I owe American Gun quite a bit.  If it wasn’t for the group, I might not be writing about local music today.  As a young college student already fairly arrogant and smug in my musical tastes, I was skeptical to the idea that Columbia, SC could be the home to such a wealth of local musicians and bands.  A vaguely knew groups like Hootie & the Blowfish and Crossfade emerged from the town, but their success seemed to support my skepticism all the more.  Columbia isn’t a music town–Athens, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and the ilk are the independent music hotbeds of the Southeast.  But on a single off-chance, I was listening to WUSC 90.5 FM, Columbia’s college radio station and the live DJ was promoting the upcoming Free Times Music Crawl, which showcases Columbia’s local talent (and quite well, I might add).  The next song he put on simply blew me away with its subtle Americana beauty.  A gradually crescendo of electric guitar chiming and a haunted, repeating vocal plea seemed to have tapped into the most elemental idea of a song.  That tune was American Gun’s “Little Sister” from their first record Dark Southern Hearts, whose album title I have borrowed for my blog.   The rest is not exactly history to anyone but me, but to this day I remain humbled by that experience–first hearing the song on the radio, and then being bombarded by that night (and many nights since) by the wealth of unknown talent in this city.

Fast forward more than four years later, and the group that literally changed my life is still alive and kickin’.  Their new soon-to-be-released third record, Devil Showed Me His Hand is arguably their most explosive effort put to tape.  The group officially unleashes their “new” (he’s been playing with them for a couple of years now) secret weapon for the first time on record–former Boxing Day/Capitols lead guitarist Noel Rodgers, who adds considerable sonic might to a band that already had a reputation for roots rock with a roar.  His versatile playing and searing guitar leads are all over this one, from straight-forward Southern rock glory licks to soaring, effects-laden atmospherics.  Along with Rodgers, the new record prominently features guest musicians on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel, keyboard and B3 organ–giving the band a far more expansive and subtler sound than their raucous live shows.  Bands like Lucero, the Drive-by Truckers, Steve Earle and Uncle Tupelo are the most obvious musical relatives, but as much for those artists’ willingness to take on different styles and approaches within the loose alternative country moniker they all get saddled with than anything else.  But, given the type of music we are talking about, it ultimately comes down to how good the songwriting is–which is where the band’s ultimate strength lies.

Featuring two of the best singer/songwriters in South Carolina in a single band, it is almost a given the band will have a quality set of songs each time around, as Devil easily proves.  The rootsier of the two songwriters, Donald Merckle, delivers up the buoyant, escapist folk-pop of “Girl in Texas” and what is easily the darkest song the band has come with in the disturbingly resigned title track.  He also delivers the band’s first big traditional ballad, the archetypal “Killing Me,” and a straight-forward punk song (“The Underground”) that is a wry tribute to The Velvet Underground.   Meanwhile his partner-in-crime, Todd Mathis, delivers up a set of guitar-heavy tunes that captures the raucous nature of the band’s live dynamic. After a couple of country-tinged opening songs (the rollicking country-punk of “13 Women” and the emotionally vulnerable “Mexican Restaurant”), Mathis delivers a trio of songs that wear their Brit-rock influence warmly on their sleeves–the bitter-yet-hopeful “My Friends,” the incredibly hooky “How Not to Fall in Love,” and the epic, spiraling “Find Some Good.” After Merckle’s encounter with the devil on the title track, the record closes with a Mathis gospel number, the church choir-backed “Are You Ready.”  The song tugs and pulls between being a rock n’ roll closing number and a sincere attempt at a gospel tune, encompassing the aesthetic of the band in a nutshell–no matter what kind of song they are going for, they ultimately sound like themselves, in the best way possible.

As for the production and process of making the record, the band, somewhat amazingly, has created a vibrant, energetic rock n’ roll record utilizing local mixer Paul Bodamer (of the Jangly Records collective) and the engineering talents of Steve Slavich at the Jam Room–making this an incredibly compelling example of local DIY record making that is every bit as polished and professional as any record you are likely to buy this year.  This is a band that is as good if not better than there nationally-touring contemporaries, so here’s to hoping this record can reach as many ears as possible!

American Gun is releasing Devil Showed Me His Hand @ the Art Bar this Saturday, December 5th.  Cover is $4, or $6 w/ CD.  Westbank & Rob Lindsey open.

Belfast Castle

My bad back went as quick as it came, it gradually wore off that I didn’t realise that it had gone probably because I had got used to the pain and the stiffness, unlike when it started. But the relief of not having the pain and the stiffness is wonderful.

Thinks at work are good at the minute regarding my McArdle’s disease, the suffering has eased considering that I have been involved in a lot of anaerobic activity, shifting furniture from one place to another as there is a lot of moving going on within the hospital site due to the removal of acute surgical services from the hospital site.

I was offered the flu jab and the swine flu jab but I declined both, in the meantime I’ll just stick to the chicken soup that has stood me in good stead over the years, the last time i took the flu jab my muscles give me nothing but trouble with pain and stiffness that was about five years ago, personally I think that I am better off without the flu jab considering that those that I know who have taken it seem to end up worse off than me.

This morning I decided to go up the Cave Hill to Belfast Castle to take some photos, and walking up the hill didn’t cause me to much bother, and I took a few pictures around the Castle grounds.

Christmas is fast approaching and when I was in town yesterday I went into the continental market in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, I got out as quick as I went in because the crowds were too much for me to handle, ducking and diving and weaving it was doing my head in, so I just got out the pace in the crowds was to hectic for me, I’d rather have a more relaxing time than the hassle of fighting your way through the throng of Christmas shoppers. I like life at a quieter pace.

I’m off work for a few days taking it easy as I had too many holidays lying and had to use some of them up, I’ll be working on the late shift on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and then I’ll be off again for a fortnight into the New Year.

Nothing else happening at the moment.

Must not give into temptation.

Isn’t that great news? For my husband, yes.

However I am a believer in shopping and spending money on materialistic goods that would eventually expire or die without use. I turned 23 a month back and I need to reform on some loose habits. I’m not going to call them bad but just not very healthy. It’s like butter. It’s healthy if you need it but not if you’re obese. In shopping terms I am past obese. It shocks me.

So as I was spending yet another day of doing nothing I came across the ‘Buy Nothing Day’ on some random blog. I didn’t even know it existed.

Anyway I have decided to not shop on boxing day. I don’t need to buy the new Uggs or the Burberry coat. I mean winter’s round the corner and it’ll be freezing but who needs sheepskin or cashmere. I’m sure my brand-less boats will save me from the cold or will it not? Either way I guess I should just sink my face in my J C Penny comforter which BTW left scratch marks on my face. If you look closely you’ll find them but you’ll have to take a closer look and most importantly keep the idea of finding them open. So where were we? Oh yes the biting hostile winter nights…the Burberry coat could certainly make them less hostile

Focus. Re-focus. I have decided to partake in the ‘Buy Nothing Day’. It’s just one day in the year and since there’s an army of shoppers out there willing to stay home and not buy anything at all I’m sure I can do it too. I can be an anti-consumer for one day. At least I won’t be alone and that’s all that matters to me. So it’s goodbye Burberry coat?  Which would mean no smooth soft heavenly lush cashmere? Actually it’s just one coat…it’ll last forever right? No. Must not give into temptation. Okay I’m good. It’s mind over matter. Say it again, mind over matter.

Word for my husband: In case I’m not to be found in bed early in the morning on boxing day pls do look for me outside Bloomingdales. Who knows I might just blackout from the fierce cold or excitement or just from women trampling me. But that’s just in case.

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starting on the Boxing Day every year is known to be one of the toughest long ocean races. It wouldn’t be wrong to note that Boxing Day in Sydney is almost synonymous with the yacht race! It is a major summer sport of Australia that attracts viewers and contestants from the different parts of the world, not to mention the media!

The race starts at Sydney Harbour attracting spectators who gather in large numbers along the shore as well as on cruise boats and other vessels. Helicopters hover at a distance above the contesting fleet to catch the excitement of the race for the various visual media around the world.

Cruise boats provide special cruises on this day providing also the best vantage points to view the beginning of the race. Aboard the Sydney Showboat, one can cruise around the Sydney Harbour and catch the spirit of the race as the crews of contesting yachts warm up for this world-famous event, and view the start at close quarters.  The luxury cruise boats of Magistic Cruises are chartered exclusively by private groups to watch and share the thrill of the sport.

