Insurgentes review

Steven Wilson’s first official solo album (I still like to refer musical pieces of work as ‘albums’ even though they are ancient history now that we are in the digital age) came out last month. A couple of trailers were released and widely available to watch on You Tube, which had diehard fans salivating for more (including me), ready to fork out whatever it cost to purchase the CD. Actually the price was too much even for me (a diehard fan remember) even as an indulgence, so I was resigned to wait until next February when the much reduced priced retail version comes out. However, it is at the moment available to pre-order and you can get a download version until the actual CD arrives. So I have succumbed to the temptation of the download I have it safely tucked away in my iPod.
Speaking of indulgence, Wilson has mentioned several times that he writes music for himself, and if the fans love it…great. If not…tough shit! It’s so refreshing to know that there are such artists out there, who don’t pander to the record executives and mass marketing pressures, and produce under the direction of whatever creative force that surrounds them. There is so much anyone can write about love and getting ‘your woman between the sheets’. It’s been done to death for the last 5 decades! Wilson writes about what he sees around him. A great example is the last Porcupine Tree album ‘Fear of a Blank Planet’ (2007). A concept album (heard of them before?) about the state of the disaffected youth of today, it is a social comment on how Wilson sees most of the youth of today behave and spend their existence. The songs deal with their preoccupation with computer games, iPods (yes even the fantastic iPods!), MTV and dependence on prescription drugs (and illegal ones I may add), which result in the aggressive and unpredictive behaviour that we read about and see on the news everyday. Pretty gloomy state of affairs really, but who can argue with him. On the day the album was released a student went on the rampage in an American University and killed many, just because nobody was paying attention to him! This subsequently resulted in the video for the opening track being withdrawn for a while because of the scenes depicting young kids wielding guns, but Wilson’s point was hammered home well and truly.

This album takes a few listens to really get into it (as do all albums really), but the opening track blew me away from the first listen. True the 1st trailer Wilson released did constitute pieces from this track, called Harmony Korine, so I had an advanced warning. It encapsulates what Wilson’s music is all about. His music always makes you wander what is round the corner, for example if he starts all mellow at the beginning, I can almost guarantee that it won’t end up mellow! A couple of minutes into this track he lets rip with trademark heavy guitar riffs, then goes back to mellow, but doesn’t forget the riff because it keep coming back. A fantastic opening track.

So, I’m thinking, if it carries on like this then I’m in for a treat, and continuous play on the old iPod. True to form, a completely different track for the second! It’s the one that is slowly growing on me, and sort of reminds me of No-Man, the band he collaborates with Tim Bowness. A haunting song, it almost ends with a heavy drone, which I think spoils the song. Overall my least liked track.

The third track, Salvaging, is back to rock territory, layers of guitars for a maximum power riff, and again you wonder where the track is going to take you. More guitars! A sort of a later Rush sort of song, and transforms to a lovely mellow and violiny direction towards the end. But that’s not the end. The final part builds into a crescendo of noise, rather like some of the tracks on his Bass Communion albums. Interesting track to listen to.

The next track starts like a re-working of the ‘The Sky Moves Sideways’ track, a 1995 album of Porcupine Tree, and the lyrics could come out of a ‘Blackfield’ album, another project of Wilson’s. This is a very well arranged track, plenty of instrumental overlays (as all of them are really). No rock parts, the track almost takes you away to a far flung island somewhere.

‘No Twilight Within the Courts of the Sun’ is the 5th track as the name suggests this is a progressive rock track, but progressive Steven Wilson style. Brilliant guitar work embedded with a killer background rock riff, a la Led Zeppelin, it takes you to No-Man territory, circa ‘Wild Opera’ for a while, then gentle harmony, which remind me of Mike Oldfield’s ‘Incantations’, with a little bit of piano that reminds me of ELP’s track ‘Trilogy’.

The sixth track ‘Significant Other’ is gorgeous and second favourite track. Brilliant opening, melodious and catchy echoy guitar, leading to a wonderous guitar riff which eventually gets heavier as the track progresses. In this track, Wilson proves that he can write brilliant catchy melodic songs, as he has done on numerous occasions with PT, Blackfield and No-Man. The track ends chaotically, imagine hurtling down to earth at great speed, and finally with a gentle xylophone. Honestly!

Only Child opens quite lazily and plods along like a Kings of Leon song. So what can Wilson do to pep it up? Not much I’m afraid. It also reminds me of later Genesis somehow, something that they did as a B side, but I can’t think of the track. It’s ok, nothing special. One of the few occasions that Wilson doesn’t follow his own template of changing music styles within a piece of music.

