cheese.
Chris Smith heads up the team, who are based at Cambridge University and exist to communicate science clearly to the public. Thankfully they don't do this in a patronising way (like the embarrassing outside visitors coming into school that I remember), they credit their audience with intelligence and are not scared to go in depth with topics, even at the risk of losing some of the listeners (and I have not always understood everything they discuss)
The team are brilliant, Dr Chris Smith is already up there in my 'five people I would invite to a dinner party' list, Then there is Dave Ansell who is a physics expert (and also enjoys setting fire to things and blowing stuff up). Kat Arney who specialises in cancer related topics, and is all round nice person. Helen Scales, expert in all things in the ocean, Dominic Ford, who has his eyes firmly to the night skies, Ben Valsler who seems to know everything about everything and is a great host, and there are many others I have forgotten!
As well as the main podcast there are spin off podcasts about Astronomy, the Oceans, Archaeology and other occasional special podcasts.
If this podcast had been around when I was at school (which is of course impossible, podcasts did not exist!) then perhaps my science lessons would not have been so painful, and I might have got better then a grade D!
Download the main Naked Scientists Podcast here.
Wikipedia page about the podcast here.
Favourite Podcasts - 14 - Radio 4 Friday Night Comedy
Radio 4 has a reputation of being a little dry and stuffy, or that is certainly the way that people who have never listened to it think of it, but us Radio 4 listeners (I assume you are one? If not then go and take a good long look at your life) know that it is the home of great creative comedy in the UK.
6.30pm is one of the slots that Radio 4 usually puts comedy shows into, and the Friday night slot is exclusively reserved for topical comedy, alternating series between The News Quiz and The Now Show.
The News Quiz is possibly the funniest news based thing on either radio or TV, it inspired Have I Got News for You, but is very different in tone. Sandi Toksvig is host, and regulars such as Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, Phill Jupitus and many others discuss the news of the week in a very offbeat and funny way. Between rounds are stories and headlines read from newspapers and websites in the classic "Man Found Dead in Graveyard" tradition.
The Now Show is not quite so good these days, but still funny enough. Hugh Dennis and Steve Punt host a satirical look at the weeks news, and contributors help out. It is scripted in its form and can sometimes be great. Highlights include Jon Holmes letters from listeners, Mitch Benns songs, and when he is on the show Marcus Brigstocke ranting about something and anything!
Download at the BBC Podcasts site here.
6.30pm is one of the slots that Radio 4 usually puts comedy shows into, and the Friday night slot is exclusively reserved for topical comedy, alternating series between The News Quiz and The Now Show.
The News Quiz is possibly the funniest news based thing on either radio or TV, it inspired Have I Got News for You, but is very different in tone. Sandi Toksvig is host, and regulars such as Jeremy Hardy, Andy Hamilton, Phill Jupitus and many others discuss the news of the week in a very offbeat and funny way. Between rounds are stories and headlines read from newspapers and websites in the classic "Man Found Dead in Graveyard" tradition.
The Now Show is not quite so good these days, but still funny enough. Hugh Dennis and Steve Punt host a satirical look at the weeks news, and contributors help out. It is scripted in its form and can sometimes be great. Highlights include Jon Holmes letters from listeners, Mitch Benns songs, and when he is on the show Marcus Brigstocke ranting about something and anything!
Download at the BBC Podcasts site here.
Things I have seen around Aylesbury (Part Seven)
To explain what is happening in this picture the couple on the left hand side are rubbing their hands all over an elderly man, and the huddle on the right are laying a hand each on a lady in a wheelchair. The couple in the middle have just been shopping, as it's getting near christmas.
The banner proclaims 'Healing' and it would seem that a group from the Aylesbury Vineyard Church are preying on (pun intended) people in Aylesbury who they think might want some healing.
I wanted to go up to one of the church members and say something, but what would I say? "How dare you take advantage of the elderly and vulnerable and give them false hope with your superstition, why don't you go and put your energy into being some practical help to people instead?"
But of course I did not do anything of the sort, I just walked on by and went to the Kings Head for a pint.
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Things I have seen around Aylesbury (Part Six)
Aylesbury Adventist Church, I wonder how many it seats? I assume the adjoining bin is a new extension?
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 13 - Frank Skinner
One minute it's discussion about a football ground, the next it's Proust, then talking about Greggs the baker, then the Archbishop of Canterbury, from fashion, to Peter the Wild...
What the average Absolute radio listener makes of these ramblings I do not know, but it makes for hilarious listening, condensed down into a Sunday podcast and a few extra bits on Wednesdays.
Frank Skinner is joined by the slightly snobby, but likable Emily Dean, and down to earth comedian Alun Cochrane. The podcast has no structure at all, other than being a radio show with an introduction and a loose text-in subject.
There are a few running gags, but the real humour comes from Franks extraordinary quick wit and surreal anecdotes and musings. I was never really a massive fan of Frank in the 90's and early 00's. but either he has changed, or my humour has changed!
This is a must download podcast for me, and always cheers me up on the bus to work on Monday mornings.
