Category: Blog

My general wonderings…

Bits and Bobs

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

Its been a while since a blog post, so here goes……

On the work front it has been a crazy last couple of weeks at school which has meant that I have a fairly long ‘to do’ list over half-term: marking, reading, marking, planning, marking….and….yeah….more marking.

On the running front the weather has meant that it has been a bit touch and go lately. The last two weekends I had planned to run a couple of races:

  • Last Sunday – Bourne Frostbite – cancelled ‘snow and ice’
  • This morning – Stamford St. Valentines 30K – cancelled ‘snow and ice’

Although in both cases, unlike the France/Wales rugby, they made a decision 24hrs before the start. I’m gutted the 30K has been cancelled, with all the miles I ran in janathon I felt like it would be a good way to finish it all. I have managed to do a few runs, although I hate the thought of starting a run in the cold, once I get going I think it’s fantastic. It’s great to fill the cold air in your lungs, very invigarationg! Since janathon came to an end I have had no problem settling back into the old ‘run when I fancy it’ routine. The dog joined me this morning for a gentle 4 mile jog through woods and over fields on the outskirts of town.

We also have some good and bad news on the music front…..firstly bad news….

Frank Turner has released another 150 standing tickets for his Wembley gig in April. Which is bloody typical since the only tickets I could get a couple of months ago were seating. I thought back then to hang-on and wait for some more standing tickets to be released, but began to panic as it was near sold out, so bought seating tickets. Damn! Damn! Damn!

And the good news….

It has been announced that Beans on Toast will be opening at the gig. Which is fantastic news!  So full line-up:

…nice! Also on the music front….I am loving The Vaccines and Bombay Bicycle Club at the moment….

Finally, my February challenge of learning to play the ukulele is not going particularly smoothly…..enough said.

 

February’s Challenge…

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 4 Comments

Did you see the headlines in the media? ‘Worried for his safety!’….. ‘Run comes to an end!’…..

If you did you will be aware that I haven’t posted on this blog for 4 days. Shock! Horror! Due in part to two big events: Project365 and Janathon. Meaning that until recently I had posted everyday for 13 months.

So with the ‘ridiculous’ idea of doing a challenge every month, and on the back of Janathon, comes my attempt at playing the ukulele. Here is said ukulele….

Having obtained a book from @ladymarples and trawled the web for some ‘how to’ advice, after 4 days I’m still struggling, not really getting the hang of the strumming. But it is only early days! Wish me luck….

 

Frank Hamilton @ Cambridge

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

Frank Hamilton @ ‘Man on the Moon’ in Cambridge

Last night I ventured to Cambridge for my first live experience of the fantastic Frank Hamilton. I was not disappointed.

I’ve been a fan of Frank’s work for a couple of years since I came across the track ‘You, Your Cat and Me’ via the internet. Since then I’ve downloaded various bits and pieces that Frank has released. Including his latest offering: a five-track EP – ‘Words and Nothing More’ (available on itunes).

Last night’s gig, at the ‘Man on the Moon’ in Cambridge was an intimate affair, and featured a collection of indie-folk tunes, showing off Frank’s musical abilities: guitar, keyboard, harmonica, even a bit of whistling! Frank Hamilton is a brilliant lyricist and manages to capture the innocence and naivety of a young man in his 20s growing-up. Together with beautiful melodies and his own unique ‘quirky’ voice – it makes for a great evening’s entertainment.

Frank’s set-list was a mix of old and new tunes, including a cover of the Smiths, and latest John Lewis TV advert, ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want’. Complete with the revelation that his version was in the running to make it as the soundtrack, but rejected for a ‘girl and piano’ – shame on you John Lewis.

Highlight of the evening – ‘Waking up at 3’ – great tune!

Funniest part of the evening – as Frank began to play the intro to ‘You, Your Cat and Me’ a girl strode to the front and demanded he played a request – ‘You, Your Cat and Me’ – very funny! Frank handled it very well and didn’t embarrass her too much.

Overall a great night! And on top of all that he is a really nice, down to earth fella! Top bloke!

3 weeks into the summer hols….

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

What I have managed to do over these last few weeks is catch-up on some great blogs (topical and educational): James Michie, Max Rayner, Another Rambling Teacher and Doug Belshaw, just to name a few (look on my Blogroll for a complete list). Being 3 weeks into the summer hols I thought that it was time for a blog…

Firstly, project365, going surprisingly well. If you haven’t heard of project365, give it a go, it involves posting a picture daily (I think the actual idea is to improve your photography skills), click here for some more info. I have managed to post a picture virtually everyday of the year so far. The pictures, at times, are incredibly boring but it might be quite interesting to look through come the end of the year.

Secondly, Cambridge Folk Festival was a great weekend. We arrived on Thursday around 4ish, a bit later than we had done in the past, and managed to find a pitch and put up tent with no dramas. Highlight of the weekend for me was Frank Turner on Friday night (even managed a chat and photo with him see Project365 #211). He played a great set, loads of songs off the new album ‘England Keep My Bones‘, even commenting that he, “felt like Bob Dylan”, a bit out of place playing electric guitars (and rocking) at a folk festival. Villagers were also on form on Sunday afternoon and Laura Marling played a great set Sunday night. Overall, a fantastic weekend, shame we won’t be there next year, 2012 is going to be a busy year.

Finally, I’ve been attempting to up mileage in preparation for the Newark Half-Marathon tomorrow (Sunday 14th August). I’ve completed a couple of long runs over the past couple of weeks, together with tempo/interval training and some 5k races I should be fine for Sundays race. I’m not looking for a PB, just a nice steady run around 1.45/1.50 is what I’m aiming for. I’ve also entered the Grimsthorpe 10K at the end of August, and this year sees the first ever Grimsthorpe Festival on the afternoon of the race.

One last thing, Frank Turner new single, ‘If Ever I Stray’….

Project365 #171 – To strike or not to strike….

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

As a member of the NUT I will be striking on June 30th. Having spoken to teachers contemplating whether or not to strike it would seem there are various reasons both for and against striking, some professional, some personal, some ideological. But for me the decision is simple: I’m a member of the union, the union are asking me to strike, therefore I strike.

As Billy Bragg once sang…..”There is power in a union”…..

Project365 #147 – Frank Turner

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

Today’s picture….waiting for Frank Turner gig to start……in a church in Cambridge!

More proof…..St Peter’s Church….

It was a great night, Frank was in top form as usual. Whilst out I also earned a GCSE in crowd participation and an A Level in air harmonica. The highlight of the night….Frank stepping away from the microphone and into the crowd with guitar whilst we all sang ‘The Ballad of Me & My Friends’…..”and we’re definitely going to hell, we’ll have all the best stories to tell”….in a CHURCH!

http://twitter.com/#!/phillengthorn/status/74373177714806784

New tune….’Peggy Sang the Blues’….