Twilight Coda is a lovely instrumental piece that could easily be a piece in a film soundtrack, a direction that Wilson will surely sample in the near future. In fact a lot of his music could easily find its way into film.

Some of the pieces from the next track ‘Get All That You Deserve’, was used for the second trailer and I wasn’t that enamoured with the music when I first heard it, but the track has to listened to fully to appreciate it. Again it starts off slow, painfully slow really, but builds up to a magnificently moody rock piece with Gavin Harrison’s heavy drumming complementing the chaotic and sometimes painfully sounding almost out of control guitar that ends the track. Definitely 21st century progressive rock.

The title track ends the album and it’s amazing how often Wilson will have a sad, slow and mellow track to end his albums. Refer to ‘Stop Swimming’ on the Stupid Dream album, and ‘Feel So Low’ on Lightbulb Sun. The piano at the beginning reminds me of Sarah McLachan’s ‘Possession’, a great track and one of my favourites.

Overall a very enjoyable journey into Wilson’s first foray into solo territory. I look forward to receiving the CD in a couple of months which also has an excerpt from a forthcoming documentary he made with long term collaborator Lasse Hoile which will be shown at various film festivals next summer.

It really IS the end of a nightmare!

It seems that whenever I write for my blog the posts tend be on the negative side. I fear I’m a lot more cynical in my old age and seemingly ordinary things really fucking irritate me. I could post everyday about something that either upset me or I think ‘someone did something really stupid today’ sort of thing, but that would give people the wrong impression of me. Despite the world going to hell I am still a positive person who thinks there are a lot of good things going on, though I can’t actually think of anything at the moment! But such moments do come along and usually when least expected. A smile from a passing stranger will lift my heart and wipe away a recent disappointment or a negative thought in an instant, simple in its execution but powerfully meaningful and really makes me glad to be alive. Only the other week we had a bad overnight frost and our car needed de-icing. I had bought a couple of cans of the stuff from Halfords, and I had nearly finished on our car and I noticed that one of the residents in the block of flats nearby was struggling with a scraper to get rid of the ice on his car. I had no hesitation to go over there and give him a few squirts just to speed up the process for him. I had no idea who he was, it didn’t enter my head that he might be the worst person on earth, (a purely non-judgmental act that my counselling course tutor would be proud of me!) I think that’s the sort of thing people should do, and I think the guy was probably surprised at first, but I like to think that he thought that not everybody thinks only of themselves. Hopefully he will go away from the experience thinking the same.
Getting back to the original concept for this post, I got a letter yesterday from the Open University that I have passed the Biological Psychology course that I struggled with for most of the year (see previous post 'End of a Nightmare'). Not only did I pass but my average was above what I predicted it would be. I don’t know how and I don’t fucking care! I will never have to study the brain, and I won’t have to cross paths with that tutor anymore! I had been carrying the thought with me that I had failed this course and I would have to either resit one of the assignments or even do the course again. This would mean, of course, that I would have to wait another year before I gained my degree. Now that I have passed I can concentrate on my final course, Social Psychology, knowing that at the end of it I will have reached my goal of getting the degree that I started to study for way back in 1996! I did take 8 year break, just in case some of you think it takes this fucking long to complete a degree with the OU!
So, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel at last. The letter came when I wasn’t even expecting it to be my result. I thought it was something to do with my financial account concerning my next course. Another moment to lift my heart when I least expected it?

Apollo 11 video and the 70's

For those who knew me in a previous life growing up in Blaenau Ffestiniog, my interests mainly covered history and sciency stuff (I'm really trying to avoid the term geek here!), and I think the reason for this unfortunate and sometimes forgotten time of my life is the whole NASA thing of astronauts going to the moon that was so awsome to these young eyes. For years I always thought that I actually witnessed the first moon landing in 1969, in front of my black and white telly I may add, but thinking about it I would have been only 6, so not really credible! I probably remember the later missions when going t the moon was old hat to most, but to me it was something that really fascinated me, the whole idea of going to the moon and back. My school books must have been covered with little drawings of spaceships and astronauts! I must add that I was into football and cricket in a big way so I had other interests. Looking back it was such an interesting place to grow up in, and of course interesting times. To me, the early 70's (of what I remember of it) was a totally different era to the late 70's, I mean in my mind I have 2 different feelings towards them. The last remnants of the 60's against the beginnings of the electronic emergence of the 80's. Being older in the late 70's also had something to do with it of course! I started drinking alcohol in 1979 (pint of lager 35p!) and smoking took a firm hold on me. Welcome to the adult world! So my childhood ended at this time. But I can remember the great landmark times of every family (getting a telephone in the house for the first time and when we got our first colour telly from Radio Rentals) in 1977. I'll never forget the first football match I saw on telly (in fact there were not many live matches in those days like today only highlights, and the pitch was so green. I used to like sliding the colour control up a bit just to see more colour! We weren't rich but overall me and my sister had a happy childhood. Bottom line is that it was a great time to grow up in and I remember back on it with great affection.
Anyway, I heard this track from Porcupine Tree (yes, them again!), and thought this subject would compliment the music. There's another track called 'Moonloop' which is even more suited to NASA video footage which can be seen on my website. The reason why I use a lot of the PT's music is that I feel that it really compliments the ideas I get for video projects. So I'm always kind of glad that I find other music for a project, which I have with the Dexter video and one I made using the music of Djam Karet

