fretz blog on Absolute Radio

Could try harder...

fretz — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:53:00 +0100

saw something vaguely interesting on the bbc website about the latest radio audience figures

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6642737.stm

I really did expect virgin to be doing better than they seem to be, in fact looking at the full data on Rajar's site (http://www.rajar.co.uk/) there are areas where they're getting beaten by stations I've never even heard of!

Moyles' breakfast show is coming on leaps and bounds for radio1 it seems. Our Christian is fairly static, on a par with talksport it seems! In london he's 4th place for commercial stations behind Capitol, Heart, Magic & Kiss...

AUDIENCE FIGURES (2006 FIGURES IN BRACKETS)

Radio 1 - 10.55m (9.73m)

Radio 2 - 13.25m (12.94m)

Radio 3 - 1.9m (2.1m)

Radio 4 - 9.64m (9.29m)

Classic FM - 6.03m (5.71m)

Virgin Radio - 2.45m (2.45m)

Xfm - 1.16m (1.07m)

Source: Rajar. Average weekly figures from first three months of the year

Still, on a brighter note, is it just me or has there been a bit more variation in the playlist recently? Maybe somebody did take a little note of all the 'No repeat 9 to 5' calls that were bouncing around here earlier!

I've also noticed it in the songpeople surveys, don't know how many other of you VIP'ers take part but for a while there the surveys always seemed to just feature the same 30 or 40 songs that we were on here complaining about being overplayed all the time. The latest survey though had a lot more variation in there with foot-tapping, head-banging golden oldies from aerosmith to zz-top as well as new stuff. (and yes, i know that musically aerosmith & zz-top aren't really that much of a variation, there were better examples but they gifted me an A to Z so how could I not use it!)

anyway, enough rambling, parting thought for today... it was on this day in 1969 that Monty Python was formed, which was a great day for comedy, but it was also on this day in 2001 that Douglas Adams died and that, I'm afraid, was not...

Today's the day...

fretz — Tue, 01 May 2007 16:20:00 +0100

May the 1st,

1707 - England, Wales and Scotland formally become the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

1751 - The first cricket match is played in America.

1776 - Adam Weishaupt founds the secret society of Illuminati

1834 - the British Colonies abolish slavery

1840 - First adhesive postage stamp, the 'Penny Black', is issued

1852 - Calamity Jane born

1941 - Citizen Kane premieres in New York

1945 - German radio announces the death of Adolf Hitler

1946 - Joanna Lumley born

1952 - Mr Potato Head goes on sale

1960 - Francis Powers shot down over the Soviet Union in his U2 spy plane

1966 - Last British concert by the Beatles

1978 - The first 'spam' email sent (by a DEC salesman)

1978 - May Day Bank Holiday introduced in England

1982 - An RAF Vulcan flies a 6000 mile round-trip mission to bomb the airfield at Port Stanley

1994 - Ayrton Senna dies in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix

1997 - Tony Blair elected as Prime Minister

2003 - President George W. Bush gives his "Mission Accomplished" speech about the 'Battle of Iraq'

Countdown cont.

fretz — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:19:00 +0100

you know the rules, find the biggest word you can from these 9 random scrabble tiles...

W O I E S E E S N

Initials Game cont.

fretz — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 21:51:00 +0100

OK, all (well most) of you will know this band although you might not realise you do until some body gets it...

T S D G

ps. The one I'd like to have done is L A T S - a great british blues band, they did a couple of albums at least (one of which I've just found on sale for $50!) but they might be a bit obscure so I'll leave them as a brighton (hint) bonus

On This Day in History...

fretz — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 11:10:00 +0100

1471 - In the War of the Roses the Earl of Warwick is killed as the Yorkists defeat the Lancastrians at the Battle of Barnet.

1629 - Birth of Christian Huygens, Dutch astronomer.

1759 - Composer George Frideric Handel died in London.

1775 - The first abolitionist society in the USA was organized in Philadelphia with Ben Franklin as president.

