In 1971 your shopping cost ~
Petrol 7.5p litre
Large white sliced loaf 10.5p
Bottle of Scotch £3.08p
Colour tv licence £12
(The b/w licence was abolished like the colour one should be too).
Average house price £5,970
Mars bar 4p
Prescription charge 20p (since been abolished in Wales).
Cinema ticket 40p
Pint of beer 12p
Average weekly wage for full time workers:
Men £32.90
Women £18.30
Way back when I was in school I used to carry a notebook everywhere I went to record daily thoughts and observations. So you see, ive been blogging since before it was popular and where better to carry it onward than to give it a digital page of its own? Welcome to the pages of bar fly Hollywood Francis...
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Monday, 15 August 2011
The Back No Longer Broken
Way back in lets say 1985 (its as accurate as I wish or can be), I loved camping. I used to get rollercoaster thrills just thinking about planning a trip in the countryside and would spend days simply getting stuck into survival lists and learning how to trap rabbits and flat fish. Alas these beasts might have been unicorns or dewfish for they were never near to my calloused and often scabby fingers. (By the way 'dewfish' is something I made up and exists not in our Creators godly land).
When my friends and I got to our spot in the forest (we usually opted for the cover of trees over open land) it was pure nature and wildlife; torn bark on trees, dead rabbits, fox droppings and the beautiful scent of wild berries. The closest we got to modern life was a few lighters to get the fire going, not even bothering with camping stoves.
Camping: never forget your pipe
These days however, going camping and sleeping under the stars is a little different. Make that a LOT different. In fact we are hardly sleeping in the great outdoors anymore because we have taken the indoors out. The internet, mobile phones with countless handy applications, television, iPods, laptops, cameras, everything people have for entertainment at home can now be taken on a camping expedition. We even have satelite navigation in the car to find us the perfect spot!
Back in my day all we had for entertainment was what mother nature provided for us; rivers to fish in,giant oaks to climb on, brambles to shred clothes. Our only entertainment was feeding the fire with wood, alcohol, a portable radio and books. That was it really, apart from the 'fun' of finding your way back to the tent after a late night trip to the bushes for a pee. Now I can take every classic novel ever written with me, along with my entire record collection. I have even seen mobile satellite dishes so campers can tune into their favourite television series while skinning their freshly caught rabbit. Or more likely tucking into a freshly cooked lasagna, nuked in the mobile microwave.
Its hardly survival and I personally think that having all these modern devices on a camping trip ruins the fun. When everything is to hand there is no pleasure or excitement in having it. I admit we carried lighters but certainly a camp fire made with the age old method of rubbing sticks together is infinately more satisfying. And speaking of fire, this should be the ONLY source of light. Seeing the glow of tv and computer screens is just plain wrong when you are out in the bush as our Australian friends would say. Have we become so dependent on 24 hour news and social networking websites that we cannot escape their clutches even for a few days camping? Have we become so lazy that fish bought in Morrisons is preferable to ones caught fresh? Of course we have. The things we had originally for convenience have overtaken us, swallowed us whole and robbed a lot of us of adventure.
Mobile phones are a good idea to have if you intend trekking to desolate, often dangerous parts of the world, or if your children decide to camp out on the beach like I used to do. Phones are useful and can be a lifesaver, but do people really need all the rest of it? The kindles, iPods and satelite dishes? Afterall camping is supposed to be getting you away from it all, not bringing it all with you like a bleeping and pinging ball and chain. We have become our own prisoners, trapped almost in a cold digital world where nobody really cares and nobody is really your friend.
When I next go pitch my tent in Newgale or Freshwater East in beautiful Pembrokeshire, im leaving the keyboards and clicks behind and going naked. It feels good to be free from the internet umbilical cord. Try it.
When my friends and I got to our spot in the forest (we usually opted for the cover of trees over open land) it was pure nature and wildlife; torn bark on trees, dead rabbits, fox droppings and the beautiful scent of wild berries. The closest we got to modern life was a few lighters to get the fire going, not even bothering with camping stoves.
Camping: never forget your pipe
These days however, going camping and sleeping under the stars is a little different. Make that a LOT different. In fact we are hardly sleeping in the great outdoors anymore because we have taken the indoors out. The internet, mobile phones with countless handy applications, television, iPods, laptops, cameras, everything people have for entertainment at home can now be taken on a camping expedition. We even have satelite navigation in the car to find us the perfect spot!