A Dexter video

I have been busy lately watching this excellent series and have compiled some scenes from the first 2 episodes. Season 3 is crrently airing and Showtime have recently announced that they have comissioned a further 2 seasons. Devised from the novel 'Darkly Dreaming Dexter' by Jeff Lindsey, Dexter is the tale of a blood spatter officer working for the Miami PD and moonlights as a serial killer at night. He specifically kills only those who have killed but have avoided justice, this is the code that has been instilled in him since he was a boy by his foster father, a cop named Harry Morgan. Predictably there have been opponents to the series, notably the Parents Television Council, who tried to prevent the series being aired on a national broadcaster, quoting:

"We are formally asking CBS to cancel its plan to air the first season of Dexter on its television network. This show is not suitable for airing on broadcast television; it should remain on a premium subscription cable network. The biggest problem with the series is something that no amount of editing can get around: the series compels viewers to empathize with a serial killer, to root for him to prevail, to hope he doesn’t get discovered."

It does raise the point on whether Dexter is seen as a hero, which is emphazised in the second season which has Dexter, dubbed the Bay Harbour Butcher by the police, is seen as a force of good as it is revealed that he only disposes of the scum of society, and dubbed The Dark Defender by the public. In fact in reality there is an ongoing case in America where a copycat killing has been blamed on the TV series.

"Connections have been suggested between the TV show Dexter and an ongoing missing person investigation in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Mark Twitchell, has been charged with first degree murder in the disappearance of 38 year old John Altinger in what appears to be similar to Dexter's clandestine murders. Det. Mark Anstey of the Edmonton Police Service was quoted as saying "We have a lot of information to suggest he definitely idolizes Dexter." Three months prior to the murder of Altinger, Twitchell had posted on his Facebook status that he claimed to have a lot in common with Dexter Morgan."

Perhaps the PTC have a point.

A terrible tragedy

On Monday night Ben lost one of his best friends from school. Reece Statham was killed with the rest of his family on the M6 motorway coming home from visiting his grandparents in Birmingham. It is such a terrible loss it has been headline news in the UK since. Four children and two adults lost due to the careless driving of a truck driver is the result of this tragedy. I hope the police throw the book on him. Understandably, Ben was distraught when the news was given to him on Wednesday, and he is still distraught as are many at the school. He has not been able to face going to school especially as poor Reece was in his form class as well as in many of his subject classes. Many will miss him as the tributes given and the flowers laid at his house in Llandudno show. Ben, together with a couple of friends and teachers, went to give flowers at Reece’s house this afternoon which was very brave of him, and it was good for him to confront the tragedy in his efforts to try and deal with his grief. Our thoughts are with his grandparents at this terrible time.

Tom's christening and that school!