The cruises take you near where all the action is allowing you to experience the actual excitement of the race! And the delicious seafood buffet freshly prepared onboard adds to the joy of the ride!

Christmas Tree Country Scrapbook Holiday Cards
by mariannegilliand

http://buzzup.com/g6w2

Autumn is my favourite time of year. I love the trees, crunching leaves, it getting colder and having to get my winter coat out and the run-up to christmas.

The one thing I don’t like is the fact that this is also the time when fireworks go on sale!

I don’t hate fireworks, quite the contrary, I love going to the yearly firework display we have on the common just up the road. And I love watching them from my bedroom window on 5th November.

The thing I hate is the kids that buy these fireworks and think it’s a brilliant idea to set them alight in the street!!

One just went off outside my house. I heard a scream and then the firework and in my haste to get to the window to see if anyone was hurt I broke my blind. Of course, no one was hurt, and the kids just ran up the street laughing their stupid arse’s off!

When I was at college, I truly dreaded Guy Fawkes night. For the 2 years that I was there I had 2 fireworks go off in the canteen, 1 on the bus and countless at the bus stop outside the college. And everyone thought it was such good fun (if only you could hear my sarcasm!!)

This year it seems to have started even earlier!!

My poor blind!

Although, 1 good thing that has come of this evening is that I have just planned my Boxing Day Activities! Yes, you read right, Boxing Day!! I know it’s a bit early to be thinking of it but I had to book tickets so i’m allowed this.

Every year myself and my sister go to the theatre on Boxing Day (how middle class of us!!). We take it in turns to choose the show, and to pay. Last year my sister took me to see ‘The Lion King’, so this year its my turn! I’m very excited this year. I’ve booked tickets to see Legally Blonde the Musical (no mocking!! I love it!!). I managed to get, what can only be described as EPIC seats. Row D and they’re dead centre!!

Lets just hope the tickets arrive on time. I know they’ve got 2 months, but with this postal strike anything could happen!!

I started thinking about christmas presents this week. It’s always really tough for my family. Mainly because most of them have the ‘I don’t need anything’ thing going on. Each year is a real challenge. Although I have to say the last 3 years where a lot easier, because I made things and because I was away from home I didn’t need to hide anything. But at home, I never get a moment to myself to make anything on the sly.

So, the brainstorming continues….

In Sydney, December is eagerly awaited not only for celebrating Christmas and the New Year’s Eve, but also for celebrating Boxing Day which falls on the day after Christmas.

If you were not Australian or British, you would probably associate Boxing Day with the sport of boxing, and you would be embarrassingly wrong! Boxing Day is the day when people generally open their boxes of Christmas gifts. Also, traditionally, employers boxed Christmas gifts for their employees on this day, from whence the day gets its name. The bargain shopping season begins in many places on this day.

In Sydney, people celebrate Boxing Day with as much fervour as they celebrate Christmas!  The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which begins at the Sydney Harbour, is an event held on this day and which attracts a great deal of visitors from around Sydney and farther away! The yacht race, every year, has entrants from the world over. To experience the real thrill and spirit of the race, just book yourself on a cruise around the Sydney Harbour. You can catch all the pre-race excitement from a Sydney Showboat on its Boxing Day Showboat Lunch Cruise before lining up to watch the start of the race and cheer the teams on! Or if you really want to make a party of it, there are the Magistic Cruises that are available for private charter! All these cruises provide quality food freshly prepared onboard.

The race attracts visitors in large numbers and the passes for the cruises are usually sold out long before the event. So ahoy there! What are you waiting for?

Ofu, American Samoa

Again, a part of the world that is dear to me has been devastated by a tsunami. Last time was the 2004 Boxing Day disaster which wreaked havoc on several Indian Ocean countries, most famously Thailand. This time the Samoan islands have borne the brunt of killer waves resonating from a huge earthquake in Indonesia – also the epicentre of the 2004 catastrophe.

Phuket was worst-hit in 2004, while Krabi also suffered extensive damage, and scenes of the damage there were poignant for me at the time, as I had only two months earlier enjoyed my first trip to Thailand, spending half of it in Krabi, a dramatically beautiful province which remains my favourite place in the kingdom.

