Number Ones on my Birthday ... some pretty cool tracks

OK so here are the number ones on my birthdays over the past 35 years....which is your favourite? 

• 1976 On your birthdate the No. 1 single was Abba - "Dancing Queen" 
• 1977 On your 1st birthday Elvis Presley - "Way Down" 
• 1978 On your 2nd birthday The Commodores - "Three Times A Lady" 
• 1979 On your 3rd birthday Cliff Richard - "We Don't Talk Anymore" 
• 1980 On your 4th birthday Kelly Marie - "Feels Like I'm In Love" 
• 1981 On your 5th birthday Soft Cell - "Tainted Love" 
• 1982 On your 6th birthday Survivor - "Eye Of The Tiger" 
• 1983 On your 7th birthday UB40 - "Red Red Wine" 
• 1984 On your 8th birthday Stevie Wonder - "I Just Called To Say I Love You" 
• 1985 On your 9th birthday David Bowie & Mick Jagger - "Dancing In The Street" 
• 1986 On your 10th birthday Communards - "Don't Leave Me This Way" 
• 1987 On your 11th birthday Rick Astley - "Never Gonna Give You Up" 
• 1988 On your 12th birthday Phil Collins - "A Groovy Kind Of Love" 
• 1989 On your 13th birthday Black Box - "Ride On Time" 
• 1990 On your 14th birthday The Steve Miller Band - "The Joker" 
• 1991 On your 15th birthday Bryan Adams - "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" 
• 1992 On your 16th birthday Snap - "Rhythm Is A Dancer" 
• 1993 On your 17th birthday Culture Beat - "Mr Vain" 
• 1994 On your 18th birthday Whigfield - "Saturday Night" 
• 1995 On your 19th birthday Michael Jackson - "You Are Not Alone" 
• 1996 On your 20th birthday Peter Andre - "Flava" 
• 1997 On your 21st birthday The Verve - "The Drugs Don't Work" 
• 1998 On your 22nd birthday All Saints - "Bootie Call" 
• 1999 On your 23rd birthday The Vengaboys - "We're Going To Ibiza!" 
• 2000 On your 24th birthday Modjo - "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)" 
• 2001 On your 25th birthday Bob The Builder - "Mambo No 5" 
• 2002 On your 26th birthday Atomic Kitten - "The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling)" 
• 2003 On your 27th birthday Black Eyes Peas - "Where Is The Love?" 
• 2004 On your 28th birthday Brian McFadden - "Real To Me" 
• 2005 On your 29th birthday Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes - "Don't Cha" 
• 2006 On your 30th birthday Scissor Sisters - "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" 
• 2007 On your 31st birthday Sean Kingston - "Beautiful Girl" 
• 2008 On your 32nd birthday Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" 
• 2009 On your 33rd birthday Jay-Z featuring Rihanna & Kanye West - "Run This Tow" 
• 2010 On your 34th birthday Alexandra Burke featuring Laza Morgan - "Start Without You"
• 2011 On your 35th birthday Bruno Mars - "Just The Way You Are (Amazing)"

Old/New Media

So I am writing this at 10.30 in the morning with a tear in my eye. I have just listened to the last every Chris Moyles Breakfast show on Radio 1. For the past 8 and a half years every morning he has been on the air, with his team, telling things as he sees them. Sometimes controversial, sometimes thought provoking but always entertaining. His was a brand of radio show that is missing, more talk, less music, but always well thought out. 8 and a half years is a long time to listen to one show. I think I have missed about 4 weeks in that time, when I have been on holiday or away on business. I have listened to the highs and lows and today, watching for the last time I saw both the fun, enjoyment and respect that Chris brings to the radio. And it got me thinking. We live in a high technology age, where "new media" is talked about as the future and, don't get me wrong, I am an avid user of twitter, facebook, mensch and other social media sources. When news breaks these are usually the best ways to get updates, find out the latest and keep on top of things, but they are, in essence, a very flat media. They show you what is there. But Radio is wonderful. Take the following example The commentary "he drops for world cup glory" was from Radio 5 live. The screams of yes yes yes, came from Rob Andrew, Johnny Wilkinson's club manager at Newcastle. But in that minute of commentary, all of the emotions came out. A special moment was elevated into the stratosphere. Radio is that friend in the corner of the room. The voice in the car on those long journeys. That informs, entertains and brings descriptiveness to you in a very unique way. Those commentators and presenters on the radio are a unique brand, they have to say the right amount of words, in the right way and at the right time. For me, radio brings the drama to sporting events. It brings the seriousness to the news stories and the colour to major national events. Radio should never die. Sad as I am that the Chris Moyles show has ended, I know that radio won't. It brings hope to millions, comfort and solace to others. It is a friend in times of struggle and hardship. It is Radio. And, as fitting tribute, the Chris Moyles show team say goodbye in their own way

