I’ve spent the day happily esconsced in my writing again. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I’m considering just pulling a ‘weigh and go’ at Slimming World tomorrow so that I can get home earlier and squeeze an extra bit of writing in. I do have day job work to do tomorrow as well, so we’ll see.
My characters are currently in 1979, so I’m constantly having to break off from writing and Google stuff like ‘when did SCART connectors become standard on TVs?’ and ‘did Quality Street tins have cellophane seals around the lid in the ’70s?’ An answer to the latter question is currently eluding me. I have watched this 1978 Woolworths Christmas advert many times today, trying to work out from the shot of the Quality Street tin (at 1:00 in the video) whether it has a cellophane seal or not:
I can’t be accused of not doing my research.
Looking forward to finishing up for Easter tomorrow.
OOTD: liking the floral ’80s dresses as we approach Easter weekend. Dress Fink Modell (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2018), belt unknown brand (vintage 1980s, thrifted from Mum 2019), tights Primark (2017), shoes Carvela (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Duran Duran – Union Of The Snake Duran Duran – Burning The Ground Duran Duran – The Chauffeur Ta Mara & The Seen – Affection Bowling For Soup – 1985 Stephen ‘Tin Tin’ Duffy – Kiss Me Duran Duran – Secret Oktober Cheryl – Fight For This Love Mabel – Don’t Call Me Up
Geth is away visiting family for a couple of days, so I’m taking the opportunity to get a really good chunk of writing done. I did my Tuesday recovery run (just forty minutes this week – it feels like nothing!) this morning, and have spent the rest of the day working on my Camp NaNoWriMo project, along with a few other things.
Same again tomorrow, except without the run, and hopefully I’ll manage to squeeze some ukulele practice in there too.
Duran Duran – The Chauffeur Duran Duran – Sound Of Thunder Status Quo – Margarita Time Nik Kershaw – Wouldn’t It Be Good ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin’ Whitesnake – Here I Go Again ’87 EO – German Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only Chicago – If You Leave Me Now Queen – Killer Queen Steve Winwood – Valerie The Rolling Stones – It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
My only-allowed-until-the-marathon oven pizza habit continues.
Sainsbury’s Thin & Crispy Vegetable Pizza.
There was a lovely texture to this pizza – the base was just right – but there was something I wasn’t keen on about the cheese. The toppings were good though.
I got up early this morning because I needed to do some urgent work for a client, but other than that I’ve just spent today doing bits and pieces of writing and looking at cars that I might buy. I did get out for a walk as well, which was nice.
Hoping for a more focused writing day tomorrow.
OOTD: it feels like I’m never going to get out of these winter jumpers! Jumper unknown brand (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2019), jeans H&M (thrifted from Steff 2016), trainers Reebok (2017).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Duran Duran – Big Thing Calvin Harris and Rag ‘N’ Bone Man – Giant Kenny Loggins – Footloose Duran Duran – The Chauffeur Prefab Sprout – Cars And Girls
I hired a car from the car club again this morning so that Geth and I could collect a crate of beer for UK Games Expo (it’s a good month and a half away yet, but Geth had a Majestic Wines voucher that he wanted to use up) and then take some of our junk that we’d been keeping in the garage to the dump, like real grown-ups do at the weekend. We will be repeating this highly exciting chore next week, because there’s a lot more junk still to get rid of.
We then went to the local pub for lunch, as Geth was meeting some friends for boardgaming. I’ve been avoiding our local since I quit drinking, because I didn’t really want to be around somewhere that had so many cider associations for me. However, today it was okay – they do a nice ginger beer that I will log soon.
I then got some work done for clients that I hadn’t managed to finish during the week. More day job work tomorrow – I’m hoping for a bit of a lull over Easter so I can have a good go at my own writing projects as well.
OOTD: it got too late and dark to take an outdoor picture. Glasses Emporio Armani (2017), jumper Ellend (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2019), jeans Vivid (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Pink – Walk Me Home Duran Duran – Late Bar Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting Alec Benjamin and Alessia Cara – Let Me Down Slowly Duran Duran – The Reflex Prefab Sprout – Cars And Girls
It’s been a good day. I got up early to go to one of the record shops in town for Record Store Day – I had to queue for an hour to get in, but I got my Duran Duran vinyl so all is good!