Last week-end we went down to Suffolk to attend little Tom’s christening. It was held at the parish church of Copdock where Tracy and I were married in 1990. It was a bit weird going there again, first time since a little after the wedding, and it seemed a lot smaller inside now than I remember it then for some reason. Am I still growing! Surely not. Tom is the son of Tracy’s niece, Emma and her husband Keith. We had a great time, it was nice to meet up with family again, and Tom was a star through the whole thing. He seems to like Ben, smiling and laughing away whenever Ben was around him. Tracy’s other niece Jessica was also there with her fiancé, Alan, recently having announced their engagement. It was good to see her happy again and moving on with her life.
It was no surprise to us that our usual thorn in the side, the boys’ school, threatened the enjoyment of this happy occasion. Nothing surprises us with that place, continually getting things wrong and seemingly trying to make life difficult for us. In the past they have reported an Education Social Worker on us because I phoned the head to inform her that Ben was having a hard time going to school. I won’t reveal the specifics but it was about a month into his first year and he was having a hard time coming to terms with the situation that had developed at home. So, thinking it was the right thing to do, I informed the head teacher and said I need help as I didn’t know how to get him over this. Without any sympathy to our plight she forcibly told me that if I didn’t get him to school the following day the school would prosecute us!! This is a head teacher dealing with a parent who actually believes in education and has children who are polite and well behaved! Needless to say we took him in and he was worse than ever, despite the head of year reassuring us during the day. Ben later told us that the method he took to check on Ben was to go to his class and ask Ben in front of the whole class if he was ok! IDIOT. Of course he would say that! He didn’t go in the following day (understandably) and was reported to the ESW by the ever so helpful Mr Parry. He really showed himself up by being the head lap dog with this little incident, and I saw him in the head’s office as we were driving from the school. So much for me getting “help” from them! Luckily there was a school nurse there who helped us pull Ben through or God knows how Ben would have turned out. She was marvellous, but I won’t go to any teacher or member of the management at the school ever again. There are loads of things the boys have told us in the last 3 years of incidents that have happened which they have witnessed themselves, that would make any parent of a child in that school shudder, but perhaps all schools are like this, which if true is disturbing to say the least.
The week leading up to the trip is a typical example of the incompetence displayed on a regular basis. After writing letters to the form teachers of the boys at the beginning of the week to inform them that they had been invited to the christening, they were told to fill in a holiday form. Now bearing in mind that they were only going to be away for 2 school days, we did fill in the form anyway. We noticed that it said on the form that it was meant to be used for annual family holidays only, but hey, they know what they are doing, right? Sent it in and waited for a response. Got a letter from an assistant head to say that we need not have filled in the form and that a letter to the form teachers would be sufficient, and a reminder that it was not advisable to take pupils out of school during term time. HELLO! IT WAS FOR A CHRISTENING IN SUFFOLK! TAKES HALF A DAY TO EVEN GET THERE! What goes through these people’s minds? Do they expect us to leave the kids at home or with other relatives, while Tracy and I go down without them? Wouldn’t our relatives be wondering where they were and be upset that they were not there? So, after receiving the letter I phoned the school to sort the mess out, and that we had already written letters to the form teachers. I got told that everything would be sorted and that the boys would be registered as away due to family commitments. Finally, we can rest easy that the school knew and had recorded the correct information. Really? Too good to be true, I’m afraid! We went down by car, got booked in the hotel, and went to visit Tracy’s parents. Tracy checked her mobile and what do you know, a message from the school made at 2.50 enquiring that they were worried that Ben had not turned up to school! Ten to three they phoned! He had been missing since quarter to nine! And why were they phoning anyway? We had told them about the christening, remember?
So, I phoned again on the Monday morning to straighten things out again. When we got back they gave us more grief, regarding Simon’s EMA payments. The agony just goes on…! So, visit the blog next time to read the next hilarious chapter! What a Carry On… as

The end of a nightmare

Well, I finally did it! No, I didn’t strangle my next door neighbour, I finished my Brain Biology course with the Open University. Sent the offending last assignment yesterday and now awaiting the dreaded result. I sucked this year big time, couldn’t get anywhere near my usual standard. I think it was a combination of my head not being focused this year and the fact that I had a crappy tutor. I met him only the once, and that was enough for me. Only 2 of us turned up (same number as the one before that) and the first thing he told us was this war of words he was having with a student on another course he was tutoring. THEY LET HIM LOOSE ON 2 COURSES!I had a slight unpleasant exchange with him by e-mail when he refused to help me with re-sending an attached file I had lost. He kept going round the houses telling me to join a forum where all the files would be found, which I couldn’t get right at the time, and all I wanted was the file re-sent! So I went to the tutorial to see who this dick was, and found him to be prejudiced, to his own Liverpudlian roots (hated the people who are still in Liverpool) and ready to argue the toss with students. I told him I was experiencing health problems due to stress and this sort of thing does not help, especially as the piece of work was important as it contributed to all our 2nd assignment (an experiment). He told me ‘let me worry about things’! Great advice, pal, great advice! I haven’t heard from him since I got my 3rd assignment back in early August. I missed my 4th (I forgot!) and have just completed the End of Course Assignment. He obviously is not worried about me! For all he knows I may have left the course or even be dead! Anyway I hope I have passed this one as I sure don’t want to do it again, or have him as my tutor. Rebecca Pleasant (Child Psychology), now there was a good, caring tutor. Apparently, my next tutor is an ex-con with a quick temper so that should be interesting! Social Psychology is more up my street. Brain biology is interesting, don’t get me wrong, and I did learn a lot even though I found the assignments hard. And I did read all the course books, despite what my tutor says on my work. I made more notes on this course than on any, so there! So, my Social Psychology course starts in February next year, and I will have been on my counselling course at Llandrillo about 5 months. Yes, old glutton for punishment here has already undertaken another course! This is the follow up to the counselling course I took earlier in the year, but I am looking forward to it. Last week was the first and it served as an introduction for everybody. Seems like a nice crowd (again), and I could not help but think of the nice bunch I was with on the earlier course, and the fact that not any of them managed to get on this one. So, its time to forge new friendships again, and I’m sure it will be fun while it lasts.
I keep telling myself, there is a purpose for all this hard work, isn’t there!
I bet you’re wondering why I want to strangle my next door neighbour! And there’s three of them, so … which one?

