John Peel 1939-2004

What can I say about the man, except to echo what's already been said?

So many memories of his Radio 1 show, like when I was working as a night cleaner in a food-packing factory listening to peelie on a radio that I had to smuggle in underneath my overalls. The best breakfast show I've ever heard. Or listening to his show with my housemates and writing the amusing quotes on our 'Wall of Peel'.

Night after night he brought the nation the most incredible mix of music ever broadcast. I remember the first time I listened to the show in 1997, hearing Mogwai in session, just as they were starting to take off. My days of blinkeredly listening to awful grunge and heavy metal were over, and a whole vista of sounds opened up to me. Music became an obsession, and now there's barely a waking moment that I'm not listening to music in some way.

Lazy Saturday mornings, 'Home Truths' on in the background whilst doing the crossword. An incredible social documentary lasting over years, and presented with so much warmth and hoesty as to feel like a weekly family update from a well-loved uncle.

Cheers Mr Peel. You genuinely made the world a better place.

And can I have some f the records you left behind please?

All quiet...

Gosh, it's been a long time since I did any blogging. Is it because I've been too busy? Well, I should have been, but to be honest, I've spent the last couple of weeks just dicking about.

So anyway, I came into University today so I could use the computer to prepare for a job interview. It struck me how many cars are in the car park. I mean, the weather's a bit crap this weekend BUT IT'S SATURDAY FOR FUCK'S SAKE. Don't any of these people have lives? Shouldn't they be at home doing DIY, visiting their parents, being with their kids, hanging out with friends or just, I dunno shopping for socks? I can almost hear you calling me a hypocrite - 'Aren't you blogging from your computer at work ON A SATURDAY?' Well, yes I am, but the reason I'm here is because I need to get out of this crazy WORK=LIFE culture as soon as possible, and for that I need a job. The reason I mention it is the realisation that soon I will no longer be part of this makes me very happy indeed.

Oh, and this morning I found out that my entry to the KIMM has been accepted. So there's no backing out from it now. I'm both very excited and utterly terrified. Oh, and I bought a pair of Ron Hills for the event too. Feel free, nay obliged, to mock me in a highly sustained manner if you ever see me wearing them.

I'd also like to say that the Alien Rock bouldering comp was ace (and I did far better than anticipated). And the new Delgados album is excellent in a million different ways. And if you haven't taken my previous advice and started listening to Explosions in the Sky, then you are a fool and your life will never be complete.