Author Archives: John S

About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love outside work: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. And anything else that I happen to think is worth writing about!

The night Bruce played “Darkness on the Edge of Town”.

Posted on June 17, 2013

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band played Wembley Stadium on 15 June 2013. I was fortunate enough to be there. Fortunate because it turned out to be the best concert I have ever witnessed. In being so it takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Have You Heard? – (39) “Settle” by Disclosure

Posted on June 12, 2013

Now this is an unusual “Have You Heard?”, because the answer, at least if you are British and reasonably young, will be YES. Because it’s new and high in the charts. Listen to this as you read. “White Noise” (featuring … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Have You Heard? – (38) “I Never Wanted” by Idlewild

Posted on June 8, 2013

I’m writing a chapter in my musical journey at the moment that starts with the mighty R.E.M. and then tracks through some bands that shared a similar sound and ethos. It splits into two paths: one, the more melodic, minor … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Charles Dickens – an amazing life

Posted on June 2, 2013

I’ve just finished a superb biography of the 19th century British novelist, Charles Dickens, by Claire Tomalin. “Charles Dickens. A Life”.   It came out in 2011 and I got it for Christmas that year, but have only just got … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sportsthoughts (77) – Fussball ist der Gewinner

Posted on May 31, 2013

Last Saturday Wembley Stadium played host to the Champions League Final, Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund. The first ever all-German clash. It was a great game, unlike most finals, which are crabby and cautious. Both teams went for it. Dortmund … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Rediscovering music with iPod shuffle

Posted on May 28, 2013

At work today I had to focus on finishing off a paper, which I’d started writing during the Bank Holiday weekend. Working in an open plan office can be quite noisy, so when you need to focus you have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Sportsthoughts (76) – Three stories about cycling

Posted on May 23, 2013

This year I’ve read three excellent books about the lives of professional cyclists. All of them are about brilliant achievements and struggle to get to the top. And in different ways, they are all about the scourge of doping. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Jets in the sky, wondering where and why…

Posted on May 19, 2013

When the weather allows, and the light lasts well into the evening, I can sit in our back garden, glass of wine by my side, book in hand, watching the jets from Heathrow climbing into the sky. There’s one a … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sportsthoughts (75) – Team building, Lions style

Posted on May 15, 2013

Quote from Adam Jones, Welsh prop, definite first pick for the Lions in Australia: “I have always found beer is the best thing for these sort of things to be honest. I think people get caught up with team-building exercises … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sportsthoughts (74) – Season over for Quins, but the future is bright.

Posted on May 11, 2013

Quins went up to Leicester for their Premiership playoff semi final. The prize for coming third in the regular season. Lost 33-16. Season over. It was a good game. Quins really took Leicester on in the first half. Good defensive … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments