Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Come Up And See Me.....

7.37 On Time
It's a promising morning. However there will be A Meeting. Hand-wringing, tantrums, tedium, futility, hmmm, I'll need a playlist to make me smile.
 
Zoo - Astrid
You'll Never Be A Man - Elvis Costello
You Are The Everything - REM (I think Green is my favourite REM album. Bought it on holiday in Southport. Now what was the name of that record shop? And was it even on Eastbank Street ??)
Wrong - EBTG
Woman of Mine - Dean Friedman
Where's The Playground Susie? - Glen Campbell (now here's a song carrying serious risk of being sung out loud) 
When I Dream - Teardrop Explodes (eat your heart out Franz Ferdinand!)
Werewolves Of London - Warren Zeavon ("little old lady got mutilated late last night, werewolves of London again"... if I'm not smiling now I never will be)

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Tuesday, July 27, 2004

17.17 On Time
Just short of The Peeing Man of Ingol (don't panic - it's a statue) (and I don't think that's its official name) the train squeals to a rather impressive emergency stop. The Driver leaves his cabin and bustles the length (two whole carriages) of the train to the Conductor's cupboard. Moments later he bustles back again ... I am wondering if he left his sandwiches on the platform, or if his flask has broken, or he's had a row with his significant other and just had to share with a sympathetic ear ... We judder and shake back into motion. The Driver announces his apologies and rather shakily tells us "three lads were running down the track, sorry for the delay."
 
Not half as sorry as they could have been.
 
And I'm back on random play:
 
Street Spirit - Radiohead
Mess - Ben Folds Five
Girl From Mars - Ash
This Is Not Who We Were - Mull Historical Society
Quiet and Small - Looper
Michael - Franz Ferdinand (still not convinced by Franz Ferdinand)
Hate To Say I Told You So - The Hives
Camping Next To Water - Badly Drawn Boy
More Than A Feeling - Boston (oh, the secret shame of loving this song.. but, 'I hide in my music, forget my day...I close my eyes and I drift away'... you've got to love it!)
 
 

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Monday, July 26, 2004

Scares the Hell Out Of Me

8.13 On Time (this new trend of actually keeping to the timetable is getting to be a habit, I'll be relying on them next - worrying)
On Saturday R&J became GirlsonTrains and paid a visit.
We had a pleasantly wine soaked afternoon. If only it had been warmer and they had been able to stay longer. Still, I managed to talk about MeMeMe quite a lot (too much) but they didn't seem to mind (too much)
 
And I have a playlist all ready to combat that Monday Morning Feeling:
 
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want... - The Smiths
So. Central Rain - REM
Plug In Baby - Muse
Poor Misguided Fool - Starsailor
Just - Radiohead
Somewhere A Clock ... - Snow Patrol
Somebody's Got To Love You - House of Love
High & Dry - Radiohead
Hysteria - Muse
 
How can it fail?
 
So, now it's lunchtime. Im listening to "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" over and over and over and interspersed with "Plug in Baby" and "Hysteria" and I can't come back out into the real world. This morning's playlist induced positive mood lasted for about 5 minutes, and I am still being rubbish at work. It can only be a matter of time before I am found out. On the plus side, it could be years yet.


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Friday, July 23, 2004

Public Service Announcement

Resist the temptation to buy cheap fags from a man called Dave on a street in Blackpool. The packets are full of cardboard. Allegedly.
 
7.37 On Time
For once I wrest control from the forces of randomness and choose what to listen to. I choose Muse. They're all swooping and soaring and noise. It's just what I needed.
Then I see the Barn Owl sitting on a fence post by Moss Side. Despite the fact that my head is full of how rubbish I've been at work for the last week or so, I predict that today will be a good day.
 
Absolution - Muse


Thursday, July 22, 2004

He Ain't Heavy, He Ain't MY Brother

17.17 On Time
I would like to consider myself a moderate to fairly responsible individual. I would like to consider my sense of social responsibility moderate to fair. Once I even stopped to assist an old lady who'd had her bag snatched and I was on my way to a job interview at the time. Today I crossed to the other side and walked on by.
 
Getting off the train at HomeStation it was impossible not to spot a fellow human being in potential distress. The fact that he was so impossible to miss made him easier to ignore. If I could see him so could everyone else who got off the train. So could the conductor. So could the driver, probably. And it's probably their job to deal with this kind of thing.
 
I mean, he was probably not ill,  or unconscious or dead. Or if he was it was probably self-inflicted. I mean, he just looked the type. Sallow skin, lank hair, thin as a rake. And, he may have been snoozing peacefully in the sun, waiting for his train to arrive. Except that he didn't wake up and climb on board. And it was raining.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2004

London's Brilliant Parade

7.37  On Time
So, after three days of being GirlonaTubeTrain it's back to work & back down to earth.
Belle & Sebastian at Somerset House was brilliant (and I nabbed a set list!)
Meeting  people off the internet in a pub in Camden was brilliant (just don't listen to those who say this is a risky activity) 
Your Double Lighthouse Projection in Tate Modern was brilliant (that Edward Hopper is very popular isn't he?) 

