...come on stephen you can do better than this!

...time to get my act together here ...so an easy start!
...this last week ...busy busy busy!

saturday (started with me 'n' Christine cycling to park run and back. C didn't engage in park run but she will..... in time) the evening saw me an Nik at the Sage to see/hear the mighty God Speed You Black Emperor wash the place with their incredible soundscapes... and they did - despite being interrupted by a mid set Sage evacuation as a consequence of a false fire alarm! Very dramatic! As dramatic indeed as the visuals with a guy projecting some stark cool images (as you'd imagine) from cine projectors. Very good.

sunday saw me at North Terrace Bar in Newcastle at the acoustic night hosted by the very lovely Jon Tait. I had my panel of experts (Christine and Jonathan) there to critique my set.... and they did.... a little too urgent in my performance would be my paraphrasing of their comments. A little strident in the vocals maybe. So.... back to the drawing board after 30 years or so of performing ;-) No, their critique is valued and I agree. Getting used to just playing on my own - and I think I do need a more laid back vocal style.

monday just work (well and spinning on the evening)

tuesday Christine and I headed of to the opera! (Do you see what I did there! Usually on here I say Me 'n' Christine - but hey! we were at the Opera so it's Christine and I!) We saw (heard?) The Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach (also famous for the Can Can - or the Infernal Gallop to give it it's correct title). It was a quite surreal mix compared to other opera I've seen but very enjoyable with some stunning vocal performances. Wonderful that with the Gala Theatre in Durham we have this stuff on our door step. Saw Mr Clasper my old History teacher - don't suppose he'd recognise me 30 years on! Didn't get a chance to speak to him but would have said 'I think my D at A level was more a reflection on my application than your teaching so I hope you've not been worrying about it?' But, his teaching did set the foundation for lots of subsequent historical reading so it did have an impact. And I', sure it was my D in A level history that swung it for me getting the job at Sunderland University!

wednesday saw us out with Tony and Dawn for Burgers at Hollathan's and a lovely night it was too. We even got the bus home and staggered along the road! A little too much to drink (but hey!) and the food, I have to say, was gorgeous. I can recommend the mexican burger!

thursday saw me 'n' Christine (see.... no Opera) out for a walk which ended up as a few pints and a curry at the Millenium on Framwellgate Moor Front Street. The service in that place and the food is just incredible. The food is served by people who clearly care about presentation and service. It tastes wonderful.... and the welcome and farewell you get is simply lovely.

.....and now for friday!

• listening to Jack Savoretti interchanged with James Bay (still! - well why not it's awesome)
• watching Revenge Season 4 (still! - when will it end before it gets so ridiculous it becomes a parody!)
• reading The Marshmallow Test (Mastering Self Control) by Walter Mischel - (hey! keep your comments to yourself!)