Find Franks podcast here on the Absolute Radio website.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 12 - The Infinite Monkey Cage
Science is very trendy these days, which is very confusing for the geeks who were bullied at school for being good at it.
Comedy is also very trendy these days, and that is confusing for the loners at school who invariably become stand up comedians.
When the two come together you get BBC Radio 4s The Infinite Monkey Page.
Robin Ince does the comedy side (with a bit of science) and Professor Brian Cox does the science bits (with a bit of comedy). The format has changed a few times, but they are now generally recorded in front of a live audience, a few guests talk about their area of scientific interest and other comedians sometime join the fun too. It's hard to say exactly what the podcast is about, but I guess that 'making science accessible and funny' might sum it up.
The series has been so popular that they took the show on tour and added a few of their friends as well, such as Ben Goldacre and Helen Arney. The shows often sell our within days of tickets going on sale!
If you are slightly on the geeky side, or just love comedy then this is a great podcast.
It looks like all the previous series are available for download here, and I hear that a new series is being recorded for broadcast this winter!
(Oh, and we interviewed Robin Ince for our podcast here!)
Comedy is also very trendy these days, and that is confusing for the loners at school who invariably become stand up comedians.
When the two come together you get BBC Radio 4s The Infinite Monkey Page.
Robin Ince does the comedy side (with a bit of science) and Professor Brian Cox does the science bits (with a bit of comedy). The format has changed a few times, but they are now generally recorded in front of a live audience, a few guests talk about their area of scientific interest and other comedians sometime join the fun too. It's hard to say exactly what the podcast is about, but I guess that 'making science accessible and funny' might sum it up.
The series has been so popular that they took the show on tour and added a few of their friends as well, such as Ben Goldacre and Helen Arney. The shows often sell our within days of tickets going on sale!
If you are slightly on the geeky side, or just love comedy then this is a great podcast.
It looks like all the previous series are available for download here, and I hear that a new series is being recorded for broadcast this winter!
(Oh, and we interviewed Robin Ince for our podcast here!)
Friday, 14 October 2011
Marlow to Cookham walk.
On Wednesday I decided to go for a walk. One of my favourite towns in the area is Marlow, and as I was to be in the nearby High Wycombe in the evening I decided it was a good excuse to go there. Last time I was there I picked up a leaflet of local walks in the information centre, and decided to do the walk to Bourne End.
As I got into Bourne End I realised that I had been there before, and that it was very near Cookham, where friends Dave and Charlotte used to live, and also the the landlords of our local pub in Exeter had moved to for a while to run a pub there (and we did a crazy long trip to visit them to get a pint!).
Quite a nice surprise, as I do love the place, and was good to wander around for a bit and remember previous visits, but was also good to set off again as it started to drizzle!
Oh... and I noticed it was Autumn!
Favourite Podcasts - 11 - An Aside with Joe
Imagine if every few weeks you could speak to someone who knows so much about F1 and motorsport that it would make your head hurt. Imagine if that person had been to every F1 Grand Prix since 1988, had friends and contacts in high places, and shared all his opinions with you over a glass of red wine.
This is the experience you can have with the An Aside With Joe podcast. Every few weeks Mr C and Christine Blachford (from Sidepodcast.com) get veteran F1 journalist Joe Saward on the line and chat for an hour or so about some current issues in the sport.
Joe is opinionated, but always well reasoned and very ahead of the curve. You will hear things weeks before they actually happen. Whether it be driver moves, sales of teams, new developments or other gossip his sources are so good that he will almost always turn out to be right.
He is also great to listen to, he has a slightly grumpy Jack Dee style of delivery, but he is clearly passionate about the sport and it's future. His insight into what it takes to be a sports journalist are also amazing, and invaluable for anyone thing of taking this as a career route.
A must for any F1 fan who wants to get deeper into the sport than the TV coverage or F1 Racing magazine may give you.
Download the podcast at the Sidepodcast site here.
(and if you like this podcast consider subscribing to Joe's web magazine GP+, from what I have seen it looks amazing!)
This is the experience you can have with the An Aside With Joe podcast. Every few weeks Mr C and Christine Blachford (from Sidepodcast.com) get veteran F1 journalist Joe Saward on the line and chat for an hour or so about some current issues in the sport.
Joe is opinionated, but always well reasoned and very ahead of the curve. You will hear things weeks before they actually happen. Whether it be driver moves, sales of teams, new developments or other gossip his sources are so good that he will almost always turn out to be right.
He is also great to listen to, he has a slightly grumpy Jack Dee style of delivery, but he is clearly passionate about the sport and it's future. His insight into what it takes to be a sports journalist are also amazing, and invaluable for anyone thing of taking this as a career route.
A must for any F1 fan who wants to get deeper into the sport than the TV coverage or F1 Racing magazine may give you.
Download the podcast at the Sidepodcast site here.
(and if you like this podcast consider subscribing to Joe's web magazine GP+, from what I have seen it looks amazing!)
