A musical journey; February

After recently reading a blog post by musodad which you can read here, I was inspired to do something similar. Music is a big part of my life, I often go to gigs and festivals with my friends and subsequently have many memories linked to music.
I always listen to music before or after work it helps me focus and helps me de-stress. So after moving 30 minutes away from work I find myself listening a lot more to my CD's and occasionally the Radio. ( I know one day I'll upgrade my car stereo so I can play my I-Pod)

So each month I will be writing about the 3 artists I've been listening to the most, the albums that I have listen to and do forth. Maybe not the most compelling of writing but I'll try. So this month here goes;

1: Van Halen
A great Glam band. I've been listening recently to there new album, a different kind of truth. Truth be told its not that great, not when you compare it to there old songs. In all honesty I'm not the kind of fan that has all their old albums and can make clever intrigue comments on song on song. I purely have their greatest hits; best of both worlds which is a fantastic collection of their songs. After a few listens of their new album I reverted back to listening to the greatest hits collection. I'm sure if you're a die hard fan you'll love to new album and love that David Lee Roth ( their original singer) is back with them. But if you're looking for the songs like jump and can't stop loving you you'll not find them hear. I hope you don't think I'm not a Van Halen fan, I am, just I'll admit I;m not a hardcore fan and like the old songs you could sing a-long to, the power ballads etc. Still if they come to the UK this year to your ill don my leather jacket for a good rock out, might even put some spandex on and a mullet!

2: REM
I was given for a birthday present REM's recent greatest hits. And due to not being in the mind frame have I really sat down and listened to it. Again REM isn't a band I have liked enough previously to go out and buy their albums, so having their greatest hits is enough for me. My favourite song of there's has to be end of the world (as we know it). I think it s a brilliant song, very fast paced and when in your car trying to sing along it shows the gulf in difference from your voice to Michael stipes. Obviously there are other songs of theirs that I like such as everybody hurts, pop song 2000 etc, but I suppose it's end of the world that always gets me singing a-long kind of bouncing in my car.

3: Gaslight Anthem
Ahhhh now this is one of my favourite ever bands. If you've never heard of them I'd strongly suggest doing so. They hail from New Jersey and if, like me you are a big Bruce Springsteen fan then you'll love them. They have the sound and essence of the Boss himself and, very much so like the Boss, have a story to tell in their songs. Of their 3 albums I can not say I have a distinct favourite song, although 59 sound (which is probably their most recognisable song) is a song that always gets me smiling. Red Sky at Night from their first album Sink or Swim is another song I'd recommend that makes me think of my time travelling around America as it resembles southern USA music. Listening to this song makes me want to learn the Harmonica, I love the sound it makes on the track and the Gaslight Anthem, as does Bruce Springsteen makes me want to pick up my Guitar that I've got and learn how to use properly.

The Gaslight Anthem I've been lucky to see twice, both in Leeds, Once at the festival and once at the 02 academy and I have to admit they are fantastic live. I love seeing bands who talk to the crowd and try explain things about their songs and connect with their fans. They are currently writing their 4th album and I'll be seeing them hen they next head over hear and I am desperately hoping they are supporting Bruce Springsteen when he tours this summer.

Anyway, thank you for reading my first Musical post, I will try working on it and get better. next month promises to be good as I am already aware of what artists I will be listening to due to some great releases from some of my favourite bands.

Thank you to Musodad who inspired this post, please visit his post it's a lot better, again check out his blog here.

Day 43: A special day....

Today is the anniversary of a special day. You see a year ago today I had my first date with a very special lady. My OH Peagreen Gwin. Our first date happened in a mutual place, in Harrogate where we now currently reside together. It Happened in a Bar called Alberts. Neither of us knew Harrogate particularly well, we'd ask friends to suggest places to go and this was where we'd settled on. It was nothing fancy, we'd decided we'd keep it simple and meet for drinks, so we can converse with one another.

It was 2 days before Valentines, I'd got to the bar around 20 minutes early, I'd drove so I couldn't get myself drunk and make a fool of myself. I still remember how she looked when she walked in the room. She stood out from the great, so beautiful, so independent, strong and confident. She stood out (and not because she as walking floral carpet trousers) but because to me she as the most beautiful woman in the room. I couldn't take my eyes off her all night and loved every minute of that evening.

I remember we had a good night kiss as I waited with her for her taxi, I was nervous and she led the way in for the kiss. She confessed after that she thought I didn't like her because I didn't lead for the kiss but once I'd got home she knew I liked her as I sent her a text to say I hope she got home safe and that I'd had fun. What I've never told her is that from the night on, I've been crazy about her and have never stopped thinking about her. She is my world, and everyday I love her more and more. Thank you Peagreen Gwin.

Today doesn't mark our anniversary, this is just the anniversary of our first date. But it would be a significant date in our lives. Without this meeting I'd never had got to meet her daughter ER.....

And of course this night would have been the night when TV was a twinkle in her mummys eye as she was far from our thoughts.....

I am so lucky to have met this wonderful woman and I can't wait to celebrate our official anniversary and make many more happy memories. It's been a rollercoaster first year, everything has happened so fast and changed so much, but I have never been happier and it's all down to this wonderful woman, Thank you Peagreen Gwin, I love you so much xxx

2011, what a rush!

