Monday Mix-tape - 18.03.2013

Yes, folks, yet another week has shot past in the blink of an eye. This Sunday was St Patrick's Day, the day of the year where countless numbers of folks try and kid themselves that they are as Irish as Graham Norton and then attempt to drink so much Guinness that they see little leprechaun's dancing before them on the toilet cistern as they throw it all back up again.

And, so, in honour of that custom, here are ten tracks from Irish folks, with not a Riverdance in sight!

1) Whisky In The Jar - Thin Lizzy

2) Where The Streets Have No Name - U2

3) Generation Sex - The Divine Comedy

4) Mystic Eyes - Them

5) Linger - The Cranberries

6) Teenage Kicks - The Undertones

7) Girl From Mars - Ash

8) Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

9) Cannonball - Damien Rice

10) Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

There's your ten to track down and listen to. I trust you will enjoy them, and listen to them as you recover from your Guinness-induced hangover on Monday morning!

Until next time dear readers...

Monday Mix-tape - 11.03.2013

Another week has passed us by. While I let you get to grips with that bombshell, I will quickly say how I hope you've all been spoiling your mother, or, if you are a mother, your kids have been spoiling you (with help from dad should they not be old enough to reach the hob).

Right, recovered now? This week I've been listening to some classic tunes from that good old rollicking rock band from Manchester, Oasis. And so, this week, I've chosen ten tracks from the albums that were generally not as well received as the first two...

1) Gas Panic! (from Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants)

2) Hung In A Bad Place (from Heathen Chemistry)

3) A Bell Will Ring (from Don't Believe The Truth)

4) Where Did It All Go Wrong? (from Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants)

5) Force Of Nature (from Heathen Chemistry)

6) Mucky Fingers (from Don't Believe The Truth)

7) The Girl In The Dirty Shirt (from Be Here Now)

8) (Waiting For) The Rapture (from Dig Out Your Soul)

9) Be Here Now (from Be Here Now)

10) To Be Where There's Life (from Dig Out Your Soul)

And there you have it - ten little pieces of quality that were hidden amongst a veritable feast of mediocrity. Do enjoy them, and return once more next week...

Monday Mix-tape - 04.03.2013

Believe it or not, seven days have passed since last week's posting. That's like a whole week! Now we're into March and almost through a quarter of the year already. Christ on a bike!!

Currently, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day. Not that I'm particularly busy or anything, but I'd just like a few more hours to sleep. And, in keeping with this theme of sleep (or lack of), here are ten tracks for your pleasure...

1) The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight - R.E.M.

2) No Sleep Til Brooklyn - The Beastie Boys

3) Tired Of Hanging Around - The Zutons

4) Tired Of Waiting For You - The Kinks

5) Don't Sleep In The Subway - Petula Clark

6) The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tight Fit

7) Nice Dream - Radiohead

8) If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley

9) California Dreaming - The Mamas And Papas

10) Insomnia - Faithless

And there you have it. Ten more tracks for you to discover and enjoy. Until next week.

Opinions, Opinions, Opinions

We all have our own opinions on things. Since humans were able to form thought patterns and then articulate them to other humans, we have had opinions. And that's great. The problems come when some people are convinced that others want to hear those opinions, regardless of whether those opinions are offensive, ill-informed and based on nonsense.

Before the Internet, these people had to make do with writing letters to newspapers, or Points Of View (so they could have Terry Wogan, or a random voice artist to read out their drivel). But since the proliferation of the World Wide Web, the opportunities have exploded. Web forums, Comment sections, Blogs (guilty as charged, Your Honour), and Twitter are just a few places allowing us to spew forth our feelings on whatever subject takes our fancy, whether it relates to the subject or not.

As a regular visitor of the BBC website, a web site called www.football-shirts.co.uk, and also a regular Twitter user, I come across quite alot of ridiculous comments by people hiding behind stupid user names pretending to know what they're talking about.

Being most interested in sport, and football in particular, I quite often chuckle as these people argue amongst themselves and descend to childish insults over things which, ultimately, don't matter. The other website is one where people post pictures of new and rumoured football kits, and other people then come and say whether they like it or not. You get the odd logical comment, but mostly it's people ranting about the benefits of one manufacturer against another, which then moves on to the teams, and down from there! For example...

http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/nike-arsenal-yellow-away_18080

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21613783

The BBC makes the grave error of giving these people the opportunity to clog the pages with this rubbish, and there are regular posters claiming to have access to facts and what-have-you to back up their opinion, only for someone else to come along and use other 'facts' to disprove them.

