Tag: youtube

Frank Turner…..again!

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

My love affair with the fantastic Frank Turner continues……and so a blog post was inevitable….

Last Sunday it was the turn of The Engine Shed in Lincoln to host another great Turner gig. It was another sold out gig which is now the norm for Frank Turner.

Support took the form of Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun, and Tim Barry. Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun are a band from Cheltenham, tipped to be big in the near future. Tim Barry an American singer/songwriter playing a rather depressing set that kicked off with a song about a fella who ended up serving time for shooting his sister's husband.

Frank Turner yet again showed why he is becoming so popular, an audience featuring young and old danced and sang the night away in an attempt to knock Wolverhampton off the dance-off top step. Frank played tunes from all four studio albums and a couple from the new album due in 2013. It was also great to see a favourite track of mine, 'Romantic Fatigue', seen played live.

The evening ended with the usual rendition of 'Photosynthesis', complete with a packed Engine Shed sitting down before jumping up and singing and dancing, in what has become a trademark finish to the night.

Overall another brilliant night, and thanks to Twitter I even shifted a spare ticket I had, at face value of course!

Next gig: Frank Hamilton at The Barfly in Camden on the 20th December.

 

Unicycle Day 8

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 6 Comments

The second weekend of September's Challenge and an opportunity for some dedicated practice. It was a lovely afternoon and it was spent on the floor unicycle. Although before any practice was possible the unicycle needed some running repairs. It has taken a fair bit of battering, that I don't really think it was designed for, resulting in a cracked seat and various screw issues. But nothing that a block of wood and some gaffer tape couldn't sort out….

As for the practice, I'm definitely getting better. The video may not actually show this, but I think my balance has improved and falling off the unicycle is definitely more graceful. I'm beginning to shift my weight more to enable me to have a more controlled ride, that doesn't mean I'm riding much further but I feel I'm on the verge of a big breakthrough.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Unicycling Day 2

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 7 Comments

After the second day of the challenge, I'm definitely improving. I've had various comments that suggest riding on the grass is not the best plan of action. Initially this was purely done to avoid breaking limbs, but I think I am now ready to move to level hard ground, God help me!!!!

I didn't really intend on blogging every day, and I especially didn't intend on posting a video every day, but progress has been made so I feel I must tell the world…..

 

Unicycling Day 1

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 3 Comments

The start of a new month brings another monthly challenge: learning to ride a unicycle.

This is by far the most difficult challenge of the year, I wasn't too confident of success, and after viewing various YouTube video clips I was even less so. Even the 'experts' look as though they will fall off at any minute. Unicycle was ordered from Amazon for the bargain price of £45.

The first 5 mins of the challenge didn't go very well with various heavy falls, including ankle and elbow injuries. I was actually having trouble even getting on the bloody thing. So back to YouTube for some advice, and thanks to 'Coach Bob' I found a successful way to get on the unicycle. After another 10 mins I had discovered how to avoid hitting the deck, even if it meant letting the unicycle go flying through the air.

So with a new found confidence AND 2 hours of practice I am happy to report some success. The video below may not actually show said success but I'm feeling a lot more confident that this challenge is actually possible.

Although the video doesn't show it I was able to complete around four full pedals before stacking it.

I'm actually quite looking forward to day 2!

 

Gypsy Tart

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 5 Comments

Another monthly project, Bakeathon, is complete! Throughout the month of July I have managed to somehow make ten various different things. Today was the turn of an old Kent favourite: Gypsy Tart.

Very easy to make, especially if you buy a pre-cooked pastry base, and just as tasty….

Although it is important to say this was my second effort. First effort didn’t set due to lack of whisking.

So, ten different dishes created:

  • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Carrot Cupcakes
  • Flap Jacks
  • Chocolate Brownies
  • Gypsy Tart
  • Jam Turnovers
  • Shortbread
  • Chocoalte Croissants
  • Bakewell Tarts
  • Scones

And to celebrate further, how about a video montage….

Juneathon Day 9

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

A morning dog jog was the plan. Got downstairs in running kit and, looking for a bit of sympathy, told Helen I was feeling a tad achy. Her reply:

“Well you will do these silly challenges!”.

Enough said, and off I went….

By the time I got to the woods my lethargic state had evaporated and I enjoyed a nice gentle jog. Lots of people about this morning, dog walkers, runners and even a man walking backwards!? I didn’t ask.

Summary
******
Distance: 3.15mi
Time taken: 00:26:37
Average/Max Speed : 7.11/9.03 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:08:27/00:06:38
Calories: 374

Total Juneathon mileage after day 9 = 34.54

Runners passed = 4

Music accompaniment = Frank Turner – ‘Love, Ire and Song’

What with Euro 2012 underway, how about taking a listen to the Unofficial England Euro 2012 Song by Frank Hamilton….