I suppose I shouldn't be surprised

That after all of the incredible warm weather we've had over the past week, I get a cold. The kind I hate the most: lots of tickly coughing and interrupted sleep.
Today's weather looks like it's set to break though - there's rain in the sky, and that means I could perhaps have the first morning for weeks which doesn't see me traipsing round the garden with a hose. Since the demise of NME Radio, I actually have done some gardening leave, and have spent all my time filling pots with Dahlias, Hydrangeas and Patio Roses. My Grandmother would be very proud indeed.

I love being obsessed by music....

And currently, that obsession is with The Mynabirds album "What We Lose In The Fire, We Gain In the Flood". It's available from the ever-reliable Saddle Creek, in a number of format choices.
Mynabirds is the latest project from Laura Burhenn, one-time vocalist for Georgie James, whose one and only album was one of the best things about this entire decade.
If you need to hear how good the album is, then check this out:

Where to start? (again)

A busy year for me, with as much going on as the last couple....
Marnie is my big news, obviously, but also, NME Radio is no more. A real shame, as we were producing something of real quality, with great content, committed, passionate and knowledgeable presenters, and great music, to boot. The state of alternative music radio in the UK is really starting to worry me: Six Music may have been saved (well, for now, at least) but Xfm is a shadow of it's former self, and there isn't much else, to be quite honest.
So, if anyone has any need of a Radio Presenter, do let me know, won't you?
Right, I'm off to look after my garden.
And BTW, how's the new template?

I was ready - Or was I?

Well, I was ready for the feelings of love that washed over me - I expected them, almost anxiously, towards the end of the labour. I just knew I'd be full of love for the tiny little bundle that we'd created, I knew I'd be more in love with my partner than ever before. I knew I'd be praying (despite myself) for health, safety, and happiness.
What I wasn't prepared for was the absolute outpouring of love and affection from all of my friends. Be it on Friendfeed, Twitter, texts or emails, it was deeply humbling. I've got a wonderful family now, but it makes me realise I've also got a great group of friends. Thanks to all of you.
And welcome to Marnie Rose Tandy Baker, 10/02/2010

Aargh, still no news.

So, I'm going to make myself busy today. Off to Portobello Road in a bit, to pick up an Aidan Moffat album from Rough Trade, and do some shopping in the market. It's a mild winter's day, so I'll take the scenic route - over the Grand Union at Harrow road, then down the back streets. Lovely.
Philippa's got to go the Acupuncturist later, so we're going to explore Kensal Rise as well, there's some new shops that need to be checked out. And after all of that? A Spotify session in the evening, maybe. Was fooling around with it last night, genuinely impressed by the range of old Reggae/Rocksteady stuff.

Another day.....

And still no news. Is this ever going to happen? I guess so, it's just odd being in a position where you can't really envisage any other way than how things are now. anyway, I'm sitting here, having wrapped up the downloads for today, listening to the total GENIUS that is "Double Nickels On The Dime", and breathing in the subtle smell of curry in the air (made a coconut lamb curry last night) It's making me hungry, and I've only just finished my breakfast!
And what do you think of my new Xfm poster campaign?

Humpday!

I'm sitting in the loft room, listening to "Shivers" by The Boys Next Door, getting ready for work. No news on the baby front *sighs* - wonder how long it's going to take? It's such a weird form of limbo....
Off to the Bakerloo line soon, and quite probably a stroll through the back streets of Waterloo/Borough. I *could* go to Southwark station, but there;s something nice about wandering down Theed Street and clearing my head in preparation for another day on air.

Blimey

Today, I've been listening to Wim Mertens (same old story, huh?) and decided to have a quick listen to "Alle Dinghe", which is a 3-CD set, part of a trilogy which runs to seven CD's. It's wonderful, elegiac orchestral stuff - and seems like it's actually one of his most sought-after works. A quick flick through eBay reveals that a replacement copy would set me back - get this - over FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
ZOMG.
Loving the new time slot on NME Radio - I get home in time to enjoy the whole of the evening, there's more time for cooking....
Now, all I need.....is for *something* to happen ;)

Right, time to tie up a loose end....

I've blogged about this song before - it's my favourite record of all time. But at the time, I didn't have a clip to post online. However, via the magic of YouTube, here it is. This was the sound of my teenage years.

Also......

For those of you who listen to the show, and get the downloads of the day, I'm thinking about ways of archiving the links. Would you go to a blog which listed those links? Would that work? Let me know, I'll muse on this some more while I'm at work.

New day, new week, new time.

I'm changing slots today, so I'm on from 11-3. It's the sort of thing which happens ALL the time in the world of Radio, but there's still a slight frisson of excitement and anticipation. Plus, I have to worry about what to have for a packed lunch!
On the other front, no news. Yet.

Two Horse Race.

Listening to the footy, and listening to Arsenal getting hammered by Man U. It's us and them now, I guess. Update on the food situation - did the Farmer's Market thing - got some wonderful Haslet (a bit of a forgotten thing, but I love it) some organic butter (it's gone straight in the freezer) and wondrous cheese. Still trying to balance all the food that's now in the fridge, trying to work out how to utilise all the various ingredients and use as much as possible without throwing anything away ( I hate waste). With the impending arrival, this might be tricky, but I'm going to try.
Need to crack open a cold one and think about getting dinner ready.

Triple Hep'n'Blue

It's a wonderful, crisp, sunny Sunday morning. Wim weather, if I'm totally honest. There's a cat scratching at my leg, trying to get my attention, and Scritti Politti on the stereo. What a completely time-locked album "Songs To Remember" is - nothing sums up the early 80's more for me! It's odd seeing the CD on Virgin though, it's always going to be a Rough Trade album for me.
Today? Well, I'm still waiting for a baby, so that's the principal focus of the day, really. Apart from that - cooking. Will visit the farmer's market this morning, and source some ingredients for a mutton curry later.
Right - up and at 'em.

And just so you know what's filling my ears at the moment...

It's this.

Thanks, Nige.

OMG. Where have I been?

Well, my apologies.
It's been a rather tricky couple of years (see the history for details) but it's all starting to change.
And right now, it's definitely changing for the better. I'm still in West London, still doing Radio, still doing The JJ thing, but I'm going to do it all with a new family. My partner is just about to give birth to our first child! (actually, she's a couple of days overdue)
So, it makes sense to fire up the blog again. In the fullness of time (and now I've got the record collection back again) Down With Tractors will follow too.
I'm sure I'll have plenty to write about, so I'll do my best to keep this little corner of my life updated.
Thanks for waiting.