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 10 - Words Fail Me
A celebrity opens the page of a dictionary, and then Dave and Neil discuss the words on that page. A simple idea devised by Dave Lovering and Neil Denham (oh, that would be me) just before Christmas 2009.
Sir Patrick Moore, Mark Kermode, Robin Ince, Sir Tim Rice, Zandra Rhodes and many many others, 21 in all, have opened the dictionary so far.
I know I may be biased, but I think this podcast is a fairly good listen, we try and edit the real rubbish out, but hope to keep it sounding like 2 normal people chatting in the pub about a random selection of topics.
Dave is great at finding people to open our dictionary, whereas I do the technical side of things, and we get about 100-150 downloads each month... not a huge amount but enough to keep us doing it!
Thanks to all who have listened, any suggestions for improvements are welcome at wordsfailmepodcast@gmail.com
If you have not listened yet then try one or two, episodes can be found on itunes, podbean or more detail on the blog.
Sir Patrick Moore, Mark Kermode, Robin Ince, Sir Tim Rice, Zandra Rhodes and many many others, 21 in all, have opened the dictionary so far.
I know I may be biased, but I think this podcast is a fairly good listen, we try and edit the real rubbish out, but hope to keep it sounding like 2 normal people chatting in the pub about a random selection of topics.
Dave is great at finding people to open our dictionary, whereas I do the technical side of things, and we get about 100-150 downloads each month... not a huge amount but enough to keep us doing it!
Thanks to all who have listened, any suggestions for improvements are welcome at wordsfailmepodcast@gmail.com
If you have not listened yet then try one or two, episodes can be found on itunes, podbean or more detail on the blog.
Ibiza Holiday 2011 (Part 5)
You will be pleased to know that this is the final part!
Sailing in Es Cana bay.
Me, with a plate of mussels.
The sparkling sea from a boat.
Storm brewing...
Sailing in Es Cana bay.
Me, with a plate of mussels.
The sparkling sea from a boat.
Storm brewing...
Ibiza Holiday 2011 (Part 4)
Yes, there are more...
The clearest water I have ever seen!
One of Ibizas famous lizards. Cute.
Ivonne relaxing on our balcony, doing a puzzle.
The cliffs go even redder in the sunset.
The clearest water I have ever seen!
One of Ibizas famous lizards. Cute.
Ivonne relaxing on our balcony, doing a puzzle.
The cliffs go even redder in the sunset.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Ibiza Holiday 2011 (Part 3)
More pictures, getting bored yet?
I drank a few of these, and you may just about be able to see the puzzle book in shot, yes, I had a wild time in Ibiza!
Cala Martina
Cala Martina, a lovely quiet little beach near Es Cana.
Looking over to Saint Eularia.
I drank a few of these, and you may just about be able to see the puzzle book in shot, yes, I had a wild time in Ibiza!
Cala Martina
Cala Martina, a lovely quiet little beach near Es Cana.
Looking over to Saint Eularia.
Ibiza Holiday 2011 (Part 2)
More photos from my holiday last week!
View from room balcony first thing in the morning. I am quite pleased with this picture.
Similar view later in the day!
Boat trip!
This is our Hotel, the Cala Nova Fiesta from the boat.
Blue, blue, blue!
Me, relaxing on the boat.
View from room balcony first thing in the morning. I am quite pleased with this picture.
Similar view later in the day!
Boat trip!
This is our Hotel, the Cala Nova Fiesta from the boat.
Blue, blue, blue!
Me, relaxing on the boat.
Ibiza Holiday 2011 (Part 1)
It's time for the online equivalent of a slide show in the front room. Curtains shut, projector buzzing, and hopefully all the slides are the right way up.
Here are my photos of our excellent holiday to Ibiza last week!
View from the hotel.
Me having just arrived, this drink was far too blue.
The bar had nice folksy music playing,
Es Cana at dusk.
Es Cana bay.
Here are my photos of our excellent holiday to Ibiza last week!
View from the hotel.
Me having just arrived, this drink was far too blue.
The bar had nice folksy music playing,
Es Cana at dusk.
Es Cana bay.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Kop Hill Climb 2011
In 1910 one of the first hill climbs in the country took place on a hill in the Buckinghamshire countryside. 100 years later cars are here tearing up the hill again. The Kop Hill Climb is one of the oldest motorsport events on the country, and a few years ago it was revived. A beautiful location within the Chiltern Hills and beautiful old cars spanning 11 decades can be seen. This is the best £5 you will spend on a day out.
The cars can be best seen in the paddock, cars from 1903 to present day, road cars, race cars, concept cars... you never know what you might find next.
This is like the Goodwood Revival, but on a personal level, you can meet the car owners, touch the cars, open the bonnets and generally get involved. So if you like a Talbot, a Rolls, a Ferrari, or a Mini... this is the place to come next year!
Favourite Podcasts - 9 - Dr Karl on Up All Night
Dr Karl is a super celebrity in Australia, he is the Brian Cox of down under... yet he seems to know so little, but he communicates his lack of knowledge well!
