Yesterday evening I made a decision and announced it on my Specs, Rugs And Sausage Rolls Facebook page (head to http://www.facebook.com/specsrugssausagerolls and leave a comment or a 'like').
For the year 2013, I have decided to set myself the task or challenge of writing one 5,000 word short story every month. That's twelve stories and 60,000 words in the year.
There is no set theme, so the twelve stories could and probably will be twelve totally unrelated and individual.
And this is where I am inviting your input: some ideas or suggestions for settings, style, theme or whatever.
I've already had my first suggestion - a murder mystery set in a one bedroom flat!
So, you can either visit my facebook page, tweet me @specsnrugs, or leave a comment below. As many ideas as you like, and maybe you'll be lucky enough to have one chosen!
Many thanks for your time!
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Monday Mix-tape - 26.11.2012
As the year ebbs away before our eyes, and the Christmas rush begins in earnest, I thought I'd try and inject a bit of summery optimism by picking out ten tracks by an American group that arguably pushed and encouraged The Beatles to achieve and create what they did.
That's right, it's The Beach Boys!
1) Good Vibrations
Inspired by dogs. Apparently!
2) Wouldn't It Be Nice
Necessarily great opening track to Pet Sounds!
3) Surfin USA
Ironically, only one Beach Boy was a true surfer!
4) Heroes And Villains
Vocal layering to die for!
5) California Girls
Not to be confused with Katy Perry's differently spelt version!
6) I Get Around
Nothing to do with being promiscuous!
7) Little Deuce Coupe
One of many 'driving' songs!
8) I Know There's An Answer
But what is the question?!
9) Sloop John B
It's about boats and stuff!
10) In My Room
A real introspective track!
So now you can go and discover greatness, I've now got to go and find another theme for the next edition of Monday Mix-tape. It's hard work, you know!
That's right, it's The Beach Boys!
1) Good Vibrations
Inspired by dogs. Apparently!
2) Wouldn't It Be Nice
Necessarily great opening track to Pet Sounds!
3) Surfin USA
Ironically, only one Beach Boy was a true surfer!
4) Heroes And VillainsVocal layering to die for!
5) California Girls
Not to be confused with Katy Perry's differently spelt version!
6) I Get Around
Nothing to do with being promiscuous!
7) Little Deuce Coupe
One of many 'driving' songs!
8) I Know There's An Answer
But what is the question?!
9) Sloop John B
It's about boats and stuff!
10) In My Room
A real introspective track!
So now you can go and discover greatness, I've now got to go and find another theme for the next edition of Monday Mix-tape. It's hard work, you know!
Friday, 23 November 2012
The Live Fantastic
This past week, I've been listening to alot of music. Because I like music, believe it or not. I always have had some interest whether it was Living In A Box or Vanilla Ice in my early formative years, Oasis or Radiohead in my teenage years, The Beatles or Sinatra in my twenties, to the present day where you'll often find me listening to pretty much anything of genuine quality (ie non TV Talent Show derived nonsense).
In particular, to mark the delivery of the latest Led Zeppelin live CD/DVD 'Celebration Day' to this rather Led Zeppelin crazed household, I've been listening to the greatest band of the Seventies, and certainly challenging The Beatles for the 'Greatest Band Of All Time' crown, er, well it's Led Zeppelin of course!
As a studio band they were pretty awesome, as their albums testify (the later ones are a bit thin in quality compared to the likes of their early numbered albums and Physical Graffiti), but as a live performing band, from watching the DVD footage and listening to the live recordings, they took it to a whole new level of awesomeness.
Which then got me on to other live albums that I have in my collection, and whether they capture the respective artists quality and performance as successfully.
1) Double Life - Nick Harper
Slightly off-beat guitar magician, this album captures his live persona perfectly, from his energetic playing to his inter-song banter.
2) Familiar To Millions - Oasis
Recorded during the tour of probably their worst album, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, at a time when Liam Gallagher was at his most arrogant and obnoxious. A pity really as I have experienced them myself, and they were better than this.
3) Live At Earls Court - Morrissey
A mixture of his solo output and some Smiths songs in there too, this is one of my favourite live albums in my collection. Even better, there's none of his aloofness coming through either.