And of course, there is the behemoth that is Twitter. It amazes me that even now, people still haven't realised that a small off-colour remark can cause the greatest of fall-outs and upset. The presence of famous people only serves to increase the nuisance quota. Remember the Tom Daley incident? The fools in the Fabrice Muamba furore? Even when Welsh Football Manager Gary Speed took his own life, there was a number of people who felt it wise to make tasteless, nasty comments about him and his family.

True, these people were reported to police for their vile comments, but the whole thing was made worse by Twitter. The countless re-tweets of the original comments, the trending hashtag, then the returned vitriol of the sane majority. Ultimately, it always ends in the originator making a grovelling apology, blaming various pressures (like the kid who said he only said what he did because he was disappointed that Tom Daley hadn't won a medal - pathetic or what?).

I have seen a few incidents where people have tweeted celebrities and turned to abuse when no reply was forthcoming, or as recently as this week, a chap asked Masterchef eater-extraordinaire and general-all-round-nice guy Gregg Wallace to retweet his charity fundraising event. Now, all Mr Wallace did was to correct the guy on how his name was spelt (note the extra 'G'), and then it descended to abuse from the first chap, and then, as it re-tweeted, and more people got hold of it, the whole thing snowballed into random, unrelated folks inundating Gregg with abuse and pathetic name calling. Then sanity returned, and the messages of support came flooding in. And reading Gregg's tweets, he actually made the effort to reply and thank people for their support (albeit briefly, bless him). And the one thing that people lost sight of was that he hadn't refused to promote the chap's page, just asked him to spell his name right! As a Jonathan, I've seen my name spelt so many different ways (there are so many variables!), but for Gregg, it's an added 'G' - it's not hard, especially when you just have to read his Twitter ID. Ultimately, the grovelling apology came, with the blame laid fully at the feet of Apple and their bloody annoying 'Auto-correct'.

I've tweeted numerous celebrities on various subjects, and rarely if ever have they replied. But, do you know what? I don't care. They're busy people, getting messages from every Tom, Dick and Harry asking for something or other. They can't reply to everyone can they? They'd never get anything done.

So, next time you've got an opinion on something, stop for a moment and think: Does anyone else need to hear what I've got to say? Will the world feel enriched for my wisdom? Or will the Earth stop turning if I don't let it out?!

If the answer is Yes, then you're either misguided, self-involved, or a politician.

If you have anything to say on this subject, feel free to keep it to yourself!!

Monday Mix-tape - 25.02.2013

Welcome back folks! Another week has shot by faster than a bullet from Oscar Pistorious' gun. (That's ok, isn't it? I mean there's been no doubt that he fired the gun, it's more a question of whether he knew who he was shooting at? Well, I'll allow you to put the 'allegedly' where ever you deem necessary.)

This week, I've gone for a number theme, so here are ten tracks containing a number, and no smart-arse comments from me again (I've worked out that I can do the whole thing a hell of a lot quicker if I leave that crap out).

1) 18 With A Bullet - Pete Wingfield

2) 303 - Kula Shaker

3) Song 2 - Blur

4) 4-Day Weekend - The Bluetones

5) 5 Piece Chicken Dinner - The Beastie Boys

6) 78 Stone Wobble - Gomez

7) One After 909 - The Beatles

8) 10th Street - Fun Lovin' Criminals

9) 1973 - James Blunt

10) 19th Nervous Breakdown

And that concludes this weeks offering. I trust you will find them enjoyable (well, most of them at least) and look forward to throwing together another ten for you next week.

Tatty Bye, as Ken Dodd would say!

Competition Time!

Ok folks, I've been looking at the blog, and decided the time is right for a good old face-lift, and that's where you come in, dear readers.

What I'm after is a photograph or picture that you think sums up the philosophy of Specs, Rugs and Sausage Rolls, or if you want to be literal, some actual Specs, Rugs and Sausage Rolls!

The winning submission will get pride of place on the blog itself, not to mention the Facebook page, and my Twitter profile. If that's not enough, the winner also gets the pleasure of writing their own post for publication on these hallowed pages.