I had a screw loose

Ok I think that the joke is out there somewhere. I had a screw loose in my leg...long long story. But there are 4 plates holding my thigh and shin together and the screw at the top of the shin became loose. So this morning at 7am, local anastetic and a black & decker drill and voila shin is fixed. Lovely leg coloured with Iodine is such a great look.

People of the world

This weekend we have invited you to join our little island in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the ascencion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the throne of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She heads up a commonwealth of nations that span the globe. And while it can be argued that the commonwealth grew out of the British Empire, and the empire was not necessarily a good thing, in this day and age, a commonwealth of nations, no matter how loosely grouped, is something to be proud of. This weekend has seen a a celebration on the Thames, a concert in front of Buckingham Palace and will finish tomorrow with a service of celebration in St Paul's cathedral. It shows the best of what we, as a nation, have. We do the pomp and circumstance well, I mean after all we invented it. But it is more than that. There is a lot of talk about "Broken Britain" and yet for a weekend, communities have come together to celebrate. Street parties and celebrations. Neighbours who might have not spoken to each other, joining in and celebrating. You see there is a reason that we are "Great" Britain. We may no longer be the world power house, the rulers of the seas. We may no longer have an empire upon which the sun never sets. But we are still a great nation. A welcoming nation, one who opens doors and welcomes people in, both in times of need and times of celebation. And this year is a great year. The Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and Paralympics. All I can say is welcome to Great Britain.

Sunday Music Selection

So following on from my post on Monday (which published today). My 3 music choices for the coming week. 1. East 17 - Let it Rain Ok another cheesy song, but it contains a great lyric

As we walk through the Corridor of creation We see lands divide Nation against nation Like comets they collide And we pray We pray for the unseen To be seen by the eyes of man When heaven and earth are hand in hand Thy will be done

2. Cry of the Celts - Ronan Hardiman OK so the American Irishman prances around, but the music is awesome and so is the dancing :)

3. Go Go Go Joseph The first musical I saw and the song that I always remember from it. And this version with Donny Osmond is a great rendition. And that my friends is all for this week. More next Sunday.

Erm who stole my week?

It is a sure sign of getting older. Fridays come around quickly. Weeks fly by (it is the 13th January already). When you are trying to make this your awesome year, you really need the weeks to slow down, so that you can actually get the things done that you want to get done. At least today I am not stuck in the office. I am out on the road, enjoying the beautiful sunshine, the fresh air, the rolling fields of the Suffolk countryside. It is a nice drive, a great chance to clear your head before the meetings ahead. And the fact it is close to home and on a Friday....Result!

I wish it would snow

Seriously please. Can it snow, just a little bit. Ok well a lot. The Alps have had significant snow fall, but nothing in the UK. It keeps promising it. But no, nothing. For me there is something magical about snow. As a child I loved building snowmen, bit I think it was more when I was a teenager and doing my paper-round. The first footfalls on freshly fallen snow. The crunch and then the sound of the snow compressing under your foot. There is nothing like it. Looking around and seeing only your footsteps and those of the animals that have been out. But I think that set my mindset for snow. I love it. That and Christmas in Austria and Buffalo. I love the snow. I have a very healthy respect for it. I love driving in it. Unfortunately most of the people in this country don't. And that makes them dangerous. And in some way it drives on of my dreams. I would love, at some stage in my life, to own a place in the Alps. To have the freedom to be there winter or summer. We can all dream right?

So Scotland Want Independence

Let them have it :) Seriously, running a country can not be that easy. Take for example university fees. If you live south of the border you have to pay up to £9,000 per year for university fees. North of the border £0.00. SOuth of the border, prescriptions cost money, north of the border £0.00. I heard a great analogy today, that Scotland is like moving into your own place, but taking your washing home at weekends for your mum to do. Now because of Scotland's position, and the North Sea oil fields, there is a claim that Scotland want to keep all of the revenue for themselves. However, what they have not taken into account is that the infrastructure to develop the fields and the support networks, has come from the UK government, so therefore would it not be fair that, in order for Scotland to receive the full benefit of the tax, they should pay back the investment to the future English government? Or how about the Royal Bank of Scotland. One of Scotland's premier banks, that during the credit crisis failed massively. A conservative estimate is that the UK government owns approximately 84% of RBS, with an estimated value of £26 billion. So it is only fair that they buy their own national bank back. But wait, no, the Scottish National Party don't want to do that. They want independence with a clean slate. I for one will be sad to see the break up of the United Kingdom, but if that is the decision of the majority of the Scottish people then you have to respect it. However, if it becomes a situation that they have independence but keep demanding money from the rest of the union, then someone, somewhere will have to make a decision and put a stop to it.