4) Good Evening New York City - Paul McCartney
Recording of the concert marking the opening of the rebuilt Shea Stadium, now branded as CitiField or something similar. Whilst it is certainly a reflection of his Macca-ness in action, having seen him in the flesh, the CD is sadly unable to produce the same hair-stood-up-on-the-neck feeling.
5) How The West Was Won - Led Zeppelin
And we come full circle. Led Zeppelin as captured over a couple of shows in their prime. Best listened to at a deafening volume.
6) Live At Leeds - The Who
From their Leeds University gig in 1970, this was the first Who album I bought. This was only the initial release, there have been another two since, finally incorporating the entire Tommy section of the gig, and you can hear a band still at their pinnacle bounding through their repertoire with energy and excitement.
So, that's the conclusion of my live album discussion. If there's ever a good Rolling Stones live album, or even The Beatles (assuming they can try and eradicate the screams), rest assured I shall be adding them to my collection.
In particular, to mark the delivery of the latest Led Zeppelin live CD/DVD 'Celebration Day' to this rather Led Zeppelin crazed household, I've been listening to the greatest band of the Seventies, and certainly challenging The Beatles for the 'Greatest Band Of All Time' crown, er, well it's Led Zeppelin of course!
As a studio band they were pretty awesome, as their albums testify (the later ones are a bit thin in quality compared to the likes of their early numbered albums and Physical Graffiti), but as a live performing band, from watching the DVD footage and listening to the live recordings, they took it to a whole new level of awesomeness.
Which then got me on to other live albums that I have in my collection, and whether they capture the respective artists quality and performance as successfully.
1) Double Life - Nick Harper
Slightly off-beat guitar magician, this album captures his live persona perfectly, from his energetic playing to his inter-song banter.
2) Familiar To Millions - Oasis
Recorded during the tour of probably their worst album, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, at a time when Liam Gallagher was at his most arrogant and obnoxious. A pity really as I have experienced them myself, and they were better than this.3) Live At Earls Court - Morrissey
A mixture of his solo output and some Smiths songs in there too, this is one of my favourite live albums in my collection. Even better, there's none of his aloofness coming through either.
4) Good Evening New York City - Paul McCartney
Recording of the concert marking the opening of the rebuilt Shea Stadium, now branded as CitiField or something similar. Whilst it is certainly a reflection of his Macca-ness in action, having seen him in the flesh, the CD is sadly unable to produce the same hair-stood-up-on-the-neck feeling.
And we come full circle. Led Zeppelin as captured over a couple of shows in their prime. Best listened to at a deafening volume.
6) Live At Leeds - The Who
From their Leeds University gig in 1970, this was the first Who album I bought. This was only the initial release, there have been another two since, finally incorporating the entire Tommy section of the gig, and you can hear a band still at their pinnacle bounding through their repertoire with energy and excitement.
So, that's the conclusion of my live album discussion. If there's ever a good Rolling Stones live album, or even The Beatles (assuming they can try and eradicate the screams), rest assured I shall be adding them to my collection.
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Monday Mix-tape - 19.11.2012
Hello, again, folks! We've passed the half-way point of November now, and the C-word is now just 37 days away. For a change, I've pretty much completed my C-word shopping, so it will be a relaxed time in the Moore-Kober household - apart from the crafting frenzy currently in action next to me as I type!
This week's ten tracks have been inspired by an uneducated remark made by that Irish-Westlife-twonk in this year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing (I'm not a fan, but we put it on around bedtime so that Anthony sees that there is nothing worth staying awake for!) where he announced the song he was going to be dancing to was 'The Best Is Yet To Come' by Michael Buble. Now, the uneducated amongst us will probably not see that as particularly inaccurate, but as I'm educated, it got my back up good and proper! Firstly, there have been countless versions of that song long before Buble was able to talk, let alone hold a note, and secondly, he's not very good in my opinion.
Which got me thinking, so here are ten tracks by ten artists who have more talent in their socks than Buble will ever dream of having, and some of them are dead! In fact, I would anticipate that if you were to exhume Frank Sinatra's body, he would still put on a better show!!
1) The Best Is Yet To Come - Frank Sinatra
Although not in this list!
2) Volare - Dean Martin
Frank's Rat Pack buddy!
3) Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Andy Williams
Who's been playing with the glue?!
4) Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett
The ultimate Lottery win!
5) Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin
Another quality crooner!
