Aberdeen Blogs

The Who?

nobody@example.com (Groanin' Jock) — 2010-09-08T14:10:00Z

I know I've written (groaned) about this before, but it's becoming increasingly apparent to me that I'm falling further and further out of touch with music.

Today I was filling out a survey for NME, and one of the questions was "What is your favourite band in the world today?".

I assumed that the question meant a band still plying their trade, still recording albums, still touring.

Which immediately ruled out my three favourite bands - The Beatles, The Stone Roses and Oasis.

I could have said The Rolling Stones, but they haven't exactly been prolific in releasing classic albums during my lifetime.

AC/DC might actually count, but they slipped my mind at the time.

In the end I opted for Super Furry Animals. Whose debut album was released in the mid-1990s and whose best album, Radiator, came out in 1997.

I could easily have gone for Doves or Elbow, if I'd remembered them before the Super Furries (the fact that I was listening to a SFA bootleg at the time may have had an impact on my decision.

But for a few minutes I couldn't even think of ONE band I'd regard as my current favourite.

Radiohead? Meh, patchy and a little bit too wanky to be a proper favourite.

The White Stripes? Great singles but average albums.

The Libertines? Are they properly back together again or was Reading/Leeds just a one-off?

And so many of my other favourites have gone - The Cooper Temple Clause, Supergrass, The Doors, The Smiths, The Jam, Black Sabbath.

How many acts in the average issue of NME have I even heard of, let alone do I like? A tiny portion.

Which comes as a great disappointment. I always thought that by now I'd be in a fairly high up position at NME, having made my name as one of the best music writers of my generation. I know there are hundreds or thousands of journalists who can say the same, but I genuinely thought I had a chance. My music reviews while I was at university were good enough to get me onto the shortlist for the 2001 Guardian Student Critic of the Year award.

I assumed that bigger and better things were just around the corner, and that by the time I turned 30 I'd have interviewed Oasis, spent time hanging out with The Cooper Temple Clause and would have written the definitive review of Elbow's mid-career masterpiece.

But now I have an attic full of CDs that never get played because they're on my iPod and I write about boats for a living.

Which is a slightly different path to the one I imagined I'd walk when I was 21.

Keeping it interesting as a young preacher

nobody@example.com — 2010-09-08T15:07:17+01:00

Keeping it interesting as a young preacher:

Since University I have spoken quite a few times at churches on what we are doing in South Africa, but only once been asked to give a bonafide ‘preach’. Pretty scary stuff, but these are some interesting insights I read today:

Hi! I’m Tom.: Keeping it interesting as a young preacher

Some really great advice:

Experienced preachers often get asked by young preachers to give them advice on their craft. How do I preach better? Should I preach longer? Or shorter? Should I use illustrations? Should I use a full script or just notes?

Each preacher develops opinions on these…

Things I have done this year and failed to blog: Part 3

nobody@example.com (Sarah) — 2010-09-07T17:47:00Z

March: Orkney and the NorthA road trip in the van up the north east coast to Orkney and back down the north west coast.CromartyDuncansby HeadThe most NE point of the mainlandItalian ChapelLambholm, Scapa FlowYes, it is a Nissen hut, but a very very posh oneRing of BrodgarHoySmoo Cave, Durness

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

nobody@example.com (Andy G) — 2010-09-07T09:30:00Z

How's it goin?

A couple of months ago I engaged in one of my favourite activities, I went out for a pint.

Adam was up visiting so a night out was in order. We headed into town to met a few people, we hit a couple of pubs and decided to head to a newly renovated pub on Belmont street. It was my round so while the others got a seat I headed to the bar.

And it was at the bar I saw her.

The most beautiful girl in the world.

This is NOT a picture of the most beautiful girl in the world, This is a picture of Aders in a wig. I don't have a picture of the most beautiful girl in the world. I didn't want to ask her for a photo. I'm not a weirdo.

She was stunning.

Absolutely stunning.

It was like when Captain Kirk saw a beautiful girl and the tv went all misty.

That’s what it was like.

She was amazing.

Time slowed down as I gazed upon this pinnacle of womanliness. It appeared to be her first day on the job, one of the other bartenders was showing her how to pour a pint properly. That’s something I would have been glad to help her with. She eventually came to me and asked for my order. At this point I lost the ability to speak. My brain had turned to mush, my mind filled with images of myself and this girl living a long and happy life together. She was amazing. Eventually I managed to mumble out my order. She poured our drinks and I slowly returned to the table.