Entries should be submitted with your post (between 300 and 1,000 words) and emailed to me at jonathanmoore1980@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 22nd March, in a bmp or jpeg format, and then the new look Specs, Rugs and Sausage Rolls will be launched on Easter Sunday (resurrection, get it?!).

Hopefully this will catch someone's imagination, but if not, I'll just pay some useless Marketing Company a king's ransom to do it for me!

That's a joke, actually, people, I wouldn't dream of spending any money on something so trivial!!

Monday Mix-tape - 18.02.2013

Another week has gone by, and here we are yet again for another helping of mix-tape fun and frolics. This week, I'm shining the Specs, Rugs and Sausage Rolls spotlight on a band from Sweden, that I'm guessing not many of you will have heard of. Oh, and no, it's not ABBA. Or Ace of Base. It's a band called Mando Diao, and they're pretty darned good.

So, here for your delectation (and without any more smart-arse subtexts), are ten of my favourite tracks from their catalogue...

1) Gloria

2) Ochrasy

3) You Don't Understand Me

4) Mean Street

5) Maybe Just Sad

6) If I Leave You

7) Kingdom & Glory

8) Mr Moon

9) Welcome Home, Luc Robitaille

10) Dance With Somebody

You can go off and listen now, and thank me later. Then why not come back next week as I struggle to find more tenuous themes to warrant linking ten tracks together.

Monday Mix-tape - 11.02.2013

Well, folks, it's almost that time of year again. When men get weighed down with the pressure of expectance and all that malarkey.

That's right: Valentine's Day. And, in celebration of it all, here's ten lovely tracks for your delectation, and no smart arse comments from me to spoil the mood...

1) It Must Be Love - Madness

2) Love - John Lennon

3) All Time Love - Will Young

4) Hallelujah I Love Her So - The Animals

5) Love Is Only A Feeling - The Darkness

6) Why Won't You Give Me Your Love - The Zutons

7) Is This Love - Bob Marley

8) Labelled With Love - Squeeze

9) My Love - Paul McCartney

10) Love Unlimited - Fun Lovin' Criminals

So, that's it. Come back next week for more mix-tape listing, even if you're a man who made a mess of Valentine's Day, or a woman let down by your man.

See you soon!

The NFL gets it's Fairytale Ending

As the dust settles on the events of last night in New Orleans and with Valentine's Day not far off, it's safe to say that the romance of the NFL is still well and truly in bloom.

Ever since the Conference Championship Games threw up the Ravens-49ers match-up two weeks ago, the media has gone barmy as a number of plot-lines all came to a head - the first ever Head Coach Brother vs Brother battle dubbed the Har-bowl, or Super-Baugh (amongst other names), the final swansong for the Ravens' Defensive stalwart Ray Lewis and the opportunity for the 49ers to match Pittsburgh's record of six Superbowl wins (albeit without yet losing) on the back of upstart Quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Around the world, Superbowl Sunday has become a huge event, and the viewing figures are on the increase year on year. Whilst the US naturally has a whole load of hoop-la surrounding the game, fans in the UK have also built up quite a social scene around the game, even though the time difference makes it a through-the-night affair! For me, being in the sticks of rural Shropshire, there is no such opportunity for me (that I'm aware of) to join in such frivolity. So, for a second consecutive year, I watched the game alone in the comfort of my living room.

Now, staying up as late as 4am at the best of times is a challenge only surmountable through copious quantities of coffee and energy drinks, but throw in a 3am airport run to take the girlfriend and our son to Birmingham to catch a flight to the in-laws in Austria on Sunday morning, that made it a 25 hour marathon of endurance, because I just couldn't see myself sleeping through the daylight hours.

I made it to kick-off well enough having enjoyed a pre-game pizza, a beer and a quick burst of Madden NFL on the PlayStation and put BBC2 on to be taken through the game by Mark Chapman, Mike Carlson and Willie McGinest as the obligatory former pro, along with pictures and commentary courtesy of the CBS channel's Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. There was the Red Button option to get the BBC's FiveLive alternative commentary from Darren Fletcher and Rocky Boiman, but I stuck with CBS for full authenticity! That's not to take anything away from our guys, because having watched them anchor the BBC's Monday Night Football coverage (once the Beeb realised that constant stat screens between the action was dull and uninspiring), I am hoping that they return with MNF in the new format for next season.