Back in my day all we had for entertainment was what mother nature provided for us; rivers to fish in,giant oaks to climb on, brambles to shred clothes. Our only entertainment was feeding the fire with wood, alcohol, a portable radio and books. That was it really, apart from the 'fun' of finding your way back to the tent after a late night trip to the bushes for a pee. Now I can take every classic novel ever written with me, along with my entire record collection. I have even seen mobile satellite dishes so campers can tune into their favourite television series while skinning their freshly caught rabbit. Or more likely tucking into a freshly cooked lasagna, nuked in the mobile microwave.
Its hardly survival and I personally think that having all these modern devices on a camping trip ruins the fun. When everything is to hand there is no pleasure or excitement in having it. I admit we carried lighters but certainly a camp fire made with the age old method of rubbing sticks together is infinately more satisfying. And speaking of fire, this should be the ONLY source of light. Seeing the glow of tv and computer screens is just plain wrong when you are out in the bush as our Australian friends would say. Have we become so dependent on 24 hour news and social networking websites that we cannot escape their clutches even for a few days camping? Have we become so lazy that fish bought in Morrisons is preferable to ones caught fresh? Of course we have. The things we had originally for convenience have overtaken us, swallowed us whole and robbed a lot of us of adventure.
Mobile phones are a good idea to have if you intend trekking to desolate, often dangerous parts of the world, or if your children decide to camp out on the beach like I used to do. Phones are useful and can be a lifesaver, but do people really need all the rest of it? The kindles, iPods and satelite dishes? Afterall camping is supposed to be getting you away from it all, not bringing it all with you like a bleeping and pinging ball and chain. We have become our own prisoners, trapped almost in a cold digital world where nobody really cares and nobody is really your friend.
When I next go pitch my tent in Newgale or Freshwater East in beautiful Pembrokeshire, im leaving the keyboards and clicks behind and going naked. It feels good to be free from the internet umbilical cord. Try it.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Rest In Peace Brother
Jani onstage
Sad to hear about ex Warrant singer Jani Lane's passing a little earlier. Apparantly Jani was found dead next to vodka and pills. I am a huge metal fan, and love all the genres from glam to death metal and Warrant were a great little rock outfit back in the day.
I remember when Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich came out in 1989 and being very impressed with the tunes on it.Of course there was little MTV in those days (music vids were only just emerging) so these bands, especially in the metal genre had to rely on good songs and even better to gigs to grab peoples attention. Jani Lane and crew did exactly that to me and many, many others.
When Cherry Pie was released in the following year (1990) my tight fit panted friends and I would be rocking out to it as the beers and good times rolled like they were never gonna end. F**king epic times! Rest In Peace Jani, you were one of the bubbles in a glass of memories in my head that will never lose its fizz or sparkle.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Don't Fear the Pepper
Last orders
The most popular soft drink (no hard stuff permitted) chosen by condemned inmates in the United States is Dr Pepper. A drink funnily enough concoted in the 1880s by a guy (Charles Alderton) in Texas, the countries most active death penalty state.
I wonder what it is about the drink? Is it the unusual taste the inmates love? Or does it ring the old memory bells taking them back to childhood and to happier times? Id go with the latter although I would have imagined Coke or Pepsi to have been more popular.
Anyway whatever the reason, this quirky fact brought to you from the grim belly of death row, is the reason the Dai Jakes Book exists. Something a normal person wouldn't be thinking of, but now that you have learnt it, you are happy you did.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Poison Idea
Bow to them
There is no escaping the fact that Poison Idea were big. Not in commercial terms, obviously, but in life, death, music and influence they were truly massive. Formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980 by frontman Jerry A the band seemed to get progessively more dangerous as they went along, almost deliberately pushing a lifestyle to its ultimate limits just to see what would break it. In a game of 'let's see who's the more punk' Jerry A once pointed a loaded gun at Dwarves singer Blag Dahlia and when guitarist Pig Champion died aged 47 this year it was a great loss of talent, but no great suprise.
But while Jerry A frequently breathed fire or sliced his head open onstage with broken glass, he also wrote lyrics that could rival Charles Buckowski in their beautiful ugliness, stark realism and savage honesty. And despite their seeming indolence and over-the-top drink/drug consumption Poison Idea were phenomenal musicians, capable of playing faster and tighter than any of their peers even when they couldn't stand up.
