I'm on Dreamwidth now: https://sam-tom-sam.dreamwidth.org/ :) 

I was surprised, but not unpleasantly, by the outcome of the EU membership referendum. Unlike literally everyone that I know and like, as far as I'm aware, I voted to Leave. Not gladly, but I had lost hope of the EU seriously entertaining any hope of reform or consideration of the UK's specific needs, after Cameron's failed negotiation attempt. I ( Read more... )

The move to Glasgow has largely taken place. I am effectively living here now with Jack and the cats, with some of our belongings in storage. We still have to go back the weekend after next to clear out the house in Sheffield of any residual items and tidy up. Bringing the cats up was the worst bit although not as bad as I had feared. Mrs Lyle ( Read more... )

In the early 2000s, I visited Cologne with my mother. It was one of the nicest places I have been in Germany. I have fond memories of the chocolate museum and the great zoo that offered much better conditions for animals that anywhere I have ever been. I loved the architecture and Mrs Lyle loved the beer. The only bad thing that happened was an ( Read more... )

It's exactly 20 years ago today since the Romo movement was brought to the world's attention by Melody Maker! I was excited to hear today that Simon Price (its chief promoter back then) is planning some sort of commorative event in London soon. I will keep my eyes peeled for that, it might even merit one of my rare trips back down there ( Read more... )

I've done a side-project, Marcel Wave! Going solo this time. Synthesizers, vocals and bassoon all by me, with a bit of guest sax on one of the tracks by Jack.

I've only put four tracks up but have an album's worth. I might try and get a vinyl release at some point so I haven't put all the music online yet.

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Less than two weeks until we move out of House of Fail! I'm so glad to be moving out of Walthamstow. I don't like to slag it off too much on The Other Place as I know people who are stuck there, but I will be pleased not to live there any more. It's not as rough as a lot of places I've lived, but it's pretty inconvenient and not really that nice. ( Read more... )

Last weekend saw a lot of snow in London, but Mr Duckworth and I nonetheless decided to plough ahead with our plans to visit Great Yarmouth. The destination was chosen because it was relatively close and would be pleasingly deserted at this time of year. I hired a car from Enterprise again, after a good experience with them back in summer. This ( Read more... )

It's been nice to get out of Walthamstow for the last couple of weekends. The weekend before last was a long one, as we went to the house of our friend Gemma's parents in the New Forest. The parents were on holiday so we their large country home was available for us to enjoy, along with its two pleasingly stuffy British shorthair cats (one blue and ( Read more... )