I can’t believe how many cover versions there are on youtube! There are just countless videos of dudes holed up in their bedrooms murdering classic songs hoping to be discovered. I’ve found a couple that are worth posting, one because it is a nice version of a great song, and the other because it is almost unbelievably atrocious.
This is the good one…..
Ol’55
This, the not so good…..
The Final Countdown
At least they got a good crowd for it!
A.
Last night we watched this:
I quite enjoyed it. Anything fast paced and ridiculous with a Jerry Bruckheimer type feel always makes a good film as far as I’m concerned! Andy didn’t enjoy it quite as much. In fact I don’t think he enjoyed it at all, having practically worked out the entire plot within the first 10 minutes.
On Saturday night we watched this:
(Oooops - I forgot to warn you about the bare bottoms.) I think we recommended it on here before and if you still haven’t watched it then you really should. It’s in French, but luckily there are subtitles.
And finally … on Friday night we watched this:
It’s another one we’d seen before and really enjoyed. It’s quite brutal so if you can’t stomach blood and guts then it’s not for you. It’s dialogue is done entirely in the Yucatec Maya language - but luckily there are subtitles in this one too!
Catherine
Me and The Ponte Vecchio
We’re just back from a week in the historic heart of Lucca, an ancient walled town that dates back to Roman times, and wow what a place it is! A vast army of wooded, lush green hills encircles Lucca (the Apuan Alps my old boy informs me) which you could almost be forgiven for thinking belong in Scotland – that is of course until you look up and see the undisturbed bright blue sky!
Our rented apartment, a great combination of modern amenities and rustic charm, was ideally located just a short walk from the medieval walls and not too close to the centre of town to be disturbed by the noisy ‘passeggiata’. The apartment was four storeys up and came complete with a spacious balcony, so we had views to die for! We were certainly high enough to be blown away by the beauty of the terracotta hotch potch that is Lucca’s skyline.
Part of the view from our balcony
I want to leave any detailed holiday descriptions to Catherine, but thought I could briefly list the things I liked and disliked about the holiday:
Likes
• The narrow streets and high buildings made the town a great place to meander through
• The colour of the buildings – all different shades of oranges and yellows
• The weather – not too hot or humid, but in the thirties every day!
• The balcony – a great place to read and soak up the sun
• The town walls – lined by trees for the most part, so slightly cooler, the perfect place for a cycle run
• The bikes – a real, and surprising highlight. I loved cruising around and exploring on our ‘biciclette’
C’s bike
• The amphitheatre – the cafes here were cheap and what a backdrop to enjoy some good coffee
• Spending quality time with my family – it was great to get up and spend all day with my wife and my parents (here, I’m beginning to sound like Michelle! Only joking MT!!!)
My Mum and Dad Chilling Out On The Walls
• Puccini – Anyone who has been to our house here in Inverkeithing will know by the pictures in our living room and doubtless the records playing that I dig Puccini. Going to his home town and seeing Turandot and Madame Butterfly will live long in the memory
Puccini’s Home On The Shores Of Torre Del Lago
• Food and drink – cheap, really cheap, and tasty – especially the ravioli for 4 euros. Cannae grumble!
• The doors – the ornate, sturdy front doors to the houses were like works of art, really amazing.
A Typical Lucchese Doorway
• Ice Cream – no, not the taste of it, but just witnessing the joy that it brought into my wife’s life
• Fiesole – what a lovely wee town, and what views over Florence
• Our Camera – I had great fun taking (nearly 1000) photos
San Michele
• Neptune and David – the statues outside the Uffizi in Florence were so impressive
Dude with a Corking Beard
• Mark Driscoll – I didn’t do as much reading as I thought I might, but his ‘Radical Reformission’ got me thinking
• Baralla – C and I ate there one evening. Great food and welcoming atmosphere
• Fairport Convention – I came out of the bedroom one morning to find my Dad ironing and listening to (and singing!) my favourite Fairport song…’Banks of the Sweet Primroses‘. (This list could go on all night, one more will do it)
• Lucca’s botanical gardens – a real treat to walk around, a lovely lake with terrapins and carp being the highlight
Dislikes
• Ryanair – uncomfortable seats and too many pleas to buy their merchandise over the intercom.
• Florence – too busy and too hot, not a patch on Lucca. That said, the Ponte Vecchio was amazing.
C Looks Down Over Ponte Vecchio
• Mozzies – ow, still sore
• Graffiti – everywhere you looked
More graffiti
• Baralla – Okay, so it made the above list too, but we went back with my mum and dad and the food wasn’t as good as the previous time and it was too busy and way too loud. (I can’t think of anything else!)
Overall, what a holiday! I loved it and would truly recommend Lucca to anyone wanting a relaxing break. I want to go back!!
Andy
and the REST OF THE PHOTOS!!!!
Right dudes, we’re off on holiday! The flight to Italy leaves in the morning and we’re all packed and ready to go. We’re even ready to face any Italian pick pockets!
Andy
A friend sent this through today.
What a horrible mistake to make!
Andy
I’m going through another Dylan stage. They come and go quite frequently, like a fierce bout of wind (painful to start with but once you get into it, entirely satisfying). I think it started when I was asked recently who my favourite songwriter was.
To be honest, I’m always terrible at those ‘what’s your favourite…’ type questions. My answers keep changing, usually depending on my mood. One answer always remains the same though, it’s the answer to ‘What’s your favourite song?’ It’s always Dylan and it’s always ‘When He Returns’.
Here it is in all it’s splendour:
‘The iron hand it ain’t no match for the iron rod,
The strongest wall will crumble and fall to a mighty God.
For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears
It is only He who can reduce me to tears.
Don’t you cry and don’t you die and don’t you burn
For like a thief in the night, He’ll replace wrong with right
When He returns.
Truth is an arrow and the gate is narrow that it passes through,
He unleashed His power at an unknown hour that no one knew.
How long can I listen to the lies of prejudice?
How long can I stay drunk on fear out in the wilderness?
Can I cast it aside, all this loyalty and this pride?
Will I ever learn that there’ll be no peace, that the war won’t cease
Until He returns?
Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground, take off your mask,
He sees your deeds, He knows your needs even before you ask.
How long can you falsify and deny what is real?
How long can you hate yourself for the weakness you conceal?
Of every earthly plan that be known to man, He is unconcerned,
He’s got plans of His own to set up His throne
When He returns.’
Bootiful,
Andy
I found this on the Times website earlier today. I’m not really sure what to make of it, you can make up your own mind, but at least it’s catchy(!)
Andy
This has to be one of my favourite goals of all time. Poor Chris Brass, apparently this most deadly of finishes broke his nose.
Andy
Need more drama in your life? You’ve come to the right place then……..
Andy
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