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.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Sunday, 20 January 2013
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!!
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!!
Sunday, 13 January 2013
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!
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!
Sunday, 6 January 2013
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...
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...
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
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.
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