Heartland

One thing I've heard is that the live music industry as a whole in the UK is asking the government for £50 million. For comparison Wetherspoons has received £48.3 million Aye, but Wetherspoons' chief is a Brexit-supporting Tory donor who inspired the PM's haircut. Coincidental, I'm sure. I wouldn...

And, continuing the theme, I did an interview with a guy who runs a DIY label in Newcastle. He's optimistic about how things are going for the label but concerned that likely restrictions on how venues can operate might effectively mean the end for his band. If you're not interested in that, it's wo...

Had a bit chat with the guy who runs one of our local small venues. He's pretty pessimistic about being able to operate with any kind of social distancing. Probably the most downbeat of the people I've spoken to about their businesses in the current circumstances. But there's a bonus Banshees refere...

It's easy to be outraged by what appears to be the general public's addiction to shopping, but I saw a tweet earlier (can't find the link now) that made me stop and think. Basically they pointed out that lockdown has been on for ~3 months and that many folks - such as those with babies, infants and...

Spent some time getting to know my local Real Junk Food project café. For those who don't know, the Real Junk Food project brings together cafes up and down the UK with a view to combating food waste. The idea is to intercept food that is rejected by shops and supermarkets before it is thrown away,...

Today I'm mostly reminiscing about watching Team GB pull off an unexpected great escape at the ice hockey World Championship this time last year. And mourning the fact that I'm not in Switzerland doing it all over again. Some memories from last year here: https://vocal.media/unbalanced/britain-s-mir...

Just been tested today. Symptoms started a week ago with a Migraine and sore throat. Gradually as the week progressed, I had Fatigue that I have never experienced before. Luckily I haven't had all the classified symptoms. No temperature or cough and I still have my appetite! The sore throat has gon...

There's a logic to having pro sports continue behind closed doors - watching it on TV isn't as good, particularly with no crowd, but it's better than no sport at all. It's pointless at lower levels, where clubs rely on the money from paying punters. Ironically, the levels where you could manage soci...

emilystrange wrote:how did that go?

It went just fine until half time Oh well, back to the old grind ...

Still in it. And now the fun starts. My wife is Russian. Am I better off with a Croatia win and a disappointed wife, or with a Russia win and a family argument on Wednesday?

Decent read about Kaliningrad, where England play this evening. Russia's oldest stadium, apparently, built in the days when it was still Konigsberg and famous for a load of Kant. Not the stadium England will be playing in, of course, but a nice little story all the same: https://groundhoppers.blog/2...

Pista wrote:Wait! What?

I hope this comment won't be taken the wrong way, but how come the link only has photos of the two runners-up and not the winner? I daren't add that to my search history!

Publishing a shameless World Cup cash-in e-book. Link in sig, for those looking for footie tales that play to different tactics.

LONG time ago - David Byrne

I'm sure the enthusiasm will wear off quickly once she's old enough to realise that daddy isn't the greatest man alive and is really an embarrassing old fool. For now, I'll settle for adulation.

My daughter is barely 20 months old, but is showing promising signs of musical taste. I was trying to keep her quiet today while I did some housework (because that's just how rock'n'roll life is at Mackem Towers these days) and fired up YouTube to play her some age-appropriate material. Unfortunatel...

Anyone interested in non-league football (and a very lapsed heartlander) might get something out of my first foray into e-publishing. A little travelogue / history thing based on spending last season watching Northern League footie. All very grassroots, and like the best sports writing, not really a...

It's been a long time, but I remember BD. Hope she makes a swift recovery -x-

Hom_Corleone wrote:

andymackem wrote:Still, one out of three of the original plan ain't been bad

Bears aplenty?

Everywhere

Gotta be the Nephs for me. There's just more going on, even if a lot of it is mystical bollocks.

And, in all fairness, there's nowt wrong with that. Reality is all too prosaic at times.

Returning to the start of this thread, it's currently about 38C on the streets in Moscow. Personally, I'm appalled. I only moved here because they promised snow, bears and sexually accommodating maidens who would do anything at the sight of a UK passport. Instead there's a law suit against the metro...

Loved Berlin, and have fond memories of seeing Qntal at K17. Partly for the band, partly for the guys we met that night but mostly for the dodgy old bloke in a bar over the road who insisted he was ex-Stasi and introduced us to his Alsatian, Lyubich, who only responded to commands in Russian (this w...

Well, not exactly, but the idea might amuse a few on here. http://www.mn.ru/society/20100722/187943302.html And, if you're really motivated, a poll at mn.ru/vote (don't ask me why it can't be linked to the story - that would be logical and stuff). Serious enthusiasts can even register and comment fo...

Deported? Nah. I work for the state :lol: Which should, of course, be a warning for our dancing meerkat fan ;) @Maisey - thanks for that - I'll try to get hold of him this evening. We can always update the piece tomorrow morning. The internet is so much more flexible than print edition stuff. On a g...

The alarming bit is that I don't think my boss has really read the final story. He was expecting a good old Daily Mail 'Think of the children' rant. Ah well ...