Goo Goo Dolls

Here is a band I have enjoyed listening to ever since I borrowed a CD of their album 'Dizzy Up The Girl' from my friend Dewi, from Bangor. Not that well known here in Britain but huge in the States. Click on the You Tube clips above for more

Simon's first goal

We have been taking Simon to football training for the last 3 weeks now, a village by the name of Betws yn Rhos by Old Colwyn, and after a couple of weeks of settling in and getting to know the other lads, he scored his first goal tonight. I know it's only training sessions, but it will do the world of difference to his confidence. A few more sessions and I'm sure he will become an asset to the team. He is not short on determination and I'm sure he will give it his nest shot.

These trips to Betws yn Rhos are quite good as there is an excellent pub there so Tracy and I can have a whole hour and a half there!

It's her birthday tomorrow so we might go back there for a meal.

Psychology course

This module of my Psychology degree with The Open University I have to say is the toughest of all the ones I have attempted. I have just finished the 3rd (out of 4) assignment and I am finding it a struggle, and it is only a half course! I had to answer some question on the visual pathways to the brain and how and why neurons do what they do. Then I had to submit an outine for an experiment that will be part of the 4th assignment, to do with possible effects of caffeine on memory. I had a bit of a panic moment this afternoon as my lovely new laptop (this one) decided to behave strangely on me and I lost the last part of my work. I managed to recove what I had lost and finally its finished. Anyway it's been sent to the University and I don't really care at the moment what mark I get! I probably will next week I'm sure.



I'm trying to make out why I'm struggling this year with my studies. Last year was also ok with the assignments, I was quite comfortable with the work but really struggled with the exam and I was expecting a resit to be honest. But passed I did (maybe someone was looking over me). I need such guidance for this year's module, I feel. I am really glad that there is no exam for this year's course, as I would not be very confident of passing. Biological Psychology is fascinating, don't get me wrong, but the course is so full of scientific expressions and terms I feel lost in a sea of cellular lexicon. It's almost like reading a technical manual, geared towards medical students rather than an historian like me! The irony is that if I had not taken such a big break in my studies (1998-2007) I would have completed the degree ages ago, and I would not have had to take this module (it was introduced as a compulsory component of the Bsc Psychology course last year! My last course next year will be on Social Psychology, a full course, 6 assignments, easy!!

George Benson in concert

Going in I still thought the gods would conspire to stop us from going in. The tickets were ok after being scanned by a steward, and we made our way to our seats. Unfortunately there was
no support act and Gerge was obviously thinking of a cup of cocoa and an early night as he was going to play from 7:50 and finish at 9:30. So an hour and a half of concert time. A bit disappointing considering the day we had. Still, we weredetermined to enjoy it. It turned out that he would not start till 8, in fact he came on at 8:15. And almost from the start people got on their feet to clap and dnce. Tracy was no exception, and it was great to see her enjoying herself. Even Simon got on hs feet, and Ben was swinging clearly having got over his malady of the previous days. What was so remarkable was the absolute freedom to take photos and videos. I thought that this was a no-no and was only expecting to take photos of the family before and after the concert. In fact I could have videoed away for the whole show, but guilt kept telling me to stop now and then. The evening went so quick and the backing band were so good. Lots of class in the line up, having been involved with the likes of Barbara Streisand, Earl Klugh, Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder amongst others. There was a wonderful encore with George playing On Broadway, one of my favourites. I had hoped that he would play 'Breezin'' and Tracy her favourite song song 'This Masquerade'. Otherwise it was a great experience and even more so after the day of drama we had endured. To top the concert experience off George Benson came over to our side of the stage and people rushed forward to shake his hands. To her credit and realising that it was a chance of a lifetime, Tracy surged forward to join them and actually managed to shake his hand and congratulate him.
When we got back, Tracy and I managed to get out for half an hour for a drink at the Old Orleans, next door to the hotel. This would be the place where we would be having breakfast the following morning. This is a tale of perserverence, and the way we as a family adapting to a situation we had not experienced before. Breaking down on the road has NEVER happened to us and in fact we never even thought it would happen to us, so reliable was our car. Thank God we were covered by the RAC, and had a brilliant mechanic, without whom we would have missed that concert and would now be miserably sitting here full of regrets and cursing our luck. Thank God also that we had sufficient cover for our car to be towed back to our house, and Paul the RAC man even phoned me to say that he had done that, easing our minds about our Clio. Reaching that concert not only gave us a wonderful experience of seeing a true giant in the world of popular music, but also gave this family that we can overcome anything that life hurls at us. It would have been too easy to just give up on that road at 1 pm on that Saturday afternoon. But we didn't, and we have learned that there is always a way to overcome misfortune.