Taxi Service

Oh how I love my job. Honestly I do. But today I have felt like a taxi service. Collecting people from the airport, dropping them off at the airport and then running back to pick up more guests. It is that infamous line in the work contract "and any other duties deemed necessary by the company." But that being said, it has enhanced my love of the airport. The emotions that you see in each terminal as people arrive and leave is the purest you will see outside of a parents love for their child. We spend out life saying goodbye and hello, both short term and long term. Sometimes we say goodbye without even realising it. Sometimes we welcome people back into our hearts and it feels like they have never left. "Welcome to London" that is what the sign says outside of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow airport. Welcome to London, home of the 2012 Olympics, a city of several million, a multi-cultural city. Home to the rich, the famous, to the poor and the destitute. A city whose view can change in the short space of a few blocks. A city of a thousand faces, a thousand moods and a thousand places. And here am I stuck waiting for 2 visitors, who are being held in UK customs. Welcome to London indeed.

Monday Music Collection

Good morning all, So I meant to post this on Sunday, but you know how Sunday goes...far too quickly if you ask me. So this is my Monday morning music collection post. 3 random tracks from my IPod that I will be listening to this week: 1. Meatloaf - Read'em and weep I just love the line in this track "If I could only find the words then I would write them all down". It sums up most situations doesn't it. We can never always find the right words to express exactly how we are feeling. And while the track was originally written by Barry Manilow, Mr Loaf brings an intensity to the recording that is second to none. 2. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline This is one of those genuine crowd pleasers. If you ever have the fortune to see Neil Diamond in concert, this is definitely one of those sing/clap along tracks. The crowd providing the "ooohh aaaahhh oohhh ahhhh" and the constant clapping. And I know it is cheesy, but the line "who'd have believed you would all come along?" always brings c heer from the crowd. 3. Dire Straits - Money for Nothing Oh an absolute classic. Music for the MTV generation. Great buildup, great guitar riffs and a natural head rocking track.

all i can say

Footsteps in the snow

Oh how I wish I was blogging about fresh snow fall, the soft white flakes falling from the sky, the crunch underfoot the following morning when you are the first person to walk on the snow.  Walking in deep snow, so that it comes over the top of your boots.  My idea of heaven.

When you walk in the snow you leave footprints, just like you do when you walk in the world.  You leave footprints when you pass by everyone that you meet.  You control the affect that those footprints have.  It is your being, your personality that makes the different.  Sometimes we don't realise the impact we have on people's lives.  Other times we are more than aware of the pain that we cause.  But still we carry on walking in the snow, making those impacts.

I will, hand on heart, admit that I am not the greatest person on the planet.  I can be very selfish at times.  I do live in "Grahamland" an internal headspace that I don't ever let anyone into.  But I can also be kind, caring and considerate.  I am sometimes a complete dichotomy.  I can be one thing, and another in the same breath.  Clever isn't it.  I can give the impression that everything is fine, while underneath I am at a complete loss.  I can give the impression of everything being neat and tidy, when I look around and know that is not the case.

But you see in some ways that is what makes me who I am.  It is what defines me, and has defined me from day 1.  It is the reason why I wouldn't want to own a house, because I would struggle to keep it clean, tidy and ordered.  I would probably live in 2 or 3 rooms and that would be it.  That is who and what I am.

But still we keep making footsteps in the snow.  Still we keep touching people's lives.

One of those days....Hey Ho

Oh how I love banks at lunchtime.  The queues.  Perhaps they should ban people who don't work from going in at lunchtime.  So after 45 minutes, I decided to not rush back to the office and enjoyed a cheeky jacket potato with chilli.  I was happy.  Lunch like that is always good.