Let me explain, early on Thursday mornings BBC 5live has a science phone in hosted by the brilliant Rhod Sharp, and then Dr Karl Kruszelnicki joins down the line from Australia to answer questions. Mostly mad people ring in with science questions. Dr Karl is usually out of his depth with the questions (although about one in 5 he answers very well) and calls for an expert to ring in and help him.
This should be annoying, someone like Dr Chris Smith (we will come to him on a later blog entry) would have the answer there and then, but Dr Karl will fumble about, try and work something out from 'first principles' on the spot, give half an answer and then give up.
But I love this approach, it gives me hope that I can work some science stuff out for myself, and even a super star like Dr Karl needs experts in the field to help him. He makes me feel less stupid and gives me pointers on how a normal person can work stuff out for themselves... in fact he is a great Skeptic (see Pod Delusion).
Oh, and also it is great fun to laugh at the strange people who ring in to the show...
Download at BBC 5live website here.
Let me explain, early on Thursday mornings BBC 5live has a science phone in hosted by the brilliant Rhod Sharp, and then Dr Karl Kruszelnicki joins down the line from Australia to answer questions. Mostly mad people ring in with science questions. Dr Karl is usually out of his depth with the questions (although about one in 5 he answers very well) and calls for an expert to ring in and help him.
This should be annoying, someone like Dr Chris Smith (we will come to him on a later blog entry) would have the answer there and then, but Dr Karl will fumble about, try and work something out from 'first principles' on the spot, give half an answer and then give up.
But I love this approach, it gives me hope that I can work some science stuff out for myself, and even a super star like Dr Karl needs experts in the field to help him. He makes me feel less stupid and gives me pointers on how a normal person can work stuff out for themselves... in fact he is a great Skeptic (see Pod Delusion).
Oh, and also it is great fun to laugh at the strange people who ring in to the show...
Download at BBC 5live website here.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 8 - Ricky Gervais
It could probably be argued that the idea of the 'podcast' was popularised in the UK by Ricky Gervais, many people did not know what a podcast was until he came along, and his was certainly one of the first few podcasts that I ever found.
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant presented a radio show on the then trendy indie station XFM (not sure when it went out of fashion, but you hardly hear of the station anymore!), and XFM then edited the show down into a series of podcasts. Ricky is funny, and even when he is not funny he laughs at his own jokes in a way that is infectiously funny.
Stephen Merchant is always funny, and is a calming influence on Ricky's sometimes over exuberant style of broadcasting.
The genius of the XFM podcasts was the producer Karl Pilkington. I am sure I don't need to say anything about him, he has become a super celebrity in his own right, but in the early days of the podcast you were never sure if Karl was a character, a spoof, or quite to to make of him. This tension made his absurd comments even funnier.
The podcast then broke free of XFM, and eventually became a pay-to-download affair. The idea had become a bit tired by then and I gave up paying for it. But this podcast had a huge influence on the world of downloads, it inspired many comedians to create podcasts, and helped commercial radio to break into the podcast market as well.
I am not sure if the podcast is still going in any way, I know some of it was animated for television, but can't be sure if there are any new ones.
Find out more here.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 7 - Filmspotting
This podcast was a game changer in the world of podcasts for me, for several reasons.
It was the first podcast that I found that had a reasonable back catalogue online to download the whole of.
It was the first podcast to gain it's own folder on my Mp3 player.
It was the first podcast I listened to that was not related to a British radio show.
Filmspotting is a film podcast based in Chicago, the two presenters Adam Kempenaar and Matty (ballgame) Robinson are passionate and knowledgeable about film in an extraordinary way.
In the early days that I was listening the podcast was called Cinecast, and came out twice a week. Matty was just an occasional guest and the other host was Sam Van Hallgren I was a little into films at that point, but this podcast really got me interested. I signed up to the Lovefilm rental service and started adding loads of films that they had been talking about onto my list. I watched films and genres that I would never have thought about watching before.
It was this podcast that prompted me to watch 5 Woody Allen films in 3 days, watch Citizen Kane for the first time, made me decide to become a member of our local independent cinema, and much much more.
Cinecast had to change names for legal reasons, Sam left to do other things, and it went to once a week. It is still a fantastic listen though, and although I don't watch that many films these days (these things come in cycles for me) I still love listening to their witty, smart and insightful chat.
Each episode reviews a new film at the start, has some listeners feedback, usually an older film is reviewed (as part of themed 'marathons') and then they do a top themed 5 at the end (in a homage to Nick Hornby).
Download Filmspotting here.
It was the first podcast that I found that had a reasonable back catalogue online to download the whole of.
It was the first podcast to gain it's own folder on my Mp3 player.
It was the first podcast I listened to that was not related to a British radio show.
Filmspotting is a film podcast based in Chicago, the two presenters Adam Kempenaar and Matty (ballgame) Robinson are passionate and knowledgeable about film in an extraordinary way.
