Yeah I'm up at Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca

Someone I know has started a project for the year where he is taking a picture every day as documentation of his year. It's such a great idea and I am very jealous that I didn't think of it.

So, it got me thinking that maybe I need some kind of project. And then it hit me. I have too many books (it pains me to say it, but it is true); and not only that, my bookshelves have far too many books on them that I have had for years, but not *yet read. Instead, I buy new ones and read them.

So my project for the year is to pick a book randomly from my shelves each month that I haven't yet read, and read it.

This month's book will be (drum roll, s'il vous plait):



*The yet is pertinent. I am a great believer in that just because you don't read a book immediately, it doesn't mean that you don't want to read it.

Take it hip to hip rocket through the wilderness

Number seven of an occasional series.

This is one of my favourite songs ever. It holds a rare position of, whenever I hear it, bringing me out in goosebumps and making me grin like a maniac. It is also impossible not to sing along to it, usually at high volume.

What makes it so good? Well, I'd have thought merely listening to it would make that patently obvious, but here goes. The harmonies are gorgeous (sadly with this live version, you don't get the lovely bit at the start), the tune infectious and the lyrics make me want to go places.

Best of all? It's not Loveshack. Now, I know the B52s are much much more than Cosmic Thing, but there are plenty of people who only know Loveshack. I don't mind it that much, but this is miles better. The only criticism of it is that you don't get enough of the fabulous Fred Schneider (although the two women are amazing anyway, and quite the inspiration)

Jigsaw falling into place, there is nothing to explain

I got an awesome jigsaw for Christmas.



But I am not allowed to start it until I finish the one I am currently doing.


And it is really hard.

I heard somebody whisper please adore me

My friend Zoe took this gorgeous picture of the Blue Moon on New Years Eve. Isn't it fabulous? I am sad that I didn't realise there was going to be one until after the event, so I missed seeing it live.

But this picture helps to make up for it.

Music makes the people come together.

And a very Happy New Year to all.

The new year is always heralded in by darts for me, and I was as enthralled by it this year as ever. And the walk-ons are always good for a laugh. I see that snooker has followed suit and introduced walk-on music at the Masters (hooray for Selby beating O'Sullivan as well). But I'm not really sure that it works. For a start, the final aside, the walk-ons were far too short for the music to get going, so it kind of lost the point. Some of the players seemed quite up for it, but some just looked like they thought it was the worst idea ever. Here's an example of someone who seems to embrace it, but I'm not really sure if that is a good thing or not.





I don't know it if is part of Barry Hearn's new ideas for rejuvenating the game, or whether it was an idea for the Masters - I can't quite see it working at the Crucible, especially not when there are 2 tables. Can you imagine - a player lining up the black for a 147 and suddenly Don't Stop Believin' fills the arena?

I remain to be convinced. But maybe that would all change if only someone would come on to Snooker Loopy.

Autumn leaves lie thick and still

Interesting.

Perhaps it is as simple as "because it's awesome"?

Caligula would have blushed

Warning, if you have any musical taste whatsoever, this might be painful.

Still want read on?

The NME published this today. It probably doesn't need much comment. In some ways I am surprised that some of the more recent X-Factor efforts haven't made it on there, but perhaps we should be thankful for small mercies.

However, it is a pathetic list. Kylie aside, there really is hardly a decent pop song on there. In fact, let's not beat about the bush. There isn't. I'm not expecting it to be a list of songs that I really like - best-selling, after all, doesn't necessarily mean good and I have exquisite taste, after all. But even supposing, there have been some great pop songs released in this decade which don't feature. Where's Toxic or Crazy in Love for example. It's even more surprising given the fact that you only have to sell about 2 records to get to number one these days. The thing about this list as well is that it isn't subjective in any way - these are the records that have sold the most. There isn't any debate about it. That is why it is even more depressing.

I'd love to believe the whole "oh it is because the kids are downloading and sharing these days, rather than buying", but I'm not sure I believe it.

I'm officially depressed.