Archive for the ‘Enjoyment’ Category
Does exactly what it says on the tin; just the posts that relate to the above...
Let it snow!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
As the nation almost comes to a stand still with the ‘big freeze’, the Mixd crew can’t wait until the weekend to get out in to the glorious white powder that is snow for a good old play about!
On Tuesday, Harrogate was one of the worst hit places in the UK for snow, frost, ice and general coldness… but that’s not going to dampen our spirits! Of course, mishaps happen owing to the weather; we know:
- Matt has crashed his car (he’s okay so that’s cool);
- Bob has twisted his knee;
- Matt then fell and damaged a finger;
- Mike had to be dug out of the car park;
- Bob’s outhouse has frozen so washing machine and outside loo are defunct;
- Dave got stuck on a train; and
- Phil nearly went into the River Wharfe at Pool after slipping on ice in his car!
Not to mention that Bob has been working from home since Tuesday owing to trecherous roads, frozen car and the general desire to shirk a tad.
But what the heck! How often do we get great snow like this? We intend to thoroughly enjoy ourselves in it.
Look out for the Mixd crew this weekend; you’re sure to spot at least one of us:
- Snowboarding down the Otley Chevin;
- Sledging head first towards a river (incidentally, Bob can confirm that the River Tees at Preston Park has completely frozen over);
- Clearing paths for the elderly and disabled;
- Taking part in a huge snowball fight with relatives, friends and anyone else who might want to ‘ave it;
- Building a phallic snow sculpture;
- Going shopping for house-bound neighbours; and
- ‘Snow-surfing’* behind a car (always wear a crash helmet folks);.
So come on Britain, let’s not moan about the cold weather… let’s embrace it!
*snow-surfing is not big and it’s certainly not clever.
100 miles for charity
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
I just wanted to say a huge thanks for all the support and the money raised from the 100 mile South Downs Way bike ride that I took part in last Saturday for the British Heart Foundation.
Despite the miserable weather leading up to the day, Saturday was just amazing. With a bright blue sky and light winds all day I have a very strange tan line on my arms to prove it!
If you’ve not yet shown your support you can sponsor me at: www.justgiving.com/mixd
On your bike son!
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Are you looking for a challenge this year with the benefit of the knowledge you’re raising money for a worthwhile charity? The British Heart Foundation is holding its long-running South Downs Way (SDW) Challenge on 25 July 2009 and Mixd is pleased to announce that Phil will be stretching his legs and representing Mixd at the event (I have offered to drive the support vehicle and be on standby with a flask of tea and some biscuits).
The SDW is just over 100 miles from Winchester to the western edge of Eastbourne. There is no real technical riding (it’s down south after all!) although there is plenty of scope to fall off(!) and there are some serious hills along the way. So it’s most definitely an endurance event and a steady pace that can be sustained for 100 miles is required!
So if you would like to join Phil on the day please get in touch… he would be more than happy for some company! However, if (like me) you’d rather be following his Tweets as he progresses along the way from the comfort of your sofa then you can show your support by sponsoring Phil at: www.justgiving.com/mixd
As the Crowes fly…
Monday, May 18th, 2009
Gosh… back at work following a week’s annual leave. May I say, it’s truly magnificent to be back. I love being shackled to the desk by the real-time interegation of emails. It certainly beats the relaxing art and cafe culture of Amsterdam; that’s just far too chilled out.
Anyway, last Wednesday me and three pals attended the Heineken Music Hall and saw American band The Black Crowes. My association with this band started back in the summer of 1991 (after I finished my GCSEs) with long-wave radio station Atlantic 252 playing their cover of the Otis Redding classic ‘Hard to Handle’ at least once an hour. I had to hear more of this band, I had to see them live. In the autumn of 1992 they visited the UK and I saw a show (at Newcastle City Hall on 25 November!) that changed my appreciation of music… for ever.
Eighteen years on and wow… what a performance. To see six guys and two backing singers jamming their way through selections from their extensive back catalogue, peppered with some choice covers, for virtually two and a half hours was (to coin an American term) awesome. Some songs would be fairly true to the album and last 5 or 6 minutes; however, some would wander off in to elongated jams of the highest order, returning in the nick of time to the song’s original ending. The highlight of the show for me was a superb version of My Morning Song that let all the musicians flex their muscles and develop the song into a masterpiece of at least 15 minutes.
And what a venue the music hall is. The Dutch know what they are doing when it comes to enjoying themselves. Spritely youths push refrigerated trolleys through the crowds, serving ice cold lager to those who want it… and have had the foresight to buy the necessary tokens (muntens). And the best bit… if the guys with the trolleys can’t reach you, the ones with the lager filled backpacks can! I have to hand it to our Dutch friends for their friendliness, organisation and general willingness to ensure everyone has a great time.
As for The Black Crowes, they put on an amazing show, with a great atmosphere, light show and musicianship; I feel 18 again when I see them… with a tingle going up my spine. As lead singer Chris Robinson says “It’s a feeling you can’t get in cyberspace!”.