In the early days that I was listening the podcast was called Cinecast, and came out twice a week. Matty was just an occasional guest and the other host was Sam Van Hallgren I was a little into films at that point, but this podcast really got me interested. I signed up to the Lovefilm rental service and started adding loads of films that they had been talking about onto my list. I watched films and genres that I would never have thought about watching before.
It was this podcast that prompted me to watch 5 Woody Allen films in 3 days, watch Citizen Kane for the first time, made me decide to become a member of our local independent cinema, and much much more.
Cinecast had to change names for legal reasons, Sam left to do other things, and it went to once a week. It is still a fantastic listen though, and although I don't watch that many films these days (these things come in cycles for me) I still love listening to their witty, smart and insightful chat.
Each episode reviews a new film at the start, has some listeners feedback, usually an older film is reviewed (as part of themed 'marathons') and then they do a top themed 5 at the end (in a homage to Nick Hornby).
Download Filmspotting here.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 6 - Adam and Joe
Adam and Joe are just naturally funny, every line they say makes you smile, every silly childish noise raises a chuckle, every long winded jingle or song makes you laugh. If Adam and Joe made a cup of tea it would be a funny beverage.
If I were ranking podcasts (which I am not) then this would be in the top 3, in fact this blog is named after one of their catchphrases.
This is another podcast based on a radio show (BBC 6music) with a few download bonuses. it features Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish. You are as likely to find them talking about a random and unpredictable selection of topics each week such made up jokes, film scenes, train announcers or the Points of View theme tune.
What really shows their comedy genius is the songs they write, from a brand new Bond theme to a pop song about a lizard in a blizzard. Go to You Tube and search for Song Wars or Adam and Joe songs and you will get a good taste of what they can do.
Listening is like a club, Twitter is always alight with in jokes and quotes from shows, there is even an identifying action for listeners to find each other in public spaces... but even if you are a first time listener you will soon pick it up in a few shows, and in fact in jokes are created and dropped all the time, so even if you don't feel involved in one you will soon be part of a brand new one.
Adam and Joe are on a break at the moment, but I implore you to download some of the last series of podcasts, Adam and Joe is what podcasts were made for.
Download at the BBC 6music site here.
If I were ranking podcasts (which I am not) then this would be in the top 3, in fact this blog is named after one of their catchphrases.
This is another podcast based on a radio show (BBC 6music) with a few download bonuses. it features Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish. You are as likely to find them talking about a random and unpredictable selection of topics each week such made up jokes, film scenes, train announcers or the Points of View theme tune.
What really shows their comedy genius is the songs they write, from a brand new Bond theme to a pop song about a lizard in a blizzard. Go to You Tube and search for Song Wars or Adam and Joe songs and you will get a good taste of what they can do.
Listening is like a club, Twitter is always alight with in jokes and quotes from shows, there is even an identifying action for listeners to find each other in public spaces... but even if you are a first time listener you will soon pick it up in a few shows, and in fact in jokes are created and dropped all the time, so even if you don't feel involved in one you will soon be part of a brand new one.
Adam and Joe are on a break at the moment, but I implore you to download some of the last series of podcasts, Adam and Joe is what podcasts were made for.
Download at the BBC 6music site here.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 5 - Dave Gorman
The Merchant of Tennis, Indiana Bones and the Temple of Groom, Much ado about toys, Tina we salute you!
Anyone who does not listen to the Dave Gorman podcast from Absolute Radio will not understand what just happened, regular listeners will already be smiling at reading this list.
This podcast is, like many others, an edited version of a radio show. Dave Gorman is host, Danielle Ward and Martin White the trusty co-hosts. The edited show is really great listening on it's own (Martin actually writes a song based on the show during the show each and every week!), but the genius is the podcast extras that are recorded after the show, Listeners Lexicon, correspodcast and the hilarious Pun Street.
Dave Gorman is a brilliant comic, and this podcast shows he does not just do great scripted stand up comedy (His live show from last year is one of my favourite comedy shows I have ever seen) but he can also do great spontaneous humour too.
So many comedians have a podcast these days, some just don't work all that well, but this one really is a treasure, and makes me look like a grinning idiot on the bus every Monday.
Dowload at the Absolute Radio site here.
Anyone who does not listen to the Dave Gorman podcast from Absolute Radio will not understand what just happened, regular listeners will already be smiling at reading this list.
This podcast is, like many others, an edited version of a radio show. Dave Gorman is host, Danielle Ward and Martin White the trusty co-hosts. The edited show is really great listening on it's own (Martin actually writes a song based on the show during the show each and every week!), but the genius is the podcast extras that are recorded after the show, Listeners Lexicon, correspodcast and the hilarious Pun Street.
Dave Gorman is a brilliant comic, and this podcast shows he does not just do great scripted stand up comedy (His live show from last year is one of my favourite comedy shows I have ever seen) but he can also do great spontaneous humour too.
So many comedians have a podcast these days, some just don't work all that well, but this one really is a treasure, and makes me look like a grinning idiot on the bus every Monday.
Dowload at the Absolute Radio site here.
