From Glasgow to London

Image: TortureCare.org.uk

Giggidy
Did you like yesterday’s video? Hilarious wee cat, eh?

I had a fun time at the Jamiroquai gig on Wednesday night with my sister—as is usually the case when we crack open a tinny and go to see some live music. It was an odd night though, with the venue being half empty and yet the performance still impressing. You can read my full gig review over at the Man in the East.

We’d gone for dinner first at Glasgow’s oldest pub, Sloans. A pint of lager and a portion of their scrumptious macaroni & cheese did just the job. We then took in a mini pub crawl, doing a few bars around the Mitchell Lane area before jumping on a low level train out to the gig at the SECC.

Train Woes
Coming home yesterday wasn’t so easy. I’d left all my gear in work and so only had to get to the office, but a line-side fire meant all upper level trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh had been canned. I used my noggin (or I thought I was) when I stayed clear of Queen Street altogether and jumped on a half empty train in Central. That was shortly after 8am. Two hours later I arrived in work, as the train I had boarded stopped at almost every station between west and east coast.

Back to Work
I’d slept well the night before. I think the fact I kept the post-gig Doner Kebab to a smaller size helped, so I remained fresh for most of the day. With the day job out the way, I wrote up my write-up of the gig the night before and worked on the press release for the Kindle ebooks. Devon’s comments from the other day helped formulate a much better piece that I feel better about using – cheers! 🙂

This Weekend
Got lots on and to do this weekend. I’ll be finishing the final polish of GREENER IS THE GRASS, working on SP3 and the marketing/PR needed for this summer, writing up some poetry and fiction, submitting some fiction and poetry, going to a gig (hopefully—there’s a chance I might have to cancel Kid Canaveral) and I’ll be doing all my usual stuff: house chores, garden check, and a long walk on Saturday morning. It promises to be a cracking weekend.

The London International Ska Festival
Last night saw the grand kick off of the biggest celebration of Ska the world has seen. The London International Ska Festival, which runs right through until Sunday, is now on at the Clapham Grand Theatre, London.

The festival has lined up 38 bands and DJs from 11 countries, which includes Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Dave & Ansel Collins, The English Beat (starring Dave Wakeling), The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra (ft.Lee & Bedders from Madness), Owen Grey, James Hunter, Dub Pistols, Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeaters, The Trojans, one off reformations from The Loafers and Hotknives, Bim Skala Bim, DJs Clive Chin (Randys), Lynval Golding (The Specials), Gaz Mayall, Mark Lamarr, Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers/Special AKA) and many many more.

Doors open every night at 6pm and close 3am (2am on Sunday). A limited supply of tickets each night will be available on the door, but I’d recommend buying in advance.

Tickets bought now will now be allocated for collection on the door, and can be purchased through the following means:

IN PERSON
– Dub Vendor, Lavender Hill, Clapham Junction, London SW11
– All Ages Records, 27 Pratt St, Camden Town, London NW1
– Stargreen, Argyll St, (off Oxford St), London W1
– The Barber Lounge, The Arcade, Newbury, Berkshire.

ONLINE
ticketweb.co.uk
seetickets.com
eventim.co.uk

MORE INFO
www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk

Friday Vid
This weeks Friday Vid comes to you courtesy of Mr Vic Galloway. Not sure why he was the one to uncover this little gem (fashion trawling?) but apparently pointy boots are the in thing. If I see anyone wearing these on Leith Walk, however, I’ll know I’m either be trippin’ or Hibs will have won the Scottish Football League Championship. If you can’t see this brilliant video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEiMA3QtYWc

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEiMA3QtYWc

Free Ebooks Giveaway on Twitter
Time is running out fast in my special Twitter giveaway. I’m giving away ALL my published ebooks for free to the 1000th person to follow me on Twitter. Not only that, but a randomly selected follower from between Friday 1st April right up to the 1000 mark, will also win the same prize! Click here for full details of the great Twitter Ebook Giveaway.

SPECIAL OFFERS
Enter coupon code HOPUK305 at checkout and receive 20% off your order of my poetry books: FRINGE FANTASTIC, POOLSIDE POETRY and SILLY POEMS FOR WEE PEOPLE VOL.2. Offer cannot be applied to previous orders and only applies to books or ebooks ordered through the Lulu option. Offer expires on 26th April, 2011 at 11:59 PM.

Enter coupon code APRILMAILUK305 at checkout and receive FREE MAIL SHIPPING on any of my poetry books: FRINGE FANTASTIC, POOLSIDE POETRY and SILLY POEMS FOR WEE PEOPLE VOL.2. Offer cannot be applied to previous orders and only applies to books ordered through the Lulu option. Offer expires on 30th April, 2011 at 11:59 PM.

Get 25% off STELLA, my spy novella with a twist, when you order the e-book from the publisher’s website at www.eternalpress.biz. Simply quote 612JMZN67VZX at checkout.