On to the game, then. After a fruitless opening drive for the 49ers, the ball came to Baltimore. New Golden boy, Joe Flacco took the Ravens up the field and got the first points on the board thanks to a throw down the centre to Boldin for a Touchdown. By the end of the First Quarter, San Francisco were also on the board thanks to a Field Goal to cut the deficit to 7-3. Into the Second Quarter, and the Ravens were displaying Offensive fluidity in contrast to the 49ers stuttering and stumbling attack, and after a 49ers fumble from great field position, a 1 yard completion to Pitta (earning his bread) capped another scoring drive to extend the lead to 14-3. The next 49er drive was abruptly cut short by the first interception of the night, and of the 49ers Superbowl history (five Superbowls and no interceptions is quite a feat, so hats off to messrs Montana and Young). Then, as the Ravens were held up at 4th Down, a fake Field Goal attempt almost bore fruit only to be stopped short of the first down mark.

Now what happened next, I don't really know, as tiredness got the better of me and I remember nothing more until I was eventually woken up by Beyonce strutting her stuff in the Half-time show! A quick trip to the kitchen for coffee and energy drink got me revitalised ready to, erm, enjoy the remainder of Beyonce's performance, still in ignorance of what I had missed. The second half approached, and I finally discovered the Ravens had taken a 21-6 lead into the break. On Twitter, Joey Barton was confident of a Baltimore victory and other 'celebrities' were also sharing their feelings on the game. The 49ers kicked off the second half deep into the end zone, Jacoby Jones caught it and went on a 108 yard kick return run all the way back to seemingly put the game to bed at 28-6. Initially it was chalked up as a 109 yard Superbowl record, only to be revised down by a yard.

And then the lights went out. Half of the Superdome was plunged into darkness (bar the emergency lighting) and an eventual 34 minute delay ensued. The cut took out the BBC television and radio feeds, and initially the CBS guys too, but thankfully power was restored so that the necessary information was relayed to the viewing public. The BBC returned at last, and the game resumed. During the pause, there was speculation abound as to how the teams would be affected, with the general consensus being that professionals should be able to cope with the unexpected. In reality though, the stoppage sparked San Francisco into life on both sides of the ball. After Kaepernick connected to Crabtree to shrink the deficit to 28-13, a short Baltimore drive (including a sack of Flacco) ended in a punt, which Ginn returned to the 20 yard line. Frank Gore ran in for a score, and the game was truly back on at 28-20 to Baltimore.

The comeback continued as San Francisco forced a fumble and took a field goal to put the score at 28-23 in the Ravens' favour. The scene was set for a treat of a Fourth Quarter, so I retrieved my last energy drink from the fridge and settled in. Baltimore opened up an eight point lead through a Field Goal of their own (no fakes this time) and prepared to hold off the resurgent 49ers. Unbelievably, or believably if you have seen him in action before, Colin Kaepernick ran in from the Baltimore 15 yard line to put the 49ers just a two point conversion from parity. Sadly it was not to be, so the Ravens got the ball back leading 31-29 with nine minutes still left in the game. They took just over five minutes off the clock with a ten play drive culminating in another Field Goal to open up a 34-29 lead.

Excitement abound as, for the third successive Superbowl (I think), it would all come down to the final five minutes. By now, the energy was flowing through my veins, giving the chemical equivalent of inserting match-sticks in my eyes. When the next drive was halted at the Baltimore 5 yard line with just under two minutes left and with the 49ers having used two Timeouts already, in controversial circumstances (a seemingly clear Defensive Pass Interference call that never came), the scene looked set for Ray Lewis' farewell to end with him holding aloft the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Baltimore ran three run plays to keep the clock ticking and in a tactical move they took a Safety, allowing the 49ers to within 3 points at 34-31, but with a mere 4 seconds remaining. Bar a return by San Francisco, the game was won!

And that is how it finished. Despite a spirited comeback, the 49ers weren't able to complete the job, even with a post-blackout score of 25-6 in their favour. I stuck it long enough to see the trophy presentation (as I do with the FA Cup coverage) and dragged my weary self to bed.

When all is said and done, the Har-bowl ended with the younger brother left in the shadow of big brother in what may be ultimately dubbed 'The Black-out Bowl'. (I'm sure I saw this moniker on Twitter last night, or this morning, but I'm unable to find it again to attribute it properly).