Monday, 12 September 2011
Favourite Podcasts - 4 - Radio 4 Documentary of the week
I wasn't going to put this one in, and that may mean I have to bump another one out later, but today I listened to an episode that made me realise that it had to go back in.
This podcast stream is simply documentaries that have been broadcast on Radio 4, theoretically one a week, but recently there have been some days with 3 new podcasts.
Subjects cover all sorts, technology, science, arts, politics and religion. I probably download one in ten that are published, but that one is usually like finding gold dust, something that broadens the mind and educates in a subject you may not have given much thought to.
This low hit rate made me not have it in my original list, but I listened to an episode today by Naomi Alderman that gripped me and made me think about a subject (9/11 and it's affect of peoples religious views) that I had not really given any thought to.
Find somewhere quiet and listen to it, it's only 15 minutes long, if you don't find it interesting then there might be something else on the feed that you like. Or it might be that I am just a old fuddy-duddy that just likes documentaries.
Listen to the individual episode by Naomi Alderman here, or the podcast feed here.
This podcast stream is simply documentaries that have been broadcast on Radio 4, theoretically one a week, but recently there have been some days with 3 new podcasts.
Subjects cover all sorts, technology, science, arts, politics and religion. I probably download one in ten that are published, but that one is usually like finding gold dust, something that broadens the mind and educates in a subject you may not have given much thought to.
This low hit rate made me not have it in my original list, but I listened to an episode today by Naomi Alderman that gripped me and made me think about a subject (9/11 and it's affect of peoples religious views) that I had not really given any thought to.
Find somewhere quiet and listen to it, it's only 15 minutes long, if you don't find it interesting then there might be something else on the feed that you like. Or it might be that I am just a old fuddy-duddy that just likes documentaries.
Listen to the individual episode by Naomi Alderman here, or the podcast feed here.
Favourite Podcasts - 3 - Pod Delusion
I am a recent convert the the movement of Skepticism, well, convert is totally the wrong word, but I have only heard about it in the last 18 months or so.
I am not sure about the series of events that let me to find this podcast, possibly through the comedian Robin Ince, possibly through searching for Richard Dawkins on the internet... I have genuinely forgotten how I discovered it, but after hearing an episode I immediately went back to episode one and listened to them all.
The podcast, presented by the likable James O'Malley, is a collection of articles provided by various contributors, there is rarely an overall theme, but each article is something that the contributor feels passionate about.
It comes from a liberal, skepitical and rationalistic viewpoint, but there are also plenty of contrasting views as well, Torys and Christians have also contributed in recent episodes.
The podcast introduced me to Skeptics in the Pub, the podcast is actually born out of Westminster Skeptics, which has lead me to meet some splendid people at High Wycombe Skeptics in the Pub, and has made me think a lot more about what I believe about the world generally.
I also love that fact it is a very professional sounding podcast, in fact it sounds like a radio show, and this makes it a pleasure to listen to, and the host James has a sense of humour that any dad would be proud of...
Find the podcast at the Pod Delusion.
I am not sure about the series of events that let me to find this podcast, possibly through the comedian Robin Ince, possibly through searching for Richard Dawkins on the internet... I have genuinely forgotten how I discovered it, but after hearing an episode I immediately went back to episode one and listened to them all.
The podcast, presented by the likable James O'Malley, is a collection of articles provided by various contributors, there is rarely an overall theme, but each article is something that the contributor feels passionate about.
It comes from a liberal, skepitical and rationalistic viewpoint, but there are also plenty of contrasting views as well, Torys and Christians have also contributed in recent episodes.
The podcast introduced me to Skeptics in the Pub, the podcast is actually born out of Westminster Skeptics, which has lead me to meet some splendid people at High Wycombe Skeptics in the Pub, and has made me think a lot more about what I believe about the world generally.
I also love that fact it is a very professional sounding podcast, in fact it sounds like a radio show, and this makes it a pleasure to listen to, and the host James has a sense of humour that any dad would be proud of...
Find the podcast at the Pod Delusion.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Things I have seen around Aylesbury (Part Four)
Sexism. Alive and kicking in Aylesbury.
The Kingsbury is a truly awful place.
The Kingsbury is a truly awful place.
Favourite Podcasts - 2 - Collings and Herrin
You know those annoying friends you have who are always saying really rude inappropriate things, who tell you the same stories over and over again, who talk confidently about subjects from a place of ignorance? They are frustrating, but somehow fun to be around. Somehow a gathering would not be complete without them.
Well this is a bit like listening to Collings and Herrin Podcasts. The premise is that Andrew Collins (Collings) and Richard Herring (Herrin) sit in Richards attic with the papers and talk about the news. Well that was the original premise, the papers have kind of been forgotten, and now they talk about anything they like.
Often discussion revolves around the things Richard wants to do to Andrew, often about how much they hate each other, often about the disturbed contents of Richards head...
I have listened to every episode so far (over 2 years worth) and I can't count the amount of times I have thought an episode was so stupid that I was going to give up downloading it, but somehow the next one comes out and I find myself listening again and laughing along.
