Post No. 5
More News, Views and Opinions
Hey there readers,
"Post No. 5 - keeping it live and direct". I’m going to jump straight into it and give you what you want, the latest edition of my newsletter.
Disclaimer:
This is not perfect, and there will be typos and parts that are not neatly glued together. But the point is more to build up my newsletter count and have a bit of fun. You can point out my mistakes, and I will ignore you and make more of them.
You’re welcome!!
What I’m thinking
I’m thinking that moving is something I almost hate with a passion. The very reason this newsletter post is delayed. To continue the rant, it’s the packing (making decisions like '‘take it’, ‘bin it’, ‘take then bin it’ or ‘unsure, which means take it and hoard it’). There was a point that being brutal was the only solution. I thought I was a reformed non-hoarder, but clearly that is not the case. I have to give credit where it’s due though, the removal guy is definitely skilled in the art or of Tetris. I mean, just by looking at all the stuff going into the van, he magically got everything in there, with no room to spare. I have to say I was a a little panicked that I would end up at the destination with pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, but that was not the case. And now the unravelling of the collection of my valued treasures, into a new home, never to be moved again. If only that were the case. I will be moaning again at some point.
What’s in the news?
This Morning
Phil and Holly end hosting the iconic ‘This Morning’ programme. Well, it was all Phil’s fault. Not only did he lie to his wife about his sexual preferences over a hell of a long time, he then decided to have a ‘relationship’ with a young colleague at his place of work. Well that’s what I heard. To be honest I don’t care as much, it’s his business. But I know it hit the headlines, so worth mentioning to those living under a rock and didn’t know. As if that wasn’t bad enough, his brother was jailed roughly the same time. Life really didn’t throw him a biscuit at all. What wasn’t so clear was why Holly fell out with him, but it appears he kept that last bit to himself until it came out in the news. After all these years working together and yet there was no trust. That’s the picture I see this painting.
Sky Bet Play-Off Final
So, Coventry has been way down in the football leagues and risen back up with a chance to move into the Premier League. The only team standing in their way was Luton Town. Did they manage it? **Spoiler alert - answer below**
It was neck and neck taking us into penalties. Who likes penalties? Not me. The teams were tied and you could see it carrying on for a long, long time. And then it was the turn of defender Fankaty Dabo. You can only imagine the nerves and pressure placed on these individuals to keep the momentum flowing and break the focus of the opposing team. Unfortunately on the day, it just wasn’t to be. And Dabo missed the target. These things happen though. What is sad is the racism and nastiness that follows. Yes football is a lucrative sport and yes it’s their job, but that still doesn’t excuse the high levels of abuse that follows. And it’s not your colour that stopped the ball going into the net.
Love Island 2023
It’s back, Monday June 5th. It’s not really my bag, but it seems like I am the only one, so I thought I would just mention it in passing. But a little birdie tells me that Big Brother returns to the UK, via ITV. Now that’s what I’m talking about. I look forward to that. Will look to bringing some questionable website skills back into the scene and present a mini-site following the daily calamity that is bound to happen.
What I’m Reading
I’m taking a break from reading at the minute. With all the moving, and getting settled, I thought it was a good time to relax and do very little. Ok. Ok. I’m being lazy. In June I will be back on track. Oh, by the time you are reading this, it will be June already. So I better get back to the books.
What I’m Watching
Eastenders
Oh boy, I know this one is going separate the followers of this newsletter. Just when I was doing well, I had to spoil it with chitter chatter about the east end soap. The great thing about this programme is that it is easy watching. You can pick it up, drop out, and after months of not watching it you can pick it back up within a week. Anyway, the reason for even mentioning it, is because of Lola’s story - if you know, you know. It’s been amazing to see the story unravel and the acting/storyline coming to its peak has been gripping.