1828 - The first edition of Webster's dictionary was published under the name "American Dictionary of the English Language."

1865 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth. (He actually died early the next morning.)

1894 - First public showing of Thomas Edison's kinetoscope took place.

1904 - Birth of Sir John Gielgud.

1912 - The Atlantic passenger liner Titanic, hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage and began to sink. 1,517 people lost their lives and more than 700 survived.

1931 - The first issue of the Highway Code is published

1950 - First appearance of The Eagle comic and space hero Dan Dare

1969 - Katherine Hepburn and Barbara Streisand have to share the Best Actress Oscar

1970 - "Hey Houston, we've had a problem here." An explosion aboard Apollo 13 en route to the moon leads to loss of oxygen and power

1977 - Birth of Sarah Michelle Geller (30 today... when did she stop being a teenager?!)

1981 - America's first space shuttle, Columbia, returns to Earth from it's maiden flight.

1984 - The Texas Board of Education began requiring that the state's public school textbooks describe the evolution of human beings as "theory rather than fact".

1996 - British golfer Nick Faldo wins the US Masters title for the third time.

2005 - The Oregon Supreme Court nullified nearly 3,000 marriage licenses issued to gay couples a year earlier

The Rules of Chocolate

fretz — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 08:38:00 +0100

If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

The problem: How to get two pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car.
The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal.
It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?
Because no one wants to quit.

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Chocolate is a health food. Chocolate is derived from cacao beans. Bean = vegetable. Sugar is derived either from sugar beets or cane, both vegetables. And, of course, the milk/cream is dairy. So eat more chocolate to meet the dietary requirements for daily vegetable and dairy intake.

HAPPY EASTER !!!

Hidden Talents...

fretz — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 10:39:00 +0100

Yes, it's time to share another little piece of yourself with the rest of your fellow VIP-ers...

Hidden (or not so hidden) Talents, we all have them, although some people may have to look harder than others to find them! Anything will do, from the fabulous to the freaky, maybe you once played in the National Youth Orchestra? or perhaps you're the only person you know who can fit their entire fist into their mouth? (I know someone in both categories!)

to start things off my hidden talent is that I can ride a unicycle and juggle! (or could anyway! it's been 20 years since I last had a unicycle between my legs...)

So come on, don't be shy, have a think, bring all your friends and lets revel in the wonder of each other!!!

(*crosses fingers and hopes for more than two replies.... hehehe*)

A to Z of Alliteration

fretz — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 10:59:00 +0100

Yes, it's time for something slightly different, no more constraining topics this time you have the freedom to let your imagination (and vocabulary) run wild!

All you have to do is string together three or more words in an alliteriative and (preferably) amusing sentence.

So here's your starter for 10:

A - Always avoid annoyingly alliterative answers!

(what's that? Colonial cousins still confused? It's simple really, alliteration is just the repetitive use of words with the same initial sound, just like the above and the below or 'Bear in the Big Blue house' for example)

Why Guitars are better than... well, have a guess ;-)

fretz — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 22:36:00 +0100

Guitars don't get pregnant.

You can play your Guitar any time of the month.

A guitar only gives feedback when you want it to

Guitars don't have parents.

Guitars don't whine... unless you want them to.

You can share your Guitar with your friends.

You can play a guitar in public without being arrested

Guitars don't care how many other Guitars you've played

Guitars don't care how many other Guitars you have.

Guitars don't care if you look at other Guitars.

Guitars don't care if you buy Guitar magazines.

You'll never hear, "Surprise, you are going to proud father of a new Guitar" unless you go out to buy one yourself.

If your Guitar is flat you can fix it.

Your Guitar doesn't care if you never listen to it.

Your Guitar won't care if you leave up the toilet seat.

You don't have to be jealous of the guy who works on your Guitar.

If you say bad things to your Guitar, you don't have to apologize before you play it again.

You can play your Guitar as long as you want and it won't get sore.