What a week!

I often get asked by people 'what are you doing next week, Gwyn?' or 'do you fancy going out sometime?' Now, I am glad that I get asked these kind of questions, but inour current circumstnces I find it impossible to plan ahead. Now take this past week, for instance. To go to a concert held in Birmingham there has to be planning involved, book hotel, get tickets etc. So we decided almost 2 weeks ago that we would bid for 4 tickets to see George Benson at the National Indoor Arena for the 28th (last night). Got the tickets at face value by contacting the seller on E-bay, received them in good time and I booked a room for us at a hotel quite near the venue (3 minutes by taxi). Baring in mind these are 2nd row tickets and that we have never been this close to a stage seeing a world class performer before.

Last Monday started ok, kids went to school as normal, then Tuesday Ben has tonsilitis. Now, he has a history of sore throats but in the last 2 years they have left him alone. By Wednesday he is in a bad way, raging throat, unable to swallow liquids very well, and very lethargic, lying on the sofa all day watching cartoons all day. I can recommend Sponge Bob and the old Tom and Jerry cartoons by the way! We are now beginning to think that this is a threat to our brief visit to Birmingham. By Thursday it's time for drastic measures and go to the doctor. By now we think we will have to miss the concert as no way Ben can get better in time. We get anti-biotics for him which we play the placebo game and stress toBen that this is 'magic stuff' which will get him better fast. It's a sickly pink liquid, tastes of orange and indeed is magic stuff. We see an improvement certainly by tea-time and by the following morning he is regaining his own self again. By Friday the concert is on again and Ben is almost good as new. Remarkable really considering what he was like only 2 days earlier.

We had planned to start for Birmingham about 11:30 - 12:00 which would give us plenty of time to get there, prepare for any bad traffic, and settle in to our room and get ready for the concert. I said before about planning things ahead for us is virtually giving the kiss of death to any ideas of things to do and place to go. Well our little car which has been impecable since the day we got it, died on us just on the turning off the A55 to Glan Clwyd Hospital. Opposite us is the sign for Bodelwyddan Castle, so those who know the area will know exactly where I mean. The RAC came out in really good time and gave us the dreaded verdict - the car was unrepairable and the trip looked doomed. We had accepted it, reluctantly, that we were not destined see George Benson. Tracy was crying, though she wastrying to contain the tears, and the boys were still in a bit of shock from the incident that had just happened. The car had made a brief noise and immediately lost power. Tacy did well to steer the car to the hard shoulder, and we were lucky that there was no car behind us as its driver would not see any brale lights coming on to indicate deacceleration. The problem? The cam belt had snapped and the Clio would have to go to a garage. We told Paul the RAC man where we were going and how disappointed we are for not only not going to see George Benson, but we stood to lose the money I had paid for the tickets and for the hotel. I had tried to phone the hotel but could not get through. I tried all afternoon, by the way, and still couldn't get through. The reason for this would become clear later on. This is when Paul suggested we try and hire a rented car to still make the concert. He even phoned some companies up for us, but all seemingly had closed at noon. The jinx seem to be holding its grip on our fortunes, trying its best to prevent us from going ahead with our plans. We were by now discussing the best way to get the car to Gwyn's garage opposite our house. By this time Ben was getting upset, always been a sensitive lad, probably realising that with all his efforts for getting better, we were still not be able to go. Paul then suggested that he knew someone else who could help us with getting a hired car and he was located in Rhos-on-sea. After discussing this with Tracy who was suffering from shock herself from the incident, and was unsure about going on, we went back with Paul anyway and left the boys in the stricken car in a safe road off the A55. We figured we had to get a car anyway as the boys needed to go to school on Monday. After much forking out for deposit and hire of a rented car we set out to get the boys. Tracy, understandably, was nervous about taking a car she had not got used to, to a destination she had never been, and a city to boot. So, by this time, and it was ticking away, we still weren't sure if we were going, but I kept encouraging her and told her that this was HER car, and that she was well capable to do this. Bythe time we got to the boys, she felt more comfortable about going and actually found that it was an easy car to get used to. We transferred our bags and other things to our rented Corsa and decided to at least ty and make it to Birmingham. By this time it it was 3:15 and doubts were raised if we could still make it. The car was more powerful and I had confidence in Tracy and I said it would not matter if we were late, we would still be able to go to the concert. We arrived at 6, despite our sat nav losing signal as we were entering a very busy area near the hotel, which was located off Broad Street in the Ladywood district of Birmingham. We got there, that's the main thing, and I can't praise Tracy enough for her bravery and sheer guts to get us there. We checked in and thankfully everything was ok, including the fear that the sat nav had led u to the wrong Premier Inn (there are 3 all very near to each other). The reason why I couldn't get through on the phone? The receptionist appeared to be speaking to a friend when we arrived so I asume that's why I could not get through.

