Silence

Apologies for the lack of posting. I didn't realise how ill I was until blood tests and x-rays at the hospital last Monday pointed it out. A few days' rest and lots of medication and I should be back to normal soon.

'In the Crowd' - The Jam photos by Derek D'Souza

Last night saw the launch of Derek D'Souza's book of photos of The Jam at the end of its existence.

One of the nicest men in the business, Derek has created a celebration of a snapshot in musical history.

Read my blog on SoSoActive.com

Buy the book on Amazon

Blue plaque - Kipling in Villiers Street

Walking through pouring rain towards Soho, I saw this blue plaque. I had no idea that Kipling had ever lived in central London.

Is this the start of something good in Hitchin?

A new shop comes to Hitchin to fill one of the empty properties. Every town has too many of them and it's time something changed.

Teenage Cancer Trust fundraising gig - 3 August. Get your ticket while you can.

Just committed to play at this gig with Manor Place and the gorgeous Sam Gray.

Come and hear us at the 100 Club. Tickets only a tenner!

Good grammar rules!

Read this if you care about good grammar.

Usually, I hate a ukele

Folk music really isn't my thing. My problem is artists like Emma Stevens, a recent discovery who came to me when she recently supported the fabulous Marcella Detroit at The Stables.

Usually, a folky beat and a ukele would be enough to take me back to the bar, but Emma has a quirky, improvisational and relaxed style which - I am sure - takes a lot of practice.

I even bought a copy of her latest EP. THAT's not something I do often.

Dreaming Trees is a collection of four songs that seem both autobiographical and inspirational. Not in a sickly-sweet kind of way.

Track two was, apparently, written as a present. 'The Star that Guides you Home. I want one of them. The track speeds along nicely and Emma's lyrics extend the metaphor and take it across any number of images. Good songwriting wins every time - even with a ukele.

The EP's title track has a little too much of the story-telling and fantasy nature that is what has always turned me off folk. But the EP is definitely saved by Give a Little Bit. Performed live, this chimed nicely with Marcella's later songs Be the Change and Find the Good. Maybe women who write songs are particularly good at the motivational.

Emma Stevens' songs made me forgive the ukele a little. Maybe I won't always head for the bar when I see one perched on stage in future.


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Getting the value out of my TV licence

First, I should explain why I found myself among a group of around 200 would-be screenwriters in Leicester's Curve theatre.

A good friend recently suggested we pool our talents into a new venture - writing for television. Although taken aback at first, t began to make sense. We're both professional writers and this is little more than a change of genre.

Carol and I found this three-hour session in the BBC Writers Room and signed up quickly. We had no idea what to expect but ended up being motivated and informed - and also a little reassured that what we've been doing is heading in the right direction.

Thousands of scripts are submitted every year to the BBC. Tens of thousands actually. And every one of them is read. Maybe not all the way through, but a minimum of the first ten pages. Surprised? We were. That such an organisation as Auntie is could respect its audience and potential writers is quite reassuring.

Screenwriting tips came thick and fast, alongside real examples of TV shows and scripts to prove the point.Our passion for writing seemed to be the uniting force of the audience and speaker alike and the fire of that passion was stoked further through the three hour seminar. Inspirational and useful.


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The kindness of strangers has nothing on the kindness of friends

All it takes is the smallest gesture of kindness that makes it all better. One kind word from a friend and it doesn't all seem so bad.


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Business blogging benefits

Blogging can bring huge benefits to your business.

It isn't difficult to do and will almost certainly help make you more visible online. Think of it as a magazine article that can be read by anyone, anywhere in the world.

Massive exposure – minimal cost: blogs are free. They are easily built into your existing website or available from dedicated hosting sites like Blogger and Wordpress. Use your company name and product more and you’ll move up the online listings (that’s what SEO means).

Get down and personal: let people know who you are as a company. Show them you’re the kind of person to work with and develop a relationship. Stay in touch with customers, suppliers, employees and even competitors on a regular basis. Don’t just talk to them – listen to them, too. Ask for comments on your blog and find out what your customers really think about your company, products and services.

Build a blogging brand: keep your company visible online and your name at the top of the list. Link to other sites and blogs and share the benefits.

Perfect product placement: tell the world about your new product or service. Tell existing and prospective customers the details direct from you – then invite comments that ought to be positive.

Be the expert: blog about your industry and developments. Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding.

A great new film. Coming soon ...

You know that moment when you've started to write and something makes you stop? Just happened to me and I put off reviewing a film I saw last night. Glad I did - got an email to embargo all online reviews until June. Sorry. You'll just to wait.

Six months later

I walked away from this six months ago today. Well, technically, I was hoisted into an ambulance by several fit fire fighters after they removed the roof of my Corsa, but I was walking 10 hours later.

Not something I wish to dwell on, but I do know that I am lucky to be here now and I will never hear a bad word said about our emergency services

Courgette, tomato and spring onion on their way

A productive few days in the garden and I have swept up all the dried leaves and winter detritus, cleared the pots of everything that died over the winter and sprayed weed killer liberally all over.

Not a bad job, considering the shoulder impediment.It is actually quite funny, trying to move a wheelbarrow while unable to use my left arm.
Everything took twice as long as it should have done - sweeping up with a dustpan and brush rather than a broom was hilarious.

So now, there are three pots of tomato seeds, four of courgette and two of spring onions. The trick now is to keep them watered as the worst winter EVER will probably be followed by the driest summer, and we'll be back onto a hosepipe ban in no time.

Hitchin Fashion Show - on its way

Blogging about Hitchin Fashion Show made me happy:
The Best of Hitchin - Hitchin Fashion Show

A great initiative organised by some great local businesses.


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Gym - back on

First 'real' session. Good times.


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Blue skies, smiling at me

The sky above Kings Cross station. Incredibly blue.

Surely a sign of a bright and productive summer ahead.

Clean Break - inspirational theatre

i was fortunate to watch a production of 'Hours til Midnight' by Clean Break, as part of a conference celebrating women on both sides of the criminal justice system.

The drama was exceptional and seemed to give an insight into the lives of women involved in sides of life that I've no experience of. Definitely thought-provoking.


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Taking action

Two new workouts devised with my trainer. I WILL get fit.


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