rea73 blog on Absolute Radio

Back online - temporarily!

rea73 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:51:15 +0100

I just thought I'd post a little update on my internet problems. The trouble was not in fact due to my computer but to a fault with the phone lines in my area. An engineer has now fixed this so I'm back online temporarily. I say "temporarily" because next week I'm changing over to broadband so will be offline again whilst that is being sorted out. I'm supposed to be installing the equipment myself, worst luck! I have no clue about what to do but the company will be sending me instructions and said that I can phone them for assistance if I get stuck.

I will reply to all shouts and messages as soon as I can but because of all the connection problems, I'm now behind with e-mails/messages etc. Also, I need to sort through some poems and get them sent off pretty quickly (a lot are sent by e-mail these days) so if there is a delay, I'm sorry.

Take care and have a nice weekend.

I'm off now to listen to some Coldplay CDs. Speaking of Coldplay, I loved the concert which was broadcast on Absolute Radio the other day!

Computer problems

rea73 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:48:13 +0100

Hello VIPs!

I'm having computer problems again so please forgive me for any delay there might be in replying to shouts and messages. Thanks for your patience and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

I won!!!

rea73 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:35:31 +0100

As some of you know, I have been busy for the past several weeks with my exhibits for the annual Horticultural Show, which took place yesterday in my village. I entered a lot of photographs and arts and crafts items.

Well, I'm happy to report that I had a very successful afternoon yesterday and won 10 certificates of merit (2 x 1st prize, 6 x 2nd prize and 2 x 3rd prize). I also won the trophy for the overall winner of the photography division (as I won 4 of the 9 available photography certificates), as well as a trophy for the "Citizen's Choice" award!!

My mum won 2 certificates of merit too (1st prize for her apples and 2nd prize for her pears)!

I'm sorry I've been so useless at replying to shouts and messages lately. I'll get back to you all as soon as I can!

I won't be online for a couple of weeks

rea73 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:16:40 +0100

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I won't be online for the next couple of weeks. I'm taking a bit of a break from the computer so that I can finish my entries for the village show. As I've already told some of you, I will be exhibiting some of my photos, as well as artwork and a range of crafts.

I'll reply to any shouts and private messages after the show has taken place.

Take care!

I won't be online for the next few days

rea73 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:45:45 +0100

Hi to my fellow VIPs,

I had intended to get up to date with my messages this evening but my computer has been disconnecting me from the internet. If you are still waiting for a message from me, there will be a slight delay as I won't be online for the next few days. I will catch up with you when I can.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

The Power of Music

rea73 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:35:13 +0100

As some of you know, I enjoy writing poetry and fellow VIP Reet suggested that I should share this poem as it explains why I think music is so special. I hope you like it!

The Power Of Music

Music lifts you when you're feeling sad,
Soothes you so that things don't seem quite as bad;
Sweet melodies can penetrate your heart and soul,
Leave you feeling refreshed and once again whole.

Music shares your sentiments when you're in love,
Fitting your emotions as perfectly as a hand in a glove,
Rejoicing in the happiness you've found,
Echoing through every single beautiful sound.

Music can at times move you to tears,
Profoundly reflecting your own hopes and fears,
Capturing in essence the ups and downs of your own life,
Tugging at your heartstrings with its melancholy and strife.

Music's all around us, in many a form,
Something to be cherished, a break from the norm;
Transporting us instantly to somewhere far away,
Like an old friend it's there for us, come what may.

Please note that this poem is copyright (it has already been featured in a few different publications). If you'd like to read any more of my poetry, I have a collection of 20 poems out at the moment (limited to 50 copies which I'll be selling to friends and family). I'm asking for a minimum donation of £4 per booklet (plus postage costs) and 100% of the proceeds will be given to Monkey World. Please send me a pm if you'd like more info.

Good Morning!

rea73 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:41:29 +0100

Good Morning to all VIPs! The sun is shining as I type this and the birds are singing.

I'm sorry I haven't replied to all my messages and shouts from the past few days but I've been busy. If you're waiting for a reply from me, you should be receiving one later today.

Hope everyone is well.

My review of Viva la Vida or Death and all His Friends

rea73 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:38:54 +0100

Here is my review of Coldplay's new album. I hope that it does justice to all the brilliant songs as it really is another masterpiece. I've barely stopped playing the CD since I received it on Thursday afternoon.

Life in Technicolor - This is a richly instrumented song which sets the pace for the rest of the album.

Cemeteries of London - Seamlessly follows on from the previous song. An intriguing track.

Lost! - Great lyrics and the percussion is fantastic.

42 - Haunting and thought-provoking.

Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love - What else can I say about these tracks other than "beautiful"?

Yes - I love the way Chris sings this.

Viva la Vida - My favourite song on the album. I love the vivid imagery conjured up by the lyrics and the tune really stuck in my brain after I first heard it. An anthemic track!

Violet Hill - Very powerful. Another of my favourites.

Strawberry Swing - Great to chill out to. Makes me think of summer.

Death and all His Friends - Lovely piano parts and a singalong ending.

FANTASTIC! 10/10

It's really hard to choose favourites as the songs are all great but I especially like Viva La Vida, Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love, Lost!, Yes, Strawberry Swing and Violet Hill.

The blend of instruments is perfect and Chris is sounding as wonderful as ever. I have always found Coldplay's lyrics really fascinating and think that this album cements their position as one of the best bands in the world.

Link to a BBC Radio 4 Coldplay interview

rea73 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:13:38 +0100

For anyone who missed the interview with Chris and Will on Thursday's "Front Row" on BBC Radio 4, you can listen to it here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/frontrow_thu

Programmes are available for one week after broadcast.

Chris actually walked out of this interview but then came back again. Much was made of this on some showbiz gossip pages. Although the incident came as a bit of a surprise to me, Chris was actually very polite about it all and it wasn't as if he stormed off without making an apology. He just said that he wasn't enjoying himself.

There's also a podcast available at:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/frontrow/frontrow_20080613-1540.mp3

Viva la Vida

rea73 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:18:23 +0100

I really loved listening to the Coldplay Special on Virgin Radio last night. The interview was fascinating and it was great to hear some of the tracks from the forthcoming album.

All of the new material sounds fantastic but the title track is my favourite so far. I can't get the song out of my head.

I received an email telling me that Coldplay's new album is on its way to me. I'm supposed to allow 3-5 days for delivery so I hope that I'll receive the CD on the release date of 12th June. When I receive it, I'll review it in a blog.

Which albums are other VIPs looking forward to hearing this year?

rea73 — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:15:44 +0100

Hello to all my fellow VIPs,

I was just wondering which three albums you're most looking forward to hearing this year?

I'm especially eager to hear the new albums by Coldplay (not long to wait now!!!), Keane and Take That.

Top 10 songs by Mark Owen

rea73 — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:34:29 +0100

It's difficult to choose favourite songs as all of Mark's music is perfect, in my opinion, but my top 10 favourites (not necessarily in order) are as follows:

1. Ask Him To

2. Close To The Edge

3. 3:15

4. My Love

5. Live If You Try

6. Baby I'm No Good

7. Confused

8. Makin' Out

9. Alone Without You

10. How Do You Love

What are your favourites?

Favourite Mark Owen album

rea73 — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:14:42 +0100

My favourite of Mark's albums is Green Man. Every single track is a masterpiece, with beautiful melodies and witty lyrics. Although all of his albums are fantastic, this is the one I listen to the most and I think that "Ask Him To" is one of the best songs ever written. I'd love to know what other fans think is Mark's best album and why.