6) The Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr
Sweet entry from the third Rat Packer!
7) Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
One of the few I could remember!
8) Release Me - Engelbert Humperdinck
It kept the Beatles off Number One!
9) Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como
Watch out for sharp corners!
10) Always On My Mind - Mike Reid
Yes, I'm saying Frank Butcher is better than Buble!
And that concludes my Better-than-Buble Mix-tape selection. I think you'll find it hard to argue that he is superior to ANY of the above artists, which means my job is done.
Until next time, amigos!
This week's ten tracks have been inspired by an uneducated remark made by that Irish-Westlife-twonk in this year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing (I'm not a fan, but we put it on around bedtime so that Anthony sees that there is nothing worth staying awake for!) where he announced the song he was going to be dancing to was 'The Best Is Yet To Come' by Michael Buble. Now, the uneducated amongst us will probably not see that as particularly inaccurate, but as I'm educated, it got my back up good and proper! Firstly, there have been countless versions of that song long before Buble was able to talk, let alone hold a note, and secondly, he's not very good in my opinion.
Which got me thinking, so here are ten tracks by ten artists who have more talent in their socks than Buble will ever dream of having, and some of them are dead! In fact, I would anticipate that if you were to exhume Frank Sinatra's body, he would still put on a better show!!
1) The Best Is Yet To Come - Frank Sinatra
Although not in this list!
2) Volare - Dean Martin
Frank's Rat Pack buddy!
3) Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Andy Williams
Who's been playing with the glue?!
4) Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett
The ultimate Lottery win!
5) Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin
Another quality crooner!
6) The Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr
Sweet entry from the third Rat Packer!
7) Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
One of the few I could remember!
8) Release Me - Engelbert Humperdinck
It kept the Beatles off Number One!
9) Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como
Watch out for sharp corners!
10) Always On My Mind - Mike Reid
Yes, I'm saying Frank Butcher is better than Buble!
And that concludes my Better-than-Buble Mix-tape selection. I think you'll find it hard to argue that he is superior to ANY of the above artists, which means my job is done.
Until next time, amigos!
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Monday Mix-tape - 12.11.2012
So, another week has been and now gone. And as this weekend included Remembrance Day (not as the frighteningly overused Twitter trend called it #rememberancesunday), this week is a Mix-tape with a difference.
Instead of ten tracks to listen to over the next week, today, I'm going to give you ten War poems by different poets for you to discover. Now I'll be honest and say I've not read much poetry since leaving school, so in order to compile this list, I've had to read and discover a lot of poetry, and the source which was so valuable to me was a website called www.poemhunter.com - try it, as a bank of poetry, it's quite handy.
Anyway, here is my list of poems for you to find and take in...
1) Aftermath - Siegfried Sassoon
2) Anthem For Doomed Youth - Wilfred Owen
3) In Flanders Field - John McCrae
4) All Day It Has Rained - Alun Lewis
5) Agony - Mark R Slaughter
6) 1914 V: The Soldier - Rupert Brooke
7) Vergissmeinnicht - Keith Douglas
8) As The Team's Head-Brass - Edward Thomas
9) Break Of Day In The Trenches - Isaac Rosenberg
10) The Conscientious Objector - Karl Shapiro
There you are, then. Go forth and be educated (or re-educated if you know this stuff already!)
Until next time...
Instead of ten tracks to listen to over the next week, today, I'm going to give you ten War poems by different poets for you to discover. Now I'll be honest and say I've not read much poetry since leaving school, so in order to compile this list, I've had to read and discover a lot of poetry, and the source which was so valuable to me was a website called www.poemhunter.com - try it, as a bank of poetry, it's quite handy.
Anyway, here is my list of poems for you to find and take in...
1) Aftermath - Siegfried Sassoon
2) Anthem For Doomed Youth - Wilfred Owen
3) In Flanders Field - John McCrae
4) All Day It Has Rained - Alun Lewis
5) Agony - Mark R Slaughter
6) 1914 V: The Soldier - Rupert Brooke
7) Vergissmeinnicht - Keith Douglas
8) As The Team's Head-Brass - Edward Thomas
9) Break Of Day In The Trenches - Isaac Rosenberg
10) The Conscientious Objector - Karl Shapiro
There you are, then. Go forth and be educated (or re-educated if you know this stuff already!)
Until next time...
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