Richard and Andrew have recently had a very public falling out, so the podcast is on hold. I am fairly sure they will be back one day though, and they will pick up the bumming jokes where they left off.
Download at The British Comedy Guide here.
Well this is a bit like listening to Collings and Herrin Podcasts. The premise is that Andrew Collins (Collings) and Richard Herring (Herrin) sit in Richards attic with the papers and talk about the news. Well that was the original premise, the papers have kind of been forgotten, and now they talk about anything they like.
Often discussion revolves around the things Richard wants to do to Andrew, often about how much they hate each other, often about the disturbed contents of Richards head...
I have listened to every episode so far (over 2 years worth) and I can't count the amount of times I have thought an episode was so stupid that I was going to give up downloading it, but somehow the next one comes out and I find myself listening again and laughing along.
Richard and Andrew have recently had a very public falling out, so the podcast is on hold. I am fairly sure they will be back one day though, and they will pick up the bumming jokes where they left off.
Download at The British Comedy Guide here.
Favourite Podcasts - 1 - Chequered Flag
This is the first of many BBC podcasts that make up my favourite podcasts, and one of only two F1 related podcasts.
It consists of a podcast version of the 5live pre-race show on Friday nights, and then a short review of the race posted usually a few hours from the end of each race.
The BBC Radio 5live commentary team are much better than the TV team, they seem to take the sport a bit more seriously, with much more in depth analysis and a less patronising tone. The regulars include the commentator David Croft, who holds things together, sportscar driver (and previous F1 test driver) Anthony Davidson, new recruit Natalie Pinkham, mine of F1 Knowledge and F1 historian Maurice Hamilton and occasionally Karun Chandhok, current driver for Team Lotus.
It is always great to get the pre race interviews on the Friday podcast, and it means you can always impress other F1 fans at work on the Saturday with a few random facts or gossip about the race!
Download at the BBC 5live website here.
It consists of a podcast version of the 5live pre-race show on Friday nights, and then a short review of the race posted usually a few hours from the end of each race.
The BBC Radio 5live commentary team are much better than the TV team, they seem to take the sport a bit more seriously, with much more in depth analysis and a less patronising tone. The regulars include the commentator David Croft, who holds things together, sportscar driver (and previous F1 test driver) Anthony Davidson, new recruit Natalie Pinkham, mine of F1 Knowledge and F1 historian Maurice Hamilton and occasionally Karun Chandhok, current driver for Team Lotus.
It is always great to get the pre race interviews on the Friday podcast, and it means you can always impress other F1 fans at work on the Saturday with a few random facts or gossip about the race!
Download at the BBC 5live website here.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
My 25 Favourite Podcasts
Time for a break on the 100 objects, I realise that ten was hard enough, ten times that amount will take quite a bit more thought.
Me, with my headphones in, as usual.
So time for my favourite podcasts, I love listening to podcasts, an hours worth on the way to work, an hours worth in my lunch break, an hour on the way home, and maybe half hour before I go to sleep... I listen to a lot of hours of podcasts each week!
Over the next few weeks I will list 25 of my favourite podcasts, in no particular order. Hopefully there will be a few ones there that you have not heard of that may be of interest to you, and hopefully you will be able to suggest a few new ones for me too!
Let the podcasts begin!
Me, with my headphones in, as usual.
So time for my favourite podcasts, I love listening to podcasts, an hours worth on the way to work, an hours worth in my lunch break, an hour on the way home, and maybe half hour before I go to sleep... I listen to a lot of hours of podcasts each week!
Over the next few weeks I will list 25 of my favourite podcasts, in no particular order. Hopefully there will be a few ones there that you have not heard of that may be of interest to you, and hopefully you will be able to suggest a few new ones for me too!
Let the podcasts begin!
Sunday, 4 September 2011
A history of Neil in 100 objects - Object 10 - Ship of Fools Mug
'Ok, if it's going to be like that then we will take this conversation to Hell!'
That is how many an argument started, and would rumble on for days and weeks, tensions rising, other people sticking their oars in, unlikely allegiances being formed, friendships being broken.
Such is the life on an internet discussion board, peoples views get polarised, respect for one another goes out the window, people say things that they would never say to work colleagues or family.
July 2000, I had been on the internet for about 6 months and had just discovered that there were interesting people out there who liked talking about interesting stuff. I joined a newsgroup (an early discussion forum) that led me to a web based discussion forum for Evangelical Christians, and that in turn led me to www.ship-of-fools.com, a satirical website with an attached discussion boards.
The boards were laid out so that creativity could be kept in one place (Heaven), personal stuff in one place (All Saints) and debates in another (Purgatory) and heated discussion in another (Hell). Many forums claim to have invented this format of organising a forum, but I genuinely think that Ship Of Fools was the first to do it properly.
I quickly came to love logging on to this site, people were smart. funny, varied and friendly. I was particularly interested to find that there were many people who termed themselves Christian, but held wildly different views than my own. This was my first proper encounter with Liberal Christianity.