We had 45 minutes to get ourselves ready and book a taxi which wasn't bad going. We booked a taxi and 3 minutes later we were going up the steps of the National Indoor Arena...

New Flickr account

My photos, past and present, can be seen on my page on Flickr. My user name is, Gwyn Hughes, so just I should be easy to find! Hope you like them. Here is the direct link if you want to go there now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26888284@N07/?saved=1

Aberconwy MIND

As some people probably know I completed my basic counselling course at Llandrillo College about a couple of months now. I think I'll be getting an interview for the intermediate course next month, though I haven't got the official ok. To help me get on this course, where every applicant is highly scrutinised and it's really tough to get on it, I have been a volunteer for Aberconwy MIND for the last 4 or 5 weeks. I only do a couple of hours on Monday and Wednesday mornings and I help out by talking to the members, and listening to what they have to say. It is surprising how effective giving attention and conversing can be to a person. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will continue to help out as much as I can. The drop in centre has an open door policy (anyone can walk in no questions asked) and is located above the Alice in Wonderland museum on Trinity Square.

Updated video for Janet's web site

Here at last, after a lot of deep thinking and image manipulations, is the definitive video intro to Janet's web site on her family history...I think! No, seriously this is it, it won't get changed again. I wasn't that happy with the previous version, so a rethink was needed. I am pleased with my effort and of course I'm hoping Janet and her family are too. I'd heard from her that her dad had seen the previous version and was pleased with it. This new version is more representative of the family occupations, being the maritime and the coal industries, and the video is more consistently spread out throughout. I've tried to co-ordinate the music to particular scenes on the video. For instance when the sailors fall into the sea, the perccusion (the cymbols more accurately) chime in just at the right moment. I particulary love the moment when the miner smiles to the camera the tinkling of the cymbols can be heard. I look forward to trying my hand at other projects such as these, and I would be glad to make more for anybody who is interested. Just get in touch with me through this blog.

Leeds gets through to Play off final!

Leeds pulled off one of their best performances of the season to pull back a 2-1 deficit from the Elland Road leg to win tonight with a score of 2-0. Jonny Howson was the hero who grabbed a goal in both halves, the second coming in the 91st minute. Now they are off to Wembley to play either Doncaster or Southend a week on Sunday. Expect a massive Leeds crowd in London that day.

A new home

After 44 years and a lot of memories my parents in law, Stan and Joy, have moved home. They are now residents of Capel St Mary and it looks like they will settle in well to their new community. We all wish them well in their new home and hope to go down and visit very soon.

New video for a web site

Here is a new video for a web site I am developing for a lady from Portsmouth. It will be the opening page to her family history website, pending her approval of course. It's a mixture of video and photos sent to me from Janet.

Band of the Week - Billy Cobham

Not strictly a "band" as such but I thought this guy deserves to go on my blog. One of my favourite drummers, Cobham's jazzy style of playing is easy on the ears, but he is renowned for his big fills and can rock with the best of them.

Check out his site at http://www.billycobham.com/ and the links to You Tube above.

Podcasts

Over the last few weeks I have been checking out the astronomical array of different podcasts that are available as downloads on the net. Having recently bought an iPod with a pretty decent memory, I thought it would be great for keeping in touch with my many interests, as things change over time. So I've subscribed to quite a few including the one in the photo on the right. I've loved history since I was a kid in primary school and Dan's podcast is delivered just like history should be. Well researched, enthusiastically delivered, and asks the the question which ultimately fascinates me - the what if? I can really recommend this podcast not just for history lovers but also those who enjoy good storytelling. Dan site is at http://www.dancarlin.com/ and you can subscribe to his podcasts by installing iTunes on your computer and subscribing from there.

The BBC have good podcasts and I enjoy the Radio 5 Live movie reviews with Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo. I also listen to the highlights of the week from Radio Cymru, important if I want to find out what's happening in Wales. BBC podcasts can be found here.

I try to find out what's happening in the States and This American Life podcast is excellent, full of topical and intriguing stories thatare bound to keep anyone listening.

For music, I download The Rogue's Gallery, the best progressive rock show on the net. It's a long show, sometimes as long as 4 hours, but there are often some gems played and bands that you will never hear on commercial media but are a 1000 times better in quality and talent.