The other guys at the table had also clearly noticed this girl.

And for the next two hours she became the main topic of conversation. All 5 of us were slightly in love with her. She was amazing. The majority of the night was spent discussing various chat up lines and whether they would work on such a woman. But she deserved more than one of our crappy chat up lines and we all knew it. Even the polar bear line was not good enough.

Closing time was rapidly approaching, the beautiful girl was going round collecting empty glass’s. She came to our table and I had already collected them into one handy pile for her to pick up.

She clearly appreciated my work.

"Thank you." She said and smiled at me.

But so much more was conveyed in that "thank you" than just a simple expression of gratitude. It was a greeting, it was her way of saying "How you doin?" It was her way of saying, lets go back to my place and get it on!

Clearly she wanted me!

A few minutes later she returned to collect the last of the empty glass’s from our table. It was at this point that Sean spoke up and said,

“Do you know you’ve been the highlight of our evening?”

“What?” She replied.

“Basically we’re all a little bit in love with you.” I said.

At this point she took a long hard look at everyone gathered around the table.

Clearly she was trying to decide which one of us she was going home with that night. I already had an advantage on the other guys as she already knew me, I was the guy who handed her the stack of glass’s. I was the guy she was already fantasizing about. Surely that gets me a few extra points.

We all sat with baited breath. What was she going to say? Who was she going to pick?

“How old are all of you?” She said with a hint of disgust in her voice.

She never went home with any of us that night.

Her loss.

That's All For Now

Until Next Time

Have A Nice

Andy G

If you want to get all the crap I write delivered straight to your inbox then go to www.TheBlogOfAndyG.com and put your email address in the wee box that says "subscribe."

If you do subscribe then one day I will take you to the pub and show you the most beautiful girl in the world.

Have you bought my book yet?

If not, why not?

You can get it at,

www.RandomAndom.com

It's only £5.99(plus postage and packaging) surely you can afford that can't you?

Yes you can. You know you can! If you wrote a book I'd buy it.

It's only polite.

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-9-5)

nobody@example.com — 2010-09-07T08:33:15+01:00

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2010-9-5):

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

Unexpected Napoli

nobody@example.com (JadeLD) — 2010-09-07T06:00:00Z

Napoli or Naples, is a town I have been to a couple of times; the first time I vowed I’d never return after arriving near the train station in the middle of the night – thanks to flight delays and poor preparation. The second time I took some local advice in regards to the area I stayed in and I decided it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The third time I was just passing through and felt more comfortable in the city.

The fourth time was my most recent stay in Naples which was an unexpected couple of days (thanks Icelandic Volcano). I discovered a lot of things I really liked and that, like every city, there are good areas and bad areas.

Above was the view of Naples from the ferry arriving from Capri, it looks like a miserable grey day, but it was still warm. I stayed at the MH Design Hotel on Via Chiaia which was a really decent hotel in a good area. Once checked in I had a good wander around the area. I was easily charmed by the narrow cobbled streets in this part of town and the washing hanging between houses. (Taking photos of people’s washing is a usual tourist activity- right?)

Close by there was the impressive Piazza del Plebiscito which is the largest square in Naples, with the church of San Francesco di Paola and the many columns extending around the sides of the Piazza. I love this really grand architecture, you don’t get that everywhere in the world but after you spend some time in Italian cities you begin to take it for granted, can you imagine the work involved in creating this?

The first time I visited Naples I was shocked by the Graffiti there, more so than in any other city I’ve visited. It just seemed so out of place and I associated it with run down areas and disrespect. With my subsequent visits to Naples, I’ve learned to accept it and it does blend into the background a lot more now. The background of the busy streets, scribbles on the wall, the chatter of people gathering in the evening and the ragged edges make Naples the town that it is.

There’s a certain atmosphere, a buzz of sorts to the town which you don’t get elsewhere. There’s plenty of colour and vibrancy to the town once you get used to the surroundings. There’s a lot of atmosphere to soak in as you wander around the town or sit in one of the cafes or bars.

I do love the narrow streets here and the Italian flags hanging up too. Once you get used to the bikes and scooters whizzing up the streets!

It’s funny how your opinions can change and also how a bad first impression can stick with you. I’m glad I gave Naples a couple of chances (even if it was by accident), I am now a fan of Naples and I’d really like to spend more time there in the future. It was an unexpected few days in Naples in that I didn’t plan to be there but also in that I didn’t think I’d come to appreciate the city as much as I now do.