The ideas that other shipmates (as people who used the sites forum became know as) would challenge what I thought, and made me think constantly about the beliefs that I held. The end result of where my beliefs are today perhaps says all you need to know about the result of my faith being challenged (and of course it was more than this one site who got me here, but it was a very important factor).
But more than the intellectual discussion it was the community aspect that grabbed me most. We took the online into the real world, we met up at pubs locally, or in London or Bristol or Cardiff or Swansea, we went on several weekends away in beautiful Northern towns, and at the Greenbelt festival.
Some people on that site became my best friends, and many remain so. There were certainly some strange people I met, but the good ones more than made up for that, and in fact made 'Shipmeets' more entertaining, and provide a good source of humour and stories...
I became involved in the running of the forums for a good few years, mostly hosting the discussions devoted to fun and creativity called Heaven (hence the mug, which was sent to me when I gave up formally being involved in the site).
Earlier this year the world sadly lost the lady who brought more to the site than any other, Erin, who was a huge personality on the site, and ran it wonderfully and (mostly) fairly from the very start. She sent me a Christmas card every year, and we spoke on the phone a few times. Amazing how someone you have never met can have a big impact on you.
The site is still there running strongly, have a look at Ship of Fools, and although I only pop back there from time to time I think it is still one of the best run forums on the internet, and recognise it has had a big impact on my adult life (and I have only touched on its influence on this blog!)
Now go to Hell.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
A history of Neil in 100 objects - Object 9 - DAB Radio
If you cut me in half I would bleed to death within seconds. But If I were a stick of rock and you cut me in half you may find the word 'Radio" running through it, although it may be a case of pareidolia (Google it!).
My parents, stuck for a birthday gift for me in the late 80's, bought me a small Sony FM/AM radio.
It was about the size of a small paperback book and took two AA batteries. I immediately started to explore everything it could do. I mostly enjoyed the local radio stations Devonair, and BBC Radio Devon, but also liked radio 1 (then on AM), occasional police and aircraft broadcasts, the early Radio 5, but mostly Radio Luxembourg.
Once darkness fell Radio Luxembourg would be audible on 1440khz AM, to be honest it was a station whose future was pretty much non existent by the early 90's, but the sounds of Emperor Rosko, Mike Hollis and Mark Page kept me awake through the night. The station seemed exotic, and very few people I knew listened to it, so it was unique!
My listening changed, stations came and went, for many years I loved Atlantic 252 (the college common room station of choice), I adored Mark and Lard on Radio 1, a BBC Radio Devon show called 'We Will Rock You' with Nicky Schiller, and many other stations and shows.
I dreamt one day of working in Radio, it seemed such fun and a great way of earning a living.
When I moved out of home I didn't bother buying a TV, and lived without one for 7 years. Who needs TV when you have radio and books?
I got involved in radio myself, helping with Exeter Hospital Radio, also working at weekends for the now defunct Apple FM (£10 a weekend), and also the Exmouth station Bay FM. Much as I am fascinated by the internal working of the radio world I actually found it full of annoying people with big egos (with a few notable exceptions) and decided not to do radio as a hobby, or pursue it as a career anymore!
My first digital radio was the best thing I had ever owned up to that point, I loved the clarity of sound, and the huge variety of stations. BBC6Music gripped me instantly, and I loved listening to Andrew Collins and Tom Robinson playing an amazing eclectic mix of music. 5live sports extra gave me a whole load of new Formula One coverage, and Virgin Radio (now Absolute) provided good quality commercial radio with good mainstream rock and indie music.
Everything has changed now of course, I mostly listen to podcasts, I listen to radio through the TV (due to the bad DAB signal in Aylesbury) and I certainly don't want to work in radio these days.
But I would still choose radio over TV, given the choice. The smart, witty and intelligent content of Radio 4 is far better than anything on the TV, people such as Danny Baker, Mark Radcliffe and Geoff Lloyd will always be more talented than a hundred TV chat show hosts put together.
The Buggles were SO wrong.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
A history of Neil in 100 objects - Object 8 - Fiat Panda
I bought this car off a girl I used to host a radio show with, it was £300 and had 9 months MOT.
What I loved about this car is that it was so basic, no radio, no power steering, no electric windows. It was simply a box with an engine and wheels.
But what a great car, it handled so well, used so little fuel and was so simple to clean and maintain. I didn't do huge miles in this car but it got me to South Wales on 3 occasions, London twice, Bristol countless times and Birmingham once. It also went to Dawlish and Teignmouth more times that I can count.
I loved the Panda so much, I would toot and wave to other Panda drivers, I named it (Pandora, as it was like a box), and, like my DMs I felt it was cool.
Sadly on New Years day, 2 and a half years after getting it something went horribly wrong. I still don't know if clouting the curb caused the engine to explode, or if the engine exploding caused me to run into the curb and off the road. Either way the Panda was only good for scrap, and was sadly crushed into a smaller box shaped version of itself (I assume).
I went on to buy a Matiz, and grew to love it almost as much. I think I just have a penchant for small, rubbish, flimsy cars.
I have never bought a small model version of the Matiz.
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