Their fans include Nirvana, Amen, Pearl Jam, Pantera, Machine Head, Turbonegro...and you if you've got any sense.
*This was an article in Kerrang! magazine a few years ago.
Chaos Reigns
If you haven't been on another planet for the last week, you will be aware of the rioting and looting that has taken place in Britain since sunday. It started in North London over the shooting of a youth by police, but has since spread to Birmingham, Liverpool. And its getting out of control now. Even as I type there are live reports of thugs weilding wooden batons moving down a road in Croydon and residents must be absolutely terrified. It started with a peaceful protest but as is the way of these things, it got hijacked by the lawless yobs with a grudge against society for whatever reason, and has descended into three nights of utter mayhem. Police cells in the capital city are now full and police resources are stretched like never before in history. There are also talks of plastic bullets being issued as the prime minister vows to put 16,000 officers on London's streets this evening.
Welcome to Britain
Is this one of the downfalls of living in a liberal democracy? Or is it the result of a frustrated youth? One things for certain there has been a complete breakdown of authority, and these yobs have no respect for that authority. And why should they? When these hooligans are tracked down and hauled before the courts, very few will see the inside of a prison cell. (And if they do it won't be for long). Which will be another kick in the teeth for the poor shopkeepers, many of whom will lose their livelihoods as a result of this chaos. We in mainland Britain foolishly don't have water canons at our disposal and I hope this changes soon, or burning cities will be popping up from Land's End to John O' Groats. Its little use having policemen holding riot shields and standing in formation while all around them, feral teenagers are running amok, looting from shops and doing God knows what else. Its the softly softly approach to criminals that has started the rot. When will the namby pamby do gooders learn that dishing out soft sentences will not 'reform' those dedicated to criminal and violent behaviour. Online newspapers are filled with pictures and videos of looters breaking into electrical and sports stores and making off with training shoes and plasma televisions, while in the background flames lick around buildings and burnt out shells of buses sit like studs of anarchy. And the vandals responsible ought to be rounded up and flogged. Then they should be forced to clean up the mess whilst linked to a chain gang.
Welcome to Britain
Is this one of the downfalls of living in a liberal democracy? Or is it the result of a frustrated youth? One things for certain there has been a complete breakdown of authority, and these yobs have no respect for that authority. And why should they? When these hooligans are tracked down and hauled before the courts, very few will see the inside of a prison cell. (And if they do it won't be for long). Which will be another kick in the teeth for the poor shopkeepers, many of whom will lose their livelihoods as a result of this chaos. We in mainland Britain foolishly don't have water canons at our disposal and I hope this changes soon, or burning cities will be popping up from Land's End to John O' Groats. Its little use having policemen holding riot shields and standing in formation while all around them, feral teenagers are running amok, looting from shops and doing God knows what else. Its the softly softly approach to criminals that has started the rot. When will the namby pamby do gooders learn that dishing out soft sentences will not 'reform' those dedicated to criminal and violent behaviour. Online newspapers are filled with pictures and videos of looters breaking into electrical and sports stores and making off with training shoes and plasma televisions, while in the background flames lick around buildings and burnt out shells of buses sit like studs of anarchy. And the vandals responsible ought to be rounded up and flogged. Then they should be forced to clean up the mess whilst linked to a chain gang.
Feeling Waspy, A Love for Wasps
A wise wasp last night
Why do folk run about like meerkats whenever a wasp enters the room? One of the stinging darlings has just flown in through an open window where I peck out these words and he/she is an amazing sight which brings a smile to my often miserable chops. I feel totally safe and have no urge to leap around like a demented baboon trying to open a gerkin jar.
They get a thoroughly bad press and have a reputation of being aggressive and bad tempered but ive seen little evidnce of this. Perhaps its because I remain calm around them, and they only get all stingy on your ass if you run around? It would tick me off too if whenever I showed up, people suddenly went mental. Think of the wasps feelings people!
Also they have the coolest colours, even better than the tiger. Actually thats what they are, flying tigers out for a buzz about before tracking down some sweet sherry. Or perhaps mead. I love them and could never bring myself to treat them like I do flies and swat them all over the shop. No, a wasp has a regal quality about it. Something that ought to be respected and admired, not shunned and stamped on.
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