Have you changed your opinion of a place before? How easy to do find it to shake off first impressions?

UNICEF - Make it Right

nobody@example.com — 2010-09-06T14:11:45+01:00

UNICEF - Make it Right

"Am I a Christian? Go and ask my enemy or the poor. They know if I am really a Christian or not."

nobody@example.com — 2010-09-05T15:08:48+01:00

“Am I a Christian? Go and ask my enemy or the poor. They know if I am really a Christian or not.””

- - Shane Claiborne (via @Neil_Cole)

The Tribe of the Reluctant School Gate Mum

nobody@example.com (misssy m) — 2010-09-05T12:36:00Z

I have been given a very very sensitive and difficult mission. I have been asked to carry the torch of a bunch of hilarious bloggers who are all writing on the theme Tribal Wives. The thing is, they are either ex-pats scrutinising their adoptive countries and the wives therein through the protective barrier of language difference, or have sneakily gone on holiday and blogged about the tribes abroad, covertly photographed them and then buggered off home before any of them can hunt her down, or hoping that their adoptive countries will give them the benefit of the doubt because they are foreign.

They are:

Notes from Lapland: Tribal Wives in Rural Finland

Very Bored in Catalunya: Tribal Wives in Rural Catalonia

London City Mum: Tribal Wives Holiday Version

Vegemite Vix: Tribal Wives in Britain

What to do- I am stuck here in North East Scotland having to post about the tribal customs of the wives of my own kind. Women who can locate my blog, come to my door and possibly slap my face for my cheek. There is a phrase; never crap in your own canoe. I have no choice I have to use myself and my own kind as a subject- we are the Tribe of Reluctant School Gate Mums.

The Reluctant Schoolgate Mother (Latin name:Adminus Minimus Pariahalis)

Appearance: The Reluctant schoolgate mum will often be seen in dark glasses, a hood and a scarf pulled up to her nose. This is not because she doesn’t want to be approached (although that would be nice). It’s because she fell asleep on the couch after a night shift, forgot that she had to be at school to pick up her kid and had to hastily hide her face that has crease marks, eye bogies, a dislodged contact lens and streaks of smudged mascara on her cheeks whilst sprinting along the street to catch her kids as they spill out of the school gates.

Likes: When it’s her husband’s turn to pick up the kids. School holidays.

Dislikes: Being ask to be on any committee or do any fundraising.

Natural enemy: The non-working mother who is on every village committee who approaches you to ask if you’re OK because “we didn’t see your name on the school disco helper rota and wondered if you’d been taken ill. Again.”

Companions: A small select group of similar specimens who you arrange to go late to sports days and Christmas concerts with and sit at the back and repel committee mums. Your key companion is the friend who you share an event rota with. Both your kids understand that one of you will be there representing the other at any given school event. It’s like you are a hybrid of your two identities. Every reluctant schoolgate mum has one of these. And if you don't have one- get one.

Common situations: Phoning other harassed mothers at midnight with crises such as “My kid’s just mentioned to me that tomorrow is World Book Day and they’ve got to dress up as a Roald Dahl character. Let’s put one of them on top of another, gaffa tape them together and they can go as the BFG”

Phobias: Books of raffle tickets appearing in their children’s school bags, School fetes, coffee mornings, a note from the library about lost books.

Commonly used phrases: "Sorry but I’m too busy earning a living and paying tax to keep this school open through official governmental channels, I have no time to bake pancakes for a Bring and Buy" .

Bizarre allies: The teachers. They are working mums who rarely make it to their own kids’ school events, too. They are one of you.

Thanks to Very Bored in Catalunya for asking me to write this. She has full responsibility if I am kidnapped by an angry commitee mum who has read this in my area....

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Things I have done this year and failed to blog: Part 2

nobody@example.com (Sarah) — 2010-09-05T11:21:00Z

June: Sailing to ArranWant to take part in the Glen Rosa Race? My other half did and he decided that the best way to get there was by sailing from Bute, not on the ferry like everyone else. Alright, not everyone else - there is another Cosmic equally daft who also sailed there in her boat.We sailed from Bute on the friday and went straight to Brodick and anchored in the bay. Our fellow Cosmic

Back To School: Year 2 Week 1

nobody@example.com (Andy G) — 2010-09-05T11:00:00Z

Hows it goin?

So as the title of this blog post suggests, this week was my first week back at school.

The week started out with a fantastic powerpoint presentation. By fantastic I mean crap. It was all about what to expect in our second year, and was given by our guidance tutor Philip. At one point he said the phrase,

"Why am I showing you this? I don't know."

