It seems to feel less and less like Christmas every year. As usual the shop decorations have been up since Easter (ok, slight exageration!) and every place you go to there's the subtle tones of duch ditties as Band Aids "Feed The World" ("Do They Know It's Christmas?" Well, no they don't do they!) and still we're not feeling the spirit. Even an attempt by the mussus to force us to go get a tree and decorations became a chore akin to scrubbing off the mold forming on the bathroom walls. This year it seems destined to be a total blowout, with the folks buggering off to Switzerland over the festive season and the missus working.....yeah, she's a doctor right. Granted, first year so you kinda expect her to be working on the day. But the notion of the NHS Powers That Be going through the Xmas staff list with a screening process of "you're Indian/Asian, so you obviously don't celebrate Christmas so you're working!" seems just a tad unfair to me. Anyway, like I said, total blowout predicted. The only thing look set to salvage the day itself is The Doctor.
Now what's the world coming to when peoples Christmases aren't based around the potential joy of sharing fun times with their loved ones, rather anticipating the further adventures of the Last Of The Time Lords as he once again lands in Cardiff??? Don't get me wrong, love the show. No really, went to the Cardiff Doctor Who museum. If that's not fanboy enough for ya.....! It's just, there seems to be nothing behind Christmas anymore. Most people I know are at least Agnostic so it seems obviously contradictory to be going round claiming to be celebrating the birth of the founder of Christianity. I certainly won't be spending half as much money as last year (which wasn't a lot anyway!) but that's mainly because of the whole "no job at the moment" thing.
Oh yeah, speaking of which I signed up on radiotalent.co.uk. Check me out!!!
That's it, annual Christmas rant over. Now the thing I hate about New Year is.....
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Oh good God yes!!!
OK, lets get this very important bit out the way: BATS IS ON THE WAY BACK BABY!!
Simply can't wait for this, Christian Bale is the best Bats EVER (beside Kevin Conroy (guy who voiced Batman Animated Series!)) and I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of THE DARK KNIGHT people will be going "sorry, Jack who?" Heath Ledger looks to have nailed it peeps!!
Now, went back up to the home town of Towcester over the last couple of days, and decided to make a quick pitstop in Milton Keynes (after getting lost proving once again that my reputed Traffic & Travel Powers are non-existant!) and met up with the guys from HORIZON RADIO. Nothing's changed, so it was a lot like going back in time. For the last couple of months I was there I really found it hard, I guess just wanting to get out to my "pastures new" which at that point was known as Bournemouth. Sat there yesterday with old colleagues I kinda wished I hadn't left, and found myself wanting to go back and work there.....I won't. You know the rule, never go back!!
So still waiting on job news. I got a letter through today confirming my suspiscions that I'm not getting the job in Gloucester. A blessing to tell you the truth. It's so far away! I'm waiting on news from Oxford's Fox FM (GCAP again!!), and generally open to any options thrown my way. Man, talk about a bad time of year for all this BS!! Still, my Christmas tree ROCKS!!!
Friday, December 14, 2007
"A T-Shirt, an interview, the book, and the disaster that was The 3 Year Anniversary Holiday!" - 11th December 2007
It’s one of a kind, and will be the first item of clothing warn at a new job…..good link! Yes, had an interview at Severn Sound in Gloucester yesterday. When I finally found the place in the maze that is the shopping centre (my own fault, I didn’t see the signs. And I used to do traffic & travel…..) I met with station controller Marcus Langreiter and did a couple of question and answer sessions. He seems like a decent chap, classic radio geek which boads well! The week before I, like everyone else up for the job had to send in some examples of work based on a station brief. Apparently mine were the “most imaginative” according to Marcus, which should stand me in good stead. Have a listen for yourself and see what you think, you can hear 3 Breakfast Show ID's HERE, HERE and HERE, and an ad for a new bands thing called Uploaded HERE.
I think the only thing that lets me down is my lack of technical experience, but as far as I’m concerned you can teach experience but not creativity; something that I sensed Marcus agreed with. Doesn’t mean that I’ve got it by any means, but I remain hopeful as always.
And then there was the holiday. 3 years the missus and I have been together, so we thought we’d celebrate this milestone by going toWales! Let me explain, the very first holiday we went on was to Wales; lovely hotel, romantic scenery, nice hosts. That was perfect. And combine that with a holiday we had in Yorkshire last year staying in a log cabin (Faweather Grange), again another perfect holiday…..we looked set for a perfect anniversary. How wrong we were.
To give you an idea here's excerpts from the letter I've ended up sending to Hoseasons, the same company that we used for Faweather Grange:
"Following my lengthy conversations with you earlier in the week, I am writing to tell you of our disappointment at our recent visit to Woodland Lodges in St. Clears. We stayed in the Wren Lodge Plus which we had been told included a four poster bed and hot tub. Having stayed with Hoseasons lodges previously, we had high expectations. Upon arrival the lodge itself reeked of cigarette smoke, not ideal as both of us are non smokers and my girlfriend has asthma. The smoke was in the furniture, curtains, carpets, as well as the towels and dressing gowns. Our “four poster bed” was constructed poorly, with the poles actually slanting off. The mattress was so thin we could feel the springs resulting in bad backs in the morning. You will also see in the photos included that parts of the bed are falling off. To their credit, when I informed the lodge owners of this problem they did come to repair the frame, however tweaking a few screws and laying an extra cover on the mattress did not fix the problem. I also found that their attitude towards us (expecting us to help them change the mattress sheets and put the covers on) and making comments such as; “you look like the kind of people who should get some more fresh air” extremely rude and unprofessional. They also said that it looked “externally alright” admitting that they never actually check the beds when guests leave. It seems unfortunate that they have to make improvements to their furniture when guests are in residence, taking up important holiday time which customers we’re paying for.
No response yet, but as I head for a snooze I as always remain hopefull!!
"The End Of An Era" - November 12th 2007
Well sad news this week, it’s the end of the 2CR FM era. My contract isn’t being renewed for next year. I kind of expected it to be honest, especially after seeing this quarters RAJAR figures where my show was 12% down on last quarter, more than anyone else in the station. I’m not taking full responsibility for this though. As far as I’m concerned if the station had left me more wiggle room to be more creative then it would be a very different story, and it appears I’m not the only one who thinks so which is nice. Lloydie (the guy who’s been the temporary Programme Controller while the other one is on maternity leave) said that I’m clearly a “creative person”, effectively not given the right direction. It’s just the business, the industry and it happens to so many people.
So while I’m not surprised to be leaving, I am a little sad. This has been the best job ever, not just because I got to (occasionally) talk random bollox, but also because of the people. Everyone at 2CR are the nicest bunch to work with. Some crazy, I admit but then that’s probably why I like them so much.
So on the 13th November the GCAP chip comes out and I’m once again a free agent. What that means in terms of actually finding another job I have no idea, though I hope a meeting with someone tomorrow will show something positive.
Onwards and upwards as they say!!
"Who says Democracy doesn't work?" - October 30th 2007
Yes, after plenty of pressure, sorry, canvassing, for young Sarah Maple through myspace, Facebook, emails and direct physical conflict I'm pleased to announce that she WON THE COMPETITION!! To wit, we all say YAAAAAAY!! Seriously though, thanks for your help. From what I gather it was a landslide!
In the world of Steve no podcast this time, but I've put a few more examples of my writing on the WRITERS PAGE. In the land of radio it's all about getting a contract for next year. It's up around Christmas time, as is my tenancy. Obviously it would be nice to know what the hell is going on with my job, cos then I can decide whether to start packing my stuff or treat myself to a flatscreen TV!