So we have but less than 2 days of 2011 left, 2012 is just around the corner. For many of us that will mean New years resolutions, Diets, Fitness fads etc.

So in this blog piece I'd like to take one last reflection of 2011.

To me 2011 has been one hell of a year, its been hectic and so much change, but change for the good. To be honest 2011 has been one of the best in living memory to me.

As I was driving to work earlier today I was thinking, as I usually do. I quite enjoy my drive to work as I don't work in conventional times so I don't get stressed by rush hour traffic. Instead I get a nice drive, get to listen to the radio and collect my thoughts. As I was doing so this morning I was thinking about where I was this time last year, in a kind of review of myself.

This time last year I was single, living in a shared house with 5 other people, 2 of which were good friends of mine and about to move out themselves. Work was going ell but I was eager for change and wanted to get a promotion to prove I could step up. I never really set new years resolutions, In fact I set one about 3 years ago and have religious stuck to it ever since, I set myself the resolution to never set new years resolutions and that if I wanted to improve myself I'd just do it, rather than wait for a new year or new month or new week. So for 2011 I intended on keeping to that resolution and set myself the goal to ensure I'd get the step up I wanted from work.

2011 started like many other years, I went to a party to toast the year in and went home to my room in my house share alone. Little did I know that in just 6 weeks I'd meet someone who'd change my life forever. By mid February I went on a first date with a woman, She turned up to the date wearing flowery pants and I can remember thinking that she was quite different, she was confident and independent. As the night went on I enjoyed her company more so and though this was someone I really liked.

By another 6 weeks we were an official couple and expecting the birth of our first child together. This obviously shocked us, but we were happy and bracing ourselves for a future together. Add into the mix my, now girlfriend already having a 3 year old child and already 3months into the year my life had drastically changed, but changed for the good, I was happy and after introducing my girlfriend to my family I remember one of my sisters saying that her and my mother had noticed how happy I was, like they hadn't seen me for a long time.

Over the next couple of months came many events and getting prepared for our baby. Most notably moving in together in between going to various music festivals and BBQ's. Then in September I achieved my main aim of the year in getting a promotion at work. This was obviously great timing with a new arrival on the way.

Most importantly in this year though, in November was the birth of my first child and my girlfriends second. It was a special moment for us and going into the new year makes our family feel complete. If you've read my previous posts on this subject you'll know with how much pride and relief this gave me being at the birth and how much in awe of my girlfriend I am.

Looking back on this year makes me realise how much has changed, how much I've had to grow up and become responsible. I am very grateful and thankful for all the elements that went into this year. I only aim to make next year better by continuing on the work I've done this year, ensuring I'm successful both in the family front and in the work front.

I guess to wrap up 2011 I must say this, Thanks to everyone for reading my blog, I promise the next one won't be like some terrible review show that you see on TV at this time of the year. And most importantly thank you to my girlfriend whose blog you can read here. She has been fantastic this year to me and has helped me get through the Ups and downs and everything. Thank you @peagreengwin I'm so happy beyond words and it's all down to her and I look forward to the future with her ever more so but I am pretty darn happy with the present and don't want to wish away the time right now, Live for the present guys!

See you all in 2012.

AKA....What A Life!

Working the other day, I was tidying my desk, clearing out some old things. Then I came past an old work diary. As I quickly checked it I saw my year planner and it hit home to me just how much my life has changed in the last year.

Just last year these were the things I was planning/spending my hard earned money on:

• Holiday to Dallas (by myself)
• Leeds Festival Tickets
• Glastonbury Tickets
• Hotels for weekends away for lads weekends
• Liverpool Tickets for most home games.
• Beer
• CD's / DVD's
• The latest PS3 Games

Fast forward a year and this is what my money largely goes on now:

• Rent
• Bills (Gas,Electricity/Water)
• Council Tax (A major gripe of mine)
• Food
• Petrol

It's when I see this vast difference it hits home to me. Now I'm not complaining, in fact I am overjoyed at the prospect of soon becoming a Dad (and by soon I mean it's T - 6 days and counting until Bumps due date) But it was interesting to see this huge difference, it's not like I still don't enjoy myself, and don't spend money on myself or treat myself, it just seems that within the short space of a year I've matured dramatically and actually became something I've been putting off for years, a responsible adult, well most of the time, as I sit typing this I am watching Thundercats on T.V , not because my girlfriends 3 year daughter (who I recently managed to convert into the world of Thundercats) is sat in the living room, as she is staying at her Nanny's this week, but because I want to watch it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this, although on paper this time last year my plans for life and what I spent my money on and did were interesting and seemed great, I wouldn't trade it for what I have now. I'd love to one day when the kids are older and grown up to re pack my travelling bag and go travelling with my girlfriend and explore the places I haven't yet seen.

I enjoyed what seems like a previous life travelling, going places by myself and generally wasting my money and being selfish on myself, but now I have 3 other people to think of before me, 3 people who I dearly love and when I've had a hard day at work seem to make it all worth while, plus I'm looking forward more to the adventure that ensues ahead of successfully raising a healthy family.

So it's T-Minus 6 days until baby is due, my next post will focus more on the looming worries of Fatherhood! Tick Tock goes the fatherhood clock......