So, that's it until September. In a season that truly re-ignited my love for the game thanks to an investment in time by the BBC, the joys of mobile TV on smartphones, and the best book of the year - Tailgate to Heaven by Adam Goldstein: his story of a UK fan on an oddysey to experience all NFL franchises at all 32 stadiums in one season.

I can't wait, if I'm honest! On the 29th September, I shall be heading to Wembley Stadium to watch my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers play the Minnesota Vikings. Bring It On!!

Monday Mix-tape - 03.02.2013

Welcome to February, folks! It's an early posting this week, because I'm all alone with no distractions . Which you may think is pretty cool, and it is, for about an hour, then it's a bit crap. And also, tonight is the Superbowl, so I'll be watching that all night and into the morning, while you will mostly be in bed.

This week's offering is all about being alone and being lonely (sob)...

1) All By Myself - Eric Carmen
Was he a one hit wonder?!

2) So Lonely - The Police
Funky loneliness!

3) Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley
Even The King knows about loneliness!

4) Isolation - John Lennon
That's what I'm feeling!

5) Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
No list would be complete without it!

6) Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Sublime!

7) We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
I do know where and when though!

8) Without You - Harry Nillson
Ok, I can just about cope on my own!

9) I'm So Lonely - Cast
A nifty song!

10) Lonely Boy - The Black Keys
It's the girlfriend's alarm, and I'll miss it in the morning!

So, if you're also alone and feeling blue, give these a listen, try not to get too depressed though, and then look forward to seeing your loved ones again!

Until next time.

Monday Mix-tape - 28.01.2013

So, have you managed to survive 'The Big Freeze'? I'm guessing that as you're reading this, then you probably have, even if you've lost a few toes to frostbite or something like that.

Well, after two weeks of traffic 'chaos' and 'disruption' due to the snow and cold, the rain came last night and washed it all away. Thank God. So in honour of that, here's ten tracks about rain:

1) Rain - The Beatles
One word that says all I need it to!

2) Purple Rain - Prince
A rare entry for the midget of funk!

3) November Rain - Guns N Roses
Three months too late, or ten months too early?!

4) Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - B.J. Thomas
Luckily I was in bed, so I stayed dry!

5) Rainy Day Women #12 & #35 - Bob Dylan
Not so much about rain, as getting stoned it would seem!

6) Set Fire To The Rain - Adele
Maybe she's been listening to Bob?!

7) Driving Rain - Paul McCartney
Rain, that's driven by the wind!

8) Here Comes The Rain Again - Eurythmics
Not that I'm complaining, for once!

9) Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Yes, I'm sure that's how he spelled his name!

10) It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls
A challenge for the TV weather graphics!

And there you have it. Ten wet wonders to keep you busy for another week.

Monday Mix-tape - 21.01.2013

As usual, the month of January is proving to be quite a drag. The last payday was before Christmas, and that was 4 weeks ago now. There's still another week or so until the next pay packet hits your bank (depending when payday is for some of you), so the bank balance is looking a little thin.

With that in mind, here are ten tracks about that most important commodities in life - money...

1) Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
Legendary guitar riff!

2) Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Stong
Motown original!

3) You Never Give Me Your Money - The Beatles
A song to the money lenders!

4) Money Money Money - ABBA
The title says it all!

5) Millionaire - Kelis featuring Andre 3000
A bit of rnb funk!

6) Money Maker - The Black Keys
A class act!

7) Money's Too Tight To Mention - Simply Red
The ultimate recession song!

8) Opportunites (Let's Make Lots Of Money) - The Pet Shop Boys
If only it was that simple!

9) Taxman - The Beatles
Ah, yes. Everyone's least favourite person!

10) Pennies From Heaven - Frank Sinatra
This would be quite painful, actually!

There's your ten to try. See you next week, and stay away from those nasty payday loan companies!!

Monday Mix-tape - 14.01.2013

Frighteningly, we are already two weeks into 2013. With this in mind, there is nothing for it but to give you ten tracks from one of the greatest bands ever - The Who. But be warned, these tracks must be heard at a high volume, and don't forget, loud music can seriously harm your hearing, kids!

1) My Generation
Well, duh, of course!

2) I Can't Explain
It would be inexplicable to leave this one out!

3) Pinball Wizard
Nothing to do with Mr Potter, though!

4) Won't Get Fooled Again
That's what I say every April 1st!

5) Baba O'Reily
Another one you can't leave out!

6) Magic Bus
You can't have it!

7) A Quick One While He's Away
The birth of the rock opera!

8) I'm A Boy
Child cruelty in song!

9) Who Are You?
Something I wonder as I look in the mirror!

10) Summertime Blues
The definitive version of this song!

I hope you enjoy these, and that your ears have stopped ringing in time for next week's offering!

Monday Mix-tape - 07.01.2013

Well, here were are in 2013! Did you all have a good New Year? For those of us who have been back to work, haven't those three days felt like a whole year already?!

Well, this first weekend of the year has gone, and for the British readers of a certain age, the highlight was most definitely the weekend of retro, or 'Old Skool' children's programming on the Citv channel. The programmes that we grew up with and had our view of the world formed by. Rainbow, Count Duckula, Super Gran, The Sooty Show and many more nuggets of televisual wonderment! For those who have no bleedin' idea, just Youtube it, ok?!

And so, in honour of that slice of retro, this first Monday Mix-tape of 2013 is my own slice of retro - the music I was listening to in my formative years...

1) Living In A Box - Living In A Box
The sheer brilliance of the lyric made it stick in my mind!

2) Me, Myself And I - De La Soul
Heavily influenced by my brother's record collection here!

3) Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice
Look, I felt comfortable with it at the time!

4) Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J
Another brotherly influence, but what a track!

5) Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr
Courtesy of the NOW compilation albums rather than the film itself!

6) What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For? - Shakin' Stevens
It just got into my head, and it's still there if you look closely!

7) Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
It probably stood out on Top of The Pops!

8) Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
It was my Jacko phase post Moonwalker!

9) Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc
Another NOW compilation nugget - always made me laugh!

10) Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N Roses
My brother's introduction to 'real music', aged 8!

There you have it. Arguably the soundtrack to my first decade on this planet. There are probably loads more I could pick out if I felt like it, but these ten are certainly a pretty good snapshot!

So, what songs have stood out from your childhood?!

Until next week...

Playoff Predictions

Welcome all to January 2013! While most of you are nursing hangovers, or struggling to keep your New Years resolutions already, a certain section of people are looking forward to the next month with one thing in mind: The Superbowl.

That's right, it's NFL Playoff time. Last year, you may recall I had a go at predicting the road to the Superbowl, and got it wrong more often than not! Well, not to be humbled by this, I'm going to have another go this year too. So prepare to be amazed as I get things badly wrong once more!

Wild Card Weekend
The opening weekend of the Playoffs consists of the two division winners with the worst records and the two non-division winners with the best record in each conference (that's AFC and NFC). The two divisional champions are seeded 3rd and 4th, and the other two teams 5th and 6th. In order to reward the better finishers, the 3rd seed plays 6th seed, and 4th against 5th.

In the AFC, there is a rematch of last years Wild Card round as the Cincinnati Bengals have been pitted against the Houston Texans again. Houston started well this season, but have started to fade over the final weeks, while the Bengals have gone on a run to overhaul and eliminate my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers from the Playoffs. It's a tough call, but I am going for a Houston victory.
Also, in the AFC, we have the Indianapolis Colts up against the Baltimore Ravens. Having been 1-15 last season, the Colts have made an improvement of unexpected proportions to return to the Playoffs on the back of the form of rookie Quarterback Andrew Luck. The Ravens meanwhile, have continued to be classed as a big hitter in spite of the inconsistency of their Offense. For me, I think the big game experience will prove telling, and the Ravens will sneak through.

Over in the NFC, we have a divisional battle between the division winning Green Bay Packers, and the runners-up Minnesota Vikings. Despite the Vikings winning a close game in the final week of the regular season, I think that Green Bay will take home advantage and use it to generate a victory.
Finally, the Washington Redskins will host the Seattle Seahawks. Two teams with impressive first year Quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III for the 'Skins, and Russell Wilson at the Seahawks, both have shown they can pull off a big game performance. But for me, I think the overall quality of the Seahawks will see them through to the next round.


Divisional Round
This is where the two divisional winners with the best records come in. The Number 1 seed is the team with the best record from the regular season, and they have what is called 'Home-field Advantage' - they are guaranteed to be at home for as long as they are in the Playoffs (except at the neutral Superbowl, of course). The Number 1 seed will play the lowest seeded team left in the Playoff competition.