All in all a successful trip - and, if Mark Lawson is to be believed, I think there's probably still quite a lot to do - When can we go again?
 
A Century Of Elvis
Jonathan David
We Rule the School
There's Too Much Love
A Century of Fakers
If You Find Yourself Caught in Love
Seeing Other People
Judy and the Dream of Horses
Dylan in the Movies  
 



Friday, July 16, 2004

It's Friday.............

7.35 On Time
It is a dismal, damp, dreary morning. That's all. Nothing happens. Then something else doesn't happen either. What's my problem? It's Friday - come on - cheer up!!
 
Hammering The Cramps - Sparklehorse (Now THAT'S not going to do it)
Three - The Cure (Why don't I have 'Friday I'm In Love'? that's what I really need)
Shining Light - Ash (better...)
Dust - Elvis Costello (skipped!)
Busy Bodies - Elvis Costello
I Will.. - Radiohead (NoNoNo! skipped)
Comedienne - Cinerama (things are looking up)
Common People - Pulp
Play Dead - Astrid
Ball & Biscuit - The White Stripes
No Better Place - Fountains of Wayne
 
Hey,  Guess what? The sun came out........It's the Weekend. London Village Here We Come! 
  

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Where's My Head At?

8.13 On Time
I think I saw the fox again!
No, I KNOW I saw the fox again.....


Wednesday 10.49 On Time
A Return Journey for a change.
As I get on I spot that the Conducter is one of the reassuring NoNonsense types, rather than a HideInTheBackIfStuffHappens kind. Which is good.
In my carriage are four pissed-up blokes, a couple & a lad with a backpack & a haircut like James Walsh out of Starsailor. He'll be alright then.

I'm thinking about work & how likely it is that there'll be a huge bust-up sometime soon; & London at the weekend; & how, when I got my hair cut last week I was duped, as it isn't actually any shorter; & how it's not possible to overestimate the importance of a few hours of talking sh*t to the general wellbeing of the soul. I don't think it's the cider talking.

Now I'm skipping through tunes unable to settle on anything suitable. Coldplay? no, Eels? no, Strokes? definately not, Lemonheads? no, Grandaddy?...no...I make the only sensible choice: Cast of Thousands - Elbow, phew, that's better.........(now, just stay awake)

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Toast

8.13 On Time
Brief chat with TicketSellingGuy. Apparantly, VolatileWoman never did come back, despite procedures being in place 'behind the scenes' to deal with her if she had.

Train quiet this morning. Pleasantly warm. I might even be able to nod off if I wasn't so busy worrying about yesterday's Stern Letter regarding the potential withdrawl of our Toaster Privileges at work. Surely there are human rights implications? And who would've thought that some people could be so selfish as to put their work mates lives in peril by leaving a toaster recklessly unsupervised?


A Day Is Far Too Long - Graham Coxon
(oh do cheer up Graham)
Mastermind - The Divine Comedy
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
(now that's better)
Missing You - Loudon Wainwright III
Full Of Stars - Turin Brakes
The Devil Is In The Details - Boards Of Canada
(not really getting the benefit of this one - bit too subtle for train listening)
Wrapped Up In Books - Belle & Sebastian
Above You, Below Me - Badly Drawn Boy
First We Take Manhatten - REM
(I don't skip it, but I am a bit frightened)
The Treehouse - Looper

Monday, July 12, 2004

Uncorrected Personality Traits

8.13 On Time
I broke that 2,000 tunes barrier, with the help of Robyn Hitchcock. Now I will be quietly humming it in the vicinity of UncorrectedPersonalityTrait Colleague. If only I dare.

Salwick Station reminds me of Adlestrop. "No-one went and no-one came, on the bare platform...." Sadly, what with the Springfield Power Plant in the background the rest of the ambience isn't quite there.

Uncorrected Personality Traits - Robyn Hitchcock
The Man With The Lightbulb Head - Robyn Hitchcock
(ok - they weren't random)
What You're Thinking - Astrid
Alone In The Sun - Leaves
Man Called Uncle - Elvis Costello
Mayfly - Belle & Sebastian
Guess I'm Doing Fine - Beck
Bird On A Wire - Leonard Cohen
(and yes, I skipped it - I'd just had Beck for goodness sake - and it's Monday morning - have some pity)
Ball & Chain - XTC
You've Got Her In Your Pocket - The White Stripes
Higher Than The Sun - Primal Scream
No Danger - The Delgados

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Friday, July 09, 2004

Like it's 1999....

A momentous occasion. Following a minor ripping session last night I am now poised to cross the 2,000 tunes barrier. Wow. There will be tunes on there that I'm NEVER going to hear again (or in the case of the Leonard Cohen, maybe never even the first time) - and I'm not finished yet - nowhere near.

Anyway...
7.37 On Time.
A sweet thing. The ManWhoWorksInManchester has his son with him on the train today. Over the last five years I have seen this boy grow up - five years ago he was waving his Dad off with a cuddly toy, now he's taller than his Mum. This is the first time they've got the train together. I hope they have a good day. Wherever they're going.