Eurovision (not watching)
I didn’t actually watch this. Considering how the last outing went, you kind of had hope for the UK to come somewhere close to the top quarter. It wasn’t to be. Only Germany saved the UK from the very bottom. The magical number was 25. 25 years since it was last hosted in the UK. The age of the act representing the UK was 25. And the position that the UK ended up at was 25. So, I suggest next time we visit some primary schools and get them to come up with a song for Eurovision. Based on that principle we may at least get a better position in the results table.
What I’m Listening To
Listening to music has always been part of my DNA, and generally I steer more in the urban space. Having said that, I will open that boundary to almost any other genre just to inspire in the experimentation of my own productions.
So, I have switched to Twitch - see what I did there, lol. It’s full of DJs representing, with all kinds of genres and from many parts of the world. And here’s me thinking it was just about streaming gaming nerds.
Games I’m playing
Redfall
Another Xbox game that has grown on me. At first the controls seemed a little, hmmmm, old school. I guess with the amount of time I have spent playing it, I have become used to it and now just play the game. It’s a great game, and some dark and eerie areas. It’s especially great to play at night, lights off (maybe some back of tv lighting at most) and late in the evening. Things be jumping out at you, which is so cool when you are a little tired and hungry.
Creative Zone
Creativity is the core of my existence, It’s a creative rollercoaster of producing either music tracks, mixtapes, 3d scenes, or digital garments. Sometimes you have to take time out, engulf yourself in new techniques and ideas and then go again. Watch this space….periodically new stuff will be here.
LOCKDOWN ‘20 - The movie
In the heart of a global pandemic, London is a city paralysed by fear and uncertainty. Enter Troy, a young and talented music artist with dreams of conquering the world with his artistry. But fate has a different plan for him. Trapped within the confines of his home, Troy must navigate a world of isolation, loneliness, anger, and frustration. As he grapples with these emotions, a burning desire ignites within him - the determination to overcome the government lockdown and emerge as the greatest artist the world has ever seen.
Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render
What advice can I give?
I’m going to go full circle on this one and go back to moving. Yes, I’m still moaning about moving. Don’t do it!!! Or at least have a plan. Don’t wing it, or you will fail.
Rent or Buy?
It’s a great question, and to be completely honest, the answer is not so simple. When I was a youngster I was Adam Ant. No I wasn’t, I was adamant that I would buy a house and settle in it for the rest of time. I’m not going to mention the details of moving for a third time, but you get me.
The thing is, its really depends. If you are one that is undecided where they want to be, or can’t afford to be in the ideal area at this moment, then maybe renting is a good option. It’s at least a yearly commitment and after then you can quit and move elsewhere. I would suggest getting furnished places, so you ease the burden of moving furniture from place to place. Alternatively you could have your own furniture and stay in the same place for many years. Although bear in mind that the landlord has a lot more control of your time at the property and can terminate your contract at any time (currently without reason under the Section 21 - no reason eviction policy).
On the other hand, buying a property, although a huge commitment, it is a great investment and is yours, and you can do with it what you want (subject to permission if it is structural change). And you know that all the money you pay per month is going to the ownership of the property. This could ultimately be a retirement plan in the future.
Till the next time
And that is it, the end of this post. Hopefully this is enough to encourage you to return for more. Each post will be different, and include different elements of my thoughts depending on what has happened in the day-to-day life from the last post.
Remember, if you found this useful/entertaining just drop a like. If you have any suggestions for future post elements, just drop me a line. I have enabled the chat functionality, so you are able to communicate through that channel. Thanks.
Stay safe and I’ll catch you in the next post.Till the next time
And that is it, the end of this post. Hopefully this is enough to encourage you to return for more. Each post will be different, and include different elements of my thoughts depending on what has happened in the day-to-day life from the last post.
Remember, if you found this useful/entertaining please click on the heart/drop a like. If you have any suggestions for future post elements, just drop me a line. I have enabled the chat functionality, so you are able to communicate through that channel. Thanks.
Stay safe and I’ll catch you in the next post.