Author Archives: John S

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About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. I’ve written a novel called “The Decision”, a futuristic political thriller, and first of a trilogy. I’m also the author of a book on music since the 1970s called “ I Was There - A Musical Journey” and a volume of poetry about youth, “Growin’ Up - Snapshots/ Fragments”. All available on Amazon and Kindle.

Sportsthoughts (103) – European Sporting Summits

Posted on May 26, 2014 by John S

On the long weekend when the political institutions and elites of Europe were blown a very large raspberry by voters across the EU, I shall stick to sport and reflect on two engrossing finals: Toulon v Saracens in rugby’s Heineken … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (51) “Big Big Love (Fig 2)” by Foals

Posted on May 19, 2014 by John S

A strange title. One of the least well-known tracks off Foals first, brilliant, album, “Antidotes”. While I associated Foals mostly with the Talking Heads and African beats speeded up, “Big Big Love” has a shimmering guitar which could take it … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (102) – Harlequins hit the Saracens wall, Arsenal conquer their demons

Posted on May 18, 2014 by John S

Saturday was a great sports viewing day. I had a cycle down to Hammersmith beforehand, before settling down for two big deciders for two of my favourite teams: Quins and Arsenal. (West Ham are on their hols already). For Quins, … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 56

Posted on May 18, 2014 by John S

Just like London buses, don’t do a lovelondonscenes post for a while then two arrive at the same time! This one is taken from Ebury Bridge, just south of Victoria station, on Friday just gone. Decided to have a walk … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes – 55

Posted on May 18, 2014 by John S

Beautiful day on the Thames. These shots are taken from Fulham, looking towards Hammersmith, at low tide. If you look background centre by the little red crane, you can see the Wembley stadium arch, some miles away.  

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Morrissey – the Autobiography

Posted on May 15, 2014 by John S

I’ve just finished reading Morrissey’s “Autobigraphy”.  And an excellent read it is too. It’s written in a discursive, sometimes quite poetic style. There are no chapters – just a long narrative, which is mostly chronological. There is a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Paris in black and white

Posted on May 8, 2014 by John S

We – the family –  had a few days in Paris just after Easter. We did some of the traditional things and walked around a lot; the girls did some shopping. Photos were taken.  I’ve done Paris before on the … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (101) – Parking the Bus

Posted on April 28, 2014 by John S

On Sunday afternoon Chelsea went to Liverpool and blew the Premier League title chase wide open again. It could have been Liverpool’s coronation had they won their twelfth game in a row. Instead Chelsea, with a weakened, but not weak, … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (100) – Awesome Saracens crush Clermont

Posted on April 26, 2014 by John S

My 100th Sportsthoughts. Appropriate that it celebrates a truly outstanding sporting feat. Heineken Cup semi final at Twickenham. England’s best club team at the moment, Saracens, against the mighty Clermont Auvergne, up there with Toulon and Toulouse as the best … Continue reading →

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An afternoon in London with Augustines and Oasis

Posted on April 20, 2014 by John S

19 April 2014. I picked up a couple of things from Twitter that were happening in central London that looked liked fun. The Berwick Street festival in Soho that was celebrating  record stores and vinyl music – part of a … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | 4 Comments