I then got on the treadmill and did my last properly long run of the marathon training programme (I do have a ‘long run’ to do next weekend but at only an hour and twenty minutes it’s going to feel very short compared to what I’ve been doing recently). Fifteen days to go till race day!
Now for an evening of writing, music, and writing about music. My kind of evening.
OOTD: comfy post-run outfit. T-shirt Cyberdog (originally early 2000s, thrifted from Geth 2014), belt H&M (2017), tights Primark (2017), shoes Zara (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Khalid – Talk Duran Duran – White Lines Duran Duran – Faster Than Light Duran Duran – The Edge Of America The Undertones – My Perfect Cousin Duran Duran – New Religion Fleetwood Mac – Dreams Duran Duran – The Chauffeur Alec Benjamin and Alessia Cara – Let Me Down Slowly
(Another Duran Duran-heavy brain day. I have been listening to them a lot this week, which is probably why!)
I expected my day job work to take up the morning today, but no more. What actually happened is that I’ve only just finished for the day and still have a bit to do tomorrow, because there was a lot of fiddly formatting stuff that I wasn’t expecting.
Another busy day tomorrow, then, but I will be doing fun stuff as well!
OOTD: this is one of my favourite ’80s dresses. Dress unknown brand (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2017), tights Primark (2017), shoes Office (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Stephen ‘Tin Tin’ Duffy – Kiss Me Duran Duran – Read My Lips Nicole Scherzinger – Don’t Hold Your Breath Mud – Tiger Feet Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved John Williams – Cantina Band Billie Eilish – Wish You Were Gay Duran Duran – Like An Angel Tom Walker – Just You And I
Now! #102 has been released today, 12th April 2019! EDIT: I only just realised that it’s been a whole year today since I started my marathon of the first 100 Now! compilations with Now! #1. Great timing!
This is the way the world looks in April 2019, with me and my ‘absolute beginner ukuleles’ classmates doing our thing up on stage. Fun fact: one of the songs we performed appeared on Now! #54, while the other has never been on a Now! compilation.
Let’s have a look at the Now! compilers’ roundup of what’s been going on in the chart recently.
A decade ago, I would not have believed you if you’d told me I would ever grow to like a Jonas Brothers song. They’ve grown up now, though, and they make much better music. This is a fairly decent pop song, and I always nod along when it’s on the radio.
This one’s not been in the charts since last year, so I’m a bit surprised they’ve held it back for this Now! instalment. As is usually the case with James Arthur’s stuff, it’s too saccharine for me, but I’ll grant you it’s got a good atmosphere on the chorus.
I first heard this one on the BBC over Christmas, and at first I thought it was a bit too wistful/singer-songwriter/acoustic-y etc. for me. But I’ve really come to like it – it’s a gorgeous tune.
Track 12: Jason Derulo, David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Willy William – Goodbye
I could have told you that my feelings would not have changed about this ridiculous bastardisation of Andrea Bocelli’s Time To Say Goodbye. Awful interpolation that has me running screaming for the comfort of the original every single time.
Track 13: Little Mix and Ty Dolla Sign – Think About Us
This one makes me really uncomfortable! I can’t get past the awful message in the lyrics, which is basically ‘go back to someone who’s really bad for you’.
Repeated artist alert! We’ve already had Ariana Grande on track 1.
The tinkly instrumentals are quite nice, but I’m not sure how I feel about the ex-dissing lyrical content.
Track 26: Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
New Hits Friday review. (LOL I said it was too slow for me and now it’s my favourite song in the chart!)
Repeated artist alert! We’ve already had Lewis Capaldi on track 11.
Not complaining though, because this is an absolutely beautiful tune that has deservedly just scored a seventh week at number one. Song of the year, whatever happens in the next eight months.
One of those tracks that I found a bit slow to begin with and have grown to appreciate. Lovely acoustic track from the A Star Is Born soundtrack (no interest in seeing the film, but the song is gorgeous).
Track 28: Keala Settle and The Greatest Showman Cast – This Is Me
Another one where the Now! compilers have been a bit tardy – this track first entered the charts well over a year ago – but it’s a great feelgood musical number, and probably the best song on the soundtrack.
Repeated artist alert! We’ve already had James Arthur on track 10.
One of the tracks from the Greatest Showman Reimagined album, where pop stars do karaoke versions of the songs from the musical. It’s okay, but not a patch on the original.
Track 32: Jack Savoretti – Candlelight
This wasn’t a hit – it only got to number 70. As I’ve been discussing since Now! #99, the Now! compilers have recently started to include songs that haven’t actually made the Top 40, but have been featured on hit albums – there’s less crossover than there used to be between the album and singles chart (mainly because the former is for older people like me who prefer classic pop and rock, and the latter is for the kids who like these strange new songs I’m always ranting about on here after listening to the chart on Fridays!). I wasn’t sure about this at first, but I think I’m okay about it now. After all, it’s probably an older demographic who actually still buys Now! albums. The Radio 2 demographic, if you like. This album got to number one, so I think it’s allowed.
Anyway, this track’s got a great atmosphere – lovely eerie instrumentals, lots of piano. Love this kind of epic tune!
Track 33: The 1975 – It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)
Again not a hit on the singles chart – it only got to number 46 – but this was also a number one album.
Wonderfully retro-sounding as ever from the 1975. Great tune, great beat.
As I understand it, this is one of the few new tracks on Take That’s recent remastered retrospective. It’s a bit dull until the second chorus kicks in. Also, the self-referential spoken word bit at the end is a bit odd.
Track 36: Hozier – Almost (Sweet Music)
The single only got to number 82, but the album went top ten, getting to number six.
Love this danceable, atmospheric song! So yeah, this is the point where I’m officially on board with the Now! compilers including songs-from-hit-albums that didn’t make the singles chart, because the notion of Rod Stewart still managing to get his new songs onto Now! compilations is the BESTEST THING.
Track 40: Hugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Zac Efron, Zendaya and The Greatest Showman Cast – The Greatest Show
Repeated artist alert! We’ve already had the Greatest Showman cast on track 28.
Great stompalong number though. Fab track.
Track 41: Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax
We’ve already had this track on Now! #2! How dare they be so lazy…wait. I can’t really start ranting in this case, because what’s going on here is that the Now! compilers have chosen to include six tracks from Now! #2 in order to advertise the fact that it’s had a re-release on CD today, the same release day as Now! #102. I’m hopeful that this pattern will continue, and will be scouting out the re-release for my collection this weekend!
Anyway, see the link for my review – it was track 16 on Now! #2.
If you spend any time watching the Now! ’80s channel, which often replays the classic TV adverts for the classic ’80s Now! compilations, you will be familiar with this song as the centrepiece for the Now! #2 advert due to it’s ‘hold me now‘ (geddit?) refrain on the chorus. Still a great track, and it was a highlight when I saw Tom Bailey supporting Culture Club in November.
Great choices for those bonus tracks. Could have done with a bit of love for Duran Duran’s New Moon On Monday (track 29) but I’m hopeful for The Reflex if they do this again when they re-release Now! #3!
I did a short non-speed run this morning as instructed by my training plan (which felt really strange!) and then went to Slimming World, where I was happy to find I’d lost a pound and a half. Just four pounds to get back into range now.
I then had to take a detour into town to meet Geth after discovering I’d left my house keys at home, and have been spending most of the afternoon tidying up as we have a guest round for boardgaming tonight.
Back to work tomorrow.
OOTD: still hoping for it to warm up a little more! Jumper Carlo Colucci (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2017), leggings Primark (2018), trainers Reebok (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun Duran Duran – Do You Believe In Shame? Oasis – Songbird Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? Duran Duran – Read My Lips Duran Duran – Like An Angel
(Music brain was having a real Duran Duran day. Even more than usual, I mean!)