You can stop playing your Guitar as soon as you want and it won't get frustrated.

Your parents won't remain in touch with your old Guitar after you dump it.

Guitars don't get headaches.

Guitars don't insult you if you're a bad player.

Your Guitar never wants a night out with the other Guitars.

Guitars don't care if you're late.

You don't have to take a shower before you play your Guitar.

You can play your Guitar the first time you meet it, without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.

Your friends won't make fun of you for playing a guitar that is older than you are

The only protection you have to wear when playing your Guitar is a decent thumb pick.

When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great time you had the last time you played your Guitar.

and last, but not least:

If you decide to part with an old Guitar, you don't have to give up half of everything you own.

New Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Retail Opportunity

fretz — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:57:00 +0100

They're calling it shops or S-Commerce and it's being rolled out in cities and towns nationwide.

"It's a real revelation," according to Malcolm Fosbury, a middleware engineer from Hillingdon. "You just walk into one of these shops and they have all sorts of things for sale." Fosbury was particular impressed by a clothes shop he discovered while browsing in central London.

"Shops seem to be the ideal medium for transactions of this type. I can actually try out a jacket and see if it fits me. Then I can visualize the way I would look if I was wearing the clothing." This is possible using a high definition 2D viewing system, or "mirror" as it has become known.

Shops, which are frequently aggregated into shopping portals or "high streets", are becoming increasingly popular with the cash-rich time-poor generation of new consumers. Often located in densely populated areas people can find them extremely convenient. And Malcolm is not alone in being impressed by shops. "Some days I just don't have the time to download huge Flash animations of rotating trainers and then wait five days for them to be delivered in the hope that they will actually fit," says Sandra Bailey, a systems analyst from Chelsea. "This way I can actually complete the transaction in real time and walk away with the goods." Being able see whether or not shoes and clothing fit has been a real bonus for Bailey, "I used to spend my evenings boxing up gear to return. Sometimes the clothes didn't fit, sometimes they just sent the wrong stuff."

Shops have a compelling commercial story to tell too, according to Gartner Group retail analyst Carl Baker. "There are massive efficiencies in the supply chain. By concentrating distribution to a series of high volume outlets in urban centres -- typically close to where people live and work -- businesses can make dramatic savings in fulfillment costs. Just compare this with the wasteful practice of delivering items piecemeal to people's homes."

Furthermore, allowing consumers to receive goods when they actually want them could mean an end to the frustration of returning home to find a despatch notice telling you that your goods are waiting in a delivery depot the other side of town.

But it's not just the convenience and time-saving that appeals to Fosbury, "Visiting a shop is real relief for me. I mean as it is I spend all day in front of a freaking computer."

I just called to say...

fretz — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:25:00 +0100

Stevie Wonder and Tiger Woods are in a bar. Tiger turns to Stevie and says, "How's the singing career going?" Stevie Wonder replies, "Not too bad. How's the golf?"

Tiger replies, "Not too bad, I've had some problems with my swing, but I think I've got that going right now." Stevie says, "I always find that when my swing goes wrong, I need to stop playing for a while and not think about it. Then, the next time I play, it seems to be all right."

Tiger asks, "You play golf?" Stevie says, "Oh, yes, I've been playing for years."

Tiger says, "But you're blind! How can you play golf if you can't see?" Stevie replies, "I get my caddy to stand in the middle of the fairway and call to me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball toward him. Then, when I get to where the ball lands, the caddy moves to the green or farther down the fairway and again I play the ball toward his voice."

"But how do you putt?" asks Tiger. "Well," says Stevie, "I get my caddy to lean down in front of the hole and call to me with his head on the ground, and I just play the ball toward his voice."

Tiger asks, "What's your handicap?" Stevie says, "Well, I'm a scratch golfer."

Tiger, incredulous, says to Stevie, "We've got to play a round sometime." Stevie replies, "Well, people don't take me seriously, so I only play for money, and never play for less than $10,000 a hole."