Last week the Samoan islands – both independent Samoa and the US territory of American Samoa - have been hit by a tsunami of a similar ferocity, with reports of waves of anything between three and seven metres high washing up to a mile inland, devastating the southern coastlines and in some cases destroying entire villages. Tonga, too, was hit.

The South Pacific tsunami death toll – nearly 200 as of today, but continuing to rise – pales in comparison the 150,000 who perished in 2004, but the damage to the countries and communities could be just as pronounced. Consider that these are nations with populations in their thousands, not millions, and with land areas that would constitute mere provinces in the bigger countries that were hit in 2004. Further, the majority of the inhabited areas are on the coast. The impact of this disaster in national terms cannot be overstated.

Furthermore, in economic terms, the Samoas will almost certainly face a longer and more difficult road to recovery than the 2004 victims. Thailand is one of the world’s foremost holiday destinations, while the likes of Indonesia, the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, also affected, likewise enjoy a healthy tourism industry. And, with the exception of the Maldives, these are much bigger, vastly more populous nations with a myriad different industries from which their people can make a living.

Not so the Samoas. Offering the South Pacific ideal of pristine tropical beaches and rainforests, a relatively unspoilt native culture, and a largely subsistence-level lifestyle of which generosity and hospitality are the backbone, they do draw tourists, whether in search of a world class beach break or an authentic adventure. But the numbers are small. 125,000 holidaymakers arrived in independent Samoa in 2008. Compare that to Thailand’s 17 million last year, even during a time of recession and political instability.

Of course the Samoas are much smaller so would not be able to cope with tourist arrivals in their millions. But the point is, for small countries that do nevertheless rely on the tourist dollar, the loss of visitors in their thousands will be felt that much more keenly.

Which is a terrible shame. I visited all three nations – independent and US Samoa, and Tonga - in 2006 and was charmed. Over the course of nearly six weeks, I enjoyed jungle treks, coral reefs, delicious food, the vibrancy of the capital and the tranquility of the countryside in independent Samoa, and then ventured to American Samoa, with its towering, dark green peaks and the best beach I have ever seen, Ofu, where powder-white sand met sea with the clarity of bottled water, inhabited by marine life coloured like cartoons, while enormous flying foxes took the skies above me in the early evening. On top of this, the Samoan people were among the most charming I had met anywhere in the world. I also spent a week in Tonga, and while a much shorter experience, similar impressions were gained there. 

I have talked glowingly about these experiences ever since, and recommended them to all as travel destinations. In fact, before I moved to Thailand last year, I had identified both Thailand and Samoa as the two places I’d visited where I’d most like to live and work. Ironic, then, that both have now become tsunami victims.

Presumably most people who have upcoming holidays in the Samoas and Tonga booked will cancel, and those who were thinking of visiting will now look elsewhere. With the infrastructure badly weakened and several resorts badly damaged or even destroyed, this is understandable. But recovery will take years, and a dip in tourism will compound this. Tourists will stay away because of the damage, but the damage cannot be quickly fixed without the tourist dollar. A vicious cycle.

Furthermore, while global news outlets have covered the story in the past week, inevitably it will fade from international consciousness sooner rather than later. That’s the way it is with natural disasters, especially when the countries affected are so far away, both in terms of geography and personal relevance, to the average First World citizen. The Indian Ocean tsunami was different, partly because of its unprecendented scale, and partly because Thailand, in particular, is so firmly on the tourist map and has such a large expat community.

But Samoa? Relatively speaking, very few people outside Oceania will have any connection these islands, let alone will have visited them. So they will look at the images on the BBC or CNN and spare a thought for the dead and the stricken, and then forget about it. I’m not criticising these people; it is natural and I have been guilty of the same when watching footage of crises in places which have no relevance to me. But it does mean that outside of those who do have an existing stake in the Samoas, there will be two kinds of people:

1) Those who have considered a holiday there, who will now choose to go elsewhere, thus depriving the islands of much-needed income; and

2) Those who had never previously thought about Samoa, and likely never will again.

The latter will, unfortunately, make up the majority of the international community, and this means donations and aid will be in short supply. The Indian Ocean tsunami generated an enormous global response, but again this due to the countries involved meaning something to so many people. Thailand as one of the most-visited holiday destinations, India and Indonesia as among the world’s most populous nations, and so on.