Philip if you don't know, we sure as hell don't.

After that we were told that we did not need to attend the class in the afternoon and that guidance would only be once a month. This means on Mondays I am only in school for an hour and a half. This is for my work experience class, a class which I am already disappointed in. This year we get to go on a work placement and this class is to organise that. Sadly Aberdeen college only let you go to a limited number of places, all within Aberdeen. I am gutted about this. Was really keen on getting some decent work experience but it looks like this might never happen.

Tuesday I am not in school and spent the whole day sitting. It was a busy day.

Wednesday is my full day. 9am until 5pm, a full day of school. It was exhausting. Wednesday is pretty cool tho. We have multi camera, which involves directing and working in the gallery and vision mixing and lots of other exciting stuff. Which is fun.

We also have this class on a Friday afternoon, it seems to be quite intense. For this wednesday we have to put together a script for the Alphabet song which we will film and direct. It sounds quite simple but in reality will be quite tricky. We all take a turn in directing which means barking orders at people to tun cards and change camera shots and cue up the right camera at exactly the right second as this is being recorded as live.

I tried to find a video of what I need to do to show you an example but couldn't.

Here's something even better. Its Captain Picard Singing the same song!

I am not in class on Tuesday and Thursday and I'm meant to spend that time writing scripts and planning the various movies i have to make this year.
This week I have not done that. I've done very little. I have effectively taken this week off. I am still recovering from my month of hard work at Tapas Towers. Plus I'm really lazy. That will all change as of Monday. Monday I am getting my arse in gear, I've had my lazy week and now it's time to work.
I've also been working at the new and improved Vincents this week. It looks very nice. Those of you who know where it is should come in for dinner sometime and see me. Call first. I don't work everyday.

That's about it for my first week back at school.
Fun and games. I'm looking forward to next week and playing about in the studio again.
In other news this week I also RELEASED MY FIRST BOOK!
Hell yeah!
Have you bought it yet?
If not, why not?
I really need the money.
And it's a very good book.

Anyone who does buy it I will be happy to sign it for you!
It contains all 50 letters I wrote and some of the adventures surrounding them. I am planning on giving a free copy to the owner of the former sandwich shop Mother Tuckers. (It's changed to a sweet shop now.) I'll let you know how that goes.

That's All For Now

Until Next Time

Have A Nice

Andy G

If you want to get all the crap I write delivered straight to your inbox then go to www.TheBlogOfAndyG.com and put your email address in the wee box that says "subscribe."

If you do subscribe then one day I will include you in one of my books.
Probably.

Aberlour Gardens Camping

nobody@example.com (JadeLD) — 2010-09-05T06:00:00Z

Scotland is a great place for camping if you can avoid the rain, sleet, snow, midge bites and travel sickness inducing windy roads. Thankfully we managed a whole long weekend without being afflicted with any of these! We headed West from Aberdeen to Speyside, which is Scottish Whisky country, with a group of friends.

You know you’re in Whisky country when you see signs like those above with little distillery cartoons on them and also when you pass barrels stacked up along the side of the road!

We stayed at Aberlour Gardens campsite, this was a great location for the distilleries that we wanted to visit. We were even able to walk to some of them, which is important if you have some tasting in mind. We were camping the weekend of the Aberlour Games too. This was a great campsite, plenty of space for all of our tents, flushing toilets and hot water showers – what more do you need?

We all set up camp in tents of various shape, size and colour. Then some of the boys relaxed while others took part in some French cricket. Obviously the girls all relaxed after sorting out the bedding and the food!

One of the best bits of camping for me are the evenings, when we sit up late with whatever meal we’ve prepared chatting over a few beers or glasses of wine. When there’s no distractions of TV, dogs to walk, kids to be checked on or drives home ahead. Just everyone sitting round chatting as the night draws in.

Then there’s plenty fun to be had with some glow sticks of course! Yes that is a beta sign, that’s what happens when your friends are geeky scientists or engineers! We had a few whiskies too, to toast the weekend ahead of whisky tasting, highland games and general banter.

[If you’re eager to see the photos from the highland games, including lots of men in kilts, don’t worry it’s going to be posted next Monday, and there are plenty of kilts to be seen!]

Do you like Whisky?

Dr Tom Wright: 'The long failure of the enlightenment project'

nobody@example.com — 2010-09-04T04:11:39+01:00

Dr Tom Wright: 'The long failure of the enlightenment project'