Tiger thinks about it and says, "OK, I'm game for that, when would you like to play?"

Stevie says, "Pick a night."

Don't blame me if you read this...

fretz — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:59:00 +0100

In the days of yore, a knight was on his way to do something terribly important, riding his horse into the ground to get to his destination as fast as possible. After being ridden too hard for too long, his horse became lame, and seeing a small town ahead he headed straight for the stables there. "I must have a horse!" he cried "The life of the King depends upon it!" The stablekeeper shook his head. "I have no horses," he said. "They have all been taken in the service of your King." "You must have something - a pony, a donkey, a mule, anything at all?" the knight asked. "Nothing..... unless.... no, I couldn't" The knight's eyes lit up. "Tell me!" The stablekeeper leads the knight into the stable. Inside is a dog, but no ordinary dog. This dog is a giant, almost as large as the horse the knight was riding. But it is also the filthiest, shaggiest, smelliest, mangiest dog that the knight has ever seen. Swallowing, the knight said "I'll take it. Where is the saddle?" The stablekeeper walked over to a saddle near the dog and started gasping for breath, holding the walls to keep himself upright. "I can't do it." he told the knight. "You must give me the dog!" cried the knight. "Why can't you?" The stablekeeper said "I just couldn't send a knight out on a dog like this."

Afternoon tea and an A-Z anyone?

fretz — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:08:00 +0100

We've had sports so how about a slightly less energetic A-Z of games? can have board or computer variety just to make it a bit easier :)

A for Age of Empires

All too quiet, A-Z of films anybody?

fretz — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:02:00 +0100

bored bored bored, and nothing going on... if you're out there come here and prove it with an A-Z of films (don't think we've had one of them for a while at least)

starter for 10:

A is for Apocalypse Now

You know you're a child of the '80s if...

fretz — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:22:00 +0100

You remember Don Johnson when he was "cool"

You know who shot J.R

You remember when Michael Jackson was black

You practiced getting in and out of your car through the windows

You owned at least one skinny leather tie.

Your first Walkman weighed 10 pounds and was the size of a brick.

You know the meaning of Wax on/Wax Off

You're always "in the mood for dancing"

You watch the cops on CSI:Miami thinking, "Well, they're no Crockett and Tubbs, that's for sure".

You had a poster of Bo, Luke & Daisy Duke

If you think Hulk Hogan is the best wrestler of all time.

If the best non-slasher movie in your opinion is An American Werewolf In London.

Ferris Bueller was your idol.

Have multi-colored earrings that touch your shoulders

Played Upwords, Boggle or Trivial Pursuit (the original) on a rainy afternoon

You're still bitter that WHAM broke up

You drink Diet Coke because Max Headroom told you to

You have the tendency to turn up the collar of your polo shirts

Everything in your wardrobe is either pastel or fluorescent

You still can't believe that Milli Vanilli was deceiving you all that time

You still carry your boom box on your shoulder

You think David Hasselhoff was awesome in Knight Rider but sucks in "Boob Watch."

You wanted to be "The Hulk" for halloween

A piece of folded paper and two hands could tell your fortune.

Wearing knickers and leg warmers on the outside is cool

If you remember Bruce Willis from Moonlighting, not Die Hard

You thought a Commodore 64 was the highest technology available

You want to be "Where Everybody Knows Your Name"

You know who played Magnum P.I

your idea of hi-tech toys is still the heat-sensitive color-changing sticker on Transformers

You ever wanted to learn to play "Stairway to Heaven" on the guitar and choreographed "Dancing
Queen" by yourself in your room.

You have had five pairs of socks on at any given time

You still think Donkey Kong can beat Mario up

you still have your scratch-n-sniff sticker collection

you wear jelly shoes

you remember when you heard that drinking soda and eating Pop Rocks would make your stomach explode

You're still hoping for a New Kids on the Block reunion tour

Every time you hear the "OH YEAH..." song you think of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

You still watch tapes of Stingray, McGyver, and Airwolf