"Lets all get arty y'all" - October 11th 2007
OK, first off the new podcast! It's an interview with SARAH MAPLE, a Brighton based artist who's through to the final 4 of the Channel 4/Saatchi Gallery competition known as "4Sensations".
You can find out more on her MYSPACE PAGE and vote for her art as well as watch a short film as seen on Channel 4 HERE. And of course hear her natter away about her prize worthy art on the PODCAST.
Now, I've started a creative writing course a couple of weeks ago, and it's really got me, well.....writing. I've started putting stuff on the WRITERS PAGE, feel free to have a gander!
Aaaaaand I'm done!
"Big Changes Everywhere" - August 30th 2007
So I decided it was about time to make some changes in my life this week, it may have been eased along by a few relationship issues but that's besides the point! Anyway I've decided to try out a book by Paul McKenna called "I Can Change Your Life", I'm sure I'l be letting you know the progress and I'm even more sure it will be leading to some form of writing!
In other news went to see Knocked Up (which may have been a small catalyst for the "Issues" hinted at above) and that was a disapointment. What wasn't disapointing though was todays show (condensed to the new PODCAST for your pleasure!) asking if it's wrong for a grown man to hold hands with his mum. It's really cool at the mo because we're getting more chances to do fun stuff on the station, something I've been wanting for almost 9 months now!
“People of Jumpin’ Jaks give it up for Steve Blanchard from 2CR”…*SFX of Tumbleweeds*!!! – August 17th 2007
OK it wasn’t quite as bad as that, at least not in terms of numbers. But DAMN, our “A-Level Party” at Jumpin’ Jaks was, in my opinion an, unmitigated disaster! And it wasn’t 2CR’s fault!!
We’d been plugging the event like mad every single day for 2 weeks on air, but by the end of the first week we’d shifted no tickets. So in the last few days “Black Thunder Matt” and I thought we could drum up some interest by asking people what they think he should dress up as on the night. That, and along with the other Thunders out offering the free tickets, we ended up shifting close to 2,000 by 3 Thursday afternoon. So in terms of promoting the event 2CR held up their end of the bargain.
But in terms of what we were going to do on the night it was a bit more of a concern; we tried all week to contact the guy from JJ’s who had asked for this, but every time his phone was switched off. And we were ringing him every hour! So our plan to talk to him about what he wanted, what we could do in terms of games and stuff, went out the window and we played it by ear.
The tickets said that the doors opened at 7. Well that was a lie, given that we didn’t get in there to set up until 8 and then they opened the main doors at 9. So we had an hour to set up putting the 2CR banners everywhere we possibly could, get Matt into his costume (the highlight of the event!), and see Crew ’82 (famous for their stint on “Britains Got Talent”, which did them no justice by the way. They were awesome!! Beatboxers y’know!!). But you could tell it was going to be a bad night. Maybe it was the title of this film poster in the men’s that tipped me off!
Anyway, by 10, there were approximately 10 people by the bar, 7 of which were 2CR staff. Everyone seemed resigned to the fact that this wasn’t going to be a crowded event, given that the last one they did at JJ’s was a party for the launch of Big Brother, and there were more 2CR staff that guests for the whole event! By 11pm, around 110 people had walked through the door, so not quite Big Brother-esq but still only around 5% of the tickets we’d shifted. We could have had a few more if the management had listened to Black Thunder Jenny and let a party of 14 get in to the place for free and then pay full price for the drinks, but no, she might as well have been talking to the wall!
With the help of the resident DJ (who, because I can’t remember his name, shall be called) Ian we played a few games like “drink your drink through someone elses sock” and “the one back here first with someone’s underwear wins”…..don’t think that’s what they’re called but you get the idea! We tried to jazz up the crowd as much as we could but for 1 there simply wasn’t enough and 2, they didn’t care! I think we played 3 or 4 games before Jenny, Matt and I went back stage and realised we’d just wasted our time!
Fun In The Sun and The Other Half On The Podcast - August 14th 2007
There was also the hilarious moments when we all fell asleep on the beach from drinking too much Pims, them because of where the sun was wwaking up looking like "Two-Face" with the right side golden brown and the left side pastie white. The missus had fallen asleep with shades on so she wke up with bug-like racoon eyes. T'was funny you see!!
Then on Sunday local band The Other Half came in. The idea was to do a live session, and I'd spent all afternoon Friday setting up the mixing desk in Studio 5 only to find out on Sunday morning that something as simple as the speakers were now not working. It was frustrating, it was embarassing, it was a royal pain in the arse! Fortunately a genius known as Alf Lee, who's one of the bands sound engineers came in and kind of figured out a way to record the band. (Find out more about Alf at http://www.sweetpeach.co.uk/)
The band are amazing live, and are doing a load of gigs this year (including Mr. C's in Bournemouth on Thursday 16th August!!). You can find out more on the all new podcast (here's the PODCAST PAGE!!) and then by going to the bands myspace page. Just click on the pic y'all!!
And here's a quick video chat with the guys:
Also if you head over to the FILM-MAKERS page you'll see 3 live sessions from the band!
Bloody NHS!!! - August 10th 2007
Just found out today that my 12-year-old Godson needs a Kidney Transplant. Granted, thousands of people probably hear that news everyday. But what's annoying here is chances are it could have been prevented. A few weeks ago the boy was taken ill. Vomiting, hallucinations, seriously scary stuff for anyone to go through never mind a 12-year-old. Anyway, NHS Direct advised fluids, then if that didn't work call the family doctor. It didn't work so they did call him, and he never came out to even examine him; something which I though all GP's still did! Just advised more fluids then probably went back to watching the golf!
He didn't get better so they called an Ambulance through 999. 10 minutes later the Ambulance Service rang back declaring it as "not serious enough"! (It's worth remembering that the boy lives with his family on a farm slap bang in the middle of the Lincolnshire Countryside, so they wouldn't have been called unless the parents thought it serious!) A paramedic finally came out to examine him (in my opinion a job for the GP) and advised...guess what? "More fluids"!!!
A day later the parents had had enough so they drove him to Grimsby Hospital, and the staff there took one look at him and had him shipped straight to Leeds at 90 mph as he was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. Since there Leeds staff have done the best they could. Naturally he went straight on dialysis and now a week later, transplant is needed. If only that GP had done his proper job in the first place, or the paramedic had realised what he was seeing, maybe the boy wouldn’t be on the waiting list. Or if he would have been it would have probably been a hell of a lot sooner because people would have DONE THEIR JOBS!!!
This isn’t a slate on doctors! I’ve got loads of friends who are medics. The missus is a Junior Doctor, and I see them and the people around them do an amazing job, and frankly a job that I couldn’t do. But there always has to be a couple of complete goons to ruin that!
OK rant over, at least the boy is in the best place!
Right, I’ve been prepping for an interview and live session with a local band called The Other Half (find out more HERE! ) the results of which shall be ending up on the brand new podcast.
"All this new stuff!" - August 7th 2007
So welcome to the new website, hope you like it. It was about time I did a proper .co.uk site as I was running out of room on the last one. Plus I wanted see if I could take up yet more room on Google. It worked by the way!
Anyway the new podcast is up, just collecting some of the fun random stuff that's been going on recently, including proof that Pop star Rihanna is indeed responsible for all that flooding we had in July! Of course you can download for free from the PODCAST PAGE.
More radio news and the plans for a Sunday Breakfast show (tentivly called "The Morning After The Night Before") are jumping forward. I've just got back from a little pub meeting with a few work chums to throw around ideas. We're planning on doing a first attempt at the end of the month.