You see sometimes we need to take that time out, time for yourself.  Time to do what you want to do, such as reading, catching up with friends or taking up a hobby.  In this non-stop, never ending world, the time for yourself is the most important currency that you have.  I use the world currency deliberately in this context.  Currency is something that you use to buy other items.  Time is a currency, a very valuable one.  They say a stitch in time saves nine, getting something done now will always save time in the long run.

Time is important.  It is something you never have enough of, but you known that it is actually a constant.  There are 24 hours in a day every single day of the year.  It doesn't change.  All that changes is how you use that time.  It is said that Winston Churchill got by on 4 hours sleep during the second wold war, and he used the other 20 to great advantage.

So we have to treat time like we would money.  It is precious.  It is a critical part of our life.  And it is something we should always cherish. 

So how you may ask am I spending my currency this evening?  Chatting to a great friend on yahoo and watching a documentary on the story of the musicals.  I am a happy chappy.

Night All

It is a little bit funny

So today driving to work, I was planning a blog post, reflecting how the most difficult question that parents face is "Daddy...please can you explain the American electoral system"...but how the day changes.

Bad weather hit the UK today, causing disrpution to travel.  My thoughts changed to maybe writing about that.  But as the day progressed the news story changed.

18 years ago a black teenager was stabbed to death in London by a group of white teenagers.  Unfortunately you would like to think that this was an isolated case, but it wasn't at the time (and still isn't today).  However, the subsequent police investigation was flawed.  A review of police procedures uncovered "institutionalised racism" within the police force which hampered the investigation into this horrific crime. 

The sad thing is that, no justice was served at the time.  Stephen's parents could not get closure.  But today, January 3rd 2012, two individuals were found guilty of his murder.  Although their conviction will not bring Stephen back, at least his family has some form of closure. 

And although it took 18 years.  Justice was served

Ok ok so I went into work today

"Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price."
-- Vince Lombardi
So today was a public holiday in the UK.  So why did I find myself in the office?

Quite simple really.  I enjoy the peace and quiet.  Well if you can call listening to your ipod, peace and quiet.  But with only one other person in on my floor, I managed to get done in a few hours what would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete when others are in.  That is the great thing about where I work, when no on is, you get more work done than when your esteemed colleagues are in.

But let me roll back a little bit, to leaving home in the morning.  My car has a Bose speaker system, with a bass built into the boot.  It wasn't until this morning that I realised that it is the perfect system for listening to Metallica loudly.  Driving to work, Enter Sandman blasting out from my car...put me in the right mood.

Tomorrow will be different.  I can almost see it now.  Everyone coming back to the office, most seeing each other for the first time since before Christmas.  So I doubt much work will be done by most in the morning.

But for tonight I am relaxing.  Laundry done, watching Michael Portillo's Great British Rail Journeys.  It sounds dull, but he is travelling along rail lines in the UK following a guide writen in the late 1800s.  It is facinating to see and hear how the country side has changed.  We are lucky in the UK.  Our BBC has a cross of popular shows and fascinating documentaries.  So while the drier finishes I am going to watch this and relax.

Night all

Another Chance - January 1st 2012

"Cheers to a new year, and another chance for us to get it right" - Oprah Winfrey

So another year has passed into the annuls of history and 2012 is upon us.  An Olympic year.  London will, for the summer, reverberate to the old olympic addage "Swifter, Higher, Stronger", where athletes both able and disabled will push themselves to the max to deliver entertainment as well as winning medals for their achievements.

And that is what 2012 should be about.  Being awesome.  Achieving more than you believe you can achieve.  The world is in a poor state of health.  There is no denying that.  All you need to do is take a look at the news, read a paper, or just look around you.  High streets are suffering, people are suffering, the world is suffering.

But this is a new year, and a chance to take what we have and make it better.  A chance to do everything that we can do to make those little changes.  Maybe shop in a local store, rather than a big chain, recycle more, cook more healthier foods.  A new year is a chance to make those changes that we do talk about, but sometimes never get around to implementing.

For me, I am not making resolutions, but am going to be doing the following:

1. Recycle more.  Rather than throw things away, recycle them, make that consious effort to do my bit
2. Cook more often.  Rather than eat out, make food for myself, and cook from scratch rather than "cheat"
3. Focus more.  Deliver on what I can do, rather than bluffing my way through certain situations.
4. Exercise more.  Stop finding excuses for not taking the time to exercise.

All 4 of these are wolly, I know that.  The use of the phrase "more" is a dead give away, but for me that is the theme for 2012.  Do more.  Live more.

And as for blogging.  This is day 1.  365 days to go until 2013 :)