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 (62) – “My Time” by Bradley Wiggins

Posted on February 3, 2013 by John S

I’ve just finished reading Bradley Wiggins’ autobiography, “My Time”, featuring his amazing 2012, when he won the Tour de France and the Olympic time trial gold. And three other top road races: Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Sportsthoughts (61) – Six Nations 2013 predictions

Posted on February 2, 2013 by John S

Saturday 2 February marks the beginning of this year’s Six Nations rugby tournament. Always one of the highlights of the sporting calendar and a great pick-me-up in the gloom of winter. Last year my Sportsthoughts 10 set out why I … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (60) – So Close! Brentford 2 Chelsea 2

Posted on January 28, 2013 by John S

The FA Cup. Not what it used to be – time was when it felt as important as the League and the winners played in their own competition in Europe – but still capable of firing the imagination. Eventually it … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard (and seen)? – (32) Billie Holiday singing “Fine and Mellow”

Posted on January 26, 2013 by John S

I’m on to a chapter about jazz in my book at the moment and earlier this evening I was just reminding myself about Billie Holiday. What a fantastic singer she was. She had the most turbulent life – absolutely awful … Continue reading →

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

Sportsthoughts (59) – Oh No! Arsenal 5 West Ham 1

Posted on January 25, 2013 by John S

Fortunately I went out last night, so I didn’t watch or listen to the drubbing that West Ham got at the Emirates. It mostly happened in a ten minute spell just after half time, when Arsenal rapidly scored four goals. … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (58) – the Heineken gets heavy!

Posted on January 21, 2013 by John S

So, Quins into the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup, as top seeds, after the last round of matches this weekend. They slugged it out with Biarritz on a swamp of a pitch in south west France, Friday night, and … Continue reading →

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It’s snowing!

Posted on January 20, 2013 by John S

One of the features of global warming is that it’s started to snow more in the winter again, here in the UK. Not serious snow like you get in Canada or Norway, but enough to cause a fair bit of … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“How Music Works” by David Byrne

Posted on January 19, 2013 by John S

Just spent a lazy Saturday morning finishing a great book by David Byrne, called “How Music Works”. For any of you who aren’t familiar with DB, he was the frontman with the Talking Heads in the seventies and eighties and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The demise of HMV – and the end of an era

Posted on January 16, 2013 by John S

HMV, the flagship music store in the UK, has gone into administration. Perhaps a couple of the London West End stores will survive through the tourist trade, but I’m sure otherwise it is the end. HMV isn’t the first: we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Have You Heard? – (31) “Where Are We Now?” by David Bowie

Posted on January 11, 2013 by John S

Earlier this week, as I was working my way through a few hours’ worth of tweets, I saw something unexpected and exciting: a new single from David Bowie! It was completely out of the blue as far as I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 9 Comments