So, the effect on tourism, coupled with lesser international aid, looks to be economically devastating, beyond the physical chaos which has already been wreaked.

But what can you do? As for me, I just hope that this article raises awareness of a very special part of the world, and that in turn that might encourage some people to visit. Because that is the best thing you can do – visit the Samoas. Your money will make a difference. By all means wait a while until the worst of this disaster has passed, but please do go in future. Spend your money in independent hotels and restaurants – the American and Australian chains will be fine without you, but to the smaller businesses you can make a very real and immediate difference. And beyond that, Samoa will have a very real and immediate effect on you. The rewards to both sides are obvious – I say that as someone who has been to the islands and continues to cherish my memories of them.

My thoughts and prayers go to the islands and their people .

www.helpsamoa.com

Allo groupe!

Ben avec Moto-men c’est ok, mais je me questionne, c’est pas bon mais bon…  On verra… Ce week-end il va venir ici, il fait du sport et pour des compétitions. je devrais trouver ça cool car il va venir à tous les soirs.  Y’a des trucs qui me dérangent, biensûr le voyage à Barcelone, mais il ya autre chose, pourtant, je devrais me faire à l’idée les gars sont pas tous fait comme moi.. Je lui dit “Je t’aime déjà, je sais que c’est tôt, mais je suis comme ça, si j’ai le goût de le dire je le dit, c’est pas quand la personne n’existe plus qu,il faut avoir des remorts de ne pas l’avoir dit.  Bref, oui cela est vrai après une semaine.. Lui il a peur de me le dire et dit je t’aime bien…. bon au début pas trop pire et je comrpend on débute, mais j’ai comme l’imrpession que cela va rester comme ça et cela va être long avant qu’il ose…  Laissons-nous une change, n’est-ce pas… Un jour à la fois, sweet Jesus please…  En attendans j’ai les hormones dans le tapis,

Est-ce moi qui suis trop rapide ou… Le Black & Blue qui est ce week-end et la manne de beaux monsieurs qui va déferler en ville, la musique est fantastique pis c’est une fois par année…. Je sais pas si c’est le fait que je perd mon célibat qui me dérange ou le fait qu’il ne semble pas prêt à s’impliquer ou est-ce moi????

Viarge je me suis entrainer tout l’été pour briller au bal en cuir….  Mais de toute façon c’est déjà sold out… À moins que j’achète une passe VIP!!!!!  pis là ben mon besoin d’être en couple Tupperware entre en conflit avec mon besoin de faire la cigale….  Le bal en cuir c’est comme la plus grosse game de Hockey ou sa va être violent, ou tu te peux pue d’y penser 1 mois à l’avance, pis c’est vendredi… C’est le party le plus hot pendant le festival… (Bon pour les straight qui connaissent pas le festival du black & Blue, ben c’est comme  : Noel, le jour de l’an, la fête des Rois pis le boxing day la même semaine… quand c’est terminé on se demande s’il ya a eu une tornade qui a passé…..).

Ben inquiété vous pas je vais me calmer, de toute façon je sais qu’après avoir sortie, j’aurais été découragé de voir tout ces mecs aux steroides me faire baver… tout ces hommes tellement sexy N’empête que c’Est vraiment hot de voir tout ces mecs, wooooooffffff..  Au lieu de la Vilaine Charrue, je serais la tondeuse du 450…

Aller! je vous aime simplement et sans peurs!

UPDATE! THE OFFICIAL CONTEST LINK IS UP! CLICK HERE.

I have certainly not forgotten the haiku contest (get your haiku in), which is near and dear to my heart. However, for you photogs amongst the readership, this post is intended to be a teaser trailer of sorts to get you thinking and planning and shooting for the next contest, which will be here sooner than you know.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept, is to submit one or two photos which are titled either with the title of or lyric from a Christmas carol. You are free to use a carol that is either secular or sacred, for it to be well known carol or little known (just provide a link to the lyrics), and for your photo to be an ironic riff on the title or straightforward. The successful photo will be the one which interacts best with its title.

Christmas is a time filled with all sorts of visual delights (indoor and out) and emotions (happy and sad), so there is great scope for a diversity of entries in this contest. And, I will be allowing photos from both this and last Christmas for submission.

I am hoping to have the contest up about a week before Christmas and the results out on Boxing Day. Yeah, you know Boxing Day, when the landed gentry in Britain boxed up leftover food and gifts for the peasants, or something like that (Snopes sorts it out for us). At any rate, that date is December 26, the day when Americans regurgitate their excess back to the stores and make room for more ;) Sorry for that last image. Sometimes I get a little exercised, even as I am complicit in the cycle.

Here are some samples which do a little to illustrate the scope this contest allows (I am hoping for both “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus, Right Down Santa Claus Lane” submissions ), and to get you shooting.

We live in a global village and news from half way across the globe has an impact. I’ve been reading the BBC coverage of the tsunami which has hit islands in the South Pacific, and inevitably my thoughts have also gone back to the huge wave which devastated thousands upon thousands of lives in 2004.

The BBC is saying that this time around something like 65 people have been reported dead so far. The 2004 wave was estimated to have killed over 200,000 people. But tragedy does not just lie in the size of the statistics, it lies in the individual human stories which are swept up, quite literally, by events such as this.

Three things spring to mind. The first is to hope that lessons have been learnt from five years ago and that the clean-up will be swifter and therefore the spread of disease due to lack of running water and infestations of rats in the wreckage of people’s homes can be kept to a minimum.

Secondly, I remember that two dear friends of mine were in a car accident on Christmas Day/Boxing Day 2004. They were bruised and battered but luckily not more badly damaged and were understandably feeling pretty low when they sat watching TV in hospital. When the news of the Tsunami started to dominate the screens they felt entirely different about their own troubles: global tragedies can indeed alter individual perspectives.

And thirdly I think of two other friends of mine who were not so fortunate. This couple had got together at university and had already gone through quite a lot together as, during his second year, the guy had begun to go blind. He was, of course, given as much assistance as could be found – a classroom reader to help him make notes and, I think, an adapted computer. He achieved a first class honours degree, I do believe. After Uni the two of them found work and began saving for the holiday of a lifetime, a trip through Southern Asia and (I think) Australia. It was in Asia that they were caught up in the Tsunami and ended up clinging to a tree for dear life. He survived, she did not. I had not been in touch with them for a year or so and the first I knew of this was when I saw her photograph in a newspaper. At the time she was one of the missing, within a week or so she had been confirmed as one of the dead. He had been badly cut on his legs and needed an operation but that, surely, was the least of his problems. After everything he had already endured, life threw this at him.

It is for this reason that I feel for the individuals who have lost friends, relatives, loved ones in yesterday’s tsunami. Life is precious.

The day-night test proposed for next May between England and Bangladesh has been put on hold because researchers are unable to find a suitable ball.

According to the article in the Sydney Morning Herald a pink ball was put forward, but due to a touch to much movement and difficulties gripping the rock, it has been deemed to dangerous to even trial.

This is a set back for the future of the game, as of the two options presented by the MCC, this was the only accepted by all teams.

The other idea, of a World test championship, was poo pooed by India and England as they didn’t want to share the television profits with the rest of us.

Where is the love guys?

Opa, e não é que a marcha continua? Apesar dos boatos que a fila de pedidos de exames médicos não sairia do lugar até o final do ano, li hoje no Lá Vamos Nós que algumas pessoas receberam os pedidos de exames médicos nas últimas semanas.

Processos federais abertos em janeiro e fevereiro deste ano (15/01 – 28/01 – 16/02)  já estão recebendo pedidos! Tomara que a nossa vez chegue logo também. Pegar o boxing day* aos 45 do segundo tempo não seria nada mal pra gente que vai montar um barraco novo québécois. Haaaja coração, amigo!

*dia de saldões em todo Canadá, que acontece um dia após o Natal

I’m back following a very slack period, apologies.

The Sunday Times has an article quoting former test umpire Peter Willey with his fears for Umpires future in the game.

He has it in his mind that with the new referal system set to be introduced next month, the men in charge may forget how to make decisions out in the middle.

If this is the case, I don’t look forward to having to glance over the the big screen every five minutes to see what the result is.

The Deva Stadium, Blues hope to make this a fortress after first win of 2009

Chester City manager Mick Wadsworth was delighted to get his first victory at the Blues following their 2-0 success over Histon on Saturday.  The victory was Chester’s first at home since Boxing Day 2008.