In the AFC, it was the Denver Broncos who secured the top seed courtesy of a huge winning 11-game winning streak. With Peyton Manning back to the form that made him a Pro-Bowl regular, Denver are looking particularly dangerous, and so, by my reckoning will be up against the Baltimore Ravens. Sadly for Baltimore fans, the adventure will end here as Denver will be too strong for them.
This leaves the New England Patriots to battle the Houston Texans. With the Texans fast becoming a potential Superbowl team, and the Patriots still justifying the 'dynasty' tag, this is a tough one to call. However, I'm going to stick my neck out and tip the Patriots for a narrow victory.

The NFC is equally tough to call. The top seeded Atlanta Falcons have gained a reputation as Playoff chokers, and so playing the Seattle Seahawks might not be the best match-up for them. It could be close, but Seattle will be the winners for me.
To complete the Divisional round, a mighty battle between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. These two have history! The 49ers have put their faith in back-up QB Colin Kaepernick at the expense of Alex Smith, and it's hard to argue that they haven't been rewarded. In a game that could go either way, it's going to be the 49ers for me. Sorry Cheese-heads!

OKAY, WITH ONE GAME STILL TO PLAY IN THIS ROUND, BOTH MY SUPERBOWL PICKS HAVE LOST!!


Championship Game
This is the last game before the Superbowl. This decides who will represent each conference in the greatest game of all.

The AFC will be between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots. Yet another battle between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning should be awe-inspiring, and if I'm honest, both deserve to appear in the Superbowl. Unfortunately, only one can. And for me, I think Manning will be leading his second different team to a Superbowl. Broncos to shade it, possibly in Overtime.
As for the NFC, a third meeting this season for the 49ers and Seahawks. With one win each on home territory (Seattle with a more spectacular win), this is one for the Seahawks to win I feel.

This gives us a Superbowl match-up of Denver Broncos against Seattle Seahawks. Possibly.
I think that Peyton Manning will haul his Broncos over the line for glory. Potentially.

Now, watch me be proved wildly wrong!!! And if you want to leave your predictions below, you are most welcome.

Monday Mix-tape - 31.12.2012

And so, here we are. The final Monday Mix-tape of 2012. It's been quite a year in general, what with that sporting event in London, a non-existent Apocalypse, crazy American gun nutters, continuing unrest in the Arab nations and other stuff.

To go alongside all that, I have tried to guide you all through a musical minefield of what you should be listening to using themes ranging from TV theme songs to stuff I listened to on holiday in Austria. Hopefully you've taken some of it on board and your music collection is suitably enriched.

For this last edition of 2012, I'm going to look forward to 2013. I am featuring two artists who will hopefully be releasing a full album of material into the world, one who I've been enjoying for a while, and one I discovered as recently as the 22nd December this year. I shall leave it to you to work out which is which...

1) Jesus Won't Dance In My High Heels - Four Dead In Ohio
It's got a guitar riff to die for!

2) Utah - Four Dead In Ohio
A real slow burner!

3) Debbie's Whiskey Bar - Four Dead In Ohio
From their most recent EP release!

4) UFO - Four Dead In Ohio
No aliens, promise!

5) Peasants Prayer - Four Dead In Ohio
No mention of food or running water, or anything like that!

6) Emma - The Hummingbirds
Best use of a whistling for a long time!

7) Back In Liverpool - The Hummingbirds
Why would you want to leave?!

8) Break Your Heart - The Hummingbirds
Title track from latest EP!

9) Bankrupt Blues - The Hummingbirds
Bills need to be paid!

10) You - The Hummingbirds
Just go and buy the EPs!


Two different bands, two different sounds, but two bands well worth a listen folks!

Happy New Year from Specs, Rugs And Sausage Rolls!!!

Monday Mix-tape - 24.12.2012

So, well, bloody hell. It's really Christmas. After all that anticipation and hassle over what to ask Santa Claus to bring you (wink, wink), in two sleeps time, he'll have been and left you a pile of gifts under your tree, drunk your brandy and eaten your mince pie. And left you with the difficult question to answer: "How did Santa come down the chimney when we've got a Gas fire, Mummy/Daddy?"