The Look Of Love - Dusty Springfield
Self Help - Turin Brakes
Poison In The Well - 10,000 Maniacs
My Iron Lung - Radiohead
Screenager - Muse
Le Pastie De La Bourgeoisie - Belle & Sebastian
Walk On Me - Ben Kweller
Back To The Treehouse - Looper
Goodbye To Love - The Carpenters

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Thursday, July 08, 2004

Ticket To Ride

8.13 Ten Minutes Late
Had to buy a single to Euxton last night, how poor is that ? Erm, oh, no, I forgot I *always* buy before I travel don't I?

Anyway, Ben Kweller was excellent. Much better than I'd expected. A lot of energy & volume in one so tiny. And that second album is actually pretty good when you give it a chance....

[Ben Kweller Jukebox again ]

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Wasted and Ready

7.37 On Time
Ouch. Bit of a headache. Went for a drink with L again last night. T & I are going to see Ben Kweller tonight, so, this morning it's a 'Ben Kweller Jukebox'. Trying to concentrate on the disappointing second album, but finding it hard as the first is SO good.

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

No Alarms & No Surprises

7.37 25 Minutes Late
I arrive at the station at 7.30 full of anticipation. My hopes of a melodrama to start the day with are dashed. There are no Managers in evidence, the VolatileWoman is nowhere to be seen, the storm in a teacup appears to have been forgotten by everyone. Except me. I was looking forward to it.

The 7.35 rattles past at 7.45 at great speed and empty. It returns 15 minutes later with one passenger. (A blond woman in a building society uniform who might actually, on slightly closer inspection, be a man in a frock). Train leaves the station at 8.00, as the delayed 7.35. The 8.13 will now be cancelled. The OrganisedCommuter has obviously been tipped of about the sorry state of affairs as he arrives at 7.57. The TwitchyMan is lucky - he arrives early by pure chance. We set off. We stop. For a further 15 minutes. A 'points failure'.....Thankfully, I have CreativeLabs to see me through.....

Northern Sky - Nick Drake
Hypnotise - The White Stripes
Chemistry - Semisonic
A Lover Sings - Billy Bragg
Rollercoster Ride - Belle & Sebastian
Exit Stage Right - Badly Drawn Boy
Love Field - Elvis Costello & Bill Frizzell
Dawn Chorus - Boards of Canada
Temptation - Elvis Costello
Lithium - Nirvana
Fox in the Snow - Belle & Sebastian
Down - Ben Kweller
Superman - Cinerama
Into Temptation - Crowded House
Always Something Their To Remind Me - Sandie Shaw
The Day I Wrote You Off - E
We Rule The School - Belle & Sebastian

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Monday, July 05, 2004

Training Day

8.13 On Time
A Holiday Atmosphere due to being allowed to wear playing out clothes for the training. Also, will be getting a nice lunch. Downside - will have to sit through training. Result - there IS no such thing a a free lunch. Also, suffering from seating anxiety. Serious risk of mis-timing my arrival & having to sit next to SmellyColleague.

Without Me - Eminem
DrunkKidCatholic - Bright Eyes
Pineapple Head - Crowded House
Dallas Airports BodyBags - American Music Club
Laid - James
Stop - Astrid
If She Wants Me - Belle & Sebastian
Lilac Wine - Jeff Buckley
Theme From The Monkees - The Monkees
Silence Is Easy - Starsailor

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Friday, July 02, 2004

We're Living The High Life

7.37 On time.
Absolutely knackered this am. Did go for a drink with L after work last night, but it was only the two. Must be Wednesday's high living catching up with me. Mmmm... Sex on the Beach....Anyway.. Train is quiet this morning - a few more posh suits in evidence than usual, especially for a Friday. I feel hungover. No Fair!

There is a magpie in a cage (or do I mean trap?) in the field by Moss Side. Sinister and unsettling. It's a better day when I see the owl. Or herons & curlews. A couple of months ago I'm sure I saw a fox.


Animal Cannabus - Mull Historical Society
Crawling With Idiot - Elbow
Shine Like Stars - Primal Scream
How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead
From Red To Blue - Billy Bragg
Pitseleh - Elliott Smith
Somebody Loves You - Eels
Agony - Eels

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Thursday, July 01, 2004

A Development...

7.37 10 Minutes Late
Apparently, if the VolatileWoman attempts to board the train next Tuesday she will be barred! How exiting is that going to be? Manager/s will be in attendance and she will be held responsible for her behaviour .... excellent .... just so long as people don't start holding me responsible for my behaviour ... now that would be another thing entirely.

All For Love & Love For All - The Lilac Time
Wild Wood - Paul Weller
Waiting For The Heartaches... - The Coral
Sparks - Coldplay
Kitchen TV - Astrid
Ha Ha I'm Drowning - Teardrop Explodes
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore - The Smiths
Back In The Car Park - The Lilac Time

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