If I find any more interesting podcasts I'll post them on here. If anyone knows of any please let me know.

New band of the week

New band of the week (or is it the month!) which features The Flower Kings, a progressive band from Sweden. Their influences definately hark back to the days of Genesis and Yes, and are currently the best exponents of the traditional prog rock style of the 1970's.

Check them out here.

www.thedoorway.be/.../The%20Flowerkings.htm

Wales win Grand Slam

A fantastic achievement by the current Wales rugby team!

Grand Slam winners of the 6 Nations Championship of 2007. Click here to see highlights of the match.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7298904.stm

Great Auntie Olwen

Last Saturday afternoon I poped in to see my grandfather's sister, Olwen, who lives not far from where my parents live, in Craig-y-don. She is now 86 years old and I am glad to report that she is in relatively good health. As I had not seen her in quite some time we had a nice chat and a cup of tea and cake. We also got round to talking about the family and she was quite interested in my recent findings, especially those from across the water. She was particularly interested in what I had found about Morris Owen Evans, who was an uncle to her mother, Grace Ellen Evans. In fact she wants me to get copies of various documents. It's hard to believe but her father was born as long ago as 1870! Her grandfather Evan in 1841! So obviously she will know quite a bit about family history. She went to California in 1972 and met with family over there, including her auntie Mabel's brother, Milton who drove her to various places for visits. One of the visits, she recalls, is to a cousin she had not met before, Maggie. This would be her auntie Margaret's daughter who had emigrated to Kentucky in 1913, then moved to Akron, Ohio in around 1920. I have not yet tracked down this particular family and Olwen does not know anything more. So, next task on the family history trail...

Happy Birthday, Dad

Today is my dad's 76th birthday. It's hard to believe but he has been a paraplegic since 1980, so long time in a wheelchair.

He's been through a lot over the years. If being disabled was not enough, he is in constant pain due to nerve damage to his spinal column, he's on gadzillion tablets, has diabetes, one kidney and prostrate cancer. But despite all this he is always cracking jokes and has a smile on his face.

Penblwydd Hapus Dad!

Wales win at Twickers!

Well, it has to be recorded.

England 19 - Wales 26

A magnificent second half performance by Warren Gatland's boys stunned the Twickenham crowd. They completely turned the game from 19 - 6 down to win. Click here to read all about it.

Courses

Well, it's study time again with the next instalment of my Psychology degree course. Miraclously I passed my exam last October, so glad I don't have a resit to think about. This year I have chosen to do a half course (a recent addition to the degree programme and mandatory), Exploring the Brain.
I have also started my Basic Counselling Skills course at Llandrillo, every Wednesday evening. Hopefully the combination of both will steer me towards a career in counselling.

Heroes

Spending my birthday money can be an excersise of tricky decision making. I assess everything in order to get the best value for money and consequently I get most of my stuff from the internet.

It's funny that a simple trip to ASDA for bread can end up with me parting with precious money on little treats for myself. This massively wealthy supermarket had the TV series HEROES for a mere £37.97. My brain kicked in with other price comparisons (including the internet) and it was the cheapest out there at the moment. Let me say that this series does not dissapoint. Simon and I were looking forward to seeing it as it had loads of plaudits, and we are Sci Fi fans. Tracy turns her nose up on things Sci-Fi (I keep telling her it's only drama set in the future, but she doesn't buy it), but even she was hooked by the end of the second episode. In fact we watched it as a family and loved it. Good news that there is a second season, though it has been held up by the long-running writer's strike over in America.

Money well spent!

Biffy Clyro

A new band of the week!
Scottish band Biffy Clyro remind me of Green Day, Snow Patrol and a touch of the great Goo Goo Dolls. Their latest CD 'Puzzle' is really good and it has one of the most unusual opening tracks I've heard since 'Even Less' on 'Stupid Dream' by Porcupine Tree. It really caught my attention and I'll try and put a video of the song later.

My Birthday

Yes, I am 45 today. The weather is miserable but we are going out for lunch.
These are other people who share my birthday:

Stephen Hendry (Snooker player)
Orlando Bloom (actor)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine in 'Seinfeld')
Robert Stack (actor)
Hedd Wynn (Welsh poet and ancestor)

When I was growing up in Blaenau Ffestiniog, it almost always snowed on my birthday so the school would be closed and I would have a day off! The snow was regular as clockwork back then. Nothing but rain since then!
I'd like to say thanks to my family and friends for thinking of me on this day. Thanks Rich and June for the surprise visit yesterday, you're always welcome anytime, and hope to see you down in Blaenau soon.