On the writing front I'm on page 54 of a novel I've been planning on writing for a while now. It's surprising that it's still tricky in places even though the story is semi-auto-biographical. Also you remember the film "MidKnight Rising" (as it was!), the film about a guy who thinks he's a superhero? Well seems that the Media Powers That Be love the idea of doing a light-hearted programme about superhero's so much their making a TV series on it, sadly not from these shores!
From Guardian Online:ITV2 to air superhero sitcomLeigh HolmwoodWednesday August 8, 2007MediaGuardian.co.uk ITV2 has commissioned its first original sitcom, a series about a group of off-duty superheroes.No Heroics, to be made by Vicar of Dibley-producer Tiger Aspect, is part of the digital channel's move into more original programming and less of a reliance on ITV1 entertainment spin-offs.The series will follow the lives of four London-based off-duty superheroes and their struggles in love and with fame - or the lack of it.No Heroics has been created and produced by Drew Pearce, whose credits include ITV2's magazine reality show Deadline, and will be directed by Ben Gregor and executive produced by Sophie Clarke-Jevoise.Commissioned by the ITV2 controller, Zai Bennett, and the ITV editor of comedy, Michaela Hennessey-Vass, the eight-part series is due to go into production early next year for transmission in late 2008.Mr Bennett said: "We're taking real strides forward in comedy and as the channel's first ever original commissioned sitcom, No Heroics will play a huge part in that strategy."This is a perfect ITV2 comedy: it's witty, accessible and laugh-out-loud funny, and is being produced with real passion from a great team."Mr Pearce added: "The superhero genre certainly seems ripe for a very British take on the subject, plus I have about 20 years' worth of comic books that I'm looking forward to finally being able to claim as expenses."
Now it's nothing like the EXPOSE' episode (as "The Film Formerly Known As MidKnight Rising" is now) but it annoying sounds very similar to the concept which my film was loosley based around, namely "Heroes In Their Own Lunchtime" by my good friend Nick Johnstone. It could turn out to be a highly annoying experience!!
Film news and I've been doing some promotional stuff for the radio station, the best one of which was us at the Swanage Carnival doing It's A Knockout. You can view this and loads more at the FILM-MAKERS page.
One more thing, through the joys of Facebook I've discovered BomoCreatives, billed as "a monthly social/business networking club for people who have a “creative” mindset". They have monthly meetings every 3rd Wednesday of this month, so I'm going to one on 15th to see what it's like. If you'd like to know more check out http://www.bomocreative.co.uk/
Think that's everything, Peace out y'all!!!
"A Film Update? Yes, it's a film update!!" - May 28th 2007
Been a while I know. Been busy.....no honest! Anyway, the genius that is MIDKNIGHT RISING is no longer being made by Complete Access TV. Got an interesting email today:
"Hi Steve,
Could you please provide me with your current postal address so that I can formally write to you to terminate our agreement and revert the rights to you.
It is unfortunate that, despite spending a tremendous amount of time, and money, including seed money received from third parties, which I am responsible for, we have been unable to secure sufficient interest to enable the film to proceed. This is not uncommon in the film industry.
Jason is to settle in the USA. I have resigned from the MK Film Commission, and will be spending most of my time working abroad as well.
Good luck with your future projects."
So there you go! Shit happens I know, but now the film is soon to be totally back in my hands. It's just funny! All this week I've been coming up with more story lines for the EXPOSE' series, wondering how I could do it with someone else holding the rights, and now, problem solved!
Friday 13th + 3!!! - April 16th 2007
Eeesh, what a day! You know when you get that feeling where you KNOW it'll be a bad day? I cut my finger open, and my toe (though not both at the same time!), all the bills turned up on the same day and to cap it all I left my tardis money box back at my girlfriends.....ok granted, nothing remotely bad in there. I did get dragged over the coals at work for not mentioning a disclaimer 5 minutes before the next one, but that was just work! And to be honest, hearing that your best friends dad is having more trouble at the hospital puts things a little more in perspective.
That good friend was actually here for the weekend (the details of the adventures can be found in my myspace blog!) but since his visit and our 3 hour trip down memory lane (which had me in stitches!) I've been feeling a tad distant. Maybe it's just the day, maybe it's the fact that discussing celebrating my upcoming 30th birthday dressed as Thundercats has made me think "crapbeans, I'm actually going to be 30!"!! I've recently joined that facebook site, yet another one of those sites that has people talking electronically to people they already know and further proving that the art of conversation is disapearing! Anyway, I've been looking around for people I went to school/college with, and (save for those few who I will always be in touch with because they're great friends!) they're not around. They don't seem to exist! It's almost as if it never happened!!!
God I hope I'm not going to go off on one of those "what does it all mean?" things!! It's just that 30, well it's a big step isn't it! A mile-stone!! I keep being reminded that at my age my parents already had the huge responsibilities of a mortgage, jobs and an annoying kid with curly blonde hair running round with a toy lightsabre in his hand shouting "I want a bakewell cake NOW"!! Sad thing is, asside from the whole curly blonde hair thing, nowt much has changed! (Yes I have a toy lightsabre, and this one makes noises!!) I've got a great woman in my life who wants to marry me, I want to marry her but it's all in my court.....to grow up!! Anyone got any suggestions on how to turn an almost 30 year old kid with a constant desire to eat cake in to a 30 year old man with a larger sense of responsibility??
Rant over, in other news, Travis interview coming soon on the podcast!!
Old Podcasts and fighting the lurgy! - April 8th 2007
So yeah, remember the famed LUKE AND STEVE PODCASTS on myspace? A whole heap of fun from a partner in crime Luke Wallis and myself, where we met up and sprouted random bollox at each other whilst still trying to sound like broadcasting professionals. Well you can now listen to every single episode for free on iTunes. Head on over and have a goosy just by clicking the link below!!
In other news, it's been a busy Easter Weekend. Good Friday the GCAP Broadcasters Holiday Work Time-Table had kicked in. This basically means that every presenter has to work with the exception of the breakfast crew. Same amount of hours, less people. So less people work more hours.....stop rambling!
So yeah, 11-3 I worked, having to go through the "Top 500 Countdown" (I know who the number 1 is and it's a total travesty!!). Luke (another Luke, Journalist Luke) had been puking his guts up not 5 minutes before doing his bullitin, something to do with alcohol and chicken, hence why yours truly rarely drinks and is (almost) a vegetarian!
Then Rob Smith walks in, preparing to work 3-7 and also preparing to regurgitate last nights food, though curiously nothing to do with either alcohol or chicken. I ended up covering for Rob on his shift as well (there's no way I could have let him carry on!) so I ended up doing 8 hours in a row counting down "people's" favourite songs! Then on Saturday, because Rob was still ill I working 7-11 covering his show, fighting a soar throat from a girlfriend who had come down with a cold.....in one of the hottest weeks in the country so far! And then I had to venture over to Bournemouths Castle Point shopping centre to do one of those Black Thunder packages.
As you know I've done a couple of these things before, and no this time I didn't get lost (shocker!!). I thought I'd be bored out of my mind standing around for 3 hours looking like a total goon! Well, I still ended up looking like a goon, but for a different reason. The Black Thunders (dun dunn DAAA!) were there to give out prizes like Easter eggs and an outside dining set as prizes, only it hadn't been planned as certain people would have hoped. So I ended up fixing a mic to the PA kit and busting it Planet Ice style.....for those who don't know I used to be a cheesy DJ at an Ice Rink in Milton Keynes. And it was heaving with people, well, there was probably 50 people there in total, which is 45 more than I saw at any of the others. And then of all things, and with all the people who entered the prize draw to win that outdoor dining set, it went to an 8 year old boy who only wanted an Easter egg. Fun day though.
And good news was, cos I'd swapped with Rob he did my Sunday shift and I got to have a lie in! Good news is he was looking a hell of a lot better!
Tomorrow, interview a film-maker. Wednesday interview Travis. Better write some questions I guess!!
DON'T FORGET, LUKE AND STEVE PODCAST FREE DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES!!!
Podcast
Yeah, mentioned yesterday that I'll be interviewing Travis, the band, on Wednesday 11th April. Now I'd made a decision a couple of days ago to start up the podcast thing again. Used to do some with Luke Wallis back in Mitlon Keynes (check the link!) and to be honest I really miss it. But being in Bournemouth makes it difficult to meet with Mr. Wallis back in MK, so I decided to go solo! There's also the thing that there's so much stuff I want to do on my shows at 2CR but due to it being GCAP'd I don't get that much room to play, so I figured why not. The idea is to interview "up-and-comers", people trying to break in to a certain industry. Got a local film-maker called Cam who's coming in Bank Holiday Monday for a chat, and then Travis Wednesday. Just another excuse to bolster the old ego really!
The plan is to get the podcasts either on a new myspace site which I've already (tentavly) set up, or have them downloadable from iTunes. I've been experimenting with the Luke & Steve Podcasts, iTunes say they're on there but so far haven't found them. So that's the plan!
Ironic... April 4th 2007
So there I am, sat in the studio bustin' some tunes to tha masses,,,,,well, in Bournemouth, and a group email pops up, from a Salkind! Something to do with a speech corner in Milton Keynes. Don't care, don't live there any more.
Then ANOTHER group email, titled "MidKnight Rising update". The "director" is in the US directing another film, as practise for this one, and filming for this one has been reschduled and a 3 picture deal is being kept to.
Why is this ironic? Well I only started this blogging lark again in the last few days, and one of my first rants was about "MidKnight Rising". A few days later there's an "update"! Does this mean people are reading this shite?? Would there have been such a thing without my blog? Or are the Gods Of Ironic Coincidence workjing overtime this month??
Oh yeah, and I'm interviewing Travis on 11th April!!! More news on that later.
FORMER TRAFFIC & TRAVEL GURU GETS MAJORLY LOST ON ROADS OF POOLE - SHOCKER!!! April 2nd 2007
So yes, Saturday (31st March) I'd been asked to do a "Black Thunder Package". For those not familiar with GCAP Media speak, or those who don't have the GCAP chip planted under the skin at the back of your neck, that's where the stations Black Thunder crew aka hard worked under paid lackeys go out to a cerain busniess, play out GCAP music and hassle people with station goodies and promises of standing the chance to win something interesting! In this case, being a well known laminate flooring company, it was vouchers to get some 10 inch vibrators.....made you look. Laminate flooring, natch! They needed a presenter to go along, do a couple of 60 second links back to the station and then bugger off again. They were paying so naturally I accepted!
What WASN'T in the brief was that, due the company demanding 2 Black Thunder jeeps and only one of the crew able to drive, Iwould have to pilot the jeep to the company. It's not hard, it's an automatic jeep, just basically point in the direction you want to go, move the leaver and just drive. That's easy! The hard part is finding where you're supposed to go. Now being the former traffic & travel guru of Milton Keynes, this of course gives me full license to know exactly where I'm going even if others know better. So when one of the BT crew ask me if I know where I'm going and I say "yes", this of course means potential disaster.
I was able to follow the crew for about 5 minutes before getting stuck behind a learner driver on the A34 dual carriageway to Poole, being a complete goon because she couldn't decide which side of the road she wanted to be on, never mind which lane! I lost the other BT jeep but confident that I knew where I was going I proceeded on to the "B&Q Roundabout". I'd been there before, a roundabout next to a B&Q store, just round the corner should be the laminate flooring company we're wanting.
I find the "B&Q Roundabout", where I see a Homebase DIY shop and the obligatory burger van parked on bricks. No B&Q. Oops!!
What happens next is a frantic exchange from me over the phone to the other BT's, demanding to know where the hell they are as, and I'm forced admit this (and not for the first time as the missus would no doubt tell you!) I don't have a f**king clue where I am! I'm driving round random roundabouts, a phone in one hand and occasionally using the other one to not get crushed by the huge PA system I stupidly put on the passenger seat, very wary that I could easily by pulled over by the police for breaking those recent "don't drive and phone" laws!
I end up having to pull over by a roundabout near a Primark store (I think!) and wait for the other BT jeep to come and find me.
Where we go from there I have no idea, though I do know it was no where near where I was headed!!
We arrive at the flooring company at 11:57, we're supposed to be set up and ready for 12 noon, and I feel like a total goon! Thankfully the BT crew, made up of Sarah and another girl who I can't remember the name of (sorry, I do that a lot!!) were really nice and told me not to worry.
So 2 hours of standing around talking to random people and taking the piss out of some poor soul in a huge orange costume (that's a whole other story) and we headed back. This time in a tight convoy, I didn't let them out of my sight! Again I don't have a clue where we went, and it was only when we turned corner on to the stations road that I know where I was!
I've got another one of these Black Thunder Packages on Saturday, at the Castlepoint Shopping Centre in Bournemouth. I've been there a couple of times before so it shouldn't be a problem.....hang on, didn't I say that last Saturday?? ZIKES!!!!!
PS. If any of you think I should have used AA Route Planner, it lies! LIES I TELLS YA!!!!!!!!
There's green turtles on Bournemouth's beaches, nootch!! April 1st 2007
So today is April Fools Day, and due to the nature of my job I am able to abuse my position and tell a minor porkie every once in a while. On Thursday I was sent a press release from Bournemouth Council with their intent to mislead their population to think there was Green Turtles on the beach. So, I put out a tease about half 8 this morning.....Bournemouth just went nuts! There was a huge crowd gathering by the pier, I feel sorry for the woman from the council who had to explain to the gathering masses that while there are turtles on the beach, they're only plastic blow up ones.
Anyway, more interesting than that, midway through the scandolous abuse of our power, there was a call from the Bournemouth Diving Centre or some such organisation, demanding to know where these turtles are as their people were running around like headless chickens getting ready to mount a rescue operation. Tim, our news dude who took the call was left to explain that this was just an April Fools prank. Well they weren't happy to say the least, they just couldn't see the funny side of it. I guess they didn't know what day it is!
When I get the time I'll post some audio of what happened, it's mildly amusing.....
The whole film thing March 30th 2007
So, for those who don't know a few years ago I wrote a script called "We Don't Need Another Superhero". I finished it and thought it would be a good idea to see it made in to a film so handed it over to, certain people who I shall call The Salkinds. (Those of you familiar with the whole Richard Donner Superman II saga will know this doesn't bode well!!)
Anyway, completed the script, changed the name to "MidKnight Rising", meetings were held, castings were made, designs put in place, costumes made.....all this and there was no money. No one was paid a dime for this, and naturally people kicked up a stink. The Salkinds, realising that a revolt could be in the works, drew up contracts for the rights to the story, offering a grand, with further large moneys to be taken once funding was secured. I regret to say I took the money. I now feel this was a mistake.
This was over 9 months, probably a year ago now. And asside from demands for script changes from the Salkinds 3 months ago I have heard nothing more. No news of funding, nothing! The Salkinds have the story rights for another year, if it isn't made (which I doubt it will be!) then they're loosing the best script I (along with my partner is crime Nick Stone) have ever written.
I won't be writing any more towards the script until funding has been secured and I'm at least assured, or have recieved the full money owed to me as is the terms of the contract, but like I say I don't ever expect it to come to that! And to be honest the work I'm doing at the moment there is very little time! I never new things got so busy at radio stations!!
Anyway, I just wanted to get that off my chest. I only remembered about the project last week when I started revamping the website, and I still believe that, as the script was originally, it would have kicked ass! Heck even people I've met, film-makers who've taken their stuff to Cannes and WON have thought it kicked ass, and that the approach I had was the best way!
OK, rant over.....it's party times!!!
So yes, gone are the heady days at 2CR FM in Bournemouth, and a few of us celebrated/commiserated (depending on your POV!) with a few drinkies in 1812 (TOP cocktail bar!) Wasn’t expecting it but I got a couple of prezzies from my old work colleagues, including a bottle of bubbly and the BEST t-shirt EVER!!!
It’s one of a kind, and will be the first item of clothing warn at a new job…..good link! Yes, had an interview at Severn Sound in Gloucester yesterday. When I finally found the place in the maze that is the shopping centre (my own fault, I didn’t see the signs. And I used to do traffic & travel…..) I met with station controller Marcus Langreiter and did a couple of question and answer sessions. He seems like a decent chap, classic radio geek which boads well! The week before I, like everyone else up for the job had to send in some examples of work based on a station brief. Apparently mine were the “most imaginative” according to Marcus, which should stand me in good stead. Have a listen for yourself and see what you think, you can hear 3 Breakfast Show ID's HERE, HERE and HERE, and an ad for a new bands thing called Uploaded HERE.
I think the only thing that lets me down is my lack of technical experience, but as far as I’m concerned you can teach experience but not creativity; something that I sensed Marcus agreed with. Doesn’t mean that I’ve got it by any means, but I remain hopeful as always.
And then there was the holiday. 3 years the missus and I have been together, so we thought we’d celebrate this milestone by going to
To give you an idea here's excerpts from the letter I've ended up sending to Hoseasons, the same company that we used for Faweather Grange:
"Following my lengthy conversations with you earlier in the week, I am writing to tell you of our disappointment at our recent visit to Woodland Lodges in St. Clears. We stayed in the Wren Lodge Plus which we had been told included a four poster bed and hot tub. Having stayed with Hoseasons lodges previously, we had high expectations. Upon arrival the lodge itself reeked of cigarette smoke, not ideal as both of us are non smokers and my girlfriend has asthma. The smoke was in the furniture, curtains, carpets, as well as the towels and dressing gowns. Our “four poster bed” was constructed poorly, with the poles actually slanting off. The mattress was so thin we could feel the springs resulting in bad backs in the morning. You will also see in the photos included that parts of the bed are falling off. To their credit, when I informed the lodge owners of this problem they did come to repair the frame, however tweaking a few screws and laying an extra cover on the mattress did not fix the problem. I also found that their attitude towards us (expecting us to help them change the mattress sheets and put the covers on) and making comments such as; “you look like the kind of people who should get some more fresh air” extremely rude and unprofessional. They also said that it looked “externally alright” admitting that they never actually check the beds when guests leave. It seems unfortunate that they have to make improvements to their furniture when guests are in residence, taking up important holiday time which customers we’re paying for.
The hot tub was also a disgrace. The filter appeared to not have been fitted properly. You will see in the photos, the blue plastic cylinder and white disk that forms part of the filter system floating in the water. Due to this we found the bubbles formed when the jets turned on just brought out scum on the surface. As such my girlfriend, who has had no such problems in hot tubs before, had a skin reaction after only being in the water for a matter of minutes. In the manual, it states clearly to let the owners know if the filter comes off, which we did. However, instead of trying to rectify the problem they put the filter back in place, only for it to come loose again when the spa was restarted. We also found it slightly unprofessional that we were meant to put the chemicals to clean the tub in ourselves having no expertise in the care of hot tubs. This deeply concerned my girlfriend who is a doctor and well versed in the incubation of diseases in stagnant and unreplaced water. Surely a professional who has been trained (i.e. the hosts) should be responsible for the hygiene and safety of such equipment?"
No response yet, but as I head for a snooze I as always remain hopefull!!
OOoh, oooh, first draft of the book was done too. More on that.....later!! ZZZzzzzzZZZZzzzz...
"The End Of An Era" - November 12th 2007
Well sad news this week, it’s the end of the 2CR FM era. My contract isn’t being renewed for next year. I kind of expected it to be honest, especially after seeing this quarters RAJAR figures where my show was 12% down on last quarter, more than anyone else in the station. I’m not taking full responsibility for this though. As far as I’m concerned if the station had left me more wiggle room to be more creative then it would be a very different story, and it appears I’m not the only one who thinks so which is nice. Lloydie (the guy who’s been the temporary Programme Controller while the other one is on maternity leave) said that I’m clearly a “creative person”, effectively not given the right direction. It’s just the business, the industry and it happens to so many people.
So while I’m not surprised to be leaving, I am a little sad. This has been the best job ever, not just because I got to (occasionally) talk random bollox, but also because of the people. Everyone at 2CR are the nicest bunch to work with. Some crazy, I admit but then that’s probably why I like them so much.
So on the 13th November the GCAP chip comes out and I’m once again a free agent. What that means in terms of actually finding another job I have no idea, though I hope a meeting with someone tomorrow will show something positive.
Onwards and upwards as they say!!
"Who says Democracy doesn't work?" - October 30th 2007
Yes, after plenty of pressure, sorry, canvassing, for young Sarah Maple through myspace, Facebook, emails and direct physical conflict I'm pleased to announce that she WON THE COMPETITION!! To wit, we all say YAAAAAAY!! Seriously though, thanks for your help. From what I gather it was a landslide!
In the world of Steve no podcast this time, but I've put a few more examples of my writing on the WRITERS PAGE. In the land of radio it's all about getting a contract for next year. It's up around Christmas time, as is my tenancy. Obviously it would be nice to know what the hell is going on with my job, cos then I can decide whether to start packing my stuff or treat myself to a flatscreen TV!
"Lets all get arty y'all" - October 11th 2007
OK, first off the new podcast! It's an interview with SARAH MAPLE, a Brighton based artist who's through to the final 4 of the Channel 4/Saatchi Gallery competition known as "4Sensations".
You can find out more on her MYSPACE PAGE and vote for her art as well as watch a short film as seen on Channel 4 HERE. And of course hear her natter away about her prize worthy art on the PODCAST.
Now, I've started a creative writing course a couple of weeks ago, and it's really got me, well.....writing. I've started putting stuff on the WRITERS PAGE, feel free to have a gander!
Aaaaaand I'm done!
"Big Changes Everywhere" - August 30th 2007
So I decided it was about time to make some changes in my life this week, it may have been eased along by a few relationship issues but that's besides the point! Anyway I've decided to try out a book by Paul McKenna called "I Can Change Your Life", I'm sure I'l be letting you know the progress and I'm even more sure it will be leading to some form of writing!
In other news went to see Knocked Up (which may have been a small catalyst for the "Issues" hinted at above) and that was a disapointment. What wasn't disapointing though was todays show (condensed to the new PODCAST for your pleasure!) asking if it's wrong for a grown man to hold hands with his mum. It's really cool at the mo because we're getting more chances to do fun stuff on the station, something I've been wanting for almost 9 months now!
“People of Jumpin’ Jaks give it up for Steve Blanchard from 2CR”…*SFX of Tumbleweeds*!!! – August 17th 2007
OK it wasn’t quite as bad as that, at least not in terms of numbers. But DAMN, our “A-Level Party” at Jumpin’ Jaks was, in my opinion an, unmitigated disaster! And it wasn’t 2CR’s fault!!
We’d been plugging the event like mad every single day for 2 weeks on air, but by the end of the first week we’d shifted no tickets. So in the last few days “Black Thunder Matt” and I thought we could drum up some interest by asking people what they think he should dress up as on the night. That, and along with the other Thunders out offering the free tickets, we ended up shifting close to 2,000 by 3 Thursday afternoon. So in terms of promoting the event 2CR held up their end of the bargain.
But in terms of what we were going to do on the night it was a bit more of a concern; we tried all week to contact the guy from JJ’s who had asked for this, but every time his phone was switched off. And we were ringing him every hour! So our plan to talk to him about what he wanted, what we could do in terms of games and stuff, went out the window and we played it by ear.
The tickets said that the doors opened at 7. Well that was a lie, given that we didn’t get in there to set up until 8 and then they opened the main doors at 9. So we had an hour to set up putting the 2CR banners everywhere we possibly could, get Matt into his costume (the highlight of the event!), and see Crew ’82 (famous for their stint on “Britains Got Talent”, which did them no justice by the way. They were awesome!! Beatboxers y’know!!). But you could tell it was going to be a bad night. Maybe it was the title of this film poster in the men’s that tipped me off!
Anyway, by 10, there were approximately 10 people by the bar, 7 of which were 2CR staff. Everyone seemed resigned to the fact that this wasn’t going to be a crowded event, given that the last one they did at JJ’s was a party for the launch of Big Brother, and there were more 2CR staff that guests for the whole event! By 11pm, around 110 people had walked through the door, so not quite Big Brother-esq but still only around 5% of the tickets we’d shifted. We could have had a few more if the management had listened to Black Thunder Jenny and let a party of 14 get in to the place for free and then pay full price for the drinks, but no, she might as well have been talking to the wall!With the help of the resident DJ (who, because I can’t remember his name, shall be called) Ian we played a few games like “drink your drink through someone elses sock” and “the one back here first with someone’s underwear wins”…..don’t think that’s what they’re called but you get the idea! We tried to jazz up the crowd as much as we could but for 1 there simply wasn’t enough and 2, they didn’t care! I think we played 3 or 4 games before Jenny, Matt and I went back stage and realised we’d just wasted our time!
Like I say, 2CR did everything they could to promote the event,. And the numbers speak for themselves. Close to 2,000 tickets were shifted. But I think what happened is people heard the phrase “free party”, nabbed the tickets and then realised it was at Jumpin’ Jacks. Now nothing against the establishment itself (though it could do with a damn good cleaning!) but it’s in the wrong place for this type of event on a Thursday night, namely by the sea. So when all the other clubs and pubs (for example Walkabout, which were hosting their own FOAM A-level party, which lets face it sounds much more fun and would be in a place where students would have more than likely spent all day anyway!) are concentrated together in a different part of town (right on the other side!) people will forget about JJ’s and stay where they’re clearly comfortable. And I also have to think that JJ’s can’t be that highly thought of if, for 2 events running, the most they get through the door after heavy radio publicity is 110 people.
It’s embarrassing, and not just on a personal level, but for the station as well. Because even though the event was held at JJ’s, it was 2CR people up there hosting the event. And when the event is as dire as this one it’s the hosts that get the brunt of the blame. And that just isn’t fair!
I sit here embarrassed, and looking forward to getting off my face as the Red Arrows fly over Bournemouth!!
It’s embarrassing, and not just on a personal level, but for the station as well. Because even though the event was held at JJ’s, it was 2CR people up there hosting the event. And when the event is as dire as this one it’s the hosts that get the brunt of the blame. And that just isn’t fair!
I sit here embarrassed, and looking forward to getting off my face as the Red Arrows fly over Bournemouth!!
Fun In The Sun and The Other Half On The Podcast - August 14th 2007
Really nice weekend it was here in Bournemouth (not that you'd guess by looking outside at the mo. Someone's playing that bloody Rihanna song again!!) so the folks came down for the day. First time I'd seen them in probably 5 months so it was really nice to catch up.....and win stuffed animals on the Pier game things!
There was also the hilarious moments when we all fell asleep on the beach from drinking too much Pims, them because of where the sun was wwaking up looking like "Two-Face" with the right side golden brown and the left side pastie white. The missus had fallen asleep with shades on so she wke up with bug-like racoon eyes. T'was funny you see!!
Then on Sunday local band The Other Half came in. The idea was to do a live session, and I'd spent all afternoon Friday setting up the mixing desk in Studio 5 only to find out on Sunday morning that something as simple as the speakers were now not working. It was frustrating, it was embarassing, it was a royal pain in the arse! Fortunately a genius known as Alf Lee, who's one of the bands sound engineers came in and kind of figured out a way to record the band. (Find out more about Alf at http://www.sweetpeach.co.uk/)
The band are amazing live, and are doing a load of gigs this year (including Mr. C's in Bournemouth on Thursday 16th August!!). You can find out more on the all new podcast (here's the PODCAST PAGE!!) and then by going to the bands myspace page. Just click on the pic y'all!!
And here's a quick video chat with the guys:
Also if you head over to the FILM-MAKERS page you'll see 3 live sessions from the band!
Bloody NHS!!! - August 10th 2007
Just found out today that my 12-year-old Godson needs a Kidney Transplant. Granted, thousands of people probably hear that news everyday. But what's annoying here is chances are it could have been prevented. A few weeks ago the boy was taken ill. Vomiting, hallucinations, seriously scary stuff for anyone to go through never mind a 12-year-old. Anyway, NHS Direct advised fluids, then if that didn't work call the family doctor. It didn't work so they did call him, and he never came out to even examine him; something which I though all GP's still did! Just advised more fluids then probably went back to watching the golf!
He didn't get better so they called an Ambulance through 999. 10 minutes later the Ambulance Service rang back declaring it as "not serious enough"! (It's worth remembering that the boy lives with his family on a farm slap bang in the middle of the Lincolnshire Countryside, so they wouldn't have been called unless the parents thought it serious!) A paramedic finally came out to examine him (in my opinion a job for the GP) and advised...guess what? "More fluids"!!!
A day later the parents had had enough so they drove him to Grimsby Hospital, and the staff there took one look at him and had him shipped straight to Leeds at 90 mph as he was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. Since there Leeds staff have done the best they could. Naturally he went straight on dialysis and now a week later, transplant is needed. If only that GP had done his proper job in the first place, or the paramedic had realised what he was seeing, maybe the boy wouldn’t be on the waiting list. Or if he would have been it would have probably been a hell of a lot sooner because people would have DONE THEIR JOBS!!!
This isn’t a slate on doctors! I’ve got loads of friends who are medics. The missus is a Junior Doctor, and I see them and the people around them do an amazing job, and frankly a job that I couldn’t do. But there always has to be a couple of complete goons to ruin that!
OK rant over, at least the boy is in the best place!
Right, I’ve been prepping for an interview and live session with a local band called The Other Half (find out more HERE! ) the results of which shall be ending up on the brand new podcast.
"All this new stuff!" - August 7th 2007
So welcome to the new website, hope you like it. It was about time I did a proper .co.uk site as I was running out of room on the last one. Plus I wanted see if I could take up yet more room on Google. It worked by the way!
Anyway the new podcast is up, just collecting some of the fun random stuff that's been going on recently, including proof that Pop star Rihanna is indeed responsible for all that flooding we had in July! Of course you can download for free from the PODCAST PAGE.
More radio news and the plans for a Sunday Breakfast show (tentivly called "The Morning After The Night Before") are jumping forward. I've just got back from a little pub meeting with a few work chums to throw around ideas. We're planning on doing a first attempt at the end of the month.
On the writing front I'm on page 54 of a novel I've been planning on writing for a while now. It's surprising that it's still tricky in places even though the story is semi-auto-biographical. Also you remember the film "MidKnight Rising" (as it was!), the film about a guy who thinks he's a superhero? Well seems that the Media Powers That Be love the idea of doing a light-hearted programme about superhero's so much their making a TV series on it, sadly not from these shores!
From Guardian Online:ITV2 to air superhero sitcomLeigh HolmwoodWednesday August 8, 2007MediaGuardian.co.uk ITV2 has commissioned its first original sitcom, a series about a group of off-duty superheroes.No Heroics, to be made by Vicar of Dibley-producer Tiger Aspect, is part of the digital channel's move into more original programming and less of a reliance on ITV1 entertainment spin-offs.The series will follow the lives of four London-based off-duty superheroes and their struggles in love and with fame - or the lack of it.No Heroics has been created and produced by Drew Pearce, whose credits include ITV2's magazine reality show Deadline, and will be directed by Ben Gregor and executive produced by Sophie Clarke-Jevoise.Commissioned by the ITV2 controller, Zai Bennett, and the ITV editor of comedy, Michaela Hennessey-Vass, the eight-part series is due to go into production early next year for transmission in late 2008.Mr Bennett said: "We're taking real strides forward in comedy and as the channel's first ever original commissioned sitcom, No Heroics will play a huge part in that strategy."This is a perfect ITV2 comedy: it's witty, accessible and laugh-out-loud funny, and is being produced with real passion from a great team."Mr Pearce added: "The superhero genre certainly seems ripe for a very British take on the subject, plus I have about 20 years' worth of comic books that I'm looking forward to finally being able to claim as expenses."
Now it's nothing like the EXPOSE' episode (as "The Film Formerly Known As MidKnight Rising" is now) but it annoying sounds very similar to the concept which my film was loosley based around, namely "Heroes In Their Own Lunchtime" by my good friend Nick Johnstone. It could turn out to be a highly annoying experience!!
Film news and I've been doing some promotional stuff for the radio station, the best one of which was us at the Swanage Carnival doing It's A Knockout. You can view this and loads more at the FILM-MAKERS page.
One more thing, through the joys of Facebook I've discovered BomoCreatives, billed as "a monthly social/business networking club for people who have a “creative” mindset". They have monthly meetings every 3rd Wednesday of this month, so I'm going to one on 15th to see what it's like. If you'd like to know more check out http://www.bomocreative.co.uk/
Think that's everything, Peace out y'all!!!
"A Film Update? Yes, it's a film update!!" - May 28th 2007
Been a while I know. Been busy.....no honest! Anyway, the genius that is MIDKNIGHT RISING is no longer being made by Complete Access TV. Got an interesting email today:
"Hi Steve,
Could you please provide me with your current postal address so that I can formally write to you to terminate our agreement and revert the rights to you.
It is unfortunate that, despite spending a tremendous amount of time, and money, including seed money received from third parties, which I am responsible for, we have been unable to secure sufficient interest to enable the film to proceed. This is not uncommon in the film industry.
Jason is to settle in the USA. I have resigned from the MK Film Commission, and will be spending most of my time working abroad as well.
Good luck with your future projects."
So there you go! Shit happens I know, but now the film is soon to be totally back in my hands. It's just funny! All this week I've been coming up with more story lines for the EXPOSE' series, wondering how I could do it with someone else holding the rights, and now, problem solved!
Friday 13th + 3!!! - April 16th 2007
Eeesh, what a day! You know when you get that feeling where you KNOW it'll be a bad day? I cut my finger open, and my toe (though not both at the same time!), all the bills turned up on the same day and to cap it all I left my tardis money box back at my girlfriends.....ok granted, nothing remotely bad in there. I did get dragged over the coals at work for not mentioning a disclaimer 5 minutes before the next one, but that was just work! And to be honest, hearing that your best friends dad is having more trouble at the hospital puts things a little more in perspective.
That good friend was actually here for the weekend (the details of the adventures can be found in my myspace blog!) but since his visit and our 3 hour trip down memory lane (which had me in stitches!) I've been feeling a tad distant. Maybe it's just the day, maybe it's the fact that discussing celebrating my upcoming 30th birthday dressed as Thundercats has made me think "crapbeans, I'm actually going to be 30!"!! I've recently joined that facebook site, yet another one of those sites that has people talking electronically to people they already know and further proving that the art of conversation is disapearing! Anyway, I've been looking around for people I went to school/college with, and (save for those few who I will always be in touch with because they're great friends!) they're not around. They don't seem to exist! It's almost as if it never happened!!!
God I hope I'm not going to go off on one of those "what does it all mean?" things!! It's just that 30, well it's a big step isn't it! A mile-stone!! I keep being reminded that at my age my parents already had the huge responsibilities of a mortgage, jobs and an annoying kid with curly blonde hair running round with a toy lightsabre in his hand shouting "I want a bakewell cake NOW"!! Sad thing is, asside from the whole curly blonde hair thing, nowt much has changed! (Yes I have a toy lightsabre, and this one makes noises!!) I've got a great woman in my life who wants to marry me, I want to marry her but it's all in my court.....to grow up!! Anyone got any suggestions on how to turn an almost 30 year old kid with a constant desire to eat cake in to a 30 year old man with a larger sense of responsibility??
Rant over, in other news, Travis interview coming soon on the podcast!!
Old Podcasts and fighting the lurgy! - April 8th 2007
So yeah, remember the famed LUKE AND STEVE PODCASTS on myspace? A whole heap of fun from a partner in crime Luke Wallis and myself, where we met up and sprouted random bollox at each other whilst still trying to sound like broadcasting professionals. Well you can now listen to every single episode for free on iTunes. Head on over and have a goosy just by clicking the link below!!
In other news, it's been a busy Easter Weekend. Good Friday the GCAP Broadcasters Holiday Work Time-Table had kicked in. This basically means that every presenter has to work with the exception of the breakfast crew. Same amount of hours, less people. So less people work more hours.....stop rambling!
So yeah, 11-3 I worked, having to go through the "Top 500 Countdown" (I know who the number 1 is and it's a total travesty!!). Luke (another Luke, Journalist Luke) had been puking his guts up not 5 minutes before doing his bullitin, something to do with alcohol and chicken, hence why yours truly rarely drinks and is (almost) a vegetarian!
Then Rob Smith walks in, preparing to work 3-7 and also preparing to regurgitate last nights food, though curiously nothing to do with either alcohol or chicken. I ended up covering for Rob on his shift as well (there's no way I could have let him carry on!) so I ended up doing 8 hours in a row counting down "people's" favourite songs! Then on Saturday, because Rob was still ill I working 7-11 covering his show, fighting a soar throat from a girlfriend who had come down with a cold.....in one of the hottest weeks in the country so far! And then I had to venture over to Bournemouths Castle Point shopping centre to do one of those Black Thunder packages.
As you know I've done a couple of these things before, and no this time I didn't get lost (shocker!!). I thought I'd be bored out of my mind standing around for 3 hours looking like a total goon! Well, I still ended up looking like a goon, but for a different reason. The Black Thunders (dun dunn DAAA!) were there to give out prizes like Easter eggs and an outside dining set as prizes, only it hadn't been planned as certain people would have hoped. So I ended up fixing a mic to the PA kit and busting it Planet Ice style.....for those who don't know I used to be a cheesy DJ at an Ice Rink in Milton Keynes. And it was heaving with people, well, there was probably 50 people there in total, which is 45 more than I saw at any of the others. And then of all things, and with all the people who entered the prize draw to win that outdoor dining set, it went to an 8 year old boy who only wanted an Easter egg. Fun day though.
And good news was, cos I'd swapped with Rob he did my Sunday shift and I got to have a lie in! Good news is he was looking a hell of a lot better!
Tomorrow, interview a film-maker. Wednesday interview Travis. Better write some questions I guess!!
DON'T FORGET, LUKE AND STEVE PODCAST FREE DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES!!!
Podcast
Yeah, mentioned yesterday that I'll be interviewing Travis, the band, on Wednesday 11th April. Now I'd made a decision a couple of days ago to start up the podcast thing again. Used to do some with Luke Wallis back in Mitlon Keynes (check the link!) and to be honest I really miss it. But being in Bournemouth makes it difficult to meet with Mr. Wallis back in MK, so I decided to go solo! There's also the thing that there's so much stuff I want to do on my shows at 2CR but due to it being GCAP'd I don't get that much room to play, so I figured why not. The idea is to interview "up-and-comers", people trying to break in to a certain industry. Got a local film-maker called Cam who's coming in Bank Holiday Monday for a chat, and then Travis Wednesday. Just another excuse to bolster the old ego really!
The plan is to get the podcasts either on a new myspace site which I've already (tentavly) set up, or have them downloadable from iTunes. I've been experimenting with the Luke & Steve Podcasts, iTunes say they're on there but so far haven't found them. So that's the plan!
Ironic... April 4th 2007
So there I am, sat in the studio bustin' some tunes to tha masses,,,,,well, in Bournemouth, and a group email pops up, from a Salkind! Something to do with a speech corner in Milton Keynes. Don't care, don't live there any more.
Then ANOTHER group email, titled "MidKnight Rising update". The "director" is in the US directing another film, as practise for this one, and filming for this one has been reschduled and a 3 picture deal is being kept to.
Why is this ironic? Well I only started this blogging lark again in the last few days, and one of my first rants was about "MidKnight Rising". A few days later there's an "update"! Does this mean people are reading this shite?? Would there have been such a thing without my blog? Or are the Gods Of Ironic Coincidence workjing overtime this month??
Oh yeah, and I'm interviewing Travis on 11th April!!! More news on that later.
FORMER TRAFFIC & TRAVEL GURU GETS MAJORLY LOST ON ROADS OF POOLE - SHOCKER!!! April 2nd 2007
So yes, Saturday (31st March) I'd been asked to do a "Black Thunder Package". For those not familiar with GCAP Media speak, or those who don't have the GCAP chip planted under the skin at the back of your neck, that's where the stations Black Thunder crew aka hard worked under paid lackeys go out to a cerain busniess, play out GCAP music and hassle people with station goodies and promises of standing the chance to win something interesting! In this case, being a well known laminate flooring company, it was vouchers to get some 10 inch vibrators.....made you look. Laminate flooring, natch! They needed a presenter to go along, do a couple of 60 second links back to the station and then bugger off again. They were paying so naturally I accepted!
What WASN'T in the brief was that, due the company demanding 2 Black Thunder jeeps and only one of the crew able to drive, Iwould have to pilot the jeep to the company. It's not hard, it's an automatic jeep, just basically point in the direction you want to go, move the leaver and just drive. That's easy! The hard part is finding where you're supposed to go. Now being the former traffic & travel guru of Milton Keynes, this of course gives me full license to know exactly where I'm going even if others know better. So when one of the BT crew ask me if I know where I'm going and I say "yes", this of course means potential disaster.
I was able to follow the crew for about 5 minutes before getting stuck behind a learner driver on the A34 dual carriageway to Poole, being a complete goon because she couldn't decide which side of the road she wanted to be on, never mind which lane! I lost the other BT jeep but confident that I knew where I was going I proceeded on to the "B&Q Roundabout". I'd been there before, a roundabout next to a B&Q store, just round the corner should be the laminate flooring company we're wanting.
I find the "B&Q Roundabout", where I see a Homebase DIY shop and the obligatory burger van parked on bricks. No B&Q. Oops!!
What happens next is a frantic exchange from me over the phone to the other BT's, demanding to know where the hell they are as, and I'm forced admit this (and not for the first time as the missus would no doubt tell you!) I don't have a f**king clue where I am! I'm driving round random roundabouts, a phone in one hand and occasionally using the other one to not get crushed by the huge PA system I stupidly put on the passenger seat, very wary that I could easily by pulled over by the police for breaking those recent "don't drive and phone" laws!
I end up having to pull over by a roundabout near a Primark store (I think!) and wait for the other BT jeep to come and find me.
Where we go from there I have no idea, though I do know it was no where near where I was headed!!
We arrive at the flooring company at 11:57, we're supposed to be set up and ready for 12 noon, and I feel like a total goon! Thankfully the BT crew, made up of Sarah and another girl who I can't remember the name of (sorry, I do that a lot!!) were really nice and told me not to worry.
So 2 hours of standing around talking to random people and taking the piss out of some poor soul in a huge orange costume (that's a whole other story) and we headed back. This time in a tight convoy, I didn't let them out of my sight! Again I don't have a clue where we went, and it was only when we turned corner on to the stations road that I know where I was!
I've got another one of these Black Thunder Packages on Saturday, at the Castlepoint Shopping Centre in Bournemouth. I've been there a couple of times before so it shouldn't be a problem.....hang on, didn't I say that last Saturday?? ZIKES!!!!!
PS. If any of you think I should have used AA Route Planner, it lies! LIES I TELLS YA!!!!!!!!
There's green turtles on Bournemouth's beaches, nootch!! April 1st 2007
So today is April Fools Day, and due to the nature of my job I am able to abuse my position and tell a minor porkie every once in a while. On Thursday I was sent a press release from Bournemouth Council with their intent to mislead their population to think there was Green Turtles on the beach. So, I put out a tease about half 8 this morning.....Bournemouth just went nuts! There was a huge crowd gathering by the pier, I feel sorry for the woman from the council who had to explain to the gathering masses that while there are turtles on the beach, they're only plastic blow up ones.
Anyway, more interesting than that, midway through the scandolous abuse of our power, there was a call from the Bournemouth Diving Centre or some such organisation, demanding to know where these turtles are as their people were running around like headless chickens getting ready to mount a rescue operation. Tim, our news dude who took the call was left to explain that this was just an April Fools prank. Well they weren't happy to say the least, they just couldn't see the funny side of it. I guess they didn't know what day it is!
When I get the time I'll post some audio of what happened, it's mildly amusing.....
The whole film thing March 30th 2007
So, for those who don't know a few years ago I wrote a script called "We Don't Need Another Superhero". I finished it and thought it would be a good idea to see it made in to a film so handed it over to, certain people who I shall call The Salkinds. (Those of you familiar with the whole Richard Donner Superman II saga will know this doesn't bode well!!)
Anyway, completed the script, changed the name to "MidKnight Rising", meetings were held, castings were made, designs put in place, costumes made.....all this and there was no money. No one was paid a dime for this, and naturally people kicked up a stink. The Salkinds, realising that a revolt could be in the works, drew up contracts for the rights to the story, offering a grand, with further large moneys to be taken once funding was secured. I regret to say I took the money. I now feel this was a mistake.
This was over 9 months, probably a year ago now. And asside from demands for script changes from the Salkinds 3 months ago I have heard nothing more. No news of funding, nothing! The Salkinds have the story rights for another year, if it isn't made (which I doubt it will be!) then they're loosing the best script I (along with my partner is crime Nick Stone) have ever written.
I won't be writing any more towards the script until funding has been secured and I'm at least assured, or have recieved the full money owed to me as is the terms of the contract, but like I say I don't ever expect it to come to that! And to be honest the work I'm doing at the moment there is very little time! I never new things got so busy at radio stations!!
Anyway, I just wanted to get that off my chest. I only remembered about the project last week when I started revamping the website, and I still believe that, as the script was originally, it would have kicked ass! Heck even people I've met, film-makers who've taken their stuff to Cannes and WON have thought it kicked ass, and that the approach I had was the best way!
OK, rant over.....it's party times!!!
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