“I think its great, it’s just good for everyone,” said Wadsworth in his post match press-conference. “It’s about time we did something which gives us a bit of cheer on a Saturday – we’ve been close a couple of times.”

“It was a really difficult game,” the former Gretna manager continued. “We were stoic and courageous in our defending and if you look, they [Histon] had a lot of ball but not too many chances. “At times I was really pleased as we played some clever and good football at times. We weren’t at our best on the ball but I think it’s difficult in a game like that.

“So I’m just delighted to win.” 

Chester City still remain rooted to the bottom of the Blue Square Premier League but have reduced their arreas to minus 20 points, giving the Deva Stadium’s long suffering followers a glimmer of hope in the race of premier league survival this term.

Next up are Tamworth at home on Tuesday night, we will keep informed of developments from the Deva.

The International Cricket Council has called a meeting with the Marlybone Cricket Club to discuss the MCC’s calls for a World Test Championship.

It is the first sure step towards a new way of crowning the best teams in test cricket, and hopefully regaining popularity around the globe.

According to an article in The Telegraph there are two possible options being discussed, but to give the ideas the best chance of success these plans will not be revealed to the public at this stage.

It is hard to describe the amount of premature excitment over this people are having already.

The proposed format is said to be the brain child of Peladophobic former Kiwi captain Martin Crowe.

He said that an 8 team tournament with 3 match series between teams would be the way to go, with the semi-finals and final to be played at Lords, the home of cricket.

I am sure there will be more to follow on this story.

Junkanoo is a street parade celebrated in the Bahamas on Boxing Day
(December 26), New Year’s Day, and in the summer. The parade is used to showcase Bahamian music, new costumes, and the culture. No one knows for sure how the parade got its name, but it has been said that the parade was named after an African folk hero, John Canoe, who insisted upon the right to celebrate with his people after becoming a slave.

Junkanoo is also a fruity flavored drink made by Pepsi that is only available in the Bahamas.

Some photographs from December.

I didn’t notice until later that there were three figures there.

I saw her often then.

They were very smartly dressed.

They sang some very nice carols; but maybe that’s because I’m partial to people with talent for the second voice.

From a wall in Pagadian circa 1986: “Smokers never die. They just fade away.”
Now I know the original was MacArthur’s.

I put the camera on top of the railing and hoped for the best.

I hope I see him again someday.

It was squeaky clean when he was done. But the next day is another matter.

It seemed to me as though she was so far away.
Bram Stoker: “The coming of the cloud was too quick for me to see much, for shadow shut down on light almost immediately; but it seemed to me as though something dark stood behind the seat where the white figure shone, and bent over it.”

She had glamour in abundance.

“Outside in the cold distance, a wildcat did growl…”
Bob Dylan: “It overwhelmed me, really. … I liked Jimi Hendrix’s record of this and ever since he died I’ve been doing it that way… Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it’s a tribute to him in some kind of way.”

I don’t see him anymore. I hope he’s a big name somewhere.

Somebody once said this had an air of Blade Runner about it. Which is a very nice thing to say.

Fun at the rink.

It seemed to me that she had a lot on her mind.

I feel a sense of longing and melancholia every time I look at this.

That’s her again. I wonder where she is now.

A rather elaborate setup: father, son and coconuts.

Christmas Day.

It stayed that way, as is, for some days after.

I always felt that he was a powerful man.

A land anemone.

The effect of generous amounts of shampoo and conditioner, no doubt.

I like thick spectacles. My grandfathers wore them.

I liked the polka dots.

Lots of people had a lot on their minds then. Which is probably still true now.

I think this was a nice conversation between father and son.

I wonder, will I see any of them again next Christmas?

Sophie’s Present  by Anne Kane

Changeling Press

As one of Santa’s elves, Dandy’s job is to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. So he made his list and checked it twice. He found Sophie at the top of his list of forgotten do-gooders, and when he checked her out he knew just what to do to make her Christmas the merriest ever.

When Santa made his rounds Christmas Eve, he dropped off a fantastic hunk at Sophie’s house, gift-wrapped for the occasion. Nickolie is a sex demon, and once she gets over the shock, Sophie has a wonderful time unwrapping her present and making sure it gets a good workout before it expires on Boxing Day.

Sophie Thomson is a very sweet woman. I believe she is someone who people overlook because they are always counting on her to help out and relying on her to do things for others.  I felt that she never expects to receive anything for herself and that is why I loved this story. I thought that her receiving a special gift just for herself to indulge in is unique.

Nikolie is perfect as Sophie’s present. He is just so cute and cuddly when he is a blue fuzzy dust bunny, Sophie just had to welcome him to her home. Then when he becomes himself, I wanted to change places with Sophie mid story. He is a very believable  sex demon and does his job fantastically.

Being as Nikolie explains he is only Sophie’s present for forty-eight hours, I understand the lack of true emotion between the main characters. Sophie was enjoying a special gift and Nikolie is doing what he, as a sex demon, does best. I could tell that they had fun and really enjoyed playing with their food. When her brother stopped by to bring Sophie to their mother’s house, I could not help but laugh.

Sophie’s Present had me wishing for a blue fuzzy dust bunny of my very own, especially one I could keep forever.

Boxing Day was one of the best films I saw at the Melbourne International film festival 2 years ago, and its director, Kriv Stenders , is back with a new film.  He has a fascinating film making process, and I am sure the Q&A will be enlightening if your interested in thinking outside of the frame.

“Great crowd in today folk’s, 800 people have watched the days play!”

That is a typical first day at a Test Match in New Zealand, people trickling in during the day but not sticking around.

With Tests being played on weekdays the fans that bring the money through the gates just cannot make it.

By the time they finish work at 5, there will only be an hour or so of play remaining, barely worth the entrance fee.

During the weekend we can expect crowds five or six times larger as people make a day of it, bringing the picnic down, throwing back a few beers and listening the Mrs complain about how “it’s more exciting to watch paint dry!”

In Perth earlier this year, the Australian Cricket decided to try something a little different.

Each day of the test started at a later time, and ran through till 8.30pm, about an hour before dark falls.

The crowds were the biggest seen during the series because kid’s could get out of school and watch 5 hours play, and people who have day jobs could leave work and watch some quality cricket, not just umpires glancing into a light meter.

Perhaps this is the answer in some places to boost attendance and bring more interest into tests.

In New Zealand it would never work to that extent, but in most cases you could certainly extend play till just after Seven.

Dean Jones of the Age in Australia talked about this, and perhaps taking it to another level by introducing night tests.

Ofcourse this would mean that we would be forced to use a white ball, and cricket purists would be disgusted with that, but is it the way we may need to head?

It would boost attendance, you would sell more beer and it would renew interest in a form of cricket which has not changed since they abolished the underarm bowling.

It may be a radical change but it is food for thought, and in the mean time, why don’t we try something new, extending the time in which we play.

If it helps to save the long form of the game, it has to be worth a go!

When I sit back and dare to dream about what playing international cricket would be like, I don’t think about One Dayers or Twenty20’s, I think about taking 5 wickets in a Test Match Innings.

Why then is it that there are talks of whether Test Cricket will last, what with Twenty20 generating millions through the IPL and World Cup, and giving players fairly healthy bank balances.

The Boxing Day test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington gathered the biggest crowds to test matches in New Zealand and seemed to be becoming a tradition.

In 2004 New Zealand cricket decided to swap it for a One Day International instead. Why? Because it was more of a money earner.

Why play a test match during these peak times when you can play two or three ODI’s in the same period and get 50,000 more people through the gates?

This was only a couple of years after the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke said he wanted to give County Cricket in England the chop, as it was ‘not economically viable.’

It appears views about the money involved in the longer form of cricket have been taken aboard by cricket boards around the globe, but not to the extent Clarke had wanted.

With Twenty20 being introduced into the international fold, it has further plunged test cricket’s future into doubt.

Twenty20 cricket was thought up after Stuart Robertson, a marketer at the English Cricket Board, was asked to create a game that would renew interest in the game in the UK.

He simply worked out how many overs could be fit into a three hour period after people finished work, so from 5.30 onwards.

The aim is to get as many people to the game as possible, something tests struggle with being played through the week.

Tests are not losing out through complete lack of interest, but through a combination of money making and there being more interest in the exciting form at this time.

So for now, Twenty20 will win the ratings game thanks to the timing of the games and the excitment. I guess the real test is, how do we get people through the gates during Test Matches?