So, while you try and come up with ways to get out of that one, here's my Mix-tape list of ten festive tracks that simply have to be played at this time of year...

1) Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
It's Chriiiiiiiiistmaaaaaaass!

2) I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day - Wizzard
Highly impractical!!

3) Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) - The Darkness
The best festive tune of recent times!

4) Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
A cheery old singalong - as all festive tunes ought to be!

5) Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - John & Yoko
Combining a message of peace with Christmas!

6) Power Of Love - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Not particularly a Christmas song!

7) Lonely This Christmas - Mud
More Seventies Christmas schmalz!

8) Must Be Santa - Bob Dylan
An unlikely source for a Christmas tune!

9) Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
Ba-rum-pum-pum-pum!

10) Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
The King does Christmas!

A Short Message From Specs, Rugs And Sausage Rolls

So, on the day the world DIDN'T end, and a second American nutter with a gun took innocent lives exactly one week after the Newtown events, I would just like to say:

Americans, you are being let down by a minority of knobheads.

The National Rifle Association seem to me to be nothing more than a bunch of people too stupid to understand one simple fact of life - GUNS KILL. They have no other purpose than to end the life of whatever they are pointed at, be it bears, birds, or sadly, humans.

Do you really need to own a gun?! Really? I understand that there is a need to defend yourself, but hey, here's a thought for Barack and his buddies. If you stop people having a constitutional right to own a gun, then surely fewer people will have one. And to solve the problem of all those existing gun-owners, just hold a gun amnesty where for every five guns handed in, you get a free Big Mac Meal or something, you know, just to encourage them.

There were statistics banded about showing the number of gun-related deaths, and naturally, the US were miles ahead of places like the UK, Australia and France. I'd imagine things would look a little different if Mexico and Colombia were included, but that's not the point here!

I'm a parent of young children, and there are millions of parents of young children in the US and all over the world. And I would think we all have one thing in common: none of us ever want to be told our young ones have been murdered by a lunatic wielding a gun whilst at school. Nor do we want to have to comfort them having seen many of their friends and teachers murdered by the same lunatic.

So. Get. Rid. Of. The. Guns.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Monday Mix-tape - 17.12.2012

Yes, I'm back again. This is the last Monday Mix-tape before the mayhem of Christmas really begins. Unless you're one of those who leaves your shopping until the last minute, I'd expect you've done it all, wrapped it up and found a suitable hiding place somewhere in the house (but be warned: they will be looking at every opportunity!)

So, in this lull, I'm going to give you ten tracks to relax with. You can just sit and listen with a relaxing coffee, or glass of wine and a mince pie. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin...

1) Small World - Roddy Frame
One man and his guitar!

2) Calico Skies - Paul McCartney
An ex-Beatle and a guitar!

3) Tangerine - Led Zeppelin
Four men but no fruit!

4) Crystal - Mando Diao
Some Swedish men yet no cut glass in sight!

5) Drop In The Sea - Kula Shaker
Nineties band without a drop of water for miles!

6) Easy Like Sunday Morning - The Commodores
Simples!

7) How Does It Feel - Slade
Four hairy blokes from the Black Country!

8) I Got The Blues - The Rolling Stones
Don't feel too sad though!

9) Karma Police - Radiohead
Don't panic, not the real police!

10) Oliver James - Fleet Foxes
One man's voice!

And also, just as a tribute to the legendary Ravi Shankar, here's three pieces of his music to listen to and let all your troubles and tension drift away on the music...

a) Raga Ahir Bhairav
b) Dadra
c) Maru-Bihag

So that's all for now... the next edition will be a most festive offering for you to enjoy!!!

Monday Mix-tape - 10.12.2012

You'd think that after seven months, I'd start to run out of ideas for these little things, wouldn't you? But thankfully things just keep cropping up to help me maintain a steady flow of mix-tape helpings.

And this week is no different - my poor girlfriend is currently laid up with a bad case of Sciatica and so, this week, in her honour, it's songs with the word 'back' in the title!

1) I Want You Back - The Jackson 5

2) I'll Be Back - The Beatles

3) Coming Back Hard Again - The Fat Boys

4) Back In The USSR - The Beatles

5) The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy

6) Back To Life - Soul II Soul

7) Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-a-lot

8) Back Against The Wall - Cage The Elephant

9) Sing It Back - Moloko

10) Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis

And with that, I say "Get Well Soon" Marisa!!